Navigating the Commonwealth in Fallout 4 poses numerous threats, but players can enlist a variety of companions to share their journey. One of the most notable early-game allies is Paladin Danse, who provides players with insight into the revered Brotherhood of Steel. A dedicated soldier, Danse is ready to confront perilous situations alongside the Sole Survivor, yet he harbors deeper secrets beneath his stoic exterior.
With a total of 16 companions available for recruitment, Danse becomes accessible after a short quest that reveals the Brotherhood’s motives for their presence in the area. As players embark on adventures with Danse and build rapport, he gradually reveals his background and personal reflections. However, beyond what he shares, additional lore about Danse is intricately woven throughout the game, shedding light on past events in the expansive Fallout universe.
7 Danse Tried To Be A Trader
Before Joining The Brotherhood, He Worked In Rivet City
While it’s difficult for Fallout 4 players to envision Paladin Danse as anything other than a battle-hardened soldier, his earlier life before joining the Brotherhood of Steel tells a different story. As trust grows between him and the Sole Survivor, Danse discloses that he was once a trader who operated a junk stand in Rivet City. Reflecting on his childhood in the harsh Capital Wasteland, he recounts scavenging in desolate ruins to survive before eventually moving to the floating settlement on a rusting aircraft carrier.
Fans of Fallout 3 will recognize Rivet City’s significance in the overarching storyline, as well as its role in hosting key characters, such as SRB Director Dr. Zimmer. Given the dangers of the dilapidated ruins surrounding the old capital, it’s challenging to imagine a child navigating that perilous environment. Despite the health issues faced by Rivet City’s inhabitants due to rust, it would have represented a sanctuary of sorts, especially before the advent of Project Purity.
During his time at Rivet City, Danse formed a bond with a fellow trader named Cutler. The two eventually joined the Brotherhood during a recruitment excursion, seeking an escape from their stagnant lives.
6 Danse Has A Good Reason To Hate Super Mutants
Losing A Friend Can Change A Person
Members of Fallout’s Brotherhood often hold discriminatory beliefs towards non-humans, but Paladin Danse’s disdain for Super Mutants runs particularly deep. He often employs derogatory terms when addressing them, contrasting significantly with his interactions with other companions like Nick Valentine or Hancock. Danse’s intense aversion is rooted in a traumatic event—the death of his dear friend Cutler, who was taken by Super Mutants during a patrol shortly after Danse’s assignment to the Prydwen.
During a candid moment, Danse recounts how he had to persuade his superior to allow him to search for Cutler. After three agonizing weeks, Danse discovered that Cutler had been captured, witnessing the brutal demise of his comrades and the horrifying transformation of his friend due to the Forced Evolutionary Virus (FEV). In an agonizing decision, Danse made the heartbreaking choice to end Cutler’s life rather than allow him to suffer as a Super Mutant, leaving an indelible mark on Danse’s psyche.
5 Danse Is Suffering From PTSD
Medical Files Tell A Sad Story
The first encounter with Paladin Danse occurs at the Cambridge Police Station, where he and his squad fend off a horde of feral ghouls. A notable aspect of this Brotherhood squad’s makeup is its reduced size, stemming from significant losses since their arrival in the Commonwealth. Players can uncover through dialogue and terminal logs that Recon Squad Gladius has endured heavy casualties, with only three of the original seven members surviving.
Upon learning that Danse is actually a Synth, notes from Knight-Captain Cade shift from describing him as a patient to a “subject,”indicating a desire for further examination. The emotional toll of Cutler’s death and the loss of his squad is evident; Cade’s medical files reveal that Danse has reported persistent head pain and insomnia. After comprehensive testing yields no physical ailments, Cade concludes that Danse is likely battling PTSD and suggests he take time off to recuperate.
4 Danse’s Speech Hints At His True Nature
All The Clues Were There If You Listened
A pivotal moment in Danse’s narrative arc is the shocking revelation of his identity as a Synth, leading to an order for his termination from Elder Maxson in Fallout 4. This crucial plot twist has been foreshadowed throughout the game with aspects of Danse’s formal mannerisms and articulate vocabulary hinting at his true nature. Players noticing his pedantic speech—a style characterized by excessive formality and elaboration—might suspect that there’s more to him than meets the eye.
Danse often admits discomfort in discussing personal subjects, leading to his serious demeanor. Notably, a humorous moment arises when Piper comments, “I can’t believe Danse was a synth… I mean, I can, because, you know, I’ve heard him speak.” Such exchanges subtly point towards the complexities of his character.
3 Danse Is An Early Gen 3 Synth
Danse Was Already A Brotherhood Paladin In Fallout 3
It’s worth noting that Danse was a Brotherhood member during the events of Fallout 3, which means he would have been acquainted with Arthur Maxson since childhood. The Broken Mask incident, which involved an aggressive early Synth model, occurred in Diamond City in 2229—48 years before the timeline of Fallout 3. This context suggests that Danse may have been among the earliest Gen 3 Synths developed by the Institute.
2 Danse Went Through The Railroad
Danse Is Listed As A Missing Synth
As players delve into the Brotherhood of Steel questline within Fallout 4, a shocking truth emerges following the activation of Liberty Prime: Danse is actually a Synth. Evidence gathered from the Institute reveals a catalog of missing Synths, including Danse, designated M7-97. Although various fan theories circulate about Danse possibly being a sleeper agent, it’s evident that Synths meant to serve the Institute on the surface are aware of their identities.
It seems likely that Danse escaped the Institute while undergoing an identity transformation facilitated by the Railroad, as indicated by his official status as a missing Synth. Interactions with Railroad members and terminal entries at their headquarters reveal that they frequently assist escaped Synths in relocating to the Capital Wasteland, aligning with Danse’s fabricated memories of a difficult childhood. Ultimately, this suggests that his decision to join the Brotherhood stemmed from the false recollections provided by the Railroad.
1 Danse Appears In The Fallout Play Death Shroud
Peter Jessop Reprised His Role For The Non-Canon Production
In his concluding affinity dialogue following the quest “Blind Betrayal,” Danse visibly grapples with a newfound uncertainty about his identity and purpose. With his worldview drastically altered, he is understandably troubled about the implications of his true nature. He articulates a profound sense of aimlessness, questioning the authenticity of his memories. This uncertain future casts a shadow over Danse’s thoughts; however, the CHAD A Fallout 76 Podcast production titled “Death Shroud: A Nick Valentine Mystery” provides a glimpse into a potential life after Fallout 4.
Reprising his role, Peter Jessop portrays Danse in this play, suggesting a hopeful narrative thread amid his struggles. The story hints at a connection between Danse and the default female Sole Survivor, Nora, as Codsworth queries whether Danse would take up his role as the man of the house again. While the tale of Death Shroud exists outside the canon of Fallout 4, it stirs the imagination about the future that Danse might reclaim after Maxson’s betrayal.