Best Fallout 76 builds to dominate the wasteland in 2024

Fallout 76 lets players build their own nuclear wasteland survivor from the irradiated ground up. The below Fallout 76 builds allow players to make a character that dominates the wasteland. 

Fallout 76 encourages players to survive the wasteland by cobbling together a variety of rusty weapons and armor. However, carefully creating a Fallout 76 build with certain skills and stats in mind can be a much smarter way to navigate the perils of an irradiated Massachusetts – and Pittsburgh.

The game uses a deep Perk system that lets player carefully cultivate their own build in Fallout 76, upgrading certain skills that complement a range of others. Below, we’ll identify where each of your 50+ SPECIAL points should go, followed by a breakdown of the perks you should select.

Best Fallout 76 build: Gunslinger – recommended (2024)

We would highly recommend this Gunslinger build and rate it as the best on our list. The current best Gunlinger build is an agility-based ‘ammosmith’ build that makes use of light armor, pistols, and ammo crafting.

The pros of this build are it’s a versatile one to use for ranged combat, with access to most firearms, but it falls down in melee battles. That means you’ll need to run away from enemies and get some safe distance between you before entering VATs.

The build is also somewhat of a glass cannon and lacking in speech and hacking skills, so be prepared to solve most of your disputes with guns!

However, the build has a lot of flexibility and you can use most gear, but keep your focus on light armaments and use the SPECIAL skills points breakdown below:

• Strength: 2
• Perception: 9
• Endurance: 2
• Charisma: 3
• Intelligence: 5
• Agility: 15
• Luck: 15

Special Attribute	Perk	Points
Strength	Sturdy Frame	2
Perception	Concentrated Fire	3
Perception	Crack Shot	3
Perception	Glow Sight	3
Endurance	Rejuvenated	2
Charisma	Squad Manuevers	2
Charisma	Strange in Numbers	1
Intelligence	Gunsmith	5
Agility	Action Boy/Girl	3
Agility	Gun Runner	2
Agility	Gunslinger	1
Agility	Modern Renegade	3
Agility	Expert Gunslinger	1
Agility	White Knight	3
Agility	Master Gunslinger	1
Agility	Adrenaline	1
Luck	Four Leaf Clover	3
Luck	Starched Genes	2
Luck	Grim Reaper’s Spirt	3
Luck	Bloody Mess	1
Luck	Critical Savvy	3
Luck	Better Criticals	3

Best Guerilla build

The Guerilla build is a nice blend of heavy armor and light weaponry. For the latest Guerilla build in Fallout 76, we’d recommend equipping some T-51 Power Armor and an Automatic Laser Pistol.

This build makes you a tank who’s capable of taking lots of punishment and the high agility means you won’t be slowed down too much. This is a build that favors survivability over everything else. Remember, it’s a build that favors small firearms over big guns, so get used to being a pistol user.

Set your SPECIAL skills to the following build:

• Strength: 6
• Perception: 7
• Endurance: 3
• Charisma: 6
• Intelligence: 5
• Agility: 14
• Luck: 15

Special Attribute	Perk	Points
Strength	Bandolier	2
Strength	Sturdy Frame	2
Strength	Pack Rat	2
Perception	Glow Sight	3
Perception	Crack Shot	3
Perception	Concentrated Fire	1
Endurance	Adamantium Skeleton	3
Charisma	Lone Wanderer	4
Charisma	Tenderizer	2
Intelligence	Gunsmith	5
Agility	Master Guerrilla	2
Agility	Expert Guerrilla	2
Agility	Gun Fu	3
Agility	Guerrilla	2
Agility	Adrenaline	5
Luck	Better Criticals	3
Luck	Critical Savvy	3
Luck	Grim Reaper’s Spirit	3
Luck	Four Leaf Clover	3
Luck	Starched Genes	2
Luck	Bloody Mess	1

Best Rifleman build

There are hundreds of effective Rifleman builds in Fo76, but our favorite is one that encourages you to cosplay as an Enclave trooper. For this, we’d recommend equipping the powerful X-01 Power Armor and equipping an Enclave Plasma Rifle.

This is a great build for endgame but hard to craft when you’re new to the game, but its one anyone can work towards as they steadily gather their gear and skill points.

The combo of Power Armor and powerful rifles makes you a force to be reckoned with, and the high perception means sniping will also be part of your skill set. You’ll not be the best when it comes to charisma or melee though.

Then set your SPECIAL stats to the following:

• Strength: 3
• Perception: 13
• Endurance: 5
• Charisma: 4
• Intelligence: 7
• Agility: 12
• Luck: 12

Special Attribute	Perk	Points
Strength	Pack Rat	1
Strength	Traveling Pharmacy	2
Perception	Expert Rifleman	3
Perception	Master Rifleman	3
Perception	Rifleman	3
Perception	Tank Killer	3
Perception	Concentrated Fire	1
Endurance	Ironclad	4
Endurance	Good Doggy	1
Charisma	Travel Agent	1
Charisma	Inspirational	3
Intelligence	Gunsmith	4
Intelligence	Weapon Artisan	3
Agility	Action Boy/Girl	3
Agility	Gun Fu	3
Agility	Adrenaline	3
Agility	Marathoner	3
Luck	Bloody Mess	3
Luck	Critical Savvy	3
Luck	Grim Reaper’s Sprint	3
Luck	Better Criticals	3

Best Shotgunner build

As the name suggests, the Shotgunner build involves going all-in on shotguns in Fallout 76. That means setting your SPECIAL skills to max out any Perks that buff shotguns, as well as some vital other stats.

