Gunners

The Gunners are a ruthless mercenary army that operates mainly in the Commonwealth in 2287. The Gunners are most known for their no prisoners mindset and have been known to wipe out entire settlements, like common raiders, but are better organized and equipped.

Background
 The Gunners are a violent mercenary outfit, for who no job is too brutal to undertake. They are commonly regarded as no better than common raiders, as they will attack anyone they believe is too weak to defend themselves. As long as it improves their bottom line, everyone's a potential target. As a result, while Gunners claim to be soldiers for hire, but throughout the Commonwealth, they have a well-earned reputation as being a highly militarized gang of thugs; with combat training considered equivalent to the Brotherhood of Steel. Aggressive and fiercely territorial, Gunners are guaranteed to attack anyone who wanders into an area they've claimed as their own. They’re well equipped and well organized, and a group of Gunners almost always includes at least one combat-ready robot.Fallout 4 Vault Dweller's Survival Guide Collector's Edition p.36: "GUNNERS Gunners claim to be soldiers for hire, but throughout the Commonwealth, they have a well-earned reputation as being a highly militarized gang of thugs. Aggressive and fiercely territorial, Gunners are guaranteed to attack anyone who wanders into an area they’ve claimed as their own. They’re well equipped and well organized, and a group of Gunners almost always includes at least one combat-ready robot. Gunners can be found in Mass Bay Medical Center, Hub City Auto Wreckers, and many other locations throughout the Commonwealth. Gunner Humans ''Low-ranking Gunners are usually limited to the protection offered by simple clothing, accessories, and the occasional piece of leather armor. Gunners who have reached the rank of Private sport a few pieces of combat armor. Further promotions grant Gunners better-quality pieces of combat armor. Gunners also enjoy a vast arsenal of weapons. Combat rifles and laser rifles are popular choices—and no Gunner would ever be caught relying on a handmade pipe gun—but virtually any projectile weapon weapon has a chance of appearing in a Gunner’s hands. Even valuable plasma weapons can be found on high-level Gunners. Batons and rippers are sometimes used, as are fragmentation grenades, Molotov cocktails, and a variety of heavy guns.'' Gunner Robots ''With the exception of custom paint jobs, Gunner robots are identical to their standard counterparts. When fighting a Mr. Gutsy, check its arms to estimate its offensive capabilities, then attack its eyes and torso. It’s often best to slow an Assaultron by crippling its leg. Simply using your most powerful weapons against a Sentry Bot is usually your best option."'' (Fallout 4 Vault Dweller's Survival Guide Groups, Gangs, and Factions)

Perhaps the most heinous crime the Gunners perpetrated was the Quincy Massacre, when they attacked the southern settlement in force. A desperate defense could not withstand their onslaught and the ruined town fell, with it, the Commonwealth Minutemen. Only twenty people made it out of there alive.

The Gunners seem to be following the orders of another party, but to date, nobody has learned who pulls their strings. 

Organization
Gunners take inspiration from the pre-War United States Armed Forces in their organization, with certain modifications. Their military rank system is lifted wholesale from the pre-War Army: Gunners rank from the basic recruit, through privates, all the way to colonel. However, they also tattoo their members on the forehead to distinguish their membership and ensure loyalty. Blood types are also tattoed, to expedite medical care.

In terms of training, the Gunners are one of the most well trained military forces out there, on par with the Brotherhood of Steel, but lacking the corresponding moral fiber. They operate in a strict military fashion, with a well-defined chain of command and procedures for dealing with unforeseen circumstances, such as losing a ranking officer in the field or running operations while off the grid (without radio contact with Gunner command ). To improve their power projection capabilities, the Gunners operate a variety of strongholds throughout the Commonwealth, located in strategic spots that are easy to defend. Even temporary camps, such as those established during long range reconnaissance missions, are always set up in a way that makes them difficult to attack.

Low-ranking Gunners are usually limited to the protection offered by simple clothing, accessories and the occasional piece of leather armor. Gunners who have reached the rank of private sport a few pieces of combat armor. Further promotions grant Gunners better-quality pieces of combat armor. Gunners also enjoy a vast arsenal of weapons. Combat rifles and laser rifles are popular choices, and no Gunner would ever be caught relying on a handmade pipe gun, but virtually any projectile weapon weapon has a chance of appearing in a Gunner's hands. Even valuable plasma weapons can be found on high-level Gunners. Batons and rippers are sometimes used, as are fragmentation grenades, Molotov cocktails and a variety of heavy guns.

