Tips on stealth builds?

[Monki]

Hey!

I'm really eager to set up a stealth build in Fallout 4, thus far, I've created general builds that have high utility. I would like to create a build centred around combat and a playstyle as opposed to utility, for some variety. So I would *really* appreciate some tips! And some answers:-)

Why is Luck considered to be SO good for stealth players? Surely the additional damage and damage modifiers are enough without having to spec so heavily into Luck? Or is it a thing for the later game?

Also, is perception worth it? Maybe if you're bringing a pistol or such like and you need long-range shots (something Luck crits could achieve), but otherwise, could you not just aim?

If you had to choose between perception or luck, which is the better one? I really can't decide which I'd rather spec into. Any help would be awesome! <3

[sdack]

I'm not sure why one would have either of the two at a very high value, or any stat for that matter. What does matter more than anything are the perks these enable. Being able to do 10.5x damage with a melee weapon when sneaking is a massive bonus. Or shooting an unsuspecting target in the head with a .44 and a 3.5x modifier... The actual effect of perception and luck isn't very important. For stealth is agility more important, because it not only gives you more action points in V.A.T.S. but it also lets you sneak more stealthily. Once you're being detected do you no longer get the bonus damage... Still, you want the perks first (Sneak, Ninja and Mr. Sandman).

[krashd]

And some muffled slacks.

[Monki]

Ah I see, thanks!

[WimpyTheWarrior]

Is your goal for a Stealth melee or a Stealth sniper?

I think Stealth/sniper has a fairly easy start. By level 15 you can have Gun Nut 2, Gunslinger 3, and Sneak 3. Gun Nut 2 gives all mods for pipe and pipe bolt except the recon scope. You can take a pipe bolt and make a long-barrel pistol with a ridiculous long range. I prefer PER to get a better %age in VATS, and I do combat pretty slowly. A long range kill with a supressed pistol, move my location while my APs restore; lather, rinse repeat. I rarely go into [Danger]. Scrounger 2 will keep you in ammo. PER 6 gives Night Person and stealth is easier at night.

I should add that I tend to milk the NW portion of the map with this character, and this build may not be so useful against tougher enemies.

[Monki]

Ideally, I don't want to be confined to either. I've seen the godly teleporation that you can do with melee weapons in VATS when you acquire the perk 'Blitz', but I could imagine that just loses all satisfaction thirty or so fights in, so my aim is more long range.

And I actually had no idea you could almost fully mod all pipe weapons with just Gun Nut Lv2, I never even bother picking them up. I do know that I'll need Gun Nut Lv3 (Which is Lv25 unfortunately) to start building silencers for more powerful weapons - like the hunting or combat rifle.

I do also tend to absolutely suck the starting area dry. I spend the first few hours just running supplies back and forth and trying to create a stable first settlement until later.

Can anyone explain the finer details of stealth too? More specifically, if I use a fully automatic but silenced weapon, would only the first bullet that hits get the modifier? And if the enemy doesn't die in the single bullet, would it automatically raise my detection level overall?

[AbsynthMinded]

Stealth Sniper build is the fastest path to godhood in FO4. Stats in FO4 are only the gateway to perks, plus levels minimums. Another troubling change in development style worth pages of discussion. Perks are everything in FO4. So you need only build your stats initially in an effort to unlock the perks you want early.

If you set up for a sniper build remember the Sniper perk is only candy, not at all required to be lethal. You only will become 'more' lethal by the time you get it last. If running Vanilla on highest difficulty you will be dropping Deathclaws, Lurk Queens/Kings and Behemoths in 1 or 2 shots from very far away.

[Jhonny G]

As already mentioned you don't really need neither perception or luck to create a good stealth build. Those attributes are mostly for VATS builds and idiot savants..

Each perception point does add a small bonus to pickpocketing though, so that's worth keeping in mind if you wanna ninja power cores or rob diamond city naked.

[AbsynthMinded]

Originally posted by Dogmatius:

As already mentioned you don't really need neither perception or luck to create a good stealth build. Those attributes are mostly for VATS builds and idiot savants..

Each perception point does add a small bonus to pickpocketing though, so that's worth keeping in mind if you wanna ninja power cores or rob diamond city naked.

As a Sniper you will use the cores to Ninja the Power Armor.. Its visually a lot more fun. Tho at a point it becomes a challenge to avoid doing too much damage. To get it right you have to drop the core to a critical level but not destroy it. To give the pilot time to jump out.

