Forum:What is a Good Hardcore mode SPECIAL and Perk Setup?

I was just wondering what a good hardcore mode setup would be, becuase I have yet to play on hardcore mode and when I try it out I don't want to create a crappy character. Mac Magnum 03:20, March 29, 2011 (UTC)

I suggest a high endurance, and high intelligence, and if your worried about weight then your strength, but that would be good without hardcore mode as well. Its not that much different, you just have to eat, drink, and sleep. And make sure you store your ammo, because it has weight. I played on hardcore my first game, and i didn't think it was too hardcore. If you need to drink, and your by a water source, (kitchen/bathroom sink, water tower/pipe) drink from them, and it'll completely take away your thirst, its better than drinking 2 or 3 bottles of water. You can find a water source almost anywhere. Good luck to ya, but I don't think you'll really need it.173.138.150.41 04:18, March 29, 2011 (UTC)

High endurance, high int is a good starting point. If you are happy with melee/unarmed you might want to try an up-close-and-personal build but ammo weight isn't really that big a problem. Or you could go Energy Weapons and only have to worry about 3 ammo types which can be converted easily at any workbench (with EW you should get efficient recycling). Food & water aren't rare at all, you might have to pop some more rad-away than in a non-hardcore game (from food and water rads) but rad-away's also not so rare that you will have problems. The only thing to watch is if you tend to break down ammo to conserve weight, watch the lead - it does have a non-zero weight value and if you don't keep an eye on how much lead you are carrying it can get heavy. 75.67.224.12 03:28, March 30, 2011 (UTC)

I should add that there is one way to gimp yourself for hardcore, explosives. If you want to try a character who uses Thump-Thump and Mercy, do not go hardcore - the weight of grenades is too much. Otherwise hardcore isn't that big a difference from non-hardcore.75.67.224.12 03:59, March 30, 2011 (UTC)

Ah, don't say that, I just started on hardcore, and I plan to be an explosives expert, mainly because I want the 10000 explosives damage achivement, and my backup will be Melee, right now I have a baseball bat, but I just got the guy from the prison to be sheriff, so its still early, and I haven't found anything better yet.184.203.88.42 04:12, March 30, 2011 (UTC)

It's doable but painful on hardcore mode. Missiles are 3lbs each, 40mm grenades are 2 per pound & 25mm grenades are 4 per pound (which makes them seem like a good choice until you see how fast the grenade machinegun goes through 25mm grenades). My advice is to save the missile launcher for times when you KNOW you will not need more than 30 missiles, completely forget the grenade machinegun and Mercy & use handgrenades/Grenade launcher (not rifle, launcher) for your default explosive weapon. You will want to aim for the pack-rat perk and the strong back as soon as possible (pack rat is better). The Battle of Hoover Dam you should be prepared to go mostly melee for it, your ammo will run out far before the baddies do on an explosives courier.75.67.224.12 05:40, March 30, 2011 (UTC)

I'd recommend having a companion or two around who can carry ammo for you. Problem solved! Rootmars 16:45, March 30, 2011 (UTC)