Fallout’s Deathclaw Roars to Life Without CGI in Season 2

Fallout’s second season is set to unleash a fresh batch of wasteland horrors, but none loom larger than the infamous Deathclaw. This towering, horned brute has been giving gamers a hard time for years, and now it’s the turn of telly fans to cop a look at the beast in the flesh—well, almost.

What’s likely to surprise long-time followers is the way the show’s creators have brought this mutated monster to life. Instead of relying on digital wizardry, the team has opted for a hands-on approach. Walton Goggins, who plays the Ghoul, shared with SFX magazine that he struggled to picture the creature from the early sketches by production designer Howard Cummings. But seeing the finished product—a massive puppet—changed everything.

‘Thankfully, I didn’t have to look up into the rafters of a stage and imagine this, because we have puppeteers,’

Goggins explained.

‘It’s not a green screen; there are puppeteers manning this thing. It’s cumbersome and it’s weird, but they’re doing the work to intimidate us. It’s incredible.’

Practical Effects Take Centre Stage

This approach shouldn’t come as a shock to anyone who’s caught a glimpse of the series before. The production has always leaned into a more tactile, hands-on style. The first season, for example, featured working Pip-Boys and even had Vault paperwork scattered about for Bethesda’s Todd Howard to stumble across on set. It’s all about making the world feel lived-in and real, rather than just another digital backdrop.

So far, only brief flashes of the Deathclaw have been spotted, most recently in the latest season two promo. For those who’ve braved the Deathclaw-infested quarries of New Vegas, the sight might be all too familiar. Still, there’s a real sense of anticipation to see how the practical effects team have pulled off this iconic creature for the small screen.

Anticipation Builds for the Next Chapter

The much-hyped second season is set to land on Prime Video on 17 December. With the promise of more practical magic and a hands-on approach to its nastiest monsters, fans are keen to see what’s in store. If the glimpses so far are anything to go by, the Deathclaw’s arrival is shaping up to be a highlight for both die-hard fans and newcomers alike.

For those looking for more top picks, there’s no shortage of standout series on Prime Video to keep you busy until Fallout returns.