Summary
TheFalloutfranchise is arguably one of themost iconic post-apocalyptic seriesout there, and it owes a lot of that success to its unique and bizarre setting. Unlike a more conventional apocalypse, the irradiated wastelands ofFalloutplay home to sometruly distinctive creatures. Monsters like deathclaws, cazadors, and super mutants are some of the most immediately recognizable aspects of the series and a big part of its appeal.
Yet the bestiary of theFalloutseries has a lot more entries than just the iconic creatures. As any dedicatedfan knows, the lore of this franchise can get extremely strange. To that end, here are some of themost obscure and lesser-known creatures in theFalloutworld, and a look at what role they play in the lore of the series.
Updated July 15, 2025 by Peter Morics:The Fallout games have a wide menagerie of strange and sinister creatures. Between the success of the Fallout TV show and the continued updates to Fallout 76, this bestiary is constantly growing. With such a steady influx of new creatures, more obscure monsters are even more likely to slip through the cracks. This list has been updated to include even more of the rare and obscure monsters that make the Wasteland their home.
15Trog
Hideous & Tragic Mutants
The basic origin of the Trog is not dissimilar to that of many creatures in the Wasteland; these hideous mutants were created through the Troglodyte Degeneration Contagion, a hideous physical condition born of the radiation and industrial waste contaminating the ruins of Pittsburgh. This disease slowly turns humans into deformed, violent mutants.
The contagion has wreaked havoc with the population of The Pitt, and inFallout 3, drastic measures have been taken to cure it. During the game’s DLC,The Pitt, players must decide the fate not only of the Trogs, but of the region itself.
14Marked Men
Survivors Of A Secret Tragedy
Throughout the events ofFallout New Vegas, it’s been hinted that the Courier has a grim history with the region.The game’sLonesome RoadDLCreveals this history by bringing players to the Divide, a canyon that’s been ravaged by nuclear fallout and constant biting winds. This devastation is a direct result of the Courier’s actions, as are the Marked Men it created.
Marked Men are similar to ghouls, in that radiation has turned them into nigh-immortal, decayed humanoids. But the constant storms in the region have also flayed away these creatures' skins, leaving them in a state of constant agony. The Marked Men were once members of Caesar’s Legion and the NCR, but their shared burden has erased this military divide and united them into one furious armada.
13Mole Miner
A Communal Subterranean Force
Players who’ve avoidedFallout 76due to its infamously shaky launch are likely unaware of some of the groundbreaking lore introduced in post-apocalyptic Appalachia. One of the more significant revelations is the existence of a whole new race of mole people, living deep underground.
As the name suggests, mole miners are mutated human miners who are trapped forever in the bulky suits they used to survive deep underground. Most of these creatures are completely hostile, but there’s a notable exception in the form of Purveyor Murmrgh, an enterprising mercantile mole miner who’s willing to do business with humans.
12Flatwoods Monster
A Cryptid Come To Life
Fallout 76’s Appalachian setting is rich with history and folklore, and themysterious Flatwoods Monsteris a particularly infamous example. This mysterious cryptid is often identified as an alien visitor, while skeptics are more likely to label it a particularly menacing owl, or just a total fabrication. The version inFallout 76, however, is all too real.
These sinister hovering monsters appear at random throughout Appalachia. They only come out at night and will frequently teleport around to defend themselves in combat. They can even control the minds of creatures and robots nearby and use this for defense, making them even more menacing foes.
11Tunneler
An Existential Threat To The Mojave
The origins of these strange reptilian creatures are largely unknown. They’re likely subterranean lizards who were mutated by the excessive radiation and destruction of the Great War. Whatever the case, they were awakened during the Courier’s disastrous first visit to the Divide, and are now beginning to move on the surface.
These hardy beasts travel in swarms and are difficult to bring down. Ulysses theorizes that within years these creatures will have spread enough to pose a major threat to the Mojave and the burgeoning civilizations vying for control there. This makes the player’s victory at Hoover Dam a somewhat hollow one, regardless of which force they side with.
10Horned Kangaroo
An Enigmatic Skeletal Beast
Mutated animals are a common sight in the world ofFallout, but some are much rarer than others. The elusiveHorned Kangaroois one example. Skeletal remains of this strange creature can be found in the first two games, but they’re never so much as mentioned again.
The presence of these strange creatures raises a lot of questions. Kangaroos are hardly a common sight in the pre-apocalyptic United States, after all. The fact that these creatures developed strange horns is, in the end, just about the least surprising thing about them.
9Ghost People
Tragic Silent Killers
These terrifying creatures only appear inDead Money, one of the DLC campaigns forFallout: New Vegas. Their frightful appearance as they lurch toward the player, eyes glowing behind the lenses of their gas masks, means that fewFalloutfans are likely to forget them. What makes them even worse is how difficult they are to kill, as they only stay dead if their limbs are chopped off.
Of course, theGhost Peoplearen’t just faceless monsters. They’re the mutated employees of the casino where the DLC is set. The unique circumstances of their origin means it’s unlikely that Ghost People will show up elsewhere in theFalloutwasteland. Consequently, most people in the world ofFalloutare blissfully unaware of the existence of these haunting killers.
Frightful Mutated Vermin
Mutated rats are common throughout theFalloutseries.Rad-rats, however, are unique, as they only appear in theNuka-Worldexpansion forFallout 4. These rats appear to be almost totally hairless, like their relatives, the mole rats. These creatures are much tougher than mole rats, though, and the legendary versions explode after death.
Rad-rats are some of the more menacing rat creatures players can encounter in theFalloutseries, and their rarity is just about their only saving grace. These nasty vermin are a prime example of the fact that even relatively mundane creatures can pack a nasty punch if they aren’t taken seriously.
7Lakelurk
An Unexpected Aquatic Menace
Mirelurks are decently well-known creatures in theFalloutworld. These giant crustaceans are a menace to any wastelander who strays too close to shore. One might expect to be safe from these monsters in the Mojave Desert setting ofFallout: New Vegas, butLakelurksare waiting to prove that theory wrong.
As the name suggests, these grotesque fish men lurk near lakes and similar bodies of water throughout the game. They look and act similarly to the Mirelurk Kings that prowl aroundMirelurk colonies in otherFalloutgames, but they’re much rarer due to the relative lack of suitable environments for them. They’re very uncommon, and it’s not impossible to get through an entire playthrough without meeting one. This makes it all the more surprising when one rears its ugly head.
6Night Stalker
A Deadly Desert Crossbreed
TheNight Stalkeris a perfect fit for thedesert landscape ofFallout: New Vegas, as it’s a cross between the desert’s two most quintessential carnivores: the rattlesnake and the coyote. These monsters are the result of genetic engineering, and by traveling to the Big MT in theOld World Bluesexpansion, the Courier can learn about their origins.
While Night Stalkers are far from the most dangerous inhabitants of the Mojave Desert, their sinister background makes them extremely noteworthy creatures, as well as a fundamental part of the landscape ofFallout: New Vegas.Even though they’re virtually unknown outside the Mojave, these creatures are still worth keeping an eye out for.
