Mod:DUST Survival Simulator/Reaper

This page describes a char build for Fallout: DUST, aimed at overpowering through combat encounters as opposed to masterminding past them.

'This article assumes you aren't'' using the "More Perks" mod. Changes/suggestions brought on by said mod will be bolded.'''

Characteristics
This is a build focused entirely around ending combat as quick as it starts. Enemies' increased perception ranges and alertness make much of DUST's stealth changes very finicky at the best of times. While playing sneakily is possible, there's simply too much going against it for it to be relied on consistently. Hence a combat build like this that assumes the worst at all times. This build can be powerful with the right Perk synergies but it takes damage like paper-mache...more than things in DUST already do. Pray for your limbs.

This Build is best played in the hands of an Insane Survivor due to the bonuses given by King Arthur and The Scurrier.

This Build can Escape the Mojave by any means, though its loadout has " Zion Run" written in bright neon letters.

Difficulty
Normal difficulty, with Hardcore enabled.

Mods used
The following mods were used to test this build:
 * Fallout DUST Tunneler Detection Fix
 * Fast Travel for DUST (Yes, I'm a weenie)
 * DUST Pre-Order Fixer
 * DUST Reasonable Needs
 * Manan's Tweaks
 * More Perks For New Vegas
 * Private Property Expired
 * NPCs Travel (With accompanying Rebalance Patch)
 * Makeshift Mastery

Starting location
Shack (7) and Safehouse (6) both work well enough. Shack (5) is also viable if you're able to outrun the Tunnelers and Cazadores surrounding the area, but it's generally too hard a sell for me to recommend.

S.P.E.C.I.A.L.

 * Strength: 8
 * Perception: 1
 * Endurance: 6
 * Charisma: 1
 * Intelligence: 10
 * Agility: 6
 * Luck: 6

Tag Skills

 * Repair
 * Medicine
 * Survival
 * Melee Weapons OR Survival (If Tag! is taken)

Traits

 * Heavy Handed
 * Kamikaze OR Makeshift Mastery

Perks

 * Action Boy/Girl
 * Burden To Bear
 * Chemist
 * Educated
 * Here and Now
 * Jury Rigging
 * King Arthur
 * Nerves Of Steel
 * Ninja
 * Purifier
 * Slayer
 * Strong Back
 * Super Slam
 * Swift Learner (3)
 * Tag!
 * The Scurrier
 * Travel Light
 * Unstoppable Force
 * Roughin' It

Starting Skill Levels
Personal Preferences aside, this is what your initial Skills will probably look like.


 * Barter: 9
 * Energy Weapons: 11
 * Explosives 9
 * Guns: 13
 * Lockpick 13
 * Medicine: 13
 * Melee Weapons: 31
 * Repair: 31
 * Science: 15
 * Sneak:13
 * Speech: 9
 * Survival: 36
 * Unarmed: 13

Progression
If you're starting at Shack (7), a trip to the Ghost Town is in-order. Stock up on booze and make steaks from the hostile Dogs there. Loot the houses for Plungers and Scrap Metal (and Coffee Cups, if you're Zion-bound) and forge some Throwing Spears. Assail the Tribals stationed near the town if you feel confident. If either of them has a Makeshift Crossbow, treasure it like a loved one and turn your Spears to Bolts.

From Safehouse (6), try to lure the Tribals patrolling the edges of the Burned Bulls Camp outward and deal with them and their gear. Alternatively, hoof it to the Jackal checkpoint situated before the Camp and deal with them first. Either way, you want the outer rim of the camp to be cleared, at the very least.

After this point, it's on you how to go about your stats. If you're following the Build - Melee Weapons, Repair, Survival and Unarmed should be your priorities, with tiny splashes into the Guns stat for back-up damage. Educated, Travel Light and Action Boy/Girl should be in your early perk arsenal.

Zion National Park will be your ideal location if you aren't pursuing the Repair ending. Most of the enemies in Zion are up-close swarmers, which The Scurrier allows you to keep up with just fine. Make sure your Melee is at least past the 50 mark before you end up here.

'''If you're using the "More Perks" mod, "Swing For the Fence!" and "Fortuitous Warrrior" make decent alternatives/reinforcers while "Runs Like Winds" makes you even faster. "Drink to Last" solves 95% of your water issues as long as you hoard empty bottles and should be the first Perk you ever take.'''

Loadout
Any Melee Weapon will do, but you want to craft/find a Makeshift Scythe as quickly as humanly possible. (Depending on your starting location, Primm, the Burned Bulls Camp or Mo-Tel are the easiest places to find one) If you're crafting one instead, the Ghost Town has most of the ingredients you need inside of what was once Doc Mitchell's house.

'''The 3.2 update to Manan's Tweaks removes the ability to repair Makeshift melee weapons on-the-fly, replacing the Lawn Mower Blade (Or Bonesaw, if you have an Axe) you'd get with a Dull one that needs a Whet Stone to sharpen first. The rarity of Whet Stones means alternatives such as the Cultist Scepter work almost as well.'''

Barring outside factors, your final weapon list will look something like this:


 * Flare Gun
 * Makeshift Scythe
 * Cultist Scepter (Or other alternative to the Scythe in case it breaks)
 * Lucky OR any other Revolver
 * Any Sniper Rifle variant OR the Makeshift Crossbow
 * Throwing Spears

The Pistol/Revolver's mostly for dealing with Feral Ghouls whose toughened bodies're resistant to Melee. Keep an eye out for a Flare Gun and keep it with you if you're going to Zion.