Nightkin (Fallout: New Vegas)

Nightkin are a variant of Mariposa super mutants living in the Mojave Wasteland in 2281.

Background
Nightkin served as a covert force of the Master's Army in the 2150s and 60s. They acted as spies and the occasional assassin for the cause of the Unity, executing whatever was asked of them by the Master. When the Master was destroyed by the Vault Dweller circa 2162, the nightkin were without guidance and drifted into the greater wasteland.

In 2277, a group led by Marcus settled in Black Mountain and broadcast a message of invitation to the settlement for all mutants to here. However, a mentally unstable nightkin named Tabitha was able to influence the unintelligent and impressionable second generation super mutants into thinking she was a prophet who knew better than Marcus. Marcus could see what was on the horizon and left Black Mountain before chaos erupted.

Marcus led several nightkin into the mountains to the west of Black Mountain and founded Jacobstown. This settlement has remained a safe haven for nightkin where they can get help and rehabilitation from Stealth Boy induced schizophrenia.

An entirely separate group of nightkin have taken over the REPCONN test site, following rumors that the facility holds a shipment of Stealth Boys.

Gameplay attributes
Nightkin are essentially the same to their normal super mutant counterparts, but have an innate 30% damage resistance, but possess no damage threshold. The major difference between nightkin and super mutants is the method in which they conduct combat. While super mutants rely on brute force and overpowering equipment, nightkin rely heavily on Stealth Boys to close distance undetected and strike when close to their enemy.

They are moderately rare among large super mutant populations, serving as elite reserves when normal guards fail. However, they may strike out on their own or in small groups, usually to search for Stealth Boys. A notable exception is Jacobstown where a large majority of the population consists of nightkin and attempts are being made to rehabilitate nightkin from their Stealth Boy induced schizophrenia.

Friendly nightkin will also comment on any followers the players have in tow:


 * "Horns will help the bull. Voices say they knew that would happen." (Great Khans and Caesar's Legion)
 * "Ha ha. Funny robot make blinky sounds." (ED-E)
 * "Head voices say smart man also metal man. Don't like metal men." (Arcade Gannon)
 * "Book girl has hard decision to make." (Veronica Santangelo)
 * "Head voices say quiet man knows more than he says about horns." (Craig Boone)
 * "Head voices say they knew flower girl's father." (Rose of Sharon Cassidy)
 * "Head voices know smelly ghoul. He old and good with guns."(Raul Tejada)
 * "Head voices speak of doggy with squishy brain." (Rex)
 * "Head voices say someone close. Someone like us." (Lily Bowen)

Nightkin


Blue mutants made from the most untainted humans, these dangerous creatures utilize Stealth Boys to sneak up on their victims. They often prefer melee weapons such as the super sledge or the bumper sword though some can be seen using firearms.

Nightkin jailer
This nightkin jailer guards the makeshift jail area of REPCONN test site. The only prisoner is a dead ghoul, a friend of Harland.

Nightkin master
Similar to a regular nightkin, these mutants have more health and utilize better equipment. Nightkins do not have a brute variant, so they jump to masters. These master usually carry around heavy weapons like light machine guns and miniguns.

Nightkin sniper
A unique nightkin found standing on a radio tower outside Tabitha's station carrying a hunting rifle. Upon death it will drop the unique missile launcher Annabelle. This nightkin may also use Annabelle against the player which can be quite a challenge and almost fatal to players at a low level.

Locations
Super mutants and nightkin are fairly rare in the Mojave Wasteland; they will never be found wandering the wasteland at random, and will only be encountered in a few specific locations.
 * The main super mutant stronghold in the Mojave Wasteland is Black Mountain, where several super mutants and nightkin can be encountered along with Tabitha, the self-proclaimed "supreme commander" of all super mutants everywhere.
 * Jacobstown is an isolated settlement of peaceful super mutants as well as a squad of nightkin, led by Marcus.
 * An encampment of 2 to 4 super mutants can be found northeast of Ranger Station Bravo. These enemies respawn after 3 days.
 * A pair of super mutants along with several centaurs can be found at Jack Rabbit Springs. These enemies sometimes wander north to the Prospector's Den. They respawn after 3 days.
 * Several nightkin can be found occupying the basement of the REPCONN Test Site, led by Davison. They are part of the quest Come Fly With Me.
 * A group of 3 to 4 nightkin can be found inside Black Rock Cave. These nightkin are members of the Black Mountain faction and will be friendly if Crazy, Crazy, Crazy is resolved peacefully.
 * An invisible leveled nightkin can be found behind a rock next to the McBride house in Novac as part of the unmarked quest The Screams of Brahmin.
 * Another invisible nightkin can be found at Brooks Tumbleweed Ranch and will try to sell "wind brahmin" to the player.

Appearances
These nightkin appear only in Fallout: New Vegas.