Which is the most important aspect of S.P.E.C.I.A.L.? Which one is essential for a good character? Which ones should and shouldn't be maxed out?

A high intelligence doesn't hurt, but with all DLC's and the level cap raised to 50, it might not be as useful as in the vanilla game.

Intelligence will win because many have no clue that it's only a small gain and it's possible to max out all skills at 100 by level 50 with a 6 starting INT stat. It might even be possible with 5. Without the DLCs character specialization removes the need to have a sky high INT stat. The only real difference between a high (9-10) and low (4-5) Intelligence is what level God Mode kicks in.

The first seven points in endurance buys you +7 extra SPECIAL points. An eighth point will raise you DT by 4 points, but a ninth gets you something mostly useless.


tl:dr = Endurance should win, but Intelligence will get more votes from mindless cattle.

I voted for agility because...

Strength....you can increase your strength with power armor and ant nectar

Perception....If your concerned about radar, you can always get ED-E. It seems to only matter for how accurate you are in VATS.

Endurance...You get hitpoints as you level up anyway so its not a huge thing

Charisma....Seems only useful for a non-combat/get along with everyone/RP

Intelligence.....The only reason I get it to 5 is for the pack rat perk, otherwise I would set this to 1. It might not be even worth it for the pack rat perk

Agility...........Regenerating AP, how much AP you have, how fast you are, how fast you shoot, how fast you reload. Has too many factors that can't be substituted. Having a low agility is pretty much having a character that isn't that combat effective

Luck.......criticals are important but there are so many critical perks and gear now that is becomes less necessary to raise luck than before. Great for gambling. I would put this close second to agility.

Intelligence... because its an RPG. :shrug:

Imagine a PC with zero for all stats but one... which Stat would you want that to be?

i always max intel as i dont have the dlc so need the extra skill points but i think agility would be the most important

Charisma, he may not be smart enough to make complex sentences, but his one syllable one word sentences and that little wink will make that boy go places!

sixual Stamina

I always say agility, because it helps with gun skill and give you more ap.

Int is really the best, but it will make you Uber.

So it you are looking for Uberness its INT for sure.

Me I keep it at 5 once in a while I ll make one with 6. INT.

Any higher you are going to be an Uber God.

With a 50 cap I ll be Uber anyway, because there is no way I can pick the deal that stops you from leveling.

Oh yes, very good. I changed my vote from Luck to Agility. Your Agility level can be viewed as being a significant part of your fighting skills.

Charisma. Followers with a +50% damage and DT bonus is quite insane.

A zero intelligence still grants 10 skill points per level up. Any other stat at zero would hurt far more.

Charisma for me too, unless I'm not going to use any companions w/that character (rare now, since I mostly just "mess around")...then I'll go for Agility & STR.
I put my INT at 5 these days, but then sometimes bump it to 6 or 7 (mostly for some later checks) with implant and IT.

It's always Intelligence for me,with more intelligence comes more skill points to give out.But right behind that is Charisma,it helps allot with the story.

For me it would be endurance as a must have, maybe not maxed out but the higher than the rest.
Whats the point in venturing into the wastes with E= 1 if its going to mean caring loads of health materials ?

if u're melee - u're best bet is on Endurance

if u're shooter - Luck

I'd say either Intelligence or Agility.

Intelligence- So your not a mindless killing machine

Agility- Because I can't stand being slow.

I always try to max out perception... I like to spot things far off, and I don't like to use companions... they just get in my way die.

Macleod!!!!!

I always max out my luck namely for the criticals and free mon...I mena gambling

and invest in 1 to 3 poitns in endurance

Intelligence. That controls how much skill points you get and it can also make the game in the beginning a lot easier.

Intelligence... is the gift that keeps on giving.

Intelligence

I vote none and since you don't have that up there this is my vote.

anything over 9 is a waste of points

I really have no idea why intelligence has a high vote. You can probably max out at every skill that you NEED with 1 intelligence by level 50.

Agility for VATS users, other than that, none.
You can do well without any one of them at 2 or more.
Not enough consequences to make any of them truly 'important'.

Strength the ability to carry alot of objects without having to go back and forth.