Fallout 3 - Advice for the new guys

[The Warden]

What's up Wastelanders? So as we all know, the wastes are full of shitheads who want you dead, and it's not easy to make a fortune out there, so I was wondering, got any tips for those inexperienced Wasters tryin' to make it out there? Here's some pretty basic advice: Carry only what's necessary, 5 sets of combat armor isn't worth it, and chances are you'll encounter good loot that's too heavy to pick up because you overpacked. Getting a house is a good idea, so you can store loot for later use.

 

[dududf]

I never bothered with the house... Carry the bare essentials, and you'll be fine...


Only use Vats when you are stupid close, and the enemy is fast. Beyond that, no need for it.

 

[Gauntes]

10mm rounds are basically peas that you can shoot from your gun
get something else

 

[DeadlyYellow]

Always use VATS and dump points into Lockpick, Science, and Small guns.

10mm rounds are basically peas that you can shoot from your gun

It's probably the best of the Small Arms pistols, outside the Scoped Magnum (and whatever crap's available with the additions.)

 

[chromewarriorXIII]

I would suggest that whenever you find a wastelander who just sits in the wastes (i.e. not any of the travelling ones, and none in a city), that after you get them to repair your stuff, kill them. You can get your money back and usually their ammo and healing items. Sure, it may make you lose Karma but not much, I do this on my good file all the time.

Also, don't always carry your Fat Man around with you. There are few occasions where you actually need it so only get it if you know you will need it.

EDIT: Just remembered a couple more.

There is no need to put your skill above 90. The Bobbleheads increase the skill by 10 bringing it up to 100 and there are plenty of books that raise the skills as well.

The same goes for SPECIAL stats. 9 is the highest you need (8 for luck). The Bobbleheads increase it by 1 and getting the Lucky 8 Ball increases your luck by another 1 (leaving you with either 10, or 11 if you already got the Bobblehead.

Never you VATS with a sniper rifle. Manually aiming is much more accurate because it doesn't take into account the scope.

 

[CrysisMcGee]

You will get to level 20 fairly quickly. Don't bother with taking any perks that give you more experience.

 

[Alkestes]

Remember to always play to your character's strengths. No sense trying to kill stuff with a small gun if your character is crap with them. The only thing that is helpful even if your character isn't especially skilled in it, is sneaking. It doesn't matter too much if you have a high sneak skill or not. Sneaking will always let you get closer to the enemy before he spots you, regardless of the skill level.

 

[TheNumber1Zero]

I always suggest Kleptomaniacy, regardless of Karma preference. Theft gives minimal negative karma that easily gets replaced by positive Karma from just about any good deed.

If it's weightless, take it. I'm talking about things ranging from Pre-War Money to Pencils, no matter what it is. If it's weightless, take it.

Always keep all forms of ammo handy. If you get in a big fight that you might not be able to win, and one of the enemies drops a missile launcher, you're gonna wish you didn't store those Missiles. Do not sell ammo, there's always more than enough ways to make caps without selling your surplus Ammo.

Finally, avoid Deathclaws at all costs during your early levels. Later on they will become simple kills, but early on they will easily rip through your armor and kill you. If you are having trouble fighting Deathclaws, I suggest having a Dart Gun handy at all times. It will slow the Deathclaw down to a crawl and disable its lunge attack.

 

[MetalDooley]

Download the Broken Steel DLC.Raises the Level cap to 30 which means you won't max out about 3 quarters of the way through the game

 

[Gauntes]

Blowing up Megaton isn't exactly profitable as you might think

 

[Ironic Pirate]

Carry stuff that's helpful but that your willing to drop in the face of better loot. I always a bunch of medical stuff (stimpacks or whatever, can't quite remember) that I'm ready to drop for expensive shit.

 

[Buizel91]

if you find dogmeat (a dog), keep him in your house...he always dies and he's cute =(

dont use the Chinese pistol, use the normal one, the assault rifle is ok at the beginning, but try to find a Chinese assault rifle... they are so much better =D

and when you fight the enclave, knick a plasma weapon, they are really effective against them and super mutants =D

 

[Buizel91]

Blowing up Megaton isn't exactly profitable as you might think

tell me about it =( and Moira survives! god damn it! thought it would be good, but it quite terrible =( i miss deputy welds =( *sniffle*

 

[AdjectiveAnimal]

Head to the Rivet City science lab and obtain the intelligence bobblehead as soon as possible.

 

[SquirrelPants]

Tip: Don't use too many tips. Try to figure out the game for yourself, it makes it quite a bit more fun. It's okay to use a few, but don't go overboard on the strategy guides and such.

 

[Hawgh]

Hoarding immense amounts of stuff in your house makes you happy.

 

[Twilight_guy]

In the beginning of the game, either focus in small guns or maybe even melee (if you're brave) When more guns start appear, decide on one to start using and focus on that. Chinese assault rifle is the best non-energy weapon ever! Go to megaton and look for some easy quests before exploring much further out. In the beginning save all your ammo, its really scarce. In the end your probably have several thousand rounds per gun though. Run from big yellow guys, they will eat your scrawny level 3 ass.

 

[MiracleOfSound]

Most important skills:

Small Guns
Lockpick
Repair

Repair every weapon you find and sell it, get a house ASAP from the Megaton quest.

Avoid adding skill to Unarmed, Energy Weapons and Barter at the beginning.

Money won't be an issue after a few hours and it's not until later in the game you start to find the more powerful weapons for the other two.

Steal shit. Steal every goddamn thing you can get your hands on and sell it.

 

[cheese_wizington]

Get FOOK 2.

It is so so awesome.