How can I reduce intelligence by 10?

[stebbinsd]

I'm currently contemplating doing a modless playthrough on Survival mode. That means that any suggestions you give me can't require the use of mods or console commands; it's all 100% clean-as-a-whistle.

 

I'm wanting to use Idiot Savant as a main perk, since I've been told that, at low intelligence, I can actually gain experience faster overall than if I have maximum intelligence.

 

However, survival mode also highly recommends the use of such perks as gun nut, scrapper, and science. These all require very high intelligence to make.

 

I know I can have passive debuffs in my Special Stats by purposefully getting addicted to chems. But only the extremely rare Daddy-O provides a debuff to intelligence upon addiction. X-Cell also does that, but aside from it being even rarer than Daddy-O, the fact that it reduces ALL my special stats means it would do more harm than good in my intended playthrough.

 

Is there any way to passively reduce my intelligence low enough that Idiot Savant will do what it's supposed to do (level me up faster than high intelligence would), while at the same time giving me access to to the high-intelligence perks that I need to survive?

Edited October 16, 2016 by stebbinsd

[iXenite]

I think you're just going to have to make a choice between Idiot Savant and being more prepared for Survival Mode. If it helps, you could start with Idiot Savant and just gradually level up your S.P.E.C.I.A.L skills to get those other perks.

[AnvilOfWar]

The difference between Intelligence and Idiot Savant is negligible. Idiot Savant would be useful even to high Intelligence builds since it still does process.

 

This said however, my feelings are that the perk itself is useless. With no level cap, what's the rush for added EXP? You will get EXP in spades in Fallout 4.

 

First you need to devote 4 of your starting build points into Luck, which unless you LIVE in V.A.T.S -all- the time, is itself a waste.

 

Secondly unless you want to invest into Luck perks -early- in your game those points aren't doing much for you.

 

I prefer to take perks like: sneak, lockpick, hacker, gun nut, armorer, rifleman, science in the first 20 or so levels. Staggered in such a way that you will always try to get the current highest maximum perk when it become available. Example of the first 15~ levels: #2 Gun Nut, #3 Armorer, #4 Sneak, #5 Sneak (second rank @5+), #6 Lockpick, #7 Lockpick (Second Rank @7+), #8 Hacker, #9 Hacker (Second Rank @9+), #10 Rifleman, #11 Rifleman (Second Rank @9+), #12 Sneak (third rank @12+), #13 Gun Nut (second rank @13+), #14 Armorer (second rank @13+), #15 science. By having a base of sneak, lockpick, and hacker early one can get into more terminals and locked doors/boxes and accrue quite a bit of added loot/caps and exp all by getting the stuff you already want to get. The crafting skills of Gun Nut/Armorer and Science will serve you well depending on what type of weapon you want to use, and has added bonuses for those that like to construct settlements. Honestly I have never found a need for Idiot Savant in all the games I have played, and 95% of those where on Survival settings of some point or update.

[robhartman9]

player.setav intelligence 1 (other bonuses will apply)

 

player.modav intelligence -10 (exactly what you asked for)

 

player.forceav intelligence 1 (forces value to 1)

[iXenite]

player.setav intelligence 1 (other bonuses will apply)

 

player.modav intelligence -10 (exactly what you asked for)

 

player.forceav intelligence 1 (forces value to 1)

 

The OP literally said he doesn't want any replies to include mods or console command solutions. They are contemplating doing a 100% Vanilla playthrough.

[Moksha8088]

Perhaps you could reduce your intelligence by removing your hand from the mouse and turning on the Fox News Channel.

 

As far as in-game, when you build your character, take any SPECIAL points away from intelligence and place them into the categories of your choice.

Edited October 20, 2016 by Moksha8088

[robhartman9]

sorry I missed the no console commands I don't really consider that a mod. I did my first playthrough without any mods or otherwise cheating but it would have been impossible not to use console commands for debugging. The first helicopter ride crashed every time I tried it and had to use setstage just to progress the game. To me playing a beth game without the occasional use of the tilde key is inconceivable.

[iXenite]

sorry I missed the no console commands I don't really consider that a mod. I did my first playthrough without any mods or otherwise cheating but it would have been impossible not to use console commands for debugging. The first helicopter ride crashed every time I tried it and had to use setstage just to progress the game. To me playing a beth game without the occasional use of the tilde key is inconceivable.

 

I would have to agree with you. The console is certainly a very helpful tool, though I usually only use it for debugging stuff on modded playthroughs as those are usually more buggy than the base game for me. Or rather it is more annoyingly buggy than the base game.

[Moksha8088]

There are good console commands and bad console commands.

 

Good ones are like TCL when you inevitably get stuck in a bad mesh or rock crevice or TM and TFC when you are taking a screenshot.

 

Bad ones are like announcing to your Xbox or PS4 that you are now God-Emperor of Earth and that you command them to work as agents for both the Institute and the Brotherhood of Steel.

 

:wink:

[robhartman9]

I use TGM for placing water markers. It takes a lot of water bottles to fill a swimming pool.