Fallout 4: Best builds for all playstyles

From high-stealth assassins to deadly snipers, here are our picks for the best builds across all playstyles in Fallout 4 to take into the next-gen update.

Unlike Fallout 76‘s open-world multiplayer, Fallout 4 offers a purely single-player experience that allows you to immerse yourself in your character fully. However, you’ll still need to be able to defend yourself from the dangers of a post-apocalyptic world.

Whether you’re a veteran wastelander or jumping into Fallout 4 for the first time, these builds and weapon recommendations will guarantee survival in the Commonwealth. We’ve ranked these on the basis of overall effectiveness and ease of use.

Contents:

1. The Wild Vault Overseer (Automatic Rifle Build)

PerksAttributes / Level RequirementsPerk Description

This is a build for those who want to stay true, and in blue, to the Vault-Tec values you would have been taught if that cryogenic experiment worked. A proper Overseer will need to take charge, be intelligent, and be able to lead by example.

In terms of weapons, we recommend the “Overseer’s Guardian,” which is available for purchase in Vault 81, west of Diamond City. It’s one of the best guns in the game, though severely expensive, so save up those caps and sell whatever you don’t need to obtain.

2. Institute Courser (Stealth/Pistol Build)

PerkAttributes / Level RequirementsPerk Description

The Institute is the boogeyman of The Commonwealth in Fallout 4; if something goes wrong, everyone points the finger at them first. Following the Institute Synths, taking a role as a Courser will lead you to use a lot of stealth and have minimum charisma.

This means you’ll want to stock up on stealth boys and get your hands on the Deliverer Pistol from helping Deacon with the “Tradecraft” quest. A stealth-pistol build can be rounded down to three essential perks: Gunslinger, Sneak, and Ninja. After unlocking these, you should focus on increasing your general health and endurance.

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3. V.A.T.S Veteran (V.A.T.S Build)

Bethesda Softworks
PerkAttributes / Level RequirementsPerk Description

This is a build for the Fallout veterans who dream of the days of Fallout 1, 2, and Tactics, when Fallout was an isometric RPG.

Overelying on V.A.T.S. means every hit needs to count, so add some Crit perks to your repertoire. We recommend using a hard-hitting rifle, like a sniper, to make the most of V.A.T.S. from any distance.

4. Mad Scientist (Energy Weapon Build)

Fallout 4 Vault tec scientist looking into a radar scope
PerkAttributes / Level RequirementsPerk Description

If you’ve had enough people questioning your genius intellect, why not ignore reason, double down, and go full Doc Brown on us? This build focuses on creating your own weapons and maximizing your Power Armor.

You may want one of the best energy weapons in the game for this build, the Tesla Cannon, rewarded for completing the new “Echoes of the Past” quest introduced in the next-gen update.

You’ll want to enroll some robots for a companion, not Synths. Cogsworth, Curie, or Ada, whom you’ll be able to partner with if you purchase the Fallout 4 “Automaton” DLC, are great picks for mechanical companions.

5. Brotherhood Knight (Heavy Weapons)

Power Armor types
PerkAttributes / Level RequirementsPerk Description

The Brotherhood of Steel are tough, no-nonsense folk, so this build means you’ll need plenty of heavy weapons and a suit of power armor.

You’ll be a walking tank with as much health as possible and the ability to gun down anyone who throws a dirty look your way, let alone a grenade. Just make sure to keep your armor in tip-top shape.

6. The Road Warrior (Shotgun Build)

Fallout 4 legendary never ending double barreled shotgun
PerkAttributes / Level RequirementsPerk Description

While Fallout has yet to venture outside of the United States of America, it’s likely the rest of the world faced a similar nuclear fate, including Australia where the Mad Max series is set. As a cunning wasteland survivor, you can set out alone with your ever-reliant double-barreled shotgun or a faithful canine companion by your side.

In terms of weapons, you’ll want to get your hands on a Never-Ending double-barreled shotgun dropped by legendary enemies. This shotgun boasts an unlimited ammo capacity, from two shells to however many shells are in your pocket.

