Star Paladin Cross

Star Paladin Cross is a possible companion NPC in Fallout 3.

Star Paladin Cross is a member of the Brotherhood of Steel who answers directly to Elder Lyons. Formerly, she was directed to protect the player's father, James, on his missions, and because of this, desires to fight alongside the player.

Background
According to the Fallout 3 Official Game Guide, Cross was "technologically enhanced", after she was critically injured while defending Elder Lyons in the field. Scribe Rothchild performed the enhancement operation that saved her life. The game guide also states that she is now a cyborg, which is why she never eats or sleeps.

Whether or not this information is correct is dubious. Cross, nor any other NPC, ever mentions anything about her being a cyborg, and she can be seen drinking and eating in the Citadel Lab.

Location
In the Laboratory at The Citadel. The player can first meet Star Paladin Cross after The Waters of Life quest and after receiving Power Armor Training (confirmed on PC), and she will join so long as the player has good karma and speaks respectfully when conversing with her. Note however that she will leave and return to the The Citadel if the player's karma drops down to Very Evil.

Equipment
Cross' default equipment consists of a Super Sledge, Laser Pistol and the Brotherhood of Steel Power Armor.

Cross can be given a variety of weapons. Considering her Brotherhood training, she will switch between weapons to fit the situation, and is effective with Big Guns, Small Guns and Energy Weapons. She will wear any armor better than her own - the only sets of which seem to be Enclave Power Armor, T-51b Power Armor (And its winterized version), Tesla Power Armor, Outcast Power Armor, and Enclave Hellfire Armor.

Being a member of the Brotherhood, logically Cross is always following the organization's main agenda: searching out new weapons and technology. She will sometimes loot certain bodies before the player can get to them, especially if they carry energy weapons or other advanced technology. Like any companion, she may lose her weapon due to enemy sniping and not recover it, so it is important to monitor her carefully if she is given a unique weapon, such as Vengeance. Also note that any weapon provided by the player must have ammo, unlike her default weapon, which has infinite ammunition. It is not advisable to give her an Auto Axe, because she will swing like a hammer instead of using it the correct way.

Cross's maximum carrying capacity is 198 pounds. Note that in her case, the default Super Sledge and Power Armor count against her total carry weight, which makes actual total carry weight less than her maximum.

Cross is one of the NPCs that can be equipped with the Tesla Cannon.

Cross is also very effective with the Heavy Incinerator, she hits about 90% of the time and if it's in good Condition she is potentially better than the player can be, depending on the amount of hits the player has.

Due to her skill with energy weapons, giving her the Scoped Gauss Rifle from Operation Anchorage may be a very good decision. However, it must be the simulation one, as the normal one cannot be given to NPC's.

Combat

 * Even though she regenerates her health after a battle, Cross can apply stimpaks on her own during combat if they are given to her via dialogue.
 * With her high health and Power Armor, Cross is extremely tough. She can even take several direct missile hits before dying in combat. If given exceptionally well-maintained armor, she rivals Fawkes in staying power. Furthermore, unlike Fawkes, Star Paladin Cross sneaks when the player does, making her useful for stealth-based characters. Still, though strong, Cross can be overwhelmed by multiple large enemies, such as the Giant Radscorpion.
 * Cross is probably the most deadly follower one can have when given the Alien Blaster, rivaled only by her shooting Mini Nukes - minus the danger to herself and everyone around her. Although the Alien Blaster has extremely rare ammunition so this is only recommended for the most difficult fights.
 * Cross is also incredibly destructive with the Tesla Cannon due to her energy weapons skill, although she tends to shoot enemies even after their expiration. While it is rather easy to acquire Electron Charge Packs the PC should allow Cross to discharge her precautionary shot before approaching any spent enemies. It is also a good idea to give her a sidearm that she can switch to for close encounters, instead of shooting the Cannon at point blank range. A Plasma Pistol is a good choice here (A.I. wise) due to its short effective range and low priority compared to the Tesla Cannon.

Quotes

 * General
 * "There is a foul stench on the wind. Let us not tarry for long." -- When spoken to.
 * "Vigilance is advised." -- Random
 * "I shall reflect on battles past and battles to come until your return." - When told to wait.
 * "In the words of Elder Theus: a Brother well-equipped is a brother keeping to his duty."-- When trading equipment.
 * "Helping the people of the Wasteland is of the utmost to the Lyons Doctrine." -- Random.
 * "Is this relevant to the mission?"-- When player lingers in one area for too long.
 * "You are wearing out my patience." -- When player lingers near radiated sites for too long.
 * "Make no mistake; Your father would be proud of what you have done."-- When player has very good karma.
 * "You are a credit to your father." -- When player has good karma.
 * "We all stray from our paths sometimes. I trust that you will return to yours. Soon."-- When player has neutral karma.
 * "Your actions are beginning to disturb me."-- When player has evil karma.
 * "Hmm, must have been a glitch."--Easter Egg
 * "I've been here before." -- Random
 * "If you prefer conversation, perhaps you have brought along a Scribe."-- When changing dialogue topics.
 * "Once more and I'm going to have to kill you." - When attacked repeatedly by the player


