Feral ghoul (Fallout 4)

Feral ghouls are creatures found in the Commonwealth in 2287.

Background
Ghouls are former humans who have become horribly irradiated due to the radioactive fallout covering the wasteland from the Great War. Many ghouls are pre war humans who survived the initial nuclear bombardment 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. These are what's called Feral Ghouls, due to them acting only upon instinct.

Gameplay attributes
It is now possible to dismember ghouls, however they will continue to chase and bite 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. Rarely, a feral ghoul will still attack after its head is decapitated. It is unknown if this is a bug.

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 show up as living actors on the HUD if the Sole Survivor is wearing Power Armor with a Targeting HUD-equipped helmet or aims at them with any kind of Recon Scope.

Occasionally, they will start to run faster at the player moving erratically to dodge incoming attacks, suggesting some form of intelligence, and will eventually lunge the attacker 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" or "Hordes" 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 are 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. They are much easier to deal with than past versions.

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 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.

Gangrenous feral ghoul
Gangrenous Feral Ghouls are more rare and considerably stronger than the previous variants. They can be hard to defeat even for some mid/high level player due to their agressive attacks and high health. A Gangrenous Feral Ghoul can be found inside Croup Manor's basement guarding a chest with some expensive loot.

Rotting feral ghoul
Rotting Feral Ghouls have a bloated appearance, indicating that their bodies have began decomposing, also suggested by the name. Although their offensive capabilities are on par with Gangrenous Feral Ghouls, they have almost twice the amount of health.

Charred feral ghoul
Found in the Glowing Sea, and sometimes in other locations in the Commonwealth, this variant of Feral Ghoul is covered by a thick layer of rust and is much tougher to kill than a normal Feral.

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 indicated by the raising of their arms which releases radiation around them. 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-fueled healing.

Putrid glowing one
A higher level version of glowing one, covered in glowing green blisters of radiation. Gives off radiation the closer you are, even more so when hit by it.

Bloated glowing one
A higher level version of glowing ones. Its body is bloated and swollen with radioactive material. One specimen can be found in the heavily trapped parking building next to Fallon's department store.

Appearances
Feral ghouls appear in Fallout 4, Fallout 3 and Fallout: New Vegas.

Wilder Ghul (Fallout 4) Necrófago salvaje (Fallout 4) Дикий гуль (Fallout 4)