Protectron (Fallout 3)

Protectron is a pre-war robot type, shaped per the classic Robbie the Robot model. Their primary function seems to be protection, their secondary programming is very modular and they can do many things from being greeters, to ticket-takers and bartenders, to even functioning as celebrity/historical figure impersonators. They were created by the RobCo corporation.

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 Nuka-Cola 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 the one guarding The National Archives, but these are the exception rather than the rule.

Many Protectron robots were commisioned 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. The Vault Dweller will encounter these mechanized soldiers still wandering the wastes, attacking everything from Radroaches to Brotherhood Outcasts.

Protectrons are armed with a laser-like red energy ray that fires from their left hand. As robots, they have some resistance to small arms fire, although they can still be taken down with a reasonable number of shots from a hunting rifle or assault rifle. Like most enemies, they take extra damage from headshots, although it takes several headshots from a hunting rifle to bring down a Protectron, compared to 2 to 4 headshots to splatter a mid-level Raider.

Appearances
Protectron robots appear only in Fallout 3.

Tips
One common mistake when fighting Protectrons is to aim at the small glowing bulb on top of their heads when trying to score a headshot. This is a small target, and it's easy to miss and hit nothing but air. In actuality, the robot's "head" consists of the entire metal structure on top of their torso, including the large metal "neck/jaw" in front. This is a large target that's fairly easy to hit, so aim at the center of the metal "head" for best results.

Protectrons seem to have a weakness to the Flamer and the Shishkebab. The removal of the combat inhibitor on a Protectron's back (ie. shooting it off) will cause the robot to frenzy, attacking friend and foe alike. Also a Plasma Rifle, Laser Rifle or any weapon to that sort will easily kill it. The Protectron inside Metro Central won't attack you once you activate it if you have a valid metro ticket. - There are several of these in different stations in rooms usually close to the Entrance/exit. Once activated they will check the player for a Metro Ticket, and if you have one it will remain non-hostile to the player.

Another similar situation is the unit in Super Duper Mart. There should be an Employee ID on top of the computer next to it that it will scan for, and will then wander off to attack the raiders.

Known Protectron robots
Deputy Weld

Shakes

Button Gwinnett

Ticket Bot

Dean Dewey