I am working on finding a close-range defencive weapon at the minute . Can anyone help me out im just outside the broc flower cave (Getting the ratslayer muhhuhahaha!!) I think I might go to the abandoned Nuke test site Because theres a hunting shotgun There , Besides the A-M Rifle and the ratslayer the H- shotgun is the most fun I've had !
No the Hunting shotgun is the best fun
permenant, ( JK ).
As for close range defensive, gun or close combat?
Gun a SMG is best for any unarmoured to medium DT enemy, a 10mm is the most common of the strongest and has the most mods.
The 9mm smg is very usefull against unarmoured foes, and has a higher mag ( especially modded ), but is rarer later game, heck even early game imo.
The 12.7 smg is by far the strongest, more akin to a powerfull assault rifle, and will take down highish DT foes and can be silenced, but is two handed.
The .22 is generally weaker, it holds the most ammo and goes through it fast, but the ammo itself is not one that you find in large ammounts most places.
Melee, depending on strength and skill a combat knife is allways a good choice.
You can find its special version just north of goodsprings in a grave but may have to face many cazadors unless you sneak, use a stealth boy or get lucky.
Lead pipe, a single hander that is strong as a good two handed weapon.
Two handers are best as they have reach, my favourites are a baseball bat, nail board and the sledgehammer, or you could just try and find a ripper or chainsaw.
Unarmed, spiked knuckles or a bladed guantlet are best, spiked knuckles were the weapon I used 90% of my build with.
Powerfist, disruption glove or the best a ballistic fist will be best later on, or go for a shock glove against robots.