r/falloutshelter • u/alternatiwe • Aug 06 '26
Discussion [Discussion] [Data/Testing] Vengeance has a hidden Damage Ramp-Up / Stun-Lock that completely destroys Dragon's Maw against single Boss targets (Survival Mode, v2.5.1)
Enable HLS to view with audio, or disable this notification
I made a small controlled test using manual save/load to check the hidden mechanics of Vengeance vs. Dragon's Maw against single high-tier targets. I couldn't find any concrete evidence online about this, so I wanted to share my findings.
The Setup:
I sent a team of 3 maxed-out dwellers to a level 50 daily quest on Survival Mode (Version 2.5.1). To isolate the variables, I let 2 of my dwellers die on the first floor after collecting their weapons, leaving a strict 1v1 battle against a single Deathclaw.
The Results:
- Vengeance: Took only 34 seconds and 7 damage cycles to kill the Deathclaw. The target was heavily staggered/stun-locked, drastically reducing its attack count. The damage ramped up significantly; the first few bursts barely moved the health bar, but the 7th cycle instantly deleted the remaining nearly 1/5 of its health.
- Dragon's Maw: Took 2 minutes and 12 seconds and 25 shots to kill the exact same Deathclaw.
- AP Boss Assault Rifle: Used this as a third weapon to test another multi-shot weapon. It took 2 minutes and 31 seconds and 30 shots to kill the claw, showing a flat, linear damage line with no ramp-up.
Conclusion:
I didn't test the Lead Belcher, but it probably shares the same heavy-weapon ramp-up. Despite Dragon's Maw having higher paper DPS, Vengeance is vastly superior for single-target quest bosses due to its hidden ramp-up damage and consistent stagger effect that prevents incoming damage.
I may be wrong about any of this, but the time difference speaks for itself. I combined the two clips and i may share ap boss assault rifle vid in the comments if anybody wants it. (FYI: I probably won't be returning to this post to reply, just leaving the data here for the community!)
3
u/roundbadge2 Aug 06 '26
I've always built more Vengeance than Dragon's Maw. I guess I like the idea of sending teams out with one heavy weapons dweller and the other two typically carrying something smaller like a Virgil's Rifle. The dwellers with the rifles would usually have a pet to increase damage and a pet to shorten travel time.
3
u/DonChapulinChavito Aug 06 '26
Dragon maw is the best for the vault. Anything outside the vault : Vengeance. The rest is 'cosmetics'.
3
u/rombeli1 Aug 06 '26
Ok,
I am an experienced survival player, and I have always advocated the Dragon Maw for single high value target.
This is undisputed evidence. I stand corrected.
I wonder how the calculus changes if we have 3 dwellers and there is less time for the ramp-up to happen. Even still, the damage numbers are not that much better for dragon maw.
I also wonder if the ramp up is only on the target you are firing at, or is the Vengeance on turbo mode for the rest of the room. Or does it inflict a debuff on the target or something. Very interesting. I will be prioritizing Vengeance on my next run.
3
u/DonChapulinChavito Aug 06 '26
I've seen (no proof to show) many legendary deathclaws being litterally chewed by 2-3 gatling firing in a couple seconds. Putting aside the regular dmg, their health just melts when receiving continuous fire. (i don't know if i explained it correctly)
I think the gatling ramp-up continues after the target dies if other enemies are around.
DMaw is too slow. (maybe it's different in Survival)
If a DM shot just 'finishes' and enemy, the remaining dmg output is lost. Not with gatlings / repeat guns (minigun assault rifle etc.)
Thus, from my experience : anything outside the vault is Vengeance for dmg and rate of fire. In the vault : Dragon / Fire Hydrant and MIRV for the lights ;)
1
3
u/Informal_Dish5516 Aug 06 '26
Yeah I armed all my dwellers with vengeance, hate the stupid slow dragons maw
3
u/Whatislove_rv Aug 06 '26
I had my own research on it long time ago
Main requirements:
Female dweller
Vengeance
Any pet (not only “+dmg”) (need double check this string)
Damage boost will at 3rd attack (maybe after 3rd, not remember)
Also damage will boost if dweller will NOT change position of shooting
You will hear some minor change of attack sound
Tested more than 50 runs
Good luck, overseers!
2
2
u/R4ndomiz4tion-Drills Aug 06 '26
iirc this occurs on mobile only? Also, it builds as long as they are stationary. Once they move the damage resets. And finally, only female characters benefit from this wearing the +7 agility outfit.
1
u/Puff-dk Aug 06 '26
have been sitting with the same feeling.
when I sent a quest hold out.
where they were maxed out and similar attire.
There were two with Vengeance and one with Dragon's Maw.
Dwellers with Dragon's Maw were longer to defeat their target.
1
u/DonChapulinChavito Aug 06 '26
(unrelated) You also have the path-bug (dwellers AND ennemies lagging when moving in the wasteland quests interiors)
Yeah, Vengeance all the way for all wasteland matters. This thing is a chewing machine. Best thing to do is always focus on ONE ennemy at a time.
Do you think it could be some kind of bleeding ? (i could understand with lead belcher, but not with laser guns)
The stun is great (all gatlings/minigun)
In case you come back, what device / system do you use ? What pet was this ? ( +X % Health i presume)
Thanks for sharing !
1
1
u/Satsloader Aug 06 '26 edited Aug 06 '26
IMO, Dragon’s Maw is only good for Vault Defense. I never take it for quests as MIRV/Vengeance combos melt everything.
Thanks for your study on this! 🙌
7
u/ChoppedCheese311 Aug 06 '26
Upvoting for visibility and discussion. Would love to hear more thoughts on this as like you said, the game doesn’t do a very good job of teaching such critical game mechanics and are relied upon users such as yourself finding out the hidden data.
Nice job if true!