Good "Stealth Sniper" build?

[LCBlome99]

Hello fellow Couriers

I have played through New Vegas a large number of times, but one build I have never tried out is a sniper build... I made a new game and I know I will need high perception. When I say stealth I mean I won't need many points into luck, as shots in stealth mode are critical hits already and since I am a sniper I will not need the extra critical hit chance, as I should take them down before they even see me... I'm thinking of Per: 9 and Str: at 4, since I will only have about 4 weapons with me anyways, and light armor for lining up a nice headshot. Luck I don't want to be at 5, but not at 1 and was wondering the same for endurance, agility (not sure, as this gives a bonus to guns and sneak, my first two things I am maxing out, but could use a point or two of it towards something else), and intelligence... I am also going to finish off the last few achievements I have left, and have a maxed out survival skill. Any tips from you guys who either are sniper build vets, or are using common sense for a sniper build, would be greatly appreciated :).

[hghwolf]

You don`t actually need that much PER; 6 is enough for the relevant perks. If you`re not going crit sniper you`ll want an AMR, so you`ll probably want more than 4 STR.

[Incunabulum]

Keep luck at 6 (at least) - sneak attacks are only guaranteed criticals if you are undetected and they'll detect you fast after the first shot (even with a silenced weapon - of which, IMO, there are far too many in this game).

I do

STR 4 (then get Weapon handling as fast as possible)
PER 8 (you don't *need* this at 8, 7 or even 6 is enough - this is just my preference).
END 4
CHA 4
INT 7
AGI 7
LUC 6

Tag Sneak and either SG or EW

Better Criticals - this works with the SA criticals
Finesse
Sniper
Weapon Handling
Hunter
Lazer Commander (only if you tag EW)

Travel Light
Silent Running
Light Step

I typpically go through nearly half the game headshotting people with the Varmit Rilfe/Ratslayer.

Later upgrade to the Hunting Rifle with Scope.

[White Knight]

Every time I play a game like this, I am a sniper. Delievering silent, long-range death to my enemies is a total no-brainer. Having said that, I couldn't tell you what "builds" I have used since I approach it from more of a role-play perspective.

What I do know is that Perception is pretty important and so is skill with Guns. Beyond that, a sniper is what what you do, not who you are. You don't have to have maximum stats, benefits and all the right perks to have fun as a sniper. Some people might argue that you will have more fun just by playing the game rather than trying to "game" the game, if that makes any sense?

[LCBlome99]

Originally posted by Incunabulum:

Keep luck at 6 (at least) - sneak attacks are only guaranteed criticals if you are undetected and they'll detect you fast after the first shot (even with a silenced weapon - of which, IMO, there are far too many in this game).

I do

STR 4 (then get Weapon handling as fast as possible)
PER 8 (you don't *need* this at 8, 7 or even 6 is enough - this is just my preference).
END 4
CHA 4
INT 7
AGI 7
LUC 6

Tag Sneak and either SG or EW

Better Criticals - this works with the SA criticals
Finesse
Sniper
Weapon Handling
Hunter
Lazer Commander (only if you tag EW)

Travel Light
Silent Running
Light Step

I typpically go through nearly half the game headshotting people with the Varmit Rilfe/Ratslayer.

Later upgrade to the Hunting Rifle with Scope.

Thanks that was a great guide, and what about the "sense of medical history" thing. I chose trigger discipline, and I'm thinking about getting claustrophobic, but for the Sierra Madre and Big mountain quest, alot of them take place outdoors... In the mojave I will be outside shooting people from far off... Just curious

[LCBlome99]

Originally posted by tiredofpain:

Every time I play a game like this, I am a sniper. Delievering silent, long-range death to my enemies is a total no-brainer. Having said that, I couldn't tell you what "builds" I have used since I approach it from more of a role-play perspective.

What I do know is that Perception is pretty important and so is skill with Guns. Beyond that, a sniper is what what you do, not who you are. You don't have to have maximum stats, benefits and all the right perks to have fun as a sniper. Some people might argue that you will have more fun just by playing the game rather than trying to "game" the game, if that makes any sense?

