Fallout 4 Perk – The Complete S.P.E.C.I.A.L Perk Chart Guide

This guide will give you an in-depth look at the Fallout 4 Perk Chart, know the best perks in Fallout 4, and explains which ones you should focus on early, and which ones you can avoid until later on.

Fallout 4 is an RPG and its shooting mechanics have been standardized to a degree but your stats still determine your proficiency in combat. In Fallout 4, you can decide to be a melee fighter, a sniper, grenadier, or pistol-wielding gunslinger but know that a smart S.P.E.C.I.A.L. loadout will only improve your chosen role(s).

Fallout 4 new perk system has merged with the skill system of previous games. Every time the player character gains a level they gain a perk point. Spend perk points to upgrade your primary S.P.E.C.I.A.L attributes or unlock specialized perks. Every rank of the S.P.E.C.I.A.L attributes and perks costs 1 perk point which can be managed from the perk chart screen within the Pip-Boy.

Players can also earn extra perks by engaging in specific actions, like reading magazines, which don’t require perk point allocation. Unless otherwise specified, all perks are permanent.

Every perk has a form ID and a perk with a form ID can be added with the console through player.addperk <form ID>.  For instance, to add rank 1 of Iron Fist, one would type player.addperk 1dafe into the console. When adding higher ranks for e.g. Rank 4, ensure you first add the 3 lower ranks.

S.P.E.C.I.A.L. Perks

S.P.E.C.I.A.L. perks can be gotten through spending perk points in the perk chart and each perk has a base SPECIAL requirement that must be met before it can be taken – this is based on the starting stats chosen upon character creation, along with increases to those stats gotten via spending perk points.

Getting the SPECIAL bobbleheads and “YOU’RE SPECIAL” also increases the base SPECIAL stats, potentially allowing new perks selected. But, SPECIAL stats granted via temporary means like equipment, chems, and alcohol do not affect which perks may be taken.

The perk chart doesn’t follow a strict “tree” format and any perk may be selected in any order so long as its base SPECIAL requirement is met. Perks higher up on the perk chart (perks with lower base SPECIAL requirements) do not have to be obtained before obtaining perks lower on the chart (perks with higher base SPECIAL requirements).

Each perk has several ranks and each rank costs one perk point and grants new bonuses. However, each rank must be bought in order. Initial perk Ranks have no level requirement and may be taken immediately their base requirement is met, but additional ranks also impose a level requirement, that prevents perks from reaching their full potential right away. The level required varies by perk and rank. For example, Level 50 is required to meet higher rank requirements for all of the perks.

Fallout 4 Perk Chart

As the player, must get to level 286 to unlock every perk and maximize each base SPECIAL stat, including the 7 perk ranks added with Far Harbor and the 7 perk ranks added with Nuka-World.

If the SPECIAL-bobbleheads and “You’re SPECIAL!” have been picked up before increasing the relevant base stats to 10 via the perk chart, they will effectively take the place of one perk point each, potentially reducing the minimum level required for every perk to 278, but at the cost of limiting the player’s maximum possible base SPECIAL stats.

S.P.E.C.I.A.L here, stands for:

• S: Strength
• P: Perception
• E: Endurance
• C: Charisma
• I: Intelligence
• A: Agility
• L: Luck

Fallout 4 Perk Chart

Keep in mind that none of the above categories are perks themselves but are your attributes. However, the stronger you are in one category or another, the more perks that become available for you to choose and benefit from.

Setting up Perks strategically is vital, as they unlock critical skills necessary for survival, including weapon modification, armor crafting, lockpicking, and computer hacking.

The perks in Fallout 4 are controlled by your stats. Your stats are what you choose when the Vault-Tec salesman came to your door during the prologue (War Never Changes). For instance, if you do not put at least 3 points on your strength, you would not be able to choose the Armorer perk that lets you access base level and Rank 1 armor mods.

It is also worth mentioning that each perk has different Ranks. For example, the Level 1 Strength perk is called Iron Fist and at Rank 1, it’ll give you 20% more punching power. At Rank 5, you’ll get double damage from punches and also get the ability to paralyze your opponents with critical huts using V.A.T.A. Each Rank of this perk will cost you one perk point, and you must meet the level. All the requirements are listed under each perk.

To access your perks, go to your Pip-Boy and open it, then press the indicated button at the bottom of the monitor. That will take you to the Perk Chart.

Fallout 4 Perks

Below we’ve explained in detail each of Fallouts S.P.E.C.I.A.L. attributes and give you an overview of the perks attached to each level of those stats. Know that we won’t be explaining each Perk and all of its Ranks. However, console players can view each Perk Rank bonus by pressing L1/R1 or Right Bumper/Left Bumper while it is selected.

