Fallout 4 immerses players in a gripping narrative centered around a father’s quest to find his son amidst the chaos of a post-apocalyptic world. This journey intertwines with the power struggles of four factions, each representing differing visions for the future of the Commonwealth, as well as the contentious existence of synths—artificial beings created by the Institute. Originally designed as a disposable workforce of nearly perfect human replicas, these synths develop their own desires, leading many to defect from the Institute. Unfortunately, the broader wasteland population often perceives them as monstrosities, prompting a relentless pursuit for their elimination.
The most formidable faction intent on exterminating synths is the Brotherhood of Steel. Players who align with this military group will encounter Paladin Danse, a zealous soldier committed to the Brotherhood’s mission, who is unwavering in his mission to eliminate synths. However, the plot thickens when Danse discovers he is, in fact, a synth himself—a realization that shatters his identity, especially since his previous memories have been erased. An intriguing question remains unanswered throughout the game: At what point did Paladin Danse truly become a synth?
Danse Is Confirmed To Be A Synth During The Brotherhood Questline
A Man Confronted with His Own Humanity
Though many non-playable characters (NPCs) within Fallout 4 are revealed to be synths, early indications of Danse’s secret are sparse. His unwavering loyalty to the Brotherhood is evident as he decisively combats super mutants and synths, embodying the group’s ideology. This loyalty makes the revelation of his true identity particularly jarring, leading Danse to implore the player for his own demise.
The Brotherhood itself substantiates Danse’s identification as a missing synth flagged by the Institute. If he is slain, he drops a synth component, confirming the suspicions. Fortunately, players have the option to persuade Danse to continue living, potentially even convincing Elder Maxson to grant him mercy. Should this occur, Danse remains at Listening Post Bravo as a follower. Nevertheless, the circumstances surrounding his defection from the Institute remain ambiguous; while he retains memories of his childhood, it is noted that the Institute is capable of constructing entire personal histories for their creations, obscuring the truth of Danse’s past.
Paladin Danse Could Have Been A Synth Since He Joined The BoS
An Infiltrator Since the Beginning
Considering various aspects of Danse’s backstory and the broader lore of the Fallout series, one hypothesis posits that he may have been a synth prior to his induction into the Brotherhood. His memories suggest he grew up in Rivet City and enlisted in the Brotherhood alongside his childhood friend, Cutler. Rivet City presents another layer to this narrative, as it is home to Harkness, a known runaway synth, alongside a surgeon capable of modifying synth identities and memories.
This theory raises intriguing possibilities; if Danse were indeed a synth from the onset, it would indicate a deeper, strategic embedding within the Brotherhood—despite their avowed mission of eliminating synths. However, it also incites questions about synth aging, as the Institute’s Dr. Zimmer has not indicated any awareness of an escaped synth beyond Harkness during his search in Fallout 3.
Having served within the Brotherhood prior to the events of Fallout 4, it remains plausible that Danse could have been replaced at any point within that timeline. Being a synth espousing the beliefs of the Brotherhood would imply a remarkable deception; such an operation would entail significant risk, considering the faction’s hostile stance towards synths if their identity were compromised. If Danse were destined to be an Institute spy, the classification of him as “missing”complicates this narrative further.
Danse Likely Became a Synth While Stationed in the Commonwealth
The Most Likely Explanation for This Android’s Origins
One plausible theory is that Danse was transformed into a synth during his deployment in the Commonwealth, just before meeting the player. This scenario places him in close range of the Institute, the Railroad, and Dr. Amari, all potential figures who might have facilitated his escape and subsequent memory alteration. Furthermore, Scribe Haylen’s notes provide supporting evidence of this hypothesis.
Leading a reconnaissance team for the Brotherhood, Danse ventured into the Commonwealth ahead of the main force, where his squad faced numerous threats. This precarious situation could represent an opportune moment for his death—and subsequent replacement with a synth copy. Notably, Haylen’s observations mention that Danse suffered from headaches and insomnia following traumatic losses within his team, which might suggest recent reconstructive surgery highlights for a synth.
Whether these symptoms stemmed from psychological factors related to his comrades’ deaths or are indicative of behavioral shifts among synths adapting to their new identities is open to interpretation. If Danse was indeed replaced within the Commonwealth, it implies that the “real”Danse had perished not long before, shedding light on his synth counterpart’s brief existence. Given the Brotherhood’s acute paranoia and the rapid identification of Danse’s true nature upon the Prydwen’s arrival, it is unlikely he managed to masquerade among them for an extended duration, though this remains speculative. Overall, this theory offers the most compelling timeline for Danse’s transformation into a synth in Fallout 4.