TheFalloutseries' depiction of a post-nuclear wasteland is filled with terrifying and grotesque creatures mutated by exposure to immense radiation. While iconic enemies like ghouls or deathclaws stand out as some of the best-designed enemies in the series,Fallout 76has its own additions to the universe’s monster compendium that rival the likes of these creatures. One of the most notable enemies added inFallout 76is the mole miner, whose disturbing origins should lay the foundation for futureFalloutenemies to expand upon.
Fallout 76has proven to be a goldmine of potential when it comes to expanding the universe ofFalloutwith more unique enemy types. While the game boasts several cryptids native to its Appalachian setting, such as theMothman or the Flatwoods Monster, it also plays to its setting’s strengths when it comes to more common enemies as well. The mole miners are the perfect depiction of West Virginia’s mining industry gone wrong when a nuclear apocalypse hits, causing a dangerous profession to become the origin of some ofFallout’s darkest lore.
Fallout 76’s Mole Miners Suggests Future Enemies Could Share a Dark Trait
According to the lore ofFallout 76, mole miners are mutated West Virginian miners who have become trapped within their mining suits due to the severity of their mutations. These beings are native to theAsh Heap region, where the bulk of Appalachia’s mines can be found. While the mutations that have caused the mole miners to be imprisoned in their mining gear appear to be causing them a great deal of suffering, it’s also allowed them to develop claws and a stout, hunched posture that allows them to wield heavy weapons ranging from shotguns to missile launchers.
Not only is it a dark thought to consider that mole miners were once humans that have become trapped within their mining suits, but unlike feral ghouls, these mole miners still appear to retain a portion of their humanity. Mole miners still seem to retain the hierarchy of their former selves, with foremen and supervisors leading packs of the enemies, and anNPC like Purveyor Murmrghshowing that some are still capable of socializing with humans. These traits make it all the more tragic when realizing they are unable to breathe properly without a respirator, as well as when players are forced to kill them.
Future Fallout Enemies Should Take Notes from 76’s Mole Miners
It’s easy for players to mindlessly mow down feral ghouls ortake out a camp of raiders sinceFalloutpresents its worldas one where it’s kill or be killed. However, as the series evolves and expands its lore, injecting bits of humanity into certain enemy types adds a layer of complexity that might make players hesitate about killing them. Mole miners are a perfect example of this idea, since on the surface they appear to be a mindless, hostile force like any other feral ghoul or radroach.
When players dig a little deeper into the lore of mole miners, they become much more tragic enemies that have clearly lost control of their actions yet still retain their humanity to some degree. FutureFalloutgames should try to develop more complex enemies like this, potentially using a similar design premise of a human who was so severely mutated by radiation that they are no longer in control of themselves yet still display characteristics of their former humanity. While this may be a dark route for the series to take, it could support future changes that allow players to approach the series' RPG mechanics from apacifist playstyle.
