 | For an overview of cockroaches throughout the Fallout series, see radroach. |
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Giant cockroach | ||||
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We also have giant cockroaches cos we understand that in the event of a nuclear was they will be the most likely to survive and as every one who watches 50s sci-fi knows they will mutate to enormous size (we took the liberty of introducing a venomous spit).
”— Tony Oakden, [1]Great American cockroaches, colloquially called giant cockroaches or radroaches, are giant versions of the pre-War species mutated by atomic radiation.
Characteristics[]
Found mainly in underground areas and sewers across North America, which can cause them to be a pest in certain Vaults because they can usually be found in fairly large groups. They feed on the dead, but will go after living creatures if isolated. Their numbers are their biggest advantage. Radroaches live mostly in the areas east of California.[2]
These radroaches are commonly found in the dark, damp and irradiated parts of the Wasteland[3] and look similar to normal cockroaches, save for the fact that they have mutated to be size of the domestic cat. They are generally little more than a nuisance to Armageddon survivors and are less than likely to pose a challenge. Radroaches are territorial and rather aggressive, but not very harmful. Anyone can kill them with their bare hands, and will only attack when they feel threatened by passersby. Although they are winged, they are incapable to flight, likely due to the wing appendages failing to adapt to the rapidly changing body mass. Still, it is possible that the wings are used for inter-species communication.[3] It is said that radroach innards are useful in the treatment of radiation poisoning, and are widely used by tribals for this purpose.verification overdue, remove
Variants[]
 | The following is based on Fallout Tactics and some details might contradict canon. |
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In the Midwest, radroaches are a common sight in the Wasteland. As in the Capital Wasteland, they can be encountered nearly everywhere, from old buildings to plains. However, they are drastically different and more dangerous than those met in the Capital Wasteland. They have a big, protected main body and small legs, and their saliva is incredibly toxic. They are very aggressive and attack every human unlucky enough to encounter them.
The Midwestern radroaches are more varied than their Capital Wasteland cousins. Three variations are known:
Small radroach[]
The weakest of the radroaches, they can easily be killed. However, their bites can poison an opponent, and when they are in large groups, they can kill even a prepared combatant. Small radroaches are nearly the same size as their relatives in the Capital Wasteland.
Large radroach[]
Similar to their smaller cousins, they are, however, larger (being approximately the same weight as a human) and have an ability to spit their toxic saliva.
Roachor[]
Roachor is a unique mutant radroach encountered by the Warrior of Brotherhood of Steel. He is an "advanced" version of a large radroach, who lived in the Peoria facility. It appears Roachor was affected by the high amount of radiation coming from a strange production device which was used in manufacturing fusion batteries. He is even bigger than any large radroach, being the same size as a car, his body glowing with a greenish radioactivity. His poison is even deadlier than that of Midwestern radroaches. However, the Warrior succeeds in killing him.
| End of information based on Fallout Tactics. |
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Appearances[]
Radroaches appear in Fallout 3, Fallout: New Vegas and Fallout Tactics, and were to appear in Van Buren. They were also mentioned in Fallout Bible 1.
Behind the scenes[]
- In real life, roaches are noted for their relatively high resistance to radiation—about five to ten times that of humans. However, there are other insects and arachnids even more resistant to radiation, including fruit flies and scorpions. Their resistance to radiation can be explained through their cell-cycle. A tissue-cell is most vulnerable to radiation when it divides, but the cells of a cockroach only divides once every time it molts.
References[]
- ↑ Fallout Tactics: Brotherhood of Steel Interview - IGN
- ↑ Radroaches appear in all games except for Fallout and Fallout 2, which were set in California.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Cite error: Invalid
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