Tulivu: From what I remember the shooting was not as well done as with New Vegas so I would stick with melee and fists if I were playing again. I don't care for maxing stats but I did look up requirements for perks so that I could plan for those. I might get this for the pc to try out the mods someday.

Delixe: Don't play it like an FPS even if it looks like one. There are still RPGish calculations going on the backround. It's best when you are starting out to use VATS as much as possible. It improves your accuracy and you only take 10% damage in VATS.

Learn to love grenades and mines especially when dealing with Super Mutants. You can even aim a grenade in VATS and a crippled Deathclaw or Super Mutant is no real challenge.

Invest in Stealth and Repair. Shooting from stealthed gives you a sneak attack critical hit which can usually kill a Raider with one headshot with just a 9mm pistol. Later in the game the Sniper Rifle will be your friend for that reason. The higher your Repair skill the higher quality you can repair a weapon or armor to. Not only do they do more damage and absorb more damage but you get more money selling a 90% condition pistol than you do 4 or 5 10% CND pistols. This also cuts down on how much you have to carry around.

Other than that just explore the Wasteland and don't worry too much about the main quest. The world will level with you so it's better to get out and explore when you are a lower level than it is when you are level 30 and there are Enclave, Deathclaws and Super Mutant Masters everywhere.

Tulivu: From what I remember the shooting was not as well done as with New Vegas so I would stick with melee and fists if I were playing again. I don't care for maxing stats but I did look up requirements for perks so that I could plan for those. I might get this for the pc to try out the mods someday.

Delixe: Melee build for a first play? That would be one way to make sure he never plays it again lol. Melee is fine when you are going for a second or third playthrough but for his first I would suggest he stay at range until he has a handle on how the combat system works.

deshadow52: going to put that under consideration. Also don't worry I'm going to explore the shit out of this game for sure.

Tulivu: True, it is a hard start. Anything that exploits the reality bending VATS, such as grenades, works. I also second the stealth shots.

Delixe: Melee build for a first play? That would be one way to make sure he never plays it again lol. Melee is fine when you are going for a second or third playthrough but for his first I would suggest he stay at range until he has a handle on how the combat system works.

deshadow52: ....

Drelmanes: Don't try to kill people in Megaton (unless you're well equiped). I know it's funny, but the entire city will jump into you.

Delixe: There is a much funnier way to deal with the residents of Megaton if you are inclined to take advantage of it.