With all of their assets, the Gunners lack coordination on a strategic level. As a result, Gunners are deadly on a tactical level (as exemplified by the Quincy Massacre, but are unable to take control of the Commonwealth.

Outside relations
As a mercenary outfit, the Gunners will accept any contract, no matter how violent or heinous. As long as the pay's good, they will take it, much like Talon Company. Despite their lack of scruples, they are one of the top choices when it comes to escorting caravans (Old Man Stockton in particular is fond of hiring these mercenaries) or special orders by wealthy residents of Diamond City, particularly when they entail dealing with dangerous wildlife. They also deal in the securing and extraction of technology, in the form of tech salvage missions.

Gunners do not take prisoners and will kill everyone who gets in their way, likely to score any potential bounties that might be out on their targets. Gunners are also not known to surrender.

Deacon is known to be on their most wanted list, several times under different names.

Technology
While they are de facto raiders, Gunners have adopted a military aesthetic and focus on acquiring pre-War military gear whenever possible. Their standard uniform is inspired by pre-War Army fatigues and typically combined with military-grade armor, primarily various types of combat armor, worn with bandanas, sunglasses and military caps. The Gunners also have access to heavy weapons such as Fat Mans and missile launchers, as seen used by high ranking members such as Baker and Bridget. In certain regions of the Commonwealth, Gunners also have Vertibirds at their disposal.

They are also known to use a variety of robots to bolster their ranks, ranging from Mister Gutsy units all the way to assaultrons and sentry bots.

Gunner
The lowest of the Gunners, the generic Gunner is generally pretty weak when compared with their counterparts. Armed with low-mid level weapons like 10mm pistols and laser rifles, these enemies aren’t much stronger than a typical raider.

Gunner conscript
Those who were conscripted into fighting for the Gunners. They are slightly better equipped and stronger than their basic counterparts. Usually found in small groups.

Gunner private
A step up from the Gunner conscripts, some can occasionally be found armed with plasma weapons and combat armor.

Gunner corporal
Gunner corporals are a stronger variant of the low-ranking Gunners. They are usually seen in groups of other Gunners, mainly with other rank-and-file Gunners. They may be armed with automatic 10mm pistols, laser rifles and plasma rifles.

Gunner sergeant
Gunner sergeants will generally be found in the company of privates and conscripts, at moderate levels. They are mostly equipped with energy weapons (plasma and laser), combat armor chest pieces and at least one other combat armor piece. Some can be found with power fists or rippers.

Gunner commander
Armored head to toe, these enemies usually act as the final engagement for areas under Gunner control. Not only strong, these opponents rarely go anywhere without at least several strong Gunner sub-types beside them. They can be found inside the HalluciGen, Inc. building and other Gunner strongholds. They will be at least level 38 and can often be found in T-45 power armor without the helmet.

Gunner lieutenant
While not in the top echelons of the Gunners, these mercenaries sport heavier armor and attack with melee weapons and plasma weapons. They sometimes work alongside Gunner assaultrons and act as aids for officers above them.

Gunner captain
These Gunners are high ranking and appear to be able to run large operations and/or run the Gunner faction (example Captain Wes). Often adorned in sturdy or heavy armor, they usually carry laser/plasma or heavy ballistic weapons (such as assault rifles).

Gunner major
The Gunner major is a high level Gunner that usually carries an automatic plasma rifle or laser pistol coupled with plasma grenades.

Gunner colonel
Extremely high ranking, utilizes Stealth Boys, carries plasma and laser rifles/pistols or modded combat and assault rifles and a full set of combat armor (with or without the helmet). The only named colonel is Colonel Cypress.

Gunner brigadier
The strongest of the Gunners, they begin spawning at level 94 and use a Stealth Boy when combat is initiated, making fights harder unless they are attacked before it is activated. They wear highly modified heavy combat armor and wield powerful modifications of laser and plasma weapons.

Appearances
The Gunners appear only in Fallout 4.

Behind the scenes

 * The blood type tattoos are possibly a reference to the Schutzstaffel of Nazi Germany, who also had blood type tattoos on the underside of the left arm.
 * In combat they will occasionally shout "get some!" This is possibly a reference to the helicopter gunner scene from the 1987 war drama, Full Metal Jacket.