Fallout New Vegas is a game full of possibilities. The RPG classic lets players take on the unforgiving wasteland of the Mojave as any kind of character they choose to be. For anyone that’s already played the game before and is looking to jump back in, the Hardcore Mode might be just the thing they need. However this mode is not to be taken lightly- permanent companion death, delayed healing, and ammo that will now weigh you down are just some of the brutal perks of this mode. If you decide to take on the challenge, here are some of the best Hardcore builds to try in Fallout New Vegas.
Fallout New Vegas: Best Hardcore Builds
Hardcore Mode is the game at its most unforgiving. The game takes away many of the mechanics most new players rely on. Health packs don’t work as effectively, you’ll have to visit a doctor to heal any major wounds like broken bones, and companions can now die permanently are just some of the challenges in Hardcore Mode. This makes your choice of S.P.E.C.I.A.L points very important, focusing on just one or two stats and skills is the best way to survive the odds. Let’s look at a few such builds you can try during your playthrough.
The Sharp Shooter
Sneak up behind enemy lines and take them out one by one with your trusty sniper, this is the perfect build for the snipers out there. This build helps you utilize one of the game’s strongest weapons The Sniper which can be found if you have the Lonesome Road DLC. This build doesn’t require you to have high Strength, Endurance, or Charisma but needs high Luck and Perception to work its magic. Combine this with perks like Sneak, Finesse, Rapid Reload, and Sniper to increase your effectiveness and skill. Here are the S.P.E.C.I.A.L points needed for this build.
- Strength: 5
- Perception: 7
- Endurance: 4
- Charisma: 3
- Intelligence: 5
- Agility: 8
- Luck: 8
Demolition Man
Using all the heavy firepower of missiles, grenades and even Mini- Nukes to keep your distance from Deathclaws and mutants is a tried and true strategy for Fallout New Vegas. Since even your ammo now weighs Hardcore Mode, putting in points in Strength will increase your carrying capacity while also giving increasing the damage you dish out. Perks like Rapid Reload are a must as these heavy weapons take time to load up. Also, get the Demolitions Expert perk to get a vital 20% increase in damage from mines and grenades. Here are the S.P.E.C.I.A.L points needed for this build.
- Strength: 9
- Perception: 6
- Endurance: 9
- Charisma: 1
- Intelligence: 6
- Agility: 9
- Luck: 7
Charismatic Brainiac
A build for the completionist out there, the Charismatic Brainiac is a build for players who like to talk their way out of conflicts. This build will let you walk out of any situation with just the right things to say. A 10 in Charisma and Intelligence will give you ultimate control during any conversations you have in the wasteland. Speech, Medicine, Science, and Repair are your strongest skills and will work well with your high Intelligence. High Intelligence will also let you level up faster, letting you learn skills quicker. While this build might be the most challenging at the start, by the end game you’ll be able to win almost every interaction with both words and guns. Here are the S.P.E.C.I.A.L points needed for this build.
- Strength: 3
- Perception: 3
- Endurance: 4
- Charisma: 10
- Intelligence: 10
- Agility: 6
- Luck: 4
One Punch Man
The strongest build on this list in terms of strength, this build pushes the game’s melee combat system to its limits. A 10 in Strength, Endurance, and Luck is all you need to be an unstoppable killing machine. Skills like Radiation Resistance, Unarmed, and Hit Points will make you almost unkillable. Come this with Stong Back, Super Slam, and Heavyweight to turn enemies into a pulp. The lack of Charisma and intelligence leads to some hilarious dialogue options that make this build extra charming. Here are the S.P.E.C.I.A.L points needed for this build.
- Strength: 10
- Perception: 1
- Endurance: 10
- Charisma: 4
- Intelligence: 1
- Agility: 4
- Luck: 10
That’s just some of the builds you can try in Fallout New Vegas Hardcore Mode. For more such guides, check out our list of the Best Fallout New Vegas mods and other Game guides here on Gamer Tweak.
