How useful is Rapid Reload for a Guns-based character?

From what I can see after about 12 hours of wandering through the game newbie-style, reloading is mainly an issue with things that are reloaded one bullet at a time, such as the Cowboy Repeater and the .357 magnum. So far (admittedly, not very far), my single most effective gun was the Varmint rifle given to me by Sunny Smiles and topped with a night scope bought at Chet's. That thing takes down humans, giant ants and bark scorpions with equal ease. I've experimented with the Cowboy Repeater, the .357, the Caravan shotgun, etc., but the Varmint rifle is superior, except against small creatures like the giant mantis nymph or bloat flies where the shotguns' spread effect is more appropriate. But shotguns reload reasonably fast as it is. So, is the perk worth it?

Another question: is it possible to "save" perks for later? There appears to be a distinct lack of useful perks on lower levels, but the menu doesn't seem to offer the option of allocating the skill points without choosing the perk.

"Can you save perks for later? No
"Is Rapid reload useful?" For guns like the AMR and LMG yes but, you do not need it if your fine with the reload speed without it.
Also you might want to go find the Rat Slayer.

I wouldnt make a guns build without rapid reload.

AMR have a rather large clip so it is pointless with it; however it would be god send for one shot wonder like Gauss Rifle and Big Boomer.

Just imo, I think it's useful for handgun builds. Maybe shotguns. While it doesn't hurt to use it with rifles/automatics, those guns are currently so powerful that a faster reload speed doesn't really mean a whole lot.
Agree about the Gauss rifle, however. But that's energy-skill weapon, not guns.

edit: re: perks...since you only get 1 every other levelup, use the early ones to grab the stuff like increasing magazine boosts or even a bit of Intensive Training if you want.

Most powerfull build I'm playing atm, early on I had repair, guns, survival, agility of 9 and took rapid reload 1st / 2nd perk.
Caravan shotgun, hand loaded shells, slugs in particular, shotgun surgeon I wiped out over 14 giant rad scorpions level 6 - 7, no sneak crits just point and shoot.

The caravan shotgun has two shots, reloads instantly, fires like a machine gun and at 100 guns skill with slugs does tremendous damage.

Against critters has a large spread so you can wound / kill two when grouped.

So rapid reload is one of the best perks for guns at least early - mid game, and that I can with 98% certainty say is fact.

Since your example was all about shotguns...fixed that for you.
It isn't a useless perk by any means, it just depends on what guns you're focusing on. And of course, if you have nothing else you want to spend a perk on during a level up, doesn't hurt to take it.

True I was focused on shotguns, but lever actions for ranged, hunting rifles to top up the mag in mid fight.
I rarely use any of the more modern weapons, but I tried out the service rifle and it's a pretty instant reload as well and has the same profile but faster ROF and magazine as a Varmit rifle..
So I guess mag weapons like the marksman carabine which already is highly powerfull becomes, even better, meaning it is one of the best gun perks in my already chastised opinion.

By the way first time I've been "fixed", must say I love it in an annoying tad preachy fashion :hehe: .

Interesting. Did you take Fast Shot trait with that build?

I think Rapid Reload would be quite useful. I haven't got it myself, but I can see the value. Shotguns take an age to reload. I've used mainly the Lever-Action and Hunting Shotguns - they are great weapons, but unless you make the kill in the five shots allocated before reload is required, then you WILL take some damager. Reloading these two particular shotguns takes about 1-2 seconds, I reckon. :shrug:

No I did not, I will probably try fast shot next build, as I'm trying all the traits and perks that I can.

Nice idea though thanks :foodndrink:.
This time I was a wasteland prospector / survivour a jack'o trades into low tech good at mid range tasks but not specialised in anything but.
Next maybe a gun slingin sheriff, or a caravan merc.

I'm not sure but I think the lever action shotgun is bugged as it takes about that with FL, and seems to have a glitch where if you switch back again before fully reloading 5 shells automatically chamber themselves.

I'd say if there's some other level 2 perk you feel is more crucial, you can pass on it, but I do find it super handy. It basically means slow-reloading guns become less painful to reload during a fight, and less slow loading guns start to feel like continuous rapid-fire machines with little pause at all. I take it even when I'm not playing a guns build because there really aren't any level 2 perks I find comparably useful.

Intense training? I mean, I love taking an extra point of INT for another 14 skill points by game end, or another point of END for more health plus another implant. I find I only have reload issues in the early game, before I get an expanded clip weapon, and usually still only with the level/revolver guns. That's usually past by level 6. I never take rapid reload.

If the leaver-action weapons, Revolvers, 12.7mm SMG, and/or Hunting Shotgun are going to be your bread'n'butter guns then take it. If you are just going to run around with the 100% criting golbi then don't.

Note I know you're just putting the option out there, and it is a good one, and a right one to post.
I would be taking offense at this post of mine tbh as it comes across as combative so sorry ahead of time, and nothing meant personally.

True, I used a full modded sniper first play through and found I was getting bored with it.
If you're willing to play every game with it then RR will not compare and you're better boosting a stat strength / endurance early instead.
Getting yor lockpick skill to 80 - 100 off the bat and avoiding everything of challange in game untill you have a WMD seems bland.

As the're many different ways to deal with those foes if you try something different.
I like power builds but get bored with the same thing quickly, and I've just found out a hunting rifle when fully modded and a hunting SG, are just as good as a sniper in a different way.
And are more flexible and fun to use as you are still in danger and forced to react when things go wrong.
Which svcks compared to a plasma caster... so on.

I find Intense Training boring – I'd rather have a perk that visibly affects my character's specialties – but I certainly see your point. Personally, I tend to fill out the stats I need most with points to spare with 8 IN anyway. I'd agree, though, that it's a real contender for a useful perk at level 2 (the only other real contender, IMHO, unless you are playing an RP build that could benefit from one of the gender dialog choices, or an Explosives character and want Heave, Ho!).

lol....glad it was at least a little entertaining. Hope the smiley face made it was obvious I was only poking fun...I've been on forums where 'fixing' posts is a common good-natured joke. Habit.

I found it highly entertainig truthfully, if I took issues raised about a game too seriously or literally I think even I would hate myself.
The point you raised was a valid one as well, considering I entirely posted about shotguns.... ahhh shotguns :drool: .

On topic, Coinop I've used intense training tbh as a late game filler, but you're right it is boring, I allways go for the gender specific perks as a habit as I like dialogue content.
NV has some really interesting early - low level perks more so than FO3, but they require serious investment in role and skill choice which is great for me.
I think most will need to be tried out in different combos to see what can be done.

As for intelligence I've only raised once on a character as a role, and it is seriously fun to try out as you need to think about all the choices and all the quests where skills matter.
Which led me to pick Tag! a few times, which is bizare coming from a game where if you took that perk most would scream nooo.
Plus comprehension is another low level perk that pays, as is hunter and emntologist.

If your fond of revolvers or shotguns, i would suggest taking it.

Those take the longest to reload. Especially revolvers.