I've been playing the game on hard but want to go all the way up to play the hardest setting because I don't want to be a pansy however I'm

Afraid it'll be too hard with sparce ammo, does anyone have legit helpful and not smart @$$ tips for me to be successful in survivalist mode ? Because I know that's also where most of the good weapons drop.

the first rank of the scrounger perk is actually really helpful

I would also try to avoid using Pipe Pistols and Pipe Rifles and only use them to 'finish' things, when their health is already low

the Gunslinger perk is also amazing at the start, because you're likely to use the 10mm pistol as your 'main' weapon until you get that Laser Rifle at the 'beginning'

I actually even started selling .38 rounds to get more 10mm ones, because the pistol is just so much better than anything you'll ever get with the .38 ^^

after all... it's all about being a bit sneaky and about avoiding some of the legendary enemies at the start

and you'll really have to take the damage and gun nut perks as soon as possible in the first 20 levels, to be able to keep up with the opponents

Scrounger and Life Giver are my favorite perks for getting an edge early on in Survival. But yeah, take at least one damage perk, and crafting if you can. You don't have to use stealth, but do fight defensively. And collect and cook all the meat you can get, food is better than Stimpaks early on. Getting either a companion or the Lone Wanderer perk will help, too.

- Idiot Savant Perk

- get a Shotgun

- clear some easy Dungeons to get some Gear and a bit Cash

- get the Magazines of Jerky Vendor to increase your Cash Flow

- buy much Ammo

- dont forget to Reload after every Shot

- take Cover

- have fun

Exp and Money are the most important Things for me. After Idiot Savant you can choose what you want. Its amazing to get sometimes 5x Exp for every Action. My Record was 8600 Exp (Idiot Savant + Institute End Mission). And ofcourse Money to buy Ammo, Mods, Stimpacks, and whatever you need to survive.

Run. Run from fights you don't control. That makes them line up when they chase you, shoot into that line.

These are good tips. I'd add that chems are your friend for really tough fights. Instant bonuses to damage ouput, damage resistance, VATS accuracy, and slowing down time can really make the difference. It's all about your playstyle tough. You can manage without chems.

And yes: cooked food is better than stimpaks early on.

The comment about running away for fights you don't control is also good advice, especially at early level. There will come a point where you don't need to, as even survival becomes kind of easy.

A couple tips, some of which are pretty cheesy and you can decide if you want to use them:

-you can save frequently so if a fight doesn't go the way you want it's a quick load for a retry.

-melee sneak build. No need for ammo, and once you get 10x sneak damage multiplier... that's a lot of damage.

-LOOT EVERYTHING. And then go back and loot again because you missed something.

-Do drugs. Drug abuse makes you stronger.

-Be a glutton. Cook your food, but not the dead humans as they make a tasty snack you cannibal.

-Spend time at your workbenches. Upgrade upgrade upgrade!