Deathclaw Sanctuary

Deathclaw Sanctuary is a location in Fallout 3, found in the Northwestern region of the Capital Wasteland. The sanctuary between Dickerson Tabernacle Chapel and Broadcast Tower KB5 can be reached travelling south-west from Fort Constantine or south from SatCom Array NW-05a.

Exterior
Outside of the sanctuary is a small overhang with many skeletons, presumably vicitims of the Deathclaws. Further down the face of the cliff is a bridge crossing a large gorge. If approached from the correct location, a random encounter can happen.

After The Waters of Life, Enclave will appear to the north-east. This usually consists of a Tesla Soldier and an Enclave Scientist.

Interior
The location consists of a dark, maze-like cave complex, and appears to be the home of several Deathclaws.

The sanctuary seems to function both as a den/nest and a storage place, indicated by the many piles of maimed bodies and body parts that can be found in specific places. Several Wastelanders, Raiders, mercenaries and rotting Brahmin corpses are among them. Many of the corpses will yield good loot.

The Waters of Life
If the cave is cleared out before The Waters of Life, only Deathclaws will be found here. However, after the arrival of the Enclave a group of soldiers appears have entered the caves to explore (with poor results). This has an effect on the unique weapons found here, see the loot section.

The Enclave probably set up camp here to test out the Deathclaws' usefulness to the Enclave military operations. The research appears to be a success, as one can encounter Deathclaws with mind-controlling devices on their heads in other Enclave settlements (Including Raven Rock).

Exterior

 * There is a locked footlocker right outside the cave entrance which contains various weapons, ammunition, stimpacks, and a Duck and Cover! book.
 * Enclave loot from nearby camp.

Interior

 * Bobblehead - Endurance directly south of the entry inside the cave, in the first large chamber - on a short pedestal near a pile of corpses and a Rotting Brahmin. (It is to the immediate left at the bottom of the entry slope, ground level) Also in the first chamber:
 * A copy of Nikola Tesla and You and a Mini Nuke - beside the bobblehead
 * A Nuka-Cola Quantum to the right of the bobblehead beside the dead enclave officer and giant ant
 * A unique form of the gatling laser, called Vengeance in the far southeast of the caves, near a dripping pool of blood.
 * Jack, a unique form of ripper, can only be found here when The Waters of Life has been finished. The Enclave officer that holds this weapon will not spawn earlier, due to the changes this quest makes (The Enclave will only be encountered after finishing this quest).
 * The loot gained from the scavengers and traders (100-200 bottlecaps per trader, ammo and chems) if every nook and cranny is explored.
 * There are 2 Sniper Rifles found on some raiders with some .308 ammo.

Bugs

 * The deathclaws that spawn around the entrance to the sanctuary have been known to suddenly and spontaneously shoot up into the air. This seems to be caused by their spawn points placing them slightly below a surface they should otherwise be standing on, the resulting reaction of the physics engine seems to propel them skyward. (confirmed xbox 360/PS3/PC)
 * The deathclaws that spawn near the entrance may also spontaniously die while fighting you. (Confirmed Xbox 360)
 * The torso halves found in the pool of blood near the Vengeance have strange physics applied to them. Picking them up (Either the legs or the torso) results in them spinning in midair -- regardless of whether you are moving or not.
 * The various deathclaw cages in the enclave base outside the sanctuary, have been known to only show the doors, and not the rest of the container. the doors do however still function. (Confirmed Xbox 360)
 * By the bobblehead, the rear half of a brahmin can be seen sticking out of the ground shaking due to it being stuck through a solid object (the ground). It will always be found like this.
 * The deathclaw that is walking at the pool of blood may not attack you. This is easy to get to Vengeance. (Confirmed Xbox 360)
 * This area has a lower framerate than any other place in the game, simply walking through it may cause you to drop to around 10 fps. (Confirmed Xbox 360)