Ah, Paladin Danse. A good ol’ Brotherhood of Steel guy. At first, you think he’s just some gruff, by-the-book soldier. But then, plot twist—he’s hiding some serious baggage. No spoilers yet, but if you’ve made it to Fallout 4, you know exactly what I’m talking about. Anyway, the Paladin Danse loyalty mission will have you questioning your loyalty, your friendships, and your stance on synths. So buckle up, it’s gonna be one hell of a ride.
The Man Behind the Armor: Who is Paladin Danse?
Before we dive into decisions that’ll make you want to throw your controller (or maybe toss it out the window entirely), let’s talk about Paladin Danse. He’s one of the first folks you meet when you start hanging with the Brotherhood. A high-ranking soldier with a military background. Straightforward, serious, and, well, not much else at first. But y’all know Fallout doesn’t play nice with “first impressions.”
Here’s the thing: Paladin Danse is the type of guy who gives you the “let’s do things by the book” speech one minute and then risks his life with you the next. He’s got that annoying “I’m always right” attitude, but hey, it’s kind of endearing when you get to know him.
Oh, and trust me—I learned the hard way that trusting this guy means you gotta prepare for a bombshell revelation.
Enter the Blind Betrayal Quest: Where It All Goes Down
Now, Paladin Danse isn’t just some cool military buddy you hang out with, kill a few super mutants, and call it a day. No, the real drama kicks in with his loyalty mission: Blind Betrayal.
Fast forward past three failed attempts at getting a solid night’s sleep (seriously, it’s like my Fallout character never sleeps). You’ll get a call from Elder Maxson, and he’ll basically be like, “Hey, go find Danse. We got some problems.” And y’all, that’s where the fun begins.
The Big Reveal: Paladin Danse Is a Synth
Okay, stop right here. Seriously. Paladin Danse is a synth. Yeah, you read that right. Turns out, this guy who’s been acting like the ultimate soldier, fighting for humanity’s future, is not actually… you know… human. Nope, he’s synthetic, one of those AI-made beings from the Institute.
The first time you hear this, your brain has to pause. Like, you know when you open a bag of chips and you’re like, “Wow, this bag is filled with air, not chips”? That moment.
Now that you know this, you’ve got some tough decisions to make. Do you side with your long-time friend, Paladin Danse, or do you side with the Brotherhood who absolutely hates synths (and Danse for that matter)? Yeah, your loyalty to Paladin Danse just got a whole lot trickier.
Option 1: Kill Paladin Danse – The “Loyal” Choice
Let’s say you’re a total Brotherhood fan. You’re wearing their armor, you’ve got the flag waving in your heart, and you can’t imagine doing anything that goes against their cause. I get it. No judgment. (Okay, a little judgment, but not much).
If you decide to go the “loyal soldier” route, Paladin Danse is as good as gone. Elder Maxson wants him dead, and you’ve got your orders.
What Happens:
- You kill Paladin Danse, and Maxson pats you on the back. Brotherhood for life, right?
- Danse’s cool power armor and unique weapon? Yeah, you get those, too. Sweet loot.
- You don’t get to hang out with him anymore. No more companion perks, no more banter.
It’s a clean break. No more messy moral dilemmas. Just you, your Brotherhood buddies, and the sound of a “mission accomplished” bell ringing.
Option 2: Spare Paladin Danse – The “Heartfelt” Choice
Alright, hear me out. You’ve been through a lot with Paladin Danse. You’ve fought side-by-side. You’ve shared some meaningful glances (maybe just me?). You’re thinking, “This guy deserves better.”
If you’re a person of feelings, you’ll probably want to save him. The twist is, you have options here. You don’t just have to kill him or blindly obey Maxson. No, you can actually save him—if you’ve got the guts (and a decent Charisma stat).
How to Do It:
- You meet Paladin Danse at Listening Post Bravo, and he’s just waiting to be executed.
- You talk to him. You can even try to talk Maxson out of it. (Note: Good luck with that if your Charisma’s low).
- If you succeed, Danse gets to live. He’s a free man… sort of.
Successful Persuasion: Letting Paladin Danse Live
If your Charisma is sky-high (and you didn’t forget to wear your best speech-giving hat), you can convince Maxson to just let Danse go. This isn’t easy, but if you nail the dialogue options, you can pull it off.
What happens next? Paladin Danse might not be part of the Brotherhood anymore, but he’s alive. And I don’t know about you, but that’s a win in my book.
What’s the fallout (pun intended)?
- You get to keep Paladin Danse around as a companion.
- The Brotherhood might be mildly pissed off at you, but hey, that’s your cross to bear.
- Danse stays loyal to you, but no longer participates in the Brotherhood’s day-to-day activities. He’s kinda like that friend who gets kicked out of the band but still hangs out with the group.
Romance and Perks: The Extra Goodies
Look, let’s not beat around the bush. Paladin Danse isn’t just a soldier. He’s a potential romantic interest. You know what I mean? If you’ve maxed out his affinity (no pressure), you can take things to the next level.
Romance Tips:
- Stick with the Brotherhood for the most part. Danse respects that, and honestly, so do I.
- Don’t be too mean. Play the good guy role, and your relationship will bloom.
- If you’re feeling bold, flirt your way to his heart. He’s a tough nut, but you can crack him.
And the payoff? That sweet Know Your Enemy perk. You get +20% damage against ghouls, super mutants, and synths. It’s like your love for Paladin Danse gives you extra punch in the apocalypse. That’s true love, right?
The Long-Term Effects of Your Choices
So, let’s say you made it through the mission and have chosen your side. Now what? Well, depending on whether you killed or saved Paladin Danse, the repercussions are a little different.
Killing Danse:
- Brotherhood will love you. You get to keep playing their game, no questions asked.
- Paladin Danse’s body will serve as a reminder that sometimes loyalty doesn’t come with a happy ending.
Sparing Danse:
- You’ll definitely get some side-eye from your Brotherhood buddies. Not exactly a warm welcome after this.
- But hey, Danse gets a second chance. And that’s worth something, right?
The Bigger Picture: Why Paladin Danse’s Story Matters
Okay, here’s the kicker: this isn’t just about Paladin Danse. His loyalty mission taps into bigger themes like identity, loyalty, and what it means to be “human.” If you take the time to reflect, it’ll have you questioning what you would do in his shoes.
Fun fact: Did you know that in Victorian times, people believed talking to plants could keep you sane? I don’t talk to my begonias (well, not that much), but after this mission, I can see where they’re coming from. Sometimes, you just need to talk it out, you know?
Wrapping It Up: Danse’s Fate in Your Hands
Whether you’re a die-hard Brotherhood fan or someone who wants to save the day in their own way, Paladin Danse’s mission will stick with you long after you finish it. His story is more than a quest—it’s a journey into the heart of Fallout 4’s morality system.
Just remember: Paladin Danse might be synthetic, but the impact he leaves on you as a player? Totally real.
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