Duck and Cover

Well today started playing Fallout1, my character is:
makaveli:
strength - 9 (after the bruiser bonus)
perception - 5
endurance - 6
charisma - 5
intelligence - 7
agility - 6
luck - 4
Traits: bruiser & heavy handed
Skillz: small guns, melee weapons & lockpick

I reached the edge of the first area and then a map of the world popped up so I picked to go strait to the other vault. Then I saw myself moving on the world map but in the middle a figt was started and I got killed by three scorpions... I was wondering, am I supposed to go strait to the other vault or should I go thorough the areas between the vaults first?

There's one area between the vaults and you should definitely visit it. You may have some problems in combat at first as your character is not very good, but you'll be able to get some help in the mentioned area. Also don't be afraid to run and escape when you're losing.

Well why isn't it good?
I just made this character to see what's the game like, so tips for a better character would be useful...

You spoil 3 points on strenght, more than 6 is a waste (I won't give it away why, it turns out later in the game, but trust me). Perception and agility are essential for combat and comfortable gameplay. Intelligence is also important. An uber character, in my opinion is: (some could say that it's overpowered and therefore not fun)

st5, pe8, en4, ch4, in9, ag9, lk8 - this one will rule at the end game making you practically god, it also has the advantage of possibility of finding cool special encounters thanks to high luck

st6, pe9, en6, ch4, in9, ag9, lk4 - this one is more hard-way, without special encounters, just a killing machine.

To both of them: gifted & finesse, tag small guns, energy weapons and something else (speech or lockpick). With a character like this playing is pure pleasure. Sorry if I made a mistake in the number of skill points.

High luck actually affects the game that much? Well I think I'll go for the first character you suggested for my first time through... thanks a lot!

Glad I could help. Still remember that you suck at the beginning so don't be too reckless. Luckily you'll have a chance to kick major ass later in the game with this char.

Uh. This game has diplomatic aspects. Speech and charisma are pretty valuable in some parts. But then again that might be more appriopriate for a second run through the game.

Yeah, well this char has very good intelligence, and I'd tag speech. Charisma is not really important, it's rather for recruiting npc's than actual talking. You'll be able to do all the quests with it.

Charisma isn't even that important for recruiting NPCs in FO1 since they're not even "party members" as FO2 put them...

Luck has more importance in FO1, but looses the edge most people are looking for in FO1: the sniper perk... Which isn't available.

Red wrote:Charisma isn't even that important for recruiting NPCs in FO1 since they're not even "party members" as FO2 put them...

Luck has more importance in FO1, but looses the edge most people are looking for in FO1: the sniper perk... Which isn't available.

What do you mean it's not available? It is, after level 18. And it works great with 10 luck. Sure, you have to gain level 18 to get it but that's not that hard.

Red wrote:Charisma isn't even that important for recruiting NPCs in FO1 since they're not even "party members" as FO2 put them...

Luck has more importance in FO1, but looses the edge most people are looking for in FO1: the sniper perk... Which isn't available.

Power gamed!

You can play the game through and have fun on virtually any stats. Make up whatever suits you. Don't waste time trying to create the most powerful character. The play's the thing.

when i tried to replay fallout after playing FOT, iwas extremely confused. i make my char a killer, and not very good at diplomacy... bad idea.

i would rather be very smart and struggle in combat than be very strong and struggle with everything else.

luck is good for that extra critical chance, it doesnt seem like much but 8% is much better than 4%, and especially with aimed shots+perks that boost your critical chance.

I'd say let the guy find out what works on his own, myself

Honestly. Just whack characters together, and you'll eventually find a character that you find works really well.

In my first games of Fallouts I died so many times it was hilarious.

Strapon2 wrote:i would rather be very smart and struggle in combat than be very strong and struggle with everything else.

Amen!

Strapon2 wrote:luck is good for that extra critical chance, it doesnt seem like much but 8% is much better than 4%, and especially with aimed shots+perks that boost your critical chance.

If you start with luck 8 you'll end up with 10 thanks to the guy in Adytum. Then the Sniper perk and ALL shots are criticals - it's worth the skill points. Although it's actually more important in Fallout 2 where you get more chances to use it (level 18 is very late in FO1, unless you "cheat" with the deathclaws or wander around for mutant patrols).

Personally, I prefer a luck of at least five. I always tak the giftedtrait (that's the one that gives you +5 skillponts, right?) so I can get all my stats up to at least 6 each (then switch tem around a bit). I then take the agility-trait (+1 AG, - 50lbs of carry-weight) which I then move toward strength. Tag Energy Weapons and then two other skills, depending on the character I plan to play...