Fallout SPECIAL, tag skills and beginner character choices
Compare the seven attributes, tag skills and traits in the original role-playing game.
Edition covered
The original 1997 turn-based Fallout on PC, without total-conversion mods. Publisher pictures show the original game. This is separate from Fallout 2 and the later first-person Fallout games.
Choose a role before attributes
Decide how the character will fight and solve noncombat problems. Agility supports combat actions, while Intelligence supports skill growth. Equipment and skill investment must match the plan.
| Attribute | Broad role | Build consideration |
|---|---|---|
| Strength | Carrying and weapon handling | Meet intended weapon needs |
| Perception | Awareness and ranged factors | Supports ranged plans |
| Endurance | Survivability | Helps absorb mistakes |
| Charisma | Social presence | Works alongside social skills |
| Intelligence | Skill development and dialogue | Important for broad skill growth |
| Agility | Action points and coordination | Supports combat flexibility |
| Luck | Chance-related outcomes | Build-dependent value |
Tag useful skills
Tag skills begin stronger and improve efficiently. A combat skill, Speech and a practical utility skill form a readable first character, but the game permits other approaches.
| Skill | Use | Early consideration |
|---|---|---|
| Small Guns | Pistols, rifles and shotguns | Common early weapon family |
| Speech | Dialogue solutions | Useful beyond combat |
| Lockpick | Locks | Opens selected routes and containers |
| Repair | Mechanical tasks | Solves equipment-related problems |
| Science | Technical tasks | Useful on relevant devices |
| First Aid or Doctor | Medical support | Different healing and injury functions |
Read both sides of a trait
Traits can grant a benefit with a drawback. A combat tradeoff may affect aimed shots or progression. Leave a trait unchosen rather than accepting a penalty you do not understand.
Do not distribute every point evenly
A reliable attack and a few useful noncombat options usually show clearer results than weak investment in every skill. Review available perks as the character levels.
A reliable attack and a few useful noncombat options usually show clearer results than weak investment in every skill. Review available perks as the character levels.
References
| Reference | Website |
|---|---|
| Fallout publisher listing | store.steampowered.com |
| Interplay Fallout manual | store.steampowered.com |
| Original-game walkthrough and locations | strategywiki.org |