“Despite the best efforts of well-equipped hunters, deathclaws continue to establish nests across the Mojave Wasteland.”— Fallout: New Vegas loading screen
Deathclaws were engineered before the Great War, for use as cheap replacements for humans during close-combat search-and-destroy missions.[1] The project was successful in creating a ferocious predator capable of surviving on its own in the wild, though no references exist to them ever being used in combat against the Chinese. After the Great War, deathclaws escaped into the wild through unknown means and gradually spread throughout the continent. Initial spread was limited to isolated nests on the East and West Coasts, leading some to believe that it was just a rumor, a tale to scare children with,[2] though the population of Boneyard was keenly aware of their existence, as a single pack mother and her offspring claimed the area between Downey and Norwalk around 2161, keeping the Gun Runners in a checkmate and terrorizing other communities in the region.[3] A lone deathclaw was also living near the Hub,[4] with an unknown number of deathclaws experimented on and refined by the Master.[1]
Their gradual spread throughout the wasteland raised awareness of their existence, until they entered common consciousness as a lethal predator. As stated above, the Enclave eventually continued the research project started before the war, developing intelligent deathclaws for use in hostile environments around 2235.[5] On May 17, 2242, the first successful pack was dropped into Vault 13 to cloak the presence of the Enclave and their abduction of the dwellers within. Following their first combat test, the deathclaws broke free of their Enclave masters, far more intelligent than anyone could foresee.[6] They began developing an unique culture, as the first non-human sentient beings in history.[7] However, their intelligence was discovered by Doctor Schreber of Navarro, whose report led to the extermination of intelligent deathclaws with extreme prejudice.[8] Subsequent experimentation involved the aforementioned domestication units, although by the end of the 23rd century.[9]
Deathclaws are a 20 foot (6 meter) long[10] carnivorous[11] bipedal reptile species, designed for maximum lethality. The choice to make them bipedal was natural, as bipedalism raises the head, providing a greater field of vision and thus improving the ability to detect targets and resources. The upper limbs were also freed by this choice and could be fashioned into extremely dangerous weapons. The caveat is that the deathclaw is not as fast as a quadrupedal animal, though this is a largely academic concern. The rippling musculature of the deathclaw provides it with superior strength, excellent speed and incredible resilience in most combat situations.[12][1][13]
Of course, their strength is magnified by their claws. Owing to their lineage, the deathclaw has opposable thumbs, though an additional two fingers were coded into the genome, for a total of five fingers in each palm. Each terminates in a sharp talon that allows the reptile to wound and kill with frightening efficiency; a single swipe is capable of bisecting an unarmored human[14] in seconds.[15] Deathclaw hide is extremely tough, providing excellent defense against blunt and edged weapons. Firearms and energy weapons are reliable tools for killing a deathclaw, though lower powered variants are very likely to have trouble penetrating it. Defense is enhanced by horns and dorsal spikes, making melee combat a very dangerous proposition.[16]
However, while they are difficult opponents, their keen senses can be used against them. Loud noises and bright light, such as that emitted by flares, can be used to keep a deathclaw at bay or even deter its advance.[17]
Deathclaws are pack animals, with the leadership role assumed by the alpha pair, the strongest male and female deathclaws in the group. The remainder of the pack follows the leaders and migrates along with them.[13] Deathclaws communicate with each other in a pack using growls and body language, though they are also capable of mimicking human voices like a parrot, if their intelligence is artificially increased.[13]
Coupled with their pack behavior is a fierce territorial instinct. Deathclaws will usually opt for territories away from inhabited areas (most likely due to noise), but may settle into temporarily abandoned human buildings and areas, as was the case with the Boneyard warehouses circa 2161 or Quarry Junction in 2281.[18] Once it claims a territory, a pack is exceedingly difficult to dislodge, as the alpha male will not abandon a claimed territory even if the pack mother is killed,[19] while the alpha female will simply choose another mate to procreate.[20] As such, reclaiming a deathclaw territory usually requires either killing both pack leaders, causing the pack to scatter,[21] or wiping out the entire pack. Neither is particularly easy.[22]
