If you’ve been wandering the wastelands of Appalachia long enough, you’ll know that sometimes bullets run dry and V.A.T.S. can only do so much. That’s where melee builds come in—offering raw power, endurance, and often a budget-friendly playstyle. Whether you’re slicing through ghouls or going toe-to-toe with Deathclaws, these nine melee builds can help you maximize damage and survivability.
1. The Barbarian (Unarmed Powerhouse)
This build focuses on Strength, Endurance, and Unarmed weapons like the Power Fist or Deathclaw Gauntlet. With perks like Iron Fist, Martial Artist, and Incisor, you can deliver brutal punches that ignore armor and stagger enemies easily. Add Blocker for extra survivability.
Why it works: Minimal gear dependency and high mobility. Plus, you can
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2. The Vampire Tank
Use a weapon with the Vampire legendary effect (restores health on hit) combined with perks like Rejuvenated and Lifegiver. This build is incredibly sustainable, especially in solo Daily Ops or prolonged boss fights.
Pro tip: Pair with a full set of Power Armor to turn yourself into a healing juggernaut.
3. Stealth Ninja
A stealth-based melee build using light armor and perks like Sneak, Covert Operative, and Mister Sandman. A Blade of Bastet or any silenced melee weapon can one-shot enemies with a stealth crit.
Why it’s efficient: High burst damage with very little ammo investment. Great for farming and exploration runs.
4. Power Armor Bruiser
Combine heavy melee weapons like the Super Sledge with Power Armor and perks such as Slugger, Pain Train, and Ordnance Express to become a wrecking ball on legs.
Tip: Power Armor pieces with optimized bracers reduce melee AP cost—these are often overlooked but very powerful.
5. The Speed Demon
Use perks like Marathoner, Adrenaline, and Dodgy to stay fast and aggressive. Pair with fast melee weapons like the Chainsaw or Drill for maximum DPS while weaving in and out of combat.
Budget angle: You can
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6. Mutant Brawler
Leverage the power of mutations like Marsupial, Adrenal Reaction, and Speed Demon. With the Class Freak and Starched Genes perks, you’ll minimize downsides while gaining huge benefits.
Gear synergy: Look for mutant-specific bonuses on melee weapons to really drive damage up.
7. Executioner’s Build
The Executioner legendary effect grants bonus damage to enemies below 40% health. Combine this with perks like Bloodied Mess and Adrenaline for lethal finishing power.
Best use case: Great for event bosses and high-level enemies, especially when paired with damage over time effects.
8. Junkie’s Melee
If you’re running multiple addictions, the Junkie’s legendary weapon effect boosts your damage per chem dependency. Perks like Chem Fiend and Psychopath help you maintain control while dishing out massive hits.
Heads-up: It’s risky, but can be highly rewarding if you enjoy a high-stakes playstyle.
9. Bloodied Blade Master
Arguably one of the strongest melee builds when used right. Stay at low health to activate the Bloodied weapon effect, then stack perks like Nerd Rage, Serendipity, and Better Criticals.
Important note: Keep your HP management tight and always carry stimpaks. You can
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Melee combat in Fallout 76 offers more than just brute force—it’s versatile, satisfying, and often cost-effective. Whether you’re min-maxing for endgame or just looking for a fun new style, these builds cover everything from stealth to raw tankiness.
And remember, if you're short on caps or key items, you can always
buy Fallout 76 Caps online or look for vendors where you can buy Fallout 76 items cheap. Just make sure to do it safely and with trusted sources.
Appalachia rewards those who aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty—sometimes literally.
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Fallout 76 Caps Farming Guide 2025: Best Methods for Earning Bottle Caps Fast
