Introduction
The Commonwealth wasteland is a harsh mistress. Survival depends on cunning, resourcefulness, and, sometimes, a whole lot of explosions. In Fallout 4, players are presented with a vast character customization system through the S.P.E.C.I.A.L. attributes, allowing for a myriad of character builds. While some might favor stealthy sniper builds or heavily armored melee characters, there’s a certain chaotic joy to be found in specializing in the “Special Delivery” build – a character whose primary form of communication is through grenades, mines, rockets, and the occasional mini nuke. This isn’t just about blowing things up; it’s about mastering the art of explosive ordnance, turning every encounter into a spectacular, albeit dangerous, display of demolition expertise.
This guide will provide aspiring demolitionists with a detailed overview of the “Special Delivery” build, including optimal S.P.E.C.I.A.L. stat allocations, essential perks, and effective combat strategies, all to maximize explosive damage and dominate the Commonwealth. Forget subtle approaches; with the “Special Delivery” build, you’ll be leaving a trail of fiery wreckage and scattering your enemies to the four winds. Get ready to embrace the boom!
Stat Allocation: Laying the Foundation for Explosive Success
The effectiveness of any Fallout 4 character build hinges on the careful allocation of S.P.E.C.I.A.L. stats. For the “Special Delivery” build, certain attributes take precedence over others. Let’s break down the importance of each:
Strength
Strength is more than just muscles; it’s the foundation of your explosive arsenal. The most immediate benefit of Strength is increased carry weight. This is crucial because explosives, especially missiles and mini nukes, are heavy. You’ll need to lug around a considerable stockpile to be effective. Strength also contributes to melee potential, which, while not the primary focus, can be useful as a backup option or for conserving ammo. Finally, a higher Strength allows for improved staggering and knockback, potentially disrupting enemy attacks or creating openings for explosive throws.
Perception
Perception is key to accuracy and awareness. For the “Special Delivery” build, Perception has two critical roles: improving VATS accuracy and unlocking the Demolitions Expert perk early on. Accurate grenade throws are essential, especially in VATS, where you can slow down time and target specific enemy limbs. The Demolitions Expert perk, a cornerstone of the build, requires a minimum Perception, making it a high priority from the start.
Endurance
Endurance is your lifeline in the wasteland. While the “Special Delivery” build emphasizes ranged combat, you’ll inevitably find yourself in close quarters, either due to enemy advances or the need to strategically place mines. A higher Endurance translates to greater survivability, allowing you to withstand more damage and stay in the fight longer. This is particularly important when using explosives, as the risk of friendly fire or splash damage is ever-present.
Charisma
Charisma is the least crucial S.P.E.C.I.A.L. attribute for the “Special Delivery” build. While it can be useful for settlements, speech checks, and general social interactions, it doesn’t directly enhance your explosive capabilities. Points can be allocated here later on, if desired, but they should not be a priority in the early game.
Intelligence
Intelligence fuels your explosive power. This is where the Demolitions Expert perk resides, increasing explosive damage and blast radius with each rank. High Intelligence also unlocks crafting recipes and provides more skill points for leveling essential perks. Intelligence becomes increasingly important in the mid-to-late game as you begin to specialize your build and craft more powerful explosives.
Agility
Agility governs your action points and stealth capabilities. Action points are crucial for VATS usage, allowing you to execute multiple grenade throws or missile launches in a single turn. Agility also contributes to stealth, which can be surprisingly useful for a “Special Delivery” build. Sneaking allows you to strategically place mines and set up ambushes, turning the battlefield into a deadly trap.
Luck
Luck can be a game-changer for any build. For the “Special Delivery” build, Luck offers several benefits, including increased critical hit chance, finding more ammo (essential for maintaining your explosive supply), and unlocking powerful Luck-based perks. A bit of luck can turn a close encounter into a decisive victory.
A recommended starting S.P.E.C.I.A.L. allocation would be something like: Strength six, Perception four, Endurance four, Charisma three, Intelligence six, Agility four, and Luck one. This setup provides a solid foundation for explosive damage, survivability, and VATS accuracy. Prioritize leveling Strength, Intelligence, and Perception early on to maximize your explosive potential and access essential perks.
The Arsenal of Destruction: Perks That Define the “Special Delivery”
Perks are the building blocks of any successful Fallout 4 character build. For the “Special Delivery” build, certain perks are absolutely essential, while others provide valuable support or situational advantages.
Demolitions Expert
Demolitions Expert is not just a perk; it’s the heart and soul of the “Special Delivery” build. Located in the Intelligence tree, this perk increases explosive damage and blast radius with each rank, turning you into a walking, talking, explosion-generating machine. Maxing out Demolitions Expert should be your top priority, as it directly enhances the effectiveness of all your explosive weaponry.
