Scorchbeast

Scorchbeasts are creatures found in Appalachia in 2102.

Background
Beneath the entirety of Appalachia is 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 the rifts is to launch one of the few remaining nuclear I.C.B.M.s from one of three silos scattered across the map, collapsing it and killing those that remain. This is only a temporary measure, 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 bats. The gargantuan creature has pointed ears and membranous wings, allowing it to fly and soar through the air. The scorchbeast's body is heavily composed of ultracite with it being found in their hide, 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 dowsing the player 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, which it disperses 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.

Diseased scorchbeast
The diseased scorchbeast is a variant of scorchbeast that, when hit by its sonic blast attack, the player character will contract the disease named The Blight, which 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 players are recommended for this difficult server-wide event, in which she must be killed in 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 players in addition to the danger of the queen herself. The physical resistance of the scorchbest queen seems to vary, as observations have it as low as 175 and as high as 300.

Locations

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

Appearances
Scorchbeasts appear only in Fallout 76.