Skills List & Details

Welcome, Vault Dweller, to the definitive guide on mastering your skills in the treacherous wastes of Fallout 2. Your chosen skills are paramount to your survival and success, influencing everything from combat prowess to your ability to sweet-talk your way out of a sticky situation. This section breaks down each skill, offering actionable advice, key locations for training, and strategic considerations for your build.

Combat Skills

These skills dictate your effectiveness in direct confrontation. Investing heavily here is crucial for any character intending to face the dangers of the wasteland head-on.

Small Guns: Your bread and butter for most of the early to mid-game. This skill governs pistols, submachine guns, and rifles.

Early Game Focus: Aim for at least 75% by the time you leave the Den. The 10mm Pistol and Hunting Rifle are excellent early choices. You can acquire a 10mm Pistol from various raiders or buy one from Flick in the Den. A Hunting Rifle can often be found on guards in Klamath or purchased in Modoc.
Training: Gain a significant boost by completing the "Kill the Radscorpions" quest for Hakunin in Arroyo. Later, seek out the Gun Shop in San Francisco for advanced training.
Strategic Tip: Consider tagging this skill at character creation. With a high Small Guns skill, you can reliably take down most early threats, conserving valuable ammunition for more challenging encounters.

Big Guns: For when you need to make a statement. This skill covers heavy weapons like Miniguns, Rocket Launchers, and Flamers.

Mid to Late Game: Don't invest heavily here until you can consistently acquire ammunition and the weapons themselves. A Flamer can be found in the EPA (Enclave Production Area) or purchased in Navarro. A Minigun is a rare find, often carried by high-level Enclave patrols or found in their bases.
Training: The Enclave base in Navarro offers some of the best opportunities for Big Guns practice, though getting there is a challenge in itself.
Strategic Tip: Best paired with a high Strength and Endurance. Big Guns are heavy and often require multiple Action Points per shot. A dedicated Big Guns character can be devastating in combat, especially against armored foes.

Energy Weapons: The pinnacle of wasteland firepower, utilizing advanced laser and plasma technology.

Late Game Dominance: These weapons are scarce and expensive until the latter half of the game. Look for a Laser Pistol or Plasma Pistol in Vault City or New Reno. The Gatling Laser and Plasma Rifle are end-game powerhouses, often found in the Enclave Oil Rig.
Training: Dr. Troy in Vault City can offer some basic training. For advanced boosts, you'll need to reach San Francisco and seek out the Brotherhood of Steel.
Strategic Tip: If you plan on specializing in Energy Weapons, prioritize Intelligence and Perception. These weapons often have high accuracy and critical hit potential.

Melee Weapons: For those who prefer to get up close and personal. This skill governs knives, spears, sledgehammers, and more.

Early Game Viability: A strong choice for low-resource runs. The Spear from Arroyo is a decent starting weapon. Upgrade to a Combat Knife or Sledgehammer found in the Den or Klamath.
Training: The Den's various thugs offer ample opportunities for "practice." Later, the New Reno boxing gym can provide significant boosts.
Strategic Tip: Combine with high Strength, Agility, and the "Slayer" perk for maximum effectiveness. Melee builds can be incredibly powerful, especially with critical hits, but require careful positioning.

Unarmed: Fighting with your bare hands (or power fists).

Specialized Build: This skill is often overlooked but can be incredibly potent with the right perks. The Power Fist (found in Vault City or New Reno) is a game-changer.
Training: The New Reno boxing matches are essential for training and earning money.
Strategic Tip: Unarmed builds benefit immensely from high Strength, Agility, and the "Slayer" perk. The "Bonus HtH Attacks" perk is also a must-have.

Throwing: Utilizing grenades and throwing knives.

Situational Use: While not a primary combat skill for most, a high Throwing skill can be invaluable for clearing groups of enemies with Grenades (Frag, Plasma, Pulse) or for dealing with turrets.
Acquisition: Grenades can be bought from various merchants, particularly in New Reno or San Francisco.
Strategic Tip: Consider a modest investment (around 60-80%) if you enjoy tactical combat. It pairs well with a Small Guns build for versatility.

Utility Skills

These skills are essential for navigating the world, completing quests, and interacting with its inhabitants. A balanced character will invest in at least a few of these.

First Aid: Essential for battlefield healing.

Early Game Priority: Aim for at least 75% early on. This allows you to effectively use Stimpaks and First Aid Kits to heal yourself and companions, saving valuable Doctor's Bags.
Training: Dr. Fung in Klamath can provide some initial training. Later, the doctors in Vault City or New Reno offer more advanced instruction.
Strategic Tip: A high First Aid skill reduces the amount of healing items consumed and can save your companions from an untimely demise.

