Spore carrier Spore carriers are that inhabit the Mojave Wasteland , as well as Zion Canyon and Big MT in 2281 . Background . Spore carriers are humans who had been exposed to the " Beauveria mordicana " . " Beauveria mordicana " was developed before the Great War in the Big MT research facility X - 22 botanical garden to colonize the bodies of common pests . It was delivered to Vault 22 as a part of the Vault Behavioral Project . A report in the medical wing of Vault 22 states that the host technically dies once the fungus has fully colonized the host body , but the fungal colonies continue to animate the body . In this manner , the fungus moves among more of its prey , occasionally spraying spores in a radius around the host body and infecting all who come near it . The drawbacks of " Beauveria mordicana " include the long time required to kill prey ( 10 – 20 days ) , and the limited effectiveness against nonsocial pests . The inhabitants of Vault 22 were exposed to " Beauveria mordicana " , and those of them who left the vault have spread the fungus as far as Zion Canyon , where spore carriers pose a problem even in 2281 . It seems that the spread of the green fungus happens over time , as the doctor who first performed an autopsy noticed nothing wrong externally with the first infected victim . Upon autopsy , it was discovered the fungus had manifested throughout the lungs , explaining the carrier ' s nasty coughs ( noted both in the Vault 22 and the Zion terminal entries ) before they succumbed to the fungus . The first spore carrier made was presumably Patient Zero at Big MT , while Harrison Peters was the first infected in Vault 22 . Characteristics . Gameplay attributes . Spore carriers are quick and use melee attacks . Spore carriers share some characteristics with the trog s from the " Fallout 3 " add - on The Pitt . If they are not killed quickly , they explode and deal large amounts of damage , breaking limbs and giving a large dose of radiation . When they are hiding in vegetation , they are hard to spot and will not appear on the Courier ' s compass , nor be targeted via V . A . T . S . until they move . Walking past unexplored vegetation can result in an unpleasant scare . Spore carriers are also known for sneaking up on their victim . However , their health meter will become visible if they are injured by an area - of - effect weapon , like a or , immediately revealing their presence . Upon detecting an intruder , the spore carrier will raise themselves out of the large patch of vegetation where they hide , and will let off a growl in a similar manner to that of a , but with greater ferocity . While a spore carrier is getting up or sleeping , attackers in sneak mode who manually attack the spore carrier will get a critical . Combined with a decently powerful weapon , such preemptive strikes can often kill the spore carrier before it can cause any harm . Variants . Spore carrier . The most common of all spore carriers . They hide in vegetation and attack anyone tripping over them . Spore carrier brute . Spore carrier brutes are found in the same areas other spore carriers are found , and usually tend to act the same . However , brutes tend to be more aggressive , and are tougher and larger than regular spore carriers . A brute ' s spore burst does equal damage to a regular spore carrier . Spore carrier runt . Runts are the smallest and weakest of the spore carrier family . However , they are still quite fast and may overwhelm an unaware , low leveled character . Also , a runt ' s spore burst is equally as damaging as a regular variant ' s . Spore carrier savage . Savages are encountered rarely , but are essentially a more dangerous form of spore carrier brutes . A savage ' s spore burst is equal to that of the regular version . Spore carrier beast ( " Honest Hearts " ) . The spore carrier beast is only found in Zion Canyon in the " Honest Hearts " add - on . They are stronger than any of the other spore carriers , and are often found around spore plants . Spore carrier scavenger ( " Old World Blues " ) . This variant of spore carrier appears only in the " Old World Blues " add - on at the X - 22 botanical garden . Appearances . Spore carriers appear in " " , and its " Honest Hearts " and " Old World Blues " .