I am currently on a Hardcore Mode playthrough with a level 25 that is probably the best fallout character I've ever made

His attributes are listed below:
S = 6 P = 5 E = 5 C = 7 I = 6 A = 5 L = 7
TAG Skills = Sneak, Barter, Speech, and Repair (Taken using TAG! Perk)
Weapons: Primarily Guns (Marksman Carbine, Sniper Rifle, 12.7 SMG, etc.) A few frag grenades and mines for when faced with large groups. And some holdout weapons (Silenced .22 Pistol and Throwing Knives)
This character was designed as a Pacifist who would always try to talk himself out of fight, but knew how to fire a gun should it come to it.
Barter - 100 (Can never have too many caps)
Energy Weapons - 16
Explosives - 25 (Frag Grenades and Mines)
Guns - 100
Lockpick - 25 (Should have boosted more)
Medicine - 25
Repair - 100 (Fix EVERYTHING and sell it for profit)
Melee Weapons - 18
Science - 25 (Should have boosted more)
Sneak - 57 (Just get this over 50)
Speech - 100 (Makes the Final battle a LOT easier)
Survival - 22 (Really should have boosted more especially on Hardcore)
Unarmed - 22
Followers - This is a toss up. If your into the stealth sniper type of role than I recommend Boone and ED-E. I used Cass for the majority of the game. She's a good shot and can take a beating. Arcade I would stay away from on Hardcore. Veronica's good at keeping them busy allowing you to pick em off from a safe distance. Just get her some decent armor so she doesn't die. I currently use Rex (Lupa's Brain) and Cass (Hand of Vengence). Just remember to tell all followers to report back to the Lucky 38 so you can easily swap out followers.
Perks: Just recommendations (try your own combos for different results)
Intense Training (Had to boost Strength up to a 6)
Confirmed Bachelor (Speech options)
Lady Killer (Speech options)
Terrifying Presence (Speech options HOWEVER not much use for this perk)
Toughness (I recommend this perk regardless of your character)
Tag! (I used this for a quick boost to repair)
Hand Loader (Takes the .308 Sniper Rifle round and makes it even more deadly)
Jury Rigging (Allows you to repair valuable weapons with cheaper weapons = CAPS!)
Commando (Makes VATS lethal at a distance with weapons like the marksman carbine)
Pack Rat (Kind of a waste especially if traveling with followers)
Weapon Handling (Allows characters with a strength of 6 to use weapons like the Anti-Material Rifle =D)
Grim Reaper's Sprint (Stay in VATS all day!)