Feral ghoul (Fallout 4)

Feral ghouls are creatures found in the Commonwealth in 2287.

Background
Feral ghouls are humans who survived the initial bombing during the Great War. Becoming permanently irradiated, they were horribly disfigured and their lifespans were increased virtually indefinitely. Eventually the constant exposure to radiation in the post-War Commonwealth wastes degenerated their brains, causing them to lose their cognitive functions and turning them into mindless radiation-resistant cannibals.

Gameplay attributes
It is now possible to dismember ghouls, however they will continue to chase the Sole Survivor even if they lose both of their arms. When losing a leg, however, they will become docile and will no longer try to attack, allowing the player to quickly dispatch them and handle any uninjured ghouls. A notable difference between the Massachusetts feral ghouls and feral ghouls seen throughout New California, the Mojave Wasteland, and the Capital Wasteland, is that they have glowing yellow eyes. Sometimes feral ghouls will lie on the ground, either to rest or play dead. Once the player character gets close enough or they are otherwise alerted, they get up and attack. These ghouls can sometimes be targeted in V.A.T.S. and if spotted, attacked before they rise. They also sometimes show up as living actors on the HUD if the Sole Survivor is using power armor with a Targeting Helmet.

Occasionally, they will start to run faster at the player moving erratically to dodge incoming attacks and will eventually lunge at them once they're close enough. This attack can sometimes be difficult to dodge without sprinting, but it can however be blocked or interrupted with a melee strike. Additionally, when feral ghouls lunge at the player, they often fall down beside or behind their target, giving the player a brief chance to strike while the ghoul is getting back to its feet.

They very rarely, if ever, are alone, or travel alone. This behavior has lead to groups of ferals often being called "Packs" by wastelanders.

Feral ghoul
Typical feral ghoul, exhibiting zombie-like behavior.

Feral ghoul roamer
Roamers appear to be somewhat older and consequently sturdier ferals. They are still somewhat weak however compared to other types of ferals.

Feral ghoul stalker
Stalkers often pretend to be dead or hide amid rubble until an enemy is detected, where they then attempt to ambush their prey. There is generally at least a few stalkers mixed into larger groups of weaker ferals. As they wear the same tattered clothing as roamers and normal ferals, they can be difficult to spot until they're damaged. They will also sometimes serve as a "boss" in locations populated by ferals.

Feral ghoul reaver
Reavers usually have pieces of post-war metal armor attached to them as in Fallout 3 and New Vegas, possibly implying these are rather recent victims of ghoulification. As in New Vegas, they lack a projectile attack, and are generally the ones in a pack to reach better-equipped targets thanks to their respectable amount of HP.

Withered feral ghoul
Withered Feral Ghouls are slightly skinnier, with a leathery-looking skin, and wear no clothes. These ghouls are likely fairly old compared to others, as their old clothing has rotted away and they appear to be severely sun-damaged. A withered feral ghoul can be found inside the power armor storage in the national guard armory.

Legendary feral ghoul
Any feral ghoul can become legendary.

Charred feral ghoul
Found in the Glowing Sea, this feral ghoul is covered by a thick layer of rust and is much tougher to kill than a normal feral ghoul.

Glowing one
A highly irradiated version of a Feral Ghoul, they glow with green light emitting from within, and just being near them causes radiation damage. They can perform an area of effect radiation attack by raising his hands up and releasing his radiation around him. This radiation also heals nearby Feral Ghouls, and Glowing Ones can even sometimes revive recently killed allies. They are much more dangerous than past iterations, especially against low-level players, due in no small part to their radiation-fuelled healing.

Putrid glowing one
A higher level version of glowing one, covered in glowing green blisters of radiation.

Bloated glowing one
A higher level version of glowing ones. Its body is bloated and swollen with radioactive material.

Appearances
Feral ghouls appear in Fallout 4.

Дикий гуль (Fallout 4)