Courser

Coursers are the assassin and elite synths designated to carry out specific surface missions from The Institute.

They are designed to be elite killing machines, unlike others of the synth 'race'. They are noted by the Railroad and the Institute to be exceptional even for synths, as they possess exceptional strength, combat prowess, awareness and endurance. They are widely feared by the Railroad, as their first instinct when they see a Courser is to cease all operations and remain low.

Most coursers wear the Courser uniform and usually some pair of sunglasses. Some, but not all coursers, have a stern look on their face with a monotoned voice. All coursers encountered are male, though with different facial styles.

The Synth Retention Bureau is the main organization that the coursers work for. They are the ones who assign coursers their missions to go out to the surface via relay from their courser chip which allows them to have a form of teleportation. The SRB primarily uses Coursers to retrieve and reset escaped synths, with deadly efficiency.

According to Justin Ayo, Coursers are trained from Generation 3 Synths, though not all trainee Coursers may pass. Those who pass will be inducted as Coursers, while those who fail will have their memory about the training brainwashed and reassigned.

Locations

 * Greenetech Genetics - This is the location where the Sole Survivor will meet their first Courser; Z2-47. This Courser is after a runaway Synth, and is killing anyone in his path. The Survivor begins to chase him throughout the base, and fighting through the still alive Gunners the Courser left behind.
 * Rivet City - This is the location where the Lone Wanderer can find an escaped courser, Harkness.
 * Rivet City science lab - This is the location where the Lone Wanderer can find a courser named, Armitage, acting as a bodyguard for Mr Zimmer.

Notable Coursers

 * X6-88 - X6-88 is a possible companion who is assigned to the Sole Survivor in Synth Retention. He is available as a companion after Mankind-Redefined. He also appears in Kellogg's memories.
 * Z2-47 - Z2-47 is seeking a runaway Synth, killing multiple Gunners in his path and not slowing down. He must be killed for Hunter/Hunted.
 * X4-18 - During the quest The Battle Of Bunker Hill, X4-18 is found waiting for the arrival of The Sole Survivor
 * Harkness (A3-21) - Harkness is most likely a Courser based on the information available, although it is never directly stated. He can be found in all areas of Rivet City. He can be turned in to Mr Zimmer in the quest 'The Replicated Man'.
 * Armitage - Armitage is a bodyguard assigned to Mr Zimmer. He may be a courser, although again this is never directly stated. Armitage can be found in the Rivet City science lab with Mr Zimmer.