Mole rat (Fallout 76)

Mole rats are creatures found in Appalachia.

Background
Mole rats are mutated Heterocephalus glaber, or naked mole-rats, that are much larger than their pre-War counterparts. They have survived as a species by burrowing underground where the soil protected them from direct nuclear explosions. However, they still were greatly mutated by the subsequent fallout, increasing their size as well as their viciousness. A few people in the wastes have even been known to train them and keep them as pets.

Biology
Mole rats grow to the size of a large dog. They have a naked, pink appearance, with large front teeth and small eyes. They are highly territorial and will attack anything entering their territory. They are surprisingly fast and will attack with a jumping lunge. They have resilience to the Scorched Plague, though they are not immune.

Gameplay attributes
Mole rats will tunnel underground to avoid their enemy or close in to attack unseen. They will also retreat to a tunnel if the player character moves to an area that is inaccessible to them, such as on top of a car. This makes them highly difficult to keep track of in groups. This ability is shared with radscorpions and the Mothman. If the player character uses a weapon dealing damage over time on a mole rat just as they burrow they can die underground and the corpse will be irretrievable.

Mole rats are common pests in the wasteland, but compared to many other enemies mole rats are generally weak. If allowed to swarm, they may become a problem since they have the ability to easily hide from the player character's sight and attack from behind.

Variants

 * -|Mole rat=

The standard variation of the mole rat. This enemy can be easily killed with most weapons. The exception is when a pack of them attack together.

=Rabid mole rat= Bites from rabid mole rats fester, causing damage over time. They are tougher than standard mole rats but remain weak opponents.

=Glowing mole rat= These particular mole rats have absorbed massive amounts of radiation and consequently glow. The glowing mole rat produces radiation in a short perimeter around and benefits from radiation sources in the form of health regeneration.

=Scorched mole rat= A mole rat which has been infested with the Scorched Plague, linking it to a primitive hive mind.

=Mole rat landminer= A mole rat wearing a leather vest strapped with armed frag mines. It will charge its target and the mines will detonate due to their proximity triggers, killing the mole rat in the process.
 * -|Mole Rat Landmine=

=Mole rat broodmother= A larger, more powerful type of mole rat that is often found with mole miner groups. Her attacks still only do minor damage to a well-armored player character.
 * -|Mole Rat Brood mother=

Prime Mole rat: A cut mole rat variant intended to appear during the seasonal Primal Cuts event quest. It shares its model with the mole rat brood mother.

Locations

 * Mole rats will always appear at Widow's Perch, including two brood mothers.
 * Two mole rat brood mothers will always appear west of Welch Station, along the tracks near freight crates.
 * On the riverbank south of Poseidon Energy Plant WV-06.
 * Outside Riverside Manor.
 * At Hillfolk Hotdogs.
 * In and around the First Friends Church, in Charleston.
 * Chance to appear outside or inside the Lucky Hole Mine.

Named mole rats

 * Noodles

Behind the scenes
The mole rat model was created by Jonah Lobe.

Bugs

 * Mole rats may "erupt" from seemingly impossible places (like the landing on a watch tower's stairs) when engaged in combat.
 * Glowing mole rats may sometimes spawn with the texture of a Scorched mole rat.

Appearances
Mole rats appear in Fallout 76.