One of the many hallmarks of modern Bethesda RPGs is the endless number of ways in which players can customize their character builds to make their playthroughs truly unique. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim employed a progression system that rewarded players as they used certain skills, while the Fallout franchise opted for the "S.P.E.C.I.A.L" system and perks, stats that could be increased through gathering EXP in the game world.

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In Fallout 76, Bethesda returns with the S.P.E.C.I.A.L. system, along with the newly introduced "Perk Cards," which allow players to create some truly powerful combinations and playstyles, especially for endgame players. Now, with the upcoming Locked & Loaded DLC allowing players to save S.P.E.C.I.A.L. loadouts, experimenting with different playstyles in the world of Fallout has never been easier.

10 The Gladiator

Recommended Perks:

• Blocker (Decreased damage from enemy melee attacks)
• Master Gladiator (Increased melee damage output)
• Lifegiver (Increased total health)
• Grim Reaper's Sprint (Kills in V.A.T.S. have a chance to restore all AP)

For players whose playstyle harkens back to the glory days of the Roman coliseum, "The Gladiator" build is perhaps one of the most optimized for close-quarters combat in Fallout 76. This build sees players take the "min-max" approach when it comes to melee combat, sacrificing adaptability in ranged situations for raw strength.

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This build boosts one-handed skills and increases a player's overall life to better handle the brutal hand-to-hand punishment they're sure to encounter. Note: the one handed-skills can be swapped for perks that boost the two-handed skills.

9 The Sniper

Recommended Perks:

• Sniper (Increases how long you can hold your breath while aiming)
• Master Rifleman (Increased damage output for non-automatic rifles)
• Longshot (Increased range and accuracy when using gun sights)
• Mister Sandman (Damage increase at night with silenced weapons)

Standing in stark contrast to the Gladiator build, "The Sniper" build is optimized for long-ranged combat. Utilizing the build's emphasis on stealth and damage modifiers, using a sniper build can turn otherwise dangerous encounters with super mutant behemoths or other big bads into a simple task. They'll never know what hit them.

8 The Assassin

Recommended Perks:

• Sneak (Players are harder to detect)
• Mister Sandman (Damage increase at night with silenced weapons)
• Secret Agent (Stealth Boys last longer)
• Master Gladiator (Increased melee damage output)

The long-lost brother of the Sniper build, "The Assassin" build is all about stealth. However, unlike the sniper build, the assassin isn't afraid to dispose of their enemies up close and personal. Stealth blades, switchblades, tire irons, and more will be an assassin's best friend. And with friends like these, who needs to worry about enemies?

7 The Jack-Of-All-Trades

Recommended Perks:

• First Aid (Stimpaks restore more health)
• Master Rifleman (Increased damage output for non-automatic weapons)
• Master Commando (Increased damage output for automatic weapons)
• Master Archer (Increased damage output for bows and crossbows)

For players who struggle to follow a specific path for the duration of the game, or simply who want the flexibility to try and test a number of different playstyles, "The Jack-Of-All-Trades" build can be a viable approach for long-time fans of the franchise and newcomers alike. While some players might also view this build as a master of none, no other build offers the same level of mixing and matching perks, or the potential to forge unusual or novel approaches to Fallout 76.

6 The Mad Scientist

Recommended Perks:

• Science Master (Level 3 energy weapons mods)
• Nerd Rage! (Increased damage resistance below 20% health)
• Robotics Expert (Hack robots with a chance to pacify them)
• Power User (Fusion Cores last significantly longer)

"The Mad Scientist" build employs a healthy mix of science, technology, and robotics perks to gain mastery over the world of science. Utilizing the game's numerous energy weapons, computer terminals, and robots as their own tools, the scientist build can be a powerful option for players who have spec-ed heavily into their intelligence S.P.E.C.I.A.L. stat.

5 The Casanova

Recommended Perks:

• Wasteland Whisperer (Pacifies wild animals)
• Philanthropist (Restores some teammates' hunger and thirst)
• Hard Bargain (Buying and selling prices are better)
• Quack Surgeon (Revive other players with alcohol)

While many interactions in Fallout 76 eventually end with the player on the wrong end of the game's many, many guns, there are in fact, alternatives to fighting. For those who simply want to avoid combat as much as possible (or get the best deals from merchants), spec-ing into charisma-related perks isn't a half-bad choice. They're also very beneficial for players who travel in groups, as some perks will aid companions as well as the player!

4 The Soldier

Recommended Perks:

• Pain Train (Damage enemies by running into them in Power Armor)
• Master Shotgunner (Increased shotgun damage output)
• Basher (Gun bashing does increased damage)
• Adrenaline (Increased damage per kill for 30 seconds)

"The Soldier" build is a master of conventional combat. Assault rifles, hand grenades, pistols, and combat knives are their domain, and they use them to the utmost effect. Coupled with a suit of power armor, and there's little that the soldier cannot do.

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Suffice it to say, the soldier is one of the best end-game classes a player can take, as the breadth of skills associated with the soldier cannot be overstated.

3 The Heavy Weapons Specialist

Recommended Perks:

• Master Heavy Gunner (Increased damage output for heavy weapons)
• Bear Arms (Heavy weapons weigh significantly less)
• Bullet Shield (Increased damage resistance when firing a heavy weapon)

Heavy weapon specialists utilize some of the most powerful weapons in-game, full stop. No other build can match the damage output of heavy weapons without the aid of perks and specializations. As such, a "Heavy Weapons Specialist" is a very viable build for any and all late and end-game players, and should be strongly considered if charging headlong into a room crowded with enemies is a priority, or if subtlety isn't.

2 The Healer

Recommended Perks:

• First Aid (Stimpaks restore more health)
• Pharmacist (RadAway removes more radiation)
• Nerd Rage! (Increased damage resistance below 20% health)
• Quack Surgeon (Revive other players with alcohol)
• Field Surgeon (Stimpaks and RadAway work much faster)

When traversing the wasteland of West Virginia, players will undoubtedly take more than their fair share of damage. To better combat these dangers, "The Healer" is a very viable build, especially in the late game. Not only will these builds be responsible for their own healing and general wellbeing, but the healing and wellbeing of their teammates (should they have them). As such, the healer needs to be able to dish out the pain, as well as heal it.

1 The Wild Card

Recommended Perks:

• Mysterious Stranger (The Mysterious Stranger occasionally aids the player in combat when using V.A.T.S.)
• Grim Reaper's Sprint (Kills in V.A.T.S. have a chance to restore all AP)
• Bloody Mess (Increased damage and enemies may occasionally explode)
• Better Criticals (Increased critical damage in V.A.T.S.)

This build is all about the luck of the draw. Random Number Generation (RNG) is the one factor that determines whether or not this build is the greatest or worst in the game. Critical hits, random drops, and visits from the Mysterious Stranger make the "Wild Card" build a delightfully random end-game experience that can be the "x-factor" in any combat situation.

NEXT: Fallout 76 Patch Has Upwards of 150 Fixes for Weapons, Crafting, and More