We’d also recommend equipping the T-65 Power Armor (or some light armor) with the Gauss Shotgun for best results. This is a great build for getting up close and personal with the shotgun, but you’ll not be so effective at range.

You’ll also be able to switch to a melee weapon if you need it, and your Intelligence will make you an excellent hacker. With this build, it’s important to get in, do your damage quickly and get out.

Here are the points you’ll need:

• Strength: 15
• Perception: 4
• Endurance: 4
• Charisma: 8
• Intelligence: 15
• Agility: 7
• Luck: 3

Special Attribute	Perk	Points
Strength	Expert Shotgunner	3
Strength	Master Shotgunner	3
Strength	Scattershot	3
Strength	Shotgunner	3
Strength	Pain Train	1
Strength	Full Charge	2
Perception	Skeet Shooter	3
Perception	Concentrated Fire	1
Endurance	Lifegiver	4
Charisma	Field Surgeon	2
Charisma	Suppressor	1
Charisma	Tenderizer	1
Charisma	Team Medic	1
Charisma	Inspirational	3
Intelligence	First Aid	3
Intelligence	Power User	3
Intelligence	Demolition Expert	3
Intelligence	Power Patcher	2
Agility	Born Survivor	3
Agility	Enforcer	3
Agility	Born Survivor	1
Luck	Serendipity	3

Best Heavy Gunner build

Heavy Gunner builds in Fallout 76 are all about equipping the biggest guns and blowing mutants to bits from a distance. For this build, equip any Power Armor you like, your chosen heavy weapon, and your backup gun, and go cause some mayhem.

This isn’t the most versatile build, but it’s great for endgame players who want to bring out the big guns. The main downside is when it comes to finding ammo, so make sure you’ve got some smaller guns ready for less important battles.

Set your SPECIAL stats to the following:

• Strength: 15
• Perception: 3
• Endurance: 7
• Charisma: 4
• Intelligence: 13
• Agility: 3
• Luck: 11

Special Attribute	Perk	Points
Strength	Bear Arms	3
Strength	Expert Heavy Gunner	3
Strength	Heavy Gunner	3
Strength	Master Heavy Gunner	3
Strength	Bullet Shield	3
Perception	Refractor	3
Endurance	Lifegiver	4
Endurance	Adamantium Skeleton	3
Charisma	Lone Wanderer	4
Intelligence	Gunsmith	5
Intelligence	Power User	3
Intelligence	First Aid	2
Intelligence	Stabilized	3
Agility	Action Boy/Girl	3
Luck	Starched Genes	2
Luck	One Gun Army	3
Luck	Bloody Mess	3
Luck	Scrounger	3

Best Commando build

A Commando in Fallout 76 is a versatile solo build that allows players to create snipers or turn their player into a one-person army.

You can also add more weapon-based perks if you want to tailor your Commando more. For example, you can add more Rifleman perks and equip Sniper Rifles.

You’ll be weak in melee and won’t have much in the way of health, but who cares? Your enemies will be dead by a sniper’s bullet before they even know you’re there.

Equip these SPECIAL points:

• Strength: 5
• Perception: 15
• Endurance: 3
• Charisma: 5
• Intelligence: 8
• Agility: 10
• Luck: 10

Special Attribute	Perk	Points
Strength	Bandolier	2
Strength	Blocker	3
Perception	Commando	3
Perception	Expert Commando	3
Perception	Master Commando	3
Perception	Concentrated Power	3
Perception	Tank Killer	3
Endurance	Fireproof	3
Endurance	Radical	1
Charisma	Strange in Numbers	1
Charisma	Inspirational	3
Charisma	Tenderizer	3
Intelligence	Nerd rage	3
Intelligence	Gunsmith	5
Intelligence	Demolition Expert	5
Agility	Action Boy/Girl	3
Agility	Covert Operative	3
Agility	Escape Artist	1
Luck	Adrenaline	5
Luck	Gun Fu	3

Best Two-Handed build

Two-handed Fallout 76 builds are currently beating one-handed builds when it comes to melee dominance. Who needs guns when you have your dukes? Or a massive hammer.

This build favors lots of Strength, Perception, and a decent amount of health. You’ll still be able to use guns but focus on bashing enemies in close-quarters combat. The main downside is you’ll be right in the danger zone, but you’ll have the power to push through most enemies.

Select the following points:

• Strength: 15
• Perception: 8
• Endurance: 5
• Charisma: 4
• Intelligence: 10
• Agility: 8
• Luck: 6

Special Attribute	Perk	Points
Strength	Expert Slugger	3
Strength	Incisor	3
Strength	Martial Artist	3
Strength	Master Slugger	3
Strength	Slugger	3
Perception	Expert Rifleman	2
Perception	Glow Sight	3
Perception	Rifleman	3
Endurance	Adamantium Skeleton	3
Endurance	Slow Metabolizer	1
Endurance	Dromedary	1
Charisma	Squad Manuevers	2
Charisma	Strange in Numbers	1
Charisma	Tenderizer	1
Intelligence	Batteries Included	2
Intelligence	Power Patcher	3
Intelligence	Makeshift Warrior	5
Agility	Adrenaline	5
Agility	Dead Man Sprinting	1
Agility	Gun Runner	2
Luck	Bloody Mess	1
Luck	Class Freak	3
Luck	Starched Genes	2

Don’t be afraid to create your own builds or to mix and match elements from the ones above.

Remember, while these builds all work well, these can also serve as effective starting points for more creative Fallout 76 builds.

You’ll unlock more skill points for your perks, so don’t be afraid to exceed the stated number here once you reach endgame.