For an overview of deathclaw variants, see deathclaw.

Fallout Tactics creature Hairy deathclaw location Midwest

Baby deathclaw and deathclaw egg Baby deathclaw and deathclaw egg

Fallout Tactics and some details might contradict The following is based onand some details might contradict canon

Deathclaws are mutated creatures in Fallout Tactics: Brotherhood of Steel.

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Background Edit

An entirely separate deathclaw species living in various areas of the former Midwestern states, the eastern hairy deathclaw is a unique creature that emerged in the territories belonging to the states of Illinois, Missouri, and Kansas.[1]

The Matriarch of one deathclaw pack was captured by a psychic tribe known as the Beastlords. While the tribals were able to use their psychic powers to control other animals, the deathclaws were strong enough to resist them. However, they cooperated with the Beastlords in order to protect their Mother. After the Matriarch was freed by the Brotherhood of Steel, she led her pack to join the Brotherhood, and the Elders surprisingly agreed. She herself volunteered her services, aptly named Mother.

Characteristics Edit

Biology Edit

Unlike deathclaws derived from Jackson's chameleons, these deathclaws are mammals, not reptiles.[2] They are covered in a thick layer of fur, providing them with excellent protection from the elements, while their thick, leathery skin grants them excellent protection from projectiles and melee weapons. They are easily distinguishable by a crest of five horns protruding from their skull and a single nasal horn. The eponymous claws are also much less pronounced than in reptile deathclaws.[3]

Other distinguishing features include a mammal-like appearance and physique, including higher primate body-shape, more developed arms with long and sharp claws, the aforementioned horns of several herbivore mammal types, and a predatory maw. Their skin is comparable in resilience to their reptile brethren. Furthermore, at least some of them are capable of mimicking human speech.[4]

The hairy deathclaws are more matriarchal than their reptilian counterparts, with large packs led by a single matriarch. If a territory lacks enough sustenance for such a pack, they split into autonomous smaller families of infants led and protected by the pair of adults. Although mature deathclaws are quite intelligent, sapient, and self-aware, infant deathclaws are less hairy and seem to be absolutely unintelligent, behaving like regular animals. One quirk of their biology is that, despite being mammals, young are not carried to term, but hatch from eggs laid by females and only once they hatch do they rely on their mother's milk.[5]

Gameplay attributes Edit

In Fallout Tactics patched to 1.27, deathclaws are deadly. They are highly resistant to regular ammunition. The non-player characters in each bunker often say "I have some AP ammo for those deathclaws," but they will not trade it. Even an anti-vehicle mine does only medium damage.

In Quincy, the player character is confronted with seven deathclaws and around five baby deathclaws. However, they can be seen in a random encounter before that mission. After rescuing the Matriarch from the control of the Beastlords during the Mardin mission, several deathclaws appear in the recruitment pool.

Deathclaws were derived from mixed animal stock and then refined using genetic engineering to produce fast killing machines. Because of their extreme power, they get a large amount of Hit Points and a boost to Radiation Resistance. However, they are vulnerable to fire and cannot use any projectile weapons or armor, though they can equip power fists and other unarmed weapons, as well as carry and use grenades and mines. Their statistics make them excellent for Stealth skills, so they can easily sneak up on enemies to get to melee range.

Variants Edit

Deathclaw Edit

Hairy deathclaws are indeed vicious and dangerous creatures. They are highly resistant to regular ammunition and can dish out massive amounts of damage.

Baby deathclaw Edit

Baby deathclaws are much smaller, and can't take as much damage, or inflict it.

Appearances Edit

Hairy deathclaws appear only in Fallout Tactics.

Behind the scenes Edit

“ I'm pretty sure the main reason that the deathclaw lost its hair from concept to production was a technical limitation of the rendering software at the time. I can't remember if it was the amount of additional rendering time required, an animation issue getting all the hair to move properly, or something else, but it was something along those lines. The hairy deathclaw in FOT was inspired by the original concept, plus we thought it was nifty to show that there variations and different mutations of the same stock "beast". We probably should have had both versions, but that's a decision based on hindsight. ” Chris Taylor[6]

Gallery Edit