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Fallout: New Vegas creatures project
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For an overview of deathclaw variants in the Fallout series of games, see deathclaw. |
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Deathclaws are creatures living in the Mojave Wasteland in 2281.
Characteristics
They are a large, agile, and strong species of mutated Jackson's Chameleon.[1]
Background
Originally engineered before the Great War by the U.S. government as a cheap replacement for human troops during combat operations, deathclaws were derived from a mixed animal stock, primarily the popular Jackson's chameleon.[1] Although the project was successful in creating a ferocious predator capable of surviving on its own in the wild, no references exist of them ever being deployed on the battlefield. After the Great War, deathclaws escaped into the wild and quickly spread across the continent. The Enclave had no hand in the deathclaw's creation, so far as the Appalachian Enclave's research division knows, but they do note that the genetic manipulation looks similar to their own projects.[2] Eventually, they were refined by the Master through genetic manipulation and the Forced Evolutionary Virus.[Non-game 1] Because initial reports were limited to a series of isolated nests, deathclaws were viewed as legendary creatures by the various inhabitants of southern California.[3] However, the population in the Boneyard was keenly aware of their existence, as a lone den mother and her offspring claimed the area between Downey and Norwalk around 2161, keeping the Gun Runners in a checkmate while terrorizing other communities in the region.[4] Also, a single deathclaw was found living near the outskirts of the Hub.[5]
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 their research project started before the war, developing intelligent deathclaws for use in hostile environments around 2235.[Non-game 2] 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, these deathclaws broke free of their Enclave masters, having become far more intelligent than anyone could foresee.[Non-game 3] They began developing a unique culture, as the first known non-humanoid sentient beings in history.[6] However, their intelligence was discovered by Dr. Schreber of Navarro, whose report led to the extermination of intelligent deathclaws with extreme prejudice.[7] Subsequent experimentation involved the aforementioned domestication units, although by the end of the 23rd century.[8]
Characteristics
Biology
Deathclaws are a large, carnivorous,[9] 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 or 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. However, deathclaws have been observed running on all fours when charging prey. The rippling musculature of the deathclaw provides it with superior strength, excellent speed, and incredible resilience in most combat situations.[10][Non-game 1][1] 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.[1]
Their strength is further 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 on each hand. 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[11] in seconds.[12] Deathclaw hide is extremely tough, providing an excellent defense against blunt and edged weapons. Firearms and energy weapons are reliable tools for killing a deathclaw, though lower powered variants are likely to have trouble piercing its skin. The defense is enhanced by horns and dorsal spikes, making melee combat a very dangerous proposition.[1][13]
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 deter a deathclaw's advance or even keep it at bay.[14]
Gameplay attributes
Deathclaws are a bigger threat than ever 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. All deathclaw variants are armored, making them more resilient against attacks. Their DT is 15, equal to that of a suit of combat armor.
The largest group is found at deathclaw promontory, an unmarked area on the east side of the Colorado River between The Fort and Hoover Dam, and near the Cliffside prospector camp, where they guard the Remnants power armor and a non-faction T-51b power armor. The largest group on a marked area of the map is found in Quarry Junction, northwest of Sloan. Here 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 called Dead Wind Cavern. Here you can find a Mother deathclaw with some babies, along with average deathclaws and the unique legendary deathclaw, the most powerful creature in the Mojave Wasteland. There is a unique grenade machinegun named Mercy in the room with the legendary deathclaw, on a dead Brotherhood of Steel Paladin. Another location to find deathclaws is the Gypsum Train Yard, where the vast majority of the deathclaws are blind. Depending on your level they will either be regular, young, or blind.
Variants
Deathclaw
A standard deathclaw with most of the attributes mentioned above. The deathclaws found in Quarry Junction and Gypsum train yard are stronger than the others, with double the health and a more powerful attack.
Although many of them can be found around Quarry Junction, Vault 19, Gypsum Train Yard, and many surrounding locations, they are not near so fearsome as those within.
| Name (Form ID) | Statistics | Behavior | Abilities | Items | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deathclaw 0014F42C |
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| Deathclaw (Quarry Junction) 001607B5 001607B7 |
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Deathclaw alpha male
The deathclaw alpha male is similar to that of a legendary deathclaw in appearance but with darker skin. Although not as fierce as the legendary deathclaw, they can be quite dangerous in some situations, especially if accompanied by other deathclaws. They can be found at Quarry Junction and Deathclaw Promontory. Alpha deathclaws are usually followed by 1-5 other deathclaws, making them even harder to kill.
| Name (Form ID) | Statistics | Behavior | Abilities | Items | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deathclaw alpha male (Quarry Junction) 000E59EB |
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| Deathclaw alpha male 00167EC1 |
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Deathclaw baby
Deathclaw babies are the youngest and smallest of the deathclaw species. They can be found throughout the Mojave Wasteland. They are commonly found at Quarry Junction and Deathclaw Promontory. They'll follow their mother closely, and if killed while the mother is still alive, will cause her to go into a frenzy due to the loss of her baby.
| Name (Form ID) | Statistics | Behavior | Abilities | Items | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baby deathclaw 000E601F |
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Deathclaw mother
Matriarchs of the deathclaw broods, deathclaw mothers are bigger, stronger, and more easily angered than the standard deathclaw (second only to the legendary deathclaw and tied with the deathclaw alpha male). They are very thick-set and heavily built deathclaw. They also have a very dark blue-colored skin, giving them an intimidating look. Deathclaw mothers are notably the only breed of deathclaw with spiked tails and horns that jut backwards. They usually travel in dark areas near their young or their eggs, and are more than eager to tear apart anything that the Wasteland throws at their babies. Deathclaw mothers do not respawn.
