There have been discussion before about VATS, some saying it will be less powerful and will not be able to still be used as a viable alternative to FPS gameplay, some other that it would be stronger than before.

So, have any of you been able to play full VATS in Fallout 4?

Personally, I was not able to, many times you are swarmed and some ennemies are real damage sponges.

As I understand it, it depends where your attribute focus is, as it should be.

I find that VATS really, really svcks.

But I don't have high perception so idk

Attributes aren't enough against damage sponges.

Actually, Agility is more important in FO4 for VATS. The more AP you have, the greater number of shots you're able to get off.

I find it situational. The game really wants you to use a combination of real time shooting and VATS. It feels much more balanced. VATS is no longer a "save me" button, and instead lets you make some tactical decisions - IF you are prepared. Disarming opponents, handicapping them, etc. For instance, Feral Ghouls can be rendered harmless by crippling their legs. They actually fall down and have to crawl. You COULD do this in real time, but it is much easier to nail repeated leg shots on a charging ghoul in VATS.

VATS has saved my bacon a couple of times when a raider popped around the corner and I needed to crack off a couple of quick headshots.

Never was meant to be.

It was made to be an alternative way of playing which would look more like a turn based game like old Fallouts.

It's currently unable to do that.

No way. At the very best they go hand in hand, I'd take better accuracy over more shots. But I'm a non automatic kind of guy. I went 8 on agility for sneak and I always miss in vats.

There are Three Stats that are important for VATS Gunplay,

Perception, Agility, and Luck.

Melee its

Strength rather than Perception.

Thing is that Mods, Mods matter a "Lot"

You can heavily modify not only your Weapon but also your armor and armor Arms/Legs parts.

The Armor can modify how good you are in VATS as well as numerous other types of gameplay elements that might not seem obvious to you. For instance you can gain accuracy in VATS by modifying your Arms slot for it or pick a different mod for more AP in VATS. There are many choices and the mechanics are deeper than they first appear.

Modification system matters more than you might think about how your character can perform in combat.

Some modifications make aimed harder than hip fire and perhaps VATS...So be aware of how your gun is built and what mods are on your armor.

I have 7 perception and my VATS still svcks ass

I think for VATS to be really effective you'll need to take the VATS related Perks. I believe there are several - one of which makes each additional shot in VATS more accurate.

No kidding. I killed a "Legendary" Raider Leader this morning and got a piece of leg armor marked with a star. It increases my Strength AND Endurance by +1 each while wearing it. (Which I really needed, because I used Strength and Endurance as dump stats at 1 each.)

No doubt increasing the Accuracy rating of your weapon will result in easier VATS targeting too.

I find vats works find. Started with A9,P9+1. Action girl/Boy, concetrated fire and quick reflexes first three perks. ConFire is great as if you start with low hit prob but by the sixth shot your hitting 95%, hit pritty much anything.

Oh yes started with 5 Int for gun mods (Everything else bit of a wash of course, pity about the low luck).

nope, was never meant to be anything like that. It was never meant to be an entire style of combat, it was meant as a "oh hey, i cannot hit this one guy, let me try with vats" or as a "OH JESUS" button, both of which is stil works as.

Really!? I know that was Bethesda reasoning for VATS,but it screamed we can't make a decent shooter on this engine!

Seems like not everyone remember that though...