Special Attack (Fallout: New Vegas)

Special Attacks are a series of special Melee Weapons and Unarmed moves in Fallout: New Vegas that can be used in either V.A.T.S. or in real time combat that each have unique characteristics. These attacks, which come with special animations, may allow for faster attacks, greater damage, special effects or some combination of these advantages.
==Melee Weapons==
===V.A.T.S. Special Attacks===
When the player has 50 Melee Weapons skill points, they have access to special melee attacks which consume a certain amount of action points for a variety of effects in V.A.T.S. Attacks most often couple a lower action point cost with lower damage, allowing for more attacks per V.A.T.S. round, but with a lower damage inflicted by each individual attack; a higher action point cost with greater damage, allowing for fewer, more damaging attacks; or a higher action point cost and a lower damage, but the addition of a special effect like the chance to knock down enemies.
Note that, in general, the reduction of action points expended for some special attacks does not make up for the corresponding decrease in damage, compared to usage exclusively in V.A.T.S. The only exceptions are when this reduction allows for a player to make 3 or 2 attacks in one V.A.T.S. round instead of 2 or 1.
:Note: All Unarmed/Melee attacks in V.A.T.S. double weapon's base damage.
===Special Attacks outside of V.A.T.S.===
It is possible to execute special attacks outside of V.A.T.S., without the required Melee skill of 50 to perform the moves, by initiating a power attack (hold attack button) while moving forward. Special melee attacks outside of V.A.T.S., however, don't have any special properties to them, but are considered as a standard power attack.
:Note: All Unarmed/Melee power attacks double weapon's base damage.
===Available Special Attacks===
====Back Slash====
Most one handed edged weapons have the Back Slash special attack, which, at the cost of less damage, delivers a quicker attack. This attack is a wide side swing with the weapon held in a reverse grip.
====Blood-Nap====
Blood-Nap has the Blood-nap special attack, allowing a faster attack, but causing less damage. Similar to Back Slash, this attack is a wide side swing with the weapon held in a reverse grip.
====Dirt-Nap====
The Bowie knife has the Dirt-Nap special attack, which does less damage while delivering a quicker attack. Similar to Back Slash, this attack is a wide side swing with the weapon held in a reverse grip.
====Flambé Cut====
A special attack used only by the Cosmic knife super-heated, Flambé Cut results in slightly lower base damage, but causes enemies to burst into flames for a short time. Similar to Back Slash, this attack is a wide side swing with the weapon held in a reverse grip.
====Fore!====
Unique to the golf clubs 9 iron and Nephi's golf driver is the Fore! special attack, a wide upper-cut swing similar to a golf swing; it does more damage as well as a guarantee to knock enemies down. 
====Grand Slam====
Two handed club-like weapons use the Grand Slam special attack, a wide side-swing similar to a baseball swing, which does twice as much damage but is slower to employ. 
====Inversal Scarifier====
Inversal Scarifier is a special attack used solely by the Protonic inversal axe that deals double damage at a slower attack speed. Similar to Mauler, this attack uses a spin move side-swinging the weapon around in a full circle around its user before smashing into its target.
====Lights Out====
Most one handed blunt weapons have Lights Out available as a special attack, which, while slower to use, does 25% more damage. This move is identical to the one used by super mutants with the attacker raising the weapon high above their head before swinging it down sharply onto the target.
====Long Cut====
Rippers (Ripper and Ripper (GRA)) use the special attack Long Cut, an attack which uses substantially fewer action points for more V.A.T.S. attacks per round, but only does half the damage per attack. The attacker swings their weapon in a wide arc from the side and holds the weapon against the target for an extra long attack.
====Mauler====
Most two handed melee weapons have the Mauler special attack, a slower attack which causes knock-back but does much less damage. This attack uses a spin move side-swinging the weapon around in a full circle around its user before smashing into its target.
====Nuka-Break====
The Nuka-Breaker has the special attack Nuka-Break that does the same damage as a regular attack at the cost of more actions points. Similar to Mauler, this attack uses a spin move side-swinging the weapon around in a full circle around its user before smashing into its target.
