The vast Fallout universe has always been a hub for unique stories that could be both terrifying and utterly fascinating. But for every dark fact, like the experiments on Vault Dwellers, there are theories that shed light on stranger topics. A perfect example of this is one theory that explains a dark backstory for Dogmeat in Fallout 4.
Who Is Dogmeat in Fallout 4?
While Fallout seems like an isolated and bleak world, there are many creatures, robots, and characters that you can travel the Wasteland with. One such companion, Dogmeat, could even be the first one the Sole Survivor encounters after escaping Vault 111. Dogmeat is a pleasant but obedient German Shepherd who’s as brutal as he is loyal. Because of this, it may be hard for you to switch up companions when Dogmeat is so resilient and adorable. However, one Reddit theory believes the reason Dogmeat is such a reliable and tough companion is because he’s actually a synth.
In canon, there’s not much known about Dogmeat, unlike the Fallout TV show, which explains where that iteration of the character came from and why that specific dog breed is so important. However, based on gameplay, it makes perfect sense why you may suspect the character is a synth. For starters, Dogmeat can survive in highly irradiated areas. While he may require a stimpak on occasion, Dogmeat is otherwise nearly indestructible. Although this could easily be explained away as simple game logic, there’s another key synth that Dogmeat has already shared history with: Nick Valentine.
What’s a Synth in Fallout?
When it comes to synths, as a name, you may be more likely to think of synthetics from the Alien franchise or even the Vision from the Marvel Cinematic Universe. But in Fallout, synths come in all shapes and sizes and, in some instances, are as intelligent as the average human. Of the three generations of synths, the third is obviously the most advanced but could also pass for humans, like the singer Magnolia. But in the case of Nick Valentine, his history is far more important.
Designed to be the bridge between generations two and three, Nick Valentine and his brother DiMA were created and quickly began to evolve in intelligence, forming a strong bond. However, the Nick Valentine persona wasn’t truly born until a police officer of the same name’s memories were placed into the synth. Sadly, this resulted in Nick’s separation from DiMA and him wandering the Wasteland alone until eventually joining a small community and later Diamond City as its resident detective. But with all that in mind, where does Dogmeat fit into everything?
If you find Dogmeat at the Red Rocket diner early in Fallout 4, you would have no idea that there’s a second opportunity to meet him after encountering Nick Valentine. While taking on a quest to track down Kellog for the detective, he mentions that he knows “someone” who turns out to be Dogmeat. It’s also established by Valentine that the dog’s name is officially Dogmeat. However, being that they’re both great survivors and a synth managed to connect with the dog, it adds credence to the idea that Dogmeat is a synth as well. However, there are other small factors that make this theory all the more unique.
Could Dogmeat Actually be a Synth?
If Dogmeat is actually a synth in disguise, there’s a lot of evidence that could help prove this beyond his relationship with Nick Valentine. From his high resilience to damage and radiation, plus the dog’s incredible loyalty, it’s easy to see how this behavior could be programmed beyond simple dog training. On top of that, Dogmeat somehow survived in the Wasteland without mutating like many of the other creatures in the games. Considering Fallout has many physics inconsistencies due to it being a video game, Dogmeat being a synth would make the most sense.
Even still, there’s also evidence that Dogmeat couldn’t be a synth. The TV show proved that humans were breeding highly obedient and loyal dogs, and Fallout 4‘s Dogmeat likely formed strong bonds with humans who cared for him, as well. Plus, Mama Murphy explained that Dogmeat sticks to people he likes, which could include the Sole Survivor and Nick Valentine. In short, it’s possible Dogmeat is just a really good boy who grew up hardened in an unforgiving world.
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