Overview
Hello, this reference will help assist you on optimizing all of the possible PERMANENT SPECIALs in the game. (Requires all DLC)
All You Need To Know
Hello, this will help give you pointers on how to make your Courier reach his absolute peak condition for base SPECIALs.
SPECIAL points are an integral part of your Courier. It is always recommended to plan out all of your permanent SPECIALs before you play to avoid any mishaps.
In F:NV with all DLC, you are given a total of 61 potential SPECIAL points.
This is where they all originate from:
40 (Vigor Tester Machine)
10 (Intense Training)
7 (Implants)
1 (Lonesome Road)
1 (Agility only, Small Frame)
2 (Strength only, Reinforced Spine, NOT considered “base” points despite being permanent)
Here is an example of a well rounded SPECIAL build (Charisma should be treated as a dump stat, due to the presence of your Speech skill):
S: 2 + 1 (Implant) + 2 (Reinforced Spine) + 1 (Lonesome Road) + 4 (Intense Training) = 10
P: 9 + 1 (Implant) = 10
E: 9 + 1 (Implant) = 10
C: 1 + 1 (Implant) = 2
I: 9 + 1 (Implant) = 10
A: 1 + 1 (Implant) + 1 (Small Frame) + 6 (Intense Training) = 9
L: 9 + 1 (Implant = 10
(Note: you must ALWAYS have 9 BASE Endurance to obtain all implants, including Sub-Dermal Armor and Monocyte Breeder)
As you can see, one of your stats will end up as a 9 regardless of any combination (assuming you ignore charisma). This outlier can be easily offset by any armor, clothing, or drug.
Happy trails! And good luck on becoming a god amongst men.