Sergeant RL-3

Sergeant RL-3 is a Mister Gutsy that was created before the Great War and a possible companion in 2277.

Background
Sergeant RL-3 has an experimental soldier personality making him "unstable," meaning that the player character can only buy Sergeant RL-3 if their Karma is neutral. Otherwise Tinker Joe will just say Sergeant RL-3 "...doesn't like the look of you." Sergeant RL-3 won't leave if the player's Karma later moves away from neutral, but if separated from the player either through firing or through story events, he cannot be re-hired until Karma is again neutral. In these circumstances, Sergeant RL-3 will travel to Canterbury Commons, where he can be re-hired for free.

Recruiting
This companion must be purchased from Tinker Joe between the RobCo Facility and Tenpenny Tower for 1000 caps. If the player's barter skill is high enough, the player may purchase him for only 500 caps.

Effects of player actions

 * If Tinker Joe is dead and you did not get the robot already there is no way of getting this character.
 * RL-3 will return to Canterbury Commons if the player leaves for The Pitt, Point Lookout, or Mothership Zeta.
 * RL-3 will remain essential before you hire him until you hire him or damage him yourself.

Stats
* Robots are considered creatures rather than non-player characters and thus has an additional list of stats present for creatures.

Notable quotes

 * "Old war-bots never die; they just rust away."
 * "There's nothing I love more than making some other poor bastard die for his country."
 * "When I find you, I'm going to kill you as a personal favor to Uncle Sam."
 * "Another glorious day in this man's army!"
 * "Kill them all, let God sort them out!"

Appearances
Sergeant RL-3 only appears in Fallout 3.

Behind the scenes

 * The line, "You're making me angry, you won't like me when I'm angry!" is a line from the 1970s TV show The Incredible Hulk.
 * The line, "Old war-bots never die; they just rust away." is a reference to an old Army ballad line, "Old soldiers never die, they just fade away," made famous by General Douglas MacArthur's farewell speech.
 * The line, "There's nothing I love more than making some other poor bastard die for his country," is based on the quote from American General Patton, "The object of war is not to die for your country but to make the other bastard die for his."
 * Sergeant R L-3 shares a line with Optimus Prime's famous quote "Roll out".
 * The line "Kill them all, let God sort them out!" is based on a quote from Cisterian church leader Arnaud Amalric, during the Albigensian Crusade.

Bugs

 * You may not be able to talk to RL-3 when trying to rehire him at Canterbury Commons. If this happens simply reload your most recent save and go back. He should now talk to you and you shall be able to rehire him as normal.
 * With Broken Steel installed, RL-3 possesses a staggering amount of health at higher levels. At level 20 he has fully several thousand HP, more so than even a super mutant behemoth. This is due to a badly adjusted setting concerning RL-3's leveling, which grants him 350 HP per level gained. Dogmeat and Fawkes are similarly affected. This only occurs if Broken Steel is installed prior to meeting RL-3, otherwise RL-3's level does not scale and his health is fixed at 350.
 * If in sneak mode, having the Robotics Expert perk produces the usual dialogue box with RL-3. However, selecting "Talk" does nothing.
 * RL-3's plasma projector uses the laser rifle's firing sound, not the usual Mister Gutsy sound effect.
 * When traversing over mountains, RL-3 may get stuck on, or in, a rock.
 * The triggering of some unknown event (most likely the death of any member of Tinker Joe's party, whether caused by the player or wandering Wasteland fauna) causes RL-3 to become hostile towards the player, causing him to immediately attack the player if he is ever dismissed from the party. If his Combat Inhibitor is crippled it will not restore after combat and is confirmed to be one of the causes of this.
 * RL-3 may remain frenzied even if his combat inhibitor appears repaired. To check, open the console, click on RL-3 (or enter ), and issue the command. If it returns 3.00, RL-3 is frenzied, which can be repaired with.
 * RL-3 can be waiting in the commons even if you did not purchase him and he can be hired for free. This can be used to the players advantage.
 * He appears in the second tunnel part from the quest The Waters of Life if he is told to wait somewhere outside the memorial.
 * RL-3 will sometimes attack friendly or neutral non-player characters. He has a knack for attacking everyone inside of the Republic of Dave Capital Building, and Scribe Yearling and the Brotherhood of Steel knights inside of the Arlington Library. What is odd is that you must walk to a certain spot in these areas before he will become hostile towards them. To fix this, simply have RL-3 wait in an area away from these spots, but don't dismiss him. Conduct your business, and when it is concluded, reacquire him. (If you want RL-3 in the Arlington Library to help you out with the raiders further in, just go another way that won't trigger this bug).
 * It is possible to recruit sergeant RL-3 at the same time as another companion by dismissing your current companion and speaking to tinker joe purchasing RL-3, then quickly re hiring your old companion before RL-3 joins you. This glitch works with Butch, Charron and Dogmeat. Leaving the Capital wasteland to point lookout or the pit will need you to fire all companions, and this glitch cannot repeat.

Gallery
Сержант РЛ-3 Sierżant RL-3