For an overview of giant rats in the Fallout series of games, see giant rat. |
Giant rats are creatures living in the Mojave Wasteland in 2281.
Characteristics
Biology
Giant rats appear to simply be larger versions of normal pre-War rats. The giant rats in Fallout: New Vegas appear to have lost most of their fur (likely to radiation), and have slightly-glowing turquoise eyes. Like normal rats, they also have very large incisors. Giants rats are often found in darker areas, such as Cerulean Robotics and broc flower cave.
Gameplay attributes
Giant rats will not attack on sight, but will stand defensively in the way bighorners do when the player is spotted. Only when the player draws too close or attacks them will they become hostile. Certain examples, such as the giant rats found in Freeside, who will not attack the player regardless of whether or not it is attacked. As with most mutated animals, giant rats will not attack if the player has the Animal Friend perk. Giant rats are also susceptible to, and count towards, the Animal Control perk. Occasionally they will make a sound that resembles a short howl.
Variants
Giant rat
These are light brown color, with glowing blue eyes and white hair on its back. The standard giant rat is equal in size to a mole rat. They are normally quite fast and attack in groups of 3 to 7.
Name (Form ID) | Statistics | Behavior | Abilities | Items | ||||
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Giant rat 000E8E95 00136B11 |
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Giant rat 001040DB 001183A4 |
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Giant rat pup
These look identical to fully grown giant rats, but are smaller than the standard giant rat. They usually don't attack but instead run away.
Name (Form ID) | Statistics | Behavior | Abilities | Items | ||||
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Giant rat pup 0014F480 |
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Rodent of unusual size
The following is based on the Wild Wasteland trait. |
Found in the broc flower cave and New Vegas sewers, rodents of unusual size are the largest of the mutated rats found in the Mojave Wasteland to date. They are identical to their giant cousins, save for their increased size and attack strength. They are aggressive and will attack on sight, unless the player has the Animal Friend perk.
Name (Form ID) | Statistics | Behavior | Abilities | Items | ||||
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Rodent of unusual size 00162B3D |
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End of information based on the Wild Wasteland trait |
Unnaturally large sized rodent
These are uniquely large giant rats, with only two in existence in 2281. They are found in the east central sewers in the same room as "Sweet" Jill. They are identical in appearance, except for size, to their smaller cousins. They are, however, far more aggressive and will attack the player on sight along with any nearby mutated rats, unless the player has the Animal Friend perk.
Name (Form ID) | Statistics | Behavior | Abilities | Items | ||||
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Unnaturally large sized rodent 00154454 |
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Notes
- Every three days, two children in Freeside will be seen chasing a non-hostile giant rat. If the Courier kills the rat, the children will say "Thanks, mister/lady" and perform an eating animation on the rat (like the player will perform if he/she has the Cannibal Perk). The children will still "eat" the rat even if it was reduced to a pile of goo or ash. Eventually the rat will respawn and the children will resume their never ending chase. It is likely that these children are working for Genaro, as he mentions that he has his 'little helpers' who gather food for him. The children have knives, but they will never attack with them.
The following is based on the Wild Wasteland trait. |
- There is a unique dialog option with Jane in Freeside during the quest Debt Collector if the Courier has the Wild Wasteland trait. They can ask her about the "R.O.U.S" in the broc flower cave where her raided caravan lies.
End of information based on the Wild Wasteland trait |
- Giant rats are friendly if the Courier has the Animal Friend perk, but may be hostile to companions.
- It is possible to pickpocket a giant rat, though doing so will result in Karma loss.
- Their meat is not used in any crafting.
- They are the only creature in the game whose tails can be severed.
Appearances
Giant rats appear in Fallout: New Vegas.
Behind the scenes
- In the New Vegas concept art, the giant rat has been described as "smaller than a dog but bigger than a cat".
- The rodents of unusual size are named in reference to William Goldman's novel and film The Princess Bride.
- In Fallout 2, when the player speaks to Sajag in Klamath, in the dialogue there will be mentioned that Trapper Town has problems with ROUS - rodents of unusual size.
Sounds
- Giant rat attack
- Giant rat battle cry
- Giant rat hiss