Our courier rushes towards danger, incinerating enemies with a laser, and knocking out an armored NBC trooper with a punch. With all the stats focused on muscle rather than brainpower, even the Hardcore mode feels like a sandbox romp. And so it goes until we encounter the first locked door or the first laser-protected terminal, there's no EMP grenades for hacking computers, and even punching a key character is out of the question.
Obsidian has once again ruthlessly broken the mold of role-playing games. While Alpha Protocol still allowed for role-playing as a "terminator," New Vegas completely eradicates this approach. Brute force solves barely a quarter of the game's problems and challenges, and knowing how to properly manage starting stats, which skills to develop first, and where to find secrets is more valuable than our own agility and reflexes.
Building your dream character
Is it really possible to grasp the vastness of the universe when development points are so scarce, and each statistic's description insists it's the absolute best in the game?
Strength. This determines how much junk we can lift and carry without being affected by movement, as well as how powerful the weapons we can use. Inventory size is crucial for a treasure hunter, so at least seven points should be invested in Strength, but it's not worth maxing it out—carrying weight only increases by 10 points for each point, and weapons requiring a stat higher than 8 are unavailable in the game. Strength can be temporarily boosted by consuming alcoholic beverages and "buffout."
Perception. This stat isn't particularly important; it determines how quickly we notice red dots on the map. If you plan to play with Boone and EDE, don't invest any points at all, as the robot will allow our hero to spot danger from a very long distance, and the sniper will highlight enemies in red when aiming. However, the "Sniper" and "Critical Damage" perks, which require six perception points, will be unavailable.
Endurance. Whether you're a fan of verbal warfare or a fan of heavy weapons, maxing out this stat is vital. Endurance determines your character's health, and it's always a good idea to have some, especially in Hardcore mode. This stat also influences your survival skill, which is crucial on the highest difficulty level.
Charisma. Conversational skills are now valued above all else, but Charisma alone is irrelevant. It provides a bonus to your companions' defense and damage, as well as a boost to "barter" and "eloquence." If you're playing the role of a lone wolf, you don't need to invest points in Charisma; it's better to develop skills separately. Furthermore, at the right moment, Charisma can be temporarily boosted by as much as five points by consuming "festive mentats," and you can get another point by wearing "revealing pajamas."
Intelligence. The second most important stat after Stamina. It affects how many skill points you gain when advancing to the next level. If you want to create a versatile character, a specialist in all fields, a high Intelligence score is paramount.
Dexterity. Affects how many action points you gain in VATS mode, walking speed, and weapon reload speed. Considering that the game has twice as many of these points by default as in Fallout 3, the boost provided by Dexterity will be insignificant. Those accustomed to solving problems peacefully can get by without investing at all, while "Terminators" will find the Dexterity boost useful.
Luck: Traditionally, it affects a little bit of everything. The most tempting thing is that it increases the chance of critical hits with all weapons, which is a compelling reason to invest your remaining points in this stat.
Improving parameters as the game progresses
Implants. At the New Vegas Medical Clinic, you can raise one stat by one for a modest sum (4,000 Caps). If your character has a high health pool, you can get a second implant. In addition to standard skill boosts, two other upgrades are available: armor boost (8,000 Caps) and health regeneration (12,000 Caps).
Traits. You can choose the "Intense Training" perk upon leveling up to raise a stat by one. This perk can be selected multiple times.
Food and Drink. If a conversation with key NPCs requires a high stat, you can temporarily boost it by taking a certain drug, drink, or eating a fruit from the Mojave flora. For example, tobacco gum increases agility and perception, while ant nectar, brahmin steak, or alcohol increases strength. Be careful when eating the bounty of the desert to avoid side effects, such as a decrease to strength from eating raw meat.
Source: svxg.su
Tips for the game: (Character) (Skills) (Perks) (Achievements) (Books) (Souvenirs)
See also:
Unique weapons (for the sniper)