Building Your Avatar in Fallout 2

The wastes of the post-apocalyptic world in Fallout 2 are as harsh and unforgiving as a super mutant with a nail board. To not just survive but thrive, you'll need more than just quick reflexes and a stash of Stimpacks. You'll need a hero (or antihero) built for the unique challenges of the wasteland. Whether you're a newbie to the classic CRPG scene or a veteran looking to min-max your way through the trials ahead, this guide will lay down the blueprint for constructing your ideal avatar.

Character Attributes

Your character's attributes, or SPECIAL, lay the foundation of your Fallout 2 experience. Each letter stands for a critical aspect of your character: Strength, Perception, Endurance, Charisma, Intelligence, Agility, and Luck. These aren't just numbers on a screen; they're what will determine if you're going to be a smooth-talking swindler, a brutish behemoth, or something in between. Here's the 411 on each:

Strength (S): Determines your melee prowess and carrying capacity. Essential if you plan on swinging anything heavier than a sledgehammer or wearing the more protective gear without being encumbered.
Perception (P): This is your environmental awareness, crucial for ranged combat. It lets you see enemies before they spot you, meaning the difference between getting the drop on a radscorpion or it getting a drop on you.
Endurance (E): A measure of your physical resilience. Endurance affects your hit points and resistance to radiation and poison--vital for when things get dicey.
Charisma (C): Your persuasive appeal. In a world where diplomacy can be as deadly as any weapon, a high Charisma can unlock alternative solutions to brute force.
Intelligence (I): Intelligence is your mental acuity, impacting dialogue options and skill points per level. It's the cornerstone of a savvy player who favors brains over brawn.
Agility (A): This attribute governs your Action Points (APs) in combat, affecting how much you can do in a turn. Higher Agility means more shots fired or further you can sprint.
Luck (L): The wild card of attributes, Luck influences everything from critical hit chances to the outcomes of gambling and encounters. It's the spice that can swing situations in your favor when you least expect it.

Skill Selection

While SPECIAL sets up the big picture, your skills fill in the details, defining your capabilities and expertise. Fallout 2 segments these into combat, active, and passive categories, but here are some you'll often find yourself relying on:

Small Guns: Despite its name, this skill is anything but minor. With the prevalence of pistols and rifles early to mid-game, mastery here is crucial for those who prefer to keep their enemies at a distance.
Speech: The gift of gab can sometimes be mightier than the Super Sledge. For those who prefer their encounters non-violent, Speech can open doors (sometimes literally) that remain shut to others.
Lockpick: Why let a door stand in your way? Whether you're after some sweet loot or just taking a shortcut, Lockpick ensures you're rarely left knocking.
Energy Weapons: For late-game dominance, Energy Weapons become game-changers. While ammunition is scarce and the weaponry requires some investment, the payoff in sheer power is often worth it.
Repair: The wasteland is full of broken things, but with a high Repair skill, they won't stay that way for long. Plus, it's key to some essential quests and quality-of-life improvements.

Ideal Builds

Now, let's talk builds. Your build depends on your playstyle, but here are a couple of archetypes you might consider:

The Diplomat: SPECIAL: High Charisma and Intelligence, moderate Perception and Agility, low Strength, and Endurance. Skill focus: Speech, Barter, Lockpick. Perfect for those who prefer to talk their way out of (or into) situations.
The Lone Wanderer: SPECIAL: High Perception and Agility, moderate Strength and Endurance, low Charisma. Skill focus: Small Guns, Lockpick, Sneak. A build for those who prefer scouting and sniping over socializing.
The Tank: SPECIAL: High Strength and Endurance, moderate Agility, low Intelligence and Charisma. Skill focus: Big Guns, Unarmed, Repair. For players who want to walk in, guns blazing, and live to tell the tale.

Tactics for Pros

Mastering Fallout 2 is about more than just stats; it's about strategy. Here are some pro-level tactics:

Kite Like a Pro: Use your AP wisely in combat. Move just enough to stay out of reach of melee attackers or to use cover effectively against ranged foes. Then, use whatever AP you have left to land some shots.
Save Scum with Pride: Fallout 2 can be ruthlessly random. Don't feel bad about saving often and reloading when things go south. It's a tool in your arsenal just like your trusty Plasma Rifle.
Dialogue Diving: Talk to everyone. The wasteland's inhabitants are a wealth of information, quests, and opportunities. Even seemingly insignificant NPCs can hold the key to hidden treasures or essential tips.
Hoarding Habits: Early in your journey, loot everything not nailed down. Items that seem worthless now (like Cat's Paw magazines) can have immense value later, either for trading or specific quests.