 * Combat
 * "Engaging!" -- When engaging.
 * "Just me, or are these things actually getting uglier?"-- When in combat with Super Mutants.
 * "I've got a present for you, Frankenstein!" -- When in combat with Super Mutants.
 * "Flank' em!" -- When in combat
 * "There's another one!" --When there's another hostile
 * "Damn it! Would you die already?"-- Randomly in combat
 * "You're facing superior weapons and training. Submit!"-- Randomly in combat
 * "Better her/him than me." -- When you kill an enemy whilst hidden
 * "Come on out and let's fight face to face!" -- When searching for hostiles
 * "Continuing sweep." -- When searching for hostiles
 * "This is a coward's game!" -- When searching for hostiles
 * "Face me, dammit!" -- When searching for hostiles
 * "Hostile incoming!" -- Upon finding a hostile
 * "There's no shelter from the Brotherhood!" -- Upon finding a hostile
 * "We both know how this ends, you mutant freak!" -- When in combat with super mutants
 * Grenade out!" -- When throwing a grenade


 * End of Combat
 * "Enemy down."
 * "Victory!"
 * "Stand down. All clear."
 * "One more for the Brotherhood!"
 * "Area secured."


 * Sneaking


 * "Come out of there and fight me like a real man."This is a cowards game!"

Bugs

 * It has been reported that when fast traveling to Arefu, Cross can suddenly go berserk and kill Evan King. If you did not complete the Blood Ties quest, it will automatically fail when she does that. Traveling with her may also set all NPCs from Arefu hostile for no apparent reason.(unconfirmed)


 * Cross may stop randomly and remain in the same spot as if she were told to "Wait here". (confirmed PS3, Xbox 360 and PC)


 * You must choose the 2nd option in order to have Cross follow you even if you already have a humanoid companion. Apparently, she's only willing to overlook that if you play hard to get. NOTE: This only works during Cross's introductory dialog, and only by choosing the second option. If you ask Cross to join you any other way she will refuse.(confirmed on PS3)


 * Sometimes, if Cross dies in battle, you will receive a message many in-game weeks later, stating that "Star Paladin Cross has returned to the Citadel."(confirmed on Xbox 360)


 * After a long period of playing, Star Paladin Cross may randomly disappear and when you go to V.A.T.S. to find out where she is it will go to a random location showing Star Paladin Cross laying down.(unconfirmed)


 * When entering the testing lab area of Vault 87 Cross may not follow you. Upon returning to the previous area, they may find the Star Paladin lying on the ground as if dead, but still appearing alive in the compass (the same can happen with Charon, Dogmeat, Butch and Jericho). (confirmed Xbox 360, PC,PS3)


 * If you have Star Paladin Cross as a Follower when taken by the Enclave after retrieving the GECK in Vault 87 she may disappear from the game. In the PC version of Fallout 3, this can be resolved by typing and then  in the console. She will appear next to you and you will have to invite her to your party. This way, she will still have her inventory and you will not lose the items you gave her before retrieving the G.E.C.K. This bug can be fixed on xbox 360 by downloading the Pitt or Point Lookout. When you travel to the pitt the first time a message will appear telling you that Star Paladin Cross has returned to the Citadel. When your done in the Pitt go to the Citadel and she will be in the lab.


 * After downloading Broken Steel, Cross seems to have trouble following you: she will stay in the Citadel until you have completed the main quest. If she is not back at the lab, then it's possible she is stuck in the hospital located in the B Ring of the Citadel. This is the location where you first wake up at the start of Broken Steel. Even after you get her to follow you again, telling her to wait somewhere will present a similar challenge. Reloading a previous save seems to help. Also, telling her,"We must part ways, Paladin Cross," and, before she walks out of site or through a door, speaking to her and asking for her assistance again, will get her to follow you again.(confirmed Xbox 360 and PS3)
 * There is a partial solution for PC users on Broken Steel Bugs page.


 * Sometimes, Cross will be stuck wearing her own suit of BOS power armor, and will not put on any other outfit, even if it is better than hers. (confirmed Xbox 360)


 * If you decided to use the glitch to enter the Citadel early and acquire Paladin Cross, and then complete the Waters of Life quest, it is possible to recruit Star Paladin Cross two times. (confirmed on Xbox 360 and PC)


 * If you have Dogmeat with you, Star Paladin Cross will join you despite Fawkes being your partner. (confirmed Xbox 360, PS3)
 * Cross WILL wear Winterized Combat Armor Over her power armor (which can be helpful for sneaking characters as there is no agility penalty)
 * If you have exploited the two follower glitch, Cross may disappear from the game upon completion of Take it Back (assuming you have downloaded Broken Steel). If you have the PS3 or 360 version of Fallout 3, the only way that I have found to correct this error is to download The Pitt and travel there. All of your companions are automatically fired and you will receive a message stating that "Star Paladin Cross has returned to the Citadel" (this would probably work with Point Lookout and Mothership Zeta as well since the same thing happens).
 * When told to wait, and then spoken to again, she will act like she is not waiting, and will not follow you. The only way to fix this is to fire her, then quickly re-hire. (Xbox 360)

Behind the scenes

 * "I've got a present for you" is likely a reference to Command And Conquer commandos who says the same sentence when planting C-4 on buildings