Scorchbeast

Scorchbeasts are creatures found in Appalachia in 2102.

Background
Beneath the entirety of Appalachia lies a vast colony of these draconic bat horrors. After a period of time, the colony becomes overcrowded and the scorchbeasts dig to the surface to destroy settlements and devour humans, leaving large rifts in the landscape. The only way to shut them is to launch one of the few remaining nuclear I.C.B.M.s from one of three silos scattered across Appalachia, collapsing the rifts and killing those scorchbeasts that remain. This is only a temporary measure, however, as the scorchbeasts will once again overpopulate and breach the surface somewhere else after a period of time, necessitating repeated strikes by vigilant humans to prevent the surface from being fully overrun.

Scorchbeasts are partially responsible for the creation of the Scorched, as, according to research by the Vault 76 overseer, their underground colony contains a fungus responsible for the Scorched Plague, causing the crystalline growths seen on the Scorched.

Biology
Scorchbeasts have evolved from an unknown species of bat, presumed to be pygmy bats by the Free States. The gargantuan creature has pointed ears and membranous wings, allowing it to fly and soar through the air. The scorchbeast's body is laced with ultracite, which can be extracted from their hides, bones, and wings. Strong and aggressive, it attacks with razor-sharp teeth, claws, a powerful sonic blast capable of shattering wood and metal structures, and by dousing the player character in an acidic, radioactive mist that permeates through cover.

Gameplay attributes
The scorchbeast summons many Scorched enemies while fighting. It utilizes three different attacks, the first being a long-range sonic attack, which is performed while flying and causes radiation damage. The second attack is a radiation fog, commonly referred to as crop-dusting due to it dispersing from its wings much like a crop duster, and travels through roofs and walls. The scorchbeast will continue to dust an area, even if the player character is in caution status. The third attack style is a sweeping attack which it utilizes while on the ground. The scorchbeast also has a tendency to heal itself when left alone for a while, similar to other creatures. They have also been seen to attack and infect other enemies, usually those that are in combat with it. Scorchbeast ranged attacks are relentless but not as powerful as some others. It is possible to run a considerable distance while under attack. It is also possible to enter a building, gully, or other sheltered area, go into sneak mode, and wait out the attack although the player character may be attacked by other scorched creatures. Automated surface to air missile batteries can be repaired at several of the BOS firebases if a player character is close to one of the locations. The ASAM(s) can help fight the scorchbeast or provide a diversion.

Scorchbeast
A standard scorchbeast, these fearsome creatures can range in level. When they are diseased, their sonic blasts will affect the player character in the form of the Blight, a disease will lower all SPECIAL stats by 1 point.

Scorchbeast queen
The scorchbeast queen is spawned by dropping a nuclear missile on Fissure site Prime, and is considered to be the final boss of the game. Eight or more participants are recommended for this difficult server-wide event, in which she must be killed within 25 minutes. During this engagement, waves of lesser enemies, including other scorchbeasts and scorched variants of most enemies (alongside the rare non-scorched enemy) will attack the player characters in addition to the danger of the queen herself. The physical resistance of the scorchbeast queen seems to vary, as observations have it as low as 175 and as high as 300.

Locations

 * Abandoned mine shaft 2
 * Beckley
 * Fissure site
 * Fissure site Prime
 * Glassed cavern
 * Lewisburg
 * North of Morgantown Airport (does not attack)
 * West of the pumpkin house
 * Northeast of the Red Rocket Mega Stop
 * The Whitespring Resort (potentially)
 * Watoga

Appearances
Scorchbeasts appear only in Fallout 76.