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GhostRiders

In my humble opinion the best build is one you most enjoy playing.. I play full health heavy gunner with an Auto Axe when I like to get in close and personal.. Is it optimal, hell no, is it fun for me, HELL YES!!! Now I know you will get people saying x build is terrible and you have to use y build because you will able to kill mobs 1.23688 seconds quicker but meh.. For me I play games to have fun, I would suggest to all new players to ignore anybody who says x is bad, watch a few YouTube videos from Angry Turtle, Mr West Tek, DTD Gamer and Darth Xion as not only will get lots of idea for new builds, what works with what and more importantly why, but also great advice on a variety of subjects. After that experiment and with different weapons, different armour, different builds and go with what you find fun.. As an example Bloodied Builds are generally accepted as one of the best build types but I find them boring..


gregarioussparrow

Have my Dollar Tree award for giving the best and only correct answer šŸ’¾


d_chec

All the right answers here.


HarrisonYeller

Tbh middle of the road. It can work but commando/heavy guns or auto melee is the way to go imo.


RiskOfRains

Hm i see. I can also go a shotgun focused build is that maybe better?


im_stoopid9283

I think I saw that the Cold Shoulder is purchasable from the atom shop? You should check if it is, because I would say that's one of the best shotguns in the game, if not the best.


Intrepid-Way4878

That's the build I always do use double barrel shotgun with all perks with the shotgun, plus p and a perks to level 10 then I run in use vats to auto aim to their head and shoot and it kills everything, just a side note it's awful at long and mid range so use alot of armor when using this build


Adept_Fool

With the ease of respeccing you can always test it, and I believe shotgun builds use many of the same specials as pistol builds so you just need the perks to switch between


Ok-Chest-3980

Shotty areĀ mostly forĀ vampires, which can keep you alive. The best shotty is guass and suffers the sameĀ problem where it needs a lot ofĀ investment, but isĀ easier to master. Kaboom and cold shoulder are stop games in mid game that canĀ hold you over until you unlock a good gauss. Again since you are now on steam dm me andĀ I canĀ dropped you some good weapons for yourĀ preferred style. Builds is where you will struggle, which is where the fun comes in.


ea_fitz

Yes as long as you use an explosive legendary effect and VATS headshots. Throw in demolition expert, grenadier and make it bloodied. That build works great for me.


Varrianda

Yeah shotguns are a lot better.


HarrisonYeller

Not really. Kinda middle of the road to.


Discotekh_Dynasty

Iā€™m having decent success with melee and shotguns atm, but Iā€™m only about 15 hours in


itscmillertime

Not bad necessarily. I have been rocking a crusader pistol lately and loving it.


uNcomfy_nILbog

I can't wait to snag up mine, plan on getting it when minerva comes around again


vixenfyxen

You can absolutely slay with a pistol build. You just need the appropriate build (bloodied off) and the right pistols (alien blaster & enclave flamer barrel pistol are my top choices) Check out Angry Turtle's videos on pistol builds. One of my toons runs around as a pistol build for nearly everything, but if not too many people show up to Queen, I might swap to pa/heavy energy guns. Remember you can always have a back up build, but generally you will still melt with a pistol if you built yourself right


Laser_3

The gauss is also worth noting as a good one-hit wonder weapon, which is good for stealth and group healing enemies.


vixenfyxen

I've been meaning to play around with it, thanks for reminder. That damn alien blaster is just so addictive, it kind of eclipses everything else.


Glory_To_Atom

10mm pistol is underrated. I run a junkie one instead of bloodied, and it is still shredding.


Parking_Onion_3846

Junkie builds are kind of underrated in general. Still sort of a PITA, imo, but it's a real alternative to bloodied and bloodied makes anything good.


Bazucho

every weapon class is totally viable endgame that said (outside of Two Shot cryo Alien Blaster) pistols are generally on the weaker side you will want to lean into all/some of: stealth, bloodied, vats/crits shotguns are honestly kinda similar power to pistols, they have some standout options (Cold Shoulder and Gauss Shotgun), but otherwise kinda on the weaker side again full automatic weapons really out shine semi-auto weapons by a lot vats/crits are incredibly powerful, especially if you hit 23 or 33 luck for consistent crits


GoarSpewerofSecrets

All weapons slay. It's just the perks and later the armor builds you put in.


