Summary
Considering thatFallout 4was initially released way back in 2015, it is still a very popular game. Indeed, it could be argued thatFallout 4is one of themost successfuland well-liked video games of all time. Many players see it as the pinnacle of Bethesda’s world-building.
As with most traditionalsandbox RPGs, when starting a new game inFallout 4, the player is prompted toset up their basic stats.These stats will then be improved as the player progresses. Each stat has a different purpose, and some suit particular playing styles better than others. There are also stats, such as luck and endurance, that are important for any build.
Updated on August 30th, 2024, by Mac Wheeler:Fallout 4 as a game has seen something of a resurgence since the first season of the new Fallout TV show aired on Amazon Prime. It felt right to update this list to give a better explanation of how each stat has an impact on each aspect of gameplay for new players or players returning to start new playthroughs.
3
Mostly apply increased damage output
Good For
Melee damage, carry weight
Fornew playerswho prefer melee combat inFallout 4,Strengthwill be a very important starting stat. The higher the player’s strength, themore melee damagethey will do. For every point invested in Strength, melee damage is increased by 10%.
As well as directly adding to melee damage, the Strength stat also has an impact onhow much weightand how many items the player can carry. For every point spent in Strength, the player willgain 10 Carry Capacity. The Strength perk tree is also very simple for new players, as it generally only deals with adding melee damage and similar skills.
Fallout 4 Strength Gameplay Impact
Strength can be used to create a solid and capable melee build inFallout 4. Higher melee damage output means that tough fights will be easier, and more survivable, as enemies will die quicker. Of course, being able to carry more loot is a boon as well.
4
Perks
Quite varied, covering ranged weapon use, VATS upgrades, and other skills like lock picking
Ranged combat, thief skills including lockpicking and pickpocketing
Fallout 4players who prefer usingpowerful weaponsand ranged combat over melee combat will need to have decentPerception. This is the starting stat that directly affects things such as Accuracy. When using VATS, each point spent in Perception adds 10 Accuracy, to a maximum of 95.
The perk tree for Perception is a little complicated. It covers skills such as upgrades and improvements to VATS, but it alsounlocks other skillsthat are not combat related. Players can spend perk points in pickpocketing and lockpicking, for example, which will never be used in combat.
Fallout 4 Perception Gameplay Impact
Due to its large boosts to the effectiveness of VATS, Perception is a great primary stat for players to construct an entire ranged build around, and it is useful for dealing with all forms of combat in the game. Put simply, killing something from an extreme range mitigates all incoming damage, which is easy mode.
Damage mitigation, better radiation protection, and reduced action point cost for sprinting
Tanking more damage, better mobility, reduced radiation damage
Enduranceis a very important stat when playingFallout 4. It has two primary functions. Firstly, the more points spent in Endurance, themore healththe player will have. Secondly, the number of skill points the player gains every time they level is driven by their Endurance stat.
The Endurance perk tree has some excellent skill unlocks. There are perks that willreduce overall damage taken, and also perks that will increase resistance to radiation. There are also perks that help with sprint efficiency and the number of action points taken up by performing actions, making Endurance a key stat for most character builds.
Fallout 4 Endurance Gameplay Impact
The Endurance stat has general utility for combat-focused gameplay inFallout 4. High Endurance grants the player better protection from hazardous environments, such as chemical and radiation damage. Higher overall health means they can suffer these hazards for longer, giving them a better chance of survival.
2
Improved speech checks, follower controls, and settlement management
Avoiding combat by negotiation, persuasion, and intimidation
Some players don’t bother withCharismaat all when playingFallout 4. It is very situational, and flies in the face ofcombat-focused gameplay. Put simply, players who don’t like to fight might like to try aCharisma build. However, not all combat can be avoided using speech checks.
The higher the player’s Charisma, the more chance there is that NPCs will do what the player asks. This includes getting price reductions,buying from merchants, and maintaining a settlement community. The perk tree for Charisma simply improves the chance of passing speech checks, as well as providing new options for controlling a follower.
Fallout 4 Charisma Gameplay Impact
Charisma has a deep impact on questing and trading gameplay inFallout 4, although it is less important in combat. High Charisma has a direct impact on interaction with NPCs in the game, and helps to negotiate better deals with vendors and achieve positive dialogue outcomes in conversations.
9
More item modification options and bonuses to chem use
Any build, as intelligence, has an impact on experience gain and progression
Every player starting a new game inFallout 4will want to pump theirIntelligencestat. Intelligence has a direct impact on how much experience is gained from any source at all. This means, no matter what build a player is aiming for, high Intelligence is going to help.
Some skills, such as hacking, are much easier with high Intelligence. Unfortunately, the perk tree for Intelligence is prettylackluster. It simply grants upgrades to the number ofweapon modsthat can be installed, and how large of a buff chems give.
Fallout 4 Intelligence Gameplay Impact
Intelligence has a great impact on all aspects of gameplay inFallout 4. High Intelligence makes it easier to craft better gear and mods. It also means the player levels faster, as they receive more experience points for every action that rewards EXP in the game.
5
Focused on stealth gameplay and small arms
Stealth builds, avoiding damage in combat, work in conjunction with Perception stat for some weapons
AgilityinFallout 4is primarily of use for boosting the number of action points the player has available. Action points are consumed during combat and movement, and are an important part of gameplay for some builds. For every point spent in Agility, the player is given10 extra action points.
Agility is also important for stealth builds, as the Agility perk tree has several stealth-focused unlocks. Furthermore, Agility combines with Perception in the game’s algorithm for calculating pistol and small arms damage.
Fallout 4 Agility Gameplay Impact
Agility is a useful stat for a player to boost for combat-related abilities inFallout 4. High Agility opens up options for stealth gameplay, enabling players to engage enemies with devastating ranged or melee attacks. Additionally, Agility is the primary stat that drives evasion and sprint speed; the higher the stat the better the player is at each of these.
Impact on loot chance and items, critical hit, and defense
Works well for every build and for players looking to maximize loot
Luckis really easy to understand inFallout 4. It has an impact on every action the player takes. Luck has the chance to tip the balance, resulting in a successful action, or swing the other way and add a penalty. Luck has a direct impact on the critical hit meter as well while in combat.
The perk tree for Luck has someuseful unlocks, primarily those that relate to loot chance and critical hit chance. Overall, Luck is a crucial stat to boost, and Luck unlocks are all beneficial in some way, regardless of a player’s build, providing plenty of utility.
Fallout 4 Luck Gameplay Impact
The Luck stat has surprisingly far-reaching effects on many aspects of gameplay inFallout 4. High Luck is primarily used to ensure the best chance of higher-level loot and resources being received. It can also impact event reward payouts. When in combat, a player with higher Luck has more chance of scoring a critical hit either using standard attacks, or when using VATS. Don’t overlook Luck as a combat stat; it is surprisingly effective.
