As humans of the Commonwealth recover their humanity and civilization ever so slowly, a more capable and advanced life form threatens their existence in Fallout 4 — synths. That’s Commonwealth wasteland slang for synthetic humanoid robots. To the people of Commonwealth, synths are an even bigger and more sinister threat than the typical nuclear warhead resting on city blocks and sewer lines.
Much of the human animosity for the synths is due to fear of the unknown and unfamiliarity. Had they known the synths they irrationally fear, they would have discovered that there’s so much more to them. As the Sole Survivor in Fallout 4, you’ll want to avoid that kind of prejudice; start by getting to know those synths better lest you become a self-appointed “Paladin Danse” for the Brotherhood of Steel.
10 They’re called androids in Fallout 3
Synths, androids, soulless automatons — say what you will about them, but they’re everywhere in the Fallout mythos, even in the third game. Synths are actually called androids in the Capital Wasteland (or Washington D.C.), which is the primary setting for Fallout 3. That game takes place several years prior to Fallout 4.
Since then, things have changed and the common term for androids is now “synths.” Father (or Shaun) actually explains this in one of the terminal records for Fallout 4. As they grew more advanced, androids warranted a new label, something that represents them better.
9 Human-like synths can only be identified after death
Part of the reason why they’re called synthetics or synths is how they’re almost human-like in appearance. The latest generation (Generation 3) in the Fallout 4 continuity is not much different from humans in appearance. In fact, most people in the Commonwealth won’t be able to tell the difference.
The only way to find out if a person is a Generation 3 synth is by killing them and checking. In their synthetic corpse, a certain implanted component is hidden. That’s how people can know whether a being is a Gen. 3 synth or not. It’s a huge gamble that causes more paranoia than complacency.
8 There are ten variants of them in Fallout 4
Apart from the three generations of synths found in Fallout 4, there are also many sub-variants available for multiple purposes. Each synth was tailor-made for a specific role. Be it combat, utility, manual labor, companionship, or any number of other reasons, synths have an inherent reason for being alive.
All in all, there are ten synth variations in the Commonwealth. They are as follows:
Coursers are the most advanced and dangerous. Meanwhile, the first term, “synth” is a general designation, more apt for stray synthetics than anything.
7 Some synth prototypes were majorly organic
One of the reasons why the Commonwealth fears the Institute so much is because of the organization’s past transgressions and humanitarian crimes. Once they grew dissatisfied with the current synth models, they opted for a more advanced design.
They wanted something closer to human anatomy. Hence, the Institute experimented on several surface dwellers, studied and mutilated them, and then discarded their bodies after getting what they wanted. The idea was to produce synth organics but the experiment proved to be a failure due to the subjects’ radioactive contamination.
6 Their creators did kidnap Commonwealth citizens
So how did the Institute get the bodies needed for their failed designs? Despite the numerous objections, the current head of the Institute at the time proceeded with kidnapping men and women from the Commonwealth in order to fuel the research.
The main culprit was Doctor Frederick who was presumably one of Shaun’s predecessors in the Institute. This event took place around five decades before Shaun was brought into Institute hands. The Institute never got to shake off the notoriety, even after a century.
5 Shaun became the template of the latest synths
Shaun was rather important for the Institue, mainly for the production of Generation 3 synths. He was called father because his DNA, body, and purity from radiation made him the perfect sample for organic synths.
It was because of him that the Institute managed to advance their science and research for synths. They were able to create a near-perfect form of life thanks to Shaun’s existence. Shaun eventually took over and somehow turned the Institute into a more benevolent figure, relatively speaking.
4 The Commonwealth’s fear toward the synths was due to an accident
What fueled the Commonwealth’s fear toward the synths was not Shaun’s direct actions. It was more like a series of unintended events that cascaded into a disaster for the surface. It was all due to a synth infiltrator that went rogue during a field test.
Shaun was still a baby during this incident. The said synth went on a shooting spree in Diamond City during a covert model trial. Diamond City security soon discovered that the murdering individual was a synth after bringing it down. Afterward, the Institute was became vilified even further.
3 The Railroad has some synth discrimination
The Railroad is one of the more sensible factions in Fallout 4 since they view synths as sentient beings. That’s why their mission is to free the synths and create a sanctuary for everyone. But their apparent altruism for synths seems to have a few limits.
Some members argue that Generation 1 and Generation 2 synths are still far from sentient. As such, they believe that those synth models don’t need to be rescued. Generation 3 synths are the most favored models. Still, some members beg to differ and stand by their ideals with adamance.
2 Synths might take revenge on you if the Institute is destroyed
Despite the more arcadey experience and structure of Fallout 4, some of your actions have dire RPG consequences. If you consistently work against the Institute and even treat them with the utmost disrespect, then your son won’t hesitate to disown you.
In doing this, you might get the Institute destroyed in the endgame of Fallout 4. This will result in some synth teams coming after you post-game. Apparently, it’s a rare occurrence but it still happens. Such synth teams might have been remnants programmed to defend the Institute.
1 They’re still alive and conscious after being defeated or seemingly killed
One truly bizarre facet of fighting some of the more advanced synths in the game is that if you shoot them down and they fall down with zero health, they might still be conscious. In some instances, you’ll be able to see their eyes move as if trying to analyze their predicament.
The only way to halt this creepiness in their design is by decapitating them. That will end their existence; repairing them might become more difficult at that state. Regardless, it’s something to consider.
NEXT: The Most Powerful Enemies In Fallout 4