Fallout 4 Perk Chart: Strength

Strength determines your physical power and a high strength stat will increase the number of items you can carry and thus the different kinds of weapons you can wield.

A high strength stat also increases the damage you deal with melee weapons such as baseball bats and sledgehammers.

Building Strength unlocks improved hand-to-hand combat, heavy weapon mastery, advanced armor crafting, and enhanced hip-fire skills.

With the highest strength stats, you’ll access to the Pain Train perk that provides combat bonuses when wearing the iconic Power Armor.

• STR 1: Iron Fist – Increased punching power: Channel your chi to unleash devastating fury. Punching attacks do 20 percent more damage to your opponent.
• STR 2: Big Leagues – Increased melee damage: Swing for the fences, do 20 percent melee weapon damage.  
• STR 3: Armorer – Access base level Rank 1 armor mods and protect yourself from the dangers of the Wasteland.  
• STR 4: Blacksmith – Fire up the forge and have access to base level and Rank 1 melee weapon mods.
• STR 5: Heavy Gunner – Increased heavy gun damage.
• STR  6: Strong Back – Carry additional weight, gain +25 to carry weight.
• STR l 7: Steady Aim – Improved hip-fire accuracy. When firing any gun, hip-fire accuracy is enhanced.
• STR 8: Basher – Get up close and personal. Gun bashing does more damage.
• STR 9: Rooted – You are a part tree. While idle, you gain +25 Damage Resistance and your melee and unarmed attacks deal 25 percent damage.
• STR 10: Pain Train – Sprinting into enemies hurts and staggers them while wearing Power Armor.

Fallout 4 Perk Chart: Perception

Perception mainly affects your weapon accuracy in V.A.T.S. (Fallout’s slow-motion auto-targeting system). Perception also comes tied to perks rogue-type characters might enjoy such as pickpocketing, lockpicking, and explosives.  It also carries perks that’ll boost rifle and sniper skills.

• PER 1: Pickpocket – With your quick hands and sticky fingers, pickpocketing is easier by 25%.
• PER 2: Rifleman – Keep your distance long and kill-count high as attacks with non-automatic rifles do 40% more damage.
• PER 3: Awareness – To defeat your opponents, you have to know their weaknesses. You can view a target-specific damage resistance in V.A.T.S.
• PER 4: Locksmith – Your nimble fingers let you pick Advanced looks.
• PER 5: Demolition Expert – Your explosives do 25 percent more damage, and you can craft explosives at any Chemistry Station.
• PER 6: Night Person –  As a creature of the night, gain +2 to Intelligence and Perception between 6:00 pm, and 6:00 am.
• PER 7: Refractor – Increased energy resistance.  
• PER 8: Sniper – You have improved control and can hold your breath longer when in scope view.
• PER 9: Penetrator – You can target your enemy’s body parts that are blocked by cover with a decrease in accuracy in V.A.T.S.
• PER 10: Concentrated Fire – Stay focused as every attack on the same body part gains +10% accuracy in V.A.T.S.

Fallout 4 Perk Chart: Endurance

This directly impacts your hit points and the amount you can sprint. The perks tied to endurance includes the ability to eat a wide variety of foods & drinks, all types of damage resistances, and the ability to take in healing from sunlight.

• END 1: Toughness – Now, you have +20 Damage Resistance
• END 2: Lead Belly – Your digestive tract has adjusted to the weirdness of Wasteland and you now have less radiation from eating and drinking.
• END 3: Life Giver: You gain additional max health.
• END 4: Chem Resistant – You are 50 percent less likely to get addicted to chems.
• END 5: Aquagirl – Water is your ally. You can breathe underwater.
• END 6: Rad Resistant – Due to the exposure to the Wasteland, you’ve become more resilient and thus gain additional Radiation Resistance.
• END 7: Adamantium Skeleton – Your skeleton has been infused with indestructible metal, reducing limb damage by 30 percent.
• END 8: Cannibal – Eating human flesh restores your health
• END 9: Ghoulish – You are still human but now, Radiation regenerates your lost health.
• END 10: Solar Powered – Gain more Strength and Endurance between the hours of 6 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Charisma

Charisma expands your toolset in Fallout’s conversations. Increase your Charisma to persuade others and secure better deals.

Charisma’s perks improve your ability to command your followers such as the much-advertised canine companion. Charisma perks also improve your homestead building supply lines and on-site stores.

• CHR 1: Cap Collector – Buying and selling prices at vendors is cheaper
• CHR 2: Black Widow – You are charming but dangerous. Men suffer more damage in combat with you.
• CHR 3: Lone Wanderer – Less damage when you are adventuring without a companion
• CHR 4: Attack Dog – Your dog will hold an enemy while you use V.A.T.S.
• CHR 5: Animal Friend – Pacify animals by aiming your gun at them.
• CHR 6: Local Leader: As the ruler everyone turns to, you’re to establish supply lines between your workshop settlements.
• CHR 7: Party Girl: You are a party girl, and you can’t get addicted to alcohol.   
• CHR 8: Inspirational – Your companion does more damage in combat.
• CHR 9: Wasteland Whisperer: With your gun, aim at any creature below your level and gain a chance to pacify it.
• CHR 10: Intimidation: With your gun, aim at humans below your level and gain a chance to pacify them.

