Tips to have a headstart.

[theworldfan]

I recently bought this game due to my friends suggesting that I play it.
I tried to play it the other day and it just seemed all too overwhelming, I really like the game and I would like to get into it.

Can anyone give me ANY tips whatsoever, anything that will help me on my first playthrough?

Thanks.

[Skillet]

A lot of people get overwhelmed when first playing Bethesda's games.

I suggest, finding Megaton as soon as you leave the Vault. It's not far away. And then after exploring the town, start exploring the area around the town. Stay away from the DC ruins until you've leveled up a little bit, the Super Mutants can be tough when just starting.

Explore and talk to people whenever you can... a lot of people will give you quests, and completing quests gives you loads of XP. Also, pick a combat skill early on and stick to it. Personally, I enjoy guns. So I usually put all of the skill points I'm willing to spend on combat into the Small Guns skill. You don't want to put all of your points into Energy Weapons and then use a Golf Club as your primary weapon. Once you've chosen which weapons you like most, feel free to sell all the rest that you find for extra caps. The fastest way to make money in Fallout is to remember where the enemies usually hang out, and frequently loot those locations for all of the armor and weapons you can carry. Then sell it to merchants. Whenever I first start playing, I visit Springvale School. It's just down the road from Megaton... to the south. There are a lot of Raiders there that low level players can easily kill and loot.

You can also get merchants to repair your gear before selling your loot, which gives you a win/win situation.

There aren't really any other tips to give though. The beauty of the game is found in figuring out what to do on your own. Everyone plays the game a little differently... it's up to you to figure out which way is the most fun for you.

[WOLFkraut]

Originally Posted by theworldfan

I recently bought this game due to my friends suggesting that I play it.
I tried to play it the other day and it just seemed all too overwhelming, I really like the game and I would like to get into it.

Can anyone give me ANY tips whatsoever, anything that will help me on my first playthrough?

Thanks.

You could just try "staying on rails" so to speak, just follow the main quest for a while until you get your bearings. If you just started then the first thing you should probably do is go to Megaton, if you have the main quest selected it will give you a marker pointing you to the settlement. Beyond simple things like that I'm not sure what to tell you, Fallout 3 is a big game, the whole point is to walk out of the Vault and be overwhelmed, you're 19 (I think) and have never even seen the outdoors, so it's a shock, the sun burns your eyes and all you can see is the Wastes for miles.

Just keep playing, you'll love it once you figure things out, but don't do what I did and spoil the game for yourself (if you haven't already), I made the mistake of watching lots of YouTube videos of it and while the game was still great, I knew what was going to happen and that took a little something away.

[Warstorm Lord]

If you have the DLCs, I would recommend you to go directly for the "Operation: Anchorage" questline. You'll get some level ups and nice equipment after completing this DLC, this will make your start far more comfortable.

[Skillet]

Originally Posted by Warstorm Lord

If you have the DLCs, I would recommend you to go directly for the "Operation: Anchorage" questline. You'll get some level ups and nice equipment after completing this DLC, this will make your start far more comfortable.

Operation Anchorage is extremely difficult for low-leveled players. especially if they're just starting out. I can barely get through Anchorage before hitting level 10, so I'd consider that bad advice.

[theworldfan]

Thanks a lot everyone.
I'm going to try again to play it again tomorrow while I still have time.

[xxDAMRONxx]

Do not listen to anyone that tells you to play the DLC first!!!

Enjoy the game, explore.. if you play the DLC first you will get equipment that is so powerful you will not gain the pleasure of exploration that fallout has to offer.

When you "escape" go to megaton...do about 2 of the main quest and then start exploring. Scavenge everything you can find and sell them for bottlecaps and better equipment.

MOST IMPORTANTLY: do NOT ruin the game by searching sites for clues and tips to advance and level up and get through the game quick...i promise you that if you just play casually and enjoy the game you will not regret it...this is truelly one of the best games I have ever played. Do not ruin it but seeking other peoples advice (paradoxically as I give advice), but play the game you want to and enjoy it.

[Warstorm Lord]

Originally Posted by Skillet

Operation Anchorage is extremely difficult for low-leveled players. especially if they're just starting out. I can barely get through Anchorage before hitting level 10, so I'd consider that bad advice.

It isn't at all, at least it wasn't for me and for one of my mates, who did the same, when he just got the GOTY. I wouldn't recommend that, If I wasn't 100% sure that it is possible from my own experience and from other's . Of course, you can't run and gun like a maniac. Imho, it's not an easy option, but it's the option to get a headstart. But hey, each to their own.

[CHIRUNO99]

Best place to start is at Megaton, if you deal with their bomb anyway you want to, you can net yourself a house at the end of that quest-line. A great place to store anything you pick up on your travels around the wasteland. If you get the Megaton house, buy a style pack as soon as possible, you'll get a ton of extra items from any pack.

Also, use your books AFTER you get the comprehension perk. 2 Skill points are better than 1.

[Skillet]

Originally Posted by Warstorm Lord

It isn't at all, at least it wasn't for me and for one of my mates, who did the same, when he just got the GOTY. I wouldn't recommend that, If I wasn't 100% sure that it is possible from my own experience and from other's . Of course, you can't run and gun like a maniac. Imho, it's not an easy option, but it's the option to get a headstart. But hey, each to their own.

*shrug*

I don't believe you.

[Warstorm Lord]

Originally Posted by Skillet

*shrug*

I don't believe you.

And I don't care for your ignorance. Because you're strugglin until you have >level 10 character means that it's impossible for others to beat it earlier? lol

[Skillet]

I never said I thought it was impossible. I said it was difficult, and that telling others to complete one of the harder DLCs as soon as they exit the Vault is foolish.

I really couldn't care less if you have done it or not. I was making a point that has obviously gone over your head. And now I'm done with it.

[Dz06lt]

This contains all the help you will ever need

http://fallout.wikia.com/wiki/Portal:Fallout_3

[Warstorm Lord]

@Skillet Yeah, seems like I've missunderstood you, my fault, sorry.

[zenestoc]

Sticking towards the main story at first to make yourself more comfortable with the game before you decide to branch off is a good rule of thumb to follow with this, and most RPG games.

[Frank Jaeger]

I definatly agree with the advice above, just stick to the main story at the beginning and then once you level up a few times, head out and explore for a while and just see what makes the game so memorable...