Is It Better to Deliver the Deathclaw Egg? A Wastelander’s Dilemma
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The question of whether to deliver the Deathclaw egg in Fallout 4’s “Devil’s Due” quest presents a classic moral and practical conundrum for the Sole Survivor. The simple answer is: it depends on what you want. There’s no objectively “better” choice; it boils down to your preferred playstyle, character alignment, and immediate needs. Delivering the egg nets you a reward from Wellingham in Diamond City, while returning it to the nest near Lynn Woods allows you to claim the Deathclaw Gauntlet, one of the game’s most devastating unarmed weapons. Let’s delve deeper into this dilemma and explore the implications of each choice.
The Choice: Deliver to Diamond City or Return to the Nest?
The “Devil’s Due” quest tasks you with retrieving a pristine Deathclaw egg, intended for a chef named Wellingham in Diamond City. The Gunners, notorious raiders, were supposed to deliver it, but predictably, things went south. You, the Sole Survivor, find yourself in possession of this valuable, albeit dangerous, cargo. You’re presented with two primary options:
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Deliver the Egg to Wellingham: If you choose this path, you’ll be rewarded with caps and potentially some dialogue options. Wellingham intends to use the egg in a… unique culinary creation. This is generally considered the “lawful” or “good” option, fulfilling the original intent of the delivery contract.
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Return the Egg to the Deathclaw Nest: This choice aligns with a more nature-oriented or pragmatic approach. By returning the egg to its nest near Lynn Woods, you appease the Deathclaw and, more importantly, gain access to the Deathclaw Gauntlet, arguably one of the best unarmed melee weapons in Fallout 4. However, you have to leave the egg, then take the gauntlet quickly. If you take the egg after the Gauntlet, the Deathclaw will become hostile again.
Factors to Consider Before Deciding
Before making your final decision, consider these key factors:
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Your Character Build: Are you playing a melee-focused character? If so, the Deathclaw Gauntlet is an invaluable asset. Its high damage output and armor-piercing capabilities make it a formidable weapon against even the toughest enemies. If you prefer ranged combat, the reward from Wellingham might be more appealing.
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Your Moral Alignment: Are you playing a “good” character who prioritizes helping others and doing what’s right? Delivering the egg fulfills the original contract and prevents Wellingham from being disappointed (or potentially taking matters into his own hands). Or are you a more pragmatic wasteland survivor who prioritizes personal gain and survival, in which case, the gauntlet is the clear choice.
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Your Immediate Needs: Are you short on caps? Wellingham’s reward could provide a much-needed boost to your finances. Or are you struggling to find a powerful melee weapon? The Deathclaw Gauntlet will instantly elevate your combat capabilities.
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The Deathclaw Encounter: Returning the egg to the nest requires a delicate dance. You must approach the Deathclaw cautiously and avoid provoking it. While returning the egg will make it friendly, it’s still a formidable creature that can quickly turn hostile if you make a wrong move. Be prepared for a potential fight. Also, make sure to grab the gauntlet, before you grab the egg!
The Allure of the Deathclaw Gauntlet
The Deathclaw Gauntlet is more than just a weapon; it’s a symbol of power and dominance in the wasteland. Its benefits include:
- High Base Damage: Deals significant damage to enemies, even without any perks or modifications.
- Armor Penetration: Ignores a portion of the target’s damage resistance, making it effective against heavily armored foes.
- Critical Hit Potential: The in-game description states that it has a x5 critical chance multiplier, making critical hits frequent with a high luck stat.
- Upgradability: Can be modified with various attachments to further enhance its damage, attack speed, and other properties.
Is There a “Right” Answer?
Ultimately, there’s no definitive “right” answer to the question of whether to deliver the Deathclaw egg. Both options have their merits, and the best choice depends on your individual circumstances and preferences. Consider your character build, moral alignment, immediate needs, and willingness to face a potentially dangerous Deathclaw encounter. The wasteland is all about making tough choices, and this is just one of many you’ll face. Also, consider the Games Learning Society, which explores how games engage players in complex decision-making and problem-solving scenarios, similar to the “Devil’s Due” quest. Find out more at GamesLearningSociety.org.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions related to the Deathclaw egg and the “Devil’s Due” quest in Fallout 4:
1. Can I complete both the delivery and get the Deathclaw Gauntlet?
No, you cannot complete both simultaneously. Choosing one path locks you out of the other. Once you deliver the egg, you cannot then retrieve the gauntlet from the nest, and vice versa.
2. What are the consequences of killing the Deathclaw instead of returning the egg?
If you kill the Deathclaw, you will obviously not be able to return the egg to the nest, and thus, you will not be able to obtain the Deathclaw Gauntlet there. You will however get the regular loot drops from killing a Deathclaw which is not as good as the gauntlet.
3. Is the Deathclaw Gauntlet better than other melee weapons?
The Deathclaw Gauntlet is widely considered one of the best unarmed melee weapons in Fallout 4, especially early to mid-game. While other weapons might offer slightly higher damage with specific builds, the Gauntlet’s high base damage, armor penetration, and critical hit potential make it consistently effective.
4. What happens if I accidentally attack the Deathclaw when returning the egg?
The Deathclaw will become hostile and attack you. You’ll need to defeat it to proceed or reload a previous save. Sneaking and approaching cautiously are crucial.
5. Can I return to the nest later if I choose to deliver the egg?
No, once you deliver the egg to Wellingham, the option to return it to the nest is no longer available. The quest is considered completed, and the Deathclaw will no longer be in its passive state near the nest.
6. How much does Wellingham pay for the Deathclaw egg?
Wellingham pays a few hundred caps for the egg. The exact amount may vary depending on your Charisma and trading perks.
7. Is there any other way to get a Deathclaw Gauntlet?
Yes, Deathclaw Gauntlets can be found as random loot drops, purchased from vendors, or crafted at an armor workbench after obtaining the necessary plans (sometimes found in the world). However, the one near the egg nest is a guaranteed find.
8. Does the Deathclaw Gauntlet require any specific perks?
While no specific perks are required, the Iron Fist perk enhances its damage, and perks that increase critical hit chance (like Better Criticals and Ninja) further amplify its effectiveness.
9. What happens if I tell Wellingham I stole the egg?
If you admit to stealing the egg, he may be initially upset, but he’ll still take it, as he badly wants the egg. Your reward may slightly decrease based on your speech checks.
10. Is there a “good” ending to the Devil’s Due quest?
The “good” ending is subjective. Returning the egg could be considered good from an ecological standpoint, while delivering it to Wellingham is fulfilling the initial purpose of the delivery. There’s no objectively “right” answer.
11. What is the best modification for the Deathclaw Gauntlet?
The extra claw and shocking strike modifications are popular choices. The extra claw increases damage, while the shocking strike adds energy damage and a chance to stun enemies.
12. Can I use the Deathclaw egg to make a Wasteland Omelet?
No, the Pristine Deathclaw Egg from the “Devil’s Due” quest cannot be used to create a Wasteland Omelet. This crafting recipe is available in Fallout: New Vegas.
13. Does my level affect the quality of the Deathclaw Gauntlet?
No, the base stats of the Deathclaw Gauntlet do not change based on your level. However, the modifications you can apply will depend on your crafting skills and available resources.
14. What level should I be to attempt the “Devil’s Due” quest?
A level between 10-15 is generally recommended. This gives you a decent chance of surviving the encounters with Gunners and navigating the Deathclaw nest area safely.
15. Does returning the egg have any impact on the main storyline?
No, returning the egg or delivering it to Wellingham has no impact on the main storyline of Fallout 4. It’s a self-contained side quest with a relatively minor impact on the overall game world.