How To Play as Grognak the Barbarian in Fallout 4

Fallout 4 is a lot like college. You are exploring an unfamiliar place, learning new things about the world, and completely reinventing yourself to fit in. With help from the character creation, S.P.E.C.I.A.L. stats, and particular perks, you can design practically anyone, from your favorite pop culture reference to the bullies who deserve everything they get. In this article, I’ll show you how to create the Commonwealth’s favorite caveman, Grognak the Barbarian.

History

In the Fallout universe, Grognak the Barbarian is a comic book franchise owned by Hubris Comics, alongside other heroes like the Silver Shroud and the Unstoppables. Finding an intact copy of these comics in the wasteland is rare, but it gives special permanent stat boosts when read. For finding issues of Grognak, you inflict 5% more critical damage with melee weapons with each issue read.

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

When it comes to starting a Grognak playthrough, your focus is going to be on melee damage, so Strength is going to be the main focus. You’ll want to put 8 to 9 points in Strength, as you’ll have chances to increase that amount later. Perception will need at least 4 points for the perk needed, which we will cover in a moment. While Endurance is important, you’ll only need the lower level perks, so somewhere between 3 to 4 points should be enough. Charisma has one particular perk that can be effective with our build, so only use 3 points here. (Besides, who’s ever heard of a fast talking caveman?) For Intelligence, Agility, and Luck, honestly, you can play around and see what works for you. I personally like a couple of points in Luck, just because it has options for a sillier experience.

Results not typical. Ask your doctor if S.P.E.C.I.A.L. is right for you.
Image Credit: Bethesda

Perks

The perks are where your character really starts coming to life. Our Strength perks are mandatory for the build, especially Big Leagues, which increases melee damage with each rank, and Rooted, which increases our damage and damage resistance when standing still (like a tree, hence, Rooted.) The lone Perception perk is Locksmith, which lets you unlock anything you find in the Wasteland. While useful in the rest of your playthrough, you actually only need 1 point in this perk, there’s no need to almost max this out, like a certain author of this article did.

Those could have been melee points!
Image Credit: Bethesda

Our Endurance perks will also come in handy, especially if you are going for a character accurate playthrough, as cavemen wouldn’t have access to Power Armor. Therefore, go big in Toughness, which increases damage resistance, and Life Giver, which increases your max health, and gives health generation when at max level. Our lone Charisma perk is Lone Wanderer, which reduces damage received and increases how much we can carry when traveling alone, meaning you can’t have a companion with you. However, you can still bring along Dogmeat, as he, for some strange reason, doesn’t count as a full companion.

It’s my favorite story, *Onion Head and the Black Hole.*
Image Credit: Bethesda

Depending on how you built the rest of your stats, the perks are up to you. With a focus on Luck, I would go into Idiot Savant, which will randomly award 3X to 5X the experience earned, and maybe a bump into Bloody Mess, which is an increase in all damage done, with the tradeoff being all enemies explode into a pile of viscera and body parts.

Locations & Items

Finally, you will need two particular items to complete our Grognak. First, head over to Hubris Comics, which is found about the center of the city.

Take a left at the nuclear waste barrels. You can’t miss it.
Image Credit: Bethesda

Once you head inside, clear out all the Ghouls, as being clawed at by mutated humans is really not pleasant. To find Grognak’s Axe, find the display case on the first floor. Then use your Lockpick skill to open the case. It is an Advanced difficulty lock, so you will need at least a single point into the Locksmith perk.

I knew we should have gone with the Master difficulty!
Image Credit: Bethesda

Grognak’s Axe is a strong melee weapon with the special abilities to stagger enemies when attacked and cause bleed damage.

For Grognak’s Costume, head to the top floor. Right next to the ladder for roof access, there is a locker. The outfit should be sitting in the open for the taking.

The Buffout and machete help me get into character.
Image Credit: Bethesda

Like a lot of the clothing found, Grognak’s Costume gives a big boost to your Strength stat, which is where the damage of your melee attacks are determined, so it’s a win-win! With both of these items, you are all set to show the Wasteland who’s in charge!

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