What does it take to kill a death claw?

[JamesStone]

Ever.[/quote]

Go back at level 40.

Have 100 Sneak. Use Stealth Boy to break it completely.

Load up the HoloRifle+ and snipe every creepy in there from the top of the gantry crane sticking out of the ground.

Success!

Going up the crane is a pretty decent idea. I used it and was able to snipe a couple of them, although I actually ran out of ammo so had to run away.

Basically, a Deathclaw is best dealt with from far away. Use armour piercing rounds, and aim to cripple at least one leg as soon as possible. The Dart Gun in F3 was great because it massively slowed them down, but unfortunately, that's not an option in NV. Just try and stay as far away as possible.

Also, never ever ever go into Dead Wind Cavern. Ever.

Ever.

In my first playthrough, I entered the Cavern with my best gun being a cowboy repeater, Leather Armor Reinforced and level 5. After I entered, I saved my three save files when I was mid underground, not encontering any Deathclaw. 10 seconds later I got swarmed by an army of the bastards, with the Matriarch leading the strike. I quickly tried to load my quick saved but it was corrupted, so I had to pass a horde of five Deathclaws, and the Mother, having 2 in my way out. Try to guess how that worked out. I could swear my console was laughing after the 4th attempt.

 

[spectrenihlus]

A nuclear strike from orbit


It's the only way to be sure.

 

[Char-Nobyl]

I was mere lad of level 2. walked into sloan just skipped the conversation with the guy ( didn't want to hear it)

Well, You're not even done with your second sentence, and I already can see three problems.

1. You're level 2. Viper and Jackal gang members can kill you at level 2.

2. You ignored a guy who was hardwired to grab your attention and tell you that wandering into that area was going to get you killed. This is as close to the developers saying to you directly that you are not ready to go this way. Hell, his dialogue even changes when you're up to a level where you might stand a fighting chance.

3. You presumably heard the word 'Deathclaw' and then kept going forward instead of running your low-level ass away. I take it this is your first Fallout game? Because no veteran Fallout player fucks with Deathclaws if they're anything less than level 20 (by 3 and Vegas standards, anyway).

walked down to the mine turned around some massive werewolf like bat creature is running up to me. I fired my only grenade at it, then took my laser rifle a 4-5 shots on V.A.T.S then when it got into range i used my cowboy repeater but it was less use then the laser rifle. It reached me and took one swipe knocking out 4 fifths of m health, then took another knocking my head off.

Oh, look. A fourth issue.

4. You went into a Deathclaw infested area with nothing but tier 1 weapons.

And that was my first encounter with a Death Claw. havent gone back to sloan since.... I want to go back to explore it Escapist. How do i go about it?

You follow the goddamn storyline until you get to Vegas, and then you take the time leveling up like the rest of us did.

Once you get to level 20 (at least), get either the Gobi Campaign rifle or an Anti-materiel rifle, Boone, and an upgraded ED-E. Go back, and take it slowly. Take the Deathclaws on only one at a time. Any more than that and you will die.

Actually, scratch that. My advice is to never go back again. You're clearly not the brightest bulb in the chandelier, and I doubt that any advice I give will increase your odds of survival when the Mother Deathclaw is bearing down on you.

 

[Ghengis John]

Good point. however i was simply giving an example of how you can bend them to your will. i mentioned in an earlier post i was level 3 with a sniper rifle and tons of ammo and was completly able to drop some deathclaws. my point was it's all about using what you have, learning the game and using that knowledge to win, not just dumb luck or running and gunning.

He just started playing the game, and he's asking for advice. This is not really the time to tell him "pony up cowboy, get your shit together." He doesn't even know about the rifle locations in the first place and he has to get PAST the deathclaws to even get to 95% of the free sniper's rifles in the game. (Or take the loooong way around) And they don't spawn on vendors at level 2. You're not using what you have when you're telling him to use a weapon he can't get his hands on yet. I'm not gonna say though knowing the game isn't key. I'm unarmed and I go into ruby hills mine to get pushy right away, every time. But he doesn't know the game yet so how about dropping the cocksure "I'm the man, I'm the man!" attitude and offering the guy some practical advice?

You follow the goddamn storyline until you get to Vegas, and then you take the time leveling up like the rest of us did.

