Fallout 76
Fallout 76

Melee Builds (Unarmed, One-Handed, Two-Handed)

Build a powerful melee character in Fallout 76. Optimize unarmed, one-handed, or two-handed builds for devastating close-quarters combat performance.

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Melee Builds (Unarmed, One-Handed, Two-Handed)

For those who prefer to get up close and personal with their enemies, melee builds in Fallout 76 offer a visceral and powerful playstyle. Whether you favor the raw brutality of unarmed combat, the swift precision of one-handed weapons, or the devastating impact of two-handed weapons, a well-constructed melee build can make you a force to be reckoned with in the wasteland.

The core of any melee build lies in the Strength SPECIAL attribute. High Strength not only increases your melee damage but also your carrying capacity, which is crucial for hauling all that loot. Beyond Strength, consider investing points into Endurance for increased survivability and Agility for AP (Action Points) to sprint and power attack more frequently.

Unarmed Builds: These builds focus on fists, power fists, and gauntlets. They often rely on perks that boost unarmed damage and attack speed. Key perks include:

  • Martial Artist: Increases the attack speed of unarmed weapons.
  • Iron Fist: Increases unarmed damage.
  • Incisor: Increases the melee damage of three-star melee weapons (applies to some unarmed weapons).

One-Handed Builds: This category includes combat knives, machetes, swords, and axes. These weapons often offer a good balance of speed and damage. Essential perks include:

  • Slugger: Increases one-handed melee damage.
  • Incisor: Increases the melee damage of three-star melee weapons.
  • Gladiator: Increases one-handed melee damage.

Two-Handed Builds: These builds utilize sledgehammers, super sledges, grognak's axes, and other heavy, slow-hitting weapons. They excel at staggering and dealing massive damage in a single blow. Key perks are:

  • Big Leagues: Increases two-handed melee damage.
  • Incisor: Increases the melee damage of three-handed melee weapons.
  • Barbarian: Increases melee damage based on your current carry weight.

General Melee Perks:

  • Rooted: Grants bonus damage and damage resistance while standing still. Essential for stationary combat.
  • Blocker: Reduces incoming melee damage from enemies.
  • Fireproof: Reduces damage from explosions and fire. Crucial for dealing with certain enemy types and environmental hazards.

Legendary Perks: Look for Legendary Perks that enhance your melee capabilities, such as those that increase damage, reduce incoming damage, or grant special effects on hit. Perks that boost Strength or provide defensive bonuses are also highly valuable.

Playstyle Tips:

  • Staggering: Melee weapons have a chance to stagger enemies, interrupting their attacks. Utilize this to control the flow of combat.
  • Power Attacks: Charged power attacks deal sificantly more damage and can often stagger even larger enemies.
  • Dodging and Blocking: While melee is about closing the distance, knowing when to dodge or block is crucial for survival.
  • Targeting Weaknesses: Many melee weapons have specific damage bonuses against certain enemy types.

Experiment with different weapon types and perk combinations to find the melee build that best suits your playstyle. With the right setup, you'll be cleaving through the dangers of Appalachia in no time.