I'm playing a Guns character right now and wondering what makes sense as a backup weapon for close-range fighting at low levels, particularly against heavily armored opponents like Giant Radscorpions. I find that until you get good some good weapons, ammo, and perks somewhat later in the game, it's a huge waste of ammo to try firing on some enemies, so sometimes you're better off using a high-DAM close-range weapon even if you're not trained in it. In choosing between some weapons for this purpose, though, I had some questions I was hoping others might have some input on.

1. When my Pip-Boy lists the DPS for a weapon I'm not sufficiently trained to use, is it already taking into consideration the slowed attack speed caused by my lack of training? (If so, then Spiked Knuckles are simply a much better weapon than Brass Knuckles, as they do higher DAM and DPS despite being way out of my league in terms of skill requirement...)

2. Which is a bigger advantage for the untrained user: the added range of melee weapons (like the 9 Iron or even the Lead Pipe or Machete) or the relatively higher DAM of unarmed weapons (like Brass Knuckles or Spiked Knuckles)?

3. Does your Unarmed skill affect the Fatigue Damage caused by Boxing Tape and Boxing Gloves in the same way it affects the DAM?

Thanks!

My recommendation is the unique Spike Knuckles Love and Hate, available very early if you've got the raw bravado to take on two heavily-armored raiders after a short walk from Goodsprings.

You don't want to face Giant Rad Scorpions in close quarters early on. If you can not put enough bullets in to them fast, then run! Normal Rad Scorpions on the other hand, yes, you can spare ammo to deal with them if you use melee weapon. You have to "dance" around them, always stay on their sides or back. Any melee weapon will do but longer reach is good. I use Chopper for its added limb damage which is good especially against scorpions and do not degrade as much as say machete. And since scorpions are heavily armoured, you need lots of hits to bring them down so weapons will degrade lot. Lead pipe is also good as you will find enough of them to keep it in good shape.

Best ask JE how fatigue works; Deathclaw can be easily kill with Bean Bag rounds yet Fiends and take full dozen of it.

10mm SMG, Laser RCW and Lucky is my recommend panic weapons; but as we all know Lucky is a bit screw now thanks to the reloading bug.

Riot Shotgun awesome late game choice, with buck/magnum/coin shot agianst low DT, Slug agianst high DT and Bean Bags against Deathclaws.

Spiked Knuckles are fun, I'm level 15 on my new char and it kills everyone with one-four hits.