Hello everyone.

1)I'm starting my third new Vegas playthrough and i wonder if the game is viable without the classic ''high critical sniper'' build.

In particular i want to make a close combat specialist who uses shotguns and power fists and with that in mind i'm asking for advises and tips on stats and perks investment. Medium difficulty no mods no DLC.

2)Pls describe you favorite tested non sniper builds and when i say tested i mean builds that you have played from start to finish.

I can tell you from personal experience that a pure shotgun character is very viable. Of course you will want Shotgun Surgeon, which only requires Guns=45.

And Stay Back is also good, although that is a Dead Money perk so you won't have that without DLCs.

Get a Hunting Shotgun for medium range, and Riot Shotgun for close range. With the variety of shotgun shells available you are good for any situation except maybe long range sniping.

And you can do some sniping with slugs in the Hunting Shotgun.

As far as stats, I would put a lot into Endurance as you will get hit more often than a sniper would. For perks I would take those that increase your survivability, such as Light Step. This perk requires Agility=6 and Perception=6, and is one of the few reasons to have such a high perception.

I rarely use power fists, so can't help you much there.

You mean a Sawn-off or a Riot Shotgun I suppose? No Combat shotgun in NV...

Riot Shotgun for sure. I must have been remembering Fallout2.