So, I have been using VATS less and less. But I still like to tinker with the mechanics! So I did some testing with different levels of AP Regen!

First the default AP regen rate is 6. As in 1/6 = 16.6667. There is a player attribute that controls how fast your base AP regenerates. The default is 6. Dividing 1 by the value gives the total time it takes to regen your AP. Now this is your base naked AP, if you are using drugs or equipment to boost your AP then it will take longer to regen. Just to be clear your base AP is soley from Agility - before any buffs.

But enough boring geek talk, lets compare different things that can impact your AP regen rate.

First are the perks action boy. Each level says it reduces AP regen by 25%. What it does behind the scenes is increase your base AP regen variable by 1.5. So that 6 becomes 7.5 with one rank. Or you will regenerate your base AP in about 13.3333 seconds. Taking two perks boosts your base rate to 9. So it takes 11.1111 seconds to regen your base AP. Now 11.111 is NOT 50% of 16.667! Is it worth two perks to cut 5 seconds off? Not really in my book.

So, the next thing are the items that says they increase AP Regen by a flat number. Like the Commando Combat Armor or the Power Armor Mod. The legendary combat armor will increase that base stat from 6 to 11 - a solid 5 points. More then 3 levels of Action Boy ( if you could take three levels!). With a base stat of 11 you will regen base AP in just 9 seconds. The power armor mod will boost in by 6 points - so regen all your AP in 8 seconds. Decent.

But now for the big daddy of all AP regen effects - Jet Fuel. Jet Fuel will boost that AP regen by a solid 10 points!. So that 6 becomes 16, or regen your base AP in 6 seconds. Plus it lasts for a solid 8 minutes - up to almost 30 minutes with all the Chemist perks. Pretty awesome. That is equivalent to more then 6 ranks of Action Boy!

Jet Fuel + Commando Armor gives you a massive AP regen of 21. However, it really does not impact the AP Regen THAT much - dropping it from 6 seconds to 4.5 seconds. Defintely dimishing returns here.

Not related to AP Regen, but Ice Cold Beers will regen a flat 35 AP. Like the stamina potions from Skyrim. With Party Boy 2 they regen 70 AP.

But the big take away is that Action Boy/Girl are just terrible perks!! There are far better ways to regen AP.

Think thats bad powered prefix ap regen difference is barely noticeable. Perks are never a waste because even though 5 seconds doesn't seem like much it all adds up.

My point is that compared to other options action boy IS weak. Luck builds have Grim Reapers. Charisma builds should be getting party boy and buddy. Intelligence builds can utilize drugs with Chemist - jet fuel is very cheap and boosts base AP by 35 on top of a huge regen. Everyone else should be utilizing the legendary AP regen effect.


If you are utilizing any of those powers, then the benefit from action boy is negible.

Also, the commando armor will drop your regen to 9. Taking two levels of action boy on top will only drop it 2 more seconds!

trustm 5sec taken off AP regen only costing 2 perk points is extremely good. alot can happen in those 5 seconds and it can be the difference between getting an extra shot off in vats. If you want to talk about wasted and useless perks, try V.A.N.S, Lead Belly and Awareness, then we have all crafting perks( gun nut, Armourer, Science etc) that really should of just been receipes we buy, find, or get given. Next we have better Criticals and Critical Banker and the weapon bobbleheads that are useless if your character doesnt use VATS (because VATS still svcks more than free aiming)

By itself it is not bad. But don't bother with it if you are going to use any other method to regen AP. Definitely diminishing returns. But seriously, if you are not using VATS why are you even considering this perk?!

Sprinting for one and Quicker recharge for the power armour jumpjets and running while encumbered. its not a first choice type perk, buts it way more useful than the others i've listed

Ok, so run chemist then! Jet fuel blows out action boy! Heck, ultra jet or psycho jet is insanely good. Nothing comes close to drugs outside of vats!


Boost endurance and AP regen. Run for miles.

You're talking like they don't stack

Interesting, thanks except that 1/6 = .1667 but maybe you mean 100/6. I assume you are looking at scripts or something to come up with these numbers and formulas? hmm, guess I'll be spending my perks on chemist instead of another action boy

and use 6 perks instead of 2, nah id rather just use action girl, instead of grabbing 4/4 chemist for full duration and ability to craft jetfuel, followed by 2 for chem resistant to not have to worry about addiction, then on top that the game is already easy on survival that drugs are basically legal cheat codes

i "setav 359 1" and it look real for me need to sit somewhere and wait for action point lol

never went into the numbers...

but now i know why in my previous vats build

4x "vats enhanced" + 2x "powered"

felt better than

3x "vats enhanced" + 3x "powered"

thx

Drugs do make the game extremely easy. Orange mentats for the +5 perception and 10% to hit is great. Lasts 8 minutes too. Then jet fuel rocks. And finally ultra jet is the boss killer. Instantly gives you 100 AP for another round of VATS and then you get bullet time to clean up any survivors. I still need to test overdrive to see if it triggers in VATS. But very strong

It does stack, but you get less and less benefit from stacking them. 2 ranks of action boy will cut off 5 seconds, the commando armor will cut off 7 seconds. But together they only cut in by 9 seconds. two pieces of legendary gear or jet fuel will cut 10 seconds, but add in 2 ranks of action boy and you get 11 seconds. If you are not using drugs or regen equipment then action boy is decent. I would recommend skipping it if you plan to use regen gear