Is Intelligence overpraised?

[FutureWolf4]

I'm asking this in more of a playthrough standpoint, do you think Intelligence just get too much praise of being the most "useful" stat in the game. Not saying that any of the other S.P.E.C.I.A.L stats are useless and all. I just think that the intelligence one is being overpraised in almost any Fallout game I have seen.

What do you think?

[Virgil]

I know in FO1 and 2, Intelligence and Agility pretty easily trump the other stats. Intelligence in particular is culmulative, so the higher it's raised early on the more impactful in the long run and makes quite a big difference towards the end. This is true to a lesser extent in NV as well with regards to Intelligence, though Agility isn't nearly as critical as it was in the originals I find (albeit still nice to have).

I don't think Int is overpraised as it is quite remarkably useful, but I find just as much enjoyment specializing in other stats and neglecting things like Intelligence, Charisma, etc. for varied playthroughs. I guess it depends on whether you value roleplaying over "power builds"; if you're trying to squeeze the most out of a single character, I'd say Intelligence is still king.

[FutureWolf4]

I never played Fallout 1 or 2, so I will trust on what you said about agility and intelligence.

But I don't think a high intelligence is needed to squeeze out the most of a single character. Quote me if I am wrong, but isn't it possible to get the most out of a character with only 5 intelligence with almost max luck. Counting all of the skill books you can find, Educated at level 4 and the craftable skill books can I think get you every skill maxed.

[Ladez]

It is no more useful than any other stat. Those who say otherwise because more skillpoints must either be ignorant of how overly generous the game is with skill points to begin with, or serious about having a character that is perfect at literally everything.

[Virgil]

Originally posted by Ladez:

It is no more useful than any other stat. Those who say otherwise because more skillpoints must either be ignorant of how overly generous the game is with skill points to begin with, or serious about having a character that it perfect at literally everything.

I think I fall into the latter category somewhat. Granted if you reach a high enough level you can eventually become a master of all trades, but I personally still enjoy being capable of multiple non-combat feats from relatively early on. That again depends entirely on what kind of character/playthrough I'm going for though, as the game is indeed quite generous in terms of character flexibility and different, viable builds - I find this to be a definite positive in the game's favor.

[Ladez]

I much prefer to specialize my character, which is why I enjoy the earlier stages of progression more. It actually somewhat bums me out when I hit the 100 point cap on those few skills that are essential for my character, because I'm going to start having to put in points in skills that I don't want.

[No emaN]

A Courier with a Intelligence stat of 10 isn't going to be effective at melee a Courier with a Strength stat of 10. Intelligence lets you have the know how, and have skill points in everything. It's just a "All around type" of build that has no specialities or weaknesses.

[Vassago Rain]

Originally posted by No emaN:

A Courier with a Intelligence stat of 10 isn't going to be effective at melee a Courier with a Strength stat of 10. Intelligence lets you have the know how, and have skill points in everything. It's just a "All around type" of build that has no specialities or weaknesses.

Strength has nothing to do with unarmed or melee damage in new Vegas, so you're wrong. In fact, an INT 10 character is gonna be better at them, because he has more skillpoints to get to 50 faster, thus unlocking superior attacks.

[No emaN]

Originally posted by Vassago Rain:

Originally posted by No emaN:

A Courier with a Intelligence stat of 10 isn't going to be effective at melee a Courier with a Strength stat of 10. Intelligence lets you have the know how, and have skill points in everything. It's just a "All around type" of build that has no specialities or weaknesses.

Strength has nothing to do with unarmed or melee damage in new Vegas, so you're wrong. In fact, an INT 10 character is gonna be better at them, because he has more skillpoints to get to 50 faster, thus unlocking superior attacks.

Initial level= Strength X 0.5
Example: A starting Strength of 5.

5 X 0.5=2.5
All this means, that you get Bonus melee/unarmed damage for having a higher strength. Plus you pretty much lose some good melee perks if you don't put in points for Strength.

Please do note it DOES deal more melee and unarmed damage. I've tested this before and it does work.

[Dosbilliam, Boring but Practical]

Based on Gamepedia, it doesn't matter whether it's starting or not; it'll give you a boost in damage, but not to the same effect as the additional points from a higher INT, unless you've got a 10 STR and you're using a Nail Board or some other ♥♥♥♥ weapon.

[Incunabulum]

Originally posted by FutureWolf4:

I'm asking this in more of a playthrough standpoint, do you think Intelligence just get too much praise of being the most "useful" stat in the game. Not saying that any of the other S.P.E.C.I.A.L stats are useless and all. I just think that the intelligence one is being overpraised in almost any Fallout game I have seen.

What do you think?

Its not overpraised. The other stats give you some minor skill boosts at the start of the game and some other minor boosts throughout the game, but since its *skills* that define your character and its Intelligence that controls the number of skill points its Int that has the greatest effect on what you can do throughout the game.

One thing I wished they had done with FO4 (since they merged skills and perks into one group) is to have gotten rid of that. But no, INT can give you a 30%+ boost to XP gain. Of course they murdered the perk setup anyway . . .

[Dosbilliam, Boring but Practical]

Originally posted by Incunabulum:

But no, INT can give you a 30%+ boost to XP gain. Of course they murdered the perk setup anyway . . .

There's also the Luck perk with the incredibly stupid name that gives you a randomized XP boost based on how low your Int is.

[talgaby]

Most SPECIAL stats in FO3/NV mean little: you could comfortably finish the game if you set them all to 1 in the console. All they result in is some constant mild annoyance.
IN and LU are probably the least meaningless, as they can give you apparent advantages over any other stat. ST follows them, with PE, AL, EN only used to unlock perks, therefore being totally meaningless.

[Amber Baal]

Well with 9 intel and +1 from implant (10 intel obv) and taking no perks for more "skill points" you can level every skill to 100 on any type of character around the 40's so yes, its the most OP but then again, have you ever had a character with 10 perception while ed-e is with you? that's some absurd ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ range to hear/detect from such a low level. (usually get ed-e at level 4 or so)

Atm my character is:
8 str (needed for the OP melee perks and best weapons in the game)
10 per (lucky shades+recon helm+ed-e)
6 end (needed for melee perks)
2 cha (this always stays 1 its useless imo) best armour in game gives you +1 though
10 intel (needed to get every skill 100 with skill books/no perks)
10 agil (faster sneak/reload speeds/drawing/holstering/more vats points)
10 luck (playing a non-crit build is bad, only exception to this is the shotgun build/perks but i haven't got around to that build yet, also you can get so many caps from casinos)

If you get that +1 implant before level 10 and find most of the skill books in the game enjoy your super OP character :)