As a fellow Fallout fan, I‘m sure you‘ve wondered about the fate of Shaun – the Sole Survivor‘s infant son who is kidnapped at the start of Fallout 4. Does Shaun survive to the end of the game? After researching all possible endings, I‘m sorry to say the answer is no.
Shaun tragically perishes no matter which faction you side with. However, your loyal Mr. Handy robot companion Codsworth can remain by your side to the very end with the right upgrades and care. In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll cover Shaun and Codsworth‘s roles in the story, the details of each faction ending, and tips to keep Codsworth functioning optimally as your wasteland wanderer buddy.
Shaun‘s Story – The Missing Child Who Became Father
Before getting into the endings, let‘s recap who Shaun is and why he‘s so central to the plot of Fallout 4:
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Shaun is your character‘s infant son, barely a year old when the bombs drop in 2077.
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You play the Sole Survivor – either Nora or Nate – one of Shaun‘s parents who makes it into Vault 111.
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After being cryogenically frozen, you awake in 2287 to find Shaun kidnapped and your spouse murdered.
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Finding out what happened to Shaun becomes your character‘s emotional driving purpose in the Wasteland.
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In a shocking twist, you eventually learn 60-year-old Father, leader of the reclusive Institute, is actually an adult Shaun!
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He was raised by the Institute after they realized his pristine pre-war DNA made him ideal for their synth programs.
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Though Father is cynical about the world above, part of him still yearns for connection with his parent, the Sole Survivor.
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This adds a tragic emotional dimension to the fact Shaun cannot ultimately be saved or reunited with you by the story‘s end.
"I know I was under no obligation to assist you. But I chose to do so anyway. Because you are my parent. And…well, we are family." – Shaun reveals himself as Father
Ending With the Institute – A Bittersweet Farewell
If you follow the Institute questline, Shaun will reveal he is dying of cancer and name you his successor as Director. He passes away in his hospital bed, leaving the Institute under your guidance.
You have one last poignant moment to speak with him before he dies:
"At least I got to see you again… to say goodbye. I‘d like to think you might be proud of what I‘ve accomplished. Everything I‘ve done has been for the future; for a future with the Institute at its center. The Institute can truly become the salvation of mankind. I know it will."
Though you gain powerful technology and resources, siding with the secretive Institute has its downsides. Many in the Commonwealth remain wary of "synths replacing people" and you never truly end the conflict with other factions. But Shaun‘s dying wish is fulfilled – preserving the Institute he loved to the end.
Supporting the Brotherhood – Lost Research, Lost Child
If you follow the Brotherhood of Steel quests under Elder Maxson, he eventually orders you to destroy key Institute scientists and resources.
You have to fight and kill a heartbroken Father. As he lays dying, Father tells you:
"So here we are. My final act…to remove the dangerous technology from the equation. How very like you to sacrifice yourself for the "greater good." I‘ve…resigned myself to my fate. I hope in time you‘ll understand why I did what I did."
With the Institute a smoldering crater, you lose access to their teleportation, synth construction and other secrets. But the Brotherhood now controls the region and plans to use the Institute‘s research against future enemies.
Sadly, Shaun‘s hope for a better future is destroyed along with his life‘s work. But the Brotherhood believes controlling technology will lead to order.
Helping the Railroad – A High Cost for Freedom
Work with the Railroad and their allies to help synths escape the Institute. Their final gambit is destroying the Institute reactor, which causes massive explosions.
Father confronts you one last time amid the destruction, saying bitterly:
"So… you sided with the people who destroyed humanity‘s best hope for the future. Robbed of technology that could have fundamentally improved the quality of human existence."
This ending is a victory for synth liberation, but the technology and knowledge lost deals a huge blow to the region. And Shaun dies bitterly as his dreams for the Institute literally go up in smoke. A reminder that even moral choices have consequences.
Rallying the Minutemen – A United Commonwealth
Rebuild and lead the Minutemen to launch a coordinated attack on the Institute for the sake of the Commonwealth. You confront Father one last time to tell him:
"The Institute and everyone inside it all have to go. Everything you‘ve built has been at the expense of innocent lives. No more."
Father says you have left him no choice but to activate a nuclear reactor meltdown to destroy everything. He perishes defending his creation to the last.
This ending leaves the Commonwealth united under the Minutemen‘s protection. But so much of the Institute‘s knowledge is still lost, including Shaun‘s life. A poignant reminder war still carries loss, no matter how righteous the cause.
Shaun‘s Fate In Each Ending
| Faction | Shaun‘s Outcome |
|---|---|
| Institute | Dies of illness |
| Brotherhood | Killed defending Institute |
| Railroad | Perishes in reactor explosion |
| Minutemen | Goes down with Institute |
No matter which faction you choose, Shaun is doomed to die by the game‘s final act. His poignant death underscores the themes of loss, sacrifice and moving on that run through many endings.
Keeping Codsworth With You Through Thick and Thin
While Shaun tragically perishes no matter what, you can still keep loyal robot butler Codsworth by your side through every act of Fallout 4.
Some tips for protecting your bowler hat-wearing buddy:
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Don‘t intentionally damage Codsworth with attacks or aoe explosions. Friendly fire can disable him.
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Take the Robotics Expert perk to boost his durability and survivability.
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Improve his armor, weapons, and power core at any robot workbench.
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Choose him as a companion to allow him to heal between battles.
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Talk to him often to hear witty commentary! His sarcasm chips are factory installed.
Codsworth also has unique utility abilities like:
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Laser beams for long range attacks.
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Buzz saws for melee damage.
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Detecting enemies behind walls.
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Igniting oil slicks by shooting them.
Plus, he provides thought-provoking insights into your character! After all, he‘s known you since before the war. With the right care, Codsworth can be your stalwart companion through every struggle and triumph.
Evaluating Each Faction‘s Strategy For The Commonwealth
While there is no "perfect" faction, here is a quick rundown of the goals, strengths and weaknesses of each:
Institute – Advance science and technology in isolation
- Pros: Unrivaled tech, teleportation, advanced synths
- Cons: Ruthlessness, secrecy, sinister experiments
Brotherhood – Control technology through military might
- Pros: Strict ethics, protects civilians, advanced weapons
- Cons: Aggressive, confiscated tech, hated by some groups
Railroad – Free all synths at any cost
- Pros: Idealistic, helps oppressed synths, sabotages Institute
- Cons: Fanatical, destructive, no clear endgame
Minutemen – Unite the people for security and self-governance
- Pros: Inclusive, beloved by citizens, rebuild settlements
- Cons: Disorganized, weak early game, needs strong leader
In my personal opinion, the Minutemen are the best hope for building a fair, safe Commonwealth. But good cases can be made for the balanced control of the Brotherhood, or even reforming the Institute. The Railroad means well but often harm more than help. In the end, it depends on your character‘s values.
Parting Words
Despite his tragic fate, Shaun‘s story adds layers of empathy and emotional depth to Fallout 4‘s epic main quest. His death represents sacrifice for a cause, the loss of innocence, and the hope of building a better future.
I hope these insights into Shaun‘s role have helped you appreciate the nuances of Fallout 4‘s factions and endings. May you and Codsworth wander the Wasteland long into the future! Please let me know if you have any other questions.
