Intelligence

Intelligence is one of the Primary Statistics in the SPECIAL character system. It represents knowledge, wisdom and the ability to think quickly. A high Intelligence is important for any character.

Fallout, Fallout 2 and Fallout Tactics
Modifies: the number of new Skill Points per level, dialogue options, and many skills.

One of the unique qualities of Fallout and Fallout 2 was the difference in gameplay, specifically dialogue, if you decided to create a low intelligence character.

Fallout 3
Modifies: Medicine, Repair, and Science skills, as well as the number of new Skill Points per level.

The base number of skill points gained per level is 10+Intelligence. Skill points gained for raised intelligence are not retroactive for past levels, so increasing this primary stat early if at all is best.

One of the methods to maximize skill is to place 9 points in intelligence at character creation, then rush to Rivet City Science Lab and grab the bobblehead once you are out of the vault at level 2. The easiest way to get there is by the west side of river (don't forget the ignore all npcs, so that you don't gain a level accidently). After the brotherhood hq, you can swim around Jefferson Memorial to reach Rivet City. Another strategy is to swim the entire route to Rivet City, thereby avoiding all encounters once you reach the water. If you start the Contract Radiation Sickness objective for the Wasteland Survival Guide quest beforehand, you can Fast Travel back to Megaton afterwords and have your radiation healed for free.

It should be noted that with Comprehension, Bobbleheads, and the base skills, it is entirely possible to reach the magic total of 1300 skill points required to maximize all skills with a merely average Intelligence, even without Educated.

Inteligencja Интеллект