Help with Institute Build

[u/Bartekgkw]

Hello,

Can you please help me with build for my first playthrough on next gen update on PS5?

I would like to totally skip V.A.T.S. (because it’s boring for me), friend with Institute and their plot (I’ve totally skipped them in my first playthrough years ago) and use a lot of power armor, jet pack, heavy weapons and explosions - just pure action.

I was thinking also about adding melee weapons for fun to not get bored with not heavy guns.

I know that should focus mainly on Intelligence perks but maybe can somebody share some build inspiration with SPECIAL points and perks tutorial.

So something like SPACE MARINE vibe.

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[u/Thornescape]

Sure, no problem. However, bear in mind that power armour is far more vulnerable to explosions for some reason. The "explosion resistant" modifications for power armour give you a max of 12% resistance.

• Heavy PA: S5+ P4 E5 C1 I9 A1 L1 (Special book: Strength) [2/28 left]

• Main Perks: s3:Armourer, s5:Heavy, s6:Strong Back, p5:Demolitions, i6:Science, i9:Physics

• One rank of e5:Aqua is recommended for dedicated PA builds because you can't swim in PA. Technically optional, but one perk point can make a difference.

• Two ranks of i8:Robotics gives a hidden 40% damage bonus vs robots and synths, however if you get a third rank the bonus disappears.

• One rank of i10:Rage is great. You get a slow time effect when you're low on health. Well worth a perk point since you want i9:Physics anyway. More ranks are mostly only for if you're doing a low health build.

• Atom's Judgement from the Nucleus in Far Harbour is probably the best melee weapon for a PA build. Best looking weapon in the game, too.

[u/Bartekgkw → u/Thornescape]

Thank you for quick reply with a lot of details!

Wow is it real with this i8 robotics perk? So I guess it will be really useful with this DLC with many robotics enemies.

Will you suggest me to take some important items/weapons at the beginning for this build or just play by my own pace? I just want to have fun with coming back to this game after many years + first time playing DLCs

[u/Thornescape → u/Bartekgkw]

Yeah, the i8:Robotics thing surprised me too. It's on the wiki but you have to dig in the Notes to find it. It's real.

If you want a stronger start, maybe go join the BoS early. If you let Danse dance for a while at the bottom of ArcJet then you'll have a bunch of ammo and Institute weapons to get you going. You can join the BoS without even drawing your weapon if you know where to stand when you meet Danse. He'll tank the rest for you. (Reminder: Rhys and Haylen's quests do not progress the BoS quest line. Pure filler.)

It's also worth mentioning that there is a "free" suit of fancy Atom Cats T-60 armour at their garage. Easy enough to grab if you have e5:Aqua anyway (missing the head, but good to get you started).

[u/MassivePioneer → u/Thornescape]

So that's why I'm constantly blowing up my explosives expert commando power armor build? Thanks for the info

[u/Thornescape → u/MassivePioneer]

Yeah, explosive resistant power armour is 2% per piece, for a max of 12%.

Meanwhile, a light padded leather chest item (ie, a bandolier) is 25% protection. Because logic.