Deathclaws are made even more dangerous by their reproductive instincts. Unlike the Jackson's Chameleons they come from, deathclaws are an oviparous species, female deathclaws will lay eggs in clusters, sired by the strongest male deathclaws in the pack, typically the alpha male. Survival of the pack is coded into deathclaws and the pack leaders will instinctively select only the strongest partners for procreation.[23] If killed, the pack mother will typically be replaced by another female in short order.[24]
While deathclaw eggs are durable and resilient, with an extremely long shelf life,[25] deathclaws will seek out dark, sheltered areas to set up their nests.[26] Lone deathclaws will also claim territories and create nests, usually in sheltered, secluded areas. If they are female and have been impregnated by a male deathclaw, they will prepare a separate nest for their young, protecting their hardy eggs with whatever small objects are at hand, such as small rocks, fallen leaves, twigs and bones leftover from their meals.[27]
A juvenile deathclaw is born without prominent horns or dorsal spikes, which grow as it matures, and both of which act as secondary sex characteristics. Horns grow forwards on males, with larger being the more desirable,[28] and grow back and upwards on females.[29] Dorsal spikes grow much the same way as horns on males and act much the same way with larger being more desirable,[28] but on females, dorsal spikes do not grow as large as they do on males and tend to be short in comparison.[29] Claws, on the other hand, are present from day one. Baby deathclaws are born with a light brown skin tone and live under the protection of their parents within the pack.[30] The skin darkens as the deathclaw matures, reaching deep brown upon entering adulthood,[31] and eventually dark brown, black or even black and blue for old, experienced claws.[32]
While deathclaws do not actively seek out human habitats to attack, human expansion inevitably leads to the two species coming in contact, usually by accident.[33][34] Deathclaws are incredibly dangerous to humans, no matter how well protected they are. Even Brotherhood of Steel patrols are known to suffer major casualties if they walk into a deathclaw territory unawares.[35] The Enclave sought to exploit their fierce instincts and ferocity and use them as cheap, expendable troops for use in hostile environments. Their initial experiments, starting in 2235,[5] focused on using the modified FEV to artificially increase the intelligence of deathclaws and succeeded in creating a single pack of modified, intelligent deathclaws led by Gruthar. Intended to only be smart enough to follow orders issued by their handlers, they have developed far higher intelligence than the project assumed was possible. After the first unit was fielded, Doctor Schreber's experimentation revealed that fact and the whole breed was summarily exterminated at the site they were first unleashed: Vault 13.[36] Subsequent efforts, once the Enclave regrouped at Raven Rock, were focused on cruder, but more reliable methods: Domestication units. These devices are surgically implanted into a captive deathclaw's brain and skull, allowing Enclave troops to issue commands to the fierce reptiles as if they were pets.[9] Of course, even without human interference, deathclaws are a continuing hazard in the wastelands. Despite the efforts of hunter teams, they continue to set up nests throughout the wastelands.[37]
The ferocity of deathclaws and their incredible resilience has earned them the respect of wastelanders. Its existence was treated in skepticism in the first century after the war,[38] and was considered a tall tale on the order of ghosts and demons,[10] the steady increase in deathclaw population eventually secured them a place in the common consciousness. When used for comparisons, deathclaws are usually synonymous with ferocity and resilience.[39] Occasionally, they're used to insult people – allegedly they're as bad as marketing directors.[40] Other examples of deathclaw presence in popular culture is the expression "deathclaw in a mating season",[41] and, allegedly, deathclaw costumes.[42]
Deathclaw eggs are also a known delicacy, used to make omelettes that are highly nourishing and delicious at the same time.[25]
Deathclaws really live up to their name in Fallout: New Vegas. The game introduces several new variations of the creature, and they are found in much larger numbers. However, unlike in Fallout 3, deathclaws are never encountered randomly, and always appear in specific locations. Most deathclaw variants are armored, making them more resilient against attacks. Their Damage Threshold is 15, equal to that of a suit of combat armor.
The largest group is found at deathclaw promontory, an unmarked location on the east side of the Colorado River, across from the Cliffside prospector camp. The largest group on a marked area of the map is found in Quarry Junction, northwest of Sloan. There are two larger deathclaws called the "deathclaw alpha male" and the "deathclaw mother", as well as a number of smaller baby deathclaws and three to four deathclaw eggs.
