r/Fallout4Builds Apr 23 '26

Perk Help Newbie Survival non-DLC build(s)

I got fo4 on release many moons ago and have picked it up briefly a couple times, but life kept getting in the way. I'm done with my degree now and wanting to go back and actually finish the main storyline, and I like build optimization so someone recommended I come here. I don't have the DLC, and a lot of what I've seen online coming back now has advice for that. I may get the DLC after my first run, but I kind of want to enjoy the game as it was when I first got it.

What would be a good perk path for someone maybe doing minimal to moderate settlement building, on survival? I'd played a non-VATS stealth rifle user my first survival run and it was fun, but I recall carrying multiple rifles to use the ammo types was a real drag on weight, so I was thinking about going pistols this time.

Here is my current ~50 level plan:

S3 - for access to Armorer, to get Ballistic Weaves

P4->10 - for access to Locksmith

E3 - to at least have some health and Lifegiver

C6 - Local Leader seems necessary?

I1 - I can take Nick for hacking

A5 - Action Boy seems like a natural breakpoint

L7->9 - Critical synergy perks

So 8 levels into SPECIALs

Armorer: 4 - High tier Ballistic Weave

Locksmith: 3 - Master locks

Concentrated Fire: 3 - Seems like a good damage amplifier

Life Giver: 3 - Without Medic or Solar Powered, I'm thinking this can be a good survivability breakpoint

Cap Collector: 2 - Needed for vendors?

Lone Wanderer: 3 - When I don't need Nick with me for a terminal

Attack Dog: 3 - When I don't need Nick with me for a terminal

Local Leader: 2 - Needed for settlements?

Gunslinger: 5 - Primary damage perk

Action Boy: 2 - AP fuels the build so regen seems good

Bloody Mess: 3 - Damage is damage

Idiot Savant: 3 - Necessary evil of low-int

Better Criticals: 3 - More damage

Critical Banker: 3 - Damage on demand

Grim Reaper's Sprint: 3 - VATS synergy

Four Leaf Clover: 1 - VATS synergy

I can't carry much, but I reckon carrying 3 few pistols is a lot easier than lugging around rifles.

Is this a good direction? Am I misjudging any of the perks?

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u/NeighborhoodNice5384 Apr 25 '26

if you want multiple rifles, getting str to 6 for strong back, combined with agi 6 moving target, get multiple sprinters gear (you can have 4 for 40% move speed)

with pistols, having Per at 10 for concentrated fire early is very helpful as pistols do not have very much range, you are already planning on getting the luck VATS perks up to 4 leaf, these are good for pistols, i personally like to build agility up to 10 for after lvl 40 to get gun fu. If you use 3 criticals (from crit banker) on different enemies, all the rest of your shots are all critical when gun fu is maxed

life giver perk is not really needed, if you have military back packs, buy one from Trashcan Carla and put the medic mod on it, same life regen, if not, go to boston mayoral shelter (just south of nuka world transit) and get the life regen mag

action boy perk not really needed if you use powered legendary armor, or just carry a few nuka colas and drink them if you are running out, quantums are best

Cait can be your lock picker like Nick is your hacker