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This is an overview article, listing content appearing in multiple games. |
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Stealth Boy is a catch all term for several models of personal stealth device worn on one's wrist or waist. It generates a modulating field that transmits the reflected light from one side of an object to the other, making the bearer almost invisible to the untrained eye.
History
The technology was developed by Robert Mayflower, based on captured Chinese Hei Gui stealth suits, belonging to the Black Ghost counterinsurgency/terror units. Though the Stealth Boy is more portable and capable of projecting a more powerful stealth field, it has severe drawbacks, as listed below.
After the Great War, it was used by the nightkin elite super mutants units of the Master's army.
The Enclave made various improved models at sites across the nation. In Fallout: New Vegas, Doctor Henry is in possession of schematics for the Stealth Boy mark II prototype. Experimental even before the Great War, he has managed to recreate one hoping to provide insight into the nightkin's problems. A updated version of the satchel model, the Stealth Boy Mark III, was produced by Enclave forces at the Whitespring Bunker in Fallout 76 and can be acquired
 | The following is based on Van Buren design documents and is not canon. |
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Some time after they acquired the Stealth Boy technology, the Brotherhood of Steel experimented with those devices. When the side effects were discovered, the devices were banned and the team disbanded. However, it was not known that the team had already begun to suffer the effects of the device. Thinking the disbanding of their team to be a conspiracy, they decided to steal the Stealth Boys and form a new covert operation called the Circle of Steel.
| End of information based on Van Buren design documents |
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Side effects
Prolonged, repeated usage of Stealth Boys have been found to have unpleasant mental side-effects, causing anxiety, paranoia, wild mood swings, and even schizophrenia and dementia. These effects take a long time to manifest in humans (the player can use Stealth Boys without any negative effects), although they appear only after a few uses when used by Nightkin. As Nightkin were originally The Master's elite stealth troops, nearly all of them used Stealth Boys, resulting in all of them suffering from Stealth Boy sickness. Their mental problems vary, but the most common symptom is the development of an imaginary companion or second personality (similar to Dissociative Identity Disorder). Notable Nightkin who suffer from Stealth Boy sickness of this kind are Davison, Tabitha, Lily Bowen, and Dog/God. Stealth Boy usage appears to be addictive to Nightkin, as they go through withdrawal when deprived of Stealth Boys for a long time, becoming more aggressive, short-tempered, and fearful of being seen or stared at by others.
Variants
RobCo 3001 model Stealth Boy
RobCo 3001 model Stealth Boys can be found in Fallout, Fallout 3, Fallout: New Vegas, and although it is mentioned in Fallout 2 and its description is present in Fallout Tactics files. The device's back story wasn't developed until Van Buren, the canceled Fallout 3 by Black Isle, where it was spelled as StealthBoy to prevent it from being confused with the "Stealth Boy" playing style. It was going to appear in the canceled Fallout: Brotherhood of Steel 2 as "stealth girl", as it was usable only by Scarlet, a female character. Stealth Girl later became a reference used in Fallout: New Vegas, as the companion perk given by Lily Bowen, a female nightkin, the perk provides a 200% increase in Stealth Boy duration.
Satchel model Stealth Boy
Worn on the waist instead of the wrist, and with a shorter battery life, lasting only 30 seconds. This model is found in the Commonwealth and Appalachia.
Stealth Boy mark II prototype
This world object is an enhanced Stealth Boy, put through testing by the Enclave during the Great War. It is only seen used by Lily during the quest Guess Who I Saw Today.
Stealth Boy mark III
A superior version of the satchel model developed by the Appalachia Enclave, lasting for 90 seconds rather than the 30 of the standard satchel model.
Phantom device
A satchel model Stealth Boy modified by the Order of Mysteries with a cloud of HalluciGen gas that cloaks the user, frenzying nearby enemies.
Railroad Stealth Boy
The secretive organization The Railroad gained access to a more powerful variant of the normal Stealth Boy. Their resident engineer Tinker Tom sells the devices to trusted agents.
Gallery