There is also a deathclaw-filled cave by the name of "Dead Wind Cavern." Here one can find the unique legendary deathclaw, the most powerful creature in the Mojave Wasteland, along with other variants of generic deathclaws. Another location with a high number of these creatures is Gypsum train yard. Depending on the Courier's level they will either be regular, young, or blind.
The deathclaw alpha male is similar to the legendary deathclaw in appearance, but with darker skin. Although not as fierce as the legendary deathclaw, they are still much faster and twice as strong as a regular deathclaw. They travel in packs with other deathclaws. One can be found at Quarry Junction, and several cluster together on the deathclaw promontory.
Matriarchs of the deathclaw broods and mates to Alpha Males, Deathclaw Mothers are second only to the legendary deathclaw in ferocious might and can run faster than the Alpha Males, though they do slightly less damage and have slightly less health. Deathclaw mothers are taller and heavier-built than regular deathclaws, with greenish-blue skin, a thick dewlap, long backwards-sweeping horns, short back-spikes, and a long tail ending in six sharp spines similar to a Stegosaurus. They lay their eggs in dark, secluded holes, and protect them fiercely. If anything attacks or even kills one of their babies, Deathclaw Mothers will go into a blind rage, killing everything in sight that isn't a deathclaw.
Deathclaw babies are the youngest and smallest of the deathclaw species. They can be found throughout the Mojave Wasteland. While they are no real threat by themselves, they are always found following a deathclaw mother. If one of them is killed in the mother's presence, she will be driven into a frenzy. If their deathclaw mother is killed, they will simply stay near her corpse.
These immature deathclaws are about the size of a human. Their horns are not fully grown and their skin is much lighter than grown deathclaws. This makes them easy to pick out among regular deathclaws. Although normally easy to kill for higher level players, they tend to cluster near the adults.
The blind deathclaws have a higher Perception than regular deathclaws, with the rest of their heightened senses more than making up for lack of sight. However, their attacks are weaker. Even though they cannot see, their alertness to the presence of threats will in fact alert all other deathclaws nearby of their target's position, despite the one that found them being blind.
One of the most dangerous creatures in the Mojave Wasteland, the legendary deathclaw is found in Dead Wind Cavern and has distinctively long horns, a light olive coloration, and striped tails. It is also one of the largest enemies in the game (along with the X-42 giant robo-scorpion and the giant ant queen), towering over other deathclaws (themselves roughly 10 feet) with its massive 15–17 foot stature. The legendary deathclaw also deals enormous damage (twice as much as ordinary deathclaws), and can bring down even the hardiest player character in only two or three hits depending on the difficulty , all while having the third largest amount of Hit Points in the game, behind the X-42 giant robo-scorpion and the legendary bloatfly. Despite its size, the legendary deathclaw can move faster than its normal counterparts and has been known to make successful leaping attacks from great distances.
Deathclaws found in The Divide level with the Courier, increasing in power at levels 30, 40, and 50. At higher levels, they are noticeably more powerful than deathclaws from the Mojave Wasteland, with higher health and a much more damaging melee attack, surpassing even the legendary deathclaw in damage (but not in health), when at maximum level.
These variants are introduced by the add-on Lonesome Road, and can only be found along the Courier's Mile and among the ruins of Hopeville. Their statistics are varied according to the Courier's level, making them very dangerous if the Courier is near the level cap. Appropriately so, irradiated deathclaws also deal radiation damage. Unlike other variants, irradiated deathclaws have zero Damage Resistance/Threshold.
The recent patch has made all deathclaws in the Mojave Wasteland (except those in The Thorn) as tough as the ones in Quarry Junction. As a result, non-Quarry Junction deathclaws have 500 Hit Points, compared to just 250 hit points prior to the patch. Some of the other deathclaw variants have also had their health increased (i.e. young deathclaws now have 350 Hit Points, and the legendary deathclaw's Hit Points have been increased to 1000 compared to 850 prior to the patch).
The flare gun causes abominations, such as deathclaws, to flee.
Following the recent patch, it seems deathclaws will stop respawning in certain areas. These areas include Gypsum train yard, the outskirts of Quarry Junction, as well as other locations.
