The disease is spread by direct contact or droplets.[1] The Vault 76 overseer describes the creatures flying overhead to be capable of infecting those below from the sky.[2] It causes both humans and creatures to transform into Scorched.
The effects start with a series of significant physical changes in its victims. At first, the victim's skin will darken, and smell of ash.[3] Eventually, intense burning lesions begin to form.[4] After some time, the victim's skin will split open, exposing the presence of green ultracite crystals that break up from beneath their skin.[5] The plague results in subjects being controlled by a hive mind.[6][7][8]
Human specific information[]
A Scorched human can result when a human is infected by the Scorched Plague which in turn mutates its host. The effects are similar to those that affect other animals.
Scorched humans are able to use melee weapons and firearms. They wear tattered civilian wear, military uniforms and faction outfits such as the varied dress of the Responders or raider armor. Their vocalizations refer to themselves in the plural, with typical phrases being "we are one" or "never alone."[9]
In 2103, following the elimination of the scorchbeast queen and subsequent vaccination of the settlers and raiders who have returned to Appalachia, the Scorched influence on the region is in decline. Fixtures comprised of the dismembered corpses of Scorched are not uncommonly found mounted onto the walls of outposts and strongholds claimed by regional factions such as the Blood Eagles or the Cult of the Mothman, showing how they are managing to combat the Scorched as well with the vaccine available.
There are no known scorched ghouls. Feral ghouls are known to be highly resistant to the Scorched Plague.[10]
Gameplay attributes[]
Scorched are affected by the Zealot's legendary effect. They will attack anything or anyone that is not infected with the Scorched Plague.
Variants[]
Variants are not distinguished visually and will instead wear tattered versions of outfits determined by the location's theme, eg. asylum outfits near Fort Defiance, skiing gear around Top of the World or Responder gear around Morgantown Airport.
Scorched officers were once high-ranking officers in the United States Armed Forces, responsible for carrying one of eight launch code keys needed to launch a nuke from Appalachia's nuclear I.C.B.M. silos. They can be identified by unique radio packs on their back, emitting both red light and a high-pitched tone that sound off in a regular sequence. All regular Scorched variants may be an officer variant with the same stats, abilities and items.
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A Scorched that is armed with a frag grenade and charges toward enemies in a kamikaze attack. Regardless of success, their bodies may be looted for a spare frag grenade. Found only on the Top of the World mezzanine during and after Strange Bedfellows and during Daily Ops involving Scorched as the primary enemies encountered in it.
A powerful Scorched only seen as the boss enemy of Daily Ops involving the Scorched as the primary enemies encountered in it. It will be armored in raider armor, carry a Gauss pistol with a unique energy barrel, and have a paler complexion compared to other Scorched.
A unique variant of Scorched encountered during the seasonal Holiday Scorchedcommunity event. They emit a jingling sound while moving and wear a variety of Christmas-themed apparel, including Mr. Claus' suit, Mrs. Claus' dress and the festive winter pant suit. They only use melee weapons and will always be legendary, with a 40% chance to be a 2-star and a 5% chance to be a 3-star. All regular Scorched variants may spawn as a holiday variant with the same stats and abilities, though the variant name may remain unchanged.
A unique variant of Scorched encountered during the seasonal Spooky Scorchedcommunity event. They are slightly bigger than their counterparts, make a ghostly organ sound while walking around and wear a variety of Halloween-themed costumes. They will only use melee weapons and will always be legendary, with a 40% chance to be a 2-star and a 5% chance to be a 3-star. All regular Scorched variants may spawn as a spooky variant with the same stats and abilities, though the variant name may remain unchanged.
Concept artist Katya Chiu labelled her concept art "scorched ghouls of Appalachia".[Non-game 1]
Bugs[]
PC Scorched may be frozen in place and the player can damage them, and they may still be standing after they are killed. The church in Helvetia is a major site for this. [verified]
PC When a Scorched is posing as a petrified corpse, a headshot kill with a ranged weapon may send them ragdolling into the air. [verified]
Gallery[]
Image needed (missing some outfits, press edit to see master list of outfits)
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The face of a Scorched
Scorched surrounding the site of a dead Responders merchant
David Thorpe, a former raider who has become infected and turned into a Scorched
Evan, the Vault 76 overseer's fiancé who has become infected and turned into a Scorched
↑Vault Dweller: "[Intelligence 4+] It's spread by direct contact, possibly droplets. Incubation is unknown, but there is an inoculation." Aubrie Willem: "Thank God for that. If there's an inoculation, we need to get that to Foundation yesterday. This disease of yours is no joke."
↑Fallout 76 loading screens: "The Scorched are human beings afflicted by a strange condition known as the Scorched Plague, and are now controlled by a violent hive mind. But what is the Plague's source? And can it be stopped?"
↑Fallout 76 loading screens: "A Scorchbeast Queen and her army of mind-controlled minions are terrorizing the area. Stop them if you can!"