Synth

Synths are androids found in the Commonwealth.

Background
Synths are the creation of the mysterious Institute. Synths are classified into one of three generations depending on their level of complexity. Generation 1 synths are crude mechanical humanoids with a skeletal appearance; they bear little resemblance to living humans. Generation 2 synths are also mechanical, but have a more advanced frame that is partially or fully covered in plastic panels that serve as "skin"; they might pass for humans if not closely inspected. Generation 3 synths represent the pinnacle of synth technology, with bio-mechanical bodies capable of imitating most of the biological functions of a living human; they can respire, bleed, consume food and drink, feel emotions and pain, and appear indistinguishable from a true human.

Although it is unknown when each successive generation was developed, the people of Diamond City reportedly first encountered a synth that was for all appearances a normal human in 2229, in an incident called the "Breaking Mask". The synth, which called itself Mr. Carter, may have represented an early Generation 3 model in that it was outwardly human, but internally still artificial. Many people of the Commonwealth have since become paranoid and prejudiced against synths, fearing they might be secretly kidnapped by the Institute and replaced with identical copies of themselves. Their paranoia has been justified to a certain extent, as some of the most sophisticated synths encountered act like spies and can fool the unaware.

Characteristics
Most encountered hostile synths are Generation 1 or 2, and are armed with Institute laser weapons.

As evidenced in the mission Call to Arms, some Institute synths display an often disturbing level of sentience, eerily treading the line between man and machine. This can clearly be seen in their dialogue, such as when the synths call out to both the Sole Survivor and Paladin Danse when in the ArcJet Systems building, stating that "whoever you are, I know you're there". They will also question themselves if they have detected but cannot uncover a target, commenting that their systems may be in need of recalibration. This, perhaps more than anything, hints heavily at the level of potential independence possessed by the synthetic humanoids.

Notable synths

 * Nick Valentine
 * Shaun
 * X6-88
 * Danse

Appearances
Synths appear in Fallout 3 and Fallout 4. The two synths encountered in Fallout 3, Armitage and Harkness, were ostensibly Generation 3 synths, and Generation 1 and 2 synths were not introduced until Fallout 4.

Behind the scenes
Synths share many similarities with the terminators from the Terminator film franchise. The most notable one being that the early models of synths posses an endoskeleton that looks almost identical to a human skeleton, just like the T-800 terminators. As well, the 3rd generation of synths were created by the Institute to blend into human settlements, which is exactly what SkyNet created the terminators to do. Both Fallout 4 and the Terminator series take place in a post apocalyptic America destroyed by nuclear war. The Generation 2 synths have artificial skin, like the T-600 series mentioned in Terminator and Terminator Salvation. The skinless Syths that attack the player are similar to the endoskeletons seen in Kyle Reese's flashbacks hunting the Resistance.

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