Crippling their legs will both reduce deathclaws' speed to a limp and make them unable to perform their jumping attack.
Young deathclaws and baby deathclaws will run away from the Courier when severely outmatched.
Deathclaws will give up chasing the Courier when they enter deep water.
Deathclaws are able to detect the Courier while sneaking with a Stealth Boy activated from farther away, due to their high Perception.
While deathclaws are no longer randomly encountered like in Fallout 3, they have a tendency to gather in "colonies" of ten or more. If one is seen, there are likely more around.
At the southernmost part of the Colorado River, east of Techatticup Mine, there is a fairly large nest known as the deathclaw promontory. There is a large number of deathclaws there, along with numerous deathclaw alpha males and deathclaw mothers.
Young deathclaws still drop deathclaw hands, even though their actual hands are significantly smaller than the item.
In the Lonesome Road add-on, there is a unique deathclaw called Rawr, found in a cave in the Divide canyon. Its attacks are far more damaging than its legendary counterpart, and it is much faster as well. When killed, it drops its talon, which can be crafted at a workbench into a unique deathclaw gauntlet called the Fist of Rawr (or Fist of the North Rawr with Wild Wasteland).
Oddly, a deathclaw egg can sometimes be looted off the body of a deathclaw alpha male.
The deathclaws will stop chasing the Courier if they stand on a rock high enough that they cannot reach them.
Sometimes deathclaws will follow the Courier inside shacks, making it even harder to kill them.
The deathclaw mother will frenzy when one of her babies are killed.
PCPlaystation 3Xbox 360 In V.A.T.S, the head of a deathclaw mother seems to be its neck instead of its actual head. [verified]
Xbox 360 Deathclaws do not attack players when they are mounted on the taller rocks or machinery, even when they are in reach. (See Fallout: New Vegas exploits for more detail). [verified]
Playstation 3Xbox 360 Sometimes deathclaws may take several more shots to kill when their health is depleted. This appears to mostly affect young deathclaws. [verified]
PCXbox 360 A deathclaw may spawn in the crater at Black Mountain. [verified]
↑ 1.01.11.2Fallout 2 Official Strategies & Secrets p.27: "Deathclaws were originally created to replace humans during close-combat search-and-destroy missions. They were derived from mixed animal stock and then refined by the Master, using genetic manipulation. The resulting creature is almost unbelievably fast and powerful. Deathclaws are well named—they are the toughest animals that you will encounter in the Wastes." "Unless you have Combat Armor, extremely heavy weaponry, and a lot of Stimpacks, running for the exit hexes at the first sign of a Deathclaw is your best chance of survival. If you're well equipped and want to stick it out, though, get in at least one shot at long range, because Deathclaws move so fast that you're unlikely to get another long-range attack as they charge you. They'll always close rapidly so they can use their powerful claws to tear and rend you. For maximum damage, use a Called Shot to the eyes when you shoot them. However, even with Called Shots, you'll need several good hits to put a Deathclaw down—use extreme caution (and save often) when fighting them." Deathclaws being genetically engineered before the Great War and later refined by the Master is mentioned in the Fallout 2 Official Strategies & Secrets strategy guide, written by Fallout 2 lead designer, Matt Norton, as well as in Fallout Tactics.
↑The Vault Dweller: "{347}{}{Do you know anything about the Deathclaw?}" John Maxson: "{262}{Gen_78}{Oh. Just another stupid rumor. Some people say it's a huge fanged monster and others say it's a vampire.}" (MAXSON.MSG)
↑ 5.05.1Fallout Bible 0: "2235 The Enclave experiments on deathclaws, attempting to create special fighting units for waging war in hostile environments."
↑Fallout Bible 0: "2242 May 17 Enclave animal handlers drop a Deathclaw unit into Vault 13 from a safe distance to kill anyone investigating the Vault and cloak the Enclave's presence. Other Deathclaws are sent into the desert surrounding Vault 13 to check for any escapees or witnesses."
