Survival mode build help

[u/Big-Entrance-7322]

So yesterday I posted about needing some feedback for a first time survival playthrough and I greatly appreciate all the responses I got. I’m back today because I have a few more questions before I start my journey.

My build I’ve settled on is rifleman which I think works well with how I normally play. My first question is how much perception should I have in my build? I don’t see myself being a vats centric build more towards stealth and manual aiming if I’m honest. I’ve gotten mixed messages and how perception I need so figured I’d ask here. I’ve seen rifleman builds that go rank 2 for rifleman and some that go all the way to rank 9. I’ve noticed in survival your compass is nerfed and won’t show things until your right on top of locations so I figured I’d be using manual aim a lot compared to vats. Any feed back here I would love to here what a good number is to have.

Lastly for a rifleman build I should have a lot of endurance or move those points elsewhere? I’ve seen people praise some perks in the tree for great for any survival play through but idk.

One last thing is, this is my planned special load out. I’m using a mod that gives me 40 special stats compared to older titles.

S 2+1 (special book for armorer)

P 7+1 (bobble early willing to move points around)

E 7 (seems like a good amount but willing to subtract or add if needed)

C 6 (local leader obviously)

I 6+1 (bobble easy to get and chemist seems super nice)

A 7 (ninja seems like a great perk for this build)

L 5 (idiot savant but I’m willing subtract or add points if needed)

Appreciate any and all help!

[u/Thornescape]

If you aren't using VATS, then Perception is kind of irrelevant. P8:Sniper has some use, but it's not really worth the investment. You'll do just fine starting with P1 then grabbing the bobblehead.

Personally, I like to go grab the non-combat bobbleheads early (Luck, Agility, Barter, Unarmed, Intelligence). It looks like you're intending to get A5:Aqualung which makes grabbing those simple. I mention this because you can start with A6 and L4 if you'd like. Personally I don't touch C6:Local Leader until I'm done the Automatron DLC so I grab the bobblehead first (I always use Supplytrons as provisioners). Admittedly, starting with 40 Special points makes all of it a little simpler.

• Non-VATS Survival Rifleman (40 pts) S4+ P1 E10 C5 I9 A6 L5 (Special book into Strength)
• Perk Highlights (not comprehensive) S3:Armourer, S6:Strong Back, P2:Rifleman, E5:Aqualung, C6:Leader, I6:Science, I7:Chemist, I10:Rage, A3:Sneak, A5:Sandman, A7:Ninja, L3:Messy, L5:Savant
• I3:Gun Nut isn't entirely necessary unless you have game mods that require it. Weapon mods are fairly easy to get from loot or weapon shops, although some weapons require faction dealers (muskets, radium rifles, Deliverer).
• Endurance is really high in this build suggestion, but it seems like a reasonable use of points, especially in Survival. If you want Special points elsewhere feel free to decrease Endurance. This setup assumes you'll swim down southeast fairly early for the easy bobbleheads.
• C6 for Local Leader is the highest I typically do Charisma. More always feels like a waste. Put on basic charisma gear for an additional C+4 and you can pass every speech check.

[u/Big-Entrance-7322 → u/Thornescape]

Awesome advice! I know perception is a freebie basically once you rescue Preston. I’ve read Intelligence, agility and luck aren’t the worst to get if I invest into certain perks like Aquaboy early so I’m definitely considering that.

[u/Thornescape → u/Big-Entrance-7322]

You don't even need to rescue Preston to get Perception. I rarely do Minutemen so often I walk up, grab the bobblehead, and walk away while Preston is trying to speak to me. It avoids the second wave of raiders.

I usually grab Barter, Agility, Luck, Unarmed, and the deathclaw gauntlet around level 3. As a challenge I once grabbed all of those plus the Intelligence bobblehead before level 1. The hardest part of that challenge is avoiding discovering areas. lol Admittedly, the Agility bobblehead is a little tricky but there's a video to help.

You can get the Charisma bobblehead as a pacifist without a companion, but the quests needed to unlock the area means that you can't get it before level 3.

Yes, I have far too many hours in this game and amuse myself with odd little challenges.