Unarmed (Fallout)

Unarmed is a skill in Fallout, Fallout 2 and Fallout Tactics.

Initial level
Fallout:
 * $$\begin{matrix}\text{Initial}\\\text{level}\%\end{matrix}=65+(\text{Agility}+\text{Strength})/2$$

Example: A starting Agility of 5 and Strength of 5.


 * $$65+(5+5)/2=70\%$$

Fallout 2 and Fallout Tactics:
 * $$\begin{matrix}\text{Initial}\\\text{level}\%\end{matrix}=30+(\text{Agility}+\text{Strength})\times2$$

Example: A starting Agility of 5 and Strength of 5.


 * $$30+(5+5)\times2=50\%$$

Affected weapons

 * Fallout

Fallout Unarmed skill weapons


 * Fallout 2

Fallout 2 Unarmed skill weapons


 * Fallout Tactics

Fallout Tactics Unarmed skill weapons, 2

Unarmed skill attacks
The attacks are divided into two groups: primary and secondary. At any one time, there will be up to four attacks available: the strongest primary punch/kick the player character meets the requirements for (a plain punch/kick if none), and the strongest secondary punch/kick they qualify for, if any. The secondary attacks have a higher AP cost but cause more devastating effects.
 * Fallout 2 and Fallout Tactics

Equipping an unarmed-type weapon (such as brass knuckles for example) will override these skill attacks. This means that with high enough Unarmed skill one will actually lose damage by equipping them.

For example, base melee attack ("Punch") deals 1-2 damage. With Unarmed of 55%, that becomes "Strong Punch" which adds 3 damage, for a total of 4-5. Meanwhile, brass knuckles have a damage range of only 2-5 - so one is better off without them.

To summarize, spiked knuckles become obsolete when the "Hammer Punch" is obtained and brass knuckles are useless altogether, unless for some reason the player character has less than 6 Agility and/or doesn't meet the requirement for Lucas's training.

In 1.02d (which is the most up-to-date official patch) the Jab secondary attack obtained at level 5 is strictly superior to Strong Punch, dealing the same damage at the same AP cost but having an extra 10% crit chance.

Finally, it is possible to enhance the damage dealt with unarmed attacks using several methods, for instance, by increasing Strength, or using the Bonus HtH Damage perk, the Heavy Handed trait, or, less obviously, the Living Anatomy perk (+5 damage against all organics, that is, against most opponents).

Ways to increase Unarmed

 * Fallout 2
 * Cameron and Lucas at the Arroyo can train in Unarmed skill under certain conditions.
 * John L. Sullivan in Klamath can raise both the Unarmed and Melee Weapons skills by 10%.
 * A 5%(4% if tagged) increase can be obtained for using each punching bag on the first level of the Sierra Army Depot.
 * Becoming a Prizefighter grants a 5% unarmed bonus.
 * Both Lo Pan and the Dragon can raise the Unarmed skill. The increase is in four training sessions 5% each, but no more than 100%.

In total the Unarmed skill can be increased to 100% without ever putting any points into it: Lucas in Arroyo will increase Unarmed to 55% unless the player has below 6 Agility. After that the player can get 10% from Sullivan, two 5% punching bag bonuses (Sierra Army Depot) and 5% from Prizefighter for a total of 80%. Finally, the player can take four day training from either Dragon or Lo Pan to reach 100%.

On the other hand, if the player did tag Unarmed, they will be able to increase it by a total of 23%: Sullivan +10%, Punching Bags in Sierra Army depot +8%, Prizefighter +5%.

After that, one can push it even further by increasing their stats: +5 for Strength (Brotherhood of Steel surgery +1 and advanced power armor +4) and +1 Agility (Gain perk).

Notable Unarmed skilled non-player characters

 * Fallout
 * Garl Death-Hand, leader of the Khans.
 * Kane, bodyguard and right-hand of Decker.
 * MacRae, guardian of the entry and unarmed combat trainer of the Blades.


 * Fallout 2
 * Dragon, champion in hand-to-hand of San Francisco.
 * Francis, champion of arm wrestling of Broken Hills.
 * Frank Horrigan, secret service agent of Enclave and president bodyguard.
 * Lo Pan, master in hand-to-hand of San Franscico.
 * Masticator, heavyweight champion of Northern California.