Trying to figure out damage

[llloyd]

So, I set up my character for a melee build, so focused on str and end. I've been taking points in Rooted and Big Leagues. But when ever I can, like a level where everything I want is still locked behind a level requirement, I've been tossing the spare points into Rifleman and Gun Nut. At level 31 I'm doing something like 260 ish points damage with a Bumper Sword upgraded to More Spikes but the best I can do with Righteous Authority is 94.Trying to figure out how to fix this so guns will do close to as much as melee for those times when I can't get up close and personal, like a roof mounted turret or some such. What perks, besides Rifleman, affect non automatic rifles, like Righteous Authority ?

[jkruse05]

There are a few perks, like Bloody Mess, that increase damage to everything. Laser weapons in general are not terribly good, and you need Science! perks to upgrade them, not Gun Nut. Keep an eye out for Combat Rifles, they tend to be the most balanced of the vanilla rifles, decent damage and decent rate of fire.

 

Also keep in mind that you are using a modded melee weapon that likely does more damage than a vanilla one would. The base damage of all non-unique, vanilla melee weapons is close to or lower than Righteous Authority's. Only the Super Sledge and Deathclaw Gauntlet are higher. If you want a ranged weapon to match your melee one, you're gonna need a modded weapon.

[llloyd]

Right, and RA is modded to the best damage that isn't automatic, and that's 94 damage. So, combat rifles, hmm, ok, I'll have to head out to Vault 81 and get the Overseer's Guardian and mod that to see what I can get out of it. At least until I get to Nuka World, if I remember there is a better rifle there. I'll limp along through Mass Fusion with just the RA when I need it, like the elevator scene when I can't melee the synths as I am stuck in the elevator. >.< Thanks.