U4GM - Complete Guide: Fallout 76 Stealth Builds Explained (Perks, Weapons & Tips)
Stealth builds in Fallout 76 offer a thrilling playstyle, allowing you to eliminate enemies before they even detect you. Whether you prefer sniping from a distance or silently taking down foes with melee weapons, a well-optimized stealth build can make you nearly undetectable. In this guide, we’ll break down the best perks, weapons, and strategies to maximize your stealth efficiency—along with some personal insights from my own gameplay.
Why Choose a Stealth Build?
Stealth builds excel in both PvE and PvP scenarios by minimizing enemy aggression while maximizing damage output. With the right setup, you can clear high-level areas with ease, farm legendary enemies efficiently, and even dominate in PvP encounters. Plus, stealth builds often require fewer resources since you avoid prolonged combat.
Essential Perks for Stealth Builds
Agility Perks
Sneak (3★): Reduces detection chance, making it harder for enemies to spot you.
Escape Artist (1★): Crouching removes enemy detection instantly—crucial for repositioning.
Covert Operative (3★): Increases sneak attack damage with ranged weapons by 2.5x at max rank.
Mister Sandman (3★): Boosts silenced weapon damage at night—great for nocturnal assassins.
Perception Perks
Rifleman/Commando (3★ each): Depending on your weapon choice, these perks increase non-automatic or automatic rifle damage.
Concentrated Fire (1-3★): Improves VATS accuracy, essential for long-range sniping.
Luck Perks
Better Criticals (3★): Enhances critical hit damage—perfect for stacking with sneak attacks.
Critical Savvy (3★): Reduces critical hit cost in VATS, allowing for more frequent crits.
Best Weapons for Stealth Builds
Ranged Options
The Fixer: A suppressed combat rifle with built-in stealth bonuses.
Lever Action Rifle: High damage per shot, ideal for VATS crit builds.
Handmade Rifle (Suppressed): Versatile and deadly in automatic or semi-auto configurations.
Melee Options
Combat Knife (Stealth Blade): Fast attacks with high sneak multipliers.
Deathclaw Gauntlet: Devastating power attacks when paired with Ninja (3★).
Armor & Modifications
Shadowed Armor: Reduces detection range.
Chameleon Legendary Effect: Grants invisibility while crouched and stationary.
Ultra-Light Build Mod: Increases AP for more VATS usage.
Tips for Maximizing Stealth
Stay Crouched: Always crouch to maintain stealth.
Use Suppressors: All weapons should be suppressed to avoid breaking stealth.
Manage Your Weight: Carry weight affects stealth; avoid over-encumbrance.
Nighttime Advantage: Mister Sandman boosts damage at night—plan your attacks accordingly.
Invest in Fallout 76 Caps: Upgrading gear and buying stealth-related mods requires a steady supply of Fallout 76 Caps. If you're short, you can always buy Fallout 76 Caps to speed up your progress.
Personal Experience
Running a stealth sniper build has been my favorite way to tackle Fallout 76’s toughest content. With a suppressed Gauss Rifle and full Unyielding armor, I’ve taken down Scorchbeasts before they could even locate me. The key is patience—positioning and timing matter more than raw DPS.
Final Adjustments
If you’re struggling with detection, try stacking Agility bonuses (Unyielding armor, food buffs) and always prioritize silenced weapons. With the right setup, you’ll become the ultimate ghost of Appalachia.