Key Franchise Mystery I Eagerly Anticipate Fallout 5 Will Reveal

Throughout the history of the Fallout series, numerous enigmas have captured the imagination of players, ranging from the origins of the cataclysmic events to the intentions of the extraterrestrial Zetan aliens, as well as the secretive activities at Dunwich Corporation. Among these perplexing elements, one figure stands out above the rest: the Mysterious Stranger, a trench coat-clad gunslinger who appears to aid players in critical moments.

[Warning: The following article contains spoilers for multiple Fallout games.]

The character first made his appearance in Fallout 2, albeit without his iconic attire and weapon, manifesting as a perk that summoned a stranger to assist the player referred to as the Chosen One. Since then, the Mysterious Stranger has continued to appear in all subsequent installments, now embodying a well-defined and recognizable persona. This character is undoubtedly designed as an unsolvable puzzle, leading players to ponder his true nature. Recent entries in the series have hinted at possible explanations, potentially illuminating the enigmatic identity of the Mysterious Stranger.

Unexpected Assistance from the Mysterious Stranger

Your Guardian Angel Awaits

Mysterious Stranger in Fallout 3 and New Vegas
Mysterious Stranger in Fallout 2
Mysterious Stranger in Fallout 4

So, what exactly does the Mysterious Stranger contribute to the Fallout universe? Once players unlock his associated perk, he appears randomly during a V.A.T.S. action, targeting enemies with unparalleled accuracy, often resulting in an instant kill. Nevertheless, certain barriers and obstacles can obscure his aim, and his revolver may not always deliver sufficient damage to defeat the most formidable legendary enemies.

Despite these hindrances, his lethal efficiency is unquestionable. When players enlist his assistance, he functions as both a bodyguard and an assassin, showcasing his uncanny ability to materialize precisely when needed. However, remaining shrouded in mystery, he does not move his legs, seemingly teleporting between moments of conflict, and refrains from speaking, leaving his motives entirely ambiguous. His attire bears no affiliation to recognizable factions in the wasteland, and his physical characteristics vary significantly across different games.

Deciphering the Pattern of the Stranger’s Interventions

A Sharpshooter in Search of Protagonists

Sole Survivor from Fallout 4
The Lone Wanderer from Fallout 3
Courier from Fallout New Vegas

The Mysterious Stranger’s connection primarily revolves around the game’s protagonists. Notably, he exclusively appears to key characters such as the Chosen One, the Lone Wanderer, the Courier, the Sole Survivor, and the Vault Dweller in Fallout 76. This raises an intriguing question: what unites these individuals, and why does this figure extend his protection to them?

Most of these protagonists share a common background, hailing from various vaults. Given the rarity of surface encounters with other vault dwellers, it stands to reason that the Stranger serves as a guardian for those brave enough to explore the wasteland. Notably, his trench coat closely resembles that of the Vault-Tec representative encountered in the beginning of Fallout 4, hinting at a deeper connection to the corporation. Despite this, a significant challenge arises: it is implausible for the same Mysterious Stranger to exist across all events in the timeline.

The Courier is an outlier in this scenario, as they possess neither a vault origin nor any clear ties to Vault-Tec. However, it’s noteworthy that the Courier receives a Vault jumpsuit early in their journey courtesy of Doc Mitchell, suggesting a potential link to the organization.

Between Fallout 3, New Vegas, and 4, the timeline spans a decade, offering the possibility of a recurring character, but Fallout 2 occurs many years earlier, while Fallout 76 takes place over a century before Fallout 4. While some irradiated humans may live for extended periods, the Mysterious Stranger shows no signs of being a ghoul across the games. Additionally, his appearance varies significantly, particularly in Fallout 76, where players encounter him with different racial and gender representations.

The Institute in Fallout 4: A Potential Key to Understanding

The Role of Synths in This Mystery

Synths in Fallout 4
Internal Structure of a Synth
Synth from Fallout 4

This complexity surrounding the Stranger’s identity opens up intriguing possibilities, especially given the revelations in Fallout 4. In this game, players learn about synths—synthetic beings crafted by the Institute capable of mimicking human behavior and appearances. Added to that, the Gen-3 synths, which have existed since 2227, could potentially explain the Stranger’s recurring presence in various games, including Fallout 2.

It raises the possibility that the Mysterious Stranger actively seen across Fallout 2, 3, New Vegas, and 4 may either be a single formidable Courser or a collective of similarly programmed Coursers dedicated to locating and assisting vault dwellers in their perilous encounters.

This speculation may also shed light on the Stranger’s teleportation abilities, as the Institute possesses technology that facilitates such movement via molecular relay. The leadership of the Institute by Sean could provide further motives for this entity to empathize with vault dwellers, potentially stemming from a desire to protect his father.

Notably, theories suggest that Dogmeat could function as a synth designated to assist the Sole Survivor, echoing the same protective instincts.

However, the implication of synth technology poses a challenge when accounting for the Mysterious Stranger in Fallout 76, as this event occurs long before such technology reached maturity. The variability of the Stranger’s appearance in this game, often appearing as a Ghoul, indicates the involvement of more foundational elements. It’s plausible that initial iterations of the Mysterious Stranger were part of a Vault-Tec security contingent, perhaps from a specialized vault aimed at safeguarding the inhabitants of other vaults once they ventured into the outside world.

In this scenario, each incarnation of the Stranger in Fallout 76 could represent distinct individuals. Yet, in a hazardous wasteland, their survival chances may have diminished over time, leading to the Institute’s development of a specific Courser model based on the remnants of these original protectors. While these possibilities remain conjectural, the ultimate identity of the Mysterious Stranger may never be unveiled. Nonetheless, the future of the Fallout franchise may yet reveal new insights into the rich lore surrounding this iconic character.

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