Fallout 4: Best Sneak Build

Discover the Best Sneak Build in Fallout 4 and how to create a powerful character with Perks, S.P.E.C.I.A.L., Stats, armor, and weapons.

This build guide has been updated for Game version 1.10.980 on PC and Free Next Gen Update on PlayStation and Xbox.

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Sneak Build Introduction in Fallout 4

In Fallout 4, the Sneak build harnesses the power of surprise to unleash devastating damage, employing perks such as Sneak, Ninja, and Mister Sandman to deadly effect. Whether wielding pistols for close-quarters engagements or rifles for precise long-range strikes, this build thrives on launching lethal assaults from the shadows. What makes the sneak build unique is the ability to do powerful burst damage at any range, including melee!

However, using a sneak build will come with downsides. Your overall goal is to do as much damage as possible. Thus, prolonged engagements can be difficult to survive. Moreover, you must pick exactly when to strike and be ready to flee. Sneak damage and damage multipliers can one-shot the most deadly enemies in Fallout 4 and is fun to play if you like traditional stealth builds.

Sneak Build Pros	Sneak Build Cons
Damage Multiplier	Reliance on Stealth
Pick When to Fight	Prolonged Fights
Multiple Ranges	Requires Patience

Features and Mechanics for Best Sneak Build in Fallout 4

The following list presents all the essential Sneak Features and Mechanics in Fallout 4:

Damage – Ballistic
Range – 100 meters
Weapon – Rifle
S.P.E.C.I.A.L. Stats
- Strength – 3
- Perception – 8
- Endurance – 1
- Charisma – 3
- Intelligence – 3
- Agility – 7
- Luck – 3
Best Perks – Ninja, Mister Sandman, Sneak, Rifleman
Companion – Dog Meat

Fallout 4 Top Builds

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

The best S.P.E.C.I.A.L. stats for the Sneak build are 7 Agility and 8 Perception. Agility increases sneak effectiveness and allows stealth perks to aid in sneaking. Perception helps with accuracy in VATS for long-range and stealth kills. Additionally, having some points in strength helps with melee weapon kills when close. This setup emphasizes weapon damage at long range with rifles or up close with pistols and silencers. Lastly, we take some points in Intelligence to access high-end crafting options at the upper levels. If you prefer to do settlement building, increase Charisma instead.

Below are the best recommended S.P.E.C.I.A.L. Stats for the Stealth build in Fallout 4 videogame RPG:

3 Strength (S): influences your carrying capacity, melee damage, and the effectiveness of melee weapons.
8 Perception (P): affects your accuracy in VATS, the chance of detecting stealthy enemies, and the ability to pick locks and spot traps.
1 Endurance (E): It affects your maximum health, radiation resistance, and ability to withstand environmental hazards.
3 Charisma (C): influences your success in dialogue options, ability to negotiate prices with vendors, and effectiveness in leading companions.
3 Intelligence (I): affects the number of experience points earned, the quality of crafted items, and effectiveness with high-tech weapons.
7 Agility (A): It affects your overall movement speed, ability to sneak effectively, and performance in VATS.
3 Luck (L): affects critical hit chance, the likelihood of finding valuable items, and the outcome of random events.

Additionally, consider collecting Bobbleheads throughout your Fallout 4 (FO4) adventure. Bobbleheads are collectible items scattered throughout the game world. Each bobblehead represents a particular attribute or skill, and when collected, it permanently increases your character’s corresponding stat or ability.

Best Perks

The best Perk for a Sneak build Ninja, Mister Sandman, and Sneak. The Sneak perk reduces detection and once maxed out, you can engage in stealth, and enemies will lose you. Ninja increases your ranged sneak damage by 3.5x times and 10x normal damage for melee. Mister Sandman gives you 50% more sneak damage with silent weapons. Combining all three, you attach a silencer to a rifle or pistol and engage stealth for a massive damage multiplier. Lone Wanderer is the best for damage reduction, especially when traveling slowly or with Dog Meat. These perks give you a damage-focused build meant to stealth into combat when possible and use a Stealth Boy consumable when in trouble.

Here is the list of the best and recommended Perks for the Stealth Build in Fallout 4:

Sneak + Ninja – reduced detection and increased damage for stealth attacks.
Mister Sandman – can kill sleeping persons and increases silenced weapon sneak attack damage.
Rifleman – your bread-and-butter weapon for range combat that amplifies damage passively.
Lone Wanderer – traveling solo will increase your damage and reduce damage taken while avoiding companions getting you detected.

Level Progression

For the Sneak build, you will need to invest heavily in multiple damage perks initially. We selected to forgo scrounger, which can be difficult when starting because ammunition is scarce. Moreover, we forgo hackers and take locksmithing later to increase damage and make kills much easier. If you find this annoying, take locksmith or hacker earlier and push the progression down a level or two. Moreover, we invest heavily in intelligence to gain science in the 40s. This is due to crafting the best high-end mods and equipment. If you don’t care about crafting, you can forgo this for other perks like Charisma and Local Leader, which are helpful for settlement building.

