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Radroaches are creatures found in the Capital Wasteland in 2277.

Background[]

Great American cockroaches, colloquially called "radroaches" or simply "giant cockroaches," are giant versions of the most common species present before the Great War (periplaneta americana).[1] They have increased in size due to mutation caused by nuclear fallout.

Characteristics[]

Biology[]

Radroaches are about the size of modern house cats and have a shiny brown carapace. Unlike their modern-day counterparts, they do not mind sunlight and will often be encountered in well-lit areas, such as out in the open near the tepid sewers. If encountered, they will first try to scare off their enemies by flapping their wings and antennae while bobbing up and down but will attack if the enemy refuses to back away. This usually ends in their death. Radroaches are one of the weakest creatures in the game, about on par with bloatflies.

Gameplay attributes[]

Radroaches are low-level enemies, hostile to the Lone Wanderer and any companions they may have. They are also usually encountered in groups of up to seven and "pounce" at their enemies and bite/pinch them with their small pincers while making a screeching sound. They are commonly used as food for people in the wasteland and, as such, their meat can be bought from most merchants who sell food.

Variants[]

Radroach[]

Radroach

Radroaches all share the same vital statistics, but can differ in aggressiveness and confidence.

Name (Form ID)StatisticsBehaviorAbilitiesItems
Radroach
0001CF7C
0002D6F7
000A25B1
000C595E
0001EFE3
Level
0
Experience Points
5
Perception
3
Hit Points
5
Damage Resistance
0%
Aggression
Unaggressive: Will not initiate combat.Icon optionalIcon optionalIcon optional
Confidence
Cautious: Will avoid/flee from threats unless stronger than them.Icon requiredIcon optionalIcon optionalIcon optional
Gamebryo AI attributes#Assistance
Helps nobody: Will not help anyone.Icon optionalIcon optional
Attack
Melee (3 Damage)
Radroach
(Aggr. Vault 101)

000569B2
Level
0
Experience Points
5
Perception
3
Hit Points
5
Damage Resistance
0%
Aggression
Aggressive: Will attack enemies on sight.Icon requiredIcon optionalIcon optional
Confidence
Cautious: Will avoid/flee from threats unless stronger than them.Icon requiredIcon optionalIcon optionalIcon optional
Gamebryo AI attributes#Assistance
Helps nobody: Will not help anyone.Icon optionalIcon optional
Attack
Melee (3 Damage)
Radroach
(foolh. Vault 101)

0006B238
0002D4C7
Level
0
Experience Points
5
Perception
3
Hit Points
5
Damage Resistance
0%
Aggression
Aggressive: Will attack enemies on sight.Icon requiredIcon optionalIcon optional
Confidence
Foolhardy: Will never flee or avoid anyone.Icon requiredIcon requiredIcon requiredIcon required
Gamebryo AI attributes#Assistance
Helps nobody: Will not help anyone.Icon optionalIcon optional
Attack
Melee (3 Damage)
Radroach
(Butch Vault 101)

0002A171
Level
0
Experience Points
5
Perception
3
Hit Points
5
Damage Resistance
0%
Aggression
Aggressive: Will attack enemies on sight.Icon requiredIcon optionalIcon optional
Confidence
Foolhardy: Will never flee or avoid anyone.Icon requiredIcon requiredIcon requiredIcon required
Gamebryo AI attributes#Assistance
Helps allies: Will help allies.Icon requiredIcon optional
Attack
Melee (3 Damage)

Locations[]

Radroaches are the first hostile creatures the player encounters in the game and the only hostiles that have to be killed while still in Vault 101. They can be found nearly anywhere throughout the wasteland, with the most notable locations being the Nuka-Cola plant offices and the Gillian house in Minefield. The RobCo facility has the highest number of radroaches, with 31 in total.

Notable radroaches[]

Notes[]

  • Although most radroaches appear hostile, there are certain circumstances where they may be passive, such as the roaches in the vicinity of the Roach King.
  • Radroaches do not give out Experience Points unless one is playing on normal difficulty or higher, but even then it's only one experience point for each roach.
  • Using Unarmed attacks in V.A.T.S. against a radroach will result in the player stomping on it rather than punching it, the only time this animation is ever used.
  • The radroach is the first type of hostile creature the Lone Wanderer will encounter in Fallout 3, inside Vault 101 when they need to kill one with a BB gun during the quest Growing Up Fast. It is also the only enemy type the Lone Wanderer needs to kill in order to complete the game.
  • Two undersized radroaches can be found in Vault 108's living quarters cafeteria accompanied by a regular radroach, one the size of Gallo's pets and another even smaller one.
  • During the quest Escape! the Lone Wanderer has the option to help Butch DeLoria by killing three radroaches to save his mom for some positive Karma and a free Tunnel Snake outfit.
  • When radroaches detect the Lone Wanderer, they will only attack if one stands too close for too long.
  • Unlike other insects in the game, radroaches do not have a body part that the Lone Wanderer can cripple that will cause them to frenzy.
  • Moira Brown says that the radroach meat tastes like "old feet."[2]

Appearances[]

Radroaches appear in Fallout 3.

Behind the scenes[]

It is popularly suggested that roaches will "inherit the earth" if humanity destroys itself in a global nuclear war, as roaches, along with other insects, have a higher tolerance to radiation than most other animals.

Sounds[]

  • Radroach attack

  • Wings fluttering

Gallery[]

References[]

  1. Enclave field research terminal entries; Enclave field research terminal (Springvale power plant), Field Entry: Great American Cockroach
  2. Moira Brown: "You know, I think I've found a new way to prepare Radroach meat. Still tastes like old feet, though. Anyway, what's up with you?"
    (Moira Brown's dialogue)
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