I was reading a few topics about gameplay (namely the holorifles overpowered-ness) and a thought sprung up: Is there a right way to play New Vegas? I played fallout 3 before and felt pretty confident. I took on a death claw and died. At level 2. I mainly use a balance of energy and guns. And I have to wonder. Am I playing right?

One of the main reasons why I love this game is because there is no one proper way to play it. I would suggest if your just starting out to follow the main quest until you're confident enough to go out on your own. The only way I can think of encountering a Deathclaw at level is if you went to Quarry Junction. Unlike Fallout 3 there aren't any random encounters in New Vegas so Deathclaws usually won't be wandering around everywhere so I would suggest avoiding Quarry Junction until you get a decently powerful ranged weapon that you feel comfortable with. Guns is an easy weapon skill to start off with and it is also recommended to focus on one weapon discipline until you get high enough with your chosen weapon type. Guns is easier since they are much easier to find early on and ammo is everywhere.

I hope I helped. Have fun in the Mojave.

Playing a shock trooper is my favorite style. It does not abuse the poor AI like snipers do, it gives you a challenge (especially in light armor) and is just plain fun. Run and Gun.

I like to put on my space suit and rush punch people

or pull out my boom stick either way works

I did just that. I thought I could take them. Got owned.

Since I am a unique/legendary item [censored] I always invest in my Energy weapons, Guns, Lockpick and Science. After that is all done, I also go for Survival and Medicine skills as well. I find these skills help me unlock unique weapons.

I lean towards the commando style: sniper rifle + automatic weapon. However, I've recently discovered the impressive power of Explosives, and I'm most impressed with what can be accomplished with a Grenade rifle.

There is no correct way of playing fallout games, seeing as how every weapon skill has its kings, id say the funniest skills are melee and unarmed, while the easiest one would be guns since ammo is plentyfull and once you get enough caps no one stops a .50 headshot.
Plus then that every skill as its share of flaws.For exemple energy weapons use heavy ammo and explosives are hard to come by and expensive early in the game.

As you can see you should do a playthrough for every skill and then decide whats ur fav just be warned that if u say sth bad about a weapon skill inthese lovely foruns, ull get flamed

you think Unarmed/melee Weapons has the funniest kills, try Explosives. Nothing is as more hilarious as lobbing out Tiny Tots into a crowd of raiders/Marked Men/Tunnelers and watching them fly almost into the stratosphere from the epic close quarters explosions.

Sympathetic, especially to women. Big on revenge. Utterly ruthless when pushed....except this runthrough I let Benny go just to see what happens.

There is no right way. There is only your way. However you want to play it, that IS the right way

A lot of people will argue playstyles, and character builds, and weapons characteristics and loadouts that they prefer or think works the best to make you an uber overpowered ninja killah of +150 To Death, but it's all gravy under the bridge. If you like what you're doing, and it works for you, that's all that counts. So take it all with a grain of salt, and never look down on anyone else for how they play the game, or let anyone else do so to you.

That having been cleared up, there is an awful lot you can learn from the folks here, about optimizing towards that uber +150 To Death type of character, if you so choose. Just be aware that dying to a deathclaw at level 2 is normal for everybody- you shouldn't be messing with them yet at that low level of unpreparedness.

Count me in. I always loved a sniper rifle + assault carbine with emphasis on heavy sneak criticals. But recently I took on a shotgun + explosives build. It was the funnest playthrough ever. I took on The Divide with little more than a Hunting Shotgun and Thump Thump and left a trail of exploded corpses in my wake. Good times.

I use mainly either the bozar or the GRA 12.7mm SMG fully upgraded but no silencer. I dont use explosives. I killed the legendary deathclaw with the 12.7mm smg. I dont play for combat. I play for exploration

I usually always end up with a Smart and charismatic, scientist doctor with skill in small guns. I like to use the shotguns alot in my current build. I however will rearm to the enemy I'm facing. Like using sniper rifles and automatics for close in work. I use mods as well so I have more then the normal amount of followers.

I already did and i must say it was AWESOME but for me the ballistic fist is the best.

You could have the best of both worlds and use Two-Step Goodbye.

I agree with everyone saying there is no right way to play only the was you like. Though I tend to believe putting more than 1 point in both strength and endurance makes it unbelievable to me. You get the ability to carry unbelievable amounts of gear with too high of strength and you become a ridiculous bullet sponge with too high of endurance. Now if you choose to hit the power armors up then it's more believable to take a high endurance. Again only my opinion but the playstyle I enjoy.

I tend to ignore weapons and focus on non-combat skills.
I find that a lot more rewarding.

I am a run and gun kind of person. Its fun and just makes you feel awesome when your done fighting.

I'm pretty one-dimensional in terms of taking on the game.
Built to destroy and Wild Wasteland are my traits, Lockpick, Repair, and Speech my Tag skills.
My first 3 perks are always Intense Training (INT), Comprehension, Intense Training (LCK).
After defending Goodsprings from the Powder Gangers I make my way to Primm, clear out the Bison Steve, get Lucky from the Safe, and repair ED-E.
Then I make a dash of the Broc Flower Cave for the Ratslayer, and afterwards the NCRCF will be taken care off.
Then I start roaming the south-western part of the map, and grab all the skill books I can find there. Around level10 I walk off to Novac and get Boone.
This is also the time when I start putting points into my weapon skills. Till Level 10-11, everything goes into Speech, Lockpick, Survival, Science, Medicine or Repair.
I hate not meeting skill check requirements.
Combatwise I stick to a mix of real time combat and VATS, mostly depending on the weapon.

Light Armour, Melee weapons and playing pure Legion is my style as it adds a completely challenging approach on more than one front.
Can you say you've killed an Irradiated Deathclaw with a Blade Of The West or Oh Baby!, Armour that provides < 15 DT and no form of chems ? I can ...... You have no idea how long that took and what it cost me in the end

there is no right way to play....one of the best things in the game is that you can try different styles of gameplay to make it more interesting.....i have played through about 5 times....try different things every time