Ive done some questionable things for the brotherhood on what I had planned on being a "good" playthrough. I've killed my friends at the railroad, firing point blank into the chest of a surprised Drummer Boy who was coming to greet me. I executed a good friend because I saw it as the best way to honor his memory and accomplishments, I've strong armed farmers, and I turned my back on my own son. I've heard people talk about all the bad these other groups have done, but honestly either I missed the terminals that talked about them or they are using information from other playthroughs which I don't view as valid.


Still I've been able to rationalize all my actions as being hard choices for the betterment of everyone. There is no meeting in the middle when the fate of the world hangs in balance. It would be a lot easier to continue to believe that if a certain synth didn't hang out on the Prydwen after it was all over. I mean seriously? "Dance has to die". Oh that kid's fine.

The railroad and Institute are also questionable in their own rights. If you haven't experienced them yet, then I advise digging a little deeper and won't spoil it too much here, but if you are curious as to the things the other factions do, here is one prominent example if you really want to read it.

They don't know the kid is a synth AND you can spare Danse .

The Railroad probably has it coming. You can save Danse. You can pay farmers for their produce ( I gave top cap). Is he really still your Son, other than biologically.

I have role played it that my character believes Young Shaun is real and everything else is just trick to make me believe the old monster running the Institute is my son. Hey, just about everyone else in the Commonwealth is psychologically damaged why shouldn't I be?

Yes at the expense of everything Danse has stood for and believed in, also by undermining the moral authority of Elder Maxon. I get that people like Danse and want him to live. If anything that choice taints the ethos of the brotherhood of steel and makes the rest of what they do seem less savory since their dogma has become wish you washy.

I just did something I hate when others do it, which is argue one point while never acknowledging the rest of the very valid points. You are absolutely right. They have no idea he isn't a real boy and that makes sense. I only wish they dressed him on squires clothes, that would have made more sense.

My pro-Brotherhood character saved Shaun simply because in her scarred psyche she couldn't abandon him to the fire, she's a conflicted woman since while she is friendly with a several Synths she also believes that Gen-3 Synths were a threat to the human race's future existence. She also knows keeping Shaun with her will eventually force her out of the Brotherhood ranks unless their attitude changes with the Institute threat dealt with, since he will never age and that will be noticed.

Damaged is right. All the flack Bethesda got about the writing is undeserved. For a "good" playthrough I've made some hard choices. Not "save megaton, destroy megaton" choice but like save a life at the expense of what they live for kind of choice.

Anyway after finishing up the main quest today I really hope one of the DLCs is a form your own faction DLC- become a raider, slaver, or imperial tyrant kind of thing. Because after all that this character has been through I can completely see him go all Heart of Darkness.

Working with the Institute, you already are a slaver if you consider androids worthy of person-hood. Not to mention considering everyone above ground as completely expendable. Not that that is a bad thing! The Institute has the means and ideology to really make a difference for humanity as a whole, not just survive as a bunch of filthy peasants like most of the surface dwellers.

Bethesda did a great job with the new direction of the Brotherhood of Steel under Arthur. They almost start to make sense, if they could just kick their silly ideology of "we'll save the world from nuclear war by hoarding resources and warring with neighbors over said resources (not at all the EXACT same human issues of resource scarcity and ideological differences that led to the nuclear apocalypse)" then I might even finally support them. The BOS ought to be honest about it and rebuild society, not to keep the technology out of "bad guys" hands (meaning anyone who can rival or usurp you in power). That and establish a legitimate government. But eh, baby steps. I'm sure the BOS will continue to be around if Bethesda makes more fallout games .

They believe he is your son (When i asked , you can tell you joined the brotherhood for help because the institute kidnapped him) and won't force him to become a squire .

Even if he is sparred , Paladin Danse will still be loyal to the brotherhood (i.e will hate it when you destroy them , will love boarding vertibirds) Also , to convicne Elder Maxon , you don't tell him synths have feels , you tell him that Danse saved many other BoS soldiers and for that he should be allowed to live.

Wasn't Kellogg the one doing the negotiating? I don't think that guy would try to get a happy ending to the mission even if the Institute told him to not go too far (which they probably did say: they got pissed because the Broken Mask Incident occurred and in "Pinned" quest Shaun makes it clear he prefers it if conflicts are resolved without bloodshed - granted, not from goodness of their hearts but because it is safer for them).

IMO, the most questionable things about Institute are actually Replacements and FEV experiments, as well as their disinterest in ethics (although this does differ from person to person).