Fallout 4: The Essential Early Game Perks for Wasteland Domination

So, you’ve emerged from Vault 111, blinking in the harsh light of the post-apocalyptic Commonwealth. You’re probably overwhelmed, under-equipped, and wondering where to even begin. Fear not, Vault Dweller! Your perk choices in the early game are crucial for setting the tone for your entire playthrough. Selecting the right perks in the beginning of Fallout 4 isn’t just about surviving; it’s about thriving and shaping your character into the wasteland wanderer you envision.

The short and sweet answer? Focus on perks that improve your survival skills, resource gathering, and combat effectiveness. Consider perks like Scrounger, Locksmith, Hacker, Gun Nut, and Toughness. These will give you a solid foundation to build upon as you explore and adapt to the challenges of the wasteland.

Building Your Foundation: Essential Early Perks

The beauty of Fallout 4’s perk system lies in its flexibility. There’s no “one size fits all” build, but certain perks offer immense value early on, regardless of your eventual playstyle. Here’s a breakdown of the perks to prioritize in your first few levels:

Scrounger

• Why it’s essential: Ammo is a precious commodity in the early game. Scrounger significantly increases your chance of finding more ammunition in containers. More ammo means more time blasting Raiders and less time scavenging with your bare hands. This is particularly useful on higher difficulty settings where ammo scarcity is a major hurdle.
• SPECIAL Requirement: Luck 2
• Levels: 4

Locksmith

• Why it’s essential: Locked containers and doors are everywhere, often hiding valuable loot, rare items, and shortcuts. Bypassing these obstacles early on can provide you with a significant advantage, giving you access to better gear, resources, and even quest locations before you’re “supposed” to be there.
• SPECIAL Requirement: Perception 4
• Levels: 4

Hacker

• Why it’s essential: Similar to Locksmith, Hacker allows you to access terminals that control turrets, robots, and even unlock doors and safes. Hacking can provide tactical advantages in combat and access to valuable information and resources. Some terminals will be very difficult, so having this option is a great benefit.
• SPECIAL Requirement: Intelligence 4
• Levels: 4

Gun Nut

• Why it’s essential: Early-game weapons are often weak and unreliable. Gun Nut lets you modify your weapons, improving their damage, accuracy, and handling. This is crucial for staying ahead of the curve as enemies become tougher. It also opens the door to crafting essential weapon mods like scopes, silencers, and improved receivers.
• SPECIAL Requirement: Intelligence 3
• Levels: 4

Toughness

• Why it’s essential: The wasteland is a dangerous place, and you’re going to get hit. A lot. Toughness provides a flat damage resistance bonus, making you significantly more durable. This is a fantastic perk for any build, regardless of your preferred combat style. Plain and simple, it increases your survivability.
• SPECIAL Requirement: Endurance 1
• Levels: 5

Action Boy/Girl

• Why it’s essential: More Action Points (AP) means more V.A.T.S. attacks, more sprinting, and more general maneuverability. In the early game, when you’re likely under-equipped and outnumbered, having extra AP can be the difference between life and death. The agility can provide a strategic advantage when dealing with a group of enemies.
• SPECIAL Requirement: Agility 5
• Levels: 2

Medic

• Why it’s essential: Staying healthy and free of ailments is very important in the Commonwealth. The Medic perk makes your stimpacks and radaways more effective.
• SPECIAL Requirement: Intelligence 2
• Levels: 4

Adapting to Your Playstyle

While the perks above provide a strong foundation, consider tailoring your early perk choices to your preferred playstyle:

• Melee Builds: Consider Iron Fist (Strength 1) for increased unarmed damage and Big Leagues (Strength 2) for increased melee weapon damage.
• Stealth Builds: Sneak (Agility 3) is essential for reducing enemy detection and allowing you to get the drop on unsuspecting foes. Mister Sandman (Agility 4) adds a damage bonus for silenced weapons.
• Charisma Builds: Lone Wanderer (Charisma 3) is fantastic if you prefer to travel solo, providing damage resistance, carry weight, and increased damage output.

The SPECIAL Book

Don’t forget to grab the “You’re SPECIAL!” book under Shaun’s crib in your old Sanctuary home. This allows you to add one point to any SPECIAL stat, giving you a head start on unlocking a perk you want.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is Idiot Savant a good early perk?

