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For an overview page on protectrons of the entire Fallout series, see Protectron. |
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Protectrons are a type of robot encountered in the Capital Wasteland in 2277.
Background
One of the most widespread and popular models in RobCo Industries' catalogue, the Protectron was designed as an inexpensive work drone, capable of performing a wide variety of tasks from construction, through security, to office duties.[1] Produced from at least 2063, it's a compact, bipedal work drone with a pair of manipulators and integrated lasers for self-defense.[2] The large dome contains the primary optic sensors (usually three) and the central processing unit that contains the robot's synthetic personality. For ease of maintenance, the Protectron is typically powered by a fission battery.[3][4] As it was not intended for combat, at least not as a direct combatant, the Protectron only has a thin alloyed shell meant to protect its internal components from the environment and damage that could be sustained in the course of its duties. However, the internal temperature of certain Protectrons can reach up to 1000 degrees for cooking foods, giving them extreme internal heat resistance.[5] The head assembly is typically shielded by a semi-transparent or opaque dome from reinforced glass. Although various hardware modifications were introduced before the war to enhance its effectiveness.[6][7]
Apart from the standard body, RobCo also offered construction drones with a shielded, reinforced head, emergency light, and internal power tools like nailguns.[8] Firefighter models with an internal cryo gun for fire suppression and additional protection from fire and debris.[9] Medic units with built-in defibrillators and[10] reinforced police models with tasers, stronger servomotors, and armored heads.[11] Even factory models could be customized with a variety of software and synthetic personalities to enhance its performance. This ability to customize made it a popular choice for both the private and public sectors.[12] These included the R04 V9 "Office Helper" personality[13] with integrated office protocols and scheduling software,[14] RS3 V4.1.6 "Utility Helper"[15] with remote maintenance routine download capability[16] and pest extermination programs,[17] and the RX2 V1.16.4 "Vault Helper",[18] with all the necessary Vault protocols.[19] Protectrons usually came with a special pod, for storage, maintenance, and recharging,[20] and the Standard Protectron Control Interface v2.40 installed on terminals connected to the pod and responsible for controlling Protectrons slaved to it.[21]
The introduction of the Protectron harmfully affected the situation of workers in the United States.[22] Although companies would deny that the introduction of robotic workers was meant to replace human workers,[23] the reality was that any company where Protectrons or other robots were introduced would soon see mass layoffs.[24] In one particular instance, a Pittsburgh steel mill decided to lay off all of its workers[25] citing budget cuts and the need to shut the plant down. When the workers started an occupation strike that turned violent,[26] the company simply allowed the new Protectron fleet to enter the facility and gun down the striking workers.[27][28]
Many protectrons were commissioned by the U.S. Army before the Great War of 2077. They are painted a dark olive drab with a white star on their chest. These mechanized soldiers still wander the wastes, attacking everything from radroaches to Brotherhood Outcasts. Interestingly, the Brotherhood Outcasts use their own protectrons which are painted in rust and black. The Pitt adds a new variety of protectron called the "factory protectron", which lacks a glass dome but possesses a single ocular lens, and a cage around the combat inhibitor. The top of where the dome would be appears to be made to look like a construction hard-hat and the body has a yellow coloration. Broken Steel adds "Enclave protectrons", which appear to be much newer, with red glass domes and a polished steel-gray finish. A special red-painted protectron appears at the House of Wares in Point Lookout.
Protectrons in various areas have been programmed differently; the protectrons in the Nuka-Cola plant for example, say that they are operating under the authority of the Nuka-Cola Corporation as they attack you, with the words "Nuka-Cola!" being dubbed in from an exterior source. Other protectrons have even been supplied with sophisticated personalities, such as Button Gwinnett and Dean Dewey.
A protectron with the basic personality loaded can execute "sequences", lists of tasks to complete, such as patrolling an area for intruders or scanning passengers for tickets, in the case of the metro station protectrons. Some sequences may have been programmed by RobCo Industries, while others were written by robotics technicians at the locations where they are used. When not in use, a protectron unit is stored in a base pod, which also charges its battery. The protectron is connected to its base pod via radio uplink, and the pod is in turn linked to a control terminal or computer system, which can be hacked to release the protectron from stasis.
Characteristics
Specifications
Protectrons have a glass dome on top of their heads that acts as an ocular lens that allows the protectron to scan its surroundings and act accordingly. In this glass dome is a laser emitter that shoots a high-powered laser. This laser is also in both "hands/claws". The body of a protectron can swivel up to about 90 degrees to either side before having to step into a different position.
All protectrons come with a combat inhibitor mounted on their back that allows them to selectively target opponents. The combat inhibitor is generally left exposed, making it easy to disable when approaching a protectron from behind. When the combat inhibitor is crippled, the robot will fly into a frenzy, automatically targeting the nearest possible target, regardless of any previous affiliation.
Gameplay attributes
All protectrons have three laser weapons: one in each arm and another in their domed head. Due to it being similar to a laser pistol, they are ineffective at long-range attacks. Protectrons also lack any melee attack, and are slow to turn 180 degrees, leaving them vulnerable to attackers staying directly behind them.
