Radscorpion (Fallout 3)

Radscorpions are creatures found in the Capital Wasteland in 2277.

Background
Radscorpions are mutated from the North American Emperor scorpion, which were prolific in many pet stores at the time of the Great War. Contrary to many expectations, their venom grew much more potent and deadly when they mutated rather than becoming diluted. It can also be used in making certain weapons, and some more deadly poisons. Though considered nocturnal and sensitive to light, radscorpions can be found active during the daytime in the areas they inhabit. Samples of their venom can be used to make antivenom. Apart from their size, they appear visually identical to regular scorpions, with mottled, dark, blueish grey carapaces.

Biology
Radscorpions are not only powerful, but also have a nasty venomous sting that can kill the player if not treated quickly. Since they are indigenous to desert environments, they do not mind the brightly lit environments and will attack the player in broad daylight.

Radscorpions can be seen burrowing into the ground from time to time, much like their pre-War cousins. These burrows are likely where they sleep and take refuge from the harsh external environment, like heat and sandstorms.

Gameplay attributes
Radscorpions will usually attack head-on and then attempt to flank the player. Unlike other creatures, radscorpions lack a "weak point" that can be targeted for extra damage (such as a "head" for a headshot), which makes V.A.T.S. combat and firearms somewhat less effective against them.

Radscorpions can often send low level players running for the hills, since they can be difficult to get rid of without getting seriously injured or killed.

All radscorpions are effected by the Entomologist perk.

A good technique to beat radscorpions for lower level players, for instance in Hamilton's Hideaway, is to use melee attack with V.A.T.S. and then quickly run to a room where you can "heal" your AP behind a closed door. When you're ready again, open the door, run out and use V.A.T.S. again.

Radscorpion
The most common variety of radscorpion. These venomous predators seem to possess different speeds, some taking their time and others bolting at top speed. Their size ranges from that of a large dog to small livestock.

Giant radscorpion
A much larger radscorpion with an equally more potent venom. These terrifying creatures can reach incredible sizes, ranging from livestock to a Corvega. The giant radscorpion is commonly encountered usually in the west and far south of the Capital Wasteland. It's not uncommon to see one turn from the player and back off, only to be joined by another and charge in again. In fact, they seem to operate in pairs most often, only preferring to attack alone when their partner is dead.

Albino radscorpion (Broken Steel)
Albino radscorpions are about the same size as a giant radscorpion, but instead of having a dark bluish grey appearance, they are pale white with pink joints and eyes. They deal out very high damage while taking very little themselves, while their stingers contain an extremely potent venom. A unique trait about these radscorpions is the fact that they slowly regenerate health when exposed to direct sunlight.

Like regular radscorpions, they have no weak point, but their legs can be crippled to undermine their mobility; the dart gun is very useful in this regard, as it automatically cripples a target's legs with a hit anywhere on the body. Albino radscorpions are affected by the Entomologist perk. You can find an albino radscorpion anywhere where giant radscorpions spawn. High level players may actually encounter more albino radscorpions than regular radscorpions.

Appearances
Radscorpions appear in Fallout 3 and its add-ons Broken Steel and Mothership Zeta.

Bugs

 * A glitch that seems to be especially frequent with Giant radscorpion corpses is that they can become contorted and stretched out, sometimes spinning as well.
 * The radscorpions are prone to slipping sideways into outdoor terrain, often rendering them very slow or even immobile. This seems to be aggravated by size; the larger the radscorpion the more likely it will tilt into the ground. Giant and albino varieties may slip entirely under the terrain, but instead of plummeting to their death, will scurry towards targets from beneath the ground. Radscorpions that have slipped through in this way seem to be unable to return to the surface, but will show up as threats on the radar. Many sunk in this fashion are unable to attack although larger types seem more able to.
 * If you use the Dart gun against two giant radscorpions (shooting a dart at one first and a second dart at the other one), the weakest one will disappear from sight while the other is still engaging.