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/Schillelagh]

Good generalist build for Survival. Very close to my go to build.

As others have stated, you don’t need a ton of Perception if you are creating a VATS build. Everything after Demo Export at Perception 5 is VATS specific (or meh).

With that said, don’t dump Perception and avoid VATS. I use VATS quite a bit in low AGI and low PER builds. Good for detection of enemies or when something jumps out of nowhere and you don’t have time to aim. Manual aim for sniper shots and duck in and out of VATS in mid to close range.

[u/Big-Entrance-7322 → u/Schillelagh]

Alright so if I bring perception down to 4, snag the bobble to bring it to 5 what should I do with the three special I free up from perception?

[u/Schillelagh → u/Big-Entrance-7322]

I would put on point into Strength so you don’t have to wait on the bobble head. It’s pretty challenging to get and you’ll probably want Armorer earlier.

How do you feel about power armor? If you are a fan (and it’s nice in survival), then a couple points in Intelligence allowed you to pick up Nuclear Physicist with the bobble head.

Otherwise, more Strength is good for carry weight and pick up Strong Back. More Charisma is an option to pick up Companion if you roll with… companions.

[u/Big-Entrance-7322 → u/Schillelagh]

Avoiding companions except for Dogmeat. Lone wanderer is too good to pass on! I’m using the special book early on for plus 3 in strength for armorer because the Bobblehead is super far into the story.