So the title says what I want out of my character. I usually play this type of character. Just got past Concord. As usual it seems Heavy Weapons are rare early game so it makes this character kind of tough as he isn't versed with smaller weapons and really must melee to do any useful damage. I know you get that certain weapon in concord but the ammo seems to be limited in the early game and its only one weapon...maybe I am mistaken.

Secondly, what is a good special for this char? I want to maximize my time in PA so I am assuming I need a 9 INT (7 base) for Nuclear Physassist. I also want to be a Maniac in melee and use Heavy Weapons...What would be a good starter SPECIAL?

Str 7

Per 4

End 7

Cha 1

Int 7

Agi 1

Luck 1

?

This forum moves quick lol

Do not focus on heavy weapons, not unless you want to use melee 90% of the time. Heavy weapon ammo is very rare (besides teh junk jet of course) and making a build of it will be hard for a long time in the game.

Appreciate the help. Its what I figured. I would not mind playing heavy melee 90% of the time but I am playing on Survival so Melee in the early game is very difficult. As rushing 5 dudes with a lead pipe can get you killed ASAP. I am going to have to modify and play a Rifleman that has a back up for melee.

Actually, you'd be surprised how much heavy ammo you can get. I'm sitting on over four thousand 5mms rounds, twenty some odd missiles, mini nukes and a mountain of flamer fuel. I used the Gatling Laser for some time as well, but it uses cores( the same cell as your power armor, ouch ).

So is a Heavy Gunner viable or should I not waste my time? Should I go rifleman at the start then go heavy gunner later?

yeah, but then focus on using only them, especially in the hardest difficulty, and see how much they last. I went through about a thousand rounds of 5mm just in the glowing sea alone. now granted, i had noen of the heavy weapon perks, but still, that was also in normal difficulty.

yeah, focus on just using rifles at first, then when you stockpile enough ammo, you can probably use the heavy weapons.

Make SURE to get teh scavenger perks, they help IMMENSELY.

Agreed. How good is Armorer perk with melee in the early game? Even with the perks off the bat damage resistance in the early game is really bad...

Gatling Laser uses the Fusion Core, which become plentiful by mid game if you have things to trade.

This build works great on Very Hard. I love it.

Which? the one I mentioned? Sweet. PS what IS survival mode exactly? I know I heal slower but is it just VERY HARD with slower healing?