Introduction
Tired of running the same old Gunslinger or Energy Weapons master in Fallout: New Vegas? Do you find yourself gravitating towards the same perks, the same quests, the same everything every time you boot up that dusty old disc (or digital file)? If so, then you’re in desperate need of a jolt to the system, a shot of something experimental straight into the Mojave Wasteland veins. It’s time to ditch the optimized spreadsheets and embrace the glorious chaos of Fallout: New Vegas fun builds!
But what exactly is a “fun build,” you ask? Well, it’s certainly not about eking out every last point of damage or maximizing your critical hit chance to an absurd degree. Instead, a fun build is about crafting a character with a unique identity, a specific playstyle, and, most importantly, an entertaining way to experience the game. It’s about roleplaying, embracing the quirks, and laughing your way through the Mojave. Success might not always mean “clearing the game on Hardcore difficulty,” but it will mean having a blast doing it.
This isn’t a guide on how to break the game; it’s a guide on how to enjoy it. So, grab your Nuka-Cola Quantum, holster your weapon (for now, at least), and prepare to dive into a collection of interesting and unconventional builds designed to reignite your love for Fallout: New Vegas.
The Unarmed Brawler/Boxer: Knuckle Sandwich Time
Forget fancy weapons and laser beams. This build relies on the raw power of your fists (and maybe a little metal on those fists). Imagine a character who settles disputes with a right hook, dispatches Deathclaws with a flurry of jabs, and walks away from explosions without so much as a scratch on their knuckles. This is the Unarmed Brawler, a force of nature dressed in (probably) rags.
For this build, your initial SPECIAL allocation needs to prioritize strength above all. You are going to be hitting things with your hands, and you need to be able to hit hard. Endurance is also critical to survive at close range. A high Agility is a must for quicker attacks and dodging, and a little Luck never hurt anyone when it comes to landing critical hits. We’re talking something roughly along the lines of: Strength (nine), Perception (five), Endurance (eight), Charisma (four), Intelligence (four), Agility (seven), Luck (five). Feel free to adjust based on your play style preferences, but prioritize Strength and Endurance above the rest.
When it comes to skills, Unarmed is obviously the primary focus. But don’t neglect Survival. You’ll need it to craft buffs like Steady and Healing Powder, essential for keeping you alive in the brutal wasteland. Medicine will provide a much needed source of healing, and Speech can open up alternative solutions to conflicts, because sometimes even the toughest brawler needs to talk their way out of a situation.
The perks are where this build truly shines. Iron Fist is the obvious early choice, boosting your unarmed damage. Later on, aim for perks like Slayer for increased attack speed, Purifier for bonus damage against mutated creatures, and Piercing Strike to bypass enemy armor. Toughness is also crucial, as it adds to your Damage Threshold and makes you more resilient against incoming attacks. And who could forget Super Slam!? With this perk, your power attacks have a chance to knock enemies flat on their backs.
The gameplay for the Unarmed Brawler is aggressive and in-your-face. You’ll be dodging, blocking, and weaving between enemies, landing devastating blows with your fists. Experiment with different unarmed weapons like the Power Fist, the Ballistic Fist, and the unique Love and Hate knives. Look for apparel that boosts your Unarmed skill to further enhance your damage output. Some players even try a no-armor playthrough with this build!
Consider your roleplaying options. Are you a former boxer down on your luck? A tribal warrior upholding tradition? Or simply someone who believes in the dignity of a fair fight? The possibilities are endless, so embrace the role and let your fists do the talking.
The Mad Scientist: A Chemically Imbalanced Wasteland
Forget precision weaponry and tactical maneuvers. This build is all about experimenting with dangerous chemicals, crafting potent drugs, and using the power of science to bend the Mojave to your will. Embrace the chaos, the bubbling beakers, and the sweet, sweet smell of… well, questionable substances.
For the Mad Scientist, Intelligence is paramount. You’ll need it to craft complex chems and unlock scientific solutions to problems. Perception helps with spotting ingredients and traps. Luck, surprisingly, plays a role here too, increasing the chances of successful experiments and unexpected discoveries. A starting SPECIAL allocation might look something like: Strength (four), Perception (seven), Endurance (four), Charisma (four), Intelligence (nine), Agility (five), Luck (seven).
The core skills for this build are Science, Medicine, and Survival. Science is essential for crafting advanced chems and hacking terminals. Medicine allows you to understand the effects of your creations and heal yourself when things go wrong (which they inevitably will). Survival lets you gather rare ingredients and craft useful buffs. A high Speech skill can give you the silver tongue to negotiate the cost of exotic ingredients or dissuade the authorities when experimenting.
Your perk choices should reflect your love of chemistry. Chemist extends the duration of chem effects, while Day Tripper reduces addiction chance. Med-X Fiend makes you nearly invulnerable while under the influence of Med-X. Pharmacist increases the amount of chems you find. Robotics Expert can turn automated enemies into your puppets. For extra fun, add Jury Rigging to your arsenal to keep your equipment in top shape with improvised supplies.
The Mad Scientist’s gameplay style revolves around buffing yourself with chems before and during combat. Pop a Psycho for increased damage, a Mentats to boost your intelligence, and a Med-X to shrug off damage. Experiment with different combinations to find the perfect concoction for each situation. Don’t be afraid to use poisons, grenades, and even robots to your advantage. And remember, science is all about pushing the boundaries, so don’t be afraid to get a little crazy.