Idiot Savant is a high-risk, high-reward perk. It provides a chance for massively increased XP gains on random actions, but it’s most effective with a lower Intelligence stat. Some players swear by it, while others find its inconsistency frustrating. If you’re going for a low-Intelligence build, it’s definitely worth considering.

2. Should I focus on increasing my SPECIAL stats early on?

It’s a balancing act. Investing in SPECIAL stats allows you to unlock higher-tier perks, but neglecting your immediate survival needs can be detrimental. Aim to reach the minimum SPECIAL requirements for the essential perks outlined above, and then consider boosting stats that align with your playstyle.

3. How many perk points do I get at the beginning?

You start with 28 perk points to spend initially. You also have the ability to respecialize, so you can fine-tune your approach as you go.

4. Is Lone Wanderer affected by Dogmeat?

No! This is a common misconception. The Lone Wanderer perk works perfectly well with Dogmeat as your companion. You still get all the benefits of the perk while having your canine friend by your side.

5. What’s the best faction to join early?

There’s no “best” faction to join early, as it depends on your role-playing preferences. The Minutemen are the most accessible and provide a steady stream of quests. You are able to ignore the Minutemen entirely, if you prefer. The Brotherhood of Steel offers powerful equipment and training, while the Railroad focuses on stealth and helping synths. Explore each faction’s values and choose the one that aligns with your character.

6. Should I loot everything?

While looting is essential, avoid hoarding everything you find. Focus on items with high value-to-weight ratios, such as ammo, chems, and valuable junk that can be scrapped for components. Becoming over-encumbered early on will slow you down and make you vulnerable.

7. Can Dogmeat die permanently?

No, Dogmeat cannot die permanently in Fallout 4. If he takes too much damage, he will become incapacitated and recover after combat.

8. Is there a way to respec my perks?

Yes, Fallout 4 offers a way to respec your character’s SPECIAL stats and perks. By finding all of the “You Are SPECIAL!” books scattered throughout the Commonwealth, you can eventually unlock the ability to respecialize through a machine that appears in one of your settlements.

9. What if I want to romance someone?

Romance options are tied to companions and their affinity levels. To increase affinity, perform actions that the companion approves of and avoid actions they dislike. Once you reach a high enough affinity, you can initiate a romantic relationship.

10. Is it okay to play on Survival difficulty from the start?

Playing on Survival difficulty from the start is a significant challenge and is generally recommended for experienced Fallout players. It requires careful resource management, tactical combat, and a deep understanding of the game’s mechanics. If you’re new to Fallout 4, consider starting on a lower difficulty setting to learn the ropes.

11. What if I focus on building settlements early on?

Settlement building can be a rewarding early-game activity. Perks like Local Leader (Charisma 6) are essential for establishing supply lines and building advanced structures. However, remember that focusing solely on settlements can leave you vulnerable in combat.

12. How important is crafting?

Crafting is extremely important in Fallout 4. Being able to craft weapons, armor, chems, and settlement structures allows you to customize your gear, improve your survivability, and create thriving settlements. Invest in perks like Gun Nut, Armorer, Chemist, and Science! to maximize your crafting potential.

13. What are some good early-game weapons to look for?

Some good early-game weapons include the 10mm pistol (reliable and ammo is plentiful), the pipe pistol (highly customizable), and the hunting rifle (powerful and accurate). Keep an eye out for legendary weapons with unique effects.

14. Should I always accept quests from Preston Garvey?

While Preston Garvey’s radiant quests can become repetitive, they’re a good source of XP and resources in the early game. However, don’t feel obligated to accept every quest he offers. You can safely ignore them if you prefer to explore and pursue other storylines.

15. Where can I learn more about game-based learning and design?

The Games Learning Society is a great resource for exploring the intersection of games and education. They have a website where you can explore articles and information about game-based learning and design. Check it out at: https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/ or GamesLearningSociety.org.

Conquer the Commonwealth!

By prioritizing these essential early game perks, you’ll be well-equipped to face the challenges of the Commonwealth and shape your character into the ultimate wasteland survivor. Remember to adapt your perk choices to your preferred playstyle and have fun exploring the vast and dangerous world of Fallout 4!