Sorry im a noob at this, im pretty indecisive as far as stats go idk what to do or if i do it i will be wrong, that sort of thing.

Does anyone have a template for starting a new character, or maybe like a beginner template thats good enough to get me started, as far as point allocation goes, in SPECIAL.

And would picking up the strategy guide be a good idea? Or if i can get help here maybe i dont need to get it

Cant wait to hear back thanks in advance =]

My suggestion for a balanced starter character:

S: 5
P: 5
E: 5
C: 7
I: 7
A: 6
L: 5

Tags: Guns, Speech, Science

Traits: Up to you.

A build like this should let you experience a good range of aspects from the game for a first run.

What kind are you out after?
Up close and personal? (Melee unarmed, Strength Endurance Agility)
Diplomatic side? (Speech Intelligence Charisma)
Sniper (Luck Perception Guns Energy Weapons)
Frontline assault (Guns, Energy Weapons, Explosives)
Stealth based (light armor, Agility, Sneak)

If you're playing in hardcoe mode, Strength is VERY important, unless you're doing a melee/unarmed character.

I really underestimated how much ammo weight changes things.

Depends on your combat preference.

Here is a tip though, Perception can be reduced rather significantly if you do not plan on using energy weapons or explosives...

*alternative

I want to be able to repair my items, but use longrange weapons, well spoken and able to picklocks when i need to, like a jack-of-all trades

thanks for the quick replies =]

Jack of all trades is not possible.

For your character I'd suggest.

S 6 (Get the perk later on which remove 2 from strength requirement from weapons)
P 6
E 5
C 6
I 6
A 6
L 5

thanks what would you suggest repair or science? i picked gun and speech for my first 2

nevermind

*edit* My math is way way off. I am too tired to think, but hoepfully you get the gist of it. As for buying the strategy guide, I bought it and I am glad I did. But you can get all the help at the Fallout wiki if you don't want to get the guide. Also we are here to help you as well. Just make shure you post in the spoiler section if you want help, so you don't spoil it for others.

I made my character with Inteligence 10 so I get the max skill points to distribute. I did 9 before, because there is an "unwritten rule" where you never make a stat go to 10 because in the game later, you can put any stat to 10 later. But for me, that will be late in the game, so I made my Inteligence to 10. If you do not want to do it, becarefull what you make it at. If it's an even number, you get the same skill points to distribute. If odd, then it's different. I don't have the chart on me. On even level ups, you will have 11, on odd, they will be 10 since you don't distribute 10.5 points. So you have to wait for the even level ups to get the full benifit.

So you might want to think about it. Since I was getting on Intelligence 9, 14 points on odd level ups and 15 on even level ups, I just went to Inteligence 10 so I maxed it out so I get 15 level ups all the time. So when you get to level 30, that is an extra 15 points of skill points I can distribute. They may not be a big deal, but since I wanted my Barter skill to be up to 70 so I can get Rat Pack at level 8, I needed those extra points to do so and still put skill points in other areas as well. My math maybe be off, but you get the idea hopefully.

am i understanding this right? Adding points to SPECIAL is balancing points to be able to use the weapons you want, get the perks you want, and the skill bonuses you want for your character? I bought the guide it has all the info on all the perks its really good

Most long range rifles have a strength requirement of 6.

Better critcals is a great perk for snipers requires perception 6 luck 6

Guns and repair go great together.

I'd choose an "access" skill prob lockpick as a 3rd tag. Speech is a good alternative as well.