I have discovered that in FO4 the live explosive reverse pickpocket isnt as common a thing. And stealing form people is a waste of time except at the beginning when you have nothing. However you also have no skill.. Irony.. Pickpocketing as a whole is a waste in this game world.

[krashd]

You can build silencers at 25 or you can just unscrew the silencer from a looted weapon and use that, when I first started I had a tendency to remove the mods from just about anything I found and by level 9 or so I was building some meaty weapons with my mix and match box of collected gun parts.

[Jhonny G]

Originally posted by Monki:

Can anyone explain the finer details of stealth too? More specifically, if I use a fully automatic but silenced weapon, would only the first bullet that hits get the modifier? And if the enemy doesn't die in the single bullet, would it automatically raise my detection level overall?

You can get multiple sneak crits in a row as long as you ain't detected. And yes, if the enemy doesn't instantly die they will become aware and start searching the area. If they're far enough apart it won't always alert others though.

Edit: Note that an enemy might start firing blindly in your general direction, but it doesn't mean they have actually spotted you. This can be dangerous if said enemy is wielding a missile launcher or fatman. So it's often a good idea to fire a few shots and then move to a new location.

[Monki]

Originally posted by Dogmatius:

Originally posted by Monki:

Can anyone explain the finer details of stealth too? More specifically, if I use a fully automatic but silenced weapon, would only the first bullet that hits get the modifier? And if the enemy doesn't die in the single bullet, would it automatically raise my detection level overall?

You can get multiple sneak crits in a row as long as you ain't detected. And yes, if the enemy doesn't instantly die they will become aware and start searching the area. If they're far enough apart it won't always alert others though.

Edit: Note that an enemy might start firing blindly in your general direction, but it doesn't mean they have actually spotted you. This can be dangerous if said enemy is wielding a missile launcher or fatman. So it's often a good idea to fire a few shots and then move to a new location.

Thank you! I figured the first bullet of the burst would get the multipler but since the enemy was aware of a shooter, that the multipler afterwards would be cancelled. Happy to hear it's not though! <3

[Nite69]

max out the stealth perk, max out sandman and ninja perk, use muffled legs, add silencer to the gun, etc

also keep in mind that stealth doesn't work that good outside, only on interiors

[sdack]

Originally posted by =EGC= _Nite_:

max out the stealth perk, max out sandman and ninja perk, use muffled legs, add silencer to the gun, etc

also keep in mind that stealth doesn't work that good outside, only on interiors

You probably mean at day times and when standing in bright sunlight.

It works great at night. Using light and shadow is also a factor in stealth as well as the weight of one's armor.

No idea if the entire inventory weight matters, but being over weight definitely needs to be avoided, because then enemies will sense you like a bad fart.

[AbsynthMinded]

Originally posted by =EGC= _Nite_:

max out the stealth perk, max out sandman and ninja perk, use muffled legs, add silencer to the gun, etc

also keep in mind that stealth doesn't work that good outside, only on interiors

Stealth works brilliantly and in most respects over powerdly in or out of doors. If you learn how it works.

[Tahl]

Luck = crits, crits = dmg, dmg = better clearing.
So if you looking for the end all be all one shot kills than Luck is what you want.

Thats why people will promote its use for almost any combat build. It is the highest end for dmg output.

But if your looking for something less V.A.T.S. related there are options. Kinda depends what your looking for.
Obviously you want weapon damage types linked to your flaver of death as well as the workbench upgrades for modding those death sticks.
Aqua boy/girl and night person are also handy.
Demo expert lets you use more explosives with better effects. Great if you looking for a stealth build but not picky about 100% detection avoidance.
Get lone wanderer and ditch companions. Flat buffing and companions suck marbles when it comes to stealth.

The usual lockpicking, stealth, sandman and chem related perks like Chemist and chem resistant are also great.
Ninja, blitz, robotics, action boy/girl, etc.


Sorry though, its been so long I dont have any clue how to start the build. Like where to spec first and where to go from there, etc.
Though ultimately its up to you.

Hope it helps.


PS: Though I could recomend aiming for stealth and lone warnderer first. Stealth is obvious and lone wonderer is just very nice to have.
Defense buffs are great too but they may leave you spending too much time leveling to get them and then stealth related perks.
Depends on what you can handle without them.