7. Rocky Balboa (Fists Only Build)

Fallout 4 vault boy punching iron fist melee diamond city
PerkAttributes / Level RequirementsPerk Description

While Rocky is set in Philidelphia, with a fists-only build, you’ll bring some of that Philly action to the Boston Commonwealth with your own two hands. As they violently pummel a poor raider into red paste. Be prepared to go at it alone; this isn’t a tag team match, after all.

As you can imagine, punching your way out in a wasteland full of Power Armor may prove difficult and, most of the time, fatal. So performance-enhancing drugs like Buffout and Psycho and pumping as much into physical resistances and damage perks are your hope for a knockout before the bell rings.

8. The Mysterious Stranger (Revolver and Crits Build)

Fallout 4 mysterious stranger
PerkAttributes / Level RequirementsPerk Description

The Mysterious Stranger is infamous in the wasteland for appearing out of the blue and assisting the Sole Survivor in moments of crisis, leaving as quickly as he appears without a trace. So, to pull off the Stranger’s build, we need some firepower.

Find yourself a stylish yellow suit and a good revolver. Eddie’s Peace or Kellogg’s pistol are good choices, and focus on Luck to make the most out of your critical attacks.

9. Demoman (Explosives Build)

Car exploding in fallout 4 sole survivor looking at fire
PerkAttributes / Level RequirementsPerk Description

The nukes aren’t the only things exploding in The Commonwealth. While large explosives like Mini-Nukes are rare in the wasteland, small-time explosives such as Molotov cocktails, grenades, and land mines litter the irradiated remains of Boston ripe for throwing.

Since you’re susceptible to all explosive damage regardless of source, you’ll want to pack some points into defense to save your limbs since these can deal some impressive close-range damage at the risk of blowing up in your face.

So grab yourself some Power Armor and we also recommend leaving a partner behind for this build; we want to avoid throwing a grenade at Dogmeat.

10. The Silver Shroud (SMG Build)

Fallout 4 the silver shroud
PerkAttributes / Level RequirementsPerk Description

In Goodneighbor, you can start a quest where you can work with a radio jockey to become the iconic hero of the past, “The Silver Shroud.” A vigilante with a quick mouth and a distaste for villains, the Silver Shroud has plenty of work to do in the wasteland.

This tommy-gun-wielding agent of justice has no qualms about dishing out deadly punishment on evil-doers. While their coat is stylish and their hat is slick, you will want to pump as much as you can into that submachine gun. Consider bringing along a mysterious sidekick with you.

11. Filthy Mutant (Endurance Build)

Fallout 4 super mutant
PerkAttributes / Level RequirementsPerk Description

If you look at the vicious feral Ghouls and the dumb-as-bricks Super Mutants and think, “That looks fun,” this is the build for you. Endurance is the name of the game for the mutated beings surviving the wasteland by any means necessary.

Weaponry is a personal preference in this build. The theme here is: “How well can you survive without a precious Stimpack or Radaway?” For your sake, we hope it’s a long time. This can provide a substantial challenge for Fallout 4’s Survival mode.

12. Chems Dealer (Chem Reliant Build)

PerkAttributes / Level RequirementsPerk Description

Putting up with the daily issues of wasteland life is extremely difficult, so it’s common for the average person to partake in a chem or two to ease the stresses of a post-apocalyptic lifestyle. They’re also extremely useful for trading and getting lots of caps – for more chems, of course.

Weapons aren’t an issue here because you’ll be riding high on the effects of the wasteland’s many chems, whether it’s Jet slowing down time or diving headfirst into a fight with a hit of Psycho. The school of thought here relies on chems to create a glass cannon build.

13. The Smooth Talking Survivor (Charisma Build)

Fallout 4 vault boy diamond city charisma point
PerkAttributes / Level RequirementsPerk Description

Most encounters in the wasteland often end with several bodies on the ground, but it helps to have the gift of gab when the situation calls for it. You’ll work your way out of dangerous situations and get a great deal from most vendors.

When it comes to actual survival though, you’ll find that picking your fights and confidence is vital. Play your perks right, and you’ll be able to stop fights before they start with a smolder and a wink.

