 | Missing data (Editor IDs) A template in this article or section is missing some data. You can help The Vault by filling it in. |
 | For the overview of radscorpions throughout the Fallout series, see radscorpion. |
|---|
Radscorpion | |||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||
Radscorpions (a portmanteau of radiation and scorpion[1][2]) are a type of mutated arthropod common across the former United States wasteland.
Background[]
One of the most common pests across the wasteland, most radscorpions encountered across the wasteland are highly mutated, giant descendants of the Emperor scorpion (Pandinus imperator) native to West Africa. Imported and bred in large numbers due to their popularity as a pet,[3] the once docile creatures evolved into aggressive nocturnal predators with a venomous sting, ranging in size between a sofa and car. Unlike most venomous species, whose venom becomes diluted the larger they become, the radscorpions' only became more potent.[4] The venom is essentially a powerful neurotoxin, acting on potassium and calcium channels, which combined with their strength allows radscorpions to incapacitate and kill large prey.[5] Packs of radscorpions are known to be a threat to livestock and even humans, especially in situations where antivenom is in short supply.[6]
Characteristics[]
Biology[]
Due to its high tolerance for different climate conditions, radscorpions have spread across the North American continent, thriving in climates as diverse as the arid New California and temperate Commonwealth. Even blasted, irradiated expanses like the Capital Wasteland are comfortable enough for radscorpion populations. Their ability to burrow beneath the ground and hide under rocks or similar debris certainly helped its spread, allowing the tough arthropod to protect itself against adverse environmental conditions.[7] Their color acts as natural camouflage in many environments. In fact, radscorpions exhibit a diverse range of exoskeleton colorations, ranging from copper brown, through pale gray and blue, to black. Albino radscorpions are also known to exist and the few that are not killed early on in their life usually become one of the most dangerous predators in the wasteland.[8]
When encountered, radscorpions are notable for their aggressive behavior and relentless pursuit of prey. The venom sac and stinger are a particular threat, as the radscorpion will always try to attack with it first, incapacitating its prey, and follow up with powerful pincer strikes to deliver the killing blows. Their thick exoskeleton offer good protection, capable of withstanding even firearms and attacks with melee weapons.[9]
Radscorpions are frequently hunted by wastelanders, both to control their population and to procure their body parts. The potent venom in their sacs can be processed into a potent antivenom with rudimentary medical skills[4] or diluted for use as an exotic food ingredient,[10] and while their flesh and eggs can be cooked to make a variety of dishes, including steaks, omelettes, radscorpion en croute or steamed radscorpion tails in drawn butter.[11]
Gameplay attributes[]
Radscorpions are very large, around the size of a bighorner calf, and have a thick carapace covering their entire body, with no definitive weak spot. Common places to find radscorpions are Scorpion Gulch, the scorpion burrow, the scorpion valley near Goodsprings cemetery and the Yangtze Memorial. The area around Nipton Road Reststop and Mesquite Mountains camp site is also inhabited by large numbers of radscorpions.
As radscorpions almost always move in groups between two and five individuals, they can be very dangerous to low level players. Also the addition of DT makes them hard to kill for an unprepared player. They attack head on, with no discernible tactics.
Radscorpions take normal damage when shot in the torso, stinger, or claws, and reduced damage when shot in the legs. Unlike other creatures, radscorpions lack a "weak point" that can be targeted for extra damage (they have no "head" to headshot), which makes V.A.T.S. combat and firearms somewhat less effective against them. On top of this all radscorpions are armored to some extent which makes them even more difficult to kill.
One suggested tactic is to target the claws, which are strangely less-armored than the rest of the carapace- successfully crippling a claw will stun it long enough to either finish it off, cripple the other claw to stun it again, or cripple their legs if the player wishes to continue attacking at range. If using Guns, armor-piercing rounds are highly suggested and slug rounds are an excellent alternative to armor piercing rounds (especially if combined with the Shotgun Surgeon perk). If attacking with Melee Weapons, crippling the tail is highly recommended to prevent poisonous attacks. Players at the beginning of the game will also have extreme difficulty, as pistols and shotguns do little against them, so it's recommended to simply cripple one of their legs and run away till they lose interest.
Variants[]
Radscorpion[]
These are the most common variety of radscorpion. These poisonous predators seem to possess different speeds, some taking their time and others bolting at top speed. Their size ranges from that of a large dog to that of small livestock.
| Name (Base ID) | Statistics | Behavior | Abilities | Items | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Radscorpion 00135ba0 |
|
|
| |||||
| Radscorpion 00145e75 |
|
|
| |||||
| Radscorpion 00135b9c |
|
|
| |||||
| Radscorpion 00135ba5 |
|
|
| |||||
| Radscorpion 0001cf9e |
|
|
| |||||
| Radscorpion 00167e8b 00164bcb 00167e8b 00174bdd |
|
|
|
Giant radscorpion[]
A larger and much more dangerous variant of radscorpion that is faster, as well as rarer than the usual radscorpion. It does a lot more damage and has a higher Damage Threshold (on par with that of a sentry bot), making them particularly difficult to kill for low level or otherwise poorly equipped players.
