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The Vault - Fallout Wiki
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For an overview of giant rats in the Fallout series of games, see giant rat.
Giant rat
Giant rat
LocationMojave Wasteland
Guardian Peak
VariantsGiant rat
Giant rat pup
Rodent of unusual size
Unnaturally large sized rodent
 
Gametitle-FNV
Gametitle-FNV

Giant rats are creatures living in the Mojave Wasteland in 2281.

Characteristics[]

Biology[]

Giant rats appear to simply be larger versions of normal pre-War rats. The giant rats in Fallout: New Vegas appear to have lost most of their fur (likely to radiation) and have slightly-glowing turquoise eyes. Like normal rats, they also have very large incisors. Giants rats are often found in darker areas, such as Cerulean Robotics and Broc Flower Cave. Their meat is not used in any crafting.

Gameplay attributes[]

Giant rats will not attack on sight, but will stand defensively in the way bighorners do when the player is spotted. Only when the player draws to close or attacks will it become hostile. Certain examples, such as the giant rats found in Freeside, will not attack the player regardless of whether or not it is attacked. As with most mutated animals, giant rats will not attack if the player has the Animal Friend perk, and are susceptible to and count towards the Animal Control perk. Occasionally they will make a sound that resembles a short howl.

Variants[]

Giant rat[]

Giant rat

These are light brown color, with glowing blue eyes and white hair on its back. The standard giant rat is equal in size to a mole rat. They are normally quite fast and attack in groups of 3 to 7.

Name (Base ID)StatisticsBehaviorAbilitiesItems
Giant rat
000e8e95
00136b11
LevelIcon level
2
Experience pointsIcon XP
20
DetectionIcon eye
4
Health pointsIcon heart
24
Damage thresholdIcon shield gold
0
Damage resistanceIcon shield silver
0%
FistIcon fist
Aggressive: Will attack enemies on sight.Icon requiredIcon optionalIcon optional
ConfidenceIcon confidence
Brave: Will avoid/flee from threats only if severely outmatched.Icon requiredIcon requiredIcon requiredIcon optional
GroupIcon group
Helps friends: Will help friends and allies.Icon requiredIcon required
AttackIcon attack
Melee (15 DamageIcon damage)
Giant rat
001040db
001183a4
LevelIcon level
3
Experience pointsIcon XP
30
DetectionIcon eye
3
Health pointsIcon heart
40
Damage thresholdIcon shield gold
0
Damage resistanceIcon shield silver
0%
FistIcon fist
Unaggressive: Will not initiate combat.Icon optionalIcon optionalIcon optional
ConfidenceIcon confidence
Cowardly: Will always avoid combat/flee.Icon optionalIcon optionalIcon optionalIcon optional
GroupIcon group
Helps nobody: Will not help anyone.Icon optionalIcon optional
AttackIcon attack
Melee (15 DamageIcon damage)

Giant rat pup[]

Giant rat

These look identical to fully grown giant rats, but are smaller than the standard giant rat. They usually don't attack but instead run away.

Name (Base ID)StatisticsBehaviorAbilitiesItems
Giant rat pup
0014f480
LevelIcon level
1
Experience pointsIcon XP
10
DetectionIcon eye
2
Health pointsIcon heart
12
Damage thresholdIcon shield gold
0
Damage resistanceIcon shield silver
0%
FistIcon fist
Unaggressive: Will not initiate combat.Icon optionalIcon optionalIcon optional
ConfidenceIcon confidence
Cautious: Will avoid/flee from threats unless stronger than them.Icon requiredIcon optionalIcon optionalIcon optional
GroupIcon group
Helps allies: Will help allies.Icon requiredIcon optional
AttackIcon attack
Melee (7 DamageIcon damage)

Rodent of unusual size[]

Giant rat
Perk wild wastelandThe following is based on the Wild Wasteland trait and has not been confirmed by canon sources.

The largest of the mutated rats found in the Mojave Wasteland to date, they are identical in appearance to their giant cousins, save for their increased size and attack strength. They are aggressive and will attack on sight. They can be found inside the Broc Flower Cave and also in the sewers beneath New Vegas.

Name (Base ID)StatisticsBehaviorAbilitiesItems
Rodent of unusual size
00162b3d
LevelIcon level
12
Experience pointsIcon XP
120
DetectionIcon eye
5
Health pointsIcon heart
125
Damage thresholdIcon shield gold
0
Damage resistanceIcon shield silver
0%
FistIcon fist
Aggressive: Will attack enemies on sight.Icon requiredIcon optionalIcon optional
ConfidenceIcon confidence
Brave: Will avoid/flee from threats only if severely outmatched.Icon requiredIcon requiredIcon requiredIcon optional
GroupIcon group
Helps friends: Will help friends and allies.Icon requiredIcon required
AttackIcon attack
Melee (50 DamageIcon damage)
Perk wild wastelandEnd of information based on the Wild Wasteland trait.

Unnaturally large sized rodent[]

Giant rat

These are uniquely large giant rats, with only two in existence in 2281. They are found in the east central sewers in the same room as Jill. They are identical in appearance, except for size, to their smaller cousins. They are, however, far more aggressive and will attack the player on sight along with any nearby mutated rats, unless they have the Animal Friend perk.

Name (Base ID)StatisticsBehaviorAbilitiesItems
Unnaturally large sized rodent
00154454
LevelIcon level
6
Experience pointsIcon XP
60
DetectionIcon eye
6
Health pointsIcon heart
70
Damage thresholdIcon shield gold
0
Damage resistanceIcon shield silver
0%
FistIcon fist
Very aggressive: Will attack enemies and neutrals on sight.Icon requiredIcon requiredIcon optional
ConfidenceIcon confidence
Foolhardy: Will never flee or avoid anyone.Icon requiredIcon requiredIcon requiredIcon required
GroupIcon group
Helps friends: Will help friends and allies.Icon requiredIcon required
AttackIcon attack
Melee (35 DamageIcon damage)

Notes[]

  • Every three days, three children in Freeside will be seen chasing a non-hostile giant rat. If the player kills the rat, the children will say "Thanks, mister/lady" and perform an eating animation on the rat (like the player will perform if he/she has the Cannibal Perk). The children will still "eat" the rat even if it was reduced to a pile of goo or ash. Eventually the rat will respawn and the children will resume their never ending chase. It is likely that these children are working for Genaro, as he mentions that he has his 'little helpers' who gather food for him. The children have low level weapons, but they will never attack with them. Also, if you put the rat on a car or any other high place they will "eat" the rat but it looks like they're eating the object you placed the rat on. You can drag the rat making the kids trying to eat it, so you can lead them in a possible thug ambush.
Perk wild wastelandThe following is based on the Wild Wasteland trait and has not been confirmed by canon sources.
Perk wild wastelandEnd of information based on the Wild Wasteland trait.
  • Giant rats are friendly if the player has the Animal Friend perk.
  • It is possible to pickpocket a giant rat, though doing so will result in karma loss.

Appearances[]

These giant rats appear only in Fallout: New Vegas.

Behind the scenes[]

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