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For an overview of deathclaw variants in the Fallout series of games, see deathclaw. |
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Deathclaws are mutated creatures in Fallout and Fallout 2. They are large, agile, and strong species of mutant horned 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
In Fallout, a deathclaw first appeared in a mission to find missing caravans: while the deathclaw was not responsible for the caravan disappearances, as some had believed, evidence in its lair did lead to the correct solution. Deathclaws had also established a nest in the abandoned warehouse district of the Boneyard, obstructing traffic between the Gun Runners and potential trading partners and making any scavenging in the area very hazardous and deadly.
- Fallout
- Deathclaws are not affected by the Animal Friend perk.
- The deathclaw located in the Deathclaw's Lair has 250 HP and grants 1000 XP.
- The Mother deathclaw located in the basement of the Deathclaw Warehouse in the Boneyard has 320 HP and grants 1500 XP.
- Fallout 2
There are two varieties of deathclaw in Fallout 2. One is the regular variety, like those found in Fallout. These are found in random encounters across the wasteland, often in groups of two to five, sometimes including Young and Baby deathclaws.
The other variety of deathclaw are the intelligent deathclaws occupying Vault 13, the experiments of the Enclave, mentioned above. Goris, the son of the Vault 13 pack leader Gruthar, is also a recruitable companion.
Variants
Deathclaw
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| Deathclaw 00000007 00000008 |
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Deathclaw spawn
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| Name (Proto ID) | Statistics | DT/DR | Abilities | ||||||||||||||||||
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| Deathclaw spawn 00000085 |
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Mother deathclaw
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| Name (Proto ID) | Statistics | DT/DR | Abilities | ||||||||||||||||||
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| Mother deathclaw 00000275 |
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Tough deathclaw
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| Name (Proto ID) | Statistics | DT/DR | Abilities | ||||||||||||||||||
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| Tough deathclaw 00000245 |
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Appearances
The deathclaw appears in both Fallout and Fallout 2. The tough deathclaw version appears only in Fallout 2.
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."
<ref>tag; name "Chameleons" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid<ref>tag; name "Chameleons" defined multiple times with different content - "Well, let's see... Deathclaws appear to be mutated Jackson's Iguanas
- ↑ 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
Cite error: <ref> tags exist for a group named "Non-game", but no corresponding <references group="Non-game"/> tag was found