====Pain Frequency====
Pain Frequency is a special melee V.A.T.S. attack unique to the X-2 antenna that does twice normal damage but uses more action points to employ. Similar to Mauler, this attack uses a spin move side-swinging the weapon around in a full circle around its user before smashing into its target.
====Proton Electrocutioner====
The Proton axe uses the special attack Proton Electrocutioner that, while costing the user more actions points, deals out double damage. Similar to Mauler, this attack uses a spin move side-swinging the weapon around in a full circle around its user before smashing into its target.
====Scrap Heap====
Some automatic melee weapons have a special attack, Scrap Heap, that delivers a forward thrust of the weapon which does much less damage per hit, but comes with a much lower action point cost. When used with the Thermic lance, the attacker first reverses grip on the weapon, then thrusts it into their target.
====Surgical Strike====
A special attack only used by the Cosmic knife clean, Surgical Strike combines damage one and a half times normal with a greater cost in action points. Similar to Back Slash, this attack is a wide side swing with the weapon held in a reverse grip.
====Unlabored Flawlessness====
A special attack for the Katana, Unlabored Flawlessness uses a reverse grip and a powerful side-swing similar to Back Slash, causing vastly more damage but using a greater number of action points. 
====None====
The only melee weapons in Fallout: New Vegas that have no special attack are the Broad machete and all thrown melee weapons.
===Special Attack Comparison===
====Legend====
*Weapon: Fallout: New Vegas melee weapon name.
*Special Attack: Special attack available in V.A.T.S. or real-time.
*Dam mod: Amount regular damage is multiplied by.
*AP mod: Amount regular AP cost is modified by.
*Special Effect: Special effect associated with special attack.
*Normal V.A.T.S. Dam: Normal V.A.T.S damage, which is double regular damage for Fallout: New Vegas melee weapons.
*Special Attack Dam: Special attack V.A.T.S. damage, which is double regular damage, modified by the special attack damage modifier.
*Normal V.A.T.S. AP: Normal cost in action points for attack.
*Special Attack AP: Normal cost in action points for attack modified by the special attack AP cost modifier.
*Normal V.A.T.S. Dam/AP: Normal ratio of damage points dealt per action point spent.
*Special Attack Dam/AP: Ratio of damage points dealt per action point spent when using the special attack.
*Normal V.A.T.S. Dam/Rd: Normal damage dealt in one round of V.A.T.S. with an average number of 95 action points available.
*Special Attack Dam/Rd: Damage dealt in one round of V.A.T.S. with an average number of 95 action points available when using the special attack.
====Comparison table====
