My theory/opinions on the FEV vs. Radiation mutation conflict

[ElloinmorninJ]

So, for many years, there has been argument among fans, and even the original creators themselves, on how mutants were created. Tim Cain says "Radiation was the only factor involved in the creation of mutants like the rats, scorpions, and ghouls" while Chris Taylor said "Airborne FEV and Radiation were involved". Chris Avellone himself was subscribed to the latter theory for a while before switching sides, but, in my opinion, these two view points aren't mutually exclusive. Let me explain.

The main two arguments against the FEV+Radiation theory is that a) The creatures we say in Fallout's world, like Mantises, Scorpions, Rats, and Geckos can all breed, which goes against what the FEV is canonically known to do, and b) If airborne FEV caused all of this, why didn't it effect humans living on the surface in anyway?

Here's my theory: We already know that FEV was mutated and spread across the post-apocalyptic wasteland, so what I think happened is that this airborne FEV either mutated in a way to where it did not effect a victims sexual reproduction, or the FEV somehow effects humans and animals like Geckos and Radscorpions differently, similar to how the Intelligent Deathclaws in Vault 13 were never made sterile.

Likely, what happened was that the FEV itself isn't what created the mutants ITSELF, but what I believe happened is that it simply strengthened its host, so that they could mutate from radiation without just dying from cancer or tumors. The reason humans didn't mutate is because they actively avoided radioactive areas as much as possible, but humans on the surface still did get mutated by the FEV to an extent. Likely, I believe, higher immunity to radiation and more aggression, given all the raiders we see around. Also in the old games dwarves were common, so maybe that's more common.

But that's just a theory, a Fallout theory.

 

[Mr Fish]

@ElloinmorninJ
Why would you assume that the airborne FEV would have the same potency as liquid would? It doesn't need to mutate or cause steralization. As far as I know the only ones it caused steralization for was super mutants. Wannamingo's were designed (unsuccessfully) to not be able to breed. Deathclaws were professionally made rather than dunking a mummy down a giant vat for a hot minute. For all we know it's just that Master's vatting that is dogshit.

The airborne FEV would be fresh FEV. The FEV over at Mariposa spent decades just sitting there and everything has an experiation date. He could have been using expired FEV which resulted in poor mutations. But even if it does cause steralization the airborne FEV would be spread so thin that it would give but a tiny fraction of what a super mutant would receive.

Radiation itself would be a big reason for mutations, FEV helped guide those mutations to be a bit more helpful. As to why humans didn't evolve like a radscorpion did? Who says we didn't? Could just be under the surface stuff. Could help explain the gameplay in all of the games where you and others can be shot over and over again and still pull through.

I don't think there's any real conflict on this issue. Radiation alone is stupid and takes the SCIENCE! a notch too far. I don't care about the intended design when the retcon (if you can even call it that when nowhere in the game (Fallout 1) as far as I know is it stated that Timmy is accurate. I'm pretty certain there's someone that actually says that radiation alone could not have been the reason, is it the doctor in Shady Sands commenting on the radscorpions or Smiley in Fallout 2 about gecko's?) makes more sense. Airborne FEV on the other hand gives a convenient enough explanation for why such absurd mutations have happened (especially in the beginning) but which we no longer really see happening naturally (cause it gone).

I don't think I've ever seen anyone but those who don't know the lore say that radiation alone was the reason.

 

[ElloinmorninJ]

I classify things like Geckos, Radscorpions, Giant Ants, and Ghouls as the result of mixture between radiation and airborne FEV most definitely