Giant radscorpion

s are much larger versions of the Radscorpion with an even more highly effective stinger.

Giant Radscorpions
Giant radscorpions often travel and fight in pairs. 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.

Energy weapons and regular projectile weapons seem to have very little effect due to the giant radscorpion's tough outer shell. On the other hand, explosives and advanced melee weapons, such as the Shishkebab and the Super Sledge, are surprisingly effective. The downside to this is that the player must move into close quarters to attack, giving the creature ample opportunity to retaliate. However, it is possible to time melee attacks in such a way that the player can avoid being hit by constantly moving backwards, dashing in to quickly attack when opportune. Particular energy-based weapons not relying on the Energy Weapons skill, such as Jingwei's Shocksword or The Shocker seem to deal particularly high damage to these oversized brutes. A high Melee Weapons skill combined with the shocksword is sometimes capable of dispatching a Giant Radscorpion in only two or three hits, but strangely, only when used outside of VATS. (Tested on X360) Alternatively, characters with high Strenght and/or Unarmed/Sneak skill or even the Better Criticals/Ninja perk can deal heavy damage with meelee weapons such as The Shocker or the Deathclaw Gauntlet by attacking from a hidden state, to strike with a sneak critical attack.

Giant radscorpions also seem to be less susceptible to the effects crippled legs perhaps due to having several sets. They are very fast for their size, and even with their legs crippled, they can catch up to the player very quickly.

At higher levels, the player is much more likely to encounter enemies such as giant radscorpions. Fast traveling to some places, including the Regulator HQ building, can trigger Giant Radscorpion respawns right as the player arrives. It should be noted that the Animal Friend perk has no effect on these arthropod creatures.

Strategy

 * One effective strategy for defeating giant radscorpions is to find a boulder or tree to run around while dispensing mines.


 * Another strategy is to use a Missile Launcher at a distance to soften them up (one or two missiles should do) and then finish them off with an energy or plasma based weapon.


 * When the player uses companions, which have considerably more HP than the player, it may also be usefull to let the companion take the first shot so the creature is drawn to him. This way, you can melee or shotgun from close distance to kill the creature quicker.


 * The most effective way some people find (Must be able to dodge and have good timing) is using a good melee weapon (Eg. Shishkebab, Ripper (weapon), or Super Sledge, although that may be too heavy) and get close to it, hit it. When it starts chasing you, just hit, hit, hit, when you see it tail move, jump back, to avoid its stinger, then attack again. Repeat until dead.


 * The Dart gun is less effective with these creatures, with an insignificant, if at all noticeable decrease in speed.


 * One quick way to kill them is to use the Flamer while backpedaling.


 * Giant Radscorpions, along with their smaller counterparts, are highly vulnerable to the stunning effect of the Power Fist and occasionally other unarmed attacks, the impact of which causes them to "rear up" backward and away from the player for a moment or two, allowing the player to approach them and deliver a few quick hits. Though this may work every once in a while in VATS, it's far more likely to be effective and cause the desired reaction when delivered in the form of a "heavy" melee attack (press and hold attack) outside of VATS.


 * If you've picked up a lot of frag mines in your adventures, one way to use them up nicely while conserving other more useful ammo is to get just close enough for one to notice you then start to back up. The (Giant) Radscorpions chase you in a perfectly straight line so just keep dropping extra frag mines while backing up. They will just walk straight over them. If they get a bit too close, and you end up dropping the mines on their "heads", you can time a jump just right to get just far away enough to escape any splash damage from the immediate explosion. Repeat until dead or weakened and finish off with a few shots.


 * A good way of taking them down is to use the Paralyzing Palm ability. It'll make it a whole lot easier on yourself by giving you an easy kill, or stall a scorpion leaving you able to deal with another (since they usually come in pairs or more).


 * Bottlecap Mines are perfect for dealing with a Giant Radscorpion. All it takes is for the beast to detect the player, and they'll blindly charge straight after you. Backpedal and drop a Bottlecap mine in its path, and it will usually result in a 1 shot kill. Just be sure to be a safe distance away when the mine explodes.

Loot

 * Four Radscorpion Poison Glands will be found on a dead giant radscorpion.

Appearances in Fallout games

 * Radscorpions are encountered in all Fallout games.

Bugs

 * Depending on you follower at the Anchorage Memorial as a random event a Radscorpion will attack a Wastelander. The Radscorpion will be friendly though it will not be able to use dialogue. The Radscorpion will follow you around as if it was a companion. This works without animal friend, depending on companion you have they will either kill or ignore it.
 * Charon will kill (Xbox360 Confirmed)