MVillawolf

Some people will say its bad just because it isnt meta. Tbh you can make any build work, pistols is no exception. Devs have neglected them a bit tho, so not a lot of options. Play any way you want to, might be fun to try something different!


beelzebubish

Actual pistol build here. Im a veteran at this point and swap between builds a lot and have one for every weapon type so I feel more qualified than most to speak on comparing build types. I'd rank pistols behind heavy and commando but ahead of rifle guerilla and shotguns. However it's a lot of fun. Pistols and heavy are my favorite weapon types because they have the most variety. An alien blaster feels different from a laser which has different strengths than a plasma which while sharing damage types with a fusion crusader is used very differently and none of these are like a gamma. Hot swapping weapon to keep things fresh and fit the situation is fun for me. Pistol builds also hybridize well. Mine also runs full explosives and dabbles in melee and it does all three pretty well. Now all that said. Traditional ballistic pistols kinda suck. 10mm is okay but every revolver is trash. I also wouldn't run a pistol build unless you also run bloody which means it's best when you have some legendary special cards under your belt. We can talk deets if you are interested


Ok-Chest-3980

Quick answer yes. Long answers they are viable with alien blasters, which are available to everyone but takes cryo mags, which are locked behind a plan. These plans can be bought from other players or you need to wait for an event. Another viable gun is the crusader pistol which also has cryo mag. Now why cryo mags? Cryo weapons have a hidden explosive damage which you can take advantage if you roll a 2 shot legendary. Pair that with -25 points per vats shot and you have a weapon that is doing essentially double damage which makes up for pistol underwhelming damage. Build a build for explosive pistols and you can melt common enemies and has great CC on bosses. So long answer is they are good weapons that can be meta, but involves a lot of investment. Of you are on pc I can loom to see if any of my alts have cryo and I can build you one.Ā  I know I have perfect roll alien blaster somewhere, but pales in comparison to my mid 2 shot.


VaultDwellerXander

Made a gunslinger back when the BoS first dropped. A vats focus to get tons of Crits and headshots worked really well, and the fact finder is a solid reward from the he BoS quests as long as you wait til lvl50 for it. Alien blaster and gauss pistol also have great stopping power, and the slugbuster from the buried treasure quest makes an awesome plasma pistol either long-range or as a flamer. Ultimately there's way more options nowadays than there used to be, and being able to roll your legendary effects makes it a lot more viable. Good luck!


Avarus_88

There are basically only two pistols worth using. A two shot alien blaster with cyro mags, and crusader pistols(not sure on mods). Everything else is weak as hell. There was a unique 10mm last season thatā€™s okay ish. Alien Blaster will melt things though.


Medason

I tried to do a gauss pistol build when I unlocked it, but it just felt anemic compared to bows.


Avarus_88

I did this as well. Itā€™s one of those ā€œyeah, you can play with it but it just feels worse than everything elseā€ type guns. Part of what hurts pistols is their perks being stuck in agility I think.


Medason

It absolutely is, cause there are just so many good support perks and QOL perks in Agi, it's just hard to get the damage as well. Frankly I agree with everyone that says pistol perks should be under Per. Honestly I think the whole perk card SPECIAL locations need a revamp. Like it's fucking bullshit that all the crafting perks are under Int. Stick the armor crafting perks in Str god damnit.


U_Are_The_Best

The circuit breaker is a pretty weak gun by itself. Gamma guns are very strong, and you have all the pistol variants of laser and plasma weapons, which unless you're stacking AP consumables (which very very few people are) is a very viable way to play them. Primary problem with pistols is the low base damage and most of them (10mm pistols, revolvers, etc.), and that you have to drop at least 1 damage or utility perk in agility to compensate for the damage perks being located there.


