I'm just starting out with Fallout 2 and I would like to get some advice on a build. Basically I want to go for a kind of loner gunslinger character. I want to go really extreme on the shooting ability so I'm aiming, if possible, for someone who eventually has 10 Agility, 10 Perception, and 10 Luck. I will get him a snipe rifle as soon as I can. I realise that you can raise some stats in game somewhere (although I don't know where) so I don't want to give him too high starting stats in things that can be raised up to 10. Also I don't want to miss out on too much by having a too low intelligence. So what would be the optimum starting stats for a character like this? What is the minimum intelligence which allows you to do all, or nearly all the quests? Also I want to choose any perks that will improve the characters accuracy with small guns, or their chances of a critical hit to go with the sniper idea. So what would be the best things to start with? I was thinking Finesse and either Gifted or Small Frame. Finally, will having a very low Charisma stop me from getting any companions, or interfere significantly with quests? Any suggestions?

I'd like to get some advice too, though right now just for Fallout 1.

About the Fallout 2 build:

Gifted is an extremely useful perk, the extra 7 stat points are far more valuable than the skill point penalty.
I don't recommend Small frame, low carrying capacity is painful, finesse is good if you score many critical hits and only few normal ones, since the damage penalty applies only to them.

Start with 5 or 6 strength. 6 strength is more comfortable during the first 80 percent of the game (you can carry more and don't get a penalty (which can be evened out by skill) with weapons which require at least 6str), but in the end the extra stat point won't be useful any more.

Don't take more than 8 perception, that's enough for the sniper perk. You can raise it during the game.

I'd start with 6 endurance, hitpoints are useful for surviving. You can start with 4 if other stats are more important for you. Take an even stat, with 5 EN you won't get more hp at level up than with 4.

Charisma can be dumped to 2, this still allows having 1 companion.

Int is important both for dialogue and skillpoints. Take 8-9 so you can get your skills up. Extra skillpoints spent in a weapon are more useful than extra perception.

Start with 10 agility. Action points are extremely valuable, you

You need at least 6 luck in order to be able to take the powerful "better criticals" perk at level 9. In the end it will get even more useful with the sniper perk. Start with 6-8.

High small guns skill is essential for sniping, speech skill opens quite some options, doctor is useful for quests, perks and healing.

So I recommend the following stats for your lone FO2 gunslinger:

S: 5-6
P: 8
E: 4 or 6
C: 2
I: 8-9
A: 10
L: 6-8

Traits: gifted, finesse
Tag skills: small guns, speech and either doctor or lockpick



Recommended Fallout1 build for Tyler62092:

S: 6
P: 7
E: 6
C: 2
I: 9
A: 9
L: 8

Traits: gifted, maybe fast shot (if you don't need to experience the "aim at body parts" option) or something with little consequences like fast metabolism, good natured, finesse, bloody mess, chem reliant or chem resistant
Tag skills: Small guns, speech, lockpick or doctor or energy weapons

One of the things I really love about Fallout is that it's pretty hard to make a "bad" build, unless you go out of your way to do it. There are so many options available in accomplishing your goals it's hard to get stuck. It may take a little trial and error, some solutions aren't obvious but that's one of the things that makes Fallout such a great game. Not to mention, after a certain point your character will be pretty good at a lot of stuff.

It's one of the reasons the replay value is so high. Also characters that are weak in some areas make for some interesting situations and provide you with incentive to explore other options.

So my advice isn't to worry too much about gimping a character. Just come up with a theme and build around that.

Excellent points by kmonster, although every old Fallout player has strong feelings about their favourite build, so I disagree at some points. :)

My usual build:

S: 6
P: 8
E: 5
C: 6
I: 9
A: 8
L: 6

One or two points may be different depending on my mood, but not so much. I always take gifted and small frame, so I have the most starting stats points possible (48 in this case). You can also increase your ST, PE, CH and IN during the game if you wish, plus you can get the gain perk for every attribute.

6 ST is just about enough for most things, once you get the power armor, that's +3 ST when you wear it.

8 PE is a must for sharpshooters, I usually get a gain perk to increase it further.

5 EN is only because I don't like to get below average, it gives ok HP. I prefer to avoid being hit.

6 CH enables me to get more companions than I will ever want, but IIRC it's also needed for some quests and dialog options, I always like to talk my way out of things if I have a choice. I usually take 2 companions, to whom I can dump all my useless junk from my inventory, so I don't have to worry about the smaller carry weight due to the small frame trait.

9 IN is a must for getting lots of skill points and dialog options, 'nuff said. I might get a gain perk too just for the fun of it, not that there is that much difference between 9 and 10.

8 AG is ok for starting out, I always increase my action points further as much as I can by taking the gain and 2 action boy perks.

6 LK is just to avoid being unlucky, for criticals I usually just shoot everyone in the eye once I master small guns.

That's about it, for tag skills small guns and speech is a must, the third is either lockpick or steal for me. Once I find my favourite .223 pistol, I'm unstoppable.

FO1: [url=http://user.tninet.se/~jyg699a/fallout.html]http://user.tninet.se/~jyg699a/fallout.html[/url]
FO2: [url=http://user.tninet.se/~jyg699a/fallout2.html]http://user.tninet.se/~jyg699a/fallout2.html[/url]

Some interesting reads concerning the game in general, a complete walkthrough and some useful info about character builds and types.

Just stumbled across this while booting up fallout. What did you decide on?

I'm entertained that charisma is considered a dump stat. I seem to remember playing through the entire game once without having to kill anyone because you can talk your way through almost everything. XD

I mean... I got an answer within 24 hours. It just wasn't from the OP. ;)