I trying to find the "Strongest 1v1 Build". For those who pride themselves on their min/max/perfect/ultimate/godly characters please doing the following test:

0) Remove any mods, do this on the original game.
1) Set difficulty: Very Hard
2) Only self-created food/simpacks/chems is allowed.
3) Equipment your best armour and weapon and handloaded ammo if any.
4) Save game.
5) Pull down console and type: player.placeatme 167eff
6) Record your win/lose and the weapon you are using and special tactics if any.
7) Load game and repeat step 5 and 6 for 3 times,

My own results 1:
1) Lost, Ranger Sequioa. Can't do enough damage via headshot to kill in one VATs. Don't critical enough.
2) Won, Ranger Sequioa. Aim all on leg shots. Crippled him and then just back-peddle reload and kill.
3) Won, Ranger Sequioa. Aim all on leg shots. Crippled him and then just back-peddle reload and kill.

My own results 2:
1) Won, Gobi Campaign Scout Rifle, Headshot Critical x 5, kill in one VATS.
2) Won, Gobi Campaign Scout Rifle, Headshot Critical x 5, kill in one VATS.
3) Won, Gobi Campaign Scout Rifle, Headshot Critical x 5, kill in one VATS.

And for fun:
i set difficulty to Very Easy, pop a Slasher/Rocket and summoned 8 in one go. Won with Gobi Campaign Scout Rifle but was very lucky cause of their spawn placement. Can't quite replicate it the second and third time.

What critter are we headshotting exactly?

sounds like a claw.

Legendary Deathclaw. And he spawns beside you.