I can't use this effectively. I swear by unarmed, but this is the only thing I swear AT. Seriously! This move requires you to BACK UP, AWAY from the enemy! If I am standing still and someone is in my face, as soon as I do it, my attack misses because the enemy doesn't move up AS SOON as I move back! There seems to be a delay! My chances of actually hitting with this are extremely low. I think it could be something with the AI, I don't know.

I'd just trying doing it at enemies that are charging at you with melee weapons/fists.

It is possible to pull it off without moving backwards, but yeah, that requires YOU to perform it just right.

That's always been a problem though. I remember unlocking the backwards power attack for bladed weapons in Oblivion, thinking "like I'll ever use this" and only using it when I had my back to a wall.
Get Khan Trick if you want a more convenient move.

To be honest, I only use it to beat up on Veronica.

:o That poor girl!

Anyway OP, Ranger Takedown can be useful when fast enemies are up in your face AS you're backing up. If you want knock people down easier I suggest using something like Golden Gloves or Boxing Tape and taking the perk Super Slam (meaning you now have a chance of knocking your enemy down with Melee AND Unarmed weapons, Req: level 8 Strength 6, Melee skill 45).

Also, I wouldn't learn the Khan trick. It doesn't work.

Actually, you only have to back up to begin the attack, then you can move forward in time enough to hit them square in the face.

I didn't know that. I thought it was only a stationary move.

Really all it takes is a little practice to get the timing down, its pretty easy to use after that.

I wonder if maybe this move would be good for deathclaws? They like to charge you and maul you which would make you want to back up. Of course this would mean you are going into hand to hand combat with a deathclaw. Better wear some power armor.


What I hate is that what sounds like a good power attack that you use while charging requires you to not piss off the legion in order to get it. I can't stand them and kill on sight. Thus I can't get legion assault.

It's extremely useful, the awkward and circumstantial use of it is probably because of how useful it can be. One thing that you need to make sure of is that you initiate it while your fists are already out and don't press back and attack at the same time. That will make you back up instead of stationary. My favorite method of killing Benny is using this and then stomping on him multiple times with VATS.