Courser



Coursers are the assassin and elite synths designated to carry out specific surface missions from the Institute. They operate around the Commonwealth in 2287.

Background
They are designed to be elite killing machines, unlike others of the synth 'race'. They are noted by the Railroad and the Institute to be exceptional even for synths, as they possess exceptional strength, combat prowess, awareness and endurance, They are widely feared by the Railroad, as their first instinct when they see a Courser is to cease all operations and remain low.

Coursers typically fight under the cover of Stealth Boys, which can confuse the opponent and make the courser harder to fight. They use stimpaks to heal themselves if injured.

Aside from being assassins, some coursers also serve as squad leaders and commanders, leading Gen 1 and Gen 2 synths into battle, most notably during the quest Defend the Castle and Airship Down.

Some, but not all coursers, have a stern look on their face with a monotoned voice. All coursers encountered are male, though with different facial styles.

The Synth Retention Bureau is the main organization that the coursers work for. They are the ones who assign coursers their missions to go out to the surface via relay from their courser chip which allows them to have a form of teleportation. The SRB primarily uses Coursers to retrieve and reset escaped synths, with deadly efficiency.

According to Justin Ayo, Coursers are trained from Generation 3 Synths, though not all trainee Coursers may pass. Those who pass will be inducted as Coursers, while those who fail will have their memory about the training wiped and reassigned.

Notable coursers

 * Z2-47 - Z2-47 is seeking a runaway Synth, killing multiple Gunners in his path and not slowing down. He must be killed for Hunter/Hunted. He is the first courser met in the game, at Greenetech Genetics.
 * X6-88 - X6-88 is a possible companion who is assigned to the Sole Survivor in Synth Retention. He is available as a companion after Mankind-Redefined. He also appears in Kellogg's memories.
 * X9-27 - X9-27 is a Courser encountered above ground, he is in the process of completing orders given by The Institute. He is encountered during the Operation Ticonderoga quest.
 * X4-18 - During the quest The Battle of Bunker Hill, X4-18 is found waiting for the arrival of The Sole Survivor
 * Armitage (S3-47) and Harkness (A3-21) may have been Coursers based on the information available, although it is never directly stated.

Appearances
Coursers appear in Fallout 4.