Protectron (Fallout 3)

Protectrons are pre-War robots encountered in the Capital Wasteland in 2277.

Background
Many protectron robots were commissioned by the U.S. Army before the Great War. They are painted a dark olive drab with the Army's white star on their chest. These mechanized soldiers are still wandering the wastes, attacking everything from radroaches to Brotherhood Outcasts. Interestingly, you will also see the Brotherhood Outcasts using their own protectrons, which have a red-and-black-flecked paint job. The Pitt adds a new variety of protectron called the "factory protectron," which lacks a glass dome but possesses a singular 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. Broken Steel adds Enclave protectrons, which appear to be much newer, with red glass domes and a steel-gray finish. A special red-painted protectron appears in the House of Wares in Point Lookout.

Many protectrons in various areas have been programmed differently; the protectrons within the Nuka-Cola Factory, for example, mention 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.

A protectron with the basic personality loaded on it can execute 'sequences', lists of tasks to complete, such as patrolling an area for intruders. Some sequences may have been added by RobCo, whereas others were written by robotics technicians at locations where they are used. When not in use, a protectron unit is stored in a base pod, which charges its battery. The protectron is connected to its base pod via radio uplink, and the pod is in turn connected to a control terminal or a computer system.

Gameplay atrributes
Protectrons are one of the weakest robots in Fallout 3 and can be destroyed with most low-level weapons or explosives (such as grenades). Despite being somewhat more durable than the typical raider, their poor armor means their lifespan is likely to be quite short. They are gray by default, but often come painted or manufactured with colored parts depending on where they are found.

They have three laser weapons built into their frame, one in each arm and another one in their head. They are hardly the best shots, although sustained fire can put a dent in the player character's health.

Like most robots in Fallout 3, the protectron has a combat inhibitor on its back. Crippling this part of the robot will cause it to frenzy and start attacking all targets indiscriminately.

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: robots will frequently attack stronger NPCs, often with fatal consequences.

Metro protectron
Most Metro tunnels have a protectron that can be activated via a computer terminal. Upon activation, they will often patrol a pre-set route, attacking any animals, insects, raiders, or ghouls they find. Many Metro protectrons act as ticket-takers and will become hostile if the player does not possess a metro ticket.

Notable quotes

 * "Put down your weapons and submit to authority."
 * "Move along, please."
 * "Critters of unusual size detected."
 * "Tickets, please."
 * "Commencing attack on hostile."
 * "Law abiding citizens have nothing to fear."
 * "Hold it right there."
 * "Commencing lawful use of deadly force"

Notable protectrons

 * Button Gwinnett
 * Dean Dewey
 * Deputy Weld

Appearances
Protectrons appear in Fallout 3.

Behind the scenes
Protectrons are modeled after Robby the Robot.

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.
 * 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.
 * Even if one or both of a Protectron's legs are crippled, they can still run normally.
 * Sometimes a Protectron will literally fall out of the sky to be crippled on impact.

Video
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