They can be found at Quarry Junction, Deathclaw Promontory, and Dead Wind Cavern.
| Name (Form ID) | Statistics | Behavior | Abilities | Items | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deathclaw mother 000E59E7 000E5851 |
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Blind deathclaw
Don't be fooled by the fact that they are blind. With their blindness comes a heightened sense of their surroundings, meaning a higher Perception. However, they do not attack with as much power as their sighted brethren, arguably making them a decreased (albeit harder to avoid) threat. Even though they cannot see, their alert of your presence will in fact alert all other deathclaws nearby of your position despite the one that found you being blind.
This type of deathclaw can be encountered at the Gypsum Train Yard as well as Primm Pass and Bonnie Springs.
| Name (Form ID) | Statistics | Behavior | Abilities | Items | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blind deathclaw 0015C642 001745E2 |
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Legendary deathclaw
The third most dangerous creature in the Mojave Wasteland, the legendary deathclaw is found in Dead Wind Cavern and has distinctively long horns and 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 with only two or even one attack(s), all while having the fifth largest amount of hit points in the game, only being beaten by Vault 34 Overseer, Legate Lanius,the X-42 Giant Robo-Scorpion, and the legendary bloatfly. This is an appropriate use for a Fat Man.
| Name (Form ID) | Statistics | Behavior | Abilities | Items | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Legendary deathclaw 00167EFF |
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Young deathclaw
Though young deathclaws may be similar in appearance to their more mature deathclaw brethren, they are distinguishable by their smaller size, paler skin and underdeveloped horns. They are significantly easier to kill than regular deathclaws.
| Name (Form ID) | Statistics | Behavior | Abilities | Items | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Young deathclaw 0014F42D 000E5850 |
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Related quests
Notes
- In Old World Blues, the location Higgs Village houses a miniature deathclaw called Stripe inside Gabe's doghouse if you have the Wild Wasteland trait.
- 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.
- The recent patch has also made all Deathclaws in the Mojave Wasteland as tough as the ones at Quarry Junction. As a result, non-Quarry Junction Deathclaws have 500 hit points, compared to just 250 hit points pre-patch. Some of the other Deathclaw variants have also had their health increased (i.e. Young Deathclaws now have 350 hit points).
- Crippling their legs will both reduce deathclaws' speed to a limp and make them unable to perform their jumping attack. This becomes very useful when fighting them, as gaining higher ground such as rocks means you are able to sometimes avoid damage completely.
- Deathclaws will give up searching for the player when he or she is in water.
- Deathclaws are able to detect you while sneaking with a Stealth Boy activated from farther away than normal non-player characters, 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 you see one, 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 are 15+ deathclaws there along with numerous deathclaw alpha males and deathclaw mothers. The Remnants power armor can be found there. The helmet, however, can be found in the Silver Peak Mine. A non-faction T-51b power armor suit can be found as well just next to the Remnants power armor, both on prospectors. This promontory however, is an area for those who are higher level.
- In the inventory of a young deathclaw there is a Deathclaw hand, even though the young deathclaw is substantially smaller than the normal deathclaws, they both give the same hand.
Bugs
- In V.A.T.S mode, the head of a deathclaw mother seems to be its neck instead of its actual head.
- 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).
Mutilating a mother deathclaw head seems to remove part of her neck instead of the head in addition to the neck being classified as the "head" of the mother deathclaw.
Gallery
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Joseph (Ocjoseph.msg) in Fallout 2 says:
- "Well, let's see... Deathclaws appear to be mutated Jackson's Iguanas, 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."
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- ↑ Enclave research facility terminal entires; Cell block C console, Subject C-01
- ↑ 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.}"
(John Maxson's dialogue) - ↑ Gabriel
- ↑ Find the missing caravans
- ↑ 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.}"
(Goris' dialogue) - ↑ The deathclaw massacre within Fallout 2.
- ↑ Raven Rock terminal entries; delivery terminal, Note Regarding Recent Delivery
- ↑ In the quest Stop brahmin raids, Roger Westin mentions 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.}"
(Gruthar's dialogue) - ↑ 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's dialogue) - ↑ Fallout 4 loading screens: "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."
- ↑ Deathclaw appearance across the Fallout series.
- ↑ NCR Radio distress beacon and Flash bang information
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