Spotting Synths in the Wasteland: A Comprehensive Guide

So, you think there might be a synth lurking among your settlers in Fallout 4? You’re not alone. Paranoia is practically a Commonwealth pastime. The fear of the Institute’s infiltrators is real, and knowing how to identify them can be crucial for the survival of your settlements. Let’s dive into the definitive guide on how to tell if a settler is a synth.

The most straightforward, albeit ethically questionable, method is simple: kill the suspect and check their corpse for a synth component. If they drop one, congratulations (or condolences?), you’ve found your synth. However, this isn’t exactly a sustainable solution for maintaining a thriving community. A less drastic initial approach involves using the Anatomy perk. This perk, unfortunately, only highlights higher resistances for the supposed synths, but doesn’t mean all settlers with higher resistances are synths.

Methods for Synth Detection

Here’s a more detailed breakdown of the available methods:

• The Corpse Test (The Most Obvious): As mentioned earlier, this is the most definitive method. Killing a settler and looting their body for a synth component provides undeniable proof. Of course, this requires either a willingness to murder (and potentially anger a whole settlement) or a liberal application of save scumming – saving the game before the act, checking for the component, and then reloading if the settler turns out to be innocent. Remember to do this in a secluded area to avoid unwanted attention.

• The Anatomy Perk (A Hint, Not a Confirmation): The Anatomy perk (requiring Intelligence 7 and Medicine 4) in the Fallout 4 skill tree allows you to identify enemy weaknesses in V.A.T.S. While it won’t explicitly label someone as a synth, it can reveal increased resistances to certain damage types. Synths often have higher energy resistance compared to normal humans. However, this isn’t foolproof. Other factors, such as armor and general character stats, can also influence resistances.

• Behavioral Analysis (Subjective and Unreliable): Some players claim to identify synths based on their behavior. This is highly subjective and unreliable. Synths are designed to be indistinguishable from humans, and attributing suspicious behavior to synth status is often just confirmation bias. Unless you notice glitches or completely bizarre actions, this method shouldn’t be your primary source of evidence.

• Quest Triggers and Dialogue (Specific Scenarios Only): Certain quests and dialogue options can reveal a character’s synth status. For example, the quest “In Sheep’s Clothing” directly implicates Mayor McDonough in Diamond City. Pay attention to these specific instances, but don’t expect every synth to have a quest line pointing directly to their true nature.

• Console Commands (For PC Players Only): PC players can use console commands to directly check a character’s status. The command getisSynth will return a value indicating whether the targeted NPC is a synth. This is the most reliable method for confirming synth status without resorting to violence, but it’s only available on PC and removes some of the mystery and challenge.

• Background Research (Exploiting Game Lore): Delving into the game’s lore, particularly terminal entries and dialogue from the Institute and the Railroad, can sometimes provide clues. For example, a terminal in the SRB mentions a runaway synth with memory wiped by the Railroad in Goodneighbor, which many players believe refers to Magnolia.

The Sturges Conundrum

Sturges is a particularly contentious case. He’s a valuable ally and a skilled builder, but rumors persist about his synth status. While there’s no in-game dialogue or quest that confirms this, killing him with console commands will reveal a synth component. Furthermore, Fallout Shelter Online lists him as a third-generation synth who is unaware of his origins. Whether you choose to believe the off-shoot games is up to you.

FAQs: Synth Detection in Fallout 4

Here are some frequently asked questions about identifying synths in Fallout 4, offering more insights into this complex issue:

1. Can companions be synths?

Yes, some companions can be synths. The most prominent example is Paladin Danse. Others, like Nick Valentine, are openly synths from the beginning. The possibility of a synth companion adds another layer of intrigue to your relationships in the game.

2. Does Dogmeat drop a synth component?

No, Dogmeat does not drop a synth component. He is a loyal and beloved companion, and thankfully, free from suspicion.

3. Is the Sole Survivor a synth?

No, the Sole Survivor is not a synth. This is explicitly stated and implied throughout the game. The narrative relies on your character’s unique backstory as a pre-war human.

4. How can I tell if a child is a synth?

While confronting, there are a few children in the game that can be synths. The same approach applies: the most definitive method is to, unfortunately, harm them and check the corpse for a synth component. The Anatomy perk may also provide clues by revealing unusual resistances. Some players also check for inconsistencies in their behavior or backstory, but these are unreliable.

5. Is Deacon a synth?

Deacon claims to be a synth, even offering a recall code, but this is part of his persona and deception. He’s a master of disguise and manipulation, dedicated to the Railroad’s cause.

6. How do you prove McDonough is a synth?

You can learn that Mayor McDonough is a synth by completing the main quest line on the side of anyone but the Institute and then traveling to Diamond City, starting the quest “In Sheep’s Clothing,” by being given the side quest “Political Leanings” from Justin Ayo, or by reading an SRB terminal within Institute SRB.

7. Is Kasumi a synth?

No, Kasumi is not a synth. She was manipulated into believing she was one, which motivated her to seek help from DiMA in Far Harbor.

8. Is Trashcan Carla a synth?

Trashcan Carla is not a synth, but she is an informant for the Synth Retention Bureau, reporting on runaway synths.

9. Should I tell DiMA I’m a synth?

You can tell DiMA you’re a synth during dialogue. Nick Valentine will approve of this choice. This is a role-playing decision and doesn’t affect your character’s actual status.

10. Is Shaun really a synth?

Yes, the young Shaun you encounter in the Institute is a synth. He is a prototype created by the real Shaun.

11. Can you avoid Preston in Fallout 4?

Yes, you can avoid Preston Garvey by simply not speaking to him after initially encountering him in Concord. However, this will limit your access to the Minutemen quest line.

12. Is McDonough’s secretary a synth?

There is no definitive answer in the game to confirm whether McDonough’s secretary is a synth. This is left to the player’s interpretation.

13. Is Codsworth a synth?

Codsworth is not a synth in the traditional sense. He is a Mr. Handy robot, not a synthetic human created by the Institute.

14. Is Kyle a synth?

Neither Kyle nor Riley were synths, debunking the synth paranoia that gripped Diamond City.

15. Are ghouls synths?

No, ghouls are not synths. They are mutated humans, transformed by radiation.

Conclusion: Paranoia and Practicality

Identifying synths in Fallout 4 is a challenging and often ethically questionable endeavor. While the corpse test offers definitive proof, it’s not always the most practical or desirable solution. Employ a combination of methods, consider the context of the game’s lore, and ultimately, decide what level of paranoia you’re comfortable with in your settlements. The true challenge lies not just in identifying synths, but in navigating the moral complexities of a world where trust is a rare and precious commodity. To learn more about the fascinating world of games, check out the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org. The Games Learning Society website offers many learning opportunities through its resources and connections.

Synths are integrated into society with their memories and knowledge wiped. Spotting them will require in-depth knowledge of the citizens of the Commonwealth.