manual
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Fallout New Vegas Fallout New Vegas
COMBAT
MODDING YOUR WEAPONS
As you make your way through the Mojave Wasteland, you may find weapon mods for
sale or in various containers. Each of your weapons can accommodate up to three unique
modifications, and these can add new features like enhanced zooming with a scope,
additional bullets per clip, or increased damage. Modding a weapon also increases its value
to merchants. To activate a mod, select the weapon in the Items list of your Pip-Boy. Then
select the mod you want to attach. Once a mod is attached to a weapon it is indicated with a
+ sign in your weapons list. You cannot remove a mod once it has been attached. Mods are
specific to each individual weapon, so you cannot attach the sight for the 9mm Pistol to the
.357 Magnum Revolver.
MELEE AND UNARMED ATTACKS
You can attack an enemy with melee or unarmed attacks when they are within range of your
character. As you increase your Melee skill, you may notice your weapons have unique moves
in V.A.T.S. (see page 14 for more on V.A.T.S.). At higher levels of the Unarmed skill, you will
automatically use advanced unarmed attacks while fighting. In addition, there are several unique
unarmed moves that can be learned from characters throughout the Mojave Wasteland.
Left Click: Performs a melee attack. Hold to do a power attack that does double damage.
Right Click: Block. Blocking incoming melee attacks provides a large bonus to your
damage resistance.
The Mojave Wasteland is a dangerous place, and combat is a fact of life for all but the most
diplomatic of survivors.
WEAPONS
Weapons fall into several categories: ranged weapons, melee weapons, unarmed weapons,
grenades and mines. Your effectiveness with any weapon depends on your character’s skills,
the condition of the weapon, and the Damage Threshold of your opponents.
When using any weapon, aim with your crosshair and Left Click to attack. When using an
automatic weapon, holding down the Left Mouse Button will continuously fire. Your character
will automatically reload a weapon when you use up your current rounds, provided you have
additional ammo available. To reload at any time, you can press R.
Damage is calculated by subtracting the DAM rating of the weapon you are firing against the
Damage Threshold of your target’s armor. You will always cause some damage, but if you see
a red shield, it means you would be better off using a different weapon. If you see a shredded
shield image this means you are doing large amounts of damage to your target.
Your accuracy and damage in combat is determined by your Strength level, as well as the
governing skill for the type of weapon you are firing (Guns, Energy Weapons, Explosives, etc.).
Weapon condition also affects how much damage is done, as well as the chance the gun
jams when reloading. Repairing weapons can increase the amount of damage they do (see
“Repairing Weapons and Apparel” below) and reduce the chance of your weapon jamming.
Right Clicking will allow you to aim and fire more accurately, but move slowly.
When you are sneaking (press L-Ctrl) your character will move slowly but has a chance of a
sneak attack bonus on any target that has not detected you. For more information on Stealth
mode, see pg. 17.
ARMOR/APPAREL
Each piece of armor you wear adds to your Damage Threshold. The higher your DT, the less
damage you will take from attacks. The amount of protection you receive from a piece of
armor depends on the armor itself and whether the armor is in good repair. As your armor’s
condition is lowered, you lose points off your Damage Threshold. Be sure to repair your armor
regularly to avoid ineffective armor! Some pieces of apparel have a low Damage Threshold,
but add different bonuses such as increases to Skills or Stats.
REPAIRING WEAPONS AND APPAREL
An item’s condition affects how well the item works, as well as its value. Weapons of lower
condition will do less damage, and jam more frequently. Armor of lower condition will offer
less protection. You can repair items in your Pip-Boy by selecting Repair (R) on the item. You
can only do this if you have similar items to use for parts.