In Fallout 4, perks are special abilities and bonuses that enhance your character’s skills, combat prowess, and survival capabilities. Perks are acquired by spending perk points each time your character levels up. Perks are divided into categories, each corresponding to one of the S.P.E.C.I.A.L. attributes. These perks offer a wide range of customization options, allowing players to tailor their characters to suit their preferred playstyles. However, there are no respecs or redoing of Perks. Thus, your selections are vital to increasing your character’s overall power.

Level 1 – 10

Here’s a list of the best perks to select from levels 1 to 10 with the Best Sneak Build Guide in Fallout 4:

Level 1 – None
Level 2 – Rifleman
Level 3 – Sneak
Level 4 – Ninja
Level 5 – Lone Wanderer
Level 6 – Mister Sandman
Level 7 – Sniper
Level 8 – Bloody Mess
Level 9 – Locksmith
Level 10 – Armorer 1

Level 11 – 20

Here’s a list of Perks to select from levels 11 to 20 with the Best Sneak Build Guide in Fallout 4:

Level 11 – Gun Nut
Level 12 – Sneak 3
Level 13 – Locksmith 2
Level 14 – Rifleman 2
Level 15 – Sniper 2
Level 16 – Ninja 2
Level 17 – Mister Sandman 2
Level 18 – Lone Wanderer 2
Level 19 – Action Boy
Level 20 – Action Boy 2

Level 21 – 30

Here’s a list of Perks to select from levels 21 to 30 with the Best Sneak Build Guide in Fallout 4:

Level 21 – Gun Nut 2
Level 22 – Locksmith 3
Level 23 – Sneak 4
Level 24 – Rifleman 3
Level 25 – Armorer 2
Level 26 – Bloody Mess 2
Level 27 – Gun Nut 3
Level 28 – Strength +1 (or bobblehead)
Level 29 – Blacksmith
Level 30 – Mister Sandman 3

Level 31 – 40

Here’s a list of Perks to select from levels 31 to 40 with the Best Sneak Build Guide in Fallout 4:

Level 31 – Rifleman 4
Level 32 – Blacksmith 2
Level 33 – Ninja 3
Level 34 – Armorer 3
Level 35 – Medic 1
Level 36 – Bloody Mess 3
Level 37 – Medic 2
Level 38 – Sneak 5
Level 39 – Gun Nut 4
Level 40 – Lone Wanderer 3

Level 41 – 50

Here’s a list of Perks to select from levels 41 to 50 with the Best Sneak Build Guide in Fallout 4:

Level 41 – Intelligence +1 (or bobblehead)
Level 42 – Intelligence +1
Level 43 – Intelligence +1
Level 44 – Science
Level 45 – Science 2
Level 46 – Rifleman 5
Level 47 – Bloody Mess 4
Level 48 – Science 3
Level 49 – Science 4
Level 50 – Sniper 3

Gear and Weapons

The best weapons and armor for a Sneak build are Overseer’s Guardian Sniper Rifle, Deliverer pistol, and Chameleon armor. The Overseer’s Sniper Rifle fires an extra bullet and can be helpful at long range and customized with a suppresser. The Deliver is an excellent pistol for a close range with a suppressor and will take advantage of the Mister Sandman’s perk. Lastly, look for any armor that can have the chest Chameleon, the legs muffled, and Shadowed. Regardless of the armor type, these can aid in stealthing.

Overseer’s Guardian Sniper Rifle – obtained in Vault 81 by vendor Alexis Combes. Vault 81 is west of Diamond City and requires three fusion cores and quest completion to enter. Alternative weapons are Pipe Rifle (early), Hunting Rifle, Combat Rifle, and Gauss Rifle (end game).

Deliverer – this pistol is a reward from the companion Deacon during the quest Tradecraft. You can progress the main story to obtain this pistol organically.

Patrolman Sunglasses – you gain passive +1 perception, which can be found at the Cambridge Police Station. You will likely go here during the Paladin Danse quest with the Brotherhood of Steel quest.

Combat Armor – this set of armor gives excellent protection and looks cool! A complete set can be obtained on the dead NPC Sal in Jamaica Plains. The location is southeast of Diamond City and near University Point. Alternatively, leather armor can work in replacement.

Companions

Dog Meat is the best companion for the Stealth build because it does not negate the Lone Wanderer perk bonuses. With three ranks into Lone Wanderer, you will take 20% less damage, do 25% more damage, and carry 100 more pounds. This is in addition to Dog Meat scrambling for items and distracting enemies. Moreover, Dog Meat typically doesn’t give up your stealth position. If he breaks sneak attacking enemies, you can send him to your home and travel solo.

Dog Meat can be found at the Red Rocket truck stop shortly after the game’s introduction. Moreover, you can gain the Attack Dog companion perk to increase Dog Meat’s affinity (affection) to the maximum. Attack dog increases accuracy in V.A.T.S. against enemies immobilized by dog companions. Unlike other companions, Dog Meat’s affinity is increased through leveling and spending perk points. We highly suggest using Dog Meat whenever possible to gain the most damage and reduce damage using the best Stealth build.

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Fallout 4: Best Sneak Build

Sneak Build Introduction in Fallout 4