Intelligence

They mainly increases the amount of experience you gain from performing actions in the Wasteland, letting you level up faster. Intelligence perks pertain to crafting, hacking computers, and even robots, turning them into your allies. The highest intelligence perk lets you become enraged at low health, slowing down time and increasing your damage dealt.

• INT 1: V.A.N.S. – Closest quest target is now displayed when using V.A.T.S.
• INT 2: Medic – Stimpaks and RadAway are more effective when used i.e. Stimpaks restores 60% of lost health, and RadAway removes 60% of radiation.
• INT 3: Gun Nut – access to base level and Rank 1 gun mods while crafting.
• INT 4: Hacker – Knowledge of cutting-edge computers lets you hack Advanced terminals.
• INT 5: Scrapper – You can salvage uncommon components like aluminum, copper, and screws when scrapping weapons and armor.
• INT 6: Science – Take complete advantage of advanced technology with access to base level and Rank 1 high-tech mods.
• INT 7: Chemist – Any chems you take will last 50% longer when used.
• INT 8: Robotics Expert – You now have the ability to hack robots and control them.
• INT 9: Nuclear Physicist – You’ve learned to split the atom as well as control it. Radiation weapons do 50 percent more damage and fusion cores last an additional 25% longer to foes.
• INT 10: Nerd Rage – When your health drops, you slow time in combat.

Agility

Agility improves the frequency you can use V.A.T.S. targeting system as well as grants bonuses to sneaking. Their perks increase your abilities with one-handed, silences weapons, and also increases your damage while attacking from stealth.

• AGI 1: Gunslinger – Non-automatic pistols do more damage
• AGI 2: Commando – Automatic weapons will do 20% more damage
• AGI 3: Sneak: You’re 20% harder to detect while in the sneak mode
• AGI 4: Mister Sandman – Your impressed weapons do additional 15% more damage
• AGI 5: Action Girl – Your Action Points regenerate faster than they did before
• AGI 6: Moving Target – Get +25 Damage Resistance and +25 Energy Resistance while sprinting.
• AGI 7: Ninja – Trained as a shadow warrior, your sneak attacks do 2.5x normal damage and your melee attacks do 4x normal damage.
• AGI 8: Quick Hands – In combat, you can reload all weapons faster
• AGI 9: Grim Reaper’s Sprint – Kills with V.A.T.S. can restore all Action Points
• AGI 10: Four Leaf Clover – Hits in V.A.T.S. can refill your critical meter

Luck

Luck governs the frequency of critical hits that deal increased damage. They also gives you a higher chance of finding quality items when looting containers throughout the Wasteland. Some Luck perks are more bonuses to crit chance, but also extra bonuses that occur at random.

• LCK 1: Fortune Finder –  You’ll find more bottle caps when searching containers
• LCK 2: Scrounger – You’ll find more weapons when searching containers
• LCK 3: Bloody Mess – You’ll inflict +10% damage in combat and your enemies will sometimes explode into a gory red paste
• LCK 4: Mysterious Stranger – The Mysterious Stranger will sometimes appear in V.A.T.S. to help you with deadly efficiency.
• LCK 5: Idiot Savant – You can randomly receive 3x XP from any action, and the lower your intelligence, the greater the chance.
• LCK 6: Better Criticals – Critical hits on your opponents will do much more damage
• LCK 7: Critical Banker – Save critical hits and use them in V.A.T.S.
• LCK 8: Grim Reaper’s Sprint – Any kill in V.A.T.S. can restore all Action Points
• LCK 9: Four Leaf Clover – A hit in V.A.T.S. could restore your critical hit meter
• LCK 10: Ricochet – An enemy’s ranged attack could ricochet back and kill them

Each of the SPECIAL attributes has 10 ranks. Characters begin with at least Rank 1 in all 7 attributes Expending a perk point lets you add a rank to a given attribute.

Increasing the rank of a SPECIAL attribute is technically adding a permanent perk. Ranks 2-10 of every attribute have their own form ID. Since rank 1 is the starting point for all players, it is not a true perk and does not have an ID.

Conclusion

This Fallout 4 perk chart guide will help you know more about Fallout 4’s S.P.E.C.I.A.L. perks system, which is the perfect way to customize your attributes and abilities in order to know how you want to play the game. However, there’re more perks in the chart but here are just the SPECIAL perks.