Deathclaw

Deathclaws are an enormously large, agile, and strong species of mutant reptiles created through genetic engineering. They are substantially larger than a human, and have large and dangerous claws.

Female deathclaws, also called Mothers and Matriarchs, are stronger and tougher than males, as well as fewer in numbers. Only one female is the pack mother at a given time, with another female taking its place when it dies. A pack is led by an 'alpha male'. Although they do not have vocal cords, the deathclaws seem to be able mimic human speech much the same as a parrot does, although normal deathclaws aren't intelligent enough to be capable of real speech.

History
The deathclaws were originally created before the Great War by the United States military, in order to replace humans during high-risk close-combat search-and-destroy missions. They were Jackson's Chameleons genetically modified with DNA of various other species.

The Master also experimented on the deathclaws early on, but his experiments were not very successful, and eventually they were not used in his army. However, some of the modifications he made to their genome refined them into even more dangerous beasts.

Around 2161, deathclaws were still a mystery, a legendary creature, to many inhabitants of Southern California. In Fallout, a deathclaw first appeared in a mission to find missing caravans: while the deathclaw was not responsible for the caravan disappearances, as some had believed, evidence in its lair did lead to the correct solution. Deathclaws had also established a nest in the abandoned warehouse district of the Boneyard, obstructing traffic between the Gun Runners and potential trading partners and making any scavenging in the area very hazardous. As the deathclaw population grew, the deathclaws stopped being perceived as legendary beasts, and started to be seen as simply yet another dangerous animal.

Varieties
Besides the two versions described below, there are at least two variations of the 'regular' deathclaw. One has a spiked back and long, forward horns, while the other has no spikes on the back and has smaller, backward horns. It is possible that the former deathclaws are male while the latter are female or the other way around.

Talking deathclaws
In 2235, the Enclave captured many deathclaws and exposed them to FEV. This boosted their intelligence, giving them the ability to talk with varying degrees of erudition and articulation. This subspecies was highly intelligent, about the equivalent of an eight-year-old, with some individuals on par with average adult humans. Their learning capacity was very high and they were capable of abstract thought and reasoning. Although they did not have vocal cords, the deathclaws seemed to mimic human speech the same as a parrot does. Socially, they had rigidly hierarchical, peaceful, pack-based ethical code. They were extremely loyal to the pack as a whole, treating it as a family unit rather than having individual families. Fights within a pack are unheard of, and the pack's leader controls many aspects of life, such as choosing and matching female and male deathclaws for reproduction. Oddly enough, Deathclaws are not subject to sterility from FEV exposure; this trait is not explained.

Hairy deathclaws


A deathclaw subspecies living in the area of the former states of Illinois, Missouri and Kansas developed patches of fur to better cope with the colder climate. Furthermore, some of them were noted to be capable of speech as early as in 2197, which means that they probably developed speech through spontaneous mutation, or were experimented on by someone other than the Enclave. Another possibility that they were designed to have an intellect and ability to speak before the Great War. They were also more matriarchal than their Western counterparts, with packs being led by Matriarch. While infant, these deathclaws are less hairly and seems to be absolutely unintellegent, behaving like an animal or simply following the adults. They presumably become self-aware when grow up.

The Matriarch was captured by the psychic tribe known as the Beastlords. While the tribals were able to use their psychic powers to control lesser animals, the deathclaws were intelligent enough to resist them. However, they cooperated with the Beastlords in order to protect their Mother. After the Matriarch was freed by the Midwestern Brotherhood of Steel, that pack decided to join the Brotherhood, and the Elders surprisingly agreed.

One theory suggests that the furry deathclaws were not Jackson's Chameleons, but of mammalian species that underwent genetic modification, likely in the same process as the reptillian deathclaws, and possibly even for the same goal (though obviously not in the same facility, as goes their regional differences). This would account for the differences in their appearances and physique, as well as the hairy deathclaws' advanced intelligence at such an early age; mammals tend to exhibit more intelligence than reptiles. That they would be called Deathclaws, nevertheless, might be attributed to their similarities in size, strength, appearance and viciousness, to the Jackson's Chameleon Deathclaw.

Appearances
Deathclaws appear in all Fallout games. In Fallout Tactics hairy, talking deathclaws appeared. While their being hairy can be easily explained by additional mutations, their intelligence before the Enclave even started experimenting on making deathclaws intelligent is inconsistent with the canon.