14. Oppenheimer (Mini-Nuke Mania)

Fallout 4 Fat Man mini nuke launcher
PerkAttributes / Level RequirementsPerk Description

This build is for those who want to set the world on fire and “become death, destroyer of worlds.” Getting your hands on the Fat Man variant, the “Big Boy,” and attaching the MIRV launcher mod will turn a single Mini Nuke into 12. However, if you use an infamous glitch with this build in mind, a hail of bullets could turn into a hail of nuclear death.

Note that this intelligence-fueled build isn’t made for close-quarters combat, so put points into stats that up your defense and think twice before firing an atomic weapon inside a building. You’ll also want the extra defense V.A.T.S. and Power Armor can offer.

15. Child of Atom (Radiation Build)

PerkAttributes / Level RequirementsPerk Description

While a large health pool certainly helps with this radiation build, we recommend spreading out your stats to make the most of it. This mainly revolves around maxing out your relationship with the character Hancock to get a perk where radiation affects your damage.

As for weapons, completing the The Secret of Cabot House quest line will reward you with Lorenzo’s Artifact gun. The Kiloton Radium rifle is also a fantastic radiation-based weapon that can be obtained via the Far Harbor DLC.

16. Minuteman (Sniper Build)

Preston Garvey in Fallout 4
PerkAttributes / Level RequirementsPerk Description

Dedicated to restoring civility to The Commonwealth, becoming a Minuteman means caring for the common folk and securing settlements. You’d need to have a good eye for all of this, so naturally, a sniper build is best suited for this faction.

Regarding weapons, the Overseer’s Guardian is a great choice. However, it’ll need some serious modification, including a long-range scope and a .308 ammo modifier, which changes the weapon from an automatic to a deadly sniper rifle.

17. Brawler (Melee Only Build)

PerkAttributes / Level RequirementsPerk Description

In a wasteland full of guns, a Melee-only build may seem like a fun challenge for some and a stick-swinging nightmare for others. So you’ll be relying on closing the distance and using V.A.T.S. to wail enemies to death. Be sure to pick up the Grognak Costume at Hubris Comics for bonus melee weapon damage.

The name of the game for the best melee build in Fallout 4 is to pump as many points into Strength, Endurance, and Agility as you can to ensure you survive when rushing into the line of fire. The best weapons we can recommend for this build are the Grognak’s Axe, Deathclaw Gauntlet, or Shishkebab.

18. Scavenging Raider (Anything you can find)

PerkAttributes / Level RequirementsPerk Description

Being a raider in Fallout 4 means scavenging, looking for fights, winning by the skin of your teeth, and looting the rewards from whatever poor sucker dares to cross you.

A Raider is far from a powerful build, but it makes for a great challenge to see how well you do without relying too heavily on towns and settlements. Having the Mysterious Stranger perk for extra help is also a good idea.

19. Wasteland Doctor (Intelligence Build)

PerksAttributes / Level RequirementsPerk Description

The Hippocratic Oath becomes a cautionary tale of pacifism in a post-apocalyptic Boston. As a doctor, you’ll want to naturally keep your intelligence high, your health up, and your kill count low.

Find yourself the Syringer weapon that fires needles with unique effects. Ideally, pick the “Berserk” syringe so enemies attack one another. This is a reward for the “Hole in the Wall” quest in Vault 81, which will also grant you Curie as a companion.

20. Settlement Leader (Base Building Build)

PerkAttributes / Level RequirementsPerk Description

This build is for those not particularly interested in the main quest and would rather put Diamond City to shame by forging the ultimate home base in Fallout 4.

Whether by yourself in Sanctuary or forming a caravan with other settlements, if there’s one thing you need to build your settlement, it’s junk. The most ambitious building projects can fall apart if you’re missing a single screw, so prepare to horde away everything you see.

Venturing out to find that specific crafting item to build something can be risky, but the real risk comes from being over-encumbered, slowing you down on the way back to your settlement.

If you’re after some extra protection in the wasteland. Get a good start to your Fallout 4 adventure with our best early game perk picks, or if you’re looking for some extra small arms firepower see the best pistols in Fallout 4.

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