That's kind of boring in the newer games though, you try to become as powerful as you can be then there is not a single scrap of challenge left for you.
In the older games it was necessary if you didn't go for pacifistic playthrough to become powerful enough to take down the late-game baddies.
In the newer games on the other hand it just became boring to roll around in top gear.
Last playthrough in New Vegas I used clothing instead of armor just to take it up a notch.
All I do is stealth snipe, or go balls out CQB, I whipping out a high powered pistol, shotgun or a submachine gun. The need for mobility and need to remain undetected dictate my preferred choice of armor being leather armor.
Stop being a fan-boy, all fallout games are great. but i didn't like Tactics so much.
I wear light armor, Regulator (or Bounty Hunter if in New Vegas) Duster and Raider helmets (or the Lobotomite mask (without goggles) if in New Vegas).
I never needed to tank a lot of damage, just take a sniper rifle and pick 'em off at a distance.