Variants
Protectron
These may be found roaming many parts of the wasteland. The player's first encounter with one may be Deputy Weld outside Megaton, but they will be found in many other places. Protectron carcasses are not uncommon, as robots will frequently attack stronger non-player characters, more often than not with fatal consequences to themselves.
| Name (Form ID) | Statistics | Behavior | Abilities | Items | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Protectron 0001CF8F |
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Metro protectron
Metro protectrons are protectrons found in many metro stations. When approached, they will ask the player for a metro ticket. If the player possesses a ticket, then it will be automatically removed from their inventory and the protectron will remain friendly, continuing to walk around the metro station attacking any enemies. If the player does not possess a ticket, the protectron will turn hostile. On the Red and Blue metros in D.C., the associated red and blue pass cards serve this purpose. Metro protectrons have the same stats as the standard Protectrons, despite their mundane functions.
| Name (Form ID) | Statistics | Behavior | Abilities | Items | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Metro protectron 0003BEB2 |
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Nuka-Cola security
This model of protectron is only found active on the Nuka-Cola plant's factory floor. They are easily identified due to their distinctive color scheme, possessing a red border around their head and hands, with the logo of the Nuka-Cola Corporation emblazoned on their body. They are programmed with a generic guarding routine where they attack all intruders on sight. As part of this program, their speech systems are designed to fill in their owner's name with a recording (in this case, the recording is, "Nuka Cola!"). In Fallout: New Vegas you can find an inactive Nuka-Cola protectron in Mr. House's penthouse next to the bed on the higher level.
| Name (Form ID) | Statistics | Behavior | Abilities | Items | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nuka-Cola security 00030522 |
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Factory protectron
This model of protectron can be found in the Nuka-Cola plant's storage and mixing vats room, along with a nukalurk. It is located in a holding pod and can be activated by the nearby terminal. If activated, it will then begin to patrol the room, confused but friendly. The factory protectron will request to see the player's office ID, and if the player does not have an ID in their inventory the Protectron will become hostile. If an ID card has been acquired, then the Protectron will remain friendly towards the player, and will attack the Nukalurks.
| Name (Form ID) | Statistics | Behavior | Abilities | Items | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Factory protectron 000BAE92 |
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Factory protectron (The Pitt)
These heavy duty industrial robots feature a reinforced "head", a cage on their backs to help guard the combat inhibitor and a distinctive yellow coloring. Markings on the left side of the "head" reads CP 1143-85. This model of protectron can be found in the Pitt steelyard, the Pitt underground and in the Supply plant.
| Name (Form ID) | Statistics | Behavior | Abilities | Items | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Factory protectron xx00A849 (DLC01GenericFactoryProtectron) xx00A93B (DLC01GenericFactoryProtectron02) xx00A93C (DLC01SteelyardProtectron) |
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Maintenance protectron
This deactivated protectron appears only during the quest Reilly's Rangers. It will be found in a storage room of the Statesman Hotel's restaurant. Once the Lone Wanderer has reached the roof, Butcher will direct you to Donovan who asks you to retrieve the robot's fission battery, so it can be used to repair the broken elevator.
| Name (Form ID) | Statistics | Behavior | Abilities | Items | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maintenance protectron 0002D509 |
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Backup protection unit
A one of a kind named protectron model, which is locked up in a holding pod in the National Archives' Archival Strongroom. The player may encounter it, but unlike the Thomas Jefferson robot, it can not be reprogrammed during the last part of the quest Stealing Independence. It has the same appearance as Button Gwinnett. It was always intended to be a standby protection unit ready to be programmed in case any of the historical reenactor protection units broke down.
| Name (Form ID) | Statistics | Behavior | Abilities | Items | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Backup protection unit 000C053E |
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Outcast protectron
This protectron model has been reprogrammed by the Brotherhood Outcasts, and is generally found being used as a sentry or to supplement Outcast patrols. One can be found patrolling the overpass bridge near Fort Independence, while others may be randomly encountered with Brotherhood Outcast patrols near Vault 101 or the Scrapyard. Outcast protectrons do not have the blue color of the common protectron, nor the typical Outcast red paint job, but are instead decorated with a rusty, brownish color. They will sometimes refrain from assisting other Outcasts, such as during the Raider attack on Fort Independence.
| Name (Form ID) | Statistics | Behavior | Abilities | Items | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Outcast protectron 0006C5CE |
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Notes
- Although the official trailer depicts all metro protectron units as having a "Taxi" paint-job, only the Old Olney protectron and some deactivated protectrons in the Robot repair center have this color scheme.
- When activated, a Metro protectron attempts to contact computers at Metro Central, but doesn't receive any response. Because of this, it is authorized to use "lethal force".
- If you have a follower they will not be attacked by a Metro protectron, despite not having a ticket.
- In some cases (most notably the Super-Duper Mart protectron), talking to an "Office Protectron" will cause it to say "Hello fellow Office Worker, may I see your ID?" If the protectron does not receive an office employee ID from the player, it will later say "Scan failed. Please show ID or leave the building." After another period of time, it will finish by saying "Intruder alert! Prepare to be forcibly removed!" However, it will turn hostile for a second but it will then return to neutral mode and walk off.
