Tips for Fighting Thugs?

[HunterSilver]

Hello, I'm running into an issue where, even with 75+ defense, thugs instantly kill me in 2 hits every time. I was hoping that with 6 willpower and a machete I could sucker punch them twice and then beat them with two standard attacks, but this is very much not working. My last 3 fights in a row have been insta-deaths, which is annoying since it costs me 10k+ to restore my stats and recover my equipment.

Does anyone have advice for fighting with thugs?

[Lacuna.Bion]

i thing you need attac power. You can get it from Tony, Fightclub, if you doing quests for Bruno.

[HunterSilver]

Got it, so defense is useless, just beeline for all +attack and weapons with the highest +attack, nothing else matters then.

[Coelophysis]

Sledgehammers are the best weapons Ive found
Also get the troll perk as it allows you to get 2 free hits when a thug "asks" for money

[HunterSilver]

Thank you, I actually don't have troll yet so I'll grab that asap.

[Hobo_King_Carpenter]

Aim for around 80 - 90 defense, drop the machete and get the Fireaxe instead ( 60 % crit ). Coupled with sucker punch it steam rolls most thugs on round 1

[petri.piira]

Around 50 attack and defense, a baseball bat or a better weapon, sucker punch and 6 willpower is enough to hunt thugs for their money. If you go over around 60 attack, they will have a chance of backing off and you can't rob them.