Can You Keep Danse if You Side With the Institute in Fallout 4? A Deep Dive
So, you’re playing Fallout 4 and have found yourself drawn into the complex web of factions vying for control of the Commonwealth. The Institute, with its promises of technological advancement and a secure future, has caught your eye. But what about Paladin Danse, the staunchly loyal Brotherhood of Steel knight who has become a steadfast companion? Can you truly reconcile siding with the Institute with keeping Danse by your side?
The short answer is no, not permanently. While you can delay the inevitable for a short while, siding with the Institute will ultimately lead to a confrontation with the Brotherhood of Steel, forcing a choice between your loyalty to the Institute and your relationship with Danse. Choosing the Institute path means Danse will become hostile towards you, effectively ending his role as a companion. The game will usually give you clear warnings when you are about to reach the point of no return regarding the Institute and Brotherhood relationship.
Think of it like trying to mix oil and water. Danse’s deeply ingrained beliefs and unwavering dedication to the Brotherhood are fundamentally incompatible with the Institute’s clandestine operations and synth creation. While he may remain a companion for a limited time as you explore the Institute’s early missions, the moment you commit to destroying the Brotherhood, Danse will turn against you.
Navigating the Moral Maze: Danse and the Institute
Fallout 4 thrives on these difficult choices. The game forces you to consider the consequences of your actions and the impact they have on the characters you’ve come to know and care for. Danse is no exception. His fate is inextricably linked to the Brotherhood and his own personal identity crisis.
Before making any final decisions, it’s crucial to understand the implications of siding with the Institute and how that affects Danse’s character arc. His loyalty, honor, and sense of duty will all clash violently with your decision to support the Institute’s goals.
The Point of No Return
The game will provide you with warnings, as well as mission titles, that will signal the start of the point of no return with the Brotherhood. Pay close attention, because once you accept certain quests for the Institute, your relationship with the Brotherhood will sour irrevocably, directly impacting Danse.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Danse and the Institute:
Here are some frequently asked questions to help you navigate this complex situation:
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Can I keep Danse as a companion indefinitely if I avoid progressing the main quest too far? Yes, you can keep Danse as a companion for an extended period if you delay advancing the main story and stay neutral towards the Brotherhood and the Institute. This allows you to enjoy his companionship and complete other quests before committing to a faction. However, his quest “Blind Betrayal” will eventually trigger, and your choices during that quest will have lasting consequences.
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What happens during the “Blind Betrayal” quest? This quest forces you to confront Danse’s true nature as a synth and make a decision about his fate. You’ll have the option to kill him on behalf of the Brotherhood, or you can try to convince Elder Maxson to spare his life via a difficult speech check. Failing the speech check will force you to kill Danse. If you succeed in saving Danse during “Blind Betrayal”, it doesn’t mean you can automatically side with the Institute, you must avoid becoming enemies with the Brotherhood beforehand.
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If I save Danse during “Blind Betrayal,” can I still side with the Institute? Yes, but there are considerations. You can save Danse’s life during “Blind Betrayal,” but if you later side with the Institute and initiate actions that make the Brotherhood of Steel your enemy (namely, destroying them), Danse will inevitably turn hostile. You need to complete Danse’s quest BEFORE engaging in any Institute actions that cause the Brotherhood to become hostile.
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Will Danse hate me if I side with the Institute? Once you become enemies with the Brotherhood, yes. Danse’s loyalty to the Brotherhood is paramount. Supporting the Institute to the point of destroying the Brotherhood will make him hostile, regardless of your previous relationship.
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Can I romance Danse and still side with the Institute? You can romance Danse before siding with the Institute, but your romantic relationship will not prevent him from turning hostile once you become enemies with the Brotherhood. The romance arc will be effectively terminated at that point. However, if you romanced him prior to him not taking to you, you will still get the lover’s embrace boost if you sleep near where he is though.
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What companions do I lose if I side with the Institute? The most significant loss is Deacon, the Railroad operative. Siding with the Institute is fundamentally opposed to the Railroad’s goals of freeing synths, making Deacon an inevitable enemy.
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If I destroy the Brotherhood before completing “Blind Betrayal,” what happens to Danse? If you destroy the Brotherhood before completing “Blind Betrayal,” Danse will become hostile when that quest triggers as the Brotherhood is essential to his questline, this also means you cannot save him, unless you avoid talking to Lancer Captain Kells.
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Can I use console commands to force Danse to remain a companion even after siding with the Institute? While console commands can manipulate the game, using them to force Danse to remain a companion after siding with the Institute may lead to unexpected bugs and glitches. It’s not a recommended approach for a stable and enjoyable gameplay experience.
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What are the benefits of siding with the Institute? Siding with the Institute provides access to advanced technology, a unique perspective on the future of humanity, and the opportunity to shape the Commonwealth according to the Institute’s vision. However, these benefits come at a moral cost.
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Is the Institute truly evil? The Institute’s morality is complex and open to interpretation. Their methods are often ruthless and their disregard for the surface dwellers is undeniable. However, they also believe they are working towards a greater good, preserving humanity’s future through scientific advancement. Whether their actions are justified is up to the player to decide.
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Does Danse know he’s a synth before “Blind Betrayal”? No. Danse is unaware of his synth origins before the events of “Blind Betrayal.” The revelation comes as a shock to him, forcing him to question his identity and his place within the Brotherhood.
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If I let Danse live, will the Brotherhood always be hostile to me? If you let Danse live and keep him as your companion, the Brotherhood will be permanently hostile towards both of you. Dismissing Danse will return the Brotherhood to a neutral state, unless you proceed further down a path that makes them your enemy permanently.
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Can I achieve maximum affinity with Danse without joining the Brotherhood? Yes, you can reach maximum affinity with Danse without formally joining the Brotherhood. Actions like entering Power Armor, crafting, and performing acts of kindness will increase his affinity. However, becoming enemies with the Brotherhood will automatically turn Danse hostile, regardless of your affinity level.
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Can I get synth Shaun if I side with the Institute? Yes, if you side with the Institute, Shaun stays there. If you side with the Railroad you can get him. (Not as a follower of course)
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Is Sturges a Synth? Some clues suggest Sturges could be a synth, and his extensive knowledge is usually associated with the “implanted personality.” The game doesn’t outright confirm this. However, all the synths in the game will drop synth components when they die. Even Sturges, who can’t die normally, will drop a synth component if you kill him with cheats.
Making Your Choice: Weighing Loyalty and Ideals
Ultimately, the decision of whether to side with the Institute and sacrifice your relationship with Danse is a deeply personal one. There is no right or wrong answer. It depends on your character’s values, your vision for the Commonwealth, and your willingness to accept the consequences of your choices.
Consider the long-term implications. Can you reconcile the Institute’s methods with your own moral compass? Are you prepared to lose a loyal companion like Danse for the sake of the Institute’s goals? These are the questions you must ask yourself before making your final decision.
Fallout 4 is, at its core, a game about choices and consequences. The fate of Danse is just one example of the many difficult decisions you’ll face as you navigate the complexities of the Commonwealth. Choose wisely, and remember that every action has a ripple effect that will shape the world around you.
If you’re interested in learning more about the educational power of games and simulations, be sure to visit the GamesLearningSociety.org website for resources, research, and community engagement. Games can be powerful tools for learning and understanding complex issues, as we see with the difficult choices presented in Fallout 4.