My very first play through I took two looks at the map, took stock of my inventory then said "fuck that" and walked straight through sloan to vegas. On Hardcore mode. I was level 6 and I killed 4 deathclaws with boxing tape and a kitchen knife. I find your hostility un-warranted. Also Cass works fine and she doesn't carry all the lousy diplomatic headaches that Boone does.

 

[Lazy Kitty]

Nukes should work...

 

[CatsAttackAgain]

From Sloan stick to the left wall and keep jumping against it on your way to Quarry Junction until you start to follow a hidden path on the wall. This will get you almost half way through the place. On the way, shoot any deathclaw you see. Once you have eliminated all the deathclaws you see and drop down. Climb up the ramp thing used for moving rockes and drop down onto one of the things that looks like a giant bin. From here you should be able to see th deathclaw alpha male with your scope. Kill all the deathclaws you see. Stick to the high grounds until you reach a pile of rubble in the middle. Climb on top of it. Scope the end out (you have been using the anti-material rifle this whole time). You will be able to see the mother deathclaw. Aim for the head with armour peircing bullets. You win! YAY!!!

 

[Mittens The Kitten]

The answer: Use a gun.
If that don't work.. use more gun.

It costs over 2000 bottle caps to fire this Gatling Laser...
...for twelve seconds

 

[Drudgelmir]

I was mere lad of level 2. walked into sloan just skipped the conversation with the guy ( didn't want to hear it) walked down to the mine turned around some massive werewolf like bat creature is running up to me. I fired my only grenade at it, then took my laser rifle a 4-5 shots on V.A.T.S then when it got into range i used my cowboy repeater but it was less use then the laser rifle. It reached me and took one swipe knocking out 4 fifths of m health, then took another knocking my head off.

And that was my first encounter with a Death Claw. havent gone back to sloan since.... I want to go back to explore it Escapist. How do i go about it?

It depends in Fallout 3 you need to be a much higher level and have a lot of ammo.
In New Vegas. Just the ammo will do. Aim for the Arms and head in vats. If you cripple the claw they will do less damage.

 

[TheMadDoctorsCat]

I still say seduce the f--ker.

 

[Darks63]

@ OP Just wait till you run into caldazors will be a fun time I tell u. Ot all the people saying about the anti material rifle unless you find a special one those wont appear in the store to usaully rank 20.

 

[Brian Hendershot]

Boone+ Sniper Rifle+ mini-nukes= Dead.

Actually, just Boone will solve your problem. Just make sure you are at least level 15ish before you go out there.

 

[Jake0fTrades]

Determination and a lot of bullets.

 

[killercyclist]

if your mad like i am, wait til your level 25 or higher, snipe the lesser claws with a anti-material rifle, and then go in for the mother and father with a ballistic fist, you will get hurt, and likely die, but it's totally rewarding to take em' down with melee.

 

[Lunar Templar]

>.>
mods?

one that nets you the R&C RYNO? i donno, never seen one in FO3

 

[Imp_Emissary]

First: shoot him with the Dartgun, it does little damage, but it instantly cripples the legs, which eliminates the Deathclaws prime advantages (his speed and jump/lunge attack). Second: blast away.

The dart gun is sadly not in New Vegas. Also, guns with a damage less than 15 will hardly even take one tic off their heath thanks to their damage resistance.
Health 250
Damage Resistance 15
Attack 100

Stay away from them tell you're level 20 and have much better weapons and armor. Also, it's best to snipe them from a good distance as they will team up on you, and do real damage to your armor.

 

[Tizzmarelda]

Tgm

 

[Drakmorg]

The Purifier Perk, a Ballistic fist, and a butt-load of stimpacks.

Anyone can kill a Deathclaw from a mile away with an Anti-Material rifle. You gotta ask yourself, "Do I have the balls to punch a Deathclaw back to hell?"

 

[Imp_Emissary]

Punch them.

Unarmed 100, Deathclaw Gauntlet. Sneak 100, Chinese Stealth Suit.

It is amazing how satisfying punching deathclaws is.

The deathclaw gauntlet is sadly not in New Vegas, but there is another "unarmed" weapon that when fixed up all the way can kill a deathclaw in one hit. Also, you don't even have to have a high unarmed skill.

 

[p3t3r]

it requires bullets and not being level 2