The Mystery of Sarge’s Fate
Fallout 4 players have long wondered about the possibility of saving Sarge, the formidable sentry bot guarding the Castle’s underground chambers. This question has sparked debate among fans, with conflicting reports circulating within the community.
The Official Stance
According to the Fallout Wiki, it is impossible to continue the Old Guns quest with Sarge still operational. This means that regardless of whether you hack Sarge into a shutdown state or issue friendly commands, the quest progression requires his deactivation.
A Glimmer of Hope?
Despite the official stance, some players have reported finding workarounds. One intriguing method involves:
Visiting the Castle before rescuing Preston Garvey
Using the Robotics Expert perk (level 3) to hack Sarge
Commanding Sarge to follow you out of the underground area
Shutting him down near the front gate
This approach allegedly results in Sarge remaining in a powered-down state, emitting a dim red light through his visor.
The Consequences of Saving Sarge
While the idea of preserving Sarge is appealing, it’s important to note that this may lead to unforeseen consequences. Some players have reported encountering glitches, such as:
Duplicate Sarges appearing during the Castle takeover
One immobile Sarge and one that moves but cannot be interacted with
Dialogue issues with the duplicated Sarge
The Developer’s Intent
It’s likely that the game developers never anticipated players attempting to save Sarge. This explains why bypassing his destruction can lead to quest-breaking scenarios and glitches. The Old Guns quest seems designed with the assumption that Sarge will be eliminated.
Alternative Approaches
For those reluctant to destroy Sarge, consider these options:
Roleplay the encounter, imagining a non-violent resolution
Use mods (on PC) that might allow for Sarge’s preservation
Focus on other aspects of the Castle’s restoration
The Ethical Dilemma
Sarge’s fate raises interesting questions about the nature of artificial intelligence in the Fallout universe. Is deactivating a sentry bot truly “killing” it? Could Sarge be reprogrammed to serve the Minutemen? These philosophical ponderings add depth to the player’s experience.