Unarmed vs. Melee in Fallout: New Vegas – Which Reigns Supreme?

The age-old debate in the Mojave Wasteland: unarmed or melee? Both offer unique playstyles and devastating potential, but which one truly dominates in Fallout: New Vegas? The simple answer is: neither is definitively “better.” The ideal choice depends entirely on your preferred playstyle, build strategy, and what you want from your Courier’s close-quarters combat experience.

While melee weapons generally boast a superior reach and a wider array of options, unarmed combat can deliver higher raw damage, especially against heavily armored foes. The differences, however, go much deeper, involving considerations of weight, repair, perks, VATS efficiency, and even armor. Let’s delve into the specifics of each to help you make the right decision for your wasteland journey.

The Case for Melee

Range and Variety

Melee weapons offer a crucial advantage: range. While unarmed requires you to be nose-to-nose with your opponent, melee weapons such as swords, axes, and super sledges allow you to attack from a safer distance. This can be particularly helpful against ranged enemies and when navigating crowded battlefields. The sheer variety of melee options is also a boon, providing specialized tools for different situations. From the swift combat knife to the devastatingly powerful super sledge and the unique Oh, Baby!, you have plenty to choose from.

Melee Build Perks

The melee perks offer unique ways to enhance combat, specifically the passive that allows you to hit everyone in front of you. This gives the ability to deal significant area damage. However, it does lack a little bit in VATS, where the accuracy and the range issues make it difficult to make the most of it.

Drawbacks

There are, however, downsides to melee. Many melee weapons tend to be heavier, limiting how much loot you can carry. They also often require more frequent repair, which can be resource-intensive. While these drawbacks can be mitigated, they are important to consider when choosing between melee and unarmed.

The Power of Unarmed

Raw Damage and Armor Penetration

Unarmed’s main strength lies in its raw damage potential. Weapons like the Power Fist, Deathclaw Gauntlet, and Embrace of the Mantis King deal tremendous damage, often bypassing armor. This makes unarmed extremely effective against heavily armored foes such as robots, Deathclaws, and power-armored enemies. The Industrial Hand in particular does very well at shredding armor.

Weight and Efficiency

Unarmed weapons are typically very light, allowing you to carry more loot and other weapons. This makes it easier to adapt to any situation you may encounter. Additionally, unarmed is more efficient in VATS due to better AP usage and the ability to inflict greater damage with crits, especially with perks like Better Criticals.

Unique Combat Mechanics

Many unique unarmed moves and perks make unarmed play feel more distinct. Paralyzing Palm can incapacitate enemies, but does require a critical hit, and Piercing Strike can bypass even more armor. These abilities create a more tactical and engaging combat experience. The fact that it’s easy to acquire and carry multiple unarmed weapons adds to its versatility, and you could potentially carry specialized weapons for every possible enemy type.

Drawbacks

Unarmed combat’s major disadvantage is that you must be right next to the enemy to deal damage, which can leave you vulnerable to multiple attacks. Also, you cannot use most unarmed weapons when wearing Power Armor. You can still deal unarmed damage while wearing power armor, but you do not get the boosts from your weapons, instead relying solely on your strength and power armor upgrades.

The Verdict

In essence, choosing between melee and unarmed in Fallout: New Vegas isn’t about declaring one better than the other; it is about understanding the nuances of how they play. If you value reach and versatility and are willing to manage weapon weight and repair, a melee build could be your perfect fit. But if you crave raw power, efficiency, and devastating critical hits, particularly against armored enemies, then an unarmed build might be the better option for you. The perks can further enhance this damage, and it’s even easier with unarmed to get every perk you need.

Ultimately, the best choice will be based on your preferred combat style and gameplay objectives. Feel free to try both! The Mojave is your oyster!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Which is better for a beginner, melee or unarmed?

Melee is arguably more beginner-friendly due to its greater range and larger selection of weapons. However, unarmed is perfectly viable early in the game and can be extremely powerful if you focus on it. It comes down to personal preference, but if you are struggling in the early game, give melee a try.

2. Does Strength affect unarmed damage in Fallout: New Vegas?

Yes, Strength does affect unarmed damage. Every point in strength increases unarmed damage by 0.5 per point. It does not affect the unarmed skill itself though.

3. What is the best unarmed weapon in the game?

Many players swear by the Embrace of the Mantis King, Fist of Rawr, and the Industrial Hand as the best unarmed weapons, depending on the enemy. All three are very powerful, and some are better against certain enemies than others.

4. Can you use unarmed weapons in Power Armor?

You cannot use most unarmed weapons when in power armor, and instead must rely on your base unarmed strength. You can get upgrades for the power armor to increase this damage.

5. Are there any unarmed weapons that can be used in power armor?

No, There are no unarmed weapons that can be used while in power armor.

6. What are some of the best unarmed perks?

The best unarmed perks include Better Criticals, Finesse, Piercing Strike, and Super Slam. Action Boy/Girl and Light Touch (if you have Dead Money) are also strong picks.

7. What are the best melee weapons without DLC?

Top melee weapons without DLC include the Super Sledge, Thermic Lance, and Combat Knife. Oh Baby! is the unique variant of the Super Sledge and one of the best melee weapons in the game.

8. How do I get the best unarmed weapons?

Most of the best unarmed weapons are acquired through completing quests, exploring hidden locations, or purchasing them from specific vendors. The Embrace of the Mantis King is gotten by completing the quest “Bleed Me Dry” given by Lucy at the Crimson Caravan Company, The Fist of Rawr is found in a cave in the southwest of the map on a unique named Deathclaw, and the Industrial Hand can be bought from merchants.

9. Do any traits benefit a melee or unarmed build?

Yes, Skilled is an excellent all-around trait. Built to Destroy can be beneficial for melee due to the increased critical hit rate. Small Frame can be a viable choice for unarmed. Fast Shot and Kamikaze can also be good choices depending on your playstyle.

10. Which is better for VATS, melee or unarmed?

Unarmed tends to be better in VATS due to its lower AP cost per attack and ability to inflict heavy damage with critical hits. Melee weapons also do not get any accuracy boosts with VATS.

11. Does the Deathclaw Gauntlet count as an unarmed weapon?

Yes, the Deathclaw Gauntlet is classified as an unarmed weapon.

12. What is the most important SPECIAL stat for unarmed builds?

Endurance is the most important SPECIAL stat, since it increases the unarmed skill. Strength is also important for damage output and weapon requirements, and Luck further raises unarmed effectiveness.

13. What is the most important SPECIAL stat for melee builds?

Strength is the most important SPECIAL stat for melee builds, as it increases damage with melee weapons. Endurance is also useful for health and melee weapon usage.

14. Can I play Fallout: New Vegas as a pacifist?

While the game’s engine does not make it easy, it is possible to complete Fallout: New Vegas with minimal or no direct kills. However, some quests require it. You might find yourself running away more than you are fighting.

15. What are some good skills to pair with unarmed or melee?

Repair is crucial for both builds, as is Sneak for maximizing damage output. Medicine and Survival are useful for general wasteland preparedness, while Lockpick and Science provide access to more areas and items.