Weapon 	Special Attack 	Dam mod	AP mod	Special Effect 	Normal V.A.T.S Dam	Special Attack Dam	Normal V.A.T.S. AP	Special Attack AP	Normal V.A.T.S. Dam Per AP	Special Attack Dam Per AP	Normal V.A.T.S. Dam Per Rd	Special Attack Dam Per Rd
9 iron 	Fore! 	100% 	+13 	Automatic knockdown	34 	34 	22 	35 	1.55 	0.97 	136 	68
Nephi's golf driver 	Fore! 	100% 	+4 	Automatic knockdown	60 	60 	21 	25 	2.86 	2.40 	240 	180
Baseball bat(GRA) 	Grand Slam 	200% 	+10 	none 	44 	88 	25 	35 	1.76 	2.51 	132 	176
Bowie knife 	Dirt-Nap 	80% 	-8 	none 	46 	36.8 	20 	12 	2.30 	3.07 	184 	257.6
Blood-Nap 	Blood-Nap 	80% 	-7 	none 	60 	48 	17 	10 	3.53 	4.80 	300 	432
Bumper sword 	Mauler 	50% 	+10 	Knockdown chance 	64 	32 	38 	48 	1.68 	0.67 	128 	32
Blade of the East 	Mauler 	50% 	+9 	Knockdown chance 	130 	65 	35 	44 	3.71 	1.48 	260 	130
Blade of the West 	Mauler 	50% 	+9 	Knockdown chance 	120 	60 	29 	38 	4.14 	1.58 	360 	120
Cattle prod 	Lights Out 	125% 	+8 	none 	10 	12.5 	28 	36 	0.36 	0.35 	30 	25
Chainsaw(GRA) 	Scrap Heap 	50% 	-20 	none 	160 	80 	65 	45 	2.46 	1.78 	160 	160
Cleaver 	Back Slash 	70% 	-5 	none 	14 	9.8 	22 	17 	0.64 	0.58 	56 	49
Chopper 	Back Slash 	70% 	-5 	none 	28 	19.6 	22 	17 	1.27 	1.15 	112 	98
Combat knife 	Back Slash 	70% 	-3 	none 	30 	21 	17 	14 	1.76 	1.50 	150 	126
Chance's knife 	Back Slash 	70% 	-3 	none 	44 	30.8 	17 	14 	2.59 	2.20 	220 	184.4
Cosmic knife 	Back Slash 	70% 	-4 	none 	24 	16.8 	20 	16 	1.20 	1.05 	96 	84
Cosmic knife clean 	Surgical Strike 	150% 	+5 	none 	30 	45 	20 	25 	1.50 	1.80 	120 	135
Cosmic knife super-heated	Flambé Cut 	90% 	0 	2 dam(5 sec) 	28 	25.2 + 2 (5sec) 	20 	20 	1.40 	1.76 	112 	140.8
Dress cane 	Lights Out 	125% 	+8 	none 	44 	55 	27 	35 	1.63 	1.57 	132 	110
Fire axe 	Mauler 	50% 	+5 	Knockdown chance 	110 	55 	22 	27 	5.00 	2.04 	440 	165
Knock-Knock 	Mauler 	50% 	+5 	Knockdown chance 	132 	66 	21 	26 	6.29 	2.54 	528 	198
Hatchet 	Back Slash 	70% 	-5 	none 	32 	22.4 	22 	17 	1.45 	1.32 	128 	112
Katana 	Unlabored Flawlessness	250% 	+19 	none 	44 	110 	21 	40 	2.10 	2.75 	176 	220
Knife 	Back Slash 	70% 	-4 	none 	16 	11.2 	20 	16 	0.80 	0.70 	64 	56
Knife spear 	Mauler 	100% 	0 	Knockdown chance 	40 	40 	35 	35 	1.14 	1.14 	80 	80
Knife spear clean 	Mauler 	100% 	0 	Knockdown chance 	50 	50 	35 	35 	1.43 	1.43 	100 	100
Lead pipe 	Lights Out 	125% 	+6 	none 	44 	55 	24 	30 	1.83 	1.83 	132 	165
The Humble Cudgel 	Lights Out 	125% 	+9 	none 	52 	65 	21 	30 	2.48 	2.17 	208 	195
Machete 	Back Slash 	70% 	-4 	none 	22 	15.4 	20 	16 	1.10 	0.96 	88 	77
Liberator 	Back Slash 	70% 	-3 	none 	36 	25.2 	18 	15 	2.00 	1.68 	180 	151.2
Machete gladius 	Back Slash 	70% 	-4 	none 	56 	39.2 	20 	16 	2.80 	2.45 	224 	196
Nail board 	Grand Slam 	200% 	+11 	none 	50 	100 	27 	38 	1.85 	2.63 	150 	200
Old Glory 	Grand Slam 	200% 	+13 	none 	90 	180 	22 	35 	4.09 	5.14 	360 	360
Pool cue 	Grand Slam 	200% 	+11 	none 	30 	60 	27 	38 	1.11 	1.58 	90 	120
Police baton 	Lights Out 	125% 	+6 	none 	20 	25 	23 	29 	0.87 	0.86 	80 	75
