Mirelurk (Fallout 76)

Mirelurks are creatures found in Appalachia.

Biology
While usually being associated with mutated crabs, the term mirelurk refers to a range of mutated aquatic species.

The crab-like mirelurk is considered both fearsome and formidable by wastelanders. Mirelurks are generally social with others of their kind, although they tend to be aggressive to other creatures and one another if one gets too close to another.

Most adult mirelurks appear to have a hardened carapace on their backs, which is suggested to be their primary defense mechanism. While their eyesight appears to be poor, mirelurks have an extraordinary sense of smell. After using their crab/spider-like legs and large claws to reach and catch prey, they use a smaller set of abdomen claws to strip their prey down to the bone within minutes. Most mirelurks grow remarkably fast, and the shelled-variant has been observed to reach maturity within weeks.

Gameplay attributes
The base variant of the mirelurk attacks exclusively with melee. They will get close, usually in a group of three or more and attempt to hit the player character with their large claws. They will duck into their hard shell as a way to block incoming melee damage. They do this often and it can become an issue if the player character is being attacked from multiple sides, as when they turn to attack a different foe, the crouched mirelurk will leap up and attack almost instantly. They are vulnerable to explosives and headshots. Mirelurk spawn and hatchlings are weak. They can be killed easily, especially with explosives. They are used mainly as a distraction.

Hunters are the next variant, with high mobility and melee damage. The lack of a hardened carapace means that they have slightly less concentrated armor protection, however, they have superb overall protection, meaning they are not nearly as vulnerable to headshots. They can also utilize a poisonous spit attack, similar to that of the mirelurk queen, but on a much smaller scale. This ranged ability means they will often hang back from the main pack and force the player character to have to approach them.

Mirelurk kings are highly agile and well-armored foes that are almost always encountered nearby a mirelurk queen. Though usually alone, it is not uncommon to find more than one king at a mirelurk den. They will run up and swipe, as well as perform a powerful sonic blast attack from range, with a very high chance to stun. They also have a high HP pool and damage output.

The mirelurk queen is the largest enemy one can encounter in-game besides the scorchbeast queen and behemoth. She will attack with powerful melee strikes, and a very effective poison spit attack, which can blanket an entire area in a matter of seconds. This creates an area of effect pool, which ramps up damage the longer the target stays inside. She can also surprise unsuspecting player characters when she rises from a nearby water source other mirelurk are gathered around, but the roar she makes to alert them of her appearance can send them into a panicked run to get away once they hear it. They can also release mirelurk spawn like grenades, using them as a distraction while she kills the opponent. Being one of the few boss enemies, she is very difficult to kill. Her high armor and HP can make her a tough enemy for most player characters, but she is vulnerable in her head, spouts and legs.

Variants
These are the weakest variant of the mirelurk. Their shell is significantly less protective, making them easily combatable from any angle.
 * -|Mirelurk crab=
 * Softshell mirelurk

The base variant, with the attributes described above.
 * Mirelurk

A slightly stronger mirelurk that has a bigger claw than the other and what appears to be seaweed or moss growing on its shell.
 * Mirelurk razorclaw

The killclaw looks similar to the razorclaw only it is stone grey and slightly stronger in stats
 * Mirelurk killclaw


 * Bloodrage mirelurk


 * Stoutshell mirelurk

A variant of the mirelurk gradually exposed to intense levels of radiation. The shell of the glowing mirelurk is a noticeable green hue with the underbelly giving off a bright luminescent glow.
 * Glowing mirelurk

A mirelurk crab that has been infected with the Scorched Plague.
 * Scorched mirelurk crab

A pale mirelurk covered in clusters of dark foliage and thick orange vines. They are often called as reinforcements for the strangler heart. More powerful variants can be found inside Vault 94.
 * Strangler mirelurk

They are encountered during Vault Mission: Meltdown. They are identical in appearance to strangler mirelurks.
 * Venomous mirelurk

They are encountered during Vault Mission: Dead in the Water and Vault Mission: Meltdown. They are identical in appearance to strangler mirelurks.
 * Hardshell mirelurk

