Forum:Easiest way to kill a deathclaw?

So I'm playing my first playthrough of New Vegas on Hardcore mode, and whenever I come across a deathclaw, it seems like my weapons are useless, unless I bring out my alien blaster. I don't want to waste all the rounds to that weapon though. What seems to be the best weapon/or type of ammo to take out a deathclaw? TrailerParkApe Spew 16:14, October 22, 2010 (UTC)

Generally anything with very high DMG. High DPS doesn't matter if the DMG isn't enough to cut through the Deathclaw's armor. I find explosives and high-DMG rifles (especially if they can take armor-piercing ammo) to be most effective, as well as energy weapons like the Gauss Rifle, and I would guess the Tesla Cannon. Also, shotguns and the tri-laser or multi-plas will not work well, since it compares each pellet or laser to the armor seperately instead of all at once.--65.60.189.43 17:37, October 22, 2010 (UTC)

Wait and go up some levels, taking up your explosives rating along the way. Find some Fat Man's and Mini Nuke's before going anywhere near Quarry Junction. If playing Hardcore Mode, don't take any companions. They will just get in the way and die. Try to get to high ground to avoid hurting your self. They may not die but they will be significantly injured and much easier to kill with a gun. Also bring a Radiation Suit for afterwards.

At lower levels ? 1) Lure it into your minefield. Almost not possible. 2) Use "This Machine" with AP.308 in V.A.T.S. and make your first hit a Sneak Attack Critical. If your stats are close enough to use it. If you were like me with 4 Strength and a Cowboy Repeater and 10mm pistol at Lvl 7 and the Death Claw saw you first,,, well, Sometimes I would just hit reload cuz I knew I was dead. I learned to not go where they hang out. Quarry Junction, Primm Pass and the hills behind Ranger Station Charlie, The areas East of Raul's shack. The areas north of Cottonwood Cove. Squalor 22:48, March 22, 2011 (UTC)

Climb. That's right, climb. Find a cliff, climb it, shoot out its legs. If you plan on getting past the deathclaw rather than having your objectives set on killing it, then do the following. Climb a cliff, then wait for it to run away (It's trying to find a way up but it is a very unintelligent creature and won't if it's a good cliff). Then, Run. I can get to the Strip at lvl 1 on all my playthroughs simply by going through quarry junction and climbing a couple of rocks. One deathclaw infested area I had trouble with was north east of the map where there is another construction site. Infested by Blind Deathclaws (although they arn't all that blind if they chase you no problem). I had to climb a construction vehicle of some sort and wait for the deathclaws to run away. Some stood right beside me. But I just ran top speed and juked them by going through a couple of rocks. It's not hard to escape a deathclaw, but if you plan on killing: stick with sneak attack criticals from afar. But don't stand on ground level, climb something...--OhMyParry 01:55, March 23, 2011 (UTC)

I'm not sure if this would help, but I found it remarkably easy to kill a group of deathclaws (with a shotgun, no less) after I'd gotten most of the combat-related implants from New Vegas Medical. You could try that and see if it works.

Easiest way.... cripple em

Go up to around level 20 with gun rating high, take Boone through the back at the Great Khan encampment, and snipe with Anti-Material Rifle. Give one to Boone also, and you two will be unstoppable. You'll have to give Boone ammo for it too.

Incendiary grenade then brush gun with HP and phsyco wont hurt

Pew Pew with max charge ammo helps alot. The downside is that the gun only gives you 2 shots before you have to reload. AMR with explosive ammo also does the job.

I recommend getting a really high powered rifle or Gauss rifle, leaving your companions behind (since if you miss and get the "caution" warning they give away your position completely), and sneak attack critting them in the head from across the map. Obviously, a high skill in the weapon you're using will aid greatly in this. I use the YCS/186, and it's a one hit kill even on Mother Deathclaws with the better criticals perk and a sneak attack headshot. If you're not confident in your ability to reliably snipe their heads, you can save before each shot. Alternatively, find a high place to snipe them from that's difficult for them to climb. An ideal location at Quarry Junction is from the top of one of the conveyor belts leading up to the central tower. They can't get to you at all up there in my experience, leaving you open to just take pot shots at them until they all die.

If you're at a lower level, you're better off just avoiding them like the plague. If you're unable to kill them before they can reach you, you are DEAD because they can kill you in 2 hits most of the time, armor be damned. Hell, even at level 30 you'll die in 4 hits or less.