Special Attacks

Special Attacks are a set of special Melee Weapons and Unarmed moves in Fallout: New Vegas that are primarily used in V.A.T.S., with a few that can be used in real time combat, that each have unique characteristics that allow for more damaging blows, special advantages such as knocking your opponent off their feet or special effects, like lighting your enemy on fire.

V.A.T.S. Special Attacks
When the player is at 50 in Melee Weapons or above, they have access to special melee attacks which consume a varying amount of action points for a variety of effects and tactical advantages in V.A.T.S. Attacks most often couple a lower action point cost with lower damage, allowing for more attacks per V.A.T.S. round, but with a lower damage inflicted by each individual attack; a higher action point cost with greater damage, allowing for fewer, more damaging attacks or a higher action point cost and a lower damage, but the addition of a special effect like the chance to knock down enemies.

Note that, in general, the reduction of action points expended for some special attacks does not make up for the corresponding decrease in damage, compared to usage exclusively in V.A.T.S. The only exceptions are when this reduction allows for a player to make 3 or 2 attacks in one V.A.T.S. round instead of 2 or 1.

Back Slash
Most one handed edged weapons have the Back Slash special attack, which delivers a quick strike at the cost of less action points than a normal attack and only causing 70% normal damage.

Users

 * Cleaver (Chopper)
 * Combat knife (Chance's knife)
 * Cosmic knife
 * Hatchet
 * Knife
 * Machete (Liberator)
 * Machete gladius
 * Shishkebab (Gehenna )
 * Straight razor (Figaro)
 * Switchblade

Blood-Nap
Blood-Nap has the unique Blood-nap special attack. Similar to the Back Slash in effect and execution, the Blood-Nap allows a faster attack at a lower action point cost, but with less damage delivery.

Dirt-Nap
The Bowie knife has the unique Dirt-nap special attack. Similar to the Back Slash in effect and execution, the Dirt-Nap allows a faster attack at a lower action point cost, but with less damage delivery.

Flambé Cut
A unique special attack used only by the Cosmic knife super-heated, Flambé Cut results in slightly lower base damage, but causes enemies to burst into flames for a short period while dealing fire damage for the duration.

Fore!
The Fore! special attack used only by the 9 iron and unique Nephi's golf driver. The Fore! special attack produces a wide drive into the target at a higher action point cost while delivering normal damage but with the added advantage of a guaranteed knock down.

Grand Slam
Used by most club-like, blunt weapons, The Grand Slam special attack that delivers a wide, horizontal swing, which deals double damage but at the cost of extra actions points. Uniquely, the Shovel has an added affect of causing an automatic knockdown, but only dealing normal damage.

Users

 * Baseball bat (GRA)
 * Nail board
 * Old Glory
 * Pool cue
 * Shovel

Inversal Scarifier
Inversal Scarifier is a special attack used solely by the Protonic inversal axe that deals double damage at extra action point cost. Similar to Mauler, this attack uses a spin move swinging the weapon around in a full circle around its user before hitting its target.

Lights Out
The default used by most one handed blunt weapons, the Lights Out special attack delivers 25% more damage at extra action point cost. When used, the attacker raises the weapon high above their head before swinging it down sharply onto the target.

Users

 * Cattle prod
 * Dress cane
 * Lead pipe (The Humble Cudgel)
 * Police baton
 * Rolling pin
 * Tire Iron
 * War club

Long Cut
Unique solely to Rippers, the Long Cut special attack costs substantially fewer actions points, but only deals half the damage. The attack is similar to the scrap heap move, where the attack will swing and keep the Ripper in the target for a short duration.

Mauler
Used by many two handed melee weapons, the Mauler special attack is a slow attack that only deals half normal damage, but causes a knock back effect as well as a chance to knock down. This attack uses a spin move side-swinging the weapon around in a full circle around its user before smashing into its target.

Users

 * Bumper sword (Blade of the East, Blade of the West )
 * Fire axe (Knock-Knock)
 * Knife spear
 * Knife spear clean
 * Rebar club
 * Sledgehammer
 * Super sledge (Oh, Baby!)

Nuka-Break
The Nuka Breaker has its own special attack Nuka-Break that does the same damage as a regular attack at the cost of more actions points with no other added bonus. Exactly like the Mauler, this attack uses a spin move side-swinging the weapon around in a full circle around its user before smashing into its target.

Pain Frequency
Pain Frequency is a special attack unique to the X-2 antenna that deals double damage but uses more action points to employ. Exactly like the Mauler, this attack uses a spin move swinging the weapon around in a full circle around its user before hitting its target.

Proton Electrocutioner
The Proton axe uses a unique special attack Proton Electrocutioner that delivers double damage but at the cost of more action points. Exactly like the Mauler, this attack uses a spin move swinging the weapon around in a full circle around its user before hitting its target.

Scrap Heap
A special attack used by both the Chainsaw and Thermic Lance, the Scrap Heap attack delivers a forward thrust into the target, dealing half the damage of a normal attack but at a lower action point cost.

Users

 * Chainsaw ((GRA)
 * Thermic Lance

Surgical Strike
Only used by the Cosmic knife clean, Surgical Strike deals 1.5x damage with a larger action point cost. Similar to Back Slash, this attack is a wide side swing with the weapon held in a reverse grip.

Unlabored Flawlessness
A special attack unique to the Katana, Unlabored Flawlessness uses a reverse grip and a powerful side-swing very similar to Back Slash. Costs a significant amount of action points while dealing 2.5 times the damage of a normal V.A.T.S attack.