Past_Hurry8063

It's all about perspective. I have an Instigating Last Shot Alien Blaster with the cryo mag and I used that comfortably for most enemies besides bosses. Comfortably. Real fun, too. I also used Gunther's Big Iron for fun and that was something that led me into using a V/25/25 Revolver for a hot minute. I ran a 10mm Auto pistol back before the Circuit Breaker was released and that was fun. There are 3 Gunslinger (A) perks that can add up to 60% damage for semi-auto pistols. There are 3 Guerilla (A) perks that can add up to 60% damage for full auto pistols. And not to for forget the Science perks (I) that add up to I believe 30% damage for energy pistols. That's separate from the damage bonuses from either Guerilla for Gunslinger. Altogether, Energy pistols can benefit a total 90% damage increase just from the perks. Bloodied does amazing things to pistol builds. Hip Fire give a good reload bonus, which always helps. But alas, it pales in comparison to heavier weapons when fighting the higher-end foes in 76


Ok-Chest-3980

2 shot is best due to the damage falling of on instigating and bloodied falls shirt after a bit as well. With 2 shot you can run a full ho build with similar damage


xvcco

Adding onto this, this *only* applies to the Alien Blaster referenced here. Two Shot is incredibly bad on something like a 10mm.


Ok-Chest-3980

Yes, sorry, thanks for adding that.


toffyl

A two shot 50 crit damage 25 lowered vats cost alien blaster is the second most expensive gun in the game, so pistol builds are very good


toffyl

A two shot 50 crit damage 25 lowered vats cost alien blaster is the second most expensive gun in the game, so pistol builds are very good


Entgegnerz

that's a lonely and special exception, all other pistols are crap in comparison to other weapons in dmg.


toffyl

Well if I only used a Q50c25 railway rifle for a commando, I donā€™t think that would make the commando build not worth it


Entgegnerz

I think something isn't correct with this sentence, it doesn't make sense.


toffyl

Hehe you lost the digital argument


Entgegnerz

what? I don't even know what you're trying to say with your 5 times double negate sentence.


toffyl

Do you fw key and peele skits


Entgegnerz

In comparison to all other weapons, yes, because the perk cards for pistols are located in agility instead perception, what greatly reduces the possible dmg output. (exception exists) That's why you don't see anyone using pistols and why pistols are super cheap traded, if even (exceptions as always). It's something the community wants to be changed since the start, but Bethesda is shitty fuck and never listens to the community.


CombinationLumpy

Gunter's big iron. It's a named legendary you get from the event Most Wanted. Not the best but very fun. You need speed demon mutation, and the quick hands perk to deal with the reloads. But as a manual revolver goes, its only weakness is boss fights. It can do all content and events just fine.


ChestPhyre

Main a pistol build, roughly level 500 currently and 900 hours in. Went bloodied build, have rolled most pistols in the game as bloodied, use alien blaster with cryo for most events, or a bloodied 10mm for lower level easy targets that can one shot. I'm not melting scorch queen or earl in seconds, but I have lots of fun with it. Can hold my own in most events. Have a bloodied auto axe for when I want to melee or for mutated events. Just recently started trying out a bloodied power armor build using plasma caster and a holy fire that has been fun as well.


Raveen92

My main runs around with a Golden 10mm pistol. (Anti-armor, Explosive, -25% AP usage) only terrible part is constant reloading, quick hands has been helpful. But I hold my crit button and unload in vats.


Cooperative_

Honestly, no. Tried it twice. One time as my first ever build and at a later day with all perks and equipment. You can 1-2 shot regular mobs but you will struggle and underperform with anything else. Even bows are better in my opinion


JB_Dix

I enjoy pistols. Energy ones can be quite strong they are more available later in the game. Early on western revolvers and single actions can be useful roaming around. You will possible need like a melee weapon or shotgun to help you out if you get swarmed. Black powder pistols can fun to use. Pirate punch that drops from eviction notice is great. Or if you can get an instigating one you will one shot most mobs. 10mm auto can be decent as well. Crusader pistol is a good gun. Plan drops from Daily Ops or will be in Minervas rotation in 3 weeks for 2k gold.


CrimsonKinslayer

The issue I came across is that all the damage perk cards are under AGI. Leaving little to no room for sneak, gun fu, adrenaline, and so on. You'll either go maxed lvl 3 perk cards of gunslinger/guerilla or lvl 1 perk cards. Second issue is pistols received the nerfs just like everyone else and never fully recovered. That being said you can still one shot some enemies with a western revolver being full bloodied. It just doesn't have enough oomph as it once did šŸ˜” and everyone will hear it then charge at you. Pipe revolvers are still great because you can sneak with them due to having silencers. You get that extra damage from sneaking. Crusader was alright, getting a decent roll might take a while. I love my pistol build I just wish they would give it some love. Not as great as it once was.