Deathclaws in Fallout 3
Deathclaws return full-force midway into Fallout 3, still living up to the ferocity of the name. Although rarely in packs, Deathclaws are exceedingly lethal even when alone, as once they have spotted an enemy they are quick to close the distance and can easily slash even a heavily-armed enemy to their untimely death.

Deathclaws stand roughly 10 feet tall, and are very easy to spot in the distance, often before they can spot you. They are incredibly fast, and can easily cover a few hundred feet to their target in seconds. Deathclaws have exceptionally high health and can take a lot of damage, but lack armor and are still (relatively) vulnerable to headshots from high-powered weapons. Another way to defeat a Deathclaw is to use the Dart Gun to slow them down considerably.

Although not introduced until a considerable amount of progress has been made in the game, they do have the tendency to spawn at random throughout the Wasteland even at early stages of the game. They will never appear at places within the DC Metro area (unless taken there by the Enclave), but other locations that were once safe -- like Super-Duper Mart or areas east of Vault 101 -- have the potential to begin spawning solitary Deathclaws. In addition, two main locations are heavily populated by Deathclaws: the Deathclaw Sanctuary in the Northwest corner of the map, and Old Olney in the Northeast. One can also be reliably encountered at the F. Scott Key Trail & Campground.

Deathclaws make another appearance in the game as the Enclave camps begin to appear. These camps are likely to house cages containing Mind-Controlled Deathclaws, which are just the same as regular ones with the exception that they will not attack Enclave forces. However, as the mind-control devices on their heads can be targeted, there remains the potential to put them in Frenzy.

Deathclaw corpses contain a Deathclaw hand, a component which can be used in creating a Deathclaw Gauntlet. Strangely enough, they still have both hands when you take it. The Gauntlet is the strongest unarmed weapon in the game, having an (x5) critical multiplier and the unique property of ignoring target armor (damage resistance), which makes it as effective against an adversary in power armor as against an unarmored raider.

Even on Very Hard, a character with 100 Explosives and three ranks of Demolition Expert can kill a Deathclaw with a single Bottlecap Mine.

It is important to note that Deathclaws possess some degree of intelligence as they'll purposefully avoid mines.

Since Deathclaws ignore armor in Fallout 3, it is advisable to remove your armor when fighting them to avoid needless repairs. Additionally, it seems that wearing power armor will INCREASE the damage recieved. This is unconfirmed.

Deathclaws are not affected by the Animal Friend perk, even though there is a wanderer with a deathclaw pet can be encountered.

The Scoped Gauss Rifle is very effective against Deathclaws: one shot will not only damage it but also knock it back and stun it for a few seconds.

A favorite method of mine is to use the Victory Rifle to knock the Deathclaw down for a few seconds (requires a critical strike), then run up to it and let loose a few targeted shotgun blasts. I prefer to use The Terrible Shotgun. With a sneak attack critical from the Victory Rifle, a Deathclaw can fall in a few seconds of quick movement and one round of VATS.

The Alien Blaster is BRUTALLY effective against Deathclaws. When using the Alien Blaster against Deathclaws, several quick shots to the death claw (Not Even in V.A.T.S. ) will down the creature in a matter of seconds. HIGHLY recommended that the player obtain this weapon before attempting to acquire Prototype Medic Power Armor in the sewers of Old Olney. The ammo is rare so use it sparingly, though.

If you don't have a large variety of terrifying weaponry at your disposal and rely on standard guns, Deathclaws can be particulary disheartening (or more like de-heartening). A cheap way to dispach of these demonic abominations is simply to drop a single bottlecap mine directly in the path of its beeline towards you. It will half its life (depending on your Explosives skill) and cripple both its legs, turning it into nothing but a slow, lumbering ugly thing waiting for disposal by whatever means you prefer. Serveral shots from a Combat Shotgun will generally put it of its misery. Just keep your distance as they will still pack a punch if you're too close. If there are multiple Deathclaws (like near Old Olney), focus on crippling them all first with bottlecap mines and finishing them off only when it's finally "safe". Be also sure not to back into any other hidden Deathclaws as this always results in death to the character (a few hits will lower the curtains faster then you can turn around and get a shot off) and death to the player (by means of a massive heart attack; it's very scary). Good hunting! :)

A Deathclaw in action: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjGpsrTatQI

Behind the scenes
The deathclaws are a homage to the Shadowclaws in Wasteland. In Scott Campbell's original concept art (see: gallery), deathclaws were mammals covered with fur. The reason it lost the hair from concept to production was a technical limitation of the rendering software, which couldn't get all the hair to move properly. The hairy Deathclaw in Fallout Tactics was inspired by the original concept.

