Fallout 2 SPECIAL Primary statistics . SPECIAL is an acronym of Strength , Perception , Endurance , Charisma , Intelligence , Agility and Luck . These are the seven basic attributes of every character in the game . They are used to determine the skills and available perks of the given character . Derived statistics . Derived statistics are attributes of a character which are based on ( or derived from ) the character ' s primary statistics or attributes which the player cannot influence directly . The following derived statistics exist in " Fallout 2 " : Skills . There are 18 different skill s in the game . They are ranked from 0 % to 300 % . The starting values for those skills at Level 1 are determined by the player ' s 7 basic attributes , but most of those skills would fall between 0 % and 50 % . Every time the player gains a level , he will be awarded skill points to be used to improve his skills , equal to 5 points + twice his Intelligence . The player may choose to " tag " 3 of the 18 skills . A tagged skill will improve at twice the normal rate . How high a skill can be developed is affected by the character ' s Attributes - a character with a low Intelligence will not be able to boost their Science rating as high as a character with high Intelligence , for example . As skills grow higher in rating , they begin to cost more skill points to increase . The skills in " Fallout 2 " are : Improving skills . Some NPCs can improve skills via training . Books found throughout the gameworld can improve Small Guns , First Aid , Science , Repair , and Outdoorsman skills , up to a maximum of 91 % skill value ; books are scarce early in the game , and the max cap can prevent their use later on . Vault City and San Francisco are good sources of books . Some skills can be improved while having certain items equipped . For example , equipping a lockpick would improve lock picking skills . Stimulants can also temporarily boost player ' s skills ; however , they often have adverse effects such as addiction and withdrawal . Changes from " Fallout " . Skills start off at a lower rate than the first game , and the various skills are also more important . Previously , skills like Unarmed , Doctor , and Traps were used sparingly , but now , all skills are useful to a degree . The maximum level of a skill was increased from 200 to 300 . Another notable change is that a skill , after reaching 100 % , requires more than 1 skill point to increase , up to 6 skill points per 1 % ( 2 % if the skill is tagged ) increase after 200 % . The Unarmed skill in particular was made much more sophisticated by adding different types of punches and kicks depending on the player ' s attributes and skill level . Traits . At character creation , the player may choose 2 optional trait s . Traits are special character attributes , such as " Skilled " ( which drastically increases the player ' s skills , but adds an extra level before the player may choose each perk ) , or " Jinxed " ( enemies have a greater chance of critical attack failures , but so does the player ) . A trait normally provides one beneficial and one detrimental effect , and is listed below the " Perks " section in the character sheet . Once a trait is chosen , it is impossible to change , except by using the " Mutate ! " perk which allows the player to change one trait , but only once . Perks . Perk s are special elements of the leveling system . Every 3 levels ( or every 4 if the player chose the " Skilled " Trait ) , the player is granted a perk of his choosing . Perks grant special effects , most of which are not obtainable via normal play in the game , such as letting the player take more actions per round . Unlike traits , most perks are purely beneficial - they are usually offset only by the infrequency of accquiring them . Changes from " Fallout " . Several new perks were added while most others were retained , allowing a greater degree of customization . The " Friendly Foe " perk from " Fallout " is a default feature in " Fallout 2 " .