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Fallout: New Vegas

Perception

By
Nathan Garvin
Skills
Energy Weapons
Explosives
Lockpick

A high Perception grants a bonus to the Explosives, Lockpick and Energy Weapons skills, and determines when red compass markings appear (which indicate threats).

“A perceptive cowboy always knows when there’s a lit stick of dynamite nearby… or when a varmint’s sneakin’ up on him.”

Perception’s big draw is that it increases the distance as which you notice threats-red marks on your compass. Granted this is only useful for avoiding said threats, or ambushing/sneaking up on them. Still, if you are a ranged fighter, this is useful for letting you know where your enemies are before you engage. Yep, that’s right out of the old FAQ, and it holds true in New Vegas.

There are, however, a few changes in New Vegas that diminishes… or rather, replaces… the use of Perception in New Vegas. First, you can just toggle VATS to spot enemies far outside of your range to locate them, so long as you have a line of sight. With one side kick you get a perk that highlights enemies when you aim, and with another you get a perk that vastly increases your detection range. Both of these perks make having a high personal Perception score rather moot. Add into this the fact that with the new iron sights you can effectively snipe outside of VATS much easier… you don’t need a high Perception to find-and kill-enemies.

It still has its tactical uses to be sure, and more importantly it is a requirement for some perks, but you don’t need nearly as much Perception this time around. In fact, with the larger range of Perception you’ll get from one companion, you will see enemies on the compass much earlier than is useful. It doesn’t really do you much good to know that there are hostiles on the far side of a mountain, does it? Especially not until you find a way to reach that side of the mountain, in any case. The best thing Perception does is it allows you to get the Better Criticals perk. Without this you can really use it as a dump stat. That said, it’s hard to imagine why anybody would ignore +50% critical damage. Keep your Perception up at six (or five plus the Implant) to have access to this potent perk.

Perception Skills Description
1 +2 Deaf Bat
2 +4 Senile Mole
3 +6 Squinting Newt
4 +8 Unsuspecting Trout
5 +10 Wary Trout
6 +12 Alert Coyote
7 +14 Big-Eyed Tiger
8 +16 Monocled Falcon
9 +18 Sniper Hawk
10 +20 Eagle with Telescope

Start out with a base of five Perception.

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Guide Information
  • Publisher
    Bethesda Softworks
  • Platforms,
    PC, PS3, XB 360
  • Genre
    RPG
  • Guide Release
    1 November 2015
  • Last Updated
    7 December 2020
  • Guide Author
    Nathan Garvin

Share this free guide:

The year is 2281 - two hundred years after the old world was eradicated by nuclear fire - and now the New California Republic has become powerful along the western coast of what used to be the United State of America. They’ve expanded east into Nevada, but across the Colorado river to the east a united army of tribals - Caesar’s Legion - have been organized under the guise of ancient Rome. War never changes, and impending conflict looms between the two sides, the prize being the Hoover Dam and control over the Mojave. Stuck in the middle are the residents of Nevada and the jewel in the desert; the city of New Vegas. But the mysterious overlord of New Vegas has his own plans for the future of the Mojave…

You are Courier six, an employee of the Mojave Express who has been entrusted with delivering a mysterious Platinum Chip. The delivery goes horribly awry, however, and after you are robbed and nearly killed for the package you were carrying, you must set out in pursuit of your attackers. Along the way you’ll have to navigate the political struggles between factions both large and small, making friends and enemies between the various groups as your actions in the Mojave influence your reputation. Ultimately, a new overlord of the Mojave will be crowned… but will you place that crown upon the brow of Caesar, the New California Republic, the mysterious ruler of New Vegas… or yourself?

  • Character creation strategies including a run-down of SPECIAL attributes, Skills and Perks.
  • An ideal chronological order of events walkthrough that will take you through the entire Mojave.
  • Complete walkthrough of all the main quests and side quests, including faction quests and endings.
  • A power-gamey New Vegas Medical Center run, for those gamers who want to get off to a great start.
  • Information about factions and reputation.
  • The locations of stat-boosting Skill Books, unique weapons and armor and collectible Snowglobes.
  • A Trophy Guide including detailed information (when necessary) about how to obtain all the game’s trophies.
  • Old World Blues DLC.

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