↑The Chosen One: "{123}{}{What are you doing here?}" Goris: {135}{}{I'm a student of sorts. I'm trying to learn as much as I can about the world and the different cultures that have developed. Right now I'm studying the culture the deathclaws are forming and comparing it to human development along similar lines. I've acquired just about all the information I need here. It would help my research a great deal if I could do some traveling. However, I don't want to go it alone, if you know what I mean.}" (Ocgoris.msg)
↑ 10.010.1The Vault Dweller: "{110}{}{What do you know about the Deathclaw?}" Beth: "{240}{}{The Deathclaw is the most evil thing to rise out of the ashes after the War. Some say it's a powerful ghost from the war that haunts the land. It's no ghost, it's as real as you and me. It's 20 feet tall with teeth as big as your arm. It's some kind of demon that found it's way here when the world was engulfed in fire.}" (HBETH.MSG)
↑Roger Westin and Gruthar mention raids for food – the principal target being the NCR's brahmin herds.
↑Gruthar: "{100}{}{You see a large deathclaw. The creature is composed of rippling muscle, sharp teeth, and claws.}" (Ocgrutha.msg)
↑ 13.013.113.2The Chosen One: "{131}{}{What can you tell me about the deathclaws?}" Joseph: "{146}{}{Well, let's see... Deathclaws appear to be mutated Jackson's Chameleons, the horned variety. There are a lot of similarities still present, but an even greater number of differences. The mutation factor is quite high. This species is highly intelligent, about the equivalent of an eight-year-old, with some individuals reaching human normal level. Their learning capacity is very high and they are capable of abstract thought and reasoning.}" "{160}{}{Although they do not have vocal chords, the deathclaws seem to mimic human speech much the same as a parrot does. I have yet to discover the exact mechanism behind this, so I am unable to say more at this time. Socially, they are pack animals with a very rigid code of ethics. They are led by an 'alpha male' who rules with the mutual consent of the pack. They appear to be extremely loyal to the pack as a whole, treating it as a family unit rather than having individual families as humans do.}" "{161}{}{Their sense of right and wrong is very well defined. They do follow a code of ethics that is enforced by the pack as a whole. Violence is never used as a solution to a problem among the pack as far as I can see. There have been no 'capital crimes' committed here, so I can't say how those are handled. Hmmm. That's about all I can think of for now. I hope this helps you.}" (Ocjoseph.msg)
↑The Vault Dweller: "{141}{}{Where can I find the Gun Runners located?}" Razor: "{158}{}{The Gun Runners are over to the east and then north of here. But be careful - Death Claws are not to be taken lightly. I've seen a Death Claw tear a man in half with one swipe.}" (RAZOR.MSG)
↑Fallout 4 loading screen hints: "No creature represents the danger of the Wasteland as much as the Deathclaw, which uses razor-sharp claws to rip apart its prey... in seconds."
↑The Courier: "Have you had problems with Deathclaws before?" Chomps Lewis: "We'd see them occasionally, but they didn't seem too keen on getting too close to the quarry. Not sure if it was the noise or all the workers. I can't believe that an entire pack moved into the quarry. I thought that kind of bad luck only happened in New Vegas." (Chomps Lewis' dialogue)
↑The Courier: "I killed the Mother Deathclaw." Chomps Lewis: "You... you did? That's pretty amazing - I figured you'd need artillery to take her out. I hate to say it, but as long as the Alpha Male is still alive, that pack isn't going anywhere, even with the Deathclaw Mother out of the picture." (Chomps Lewis' dialogue)
↑The Courier: "I killed the Deathclaw Alpha Male." Chomps Lewis: "You... you did? That's pretty amazing - I figured you'd need artillery to take him out. I hate to say it, but as long as the Deathclaw Mother is still alive, that pack isn't going anywhere. She'll take another mate and keep laying eggs." (Chomps Lewis' dialogue)
↑The Courier: "I could take care of your Deathclaw problem." Chomps Lewis: "Have you even seen a Deathclaw? They're taller than a man and far, far stronger and faster. And, there's a whole pack of them out there. You'd have to be the meanest, toughest, roughest bastard in the wasteland to have any chance against them, and I don't think that's you. You'd need to take out the pack leaders - the Mother Deathclaw and the Deathclaw Alpha Male. Kill 'em, and the pack will scatter. Pretty tough job." (Chomps Lewis' dialogue)
