Alright, buckle up. Let’s talk about Paladin Danse—you know, that big guy in power armor with a face as stoic as a brick wall? You’ll meet him early in Fallout 4 when you’re just starting your journey, and while at first he seems like just another Brotherhood grunt, he quickly becomes so much more.

The First Time You Meet Paladin Danse

Who is Paladin Danse?

So, you’re wandering through the wasteland when you stumble upon Paladin Danse, standing there looking like he just walked out of a Fallout fan’s wet dream. Heavy armor, big guns, a jawline that could cut glass. He’s a member of the Brotherhood of Steel, and you’ll find him in Cambridge, at this outpost they set up after the apocalypse. Basically, he’s the guy you want to be on your side. He’s all about “protecting humanity” and, you know, shooting stuff.

You meet him during the “Call to Arms” quest, which, spoiler alert, isn’t just a fun name. You’re going to deal with some ghouls (because when aren’t you?). Danse’s all “Get behind me!” and proceeds to make minced meat out of them while you just try not to trip over your own feet.

The Brotherhood of Steel and Danse’s Code

Brotherhood 101: The Code

Here’s where things get real fun with Paladin Danse. He’s loyal to the Brotherhood of Steel, which means he’s got a few core principles drilled into him, and I mean drilled. They believe that tech is power and must be controlled, synths (the robot people) are like the worst thing since pre-war TV reboots, and above all, loyalty to the Brotherhood is everything.

You’ll hear him talk about these things a lot, like, a lot. But here’s the kicker: he really, really believes it. This dude isn’t faking it. It’s not just his job; it’s his entire identity. So when he’s out there blowing away ghouls with a plasma rifle, you know it’s coming from the heart. No half-stepping here.

Paladin Danse’s Big Secret: The Plot Twist You Didn’t See Coming

Hoo Boy. Danse is a Synth?

Fast forward a bit. You think you’ve got Paladin Danse all figured out, right? Just another human with a few misplaced priorities. But no. Cue the dramatic music—turns out, he’s a synth. Yes, you read that right. Danse, your loyal, “death to synths” friend, is one of them. How’s that for a plot twist?

At some point in the Brotherhood questline, you find out that Paladin Danse isn’t human at all. He’s an advanced synth, a creation of the Institute. And that makes things… awkward.

I mean, it’s like finding out your best friend is secretly a robot. Like, I thought you were just into 80s sci-fi, Danse, not living it!

The Fallout of the Reveal

How Danse Reacts

So now you’re in a pickle, huh? You can’t just forget that bombshell. Danse’s reaction is heartbreaking. The guy hates synths, and now, he has to come to terms with being one. Talk about an identity crisis. Do you spare him, or do you do what the Brotherhood demands and execute him?

There’s a lot at stake here, because Paladin Danse is loyal, but he’s also human in ways that make you question what “human” even means. The more you get to know him, the more this question eats at you. So, yeah—choices, choices.

Why I Think Danse Is So Damn Interesting

He’s Not Just a Soldier

Alright, so maybe I’m a little biased. I like Paladin Danse. You’ll see a lot of people calling him just another “musclehead,” but that’s way off. The dude is complicated.

He’s all about following orders, sure, but underneath that power armor, there’s some deep stuff going on. The fact that he’s a synth who hates synths? That’s some next-level irony. I think that’s what draws me in—he’s fighting himself, his own existence. It’s like when I tried to make a new batch of kombucha, except instead of making fermented tea, I made a mess in the kitchen and wanted to burn my stove down.

The Romance Side of Paladin Danse

Can You Really Romance This Guy?

Yep, you sure can. If you charm Paladin Danse enough (and I mean really enough), you can have him as a romantic companion. But here’s the thing: Danse isn’t the kind of guy to just fall for anyone. No, no. He’s a tough nut to crack, and I get it. I tried to date a guy in high school who was just as emotionally unavailable—turns out, he was into collecting bugs. But anyway, back to Danse.

Once you win his favor, he starts softening up. He gets all protective and, dare I say it, sweet. I know, it’s weird seeing this huge armored guy talk about feelings. But hey, it’s better than my first attempt at a relationship. That went south faster than my first attempt at growing tomatoes (RIP, tomatoes, you didn’t even last a week).

The Companion Perks: Why Danse Is a Beast in Combat

Danse Isn’t Just a Pretty Face

Let’s be real here: Paladin Danse isn’t just about looking good in power armor. Sure, the dude looks like he could rip through a Deathclaw with his bare hands (spoiler: he could), but he’s also a solid companion to have in battle. When he’s on your team, enemies don’t stand a chance. He’s tough, loyal, and, most importantly, knows how to fight dirty when necessary.

Danse’s perk—”Know Your Enemy”—makes him even more useful. The more you team up with him, the more you get this ability to do extra damage to ghouls, super mutants, and synths. I’ve seen him take down a group of ferals like it was no big deal, and honestly? I’m still recovering from how effortlessly he did it.

Fans Go Wild for Paladin Danse

The Danse Fandom: People Are Obsessed

I’m not the only one who thinks Paladin Danse is the MVP of Fallout 4. If you browse the Fallout subreddits, or hit up Tumblr, you’ll see that people are obsessed with him. They talk about him like he’s their personal therapist and soldier wrapped into one. Some even create entire fanfic universes where Danse is more than just a soldier.

And the mods. Oh, the mods. You’ve got mods to make him stay in the Brotherhood. You’ve got mods where he becomes even more of a badass. It’s honestly a bit much—but hey, I can’t judge. I’ve definitely modded my own game to make him look like a walking tank of awesome.

Do You Spare Him or End Him?

The Big Decision

Here’s where it all gets messy: Do you kill him or save him? The Brotherhood orders his execution, but if you’ve spent enough time with Paladin Danse, it’s clear that this isn’t just a random NPC. This is a guy who’s fought by your side, shown you loyalty, and become something of a friend. Do you kill him just because he’s a synth? Or do you do what’s right and save him?

It’s tough. Honestly, when I first played this, I was like, “Wait, I have to kill him? After all that?” It felt wrong, and even though I was loyal to the Brotherhood, I couldn’t do it. In the end, I spared him. I figured he deserved more than just becoming another casualty of blind obedience.

Final Thoughts: Why Danse Will Stay With You

Look, Paladin Danse is more than just a character you meet in Fallout 4. He’s a lesson—about loyalty, about the battle between who we are and who we’re told to be, and about whether you can still trust someone who was built to lie.

Danse isn’t just another soldier in the Brotherhood. He’s the soldier who makes you question everything, even yourself. And honestly, who wouldn’t want a friend like that? Even if they are secretly a synth.

Well, there it is. My rant on Paladin Danse. Hope you found something interesting in there… or at least had a chuckle at my expense. Anyway, feel free to hit me up if you’ve got thoughts—Danse fan theories, anyone?