Proton axe 	Proton Electrocutioner	200% 	+13 	none 	100 	200 	22 	35 	4.55 	5.71 	400 	400
Protonic inversal axe 	Inversal Scarifier 	200% 	+10 	none 	116 	232 	25 	35 	4.64 	6.63 	348 	464
Rebar club 	Mauler 	100% 	+8 	knockdown chance 	84 	84 	40 	48 	2.10 	1.75 	168 	84
Nuka Breaker 	Nuka-Break 	100% 	+7 	none 	100 	100 	35 	42 	2.86 	2.38 	200 	200
Ripper(GRA) 	Long Cut 	50% 	-20 	none 	100 	50 	65 	45 	1.54 	1.11 	100 	100
Rolling pin 	Lights Out 	125% 	+6 	none 	6 	7.5 	24 	30 	0.25 	0.25 	18 	22.5
Shishkebab 	Back Slash 	70% 	-6 	none 	80 	56 	25 	22 	2.86 	2.55 	240 	224
Gehenna 	Back Slash 	70% 	-3 	none 	84 	58.8 	25 	22 	3.36 	2.67 	252 	235.2
Shovel 	Grand Slam 	100% 	+8 	Automatic knockdown	24 	24 	28 	36 	0.86 	0.67 	72 	48
Sledgehammer 	Mauler 	50% 	+10 	Knockdown chance 	48 	24 	38 	48 	1.26 	0.50 	96 	24
Straight razor 	Back Slash 	70% 	-3 	none 	10 	7 	18 	15 	0.56 	0.47 	50 	42
Figaro 	Back Slash 	70% 	-3 	none 	16 	11.2 	17 	14 	0.94 	0.80 	80 	67.2
Super sledge 	Mauler 	50% 	+10 	Knockdown chance 	140 	70 	38 	48 	3.68 	1.46 	280 	70
Oh, Baby! 	Mauler 	50% 	+8 	Knockdown chance 	160 	80 	35 	43 	4.57 	1.86 	320 	160
Switchblade 	Back Slash 	70% 	-3 	none 	14 	9.8 	18 	15 	0.78 	0.65 	70 	58.8
Thermic lance 	Scrap Heap 	50% 	-20 	none 	200 	100 	65 	45 	3.08 	2.22 	200 	200
Tire iron 	Lights Out 	125% 	+8 	none 	30 	37.5 	27 	35 	1.11 	1.07 	90 	75
War club 	Lights Out 	125% 	+5 	none 	38 	47.5 	21 	26 	1.81 	1.83 	152 	142.5
X-2 antenna 	Pain Frequency 	200% 	+13 	none 	130 	260 	22 	35 	5.91 	7.43 	520 	520
==Unarmed==
===V.A.T.S. Special Attacks===
Starting from 50 Unarmed skill points, players gain access to special unarmed V.A.T.S. attacks which all consume 20 action points for a variety of effects.
Name 	Unarmed	AP	Damage Bonus	Notes
Stomp 	50 	20	100% 	Only on knocked down opponents
Uppercut	50 	20	15% 	
Cross 	75 	20	10% 	2.5x Increased Limb Damage
:Note: All Unarmed/Melee attacks in V.A.T.S. double weapon's base damage.
===Special Power Attacks outside of V.A.T.S.===
There are four different special moves that can be learned from different non-player characters in the game:
*Ranger Takedown attack from Ranger Andy in Novac 
*Legion Assault from Lucius at Fortification Hill
*Scribe Counter from Veronica Santangelo at 188 Trading Post
*Khan Trick from Diane at Red Rock drug lab.
Attack Name 	NPC 	Requirements 	Properties
Ranger Takedown	Ranger Andy 	Quest or Speech 30	Knock down opponents
Legion Assault 	Lucius 	Unarmed 50 	Knock back opponents
Scribe Counter 	Veronica Santangelo	Quest 	Quick counter-attack after block
Khan Trick 	Diane 	Quest 	Temporarily stun opponents by throwing dust or dirt at their eyes (requires dirt or sand ground)
:Note: All Unarmed/Melee power attacks double weapon's base damage.
Category:Combat
Category:Fallout: New Vegas gameplay
Category:Melee Weapons
de:Spezialangriff (Fallout: New Vegas)