Okay - I asked a couple questions in a different thread but now that I have put a little more time into this new character (build) I would appreciate some of your knowledge!

This character - Skyla - is "good" and wants to just live-off-the-land - cook, repair etc. Fighting is just a means to an end or protection. She doesn't need to do quests Unless they will be helpful to her skill set(s). This is a completely Different type character than I have done before and it is turning out to be Way Hard!

Not in any order:

1) What is the best weapon for a character that is zeroing in on Cook, Science and repair? I mostly need to gather supplies/ingrediants BUT do need to protect myself. I do NOT want to reload ammo OR carry around a lot of Extra Weapons (same the weight for skills). One main weapon w/ammo and a backup.

2) What should I focus in on as far as skills? Survival is the key - but some like Guns would be really really handy...

3) I should get a companion - what is the best for just helping me gather and explore?

4) I can NOT afford to get all 3 of the DLC's - with the above in mind (gathering plants and supplies etc) AND a good "house" to call home base - which one would suit my needs the best? The In-Town New Vegas or cities won't really help - but would like to be able to buy ammo or other items from general store. I would really like a NICE home -somewhere to store extra items and sleep etc.

I am having A LOT of FUN with this build - but kind of stumpped when it comes to the above. AND it is super hard to find plants! I sure wish there was a special pair of glasses that could point them out LOL

Thank you SOO much in advance for any and all advice, suggestions or links that might help me.

PS - PC version

I answered those without mods in mind. If you have the PC version well I can give a recommended mod list if you still want mods after browsing the Top 100 on the nexus.

Also you can http://www.newvegasnexus.com/downloads/top/alltime.php and scroll down the top 100, most of them are good, and widely supported. Also check http://www.newvegasnexus.com/downloads/latest.php for new mods. Some of them turn out to be very good but never make the Top 100. As always you can browse individual categories: http://www.newvegasnexus.com/downloads/categories.php

1) What is the best weapon for a character that is zeroing in on Cook, Science and repair? I mostly need to gather supplies/ingrediants BUT do need to protect myself. I do NOT want to reload ammo OR carry around a lot of Extra Weapons (same the weight for skills). One main weapon w/ammo and a backup.


If you don't want to deal with ammo and a lot of weapons, I'd find Pushy and sink a ton of points into Unarmed. I've taken down a Deathclaw that way.

Companions: Boone is the best and he doesn't complain...he'll have your back. I can't tell you how many enemies have fallen next to me and I never even heard them coming.

I like the NCR Safehouse because it's pretty centrally located. The 188 Trading Post is right down the road too.

I got the Dead Money DLC for $3. It's not that now but it was a great sale...made me want the rest too.

Good luck!! See you in the wastes.

As for dlc I think dm would be the worst for you hh and owb have a good amount if plants to gather hh has meat owb has a great home that you can get to even if you'r over burden with hot plate, work bench, reloading bench

1. Well it is still good to have one weapon skill, so just use guns as it is the easiest to use. Get yourself a .357 revolver or .44 revolver, then proally a hunting rifle or shotgun, rifle with scope. It seems that a guy camping would use a revolver and a hunting shotgun or rifle. If you are in the beginning use a .357 magnum and a varmit rifle.

2. Guns is a good choice again, a guy focused on survival might also have a machete on hand too so melee to 50 wouldn't hurt. I think that another two would be either barter/speech and sneak, it is good to run if you are just surviving.

3. Companions seem to just kill everything, I'd probally get Rex, as a guy camping would probally have a dog, and he can carry a good amount of loot, and he is tough.

4. You can't go back to Dead Money, so no. Honest Hearts it really good for what you want, nature and recipes, full of plants and animals. I don't know if there is a good house, but you should be able to find one. If you can get two, get Honest Hearts and Old World Blues, as OWB offers a house. If you want a nice house in the Mojave, you may want to try one of those shacks such as Bradley's shack it is way out of the way it may have a camp fire, only probelm is there are jackals there. Goodsprings is also a good choice.

Thanks so much for the info and replies!

I just found some recipes for food and drink on Wiki and will take a look to see what is needed and where to find all of the items.

This is a very interesting challange! Trying to find the ingredients and then a campfire and tools (coffee needs a pot and mug etc). Trying to figure out what to collect and what is useless for this skill.

Does anyone know if Plants REGENERATE? Or once you pick it it is gone forever? This would be very helpful info.

Thanks again - I will look into Honest Hearts and Old World Blues to see what info I can find and then decide between the 2. Hope to afford the other one in a couple of weeks!

Yes plants do respawn eventually.

Also the DLC's are only $10, $20 isn't too hard to come by. Well, it's the easiest to get them on xbox/ps3 since you can just buy them at a store like gamestop. Just realized you were on PC

I am loading HH now,

How do I "enter" this area? Do you need to be a certain level?

Thanks again!

Just follow the quest, it is literally self-explanatory.

Thanks Wonder - I did load it and did get the quest to join the caravan or something like that - I just have to make it there = alive LOL I am heading that direction now.

Actually trying to make it to Nipon/Novac for Boone first - at least that was the plan...

Thanks again!

Don't play it right away, it get equal with hundreds of deaths, some of the enemies are really tough with high tiers weapons, even at lower levels. You should probally get to the 15-20 level range at the earliest.

Honest Hearts isn't the best DLC, but it's a massive open area with HEAPS of plants and some nice extra perks that will help your build.