Recommended Build for Survival Mode in Fallout 4

Survival Mode in Fallout 4 is considered the most challenging difficulty level available for playing the game. Therefore, it is crucial to carefully plan your character build before diving into this mode. To help you succeed, here is the optimal build that you can utilize in Survival Mode.

In keeping with traditional RPG style, Fallout 4 offers players the opportunity to explore various character builds. The Infiltrator build is widely considered to be one of the most powerful builds in the game, utilizing the highly effective Deliverer gun which is also recognized as one of the top weapons in Fallout 4.

The Infiltrator heavily relies on VATS for stealth takedowns of enemies. With this in mind, here is how you can create the optimal build for Survival Mode in Fallout 4.

Table of Contents

Best SPECIAL stats spread
Best perks to choose
The best equipment to use
Best bobbleheads to pick up

Optimal SPECIAL Stats for a Survival Mode Build

You can get an extra attribute point by picking up the You’re S.P.E.C.I.A.L. book in your old house in Sanctuary Hills.

In Survival Mode, you will encounter tougher enemies with heightened attack power and defense, requiring you to carefully consider your character’s stats. As this build heavily relies on V.A.T.S., prioritize investing in Agility, Luck, and Perception, as these attributes combined will greatly benefit your use of V.A.T.S.

Strength: 3
Perception: 4
Endurance: 3
Charisma: 1
Intelligence: 3
Agility: 8
Luck: 6

Optimal Perks for a Survival Mode Character

After assigning attribute points to each SPECIAL stat, the subsequent task is to select and level up appropriate perks. Below is a breakdown of the essential perks to prioritize throughout the game.

Perk	SPECIAL attribute rank required	Perk description
Armorer	Strength – 3	Receive access to base level and Rank 1 armor mods.
Awareness	Perception – 3	You can view a target’s specific damage resistances in V.A.T.S.
Penetrator	Perception – 9	Allows you to target an enemy’s body parts hidden behind cover when in V.A.T.S., with a decrease in accuracy.
Concentrated Fire	Perception – 10	In V.A.T.S gain +10% accuracy on every attack on the same body part.
Gun Nut	Intelligence – 3	Get access to base level and Rank 1 gun mods.
Gunslinger	Agility – 1	Non-automatic pistols do 20% more damage.
Sneak	Agility – 3	Become 20% harder to detect while sneaking.
Mister Sandman	Agility – 4	Silenced weapons do an additional 15% sneak attack damage.
Action Boy/Action Girl	Agility – 5	Action Points (AP) regenerate 25% faster.
Ninja	Agility – 7	Ranged sneak attacks do 2.5x normal damage and your melee attacks do 4x normal damage.
Gun Fu	Agility – 10	Deal an additional 25% damage to every new target you hit.
Bloody Mess	Luck – 3	+5% bonus damage
Better Criticals	Luck – 6	Criticals do 50% more damage.
Grim Reaper’s Sprint	Luck – 8	V.A.T.S. kill has a 15% chance to restore all AP.

The main focus of this build is on V.A.T.S. kills and sneak attacks, which are reflected in all of these perks. It is essential to prioritize these perks as much as possible.

Unlocking perks such as Penetrator, Concentrated Fire, and Gun Nut should be a top priority, as they will complement the use of the Deliverer, an essential gun for this build.

The Best Equipment for a Survival Mode Build

The Deliverer grants a bonus effect of Improved VATS hit chance with 25% less Action Point cost.

To achieve maximum effectiveness, the Infiltrator build in Fallout 4 relies heavily on strategic weapon and armor selections. The recommended equipment for this build is as follows:

Primary Weapon – Deliverer:

The Deliverer, obtained by joining the Railroad faction, is the essential weapon for the Infiltrator build. To learn the complete process of obtaining it, click here.
The Deliverer’s special effect is distinctive as it decreases the AP cost in VATS and enhances the hit chance in VATS.
You can also enhance the Deliverer’s damage and VATS performance by adding mods. However, it is crucial to keep the suppressor intact as it plays a crucial role in maintaining stealth.
If you do not have the necessary crafting perks, you can obtain Deliverer mods from Tinker Tom at the Railroad HQ.

Backup Weapons:

When searching for backup weapons, consider ones with bonuses related to VATS, accuracy, or AP. A prime example of such a weapon is the Tinker Tom Special.
To ensure the advantages of the Gunslinger perk, it is best to avoid using automatic weapons unless you opt for the Commando perk.
It is essential to always carry backup weapons with suppressor attachments in order to maintain stealth.

Armor Selections

As your Sneak perk improves, you can consider incorporating heavier armor into your build, but prioritize lightweight armor at the beginning when your perk is still low.
Using Power Armor is not recommended for the Infiltrator build as it does not align with its playstyle.
Look for Legendary armor pieces that provide bonuses for improved Sneak or enhanced VATS performance.

Top Bobbleheads for a Survival Mode Build

While it is not necessary to collect bobbleheads, certain ones can greatly improve and enhance your build. The following is a breakdown of each bobblehead and its corresponding effect.

Bobblehead	Location	Effect
Unarmed Bobblehead	Atom Cats Garage	+25% critical damage gain with unarmed attacks.
Luck Bobblehead	Spectacle Island	Increases your Luck by 1.
Barter Bobblehead	Longneck Lukowski’s Cannery	Makes prices 5% better.
Intelligence Bobblehead	Boston Public Library	Increases your Intelligence by 1.
Charisma Bobblehead	Parsons State Insane Asylum	Increases your Charisma by 1.
Agility Bobblehead	Wreck of the FMS Northern Star	Increases your Agility by 1.

In the trailer for the Fallout series, we can find all the Easter Eggs, and we also have information on the 10 best Fallout 4 mods and console commands. Additionally, we have gathered everything we know about the upcoming Fallout Amazon series.