Fallout 76's version of VATS plays mostly the same as in Fallout 4 (minus the time-slow mechanic). It is essentially an auto-aim feature that comes with a number of powerful bonuses when the right perk cards are equipped. With that said, VATS works best when using builds that take advantage of everything it has to offer.
When using a VATS build, you can expect to deal extreme DPS via constant critical hits, though this does come at the expense of more AP consumption than usual. Overall, such builds are great for all sorts of content, whether you're doing Fallout 76's sidequests or helping others in public events. Here's a general guide covering the most important parts of making a VATS build, as well as a sample setup for a Commando loadout.
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Fallout 76: VATS Build Perks and SPECIAL
|
Fallout 76 Commando VATS Build |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Strength - 2 |
Perception - 15 |
Endurance - 3 |
Charisma - 3 |
Intelligence - 7 |
Agility - 11 |
Luck - 15 |
|
Strong Back 1 |
Commando 3 |
Fireproof 3 |
Tenderizer 3 |
Gunsmith 5 |
Adrenaline 5 |
Better Criticals 3 |
|
Traveling Pharmacy 1 |
Expert Commando 3 |
First Aid 2 (Optional) |
Gun Fu 3 |
Critical Savvy 3 |
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|
Master Commando 3 |
Action Boy/Girl 3 |
Bloody Mess 3 |
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Ground Pounder 2 |
Class Freak 3 |
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Tank Killer 3 |
Starched Genes 2 |
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Concentrated Fire 1 |
Grim Reaper's Sprint 1 |
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Take Follow Through as your first legendary perk if you want more damage. Then, fill the rest with SPECIAL boosters or other QoL cards like Master Infiltrator.
VATS builds can work with all weapon types. The table above is merely an example of how one should make a VATS build for a Level 50 non-stealth, non-Bloodied Commando using Fallout 76's automatic rifles. If you want to use a VATS setup with a different weapon type, respec your SPECIAL and use relevant perks like Shotgunner or Gunslinger. The most important VATS perks to use are:
- Better Criticals: VATS criticals do more damage.
- Critical Savvy: VATS criticals only partly consume the critical meter.
- Gun Fu: VATS automatically swaps to a different target on kill; gain bonus damage on your next VATS shot.
- Action Boy/Girl: Gain increased AP regeneration.
- Adrenaline: Gain bonus damage for every kill for 30 seconds.
- Concentrated Fire: You can now target specific limbs when aiming in VATS. Each VATS shot increases damage and accuracy.
- Grim Reaper's Sprint: Gain a chance to completely refresh all AP when scoring a VATS kill.
- Four Leaf Clover: Each hit in VATS has a chance to completely refill the critical meter.
- Psychopath: Each kill in VATS has a chance to completely refill the critical meter.
Players won't be able to use all of these perks together, since most of them are under Luck. Prioritize getting the damage perks first before equipping AP and critical meter-related ones.
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VATS Build Weapons and Mutations
There's a whole laundry list of powerful weapons in Fallout 76, and what you use will depend on what weapon type you prefer. For the Commando build above, your best options are an automatic Fixer or Railway Rifle. The most important part of picking a weapon is making sure it has legendary effects that improve damage and AP consumption.
As for mutations, Eagle Eyes, Herd Mentality, and Herbivore are going to be the most important ones. Together, these mutations will give you increased critical damage, more SPECIAL stats when in a team (even if you're alone in said team), and double the effects from plant-based food. Good food buffs to pair with Herbivore include:
- Corn Soup (bonus AP regeneration)
- Blight Soup (bonus critical damage)
- Company Tea (bonus AP regeneration)
- Hard Lemonade (bonus max AP and regeneration)
For armor, you'll want whatever gives the most damage resistance. A full set of Heavy Combat Armor with the Brotherhood of Steel mod is excellent until you can craft a full Secret Service Armor set. You can get the plans for it from Regs, one of the Gold Buillion traders in Fallout 76.
Fallout 76
- Released
- November 14, 2018
