There are multiple ways to start your FNV playthrough based on what kind of character you want to play. However, like in any RPG there are simply some mechanically more optimal starting stat and skill combinations that are universally useful. Here are my best starting stats in Fallout New Vegas.
What Are the Best Starting Stats in Fallout New Vegas?
Here are the best starting stats in Fallout New Vegas:
- Strength 7 or 8: I usually start with 8 to be able to wield almost all weapons accurately since failing to meet a weapon’s Strength requirement penalizes aim accuracy. You also need it if you’re going for a melee build rather than one utilizing guns. Lastly, it always helps with carrying weight.
- Perception 5 or 6: I would keep Perception around these two numbers since there are some strong sniper and critical-oriented perks that require Perception 6.
- Endurance: 8 or 9 – HP is crucial in the game. Furthermore, investing in Endurance also means you can get more implants later in the New Vegas medical clinic. Implants increase your special stats so Endurance is crucial.
- Charisma: 1 – It’s become the meta to put Charisma at 1 since the two Charisma perks, Ferocious Loyalty and Animal Friend, aren’t the best. If you need dialogue-oriented skills then pick up Speech or Barter instead. You essentially don’t need Charisma and leaving it at 1 gives you more points for other stats.
- Intelligence: 7 or 8 – I like starting with great Intelligence because it both gives you extra skill points and boosts Repair and Science, arguably the most useful skills for unlocking hidden content.
- Agility 5 or 6: Agility is similar to Perception in that you want it mainly for some gun-based perks like 6 for Sniper and Action Boy. Alternatively, if you’re interested in a melee build I recommend starting with 7 for Slayer.
- Luck 1 to 6: Luck is mainly for critical hits, so you don’t need any for non-crit melee builds, but I would keep it at 5 or 6 for any gun build. Furthermore, 6 in Luck or higher allows you to score a lot of money at casinos playing blackjack.
Let’s move on to skills and traits.
Best Starting Skills and Traits in Fallout New Vegas
I highly recommend that your tag skills be Repair, Science, and Lockpick. These are the most useful out-of-combat exploration skills that will get you access to so much more content. You’ll be able to hack and lockpick your way into both advantageous positions and extra loot. In turn, Repair will always sustain your equipment.
As for traits, the most popular and optimal options are Good Natured, and Skilled. Good Natured will boost your Barter, Medicine, Repair, Science, and Speech by +5 while giving parallel penalties to weapons. I find this a highly worthwhile tradeoff since these dialogue and exploration skills will allow you to gain access to hidden loot or more advantageous dialogue outcomes. This is drastically better than a slight boost to weapons early in the game. Alternatively, Skilled is just a universally great Trait that provides a bonus to everything we want to do with our skills.
Lastly, remember to loot everything from Doc Mitchell’s house as you start. You can sell this loot for some extra cash early on. This is a popular starting strategy because items in Doc Mitchell’s house aren’t tagged as owned, so he won’t care that you take them.
That’s it for my guide on the best starting stats in Fallout New Vegas. For more Fallout articles check out the 11 best missions in FNV or what is Vault 33 on the Fallout TV Show.