Doctor: For serious injuries and curing radiation.

Mid Game Investment: While First Aid handles minor wounds, Doctor is crucial for healing crippled limbs and removing radiation. Aim for 90% by the mid-game.
Training: Dr. Fung in Klamath, Dr. Troy in Vault City, and Dr. Johnson in New Reno can all provide training.
Strategic Tip: With a high Doctor skill, you can save a lot of money on medical services and even perform critical quest-related surgeries. Always carry a few Doctor's Bags.

Sneak: For avoiding combat or setting up ambushes.

Stealth Builds: If you plan on a stealthy character, tag this skill and aim for 150%+. This allows you to bypass many encounters, steal items, and position for critical first strikes.
Training: The Thieves Guild in New Reno offers excellent training.
Strategic Tip: Combine with high Agility and the "Silent Death" perk for a truly deadly stealth character. Remember to toggle sneak mode (default 'S') to activate the skill.

Lockpick: Opening locked doors and containers.

Universal Utility: An incredibly useful skill for any character. Aim for 100-120% to open most locks.
Tools: Always carry Lockpicks and an Electronic Lockpick. The latter is essential for many high-tech locks. You can find basic Lockpicks in the Den, and Electronic Lockpicks often appear in Vault City or Redding.
Training: The Thieves Guild in New Reno is your best bet for advanced training.
Strategic Tip: A high Lockpick skill grants access to valuable loot and alternative quest paths. Don't underestimate its importance.

Steal: Taking items from NPCs.

Risky but Rewarding: This skill can net you powerful weapons, armor, and quest items early on, but failure often leads to combat. Aim for 120%+ for reliable success.
Training: The Thieves Guild in New Reno is the primary training ground.
Strategic Tip: Save before attempting a steal. High Agility and Sneak complement this skill. Target NPCs with low Perception for easier attempts.

Traps: Disarming and setting traps.

Niche Skill: While useful in certain areas (like the Temple of Trials or some dungeons), it's not a universally critical skill. A modest investment of 70-80% is usually sufficient.
Tools: You'll need a Trap Kit to set traps.
Strategic Tip: If you have a companion with a high Traps skill (like Vic or Cassidy), you can often rely on them for this.

Science: Understanding and interacting with technology.

Quest-Dependent: Crucial for many quests involving computers, robots, and advanced technology. Aim for 120% for most challenges.
Training: The Hubologists in San Francisco and the scientists in Vault City offer excellent training.
Strategic Tip: A high Science skill opens up dialogue options and quest solutions that are otherwise unavailable. Essential for a "brainy" character.

Repair: Fixing broken items and machinery.

Money Saver: A high Repair skill (100-120%) allows you to fix your own armor and weapons, saving you caps. It's also vital for certain quests, like fixing the water pump in Klamath or the Hummer.
Tools: Always carry a Tool Kit.
Training: Vic in the Den can offer some basic training. Later, the mechanics in Gecko or Redding are good sources.
Strategic Tip: This skill is a solid investment for any character, as it directly impacts your gear's longevity and your wallet.

Interaction Skills

These skills govern your ability to communicate and influence the people of the wasteland, often opening up non-combat solutions to problems.

Speech: Persuading and intimidating NPCs.

Diplomat's Choice: Arguably one of the most powerful skills in the game, allowing you to bypass combat, gain information, and complete quests in unique ways. Aim for 150%+ for maximum effectiveness.
Training: Many NPCs throughout the game will offer minor boosts through dialogue. The New Reno "Made Man" questline can significantly improve your Speech.
Strategic Tip: Combine with high Charisma and Intelligence. A high Speech skill can completely change your playthrough, offering a wealth of alternative solutions.

Barter: Getting better prices from merchants.

Economic Advantage: A high Barter skill (100-120%) means you pay less for goods and sell your items for more. This can save you thousands of caps over the course of the game.
Training: Many merchants offer minor boosts. The Redding casino owners can provide some training.
Strategic Tip: While not essential for survival, it's a great quality-of-life skill. Consider investing if you find yourself constantly short on caps.

Gambling: Winning caps at casinos.

Money Maker: With a high Gambling skill (120%+), you can consistently win at the casinos in New Reno and Redding, providing a reliable source of income.
Locations: The Shark Club, Virgin Street, and Desperado casinos in New Reno, and the various establishments in Redding.
Strategic Tip: Save before each gambling session. It's a quick way to get rich, but also to lose everything if you're not careful.