GENERAL TACTICS

Learn how to cripple enemies, choose the right weapons and ammo, and exploit weaknesses to dominate combat in Fallout.

Alright, let's talk about how to really dish out the pain in the wasteland. Combat in Fallout can seem a bit tricky at first, but once you get the hang of these general tactics, you'll be a wasteland warrior in no time. It's all about being smart with your shots and your gear.

First off, you've got these things called 'critical hits,' and they're your best friend. If you manage to land a critical hit while aiming at specific body parts – think legs, arms, or eyes – you can actually cripple them. Crippling an enemy's legs makes them super slow and easy to deal with. If you take out their arms, they can't use two-handed weapons anymore, and if you get both, they're stuck with just punching. Aiming for the eyes is usually a great way to get a critical hit and do massive damage, plus it messes with their Perception stat, making them less aware of you.

And hey, a little pro-tip: if you're fighting male NPCs, a well-placed shot to the groin will make them fall down. It's not the most heroic move, but it works!

Now, let's get serious about weapons. You absolutely have to use the right tool for the job. That trusty .223 Pistol might be great up close, but it's going to feel pretty useless when you're trying to hit something way across a field. For those long-range encounters, you'll want something like a Sniper Rifle or a Combat Shotgun. Generally, weapons that fire in bursts, like some energy weapons, don't do a whole lot of damage against enemies wearing heavy armor, like power or metal suits. Lasers are okay against leather armor, but that's about it. Forget about burst fire against tough opponents; it's just not effective.

However, don't confuse this with aimed shots! Even with a less-than-ideal weapon, if you aim for the eyes or the head, you can still do a ton of damage, no matter what armor they're wearing. Seriously, you can pacify mutants with something as basic as a Desert Eagle or a 10mm pistol if you just keep hitting them in the eyes. It’s all about precision.

On the flip side, don't waste your precious ammo on those tiny critters like rats. They're just not worth the bullets. If you can, switch to unarmed or melee attacks for them. If you've got a Super Sledgehammer and you're rocking some Power Armor, even those nasty Deathclaws at the Boneyards become manageable.

Ammo type is just as crucial as the weapon itself. You might think AP (Armor-Piercing) ammo is always better against armored targets, but the game actually applies some nasty damage penalties when you use it. While AP does penetrate better than JHP (Jacketed Hollow Point), you'll almost always want to go with JHP. It's generally the best all-around choice. FMJ (Full Metal Jacket) isn't too shabby either. The only real exceptions seem to be AP and Explosive rockets; they both seem to hit pretty similarly in terms of damage.