I usually look at it from the other way 'round --- what ~don't~ I want to do? I don't want to be a beefy strong tough melee fighter? Then I don't need to worry about STR or END.... I don't like ~random chance~ either FOR or AGAINST me, so I can ignore LUCK (although if low luck leads to guns jamming and bad things, may reconsider a bit)....

That still leaves PER, AGI, INT and CHA. If I bottom out STR, END and LUCK at 1, then I have 25 starting points to spread among the remaining four stats. Could be three six's and a seven or two nines a three and a four... Still quite a few varied builds. Once we know more about the higher rank perks, I'll know whether it's worth it to invest a lto of points into one perk. I am ~thinking~ that they're not THAT critical and in any event I could always spend perk points to bump up stats if I later decide I ~do~ want a perk that requires a higher stat. So I'm thinking a more generic Jill-Of-All-Trades kind of spread may be best, until I know more.

As for how to approach an open world, I can agree it's daunting. I almost hate to start in on the main quest right away, even though in theory it's your main motivating factor and should drive you to some degree. I prefer to investigate every nook and cranny and loot everything that's not nailed down. A true Wasteland Wanderer, me.

With the new leveling system, there's not much need to start over. If you didn't put enough points into one of your SPECIAL stats, just use a perk point to raise it later. Without a level cap, it's not like you have to plan ahead in order to squeeze in all the abilities you want your character to have before you stop leveling.

The reason I start over isn't because of gameplay, it's usually cuz the characters don't 'feel' right. Like I had a specific idea for who the person was so I can't just pretend they're someone else now.

I definitely hear that.

But I think it's going to be a lot easier this time around after diving into SPECIAL, to steer in different pathways. And we've all played previous Fallout(s) so we know what to avoid.

One thing is for sure, I am going to have a much clearer idea on how to build my character by the time the game gets here. If Bethesda gives only a few more details on the leveling up tree and nothing more, I will be satisfied. Additional gameplay footage of guns and stuff seems irrelevant at this point.