Bloody Mess
Bloody Mess, found in the Luck tree, increases all damage dealt. It is also responsible for some over-the-top death animations. With this perk, any enemy death has the chance to turn into a hilariously gory spectacle.
Heavy Gunner
Heavy Gunner, if you plan on using missile launchers, is an integral part of the build. Located in the strength skill tree, it increases the amount of damage that heavy weapons do to the enemy.
Locksmith and Hacker
Locksmith and Hacker, are more utility skills. However, more loot and resources mean more equipment to do the build to it’s fullest potential.
Bomber
Bomber, a Perception perk, allows you to throw more projectiles per toss.
Pain Train
Pain Train provides a unique and destructive option for demolitionists who like to use power armor. By sprinting into enemies you can cause tremendous damage or stagger them.
Toughness
Toughness, found in the Endurance tree, provides flat damage reduction, increasing your overall survivability. This is particularly useful in the early game, when you’re still vulnerable to enemy attacks.
Lifegiver
Lifegiver, also an Endurance perk, provides extra health points and regenerates health over time. This can be a lifesaver in tough encounters, especially when dealing with radiation or poison damage.
Adamantium Skeleton
Adamantium Skeleton, in Strength, significantly reduces limb damage, preventing crippling injuries that can hinder your combat effectiveness. This is especially useful when facing enemies that target limbs, such as Deathclaws.
Nuclear Physicist
Nuclear Physicist, another Intelligence perk, can be useful if you plan on using Gamma weapons, which deal both ballistic and radiation damage.
Sneak
For those who like to take a stealthier approach, Sneak, in the Agility tree, allows you to strategically place mines and set up ambushes. This is particularly effective in enclosed spaces or against enemies with predictable patrol patterns.
Better Criticals
Better Criticals, improves critical damage, this is important when using VATS critical hits.
Critical Banker
Critical Banker, allows you to hold several critical hits for when you really need to deal damage.
The synergy between these perks is what makes the “Special Delivery” build so effective. Demolitions Expert amplifies the damage of all your explosives, while Bloody Mess provides an additional damage boost. Heavy Gunner makes Missile Launchers viable. Perks like Toughness and Lifegiver keep you alive long enough to unleash your explosive fury, while Adamantium Skeleton prevents crippling injuries. Strategic use of VATS, especially in combination with critical perks, allows you to target enemy weak points and maximize your damage output.
Gearing Up for Destruction: The Arsenal of a Demolitionist
The right gear can make or break the “Special Delivery” build. It’s essential to equip yourself with the best possible explosive weaponry, protective armor, and utility items to maximize your combat effectiveness.
Explosive Weapons
The core of your arsenal consists of various explosive weapons. Grenades, including Fragmentation, Plasma, Pulse, Molotov Cocktails, and Nuka Grenades, are your bread and butter, providing versatile options for dealing with different enemy types. Fragmentation grenades are effective against lightly armored enemies, while Plasma grenades are ideal for robots and energy-resistant foes. Pulse grenades are especially useful against Synths, while Molotov Cocktails provide area-of-effect damage. Nuka Grenades offer the greatest damage and the most over the top explosions.
Mines
Mines, including Fragmentation, Plasma, Pulse, and Bottlecap Mines, are invaluable for setting traps and controlling the battlefield. Place them strategically in chokepoints, near doorways, or along enemy patrol routes to create deadly surprises.
Missile Launcher
The Missile Launcher provides long-range firepower, allowing you to engage enemies from a safe distance. Modifications, such as targeting computers, can improve accuracy and damage output.
Fat Man
The Fat Man, which launches Mini Nukes, is the ultimate area-of-effect weapon, capable of obliterating entire groups of enemies with a single blast. However, Mini Nukes are scarce and heavy, so use them sparingly and strategically.
Power Armor
Power Armor is highly recommended for the “Special Delivery” build, providing unparalleled protection against damage and radiation. T-sixty or X-zero-one armor are the best choices, offering the highest damage resistance and customizable options. Consider mods that enhance Strength, Agility, or explosive resistance to further optimize your build.
Legendary Armor
Legendary armor effects can provide significant advantages. Prioritize effects that boost damage resistance, action points, or S.P.E.C.I.A.L. attributes. Look for pieces that reduce damage taken from explosions or increase your action point regeneration.
Clothing
Clothing items that improve Strength, Perception, or Agility can be beneficial. Look for outfits that provide bonuses to carry weight, VATS accuracy, or stealth.
Mastering the Art of Explosive Combat: Strategies for Survival
The “Special Delivery” build requires a unique approach to combat. It’s not about rushing in and engaging enemies head-on; it’s about strategically using explosives to control the battlefield and eliminate threats from a safe distance.
Distance Management
Distance Management is crucial. Keep a safe distance from enemies to avoid splash damage from your own explosions. Use cover and concealment to your advantage, and reposition yourself as needed to maintain a safe firing range.
