Bloodbug (Fallout 4)

Bloodbugs are a species of mutated, ectoparasitic mosquitoes found in the Commonwealth in 2287.

Background
The mosquitoes that inhabited the swamps of Massachusetts were mutated since the Great War and have become a capable predator in the Commonwealth. Around the size of a dog, bloodbugs attack by stabbing their knife-like proboscis into soft tissue. Although they feed upon the blood of their victims, they will also often spray this blood back into their prey's eyes to distort their vision. The bog-standard of bloodbugs, these mutated insects attack in swarms, piercing their prey with a needle-like proboscis and feeding on their blood.

Biology
Bloodbugs appear to be roughly two feet in length from the head to the tip of the abdomen. Bloodbugs possess muddy brown coloration which allows them to camouflage effectively into the environment of the Commonwealth. Like their pre-War ancestors, bloodbugs possess six long double-jointed limbs, one pair of finely-veined wings and a long, pointed proboscis that extends from between two compound eyes.

The proboscis is the bloodbug's primary means of assault, sinking it into prey almost like a syringe and inflicting minor-to-intermediate radiation poisoning on the victim. The proboscis can be collected by the Sole Survivor upon the bloodbug's death.

Gameplay attributes
Bloodbugs latch onto their prey in an attempt to drink their blood. The insect then becomes engorged with the victim's blood and can spit the contaminated blood back at its target for a large amount of radiation damage, which suggests that radiation is transmitted from the mutant to the victim. While these mutated mosquitoes can punch their proboscis through any kind of regular armor, it's not powerful enough to penetrate power armor. Should they find themselves faced with such heavily armored prey, their range of available attacks becomes limited to largely ineffectual stings and their acid spit, should the target be out of melee range.

Bloodbugs are often encountered feeding on deceased brahmin. Coming across the exsanguinated, gray-skinned husk of a dead brahmin whose body is covered in oversized stings is a significant indicator of knowing there are bloodbugs nearby. Bloodbugs near certain parts of the coast are occasionally seen feeding on dead whales.

Bloodbugs, like bloatflies and radscorpions, have a propensity for swarming tactics. Once they are alerted to their victim's presence, they will spread out, surround their prey and attack from multiple directions. This, coupled with their erratic evasive movement while under fire, their good camouflage and their slender silhouette, makes it difficult to keep track of and kill them all before at least some of them get into melee range. However, should the majority of the swarm be destroyed before it reaches its prey, the survivors will often retreat. Usually, they will regroup and attack again, but sometimes they will flee for good without returning.

Another habit bloodbugs share with bloatflies and especially radroaches is their clinging to trees and structures, as well as walls or the ceiling while indoors and unaware of an enemy's presence. This can result in a nasty surprise when the player character enters a seemingly empty room or subway station and suddenly finds themselves in the middle of an entire bloodbug swarm. Companions will usually notice the bugs and remark upon something not being right or enemies being nearby, although they won't open fire until the creatures make the first move.

If the Sole Survivor damages the bloodbug's blood sac, it will lose its spit ability, but the bloodbug can still suck the victim's blood. If done multiple times, the bloodbug's sac will be restored and it will regain its spit attack.

Some bloodbugs near dead brahmin can be found with their blood sac already full of the brahmin's blood. The bloodbug's enlarged blood sac can be targeted more accurately due to its size.

Bloodbug hatchling
A younger variant of the adult bloodbug, their exoskeleton has not had time to harden to the extent of more mature bloodbugs, thus they are paler and weaker. Common in the area around Sanctuary Hills, the road between Concord and the Red Rocket truck stop early in-game, although are still relatively common in other parts of the Commonwealth. They are the weakest form of bloodbugs.

Bloodbug
The most common variant of the bloodbug; the typical mature form. They can be found in numerous locations throughout the Commonwealth.

Red widow bloodbug
A rare variant of the bloodbug that is found in the Glowing Sea and which may spawn at random in some other areas in the Commonwealth. They are of similar size to normal bloodbugs, but their bodies are tinted red. They are markedly more aggressive and much deadlier than other variants.

Infected bloodbug
They possess more health than a normal adult bloodbug and deal more damage per hit. Some specimens also have green exoskeletons.

One can be found in the basement of the Greater Mass blood clinic. It is initially non-aggressive, and even killing the surrounding bloodbugs does not incite it to attack. This variation is very common in the Glowing Sea, where it is hostile like all other bloodbugs.

Glowing bloodbug
A rare variant inundated with radiation to such an extent that it glows. It is stronger and more resilient than many of the other bloodbug variants.

Vampiric bloodbug
The vampiric bloodbug can be found in various locations throughout the Commonwealth. It is the strongest variant of these creatures.

Appearances
Bloodbugs appear in Fallout 4.

Behind the scenes
The bloodbug model was modeled by Jonah Lobe. It was the first insect designed and built during preproduction, giving the team a chance to prototype AI behavior for flying creatures.