fallout 1 and 2: best melee weapon.

[i like swords]

if you decided to go with a melee build. what would be the best weapon?

[The Chosen Chad]

Fallout 1 : Ripper, Cattleprod and Super Sledge. The last one has the knocback effect, so unless you like throwing dudes all across the maps and pursing them, I suggest using the Super Sledge in tight corridors.
Unarmed arent really as great as in the second game, since there is no special attacks.

Fallout 2 : Bare handed (with high unarmed and strength you get critical bonus) and Super Sleged, I swear by these combination. The Super Cattle Prod is also a beast of a weapon, and can be found in Klamath (kill the leather armored prostitute in the bath) or join the Slavers (one of them got one if they get killed).
10 Luck + Finesse + Haymaker (15% crit) + 40% bonus crit with 95% accuracy on head shots = 75% crit chance
You get a Haymaker at level 9 with 100% in unarmed, 7 Agility and Strength. At that same level you also get Better Critical perk which makes you better odds for better crits.
My tactic is aiming for the for a KO with a haymaker then using the Super Sledge to destroy the Knocked out dude without having the Knockback effect inconvinience.
If the man is near a wall, I dont do all that and simply destroy them with well placed Super Sledge attacks in the eye.

[The Chosen Chad]

You can get 150% unarmed skills without ever investing a single point.
I also made a guide to 150% in melee at the start of Klamath too, you can check it out!!

[hoiazurlane]

I say death claw gauntlet and big Jim are a good combo to have.

[Mennan]

F1 the Ripper,

F2 mega power first for unarmed.
For melee i still prefer the Ripper no swapping required. The inbuilt weapon penetrate perk also helps for the slim chances you don't roll a critical because then you'll still bypass the opponents armor.

[Rezi Le Rae]

F1 turbo plasma rifle or alien blaster. don't do melee!