Introduction
The wasteland is a harsh mistress. In the unforgiving landscape of *Fallout 4*, survival often hinges on more than just raw grit; it’s about cunning, strategy, and choosing the right tools for the job. While brute force has its place, there’s a certain undeniable thrill in moving like a ghost, delivering swift, decisive justice from the shadows. And if you’re the type who thrives on quiet efficiency, aiming for headshots, and vanishing before your enemies even know you’re there, then you’ve likely stumbled upon the weapon that perfectly embodies this philosophy: The Deliverer.
Fallout 4’s vast arsenal provides players with a myriad of weapon choices, from devastating miniguns that tear through hordes to the tactical precision of sniper rifles. But amidst this array, The Deliverer stands out, not for its explosive power or flashy effects, but for its unparalleled effectiveness in the hands of a stealthy, VATS-focused operative. This guide delves deep into the strengths of this unique pistol, uncovering its secrets and showing you how to wield it to become a master of the shadows. The Deliverer in *Fallout 4* isn’t just a weapon; it’s a statement – a testament to the power of precision, speed, and a well-placed bullet.
What is The Deliverer?
The Deliverer, a weapon born from the shadows and the clandestine dealings of the Institute, carries a quiet mystique. Unlike the brutal simplicity of many wasteland weapons, its origins lie in the heart of the Commonwealth’s most technologically advanced, and morally ambiguous, faction. It was engineered to be the ideal tool for the Institute’s synth agents, emphasizing stealth and efficiency in eliminating targets. The weapon’s compact design allows for ease of concealment and rapid deployment, perfect for operatives working covertly.
At its core, The Deliverer is a highly accurate, semi-automatic 10mm pistol. What truly sets it apart is its built-in “VATS Enhanced” legendary effect. This effect grants a significant boost to hit chance in the Vault-Tec Assisted Targeting System (VATS) and dramatically reduces the Action Point (AP) cost per shot. This single feature transforms The Deliverer from a solid pistol into a VATS powerhouse, allowing for devastating strings of quick, precise shots that can cripple or eliminate enemies before they even have a chance to react.
Beyond the legendary effect, The Deliverer also offers respectable stats. It boasts a decent rate of fire, allowing for quick follow-up shots. While the base damage isn’t the highest in its class, the combination of the rate of fire and VATS efficiency more than compensates, especially when coupled with critical hits and stealth bonuses. The pistol’s relatively low weight further enhances its appeal, allowing players to carry more ammunition and other essential gear. It offers a 12-round magazine, which is decent for its class, and its compact size makes it easy to wield in tight spaces.
Acquisition
Obtaining The Deliverer is a pivotal moment for any player embracing a stealth or VATS build in *Fallout 4*. This is because the weapon is so well-suited for these playstyles. While a number of other weapons can be crafted, purchased, or looted, the acquisition of The Deliverer is unique and requires a specific quest.
The journey to owning The Deliverer begins with the Railroad, a faction dedicated to rescuing and protecting synths. The quest in question is titled “Tradecraft.” This involves infiltrating a heavily guarded location and rescuing one of the Railroad’s operatives, who is a synth. During this quest, players are tasked with completing a mission and eventually given The Deliverer by one of the key figures within the Railroad.
To acquire The Deliverer, players will need to have a strong relationship with the Railroad faction. This quest becomes available after progressing through their quest line. The actual acquisition takes place during the quest “Tradecraft”, where players will be instructed to retrieve the Synth operative, and then given The Deliverer as a reward for aiding the Railroad. The Deliverer comes into the players’ possession as a direct reward for successfully completing the quest. This makes it more than just a random find; it is a reward for dedication and loyalty to this particular faction.
Advantages of The Deliverer
The Deliverer’s advantages are multifaceted, but it excels in two primary areas: stealth and VATS.
The Deliverer truly shines when employed in stealth. Its inherently accurate nature, paired with the ability to equip a suppressor, allows for silent, lethal takedowns. Sneaking around and landing headshots is a core part of the Deliverer’s effectiveness. The suppressor dramatically reduces the noise of each shot, making it incredibly difficult for enemies to detect your presence. This, combined with perks that boost sneak damage, transforms The Deliverer into a one-shot, one-kill machine.
Compared to other stealth options, like silenced sniper rifles, The Deliverer offers a distinct advantage in close to medium-range engagements. While a sniper rifle excels at extreme distances, the fast firing rate and low AP cost of the Deliverer make it superior when quick follow-up shots are needed, or when dealing with multiple enemies in a close-quarters environment.
The VATS capabilities of The Deliverer is where it truly becomes a force to be reckoned with. The VATS enhanced effect reduces the AP cost of each shot significantly, and the VATS hit chance gets increased. This allows players to unleash multiple precise shots in rapid succession, disabling limbs, and rapidly dispatching enemies.
