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One of the best features in theFalloutgames, and particularlyNew VegasandFallout 3, is thevast and varied perk system. With perks, the Courier gains powerful new skills for a huge number of combat and non-combat situations – perks can do everything from improving your chance to hit in VATS to unlocking new ways to avoid combat with new dialogue options in certain locations.
Most players will typically pick the perks that best fit a build they are going for in the long-term, or perks that areuniversally well-regarded– like Educated or Skilled. Some of the most underrated perks inNew Vegasare more useful than a first glance might make them appear, offer hilarious or game-breaking effects, or have downsides that aren’t nearly as bad as they are made out to be.
5The Mysterious Stranger / Miss Fortune
Randomly, A Mysterious Ally Appears In VATS
The Mysterious Stranger and Miss Fortune perks are two sides of the same platinum chip. When this perk is selected, the Couriergains a 10% chance to get help from either the Mysterious Stranger or Miss Fortune when using VATS.
The Mysterious Stranger will unload a full clip of his .44 Magnum in the target, all but certainly killing them. Miss Fortune deals less damage directly but causes random negative effects on the target and nearby area, from crippling limbs to knocking down enemies and even causing explosions with items in your inventory.
Of the two, the Mysterious Stranger is more powerful, but Miss Fortune is more interesting and random. Because of the low proc chance, it’s not exactly going tomake the Courier overpowered, but it’s hilarious and useful when they do decide to show up. Both perks can be taken at the same time, but only one will show up during VATS at a time.
4Logan’s Loophole
Cap Your Max Level In Exchange For Chems
Logan’s Loophole is a perk with an effect that seems like a negative, at first glance. TheCourier’s level is restricted to a maximum of 30, but all Chems and drugs last twice as long, and the Couriercan’t become addicted to anything.
A maximum level of 30 might seem like a major downside, but because the game mostly scales to your level – and almost every perk in the game can be acquired by level 30 – it doesn’t actually restrict the player that much. You just need to be more careful with stat and perk choices, as these choices are difficult to reverse without console commands.
3And Stay Back
The Ultimate In Knockdown Technology
The And Stay Back perk is one of themost useful perks inFallout: New Vegasbecause it affects almost every enemy type in the game. With this perk, the Couriergains a 10% chance to blast targets backward when shooting them with a shotgun.
With fast-firing shotguns, like the Riot Shotgun, players can effectively stun lock almost every enemy in the game. Everything from Legion soldiers to Deathclaws are affected by this, which makes it worth keeping enough space open for a shotgun in your inventory.
2Terrifying Presence
With The Power Of Speech, Terrify Your Enemies
The Terrifying Presence perk is one that affects a lot of the game’s dialogue and quest outcomes. With this perk, the Courier willcause all nearby enemies to run away in fear when they exit dialogue with certain NPCs.
Theunique Terrifying Presence options are highlighted in the dialogueoptions with NPCs who have interactions with this outcome-altering perk. This includes a huge variety of situations, including your first meeting with the Legion troops in Nelson, meeting Caesar himself, cornering Benny in his room at the Tops, and more.
1Swift Learner
Speed Up Your Leveling As Early As Possible
The Swift Learner perk is one of thebest early-game perks inFallout: New Vegasbecause of how well it scales. This perk simplyincreases all of your XP gain by 10%. Though relatively small, over time, this adds up to an enormous amount of XP.
The max level in the full DLC-enabled version ofFallout: New Vegasis Lvl 50. If you take this perk at Lvl 2, by the end of the game, this perk alone will be responsible for more than 10,000 extra XP – the equivalent of several levels. Pick this perk up early and save more useful or powerful perks for later levels, which you will now reach significantly faster.
