Please Explain Damage v. Robots VATS vs Free Aim

[AnonymousGamer79]

I've played a few weeks. I know this game is a cluster when it comes to mechanics. I bought it partly because it was so old and I figured things would be ironed out by now only to find it is a complete ♥♥♥♥ show and being "actively balanced." Among my many issues, and questions, I'm having a real problem with fighting robots. Although my character is almost level 300 it feels (and is) extremely weak. Less so on private server than public, it feels like they are running a malus on all characters there because they couldn't balance the game for the buffs a teamed player receives and so have to nerf down on everyone which makes an unteamed player extremely weak. In any case I understand many of my issues are my own fault for not doing or using certain things in game and I understand this is an extremely shallow "you will be mutated and use PA and brap big guns and fly around to cheese enemies" meta. I see the cancer that Bloodied/Unyielding is on the game and it's balance. I can do the math and see the effect having huge SPECIAL values has vs a "normal" build. But for ♥♥♥♥'s sake what is going on with these robots, someone please explain.

I just went into Sugar Grove doing the Enclave line. I'm plinking at a legendary Protectron with a rifle and chipping it's health. It shambles all the way from the turret at the door out to the edge of the car park and cars are burning and blowing up around me. I'm hitting it for 70 damage per shot on combat inhibitor. And comparable damages on other body parts. This is in VATS. I drop VATS and free aim and hit for 250-300+. I fold the next protectron the same way in 2-3 shots.

Yesterday same thing, private server again, I was doing BoS quest line and at the Vault 96, VATS shots were hitting for 60-80. Free Aimed shots dropping the bots in 2-3 shots. No changes in loadout, buffs, gear, nothing. Not even really aiming at head or any weak spots, not stabilized or using the perk. Just let the target sweep over it and fire when it's on the body. I just can't damage them in VATS at all. After I finished that quest I see "Robobrain Horde" in Bog and find them at Station Alpha. I get swarmed by Robos and Protectrons and have to fall back all the way to Watoga while killing them but I'm doing fine and shooting them in VATS on inhibitor for good damages. After I finish I return to Station Alpha and test on the surviving Protectrons there. Free Aim shots doing the same damage as VATS, several hundred per hit. It's like the problem comes and goes at random for unknown reason. Does anyone know what the hell is going on with this? Also, I should say the issue happens with Fixer or Hunting Rifle, it doesn't matter. In VATS extremely reduced damage, Free Aiming gives nominal damages.

[perfectevil]

Did you try "Concentrated Fire" or "Awareness"?

[AnonymousGamer79]

Originally posted by perfectevil:

Did you try "Concentrated Fire" or "Awareness"?

I appreciate you giving me a reply, but as I said in my post I targeted the "combat inhibitor", as well as other body parts in VATS. If you do not have Concentrated Fire equipped you cannot target anything but the "torso" in VATS. I believe this card is unrelated to my issue. I shoot in VATS, hit for 60. I immediately drop VATS and free shoot for 300. Something is not right and I have no way to find out how. There is a lot of elitists in the game who ♥♥♥♥♥ about people not carrying their weight but how is anyone supposed to figure anything out in this ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ of a game.

[Mooman]

The 'problem' is the raid and raid mechanics leaking into the over world. In this case shooting through the robots to their inhibitors/fusion cores now does less damage.

To do full damage you now need a clear line of sight. Sentry Bots will take heaps of damage when overheating and you shoot from behind instead of in front. This is the raid mechanism at play.

Protectron heads are now their weak point and I think Assaultrons too. Gutsys are the eyes or thruster.

But... 'best' option is to blow their arms off. This causes them to self destruct so you can conserve ammo (but run away as the explosion can hurt).

[DocBravo]

My main has a Fixer with Troubleshooter, Explosive, and VATS Optimized.
Lots of ammo and this does well on any robot/machine.
I've found their arms are their weak points and tend to go down faster.
In the Assaultron, cripple/destroy a leg and then the other first.

[darksider13]

Is it possible it was server funk giving you the inconsistent damage between vats/non vats? I've observed inconsistencies with Junk Shield and the damage reduction applied in respect to volume of junk carried which resolved after a server hop.
Also do you have camp ally Adelaide - she provides a player buff against robots.

[Exoni]

Seeing problems showing up all over like you stated and more what a mess

[perfectevil]

Originally posted by AnonymousGamer79:

Originally posted by perfectevil:

Did you try "Concentrated Fire" or "Awareness"?

I appreciate you giving me a reply, but as I said in my post I targeted the "combat inhibitor", as well as other body parts in VATS. If you do not have Concentrated Fire equipped you cannot target anything but the "torso" in VATS. I believe this card is unrelated to my issue. I shoot in VATS, hit for 60. I immediately drop VATS and free shoot for 300. Something is not right and I have no way to find out how. There is a lot of elitists in the game who ♥♥♥♥♥ about people not carrying their weight but how is anyone supposed to figure anything out in this ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ of a game.

I don't know what to say, because I have never had a problem like that. Since last update they changed weak points dmg, so I just hit other parts of robots and getting almost same dmg in VATS and w/out. The problem is on your side

[Candidia6]

shoot to the central partof the torso of the protectrons out of vats, they take way more dmg there. with gutsys and handys shoot the jetpack and the assaultrons take more dmg in the legs. sentinels vats into the core and they die fast