Unleashing the Horror: Fallout 76's Terrifying Smiling Man
The Smiling Man in Fallout 76 is the epitome of creepy, surpassing all other cryptids in the game With his eerie grin and unnerving presence, he is sure to give players a spine-chilling experience
One of the most alluring features of Fallout 76 is its vast array of iconic cryptids. Ranging from the towering wendigos to extraterrestrial beings from distant galaxies, the game is brimming with an assortment of unearthly creatures. However, among all the spine-chilling cryptids, there is one that stands out as the most unsettling, and by a significant margin.
Known as Indrid Cold by the Fallout 76 community, the Smiling Man is a relatively recent addition to the game's roster of cryptids. As a cryptid, he possesses many of the eerie characteristics that the others do. Yet, in several ways, he surpasses them in epitomizing what it means to be a cryptid in Fallout 76.
Fallout 76's Smiling Man is the embodiment of horror.
For context, the Smiling Man is rooted in Appalachian urban legends and is believed to have ties to the Mothman. In Fallout 76, this iteration of the Smiling Man makes eerie comments to players, hinting at his return to Appalachia after a long absence. While his words alone make him a frightening cryptid, there's one unique trait that sets him apart from others.
Despite players' natural inclination to shoot their way out of troublesome situations, shooting the Smiling Man will not harm him. Instead, he vanishes into a cloud of black smoke, reminiscent of the Mothman's own abilities. This raises questions about how the Smiling Man is able to accomplish this feat, and whether it's another example of Fallout's paranormal phenomena.
The Smiling Man is a unique cryptid within the Fallout franchise due to his connection to the Mothman and the suggestion of real paranormal activity. Unlike other cryptids that can be explained away as mutations, the Smiling Man is the real deal and potentially one of the creepiest encounters in Fallout 76. With Bethesda potentially building up a storyline that utilizes the game's horror elements, players should keep an eye out for this malevolent creature when venturing out into the Appalachian wasteland. Although he may be harder to find, the continued development of this storyline through future updates could make the Smiling Man a key figure in the future of Fallout 76.
Fallout 76 is available now for PC, PS4, and Xbox One.
