Fallout Can't Make Its Deathclaw Appear Weak After The Perfect Debut

After season 1 expertly captured the atmosphere and mechanics of the video game series, viewers were eagerly awaiting Prime Video's Fallout to introduce its first Deathclaw. While the audience had already been treated to Radroaches, Ghouls, and even the Brahmin in the show's first installment, Deathclaws remained the one type of creature people were desperate to see adapted.

Thankfully, we finally saw our first glimpse in season 2, episode 4, and it didn't disappoint. Not only did the Ghoul and Lucy encounter one in the episode's closing moments, but Cooper's Alaska flashback also featured a Deathclaw slaughtering several opposition soldiers, providing an instant idea as to just how deadly these mutated monsters really are.

Still, given how many complications a common creature like the Radscorpion presented in Fallout season 2, it's important that the show continues to make the Deathclaw feel like a big deal. It is easily the most menacing threat Lucy and the Ghoul have faced yet, and this should remain the case by making their upcoming fight extremely difficult.

Lucy & The Ghoul’s Deathclaw Confrontation Perfectly Captures How Scary They Are In The Games

Despite how resourceful and well-equipped the Ghoul is to deal with the Wasteland's various dangers, he looked terrified at the sight of a Deathclaw when arriving in New Vegas. Coming across one before and understanding what it was capable of undoubtedly played a role in this reaction, but the Deathclaw's sheer size and vicious exterior would make almost anyone frightened.

Even the ever-positive Lucy was completely shut down by this encounter, despite being high on drugs. Perhaps if the Ghoul seemed confident about fighting this unknown entity, she might have been more optimistic. Instead, the Vault Dweller was left almost speechless, only uttering "Okey dokey" as the episode came to a close.

Between its massacre at the start of "The Demon in the Snow" and its menacing reveal in New Vegas, Prime Video's version of the Deathclaw provided a truly memorable introduction. Likewise, the fear in Lucy and the Ghoul's expressions perfectly matched what most players feel the first time setting eyes on these creatures, making it an authentic reaction.

A poor design or lack of understanding regarding how powerful Deathclaws are in Fallout lore could've made this moment fall flat. Fortunately, Prime Video got this debut just right, and overcoming this monster should only help improve Lucy and the Ghoul's relationship in season 2, but the show still has to be smart about how it deals with the upcoming battle.

Prime Video’s Fallout Can’t Make Taking Down A Deathclaw Too Easy

Having nailed the Deathclaw's introduction, Prime Video mustn't make defeating this enemy too easy; otherwise, it risks killing all the build-up. After episode 4, it looks like battling a Deathclaw is one of the most daunting tasks anyone can face in Fallout's TV series, making it all the more important that Lucy and the Ghoul's fight reflects this.

Rather than spraying it with bullets or landing a lucky blow, the pair must come up with a risky and borderline insane strategy if they want to hurt this creature, let alone kill it. Simply allowing the protagonists to survive this encounter would feel like a win, meaning the best possible outcome may be the duo narrowly getting away.

This would keep the reputation of Deathclaws intact and set up an exciting return for when the main characters are actually equipped to deal some damage. However, if the show opts to have Lucy and the Ghoul come out on top in episode 5, their victory must be convincing to uphold Fallout season 2's record-breaking video game adaptation status.

It may seem like a relatively trivial detail overall, especially since Deathclaws became easier to deal with in later games. Still, the show has done an incredible job of bringing this fictional world to life while maintaining all its rules and lore, so it would be a real shame to throw it away now by making this Deathclaw appear weak.

The Early Signs Hint Towards Fallout Getting The Deathclaws Right

While it's still early days, there are already plenty of reasons to suspect Fallout will do the Deathclaws justice. Firstly, giving a brief insight into their potential origins and making them quickly feel like unstoppable beings proves that the show understands their importance to the franchise and just how badass they are supposed to be.

Seeing one emerge in New Vegas and cause instant destruction while the Ghoul and Lucy watched on helplessly was another strong example, but there is one other positive sign. During one of season 2's trailers, we got a small glimpse at where this fight will go next, and it seems to involve the duo hiding and eventually running for their lives.

Throughout his time in the Wasteland, the Ghoul has learned to pick and choose which fights to take and which ones to back out of. Unsurprisingly, a Deathclaw looks to be way too challenging for him, suggesting his initial instinct will be to try and flee the confrontation at all costs, with combat being a last resort.

Even if they do manage to take it down in the end, it's possible the Ghoul learned about the creature's weaknesses after coming face-to-face with one all those years ago. Even then, killing it is still bound to be a major challenge, suggesting Fallout will honor the Deathclaws' legacy and make them a formidable force going forward.