Fallout: New Vegas Walkthrough -> Skills
Barter - The Barter skill affects the prices at which you buy and sell. Generally, the higher your Barter skill, the cheaper you can buy something.
Starting value: 2 + (Charisma x 2) + Luck/2.
Unarmed - The Unarmed skill is used in combat without weapons or with weapons such as regular or power fists and displacer gloves.
Initial value: 2 + (Stamina x 2) + Luck/2.
Lockpicking - The Lockpicking skill is used to open locked doors and containers.
Starting value: 2 + (Perception x 2) + Luck/2.
Explosives - The Explosives skill determines the chance of defusing enemy mines and the effectiveness of your use of explosives in one form or another (mines, grenades, grenade launchers, etc.)
Initial value: 2 + (Perception x 2) + Luck/2.
Survival - The Survival skill determines how much health you restore by consuming food and drink. It also helps you cook food at a campfire.
Starting value: 2 + (Stamina x 2) + Luck/2.
Eloquence - The Eloquence skill determines how much you can influence others during a conversation and gain access to information that would otherwise remain hidden.
Base value: 2 + (Charisma x 2) + Luck/2.
Medicine - The Medicine skill determines how much health you restore when using a stimpack, as well as the effectiveness of Rad-X and RadAway.
Initial value: 2 + (Intelligence x 2) + Luck/2.
Science - The Science skill represents your overall level of scientific knowledge and is used primarily for hacking computer terminals. This skill also allows you to recycle energy weapon ammunition at workbenches.
Starting value: 2 + (Intelligence x 2) + Luck/2.
Weapons - The Weapons Skill determines how effectively you can use all types of weapons that use common ammunition (.22 LR, .357 Magnum, 5mm, 10mm, 5.56mm, .308, .45-70, etc.)
Starting value: 2 + (Dexterity x 2) + Luck/2.
Repair - The Repair skill allows you to maintain weapons and equipment in good working order. Additionally, the Repair skill allows you to craft items and ammunition at ammo workbenches.
Starting value: 2 + (Intelligence x 2) + Luck/2.
Stealth - The higher your Stealth skill, the easier it is to hide, steal, or pick someone's pocket. A successful attack using this skill automatically scores a critical hit.
Base value: 2 + (Dexterity x 2) + Luck/2.
Melee Weapons - The Melee Weapons skill determines how effectively you can use various melee weapons, from a lead pipe to a high-tech super sledgehammer.
Starting value: 2 + (Strength x 2) + Luck/2.
Energy Weapons - The Energy Weapons skill determines your proficiency with weapons that use the following ammunition: Small Energy Cells, Micronuclear Cells, Electron Charges, and Flamethrower Fuel.
Base Value: 2 + (Perception x 2) + Luck/2.
Sources: wasteland.ag.ru, bethplanet.ru
See also:
Fallout: New Vegas - Helmets (Part 1)