Notable quotes
- "Violence will not be tolerated."
- "We're.. all.. going.. to.. die!"
- "Protect -Nuka-Cola- installation at all costs!"
- "Aah! Yikes!"
- "Oh.. My.. God!"
- "Tickets please!"
Notable protectrons
Appearances
Protectrons appear only in Fallout 3.
Behind the scenes
Protectrons are modeled after Robby the Robot from the 1956 sci-fi movie, Forbidden Planet.
Bugs
- Protectrons are known to have physics glitches when laying dead in ragdoll mode, specifically when transiting from a cell via doorway into one with a dead protectron in it, or when loading a saved game with a dead protectron in the vicinity. When this happens, they get flung high into the air, or will jiggle as if being electrocuted. [verified]
- Sometimes protectrons are rendered as allies, but will attack on sight. Sometimes the compass will still render the protectron "allies", until you kill or knock them down. [verified]
- Sometimes a protectron will literally fall out of the sky to be crippled on impact. [verified]
- If you later return to the Statesman Hotel, the maintenance protectron there might be alive and hostile. [verified]
Gallery
There are several unused model attachments for the protectron.
The model name for this decal associates it with Megaton. The only protectron in Megaton is Deputy Weld, who is completely generic.
A sheriff's badge. Once again, Deputy Weld may relate.
These numbers appear in the decal texture file but aren't set up as proper model attachments.Video
- ↑ Fallout 4 loading screens: "The RobCo Protectron was constructed for a multitude of civil service applications, from security to firefighting."
- ↑ The Wastelad video game was first published in 2063 and features malfunctioning Protectrons as enemies
- ↑ The Courier: "The display case is empty. The gun's missing."
Primm Slim: "Have you gone loco, pardner? I can see the gun with my own three photo sensors from where I'm standing right now. [You hear strange sounds coming from Primm Slim. He may be trying to read a corrupted file, but it would take more science knowledge to be sure.]"
(Primm Slim's dialogue) - ↑ The Lone Wanderer: "Any clue where I can find a Fission Battery?"
Butcher: "When we passed the maintenance room, I spied a deactivated Protectron inside. Just wrench open its access panel, and you'll find it."
(Butcher's dialogue) - ↑ General's Steakhouse Protectron/Dialogue: "My internal temperature is 1000 degrees. The perfect temperature for broiling steaks."
- ↑ Protectron appearance across the series.
- ↑ Fallout: New Vegas loading screens: "The sturdy Protectron model of robot was created before the great war, and served as a security automaton in both the private and business sectors."
- ↑ Fallout 4 loading screens: "The construction model of Protectron was built to take damage. Some versions also come equipped with an internal nail gun, which they can utilize in combat."
- ↑ Fallout 4 loading screens: "The firefighter model of Protectron is equipped with an internal cryo gun it can utilize in any combat situation."
- ↑ Fallout 4 loading screens: "The medic model of Protectron was designed to use its hands as a defibrillator. In combat, it utilizes this ability as a painful shock attack."
- ↑ Fallout 4 loading screens: "In combat, the police model of Protectron relies on strong melee attacks and a painful electric shock."
- ↑ Fallout: New Vegas loading screens: "The sturdy Protectron model of robot was created before the great war, and served as a security automaton in both the private and business sectors."
- ↑ Protectron: "Loading Personality: RobCo R04 V9 "Office Helper"..."
(Protectron's dialogue (Fallout 3)) Note: OfficeRobotTalk - ↑ Protectron: "Running default office protocol...ERROR. Loading daily agenda...ERROR." et al"
(Protectron's dialogue (Fallout 3)) Note: OfficeRobotTalk - ↑ Protectron: "Loading Personality: RobCo RS3 V4.1.6 "Utility Helper"..."
(Protectron's dialogue (Fallout 3)) Note: UtilityRobotTalk - ↑ Protectron: "Receiving Sewer Maintenance Routine. Please Hold. Link Terminated."
(Protectron's dialogue (Fallout 3)) Note: UtilityRobotTalk - ↑ Protectron: "Critter of unusual size detected. Running Program: Extermination."
(Protectron's dialogue (Fallout 3)) Note: UtilityRobotTalk - ↑ Protectron: "Loading Personality: RobCo RX2 V1.16.4 "Vault Helper"..."
(Protectron's dialogue (Fallout 3)) Note: VaultRobotTalk - ↑ Protectron: "Remote start activated, loading Vault protocols. Please hold."
(Protectron's dialogue (Fallout 3)) Note: VaultRobotTalk - ↑ Protectron pod appearance and placement context.
- ↑ Protectron terminal
- ↑ Supply plant terminal entries; terminal, Private Entry #2
- ↑ Supply plant terminal entries; terminal, Regarding New Protectrons
- ↑ Supply plant terminal entries; terminal, Private Entry #1
- ↑ Supply plant terminal entries; terminal, Private Entry #3
- ↑ Supply plant terminal entries; terminal, Private Entry #4
- ↑ Supply plant terminal entries; terminal, Private Entry #5
- ↑ Supply plant terminal entries; terminal, Private Entry #6