Special Attack (Fallout: New Vegas)

Special Attacks are a series of special Melee Weapons and Unarmed moves in Fallout: New Vegas that can be used in either V.A.T.S. or in real time combat that each have unique characteristics. These attacks, which come with special animations, may allow for faster attacks, greater damage, special effects or some combination of these advantages.

V.A.T.S. Special Attacks
When the player has 50 Melee Weapons skill points, they have access to special melee attacks which consume a certain amount of action points for a variety of effects in V.A.T.S. Attacks most often couple a lower action point cost with lower damage, allowing for more attacks per V.A.T.S. round, but with a lower damage inflicted by each individual attack; a higher action point cost with greater damage, allowing for fewer, more damaging attacks; or a higher action point cost and a lower damage, but the addition of a special effect like the chance to knock down enemies.

Note that, in general, the reduction of action points expended for some special attacks does not make up for the corresponding decrease in damage, compared to usage exclusively in V.A.T.S. The only exceptions are when this reduction allows for a player to make 3 or 2 attacks in one V.A.T.S. round instead of 2 or 1.
 * Note: All Unarmed/Melee attacks in V.A.T.S. double weapon's base damage.

Special Attacks outside of V.A.T.S.
It is possible to execute special attacks outside of V.A.T.S., without the required Melee skill of 50 to perform the moves, by initiating a power attack (hold attack button) while moving forward. Special melee attacks outside of V.A.T.S., however, don't have any special properties to them, but are considered as a standard power attack.
 * Note: All Unarmed/Melee power attacks double weapon's base damage.

Available Special Attacks


V.A.T.S. Special Attacks
Starting from 50 Unarmed skill points, players gain access to special unarmed V.A.T.S. attacks which all consume 20 action points for a variety of effects.


 * Note: All Unarmed/Melee attacks in V.A.T.S. double weapon's base damage.

Special Power Attacks outside of V.A.T.S.
There are four different special moves that can be learned from different non-player characters in the game:
 * Ranger Takedown attack from Ranger Andy in Novac
 * Legion Assault from Lucius at Fortification Hill
 * Scribe Counter from Veronica at 188 Trading Post
 * Khan Trick from Diane at Red Rock drug lab.


 * Note: All Unarmed/Melee power attacks double weapon's base damage.