They are encountered during Vault Mission: Dead in the Water and Vault Mission: Meltdown. They are identical in appearance to strangler mirelurks.
 * Mirelurk vorpalclaw


 * Steelshell mirelurk


 * Deadly mirelurk

This type of mirelurk has mutated from the lobster population native to Chesapeake Bay. They are significantly more resilient than regular mirelurks and gain the ability to spit acid at its enemies, as well as more powerful attacks. While the common mirelurk is vulnerable to headshots, the head of the mirelurk hunter is much stronger.
 * -|Mirelurk hunter=
 * Mirelurk hunter


 * Albino mirelurk hunter


 * Glowing mirelurk hunter


 * Grim mirelurk hunter

The second most powerful mirelurk hunter variant. They are encountered during Vault Mission: Dead in the Water. They are identical in appearance to albino mirelurk hunters.
 * Relentless mirelurk hunter

The most powerful mirelurk hunter variant. They are encountered during Vault Mission: Dead in the Water.They are identical in appearance to albino mirelurk hunters.
 * Bloodthirsty mirelurk hunter


 * Deadly mirelurk hunter

A mirelurk hunter that has been infected with the Scorched Plague.
 * Scorched mirelurk hunter

Mirelurk kings do not resemble the crablike mirelurks, instead appearing to be heavily mutated frogs based on sounds they make and the webbing between their fingers and toes. They are very fast and can easily kill a low level player character in seconds.
 * -|Mirelurk king=
 * Mirelurk king


 * Mirelurk deep king

A stronger variant of the mirelurk king, it glows green, likely due to exposure to high levels of radiation. They appear at a higher level.
 * Glowing mirelurk king

A mirelurk king that has been infected with the Scorched Plague.
 * Scorched mirelurk king

An enormous subtype of the mirelurk, found commonly in areas with deep still water.
 * -|Mirelurk queen=
 * Mirelurk queen

A mirelurk queen that has consumed enough radiation to cause phosphorescence.
 * Glowing mirelurk queen


 * Prime mirelurk queen

A mirelurk queen that has been infected with the Scorched Plague. Encountered commonly during the Scorched Earth event as a mini-boss, they are the strongest reinforcements that the scorchbeast queen will call.
 * Scorched mirelurk queen

A variant of the mirelurk queen covered in thick vines and dark foliage. Called as the final reinforcement for the strangler heart during the Heart of the Swamp public event.
 * Strangler queen


 * -|Mirelurk spawn=
 * Mirelurk hatchling


 * Glowing mirelurk spawn

A mirelurk spawn that has been infected with the Scorched Plague.
 * Scorched mirelurk spawn

Locations

 * Five softshell mirelurks can be found at New River Gorge Resort.
 * About six softshell mirelurk on the stream west of Summersville.
 * Mirelurks can be found in Grafton Lake and around Pioneer Scout camp, especially during the Swarm of Suitors event.
 * Mirelurk hunters can be found in Lake Reynolds.
 * Mirelurk spawns and kings can be found at Wendigo cave.
 * Two mirelurk queens can occasionally be found at The Freak Show.
 * A mirelurk queen can occasionally be found roaming at Toxic dried lakebed.
 * A mirelurk queen can be found in the water at Quarry X3.
 * A mirelurk queen can be found in the water Spruce Knob Lake.
 * A mirelurk queen can be found in the water at Sunrise Field.
 * A mirelurk queen can be found in the water at Mac's farm.
 * A mirelurk queen can be found in the water at Cranberry glade.
 * A mirelurk queen can be found roaming at Highland marsh.
 * A prime mirelurk queen will appear as the final boss of the Primal Cuts event in The Mire.
 * A strangler mirelurk queen can occasionally appear as the final boss of the Heart of the Swamp event.
 * Many mirelurks, including queens can be encountered during Vault Mission: Dead in the Water.
 * A few mirelurks and a mirelurk king can be encountered at Wavy Willard's Water Park, located over by the slides.

Notable mirelurks

 * Dave, a companion to Enola Walker during her quest to kill the scorchbeast queen.

Appearances
Mirelurks appear in Fallout 76.

Bugs
Some softshell mirelurks may count towards the "Kill glowing creatures" challenge, even if they are not glowing, while others may not.