Consider your roleplaying choices. Are you a morally ambiguous scientist driven by a thirst for knowledge? A drug-addled genius searching for the ultimate high? Or someone simply obsessed with unlocking the secrets of the Mojave, one experiment at a time?
The Luck-Based Gambler: Lady Luck is a Weapon
This build throws caution to the wind and trusts entirely in Lady Luck. You’ll be relying on critical hits in combat, talking your way out of tight spots, and finding valuable loot through sheer chance. It’s a build for the risk-takers, the gamblers, and those who believe in the power of fate.
As you might have guessed, Luck is the most important SPECIAL stat for this build. The higher your Luck, the more often you’ll land critical hits, find valuable loot, and succeed in gambling games. Charisma can be helpful for those times when luck fails you and you need to charm your way out of trouble. Something along the lines of: Strength (four), Perception (six), Endurance (four), Charisma (six), Intelligence (four), Agility (six), Luck (ten) will do nicely.
Skills-wise, Luck is… well, it is a skill! But beyond that, focus on Speech and Barter. Speech allows you to talk your way out of conflicts and persuade others to do your bidding. Barter makes you a more effective trader, allowing you to buy low and sell high. A little Guns skill can also go a long way, as it synergizes well with your high Luck to deliver devastating critical hits.
Perk choices should focus on maximizing your luck and capitalizing on critical hits. Finesse increases your critical hit chance. Better Criticals increases the damage of your critical hits. Vigilant Recycler gives you more bang for your buck from each bullet fired. Bloody Mess can add a layer of unpredictable fun and chaos to combat. Feel free to take Confirmed Bachelor or Cherchez La Femme to unlock unique dialogue options.
The Gambler’s gameplay revolves around taking risks and trusting in chance. Spend your days at the casinos, racking up winnings and buying the best equipment. In combat, rely on your high Luck to land critical hits that cripple or kill enemies outright. Talk your way out of dangerous situations, using your charisma to persuade others to see things your way. When all else fails, throw a handful of bottle caps and run for your life!
Consider your roleplaying. Are you a charismatic con artist looking for the next big score? A perpetually lucky wanderer blessed by fate? Or someone who simply believes in the power of chance?
The Melee Assassin: Death from the Shadows
This build is for the patient and observant. The Melee Assassin uses stealth, lockpicking, and the shadows to eliminate high-value targets with speed and efficiency. Combat is avoided in the open whenever possible, but a quick blade is drawn when the moment is right.
The core stats for the Melee Assassin are Agility, Perception, and Strength. Agility is key for sneaking past enemies and delivering quick strikes. Perception is necessary for seeing enemies before they see you. Strength is needed to deliver the damaging blows necessary to eliminate your targets.
Key skills for the Melee Assassin are Melee Weapons, Sneak, and Lockpick. Melee weapons are your tool of the trade, Sneak allows you to move around without being seen, and Lockpick gives you the freedom to explore restricted areas to get a jump on your target.
Key perks include Ninja, Silent Running, Light Step, and Super Slam. Ninja turns your melee weapon into a critical hit machine. Silent Running gives you the speed needed for sneaking. Light Step ensures you don’t trigger mines or traps. Super Slam turns your Power Attacks into crowd-control moves for taking down multiple enemies.
The Melee Assassin’s gameplay revolves around stealth, patience, and observation. Enemies are taken down one at a time whenever possible. Use your Sneak skill to get behind the enemy. Disable any alarms to prevent attention. Picklocks and bypass computers to give yourself the best position to take out a target. In the chaotic aftermath, retreat to the shadows to observe, strategize, and plan the next kill.
Other Fun Build Ideas (A Quick Glimpse):
The builds listed above are just a starting point. The best way to experience Fallout: New Vegas is to create your own unique builds.
The Explosives Expert
This character lives for the boom! They carry around grenades, mines, and rocket launchers, using explosives to solve every problem.
The Tribal Warrior
Focused on melee combat, survival skills, and a deep connection to the land. This character hunts, crafts, and fights with the ferocity of a wild beast.
The “Civilized” Gentleman/Lady
High Charisma and Speech allow this character to talk their way out of trouble. They rely on companions for combat, preferring to stay out of the fray.
Tips for Making Your Own Fun Builds:
The builds listed above are just a starting point. The best way to experience Fallout: New Vegas is to create your own unique builds.
- Start with a Concept: What kind of character do you want to play? What skills and abilities do you want them to have?
- Consider Your Favorite Weapons and Skills: What do you enjoy using? Focus on the skills and weapons that you find most fun.
- Don’t Be Afraid to Experiment: Try different perk combinations, SPECIAL allocations, and skills. You never know what you might discover.
- Roleplay! The most important thing is to have fun and immerse yourself in your character’s world.
In Conclusion: Embrace the Mojave Mayhem
Fallout: New Vegas is a game that rewards creativity and experimentation. By embracing unconventional builds, you can breathe new life into the game and experience the Mojave Wasteland in a whole new way. Forget the spreadsheets, ditch the min-maxing, and embrace the glorious chaos of Fallout: New Vegas fun builds. Whether you’re punching Deathclaws to death, crafting mind-altering chems, or relying on the whims of Lady Luck, the possibilities are endless.
So, what are you waiting for? Try out one of these builds, create your own, and share your experiences in the comments below! What’s the most ridiculously fun build you’ve ever played in Fallout: New Vegas? Let us know! We’re always looking for new and exciting ways to explore the Mojave Wasteland. Now go forth, Courier, and make the Mojave your playground!
