Attacks on sight Aggression: Very aggressive: Will attack enemies and neutrals on sight. Assistance: Helps friends: Will help friends and allies. Confidence: Foolhardy: Will never flee or avoid anyone.
The most common variant of mechanical synth in the Commonwealth, second generation synthetics are essentially Gen 1 synths provided with a suite of upgrades to their mechanisms and programming. The most noticeable difference is the inclusion of an internal mesh that shields the mechanisms of the synth from damage and provides support for the artificial skin layer that makes the Gen 2 similar to a human. Their optical sensors are also more advanced models, being essentially mechanical eyes, as opposed to the rudimentary cameras of Gen 1s.[1]
The Gen 2 synths are primarily used on the surface, where the artificial skin layer and improved mechanics improve their performance well above that of Gen 1s. Apparently prototyped using Nick Valentine as basis, Gen 2 synths are primarily used for resourcing operations. They are feared, as they're usually witnessed stripping entire settlements down for parts and killing everything that gets in their way.[2][3] One of the latest targets of a Gen 2 stripping unit was University Point, which saw its population exterminated for resources.[4]
Of course, due to their mechanical nature, mechanical synthetics can suffer from major software bugs, for example, causing them to remain in a single room executing its duties in a loop due to faulty navigation software. Other failures are typically mechanical in nature, with their servo motors and drives breaking down due to age.[5] In fact, most second generation synths have lasted long past their projected lifespans, with all the bugs that crop up due to overuse.[6]
Characteristics[]
Synths are similar to human adversaries, appearing in large groups and fielding mass produced energy weapons or shock batons. Their sheer number coupled with the innate resistance make them enemies not to be taken lightly, especially since at higher levels they also spawn with synth armor and improved versions of all Institute weapons: Institute rifles and Institute pistols in various configurations, as well as shock batons. Inside the Institute, all gen 2 guards wear full body armor and any attackers will have to face unique, high level synths: A-2018, Z4K-97B, and XPN-20A.
↑The Sole Survivor: "So you think this Institute is responsible?" Nick Valentine: "Well, they're the boogeyman of the Commonwealth. Something goes wrong, everyone blames them. Easy to see why. Those early model synths of theirs strip whole towns for parts, killing everything in their way. Then you got the newer models, good as human, that infiltrate cities and pull strings from the shadows. Worst of all, no one knows why they do it, what their plan is, or where they are. Not even me, and I'm a synth myself. A discarded prototype, anyway." (Nick Valentine's dialogue)
↑The Sole Survivor: "What's the Institute do that's got everyone so scared?" Natalie Wright: "The Institute has been making them for years. The old ones are sort of human-looking, but you can tell they're robots. You see a bunch of them out there in the Commonwealth. I heard they murder whole towns and carry what's left to who knows where. But the real danger is in the newer models. Synths with real flesh and blood and guts and everything." (Natalie Wright's dialogue)
↑The Sole Survivor: "You're afraid of the Institute? Who are they?" Moe Cronin:"Hell if I know. One day someone's human, next day they're a synth. And no one can tell the difference. Not until they kill someone for no reason.It was bad enough when the older, robot-looking Synths would occasionally grind a town down to pulp and haul off what was left. University Point was the last loser in that game. Nothing there but Synths now." (Moe Cronin's dialogue)
↑Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Maintenance
↑Facilities scientist: "Oh, I don't know. Most of them have lasted long past their projected lifespans. If you ask me, they were built pretty well."