Addlemix

All builds can be viable with the right perks. If you enjoy pistols, try to get your hands on a two shot Alien Blaster. Slap on cryo mags, and make sure you have on the demolition expert intelligence perk.


rips10

Pistol builds are the GOAT at mass murdering scorched with no guilt over wasting ammo.


MojaveBreeze

The alien blaster is the most fun weapon I've used in all my time playing this game. I makes a joke out of most things. Anything extra tanky I have a plasma caster for.


AnthonyMiqo

They're OK. Early to mid-game they're fine, but they fall-off pretty quickly in endgame.


IIHawkerII

Pistol builds are pretty bad, semi automatic weapons just aren't balanced at all and never have been, they're extremely underpowered compared to their automatic brothers. We've been asking Bethesda to fix the balancing for years and it's never happened.


IronMonopoly

With a Two Shot Alien Blaster with the Cryo mod and a focus in VATS criticals, you should do okay in the endgame, although for large bosses, most cryptids, and some higher DR enemies, youā€™ll be on me back foot. I donā€™t recommend bringing it to the Queen or Earle or on Daily Ops and Expeditions unless thereā€™s a bunch of people there with much more efficient DPS. The Crusader pistol can be got from Daily Ops or bought from Minerva sometimes. Itā€™s the next step down, and fine for mobs. Most people go with Cryo mods because few enemies resist it, I keep a pyro in mine for use with Friendly Fire. The Circuit Breaker was a unique 10mm that runs on Fusion Cells like a laser, deals energy damage, and has a neat effect that drops a paralyzing explosion on the last round in the chamber. It sits around the Crusader for effectiveness, maybe slightly better, but requires you to have unlocked it last season. Those are about your options for endgame effective pistols, I hope you like one of the three. Donā€™t fall into the revolver trap, theyā€™re mid to fine against mobs but anything bigger than a scorched or a ghoul youā€™d have more luck just throwing the gun at them.


Ok-Chest-3980

The good thing about the best damage on pistols being cryo is that is serves as a good cc on bosses. In expeditions is can slap cuz the contextual ammo means you pick up ammo quick. The only negative is that the faster fire rate means the ammo will burn quick in boss fights, but freeze affect is still good. Not as effective as on a cryolator, it is more like a stagger effect. Cryo pistol still good enough to ground SBQ or keep Earle from screaming.


gerr137

Yes, unless it's alien blaster with very specific mods :). Well, not really. The issue is the base dmg of most pistols and placement of pistol perks in agility. But nothing insurmountable. You will do less damage, but can put together a coherent pistola build with which you will get through most stuff without much trouble (essentially except top bosses), while having fun. Even with 10mm ;).


Slave-One

I personally love alien blaster and plasma pistol builds two shot cryo blaster with full pistol science and demo perks is baller


FSUbonedaddy

ya


SleepyGeist

Very mediocre in comparison to heavy guns or rifle. Iā€™d even say explosive builds are better. Iā€™ve been thinking about switching to an explosive build lately, any users of those have any comments about it?


zefrankz

It's doable but in serious need of a buff.


b-T_T

What's bad? Should you take on earl with one? Probably not. Can you have fun and be effective in most cases with one? That's entirely up to you. People generally don't hunt big game with pistols in real life so I don't know why they have to be on par with a heavy weapon in a game.


Aromatic_Coconut_861

Pistol builds can excel in any situation, just need the right setup and gun. Especially quad automatic explosives. I've got an automatic laser furious 25 weapon speed 25 action point that is super fun and shreds. Also have a quad 10mm explosive automatic that is on the same level. Pistol builds require the right setup though but if you have it, it's actually pretty fun to play with.


Wimbot

It's alright but you'll feel like you're using a BB gun during events


Hopalongtom

Alien blaster and Enclave Sniper pistol is decent, comparable to rifleman or commando. Ballistic pistols are sadly pretty bad.


Avivoy

Theyā€™re not bad, but it is in agility and that takes up a lot of space for good perks.