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 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. The Lone Wanderer will encounter these mechanized soldiers 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 Orange-and-Black-flecked paint job. The Pitt adds a new variety of Protectron called the Factory Protectron (not to be confused with Factory Protectrons in the original Fallout 3), which lacks a glass dome but possesses a singular ocular lense, and Broken Steel adds Enclave Protectrons, appearing much more new and having red glass domes with a steel-gray finish.

Combat Statistics
Protectrons are one of the weaker robots in Fallout 3 and can be destroyed with most mid-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 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.

Protectrons drop Energy Cells when destroyed. They may also drop Scrap Metal and/or Fission Batteries.

Appearances
Protectron robots appear only in Fallout 3.

Quotes

 * "Warning. A dangerous fugitive is on the loose. Do not attempt to apprehend." -While searching for enemies.
 * "Do not be alarmed. Law and order will be restored shortly." -When attacking enemies.
 * "Put down your weapons and submit to authority." -When attacking enemies.
 * "Critters of unusual size detected." -When engaging Deathclaws.

Named Protectron robots

 * Deputy Weld
 * Shakes
 * Button Gwinnett
 * Dean Dewey

Varieties

 * Metro Protectron
 * Military Protectrons
 * Outcast Protectrons
 * Nuka-Cola Security (Nuka-Cola Factory, also on display in the entrance of the RobCo Factory)
 * Factory Protectron (this protectron has a unique cage around it's combat inhibitor, it appears that it affects your ability to damage the combat inhibitor through V.A.T.S. by limiting the hit percentage to 35%, should you choose to engage it in combat.) (The Pitt, Supply Plant)
 * Carnival Protectron (Point Lookout, House of Wares)
 * Enclave Protectrons

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 it happens, they get flung high into the air.


 * When you kill a Protectron by shooting its head, but it doesn't explode, but it will never stop rolling on the floor. Even if you pick it up and put it on the flat side, it just rolls over again


 * In the RobCo Facility the robots can spawn with their combat inhibitor floating in the air.


 * In The Pitt the Protectron may occasionally get "stuck" in the floor violently seizing and causing a loud ruckus which is quite annoying. As a matter of fact, this can happen in most buildings. Common places for this glitch are the Statesman Hotel, National Guard Depot, and The Mechanist's Forge.


 * Sometimes when trying to pick up a dead protection, it may get flung violently into the air.

Behind the scenes
Protectrons are modeled after Robby the Robot.