Hi everyone!

I didn't really care about Bethesda games until Skyrim came out last year. But then, the Bethesda magic hits me hard. I played Skyrim longer than 300 hours and started with Oblivion. And I played Fallout 3, too, which is now one of my favourite games ever. So I few days ago, I finally decided to start playing New Vegas!

But I'm a little unsure about how I should play it. Or let me say, how I should build my character. In Fallout 3 I my character was specialized in Small Guns, Repair, Medicine, Science and Speech (less in Barter and Lockpick). NOTE: Please correct me if I write something wrong, I play the game in German language ).

I think, I want to stay with Science, Speech, Medicine and Repair, but in general, I'm not sure which weapon I should take as there are some things to consider like the choice of the perks and so on...

I was thinking about energy weapons, but somehow I prefer normal weapons.

What would you choose if you have these options:

a) Sniper Rifle (would sneaking skills maybe a good option to increase the critical hit ratio?)
One-Hand Weapons like Revolver and Guns
c) Two-Hand Weapons like MG's and Shotguns

Or a mix from all of that?


I ask this because whether or not I take some of the perks (like 25% more accuracy for one-handed weapons).


And another question: I plan to start with Intelligence 10 (and the others 5) so that get more skill points after each level up. Is this a good idea?



One last question: Do you by chance even have a good character build that you could recommend me (with all informations like which perks you chose and so on...).



Or any other general tips?



Thank you a lot! I'm really happy that I found the way to Bethesda games!

My first reaction would be to just play the game through once by the seat of your pants, and learn the hard way and explore blind and make a lot of mistakes and have a load of fun

Because this isn't a game you can just play once, with one character, beat it and move on. Nope, this is a game where you can play scads of different ways, with loads of different character-building and RPG options, over and over. I've probably started a dozen chars since first getting NV. Have only finished a couple through all of the content, because I always get new ideas and start new chars, LOL! You can make a guns/rifle char, a guns/pistol char, an energy weapons char, a melee/unarmed char, and/or any combination of those things. The possibilities are endless. There are a LOT more character choices and options, than there were in FO3.

As for intelligence, I never bother with more than 7 points in it, including implants. That seems to give me plenty of skill points in the skills I want, by the time my char is maxed out. Especially if you get the four DLC's. If you have them, your max char level will be 50, and you'll be swimming in skill points long before you max your char. Ten is a waste, should put those other 3 SPECIAL points into more important things.

Welcome to the forum, and to NV! We have at least one other German poster around these parts already, make yourself to home.

Thanks a lot for the reply!
(Although I'm from Switzerland, not Germany )

OK, then I just jump into the world and play how I like to. I'll probably build a sniper / sneak character and after beating the game perhaps an unarmed warrior. ^^ In Skyrim, I tried many different character types (sneaking Khajit with knife and bow, a master of illusion high elve and a Nord with a shield/sword fighting style9. That's what I totally like about Bethesda games! You can do whatever you want. ^^

Good to know about what you said about intelligence. So I'll probably start with 7 and put the remaining points in other SPECIAL skills... ^^

Just give it a try, no need to worry.
I will say though that while all other Fallout titles seem to encourage Energy Weapons usage, New Vegas does not. Energy weapons are still fine to use, but guns are arguably better. (equal damage output, easier to maintain and find ammo for)
But every skill and every build has a use. FO:NV has tons of perks to choose from, but you'll just have to decide which ones you like as they become available. The ultimate edition (all DLCs) offers 88 different perk types, and over 50 of them have SPECIAL or skill requirements, so no matter your build, there IS a really strong perk for you.

Lastly, other Bethesda titles typically focus on exploration. Quests exist too, but exporation is encouraged. New Vegas is the opposite. Quests take a front seat to exploration, so talk to people, do the quests and worry about exploration later. The start of New Vegas (first ~3-5 hours of gameplay) WILL suggest you take a certain path, and for your first playthrough? You should take it.

Its funny, your charecter sounds like I would do mine, I have always been a little agenest energy wepons (Please dont ask me why i just am not a fan) I love my guns and little mele. on ANY charecter idc what it is i ALWAYS have intl 10 becouse I like utilizing as many skill points as possible. I found playing on hardcoe mode makes it a little more fun if you like a little realism thrown in. I wish the wild waste land perk would not be a trait becouse I cant bring myself to waste one on that.

I wish I would of known that I just read through about your INT at 7 and think it makes since, I have ten now, if you do 8 and do the old world blues you can get glasses that improve it by 2.

Back when you only had 30 levels, I was a big fan of extra INT. With 50 levels, it's just a total waste of 2-3 SPECIAL points. As for those glasses, I would gladly wear them, except for one key thing- I wouldn't be able to wear my Lucky Shades! No way that's happenin'.

You could play it just like you did FO3. The difference in New Vegas is the weapon strength requirements (heavier guns need more strength) which can be problematic, and the weapon mods that let you improve some "plain" weapons, and the reloading bench that lets you make better ammunition for your guns with the right perks. Other than that, you can pretty much play New Vegas as an enormous DLC for FO3.

There are lots of good "small" guns in New Vegas but lots of nice energy weapons too. No matter what you like, you can find some pretty good weapons in the game. Like FO3 you find more small guns in the beginning.

Like FO3, the DLCs help. In FO3, the Alien Mothership gave you the equivalent of New Vegas weapon repair kits as well as some great new energy weapons and virtually unlimited ammo, as well as more cells for the Alien Blaster. In New Vegas, Old World Blues gives you a way to keep your MFCs and Energy cell needs supplied by breaking down small appliances. And you get a lot of the parts for weapon repair kits and stimpacks too. Haven't played the rest of the DLCs yet but you probably can get stuff from those too.