According to the Fallout Bible, after a Dungeons & Dragons computer game made by Interplay was cancelled, deathclaws were modelled (visually) on the Tarrasques of the D&D canon, as a Tarrasque clay model was already made. However, according to Chris Taylor, while they do look Tarrasque-like, it was not intentional and the clay model was supposed to be a deathclaw from the start. .

Quotes

 * "The Deathclaw is the most evil thing to rise out of the ashes after the War. Some say it's a powerful ghost from the war that haunts the land. It's no ghost, it's as real as you and me. It's 20 feet tall with teeth as big as your arm.  It's some kind of demon that found it's way here when the world was engulfed in fire." - Beth (Beth's dialogue file)
 * "The Deathclaws are all over in the Boneyard. I'd rather not even think about them. Huge and aptly named." - Katja (Katja's dialogue file)
 * "Okay. Well, it's like a damn big man, is what it is.  Got spikes and claws that can cut through the heaviest armor.  But don't let the size fool ya, it's quick." - Harold (Harold's dialogue file)
 * "You can't look at 'em! It is said the Death Claw can hypnotize just by lookin'.  Then it walks up and "boom", you're et!" - Harold (Harold's dialogue file)
 * "Heard some tales about something faster, bigger, and meaner than any living creature has a right to be. Not too many, though, which means that it doesn't leave many survivors. Big claws, ferocious disposition." - Tycho (Tycho's dialogue file)
 * "The Death Claw? Oh, that's a bedtime story. Drinks blood and howls at the full moon." - Killian Darkwater (Killian's dialogue file)
 * "I heard a tale from a traveller up from the south. He said the Death Claw was a creature that killed people at night.  He said no one can catch it, because it can disappear like smoke.  Not that I believe it, of course." - Tandi (Tandi's dialogue file)

Bugs

 * There also seems to be a strange glitch with Deathclaws in Fallout 3. Sometimes when they are encountered by the player, they randomly fly straight up into the sky- literally hundreds of feet into the air, so far so that they pass out of sight and even out of V.A.T.S. range. When this glitch is encountered, it will be quite surprising, and even funny. There is no real trigger to this event, as they sometimes are attacking, idle, or roaming when it occurs. This can actually become a benefit to the player; if you are low on health, stimpacks, or you simply do not have the proper level or equipment to dispatch this enemy, fleeing can be employed while the Deathclaw is still in the atmosphere. The Deathclaw will rarely die from this random flight, however will take damage when it lands. Take advantage of this bug and land as many shots as you can. Just because the Deathclaw has taken flight does not mean just walk away. Remain cautious and keep your back against a solid, such as a building. Do not let your guard down until the beast is dead by your hand.


 * A variant of the bug mentioned above, sometimes flying Deathclaws will "loop". They will fly into the air, spawn near the ground, then fly into the air again.  Each time the loop occurs, the Deathclaw appears to suffer no falling damage.  If the player targets the Deathclaw and successfully lands some hits, the Deathclaw may end up never returning from flight, which can be quite bothersome because it will keep the player in "DANGER" status for while, preventing fast traveling.


 * Targeting flying Deathclaws using vats can result in rather humorous bullet behavior. Sometimes bullets tracking the Deathclaw as it rockets into the air will tumble, perhaps due to the Deathclaw's massive acceleration.


 * They can get stuck on fences, walls, and cages; if this happens just keep throwing frag grenades until they die.


 * If you are being chased by Deathclaws, going through a door will not help (if they are close behind) because they can come through with you.


 * http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VmIo8BnxizY contains some curious Deathclaw bugs (skip to 6:39 in the video), including invisible Deathclaws and teleporting Deathclaws.


 * Deathclaws at Enclave camps like many re-occurring NPCs will respawn at their body's location. Because it is the opening of the Deathclaw cage that sets them hostile, it will simply stand there and stare into space. This is likely why there are "friendly" deathclaws.

YouTube Video
Fallout 3 How to kill a Deathclaw - HD bn2UWcBWqSM

Video of a bug in Fallout 3 with a Deathclaw iisECVvhlx0

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