Crowd Control
Crowd Control is where the “Special Delivery” build truly shines. Use grenades and mines to thin out groups of enemies, staggering and dismembering them with explosive force. Focus on targeting clusters of enemies to maximize the effectiveness of your explosives.
Target Prioritization
Target Prioritization is key to surviving tough encounters. Focus on eliminating high-threat targets first, such as Legendary enemies, Synths, or enemies with ranged weapons. Crippling their legs with grenades can significantly reduce their mobility and make them easier to deal with.
VATS Usage
VATS Usage is essential for accurate grenade throws, especially at higher levels. Use VATS to slow down time and target specific enemy limbs, such as legs, arms, or heads. This allows you to cripple enemies, disarm them, or score critical hits with your explosives.
Environmental Awareness
Environmental Awareness can give you a significant advantage. Use the environment to your advantage, funneling enemies into chokepoints, setting up ambushes in enclosed spaces, or utilizing elevated positions for better vantage points.
Mine Placement
Mine Placement Strategies are crucial for turning the battlefield into a deadly trap. Place mines strategically in chokepoints, near doorways, or along enemy patrol routes to create deadly surprises. Conceal mines in foliage or debris to make them harder to detect.
Enemy Encounters
Each enemy requires a different approach. Deathclaws are a force to be reckoned with, but they are vulnerable to explosives. Use mines and high-damage grenades to cripple their legs and reduce their mobility. Super Mutants are susceptible to fragmentation grenades, which can stagger and dismember them. Synths are vulnerable to plasma grenades or pulse grenades, which target their energy resistance. Robots are vulnerable to pulse mines and grenades.
Explosive Resistance
For those enemies with explosive resistance, focus on exploiting other weaknesses they may have, such as energy resistance or vulnerability to melee attacks. Consider carrying a backup weapon for enemies that are highly resistant to explosives.
Settlement Defense and Resource Management: Sustaining the Boom
The “Special Delivery” build isn’t just about blowing things up; it’s about building a sustainable explosive empire. This involves effectively defending your settlements and managing your resources to ensure a constant supply of explosives.
Explosive Traps
Explosive Traps are essential for defending your settlements. Use mines and grenade turrets to create deadly kill zones that can decimate waves of attacking enemies. Place traps strategically to maximize their effectiveness and minimize the risk of friendly fire.
Defensive Structures
Defensive Structures, such as walls and barriers, can funnel enemies into kill zones, making them easier to target with explosives. Build defensive structures around your settlements, creating choke points and funneling enemies into pre-planned ambush locations.
Resource Acquisition
The acquisition of resources is crucial for sustaining your explosive habit. Prioritize scavenging for explosive components, such as fertilizer, oil, steel, and circuitry. Visit vendors regularly to buy grenades and mines, and don’t hesitate to craft your own explosives using the Chemistry Station.
The Explosive Personality: Roleplaying the Demolitionist
The “Special Delivery” build offers unique roleplaying opportunities. Consider crafting a character backstory that fits the explosive playstyle, such as a former demolition expert, a pyromaniac, or a survivor obsessed with blowing things up.
Faction Choices
Consider the Minutemen, who need your settlements to be defended with mines, or the Brotherhood of Steel, because of their heavy fire power.
Dialogue Choices
Let your character’s obsession with explosives influence your dialogue choices, injecting humor and chaos into every conversation. Embrace the role of the mad bomber, and watch as the Commonwealth reacts to your explosive personality.
Pros and Cons of the “Special Delivery”: The Cost of Chaos
The “Special Delivery” build offers a unique and exhilarating gameplay experience, but it’s not without its drawbacks.
Pros
The build offers High damage output and effective crowd control. It can overcome difficult encounters with strategic mine placement, and is fun and engaging to play.
Cons
The build relies on explosives, which can be scarce and expensive. There’s also a risk of self-damage. Limited effectiveness against enemies with high explosive resistance and ammo dependancy.
Conclusion: Embracing the Explosive Lifestyle
The “Fallout 4 Special Delivery” build is a testament to the power of explosions in the Commonwealth. It’s a build that rewards creativity, strategic thinking, and a willingness to embrace the chaos. By carefully allocating your S.P.E.C.I.A.L. points, selecting the right perks, and mastering the art of explosive combat, you can transform yourself into a walking arsenal, capable of turning any encounter into a spectacular display of destruction. So grab your grenades, load your missile launcher, and get ready to unleash the explosive chaos of the “Special Delivery” build upon the unsuspecting inhabitants of the Commonwealth.
Experiment with different perk combinations and combat strategies to find what works best for you. The “Special Delivery” build is a flexible and adaptable playstyle, allowing you to customize your character to your own preferences. The Commonwealth is your explosive playground, so go out there and blow it up! Share your own “Special Delivery” experiences in the comments below. We want to see how you are blowing things up.
