Named by descendants of those held in Chinese internment camps before the Great War, yao guai are mutated American black bears.[1][2] They are one of the more vicious creatures of the wasteland, having razor sharp claws and teeth, and a nasty temperament.[3]
Characteristics[]
Yao guai are large, mutated ursines that are descended from the bears that lived across America before the Great War. They are able to reproduce, as evidenced by the presence of cubs. Wild yao guai will attack nearly any other animals or people they encounter, including deathclaws. Despite this, yao guai exhibit a gentle, familial bond toward one another when found together and can even be domesticated.[4]
Biology[]
The physical build of the Zion variant does not drastically deviate from pre-War bears as much as other cases of yao guai found in the Capital Wasteland and the Commonwealth. Comparatively, they are overall less dog-like in their posture and movement and sport thicker patches of fur and more body fat. Additionally, since their upper body, chest and arms are not as massive, the Appalachian yao guai have a comparatively more traditional bear-like posture and gait. Yao guai are generally larger than their unmutated predecessors and more aggressive.
Gameplay attributes[]
Yao guai are extremely fast and powerful creatures, second only to deathclaws in terms of raw strength and speed. Unlike deathclaws, they are less alert, as the player character may come in contact with one when it is asleep or lying down. Yao guai do not attack bighorners in Zion Canyon. The Animal Friend perk does not affect them and they will become hostile towards the player character upon detection regardless.
Variants[]
Yao guai[]
These creatures are nearly identical to the yao guai found in the Capital Wasteland in Fallout 3. They are normally found in groups of two to four.
Smaller, weaker and less deadly versions of their parents, though their being in close proximity to the normal variants means there is still danger nearby.
Even larger versions of yao guai. A giant yao guai is a significant threat to low-level characters. During Arrival at Zion, a giant yao guai can be seen attacking and killing a green gecko on top of a rock, moments after Follows-Chalk points it otu. A few of these yao guai can be found near the Red Gate.
Reflecting his naivety, Follows-Chalk will often mention how there couldn't possibly be anything as bad as yao guai in the civilized world while traveling as a companion.
In Mandarin, yāo guài (妖怪) translates as "monster" or "demon." In Chinese mythology, "yaoguai" are usually physical manifestations of the spirits of mistreated animals or fallen divine animals.
In early concept art for Fallout 3, the yao guai's name was spelled "yaogwai."[5]
The black bear from which the yao guai mutated is the official state mammal of West Virginia.
References[]
↑Fallout 3 loading screens: "Yao Guai are fast, powerful predators, and are descended from the area's black bears."
↑Fallout 4 loading screens: "Originally named by the descendants of those held in Chinese internment camps before the Great War, the Yao Guai is a ferocious mutated bear."
