Mirelurk (Fallout 4)

Mirelurks are creatures encountered in the Commonwealth in Fallout 4.

Characteristics
An aquatic creature that appears in Fallout 4. This specimen in particular resembles a mirelurk hunter, but also differs in several aspects, such as seen with their legs. This specimen also walks in a mixed crab/spider-like motion, which is atypical of mirelurk variants documented so far. Of course, this may be a kind of "reboot" of the mirelurk's design, in an attempt to make them look more crab-like. Mirelurks also appear to deal radiation when killed in close quarters.

Mirelurks will bury themselves in dirt or mud, with the only visual indication that they are present being the rounded backs of their shells, which resemble large, smooth rocks from a distance. VATS will be able to spot them from a distance when used.

Mirelurk hatchling
When approaching a mirelurk nest, attacking or stealing mirelurk eggs will force nearby eggs to hatch prematurely, revealing these small crab like creatures. The mirelurk queen can spawn several hatchlings to attack the player.

Mirelurk spawn
Mirelurk spawn are identical in statistics and look to Mirelurk hatchlings, a few can be found at the bottom floor of the Massachusetts State House.

Softshell mirelurk
Weak, green mirelurks encountered at low levels and can be seen mixed in with stronger mirelurks at higher levels, 2-3 can be fought in the mission Pull the Plug after fixing the pipes and talking to Sully Mathis.

Mirelurk killclaw
Powerful mirelurks, which stands by their "legendary killclaw" at Cutler Bend. These can also be encountered at higher levels in Mirelurk invested areas, like Salem.

Mirelurk queen
The mirelurk queen is a new mirelurk variant. The queen is considerably larger and more dangerous than her children and inflicts more radiation on the player character. The mirelurk queen's acidic spittle rapidly damages anyone caught in it and she can spawn new hatchlings. Crippling her spouts will prevent her from using her acid attack. She benefits from the same resistance as the regular mirelurks : an incredibly thick shell but a very soft skin. It can take up to three shots from the Fat Man to kill her but half a belt from a minigun can be enough to take her down.

One occupies The Castle and is fought when the Minutemen retake it, another occupies the Murkwater construction site. Other spawn locations are Nahant Chapel, Spectacle Island, Massachusetts State House, Recon bunker Theta, west of Salem and the beach southwest of the Revere Beach station.

Mirelurk hunter
This mirelurk seems to have mutated from the local lobster population due to the body structure they can attack the player with acid and powerful melee attacks, their shells are a lot weaker than normal mirelurks, they can be found in areas infested by mirelurks like Spectacle Island

Mirelurk king
Powerful mirelurks, which stand by their "legendary king" at Cutler Bend. Can also be found in the water close by Rook family house and also a couple can be found at Spectacle Island.

Appearances
Mirelurks appear in Fallout 3 and Fallout 4.

Behind the scenes
The mirelurk model was created by Jonah Lobe, with their Fallout 4 model bearing close similarities to the Garthim from the movie The Dark Crystal.

Bugs
Receiving acid damage from a mirelurk may cause the skin effect to remain forever. Reloading a save can possibly fix this issue.