I am about three hours into my first play through of new vegas (or any fallout game for that matter) and I am completely hooked. I've managed to get to Beagle in Primm and level up to 3. I just have a few questions:

- can you modify weapons on the go just as you can repair them?

- is it wise to be distributing points amongst the skills when levelling up?

- at the start, one of the specializations i chose was energy weapons.. is it going to be difficult to find these/ mods for them/ammo? it seems as though most weapons I encounter are regular guns.

- is there a way to get through the ncr correctional facility (for the sheriff quest) w/o getting into a huge firefight? if not, should i be able to better this at level 3?

- what kind of resistance can I expect from a neutral area?

- can you modify weapons on the go just as you can repair them?

Yes, you only need to buy a mod (found in some merchant's misc section) that will fit the weapon, then press X on the weapon and apply the mod.

- is it wise to be distributing points amongst the skills when levelling up?

Distribute as you see fit. Obviously don't distribute points on skills you do not use. You can level things up evenly or pour a lot of points into one or two skills. I find Speech is always good to get up early.

- at the start, one of the specializations i chose was energy weapons.. is it going to be difficult to find these/ mods for them/ammo? it seems as though most weapons I encounter are regular guns.

As you proceed, it will be easy to find ammo and mods for energy weapons, as well as energy weapons themselves. No problem. Keep in mind you can use a workbench to turn microfusion cells into energy cells and vice versa.

- is there a way to get through the ncr correctional facility (for the sheriff quest) w/o getting into a huge firefight? if not, should i be able to better this at level 3?

You should be okay if you are not hated/vilified by the powder gangers. Alternatively you can wear a powder ganger outfit to blend in. Just be careful, the disguise won't fool everybody.

- what kind of resistance can I expect from a neutral area?

Not sure what you mean. You mean if you encounter a faction you have a neutral reputation with? There won't be any violence, but some powder gangers (escaped convicts, usually found in the wastes or around Primm for example) will attack you no matter what.

- Once you have the modified parts, yes.

- It's entirely up to yourself. I like to focus on Lockpicking, Science , Speech and my preferred combat choice (Melee/Guns/Unarmed/Explosive/Energy)

- At early levels you'll likely find more ammo for those energy weapons than any actual weapons. However if you took Energy weapons as a tagged skill, Doc Mitchell should give you a laser pistol and some ammo, there's also another laser pistol in his house somewhere. But laser pistols are incredibly weak I find.

- You could try wearing a P.Gangers armour but I believe the guy at the door sees through it. Best bet if to try and sneak kill him and then walk in unharmed. I'm asuming you killed all the P.Gangers in Goodsprings?

- How do you mean? Most locals without weapons will flee you, most with weapons will attack, if you try fighting in some towns.