I get what you are saying, but I am saying skills to make being a sniper easier and how to deliver real pain from a long distance away...without them knowing where I am and what just shot them...

[White Knight]

^^^You can do these things by choosing the right weapon for the task and carefully choosing your sniping position ahead of time.

It's not a right/wrong, better/worse thing, I'm just offering another perspective in case you or someone else might get some value from it. When I'm in the game and I'm wondering what I can do to get better at stuff, I play it through and have fun with it. It isn't necessary to plan it all out ahead of time and do what somebody else has already done, is my only point.

It's about having fun and I'm glad that you are doing just that.

[Incunabulum]

Originally posted by LCBlome99:

Originally posted by Incunabulum:

Keep luck at 6 (at least) - sneak attacks are only guaranteed criticals if you are undetected and they'll detect you fast after the first shot (even with a silenced weapon - of which, IMO, there are far too many in this game).

I do

STR 4 (then get Weapon handling as fast as possible)
PER 8 (you don't *need* this at 8, 7 or even 6 is enough - this is just my preference).
END 4
CHA 4
INT 7
AGI 7
LUC 6

Tag Sneak and either SG or EW

Better Criticals - this works with the SA criticals
Finesse
Sniper
Weapon Handling
Hunter
Lazer Commander (only if you tag EW)

Travel Light
Silent Running
Light Step

I typpically go through nearly half the game headshotting people with the Varmit Rilfe/Ratslayer.

Later upgrade to the Hunting Rifle with Scope.

Thanks that was a great guide, and what about the "sense of medical history" thing. I chose trigger discipline, and I'm thinking about getting claustrophobic, but for the Sierra Madre and Big mountain quest, alot of them take place outdoors... In the mojave I will be outside shooting people from far off... Just curious

Most of my sniping took place outside of VATS range so picking perks that improve VATS is optional. Other than Sniper I would only get perks/traits that increase your AP in VATS (even at the expense of accuracy - you'll have plenty of that, AP are hard to come by) for the use of a sidearm in those situations where they get close, but not for sniping itself.

The Doctor one - where you get a bonus to damage - requires a lot of points spent in doctor, if you're already planning onspenidng them then get it. But otherwise you don't need to max out damage perks. Beyond what I have listed up there, for sniping and stealthy gameplay, use the rest of your perks for stuff outside of this build - stuff you enjoy. FO isn't *about* combat (comabt really is just an unfortunate thing you have to get through sometimes), and building around combat missing a huge chunk of what the game is best at. Take Speech related perks for example.

My playthroughs are usually a mediocre sniper, decent repair/survivalist, great talker type.
I take the Good-Natured trait at the start - its not hard to get your weapon skills up and the speech/doctor/whater bonuses are nice for a well-rounded character.

[Mauno]

Originally posted by LCBlome99:

I chose trigger discipline,

TD is utterly useless for snipers. Does far more harm than good. The accuracy gain is completely unnoticeable, but a 20% fire rate decrease can be massive.

Fast Shot, on the other hand, is bloody great for snipers. Faster shooting, but no change to accuracy.

[Jojy]

Antimaterial Rifle + Incendiary Ammo. Stats don't matter in this game.
In all seriousness though, do what the above posters have recommended. They know what they are talking about.

[kit]

varment rifle night visoin scope, silencer and strait pull bolt

[Sacra Nth]

One word. Ratslayer. Fully modded varmint rifle found in the Broc Flower Cave with giant rats everywhere.
Increased damage, clip, silencer, x5 crits, very narrow spread (Good for long distance sniping). I've used it as a good sniper for my guy and it never fails. Aim is also very steady.

[Mauno]

Almost a year, Jesus ♥♥♥♥.

[talgaby]

I never understood how people do this. The oldest thread I can see at the end of the forum is from this February, #486 in age on page 10.

[Mauno]

Well, they are necromancers. They probably dig up these threads from a graveyard somewhere.

[LCBlome99]

Originally posted by Mauno:

Well, they are necromancers. They probably dig up these threads from a graveyard somewhere.

I saw "4 New comments" and i was like "I haven't been on steam forums for awhile, what's going on?" and saw this...♥♥♥♥ man yeah its been a year since I posted this. Nice to see you all again! lol