Human Humans ( Homo sapiens ) are the dominant species of Earth . In the post – apocalyptic age , " human " is more specifically used to denote those that have been more - or - less unaffected by radiation as opposed to mutants like ghoul s and super mutant s , even though said mutant types originate from humans . Non – mutated humans are sometimes called normals , smoothskins or bleeders by their mutant counterparts . Four distinguishable , common ethnic groups are present in post - War America : African , Asian , Caucasian , and Hispanic . Description . Despite the existence of various mutations , humans are still the most common humanoid creatures on Earth . Post - nuclear humans , as a direct result of the radiation and exposition to the F . E . V . of the West Tek Research Facility ( that mutated after the Great War due to radiation ) , and some other biochemical agents released into the environment during and after the Great War , exhibit more diversity , primarily in genetic structure . The aforementioned factors have resulted in an increased rate of mutations in humans , although very few of these result in phenotypical changes . Most of these changes are non - lethal , non - damaging variations in the human DNA that simply increase the gene pool variety . Also , humans with minor mutations , like additional toes , skin lesions due to TDC infection , permanent red eyes , permanent varicose veins or complete lack of hair , are still considered to be normal humans . Pure and prime humans . " Pure " humans , or " prime normals " are theoretically humans which have not been mutated unnaturally by radiation or other Post - War pollutants . They can be said to be original humans , no different than those from before the War . However , because of the widespread and pervasive fallout in the Wasteland , these represent a very small minority of all sentient species on Earth . They exist only in isolated factions , such as the Enclave , or in remote areas untouched by radiation , such as the underground vault s . Some vaults , opening at times where the radiation has faded , can produce tribes which can be said to be pure , such as the Boomers . All of these variations have been uniquely interpreted by the Enclave leadership as basis for claiming that the humans living outside the Enclave and isolated vaults are no longer pure , that they are , in fact , " near - humans " that pose a threat to the " pure " humanity living in the aforementioned locations . This theory , based in the claims of Dick Richardson and John Henry Eden is relatively vague in fact : debate remains whether these genetic variations are considerable enough to substantiate a new subspecies of human , or even if the differences exist at all . In a possible ending of " Fallout 3 " , however , it is shown that all non - Enclave persons are eradicated , giving credit to the theory . It is also claimed by the super mutant s that humans not exposed to radiation ( those located in vaults ) will transform into superior mutant when exposed to FEV , as opposed to Wasteland humans , also lending credence to the aforementioned theory . Likewise , humans are the only race to have been seen reverting back to a primitive age . The most notable example of this are tribals that have developed their own culture ; having distinct beliefs and superstitions , religious rituals , customs and even their own unique languages in some cases . They also commonly bear tattoos as one of their traditions , commonly practiced to implicate an important , symbolic meaning to the tribe or the human . Variations . Minor deviations . These mutants have identical or near - identical phenotypes compared to normal humans , and most of their differences are distinctly positive , if still unnatural , evolutions . Major deviations . These forms of mutant are more drastically different both physically and in usual personality from normal humans compared to the above , lesser deviations . They are often thought of and treated as altogether separate species from humanity by some . Sub - humans . These former humans have suffered a degree of mutation that has turned them into monsters both appearance – wise and behaviorally , with only occasional individual exceptions . Gameplay relevance . In " Fallout " , " Fallout 2 " , " Fallout 3 " , " Fallout 4 " , and " " , the player can only embody a human character . " " allowed the player to control other races ( see Fallout Tactics races ) , even though the player could only start as a human and " " is the only Fallout game allowing players to choose a ghoul as the principal player character . " Fallout " , " Fallout 2 " and " Fallout : Tactics " . In the SPECIAL character system , humans have 40 Character Points to divide between their primary statistic s . " Fallout 3 " and " Fallout : New Vegas " . Human non - player characters suffer extra damage from headshots both in V . A . T . S . , and in free - fire mode . They prioritize their targets according to the weapons they carry . Any grenades the non - player characters carry can be detonated with a well - placed shot . Shooting the enemy ' s weapons is a very effective way of disarming humanoids , as the weapons they carry are often of inferior quality requiring only a few shots , and their hand - to - hand damage is negligible . This does not apply to enemies using Unarmed weapons . " Project V13 " . Humans were supposed to appear in the now canceled Fallout MMO " Project V13 " .