Protectron (Fallout: New Vegas)

Protectrons are pre-War robots encountered in the Mojave Wasteland and Big MT in 2281.

Background
Many protectrons in various areas have been programmed differently. Other protectrons have even been supplied with sophisticated personalities, such as Primm Slim or Vendortron, but these are the exception rather than the rule.

A protectron with the basic personality loaded on it can execute 'sequences', lists of tasks to complete, such as patrolling an area for intruders. Some sequences may have been added by RobCo, whereas others were written by robotics technicians at locations where they are used. When not in use, a protectron unit is stored in a base pod, which charges its battery. The protectron is connected to its base pod via radio uplink, and the pod is in turn connected to a control terminal or a computer system. Protectrons can be customized via software upgrades to perform specific functions, even outside their purpose. Such is the case with Fisto, a pre-War security bot who can be repurposed for sexual pursuits using the sex-bot holotape from Ralph at Mick & Ralph's, or the computer terminal in Cerulean Robotics for James Garret in Freeside during the quest Wang Dang Atomic Tango.

There is also a special type of the protectron named Protect-O-Bot, which can be found in the REPCONN Headquarters museum, with wheels rather than normal legs, a dynamo accelerator, and a more car-type design.

Specifications
Protectrons have about the same amount of health as an average human combatant, although they are also much slower than a human combatant, making them a lot less lethal. Their metal bodies provide them with a decent amount of armor protection, a DT of 8, equal to a suit of metal armor in poor condition. They are equipped with a series of three built-in laser emitters, mounted in their right and left "hands", as well as the glowing dome atop their head. Unlike humans, protectrons do not take extra damage from head shots, although certain perks (such as Sniper) still make going for head shots a good option.

Like all robots, protectrons are much rarer in the Mojave Wasteland than in the Capital Wasteland. They are not found wandering the Wasteland at random, and are only encountered protecting a handful of intact pre-War facilities.

Gameplay attributes
Protectrons are one of the weaker robots in Fallout: New Vegas, and can be destroyed with most low-level weapons or explosives (such as frag grenades). Despite being somewhat more durable than the typical raider, their poor armor means their lifespan is likely to be quite short. They are gray by default, but often come painted or manufactured with colored parts depending on where they are found.

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, 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.

Protectron
One of the weaker robots found in the Mojave Wasteland. They do not pose much of a threat, due to their slow speed as well as their weak damage. They are equipped with hand and head lasers, so if only one weapon is disabled, it is still combat effective. They are not as commonly found as in Fallout 3, with them being in every metro station. In Fallout: New Vegas they are patrolling some (office) buildings and the Securitron vault.

Shipping worker
Shipping workers are robots found in the Sunset Sarsaparilla Headquarters. There are only two of them. They can be found on the bottom floor, in the large room of the factory with the bottle cap press machine. The same tactics work on them as well as normal protectrons. Once killed, scrap metal, energy cells and fission batteries may be found on their bodies. Several broken shipping workers are found throughout the headquarters, with each containing the same loot.

Sunset Sarsaparilla security
A slightly tougher variant of the protectron, three Sunset Sarsaparilla security protectrons can be found patrolling inside the Sunset Sarsaparilla Headquarters, defending it from all Wasteland intruders, while others that are already disabled can be scraped for components.

Mark series (Old World Blues)
The Mark series of protectrons were an attempt by the Big MT company to reproduce, as well as improve the Protectrons produced by RobCo Industries before the war. The 'Mark' that is spawned depends on the players level. The Mark I protectron is more sturdy than the RobCo models, the one exception being the one for security purposes at Sunset Sarsaparilla, but the Mark II upwards are all more durable than other models. However, the fire power on all models remains the same. Unlike the variants found in Mojave, protectrons in Big MT have a higher DT.

Construction drone (Old World Blues)
A construction drone is a type of robot used in the Big MT. They were made as an alternative to human labor to manufacture the various structures and machinery seen in the Big MT. Due to their programming as a defensive robot, they also provide their own job site security, and are still operating after the Great War. They look exactly like the factory protectrons from The Pitt in Fallout 3.

Protectron target drone (Old World Blues)
Targeting drone protectron is a model protectron in Big MT. They have the unique role of being targets for the X-42 giant robo-scorpion and thus acting as a distraction that is usable by the Courier in their confrontation with it.

ProtectronBlue (Old World Blues)
ProtectronBlue is a model protectron that was to appear in Fallout: New Vegas add-on Old World Blues, but was cut from the DLC prior to release.

Locations

 * A handful of protectrons can be found guarding a chamber in the basement of the HELIOS One control tower, just in front of the elevator leading up to the mainframe deck.
 * Depending on the player's level, some protectrons may be part of the robotic execution force inside the Vault 11 sacrificial chamber.
 * Protectrons guard Mr. House's secret bunker under The Fort. They can be deactivated by hacking a hard locked terminal.
 * A few protectrons guard the inside of the H&H Tools Factory.
 * Three deactivated protectrons are on display inside the Lucky 38 penthouse, including the Nuka Cola variant.
 * Several Construction variants can be found in the Construction site in Big MT including the unique variant, Construction drone foreman.

Notable protectrons

 * Fisto
 * Primm Slim
 * Vendortron
 * The Custodian
 * Bohr

Appearances
Protectrons appear in Fallout 3 and Fallout: New Vegas