Leveling Up

Levelling up in Fallout 2 is about strategic enhancement of your build's strengths and mitigation of its weaknesses. Each level grants you additional skill points to allocate and, at certain intervals, perk selections that can significantly impact your playstyle. When choosing perks, think about synergy with your skills and attributes. For example, if you're a heavy guns user, perks that increase your damage output or ammunition efficiency can be a game-changer.

Also, don't forget about secondary skills. Even if Speech is your primary skill, having a few points in Lockpick or Repair can broaden your options in quests and exploration. Flexibility is often the key to overcoming the game's most challenging obstacles.

Building Your Avatar in Fallout 2

Character Attributes

Strength (S): Determines your melee prowess and carrying capacity. Essential if you plan on swinging anything heavier than a sledgehammer or wearing the more protective gear without being encumbered.

Perception (P): This is your environmental awareness, crucial for ranged combat. It lets you see enemies before they spot you, meaning the difference between getting the drop on a radscorpion or it getting a drop on you.

Endurance (E): A measure of your physical resilience. Endurance affects your hit points and resistance to radiation and poison--vital for when things get dicey.

Charisma (C): Your persuasive appeal. In a world where diplomacy can be as deadly as any weapon, a high Charisma can unlock alternative solutions to brute force.

Intelligence (I): Intelligence is your mental acuity, impacting dialogue options and skill points per level. It's the cornerstone of a savvy player who favors brains over brawn.

Agility (A): This attribute governs your Action Points (APs) in combat, affecting how much you can do in a turn. Higher Agility means more shots fired or further you can sprint.

Luck (L): The wild card of attributes, Luck influences everything from critical hit chances to the outcomes of gambling and encounters. It's the spice that can swing situations in your favor when you least expect it.

Skill Selection

Small Guns: Despite its name, this skill is anything but minor. With the prevalence of pistols and rifles early to mid-game, mastery here is crucial for those who prefer to keep their enemies at a distance.

Speech: The gift of gab can sometimes be mightier than the Super Sledge. For those who prefer their encounters non-violent, Speech can open doors (sometimes literally) that remain shut to others.

Lockpick: Why let a door stand in your way? Whether you're after some sweet loot or just taking a shortcut, Lockpick ensures you're rarely left knocking.

Energy Weapons: For late-game dominance, Energy Weapons become game-changers. While ammunition is scarce and the weaponry requires some investment, the payoff in sheer power is often worth it.

Repair: The wasteland is full of broken things, but with a high Repair skill, they won't stay that way for long. Plus, it's key to some essential quests and quality-of-life improvements.

Ideal Builds

Now, let's talk builds. Your build depends on your playstyle, but here are a couple of archetypes you might consider:

The Diplomat: SPECIAL: High Charisma and Intelligence, moderate Perception and Agility, low Strength, and Endurance. Skill focus: Speech, Barter, Lockpick. Perfect for those who prefer to talk their way out of (or into) situations.

The Lone Wanderer: SPECIAL: High Perception and Agility, moderate Strength and Endurance, low Charisma. Skill focus: Small Guns, Lockpick, Sneak. A build for those who prefer scouting and sniping over socializing.

The Tank: SPECIAL: High Strength and Endurance, moderate Agility, low Intelligence and Charisma. Skill focus: Big Guns, Unarmed, Repair. For players who want to walk in, guns blazing, and live to tell the tale.

Tactics for Pros

Mastering Fallout 2 is about more than just stats; it's about strategy. Here are some pro-level tactics:

Kite Like a Pro: Use your AP wisely in combat. Move just enough to stay out of reach of melee attackers or to use cover effectively against ranged foes. Then, use whatever AP you have left to land some shots.

Save Scum with Pride: Fallout 2 can be ruthlessly random. Don't feel bad about saving often and reloading when things go south. It's a tool in your arsenal just like your trusty Plasma Rifle.

Dialogue Diving: Talk to everyone. The wasteland's inhabitants are a wealth of information, quests, and opportunities. Even seemingly insignificant NPCs can hold the key to hidden treasures or essential tips.

Hoarding Habits: Early in your journey, loot everything not nailed down. Items that seem worthless now (like Cat's Paw magazines) can have immense value later, either for trading or specific quests.

Leveling Up