This is a guide to the best starting SPECIAL stats in Fallout 4 (FO4). This guide will walk you through the best starting stats, from the essentials for all players to the stat distribution for more specific builds, as well as how to increase SPECIAL stats.

Best Starting Stats

Best Starting Stats for Essential Perks

Before going for a specific starting build, getting some of the stats up to a certain breakpoint unlocks useful perks that will help you early on and even later in the game.

• 3 Strength unlocks Armorer allowing you to mod/upgrade armor, useful for any build.
• 4 Perception unlocks Locksmith which will allow you to pick locks for loot or shortcuts.
• 3 Charisma unlocks Lone Wanderer for extra bonuses when you don't have companions except with Dogmeat.
• 4 Intelligence unlocks Hacker which will allow you to hack terminals for loot or shortcuts.

Start with LCK 5 for Idiot Savant Perk

Unlocked at Luck 5, Idiot Savant gives you a chance to greatly increase XP earned (3x to 5x depending on rank) letting you level up faster.

Save Before Finishing Quests with Idiot Savant to Reroll XP Reward

The perk also has a chance to multiply XP gained from quests resulting in a lot of XP. To make full use of this perk, save before completing and turning in quests and reload until Idiot Savant triggers on the quest XP reward.

Start with INT 9 for Better XP Gains

Start out with high intelligence to increase XP gains (3% per point) significantly right from the get-go so you level up faster. Compared to the Idiot Savant build, starting with high intelligence allows you to earn more XP consistently at the cost of more points invested in Intelligence.

If you don't want to play the game with Idiot Savant and optimize for every XP gain by reloading save files, you can play with high Intelligence so you'll still level up faster.

Melee vs Ranged Builds

From this point on, it's recommended to choose between making a melee build or a ranged build. Distributing the remaining stat points will depend on your choice.

• Melee builds prefer more points in Strength and Endurance.
• Ranged builds prefer more points in Perception and Agility.

Melee Idiot Savant Build

Strength increases melee damage and Endurance decreases Action Point drain when sprinting. Investing in Agility may also be beneficial if you want to incorporate V.A.T.S. into your playstyle.

Ranged Idiot Savant Build

Perception increases accuracy in V.A.T.S. while Agility increases Action Points during it. With this build, make use of V.A.T.S. anytime you can.

How to Increase S.P.E.C.I.A.L. Stats

Level Up to Increase Stats

You can further increase your stats after the initial stat distribution by leveling up and spending points on S.P.E.C.I.A.L. stats. Each time you level up, you have a choice between increasing a stat of your choice or unlocking/ranking up a perk.

How to Level Up Fast and Level Up Command

Can You Change Starting Stat Distribution?

Respec Unavailable Except with PC Console Commands

The only time you can change your starting stat distribution after the initial one at the start is when you first exit the vault after waking up from the cryogenic chamber. After this point, you'll no longer be able to change your stat distribution except on PC with console commands.

Can You Respec in Fallout 4?

Virtually No Level Cap in Fallout 4

If you regret your selection of starting stats at the beginning of the game, keep in mind that Fallout 4 has no level cap so you'll be able to fix up your build or max out everything later on albeit having to grind XP.

What is the Max Level?

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