This efficiency is further amplified by critical hits. Each shot that lands a critical hit can deal significant bonus damage, potentially one-shotting even heavily armored opponents. This, coupled with perks that increase critical hit damage, turns each VATS sequence into a hail of death. In essence, it lets you unload a volley of critical hits and high-accuracy shots at the cost of relatively little AP.
The Deliverer also has customization options, though they are limited. Players can modify the pistol with suppressors, allowing for the maximum of stealth, and other modifications that can enhance performance.
Building Your Character for The Deliverer
To truly maximize the potential of The Deliverer, careful consideration must be given to character building. Specific perks and SPECIAL stats can transform this weapon into a tool of pure, unadulterated efficiency.
The Gunslinger perk is essential. Increasing damage with pistols significantly increases The Deliverer’s damage output, making each shot hit harder. Combine Gunslinger with perks like Sneak and Ninja, and you will be dealing massive damage. Better Criticals is another key investment; it dramatically enhances the damage of your critical hits, turning VATS sequences into brutal executions. The Action Boy/Girl perk is also important. This perk increases AP regeneration, which is vital for sustained VATS use.
Optimal SPECIAL stats for a Deliverer build would typically prioritize Agility and Perception. Agility directly influences AP, as well as the overall success of stealth, making you able to deal more damage while staying undetected. Perception boosts VATS accuracy and increases the chance of detecting enemies, giving you a better opportunity for the first shot. Luck is also valuable. It increases critical hit chance, enhancing the overall damage output.
There is no single “best” build, and many variations are possible. However, the combination of those perks and stats is a fundamental base for building a successful character.
Combat Strategies
The Deliverer is designed for a specific style of combat, and understanding this is critical to success.
The ideal combat scenario for The Deliverer involves stealth. When you find yourself in the right situations, you can position yourself for the perfect ambush. Using VATS, line up a headshot (or two or three), and eliminate the enemy before they even have a chance to react. This strategy works perfectly with the weapon’s built-in advantages. The goal is always to eliminate enemies silently and quickly, before they can raise the alarm.
When stealth isn’t an option, a VATS-focused approach is equally effective. Entering VATS and unleashing a series of precise shots, targeting limbs and vital areas, is key. The low AP cost allows you to move, engage, and take down enemies with ease. Remember to use cover to reload and to maintain your AP.
Disadvantages and Considerations
While incredibly effective, The Deliverer is not without its drawbacks. Recognizing these limitations is crucial for effective utilization.
The most prominent disadvantage is the base damage. While the rate of fire and VATS bonuses are powerful, the initial damage of each bullet is relatively low. This means that the Deliverer may struggle against heavily armored enemies or high-level creatures, especially in a non-critical hit scenario.
Another consideration is ammunition management. The Deliverer uses .45 rounds, which can become scarce. Players need to craft ammo or regularly buy it from vendors to avoid running out during crucial engagements. Ammo management is important in every build, but it is more important in a build that relies on a weapon that is very powerful.
Upgrading The Deliverer
While the customization options are limited, any upgrades that are available are beneficial.
The most important mod for The Deliverer is a suppressor. This is essential for stealth builds, minimizing the noise and preventing enemies from detecting you. The suppressor will allow you to take out enemies without alerting others.
Players can also find various other mods for the Deliverer. The best way to find these mods is by visiting weapon vendors and crafting stations.
Conclusion
The Deliverer, in the hands of the right player, is much more than just a pistol; it is a silent promise of efficient, deadly action. Its stealth capabilities, VATS efficiency, and compact design make it a perfect choice for players who enjoy taking down enemies with surgical precision. While its base damage might be lower than other weapons, its unparalleled ability to deliver rapid, accurate shots in VATS, combined with the opportunity for critical hits, makes it one of the deadliest weapons in *Fallout 4*.
For those who embrace the shadows, who value tactical efficiency, and who understand the power of a single, well-placed bullet, The Deliverer is a must-have. Give it a try, and prepare to become a phantom of the wasteland.
Further Reading
If you enjoyed this guide, you may also want to explore the following:
Other Weapon Guides: Search for guides on sniper rifles, melee weapons, and other essential armaments in *Fallout 4*.
Character Build Guides: Research different character builds to complement The Deliverer, focusing on stealth, VATS, and critical hits.
*Fallout 4* Forums and Communities: Join online communities to discuss strategies, share builds, and learn from other players.
This article provides a comprehensive overview of The Deliverer, equipping you with the knowledge to make the most of this unique weapon in *Fallout 4*. Good luck in the wasteland!
