Spore carrier

Spore carriers (Beauveria mordicana) are creatures found in the Mojave Wasteland as well as Zion Canyon and Big MT in 2281.

Background
Spore carriers are humans who had been exposed to an entomopathogenic fungus, B. mordicana. It was developed to colonize the bodies of common pests. Verified in a report in a terminal entry in the medical wing, the host technically dies, once it has fully colonized a host body, but the body continues to move by means of the fungal colonies within it. In this manner the fungus moves amongst more of its prey, occasionally spraying spores in a radius around the host body, infecting all who come near it. Its drawbacks include the time it takes to kill prey (10–20 days) and its limited effectiveness when dealing with unsocial pests.

The B. mordicana was developed before the Great War in the Big MT research facility, from where it was delivered to Vault 22, as a part of the Vault Behavioral Project. Its birthplace is X-22 botanical garden, which, in a time after the war, itself succumbed to the plant life. The inhabitants of Vault 22 were exposed, and those of them who left the vault have spread the fungus as far as Zion Canyon, where spore carriers pose a problem even today. It seems that the spread of the green fungus happens over time, as the doctor who first performed an autopsy noticed nothing wrong externally with the first infected victim.

The first spore carrier made was presumably Patient Zero at Big MT, while Harrison Peters was the first infected in Vault 22.

Gameplay attributes
Spore carriers are quick and use melee attacks. Spore carriers have some characteristics of trogs from Fallout 3 The Pitt add-on. If they are not killed quickly they explode and deal large amounts of damage, breaking limbs, and giving a large dose of radiation. When they are hiding in vegetation they are hard to spot and will not appear on the player's compass nor be targeted via V.A.T.S. until they get up.

Walking right past unexplored vegetation might result in an unpleasant scare. Spore carriers are also known for sneaking up on the player. However, the player will see their health meter if he hits them with an area weapon like a flamer or grenade, immediately informing you of their presence. Weapons that use fire or weapons with large spreads (such as the riot shotgun) are extremely effective against them.

Upon detecting the player, the spore carrier will raise themselves out of the large growth of vegetation where they hide and will let off a growl in a similar manner to that of feral ghouls, but with greater ferocity and louder.

While a spore carrier is getting up or sleeping, players in sneak mode who manually attack the spore carrier will get a Sneak Attack Critical. Combined with a decently powerful weapon, such preemptive strikes can often kill the spore carrier before it ever becomes a need for concern.

Spore carrier
The most common of all spore carriers. They hide in vegetation and attack anyone tripping over them.

Spore carrier brute
Spore carrier brutes are found in the same areas other spore carriers are found, and usually tend to act the same. However, these brutes tend to be more aggressive, and are tougher and larger than normal spore carriers.

Spore carrier runt
Runts are the smallest and weakest of the spore carrier family. However, they are still quite fast and may overwhelm an unaware, low-leveled player.

Spore carrier savage
They are encountered rarely, but are essentially a more dangerous form of spore carrier brutes.

Spore carrier beast (Honest Hearts)
The spore carrier beast is only found in Zion Valley in the Honest Hearts add-on. They are stronger than any of the other spore carriers and are often found around spore plants.

Spore carrier scavenger (Old World Blues)
This variant of spore carrier only appears in the add-on Old World Blues at the X-22 botanical garden.

Notable spore carriers

 * Patient Zero

Appearances
Spore carriers appear in Fallout: New Vegas, and its add-ons Honest Hearts and Old World Blues.

Behind the scenes
Beauveria is a genus of fungi typically known to parasitically infect insects. Beauveria mordicana seems similar in effects to the endomopathogenic fungus Cordyceps unilateralis, which assumes control of the infected organism's immune system and continues to grow post-mortem.

Sounds

 * Hissing spore carrier
 * Conscious spore carrier