↑The Chosen One: "{111}{}{Who is the deathclaw father?}" Kerith: "{123}{}{These eggs were sired by Gruthar, the pack leader. It is Gruthar who decides who will mate and who will not. The pack will be made strong by Gruthar.}" (Ockerith.msg)
↑The Chosen One: "{119}{}{There are other mothers?}" Kerith: "{120}{}{Yes, there are more mothers. Should anything happen to me, one will be chosen to take my place. The pack must survive.}" (Ockerith.msg)
↑ 25.025.1The Courier: "Where can I find a Deathclaw egg?" Jas Wilkins: "The quarry just north of here is full of Deathclaws, so there's bound to be an egg or two in there somewhere. Of course, a Deathclaw egg from anywhere will do. According to my Aunt Rose, those things have a ridiculously long shelf life." (Jas Wilkins' dialogue)
↑Fallout 3 Official Game Guide Game of the Year Edition p.80: "Kidd Kidd is part of a group of likeminded Ghouls that decided to forge ahead into unexplored territories under the leadership of Sanders, and set up a new Ghoul Settlement to rival Underworld. Kidd and Wint are leaving this area at speed, as their camp has been compromised by Deathclaws they had tragically overlooked the whereabouts of." (Fallout 3 Official Game Guide Game of the Year Edition Wasteland Census)
↑The Vault Dweller: "{103}{}{Why don't you get many visitors?}" Gabriel: "{105}{}{This place isn't very accessible with a nest of those damn Deathclaws right outside our factory.}" (GABRIEL.MSG)
↑The Lone Wanderer: "Dying? How awful! What happened to you?" Linden: "I was a Brotherhood of Steel Outcast. We had a deep patrol out here, looking for some tech and then got jumped by some Deathclaws. They shredded everyone else and left me bleeding to death. If it wasn't for Oasis and Bloomseer Poplar, I'd be dead right now. Honestly, I've never seen anything like this place... it's beautiful. It's a shame only a few people will ever get to see it." (OasisBranchtenderLinden.txt)
↑The Chosen One: "{119}{}{Why is there a deathclaw in the other room?}" Schreber: "{143}{}{The Enclave has been looking for cheap, expendable soldiers. We are interested in deathclaws because they have built in armor and weapons, and they're mean as hell. They just need to be smarter so they can understand commands but not too smart or they could develop a will of their own. With me so far?}" The Chosen One: "{145}{}{Yes, I follow you.}" Schreber: "{146}{}{Well we succeeded! We actually managed to increase their intelligence. However, I began to suspect that we went too far. That maybe they were a lot smarter than they were letting on. So when I was transferred here I brought one of them with me so I could put my theory to the test.}" The Chosen One: "{147}{}{And?}" Schreber: "{148}{}{I was right! The deathclaws have apparently been playing dumb, biding their time, and trying to learn as much as they can from us. They can even mimic human speech! I've actually had a conversation with that fellow in the next room.}" Schreber: "{149}{}{Anyway. The fact that they were capable of conceiving this plan and pulling off the deception shows just how dangerous they are.}" The Chosen One: "{151}{}{So what do you plan to do now?}" Schreber: "{152}{}{I'm going to write a report on my findings and have it transmitted to the Enclave. Of course I'll have to recommend the extermination of the deathclaw breed. They are much too dangerous a threat.}" (Ccdoctor.msg)
↑Fallout: New Vegas loading screen hints: "Despite the best efforts of well-equipped hunters, Deathclaws continue to establish nests across the Mojave Wasteland."
↑Hubber: "{102}{}{Is it true? Does… did the Deathclaw really exist?}" (HUBBER.MSG)
↑The Courier: "Tell me about the Rangers." Stepinac: "We're part scout, part commando, part sheriff. The training is brutal, and I'd say eight out of ten recruits washes out before the end.Before you get your Ranger badge, you've got to prove you can be quieter than a shadow and more ferocious than a Deathclaw." (RSCharlieStepinac.txt)
↑The Chosen One: "{244}{}{How's the glasses?}" Renesco: "{951}{}{Goddamn whatever Deathclaw or marketing director spawned you! You WANT something?! Here! HERE! Take THIS! Take ALL I have! Anything to get you to LEAVE ME ALONE!}" (NcRenesc.msg)
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