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Fallout Season 1 Didn't Include One Iconic Video Game Enemy

Fallout Season 1 Didn't Include One Iconic Video Game Enemy
Image credit: Amazon Studios, Bethesda

In Season 2, Goosey MacLean will face off against one of the most terrifying creatures in the Wasteland.

Summary

  • While Fallout Season 1 was friendly to newcomers, it was also filled with a tremendous amount of lore.
  • One of those lore pieces was the variety of mutants found in both the series and the original video games.
  • However, one iconic creature was not introduced, and its appearance is reserved for Season 2.

Many Fallout fans familiar with the original video game series were pleasantly surprised by the way the new show stayed true to the source material, directly or subtly referencing certain aspects of the lore and world-building of the universe where war never changes.

And of course, what could be more memorable in the radiation-burned Wasteland than the mutated creatures that inhabit it? Among the most recognizable are the giant radroaches, as well as the two-headed cow Brahmins. We were also introduced to Yao Guai, a giant mutated bear, almost at the beginning.

However, hardcore fans were also hoping for the appearance of another creature that is not only the most iconic in the entire franchise, but also definitely one of the most dangerous.

Sometimes even power armor doesn't stop it! The name of this enemy is Deathclaw, and although such a dangerous animal (is it really an animal?) is not an uncommon guest in the Wasteland, we have only seen one shot of its skull in the series.

Fallout Season 1 Didn't Include One Iconic Video Game Enemy - image 1

However, according to the showrunner, deathclaw was not shown on purpose, and this is a lead-in to the upcoming second season, which was announced a week after the release of the first one.

So, What Are Deathclaws?

But before we get to the showrunner's detailed explanation of why, let's get to know these dangerous creatures.

Deathclaw is a huge (9-10 foot) demon-like beast that, despite its humanoid appearance, has all the characteristics of an animal except for its unbridled aggression toward humans. It is a carnivorous creature that is practically at the top of the Wasteland's food chain, so any wanderer who encounters a Deathclaw is either already dead or likely to return with a limb or two missing.

Deathclaws are the result of pre-war bio-engineering, designed to replace troops on the battlefield. After the Great War, however, the creatures either escaped into the wild or were exploited by various factions.

Fallout Season 1 Didn't Include One Iconic Video Game Enemy - image 2

In addition, the antagonist in Fallout 1 was responsible for their refinery, making deathclaws even more dangerous. In other words, these are not just creatures with memorable designs and a terrifying presence, but enemies that are important to the very lore of Fallout.

Why Season 1 Didn't Add This Enemy

But instead of showing such an iconic enemy, the series creators introduced a lot of new creatures that had no videogame basis. However, we did see a deathclaw's skull, and it was certainly a foreshadowing. Its whereabouts were in the area of the now apparently destroyed New Vegas, the main location of the game of the same name, so it was a clear indication of the presence of these creatures in the second season, which will likely take place in Nevada.

According to showrunner Graham Wagner, this was a deliberate choice to ensure that the introduction to such a vibrant and diverse set of events, locations, creatures, and factions would be measured and skillfully attract both hardcore fans and newcomers.

'We wanted to get Deathclaws, but we didn't want to just throw it away. It's such a monumental piece. We want to save something for Season 2 to be able to do it properly, not just added on to the massive world building we had to do already in Season 1. So Season 2, we're very excited to finally tackle one of the most iconic elements of the games.'

Well, let's see what the writers have in store for us in the future. The release date for Season 2 is still unknown.

Source: The Wrap.

Are you excited to see deathclaws in S2?