Giant radscorpions can be found anywhere that radscorpions will gather or can be found solitary.
| Name (Base ID) | Statistics | Behavior | Abilities | Items | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Giant radscorpion 00135bcf |
|
|
| |||||
| Giant radscorpion 00145e76 |
|
|
| |||||
| Giant radscorpion 00167ea6 00164bcc 0015a0bf 00159789 00159788 00156782 |
|
|
|
Small radscorpion[]
The smaller and less common variant of radscorpion, these creatures are likely juveniles or a smaller strain of radscorpion, as they are encountered both in the company of larger varieties as well as by themselves.
| Name (Base ID) | Statistics | Behavior | Abilities | Items | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small radscorpion 00167e64 00156771 00159605 00159604 0015a0c0 |
|
|
|
Radscorpion queen[]
A very rare and special kind of radscorpion, the queen is the strongest and largest variant of radscorpion, in fact, it is larger than a Corvega. Only two are known to exist:
- One can be found in the scorpion burrow south of the Nipton Road Pit Stop and just east of Crescent Canyon West. The queen will be located in a large cavern with a few other radscorpions.
- Another queen can be found inside the Searchlight fire station also with two regular radscorpions, accessed during the side quest Wheel of Fortune when you are given the key to the fire station.
| Name (Base ID) | Statistics | Behavior | Abilities | Items | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Radscorpion queen 0013fe86 001532fe |
|
|
|
Appearances[]
These radscorpions appear in Fallout: New Vegas.
Bugs[]
- When viewed from a distance, the radscorpion(s) frequently slide vertically across uneven terrain, and can possibly sink into the ground making it near impossible to kill them. If the Courier is unable to kill the sunken radscorpion, it remains as a red tick indicating an enemy on the radar, making it also impossible to leave the area by fast travel.
See also[]
References
- ↑ Shark Club comedian: "{6000}{}{Radscorpions?}"
"{6001}{}{What's so rad about them?}"
Casino patron: "{6002}{}{It's short for RADIATION, asshole.}"
"{6003}{}{Who are these people that think mutated scorpions...}"
"{6004}{}{Are so rad?}"
Casino patron: "{6005}{}{You suck!}"
"{6006}{}{}"
(NcComedi.msg) - ↑ Fallout script description: "radscorp.int; Radiation Scorpions near Shady Sands"
(SCRIPTS.LST (Fallout)) - ↑ Tenpenny Tower terminals; Exploration Database, Radscorpions
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 The Vault Dweller: "{145}{}{What do you know about Radscorpions?}"
Razlo: "{153}{}{Not too much. They seem to be extremely large versions of the north American Emperor scorpion. Contrary to my medical knowledge, their poison has grown more potent, not diluted, as I would expect. Seth has been hunting them, which helps some of my tests.}"
Razlo: "{154}{}{And how such a large creature can even be possible by natural evolution, or even radiation induced mutation is beyond me.}"
The Vault Dweller: "{157}{}{Anything else?}"
Razlo: "{158}{}{They seem to be sensitive to light. Nocturnal. If I could get a sample of their poison, especially the venom production sac located in their tail, I could create an anti-venom.}"
(RAZLO.MSG) - ↑ Enclave field terminals; Enclave Field Research Terminal, Field Entry: Large Scorpion: "Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Arachnida
Order: Scorpiones
Family: Scorpionidae
Genus: Pandinus
Based on research, it first glance appears to be an enlarged Pandinus Imperator, but further testing is required to make a more precise identification. The subject's vesicle has mutated to match its enlarged hypodermic aculeus and the neurotoxin now acts on the potassium and calcium channels. Captive subject was hostile and should be considered a minor threat, though they could prove a problem in larger numbers. Anecdotal reports of specimens even larger than those we have observed exist, but it is likely that such reports are exaggerations." - ↑ Aradesh: "{196}{Ara_28}{Oh my yes. Great packs of Rad Scorpions are killing our herds. We don't know where they're from, and no matter how many we kill, there's always more!}"
The Vault Dweller: "{197}{}{Go on.}"
Aradesh: "{198}{Ara_28a}{And now the monsters are attacking my people! Razlo is trying to find a cure for their poison, but I'm not sure how it goes.}"
(ARADESH.MSG) - ↑ The radscorpion encounters in Fallout 4 and Fallout Shelter.
- ↑ Varieties of radscorpion colorations across the Fallout series.
- ↑ Fallout 4 loading screen hints: "Radiation has mutated the common Emperor Scorpion into the deadly Radscorpion, one of the Wasteland's fiercest predators. Beware its claws and poisoned stinger."
- ↑ Ruby's casserole
- ↑ See respective articles for references.