Protectron (Fallout: New Vegas)

Protectrons are pre-War robots encountered in the Mojave Wasteland and Big MT in 2281.

Background
Many protectrons in various areas have been programmed differently. Other protectrons have even been supplied with sophisticated personalities, such as Primm Slim or Vendortron, but these are the exception rather than the rule.

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. Protectrons can be customized via software upgrades to perform specific functions, even outside their purpose. Such is the case with Fisto, a pre-War security bot who can be repurposed for sexual pursuits.

There is also a special type of the protectron named Protect-O-Bot, which can be found in the REPCONN Headquarters museum, with wheels rather than normal legs, a dynamo accelerator, and a more car-type design.

Specifications
Protectrons have about the same amount of health as an average human combatant. Their metal bodies provide them with a decent amount of armor protection, a DT of 8, equal to a suit of metal armor in poor condition. They are equipped with a series of three built-in laser emitters, mounted in their right and left "hands" as well as the glowing dome atop their head. Unlike humans, protectrons do not take extra damage from headshots, although with certain perks, such as Sniper, a headshot will eliminate them faster. They are also slower than a human combatant.

Like all robots, protectrons are much rarer in the Mojave Wasteland than in the Capital Wasteland. They are not found wandering the Wasteland at random, and are only encountered protecting a handful of intact pre-War facilities.

Gameplay attributes
Protectrons are one of the weaker robots in Fallout: New Vegas and can be destroyed with most low-level weapons or explosives (such as frag 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, 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
One of the weaker robots found in the Mojave Wasteland. They should not pose much of a threat, also due to their slow speed. They are equipped with a hand- as well as a head laser, so if a weapon is disabled, it still can continue in battle. They are not found as much as in Fallout 3, where they are found in every metro station. In Fallout: New Vegas they are patrolling some (office) buildings and the Securitron vault.

Shipping worker
Shipping workers are robots found in the Sunset Sarsaparilla Headquarters. There are only two of them. They can be found on the bottom floor in the large room of the factory with the bottle cap press machine. The same tactics work on them as well as normal protectrons. Once killed, scrap metal, energy cells and fission batteries, etc. may be found on their bodies.

Sunset Sarsaparilla security
A slightly tougher variant of the protectron, three of these still functioning, can be found patrolling inside the Sunset Sarsaparilla Headquarters, defending it from all Wasteland intruders, while others that are already disabled can be scraped for components.

Locations

 * A handful of protectrons can be found guarding a chamber in the basement of the HELIOS One control tower, just in front of the elevator leading up to the mainframe deck.
 * Depending on the player's level, some protectrons may be part of the robotic execution force inside the Vault 11 sacrificial chamber.
 * Protectrons guard Mr. House's secret bunker under The Fort. They can be deactivated by hacking a hard locked terminal.
 * A few protectrons guard the inside of the H&H Tools Factory.
 * Three deactivated protectrons are on display inside the Lucky 38 penthouse.

Notable protectrons

 * Fisto
 * Primm Slim
 * Vendortron