Radroach
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Great American cockroaches, colloquially called radroaches, giant cockroaches or Scruffles, are giant versions of the pre-War species that have been mutated by atomic radiation.
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[edit] General characteristics
Found mainly in underground areas and sewers across North America, which can cause them to be a pest in certain Vaults because they can usually be found in fairly large groups. They feed on the dead, but will go after living creatures if isolated. Their numbers are their biggest advantage. Radroaches live mostly in the areas east of California.
It is said that radroach innards are useful in the treatment of radiation poisoning, and are widely used by tribals for this purpose.
[edit] Variations
[edit] Radroach
These radroaches are commonly found in the Capital Wasteland and the Mojave Wasteland and look similar to real-life cockroaches. Radroaches were enlarged extensively by mutation; to the point that they are now as large as housecats.
They are generally little more than a nuisance to Armageddon survivors and are less than likely to pose a challenge. Radroaches are territorial and rather aggressive, but not very harmful. Anyone can kill them with their bare hands, and will only attack if you are very close.
On one of the childhood quests in Vault 101, the Lone Wanderer's 10th birthday, you are expected to kill one with your BB gun given to you by Jonas Palmer as a birthday present.
 | The following is based on Fallout Tactics and some details might contradict canon. |
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In the daylight these overgrown pests will do you no harm...but in the shadows of the darkness the swarm will trample you underfoot!
[edit] Irradiated radroach
 | The following is based on Fallout New Vegas cut content and has not been confirmed by canon sources. |
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The irradiated radroach appears the same as a normal radroach but with the radioactive aura of a feral ghoul reaver and the ability to heal itself with a radiation blast similar to a glowing one.
[edit] Giant cockroach
| The following is based on Fallout Tactics and some details might contradict canon. |
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In the Midwest, mutant cockroaches are a common sight in the Wasteland. As in the Capital Wasteland, they can be encountered nearly everywhere, from old buildings to plains. However, they are drastically different and more dangerous than those met in the Capital Wasteland. They have a big, protected main body and small legs, and their saliva is incredibly toxic. They are very aggressive and attack every human unlucky enough to encounter them.
The Midwestern giant cockroaches are more varied than their Capital Wasteland cousins. Their size can also vary - they can be as small as their relatives in the Capital Wasteland or as big as an adult human.
[edit] Roachor
| The following is based on Fallout Tactics and some details might contradict canon. |
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Roachor is a unique giant cockroach encountered by the Warrior of the Brotherhood of Steel. It is an "advanced" version of a large cockroach, which lived in the Peoria facility. It appears Roachor was affected by the high amount of radiation coming from a strange production device which was used in manufacturing fusion batteries. He is even bigger than any large radroach, being the same size as a car, his body glowing with a greenish radioactivity. His poison is even deadlier than that of Midwestern radroaches.
[edit] Appearances
Radroaches appear in Fallout 3, Fallout: New Vegas and Fallout Tactics, and were to appear in Van Buren. They were also mentioned in Fallout Bible 1.
[edit] Behind the scenes
- Their inclusion in the Fallout series is probably a nod to the common myth that cockroaches could survive a nuclear apocalypse.
- In real life, roaches are noted for their relatively high resistance to radiation—about five to ten times that of humans. However, there are other insects and arachnids even more resistant to radiation, including fruit flies and scorpions. Their resistance to radiation can be explained through their cell-cycle. A tissue-cell is most vulnerable to radiation when it divides, but the cells of a cockroach only divides once every time it molts.
[edit] Gallery
Radroach from Fallout Tactics
Radroach concept art from Fallout 3
More radroach concept art from Fallout 3
Radroach meat
