Introduction
Few weapons in the vast and often unforgiving wasteland of Fallout 4 offer the same blend of stealth, speed, and tactical precision as The Deliverer. This isn’t just another pistol; it’s a carefully crafted instrument of liberation, a tool favored by those who operate in the shadows, and a testament to the ingenuity of the Railroad faction. Whether you’re a seasoned veteran of the Commonwealth or a fresh-faced survivor emerging from Vault one-eleven, understanding the potential of the Deliverer can dramatically alter your gameplay experience. This article will explore why the Deliverer remains a fan favorite, dissect its unique advantages, discuss how to acquire it, and offer guidance on how to master this exceptional weapon.
Acquiring Liberation: The Tradecraft Quest
The journey to acquiring the Deliverer begins with a mission, one that will introduce you to the clandestine world of the Railroad, a group dedicated to aiding synths seeking freedom from the Institute. The quest, appropriately titled “Tradecraft,” is initiated by overhearing rumors or stumbling upon the Railroad headquarters hidden beneath the Old North Church in Boston. To unveil their secret, you must follow the Freedom Trail, a historical landmark marked by a series of numbered markers leading to the church. The markers are somewhat dilapidated and can be easy to miss, especially in the more combat-heavy sections of the trail, so keep your eyes peeled.
Once inside the Old North Church, navigate the winding corridors and decipher the coded message on the dial, spelling out “RAILROAD.” This will reveal a hidden entrance to the Railroad’s base of operations. Upon meeting with Desdemona, the Railroad’s leader, you’ll be tasked with a mission to prove your loyalty and skills.
The mission itself involves infiltrating a former safehouse now occupied by a group of raiders. The Railroad wants you to retrieve valuable information from a terminal within the safehouse. This mission presents a significant test of your stealth abilities, as the safehouse is heavily guarded. However, it’s more than manageable even at a relatively low level. The raiders are fairly standard enemies, and the environment offers multiple opportunities for stealth takedowns.
Upon completing the Tradecraft mission and returning to the Railroad, Tinker Tom will present you with The Deliverer as a reward for your service. This marks the beginning of a beautiful and potentially deadly partnership.
Analyzing the Arsenal: Stats and Unique Attributes
The Deliverer is a ten millimeter pistol boasting a respectable base damage, decent fire rate, and moderate range. However, these standard stats don’t tell the whole story. The true power of The Deliverer lies in its unique legendary effect: “Improved VATS hit chance, twenty-five percent less AP cost.” This single attribute transforms the weapon into a VATS-focused powerhouse.
VATS, or Vault-Tec Assisted Targeting System, allows you to slow down time and target specific body parts of your enemies with a percentage-based hit chance. The Deliverer’s reduced AP cost means you can perform significantly more VATS shots in a single sequence. This is particularly beneficial for stealth builds, allowing you to eliminate multiple targets before they even have a chance to react.
The increased VATS hit chance further enhances the weapon’s accuracy, making it incredibly reliable even at longer ranges, especially when coupled with appropriate modifications.
The Advantages of Precision: Why The Deliverer Excels
The Deliverer’s effectiveness stems from its synergy with several core gameplay mechanics in Fallout 4. It truly excels in the following areas:
Stealth Gameplay
The reduced AP cost in VATS is a game-changer for stealth characters. You can target multiple enemies with precise shots to the head or other vulnerable areas before they detect you. Furthermore, the Deliverer comes equipped with a suppressor, reducing its noise signature and making it even harder for enemies to pinpoint your location.
VATS-Focused Builds
The Deliverer is tailor-made for characters specializing in VATS. Perks like Gunslinger, Action Boy/Girl, Critical Banker, and Better Criticals synergize perfectly with the weapon, allowing you to deliver devastating critical hits with increased frequency and accuracy. Imagine unleashing a flurry of critical headshots in VATS, decimating your enemies before they can even raise their weapons.
Early-Game Powerhouse
The fact that you can acquire The Deliverer relatively early in the game is a significant advantage. It provides a reliable and powerful weapon option at a point where many other weapons are either too weak or too difficult to obtain. It’s effective against raiders, ghouls, and other common early-game enemies, giving you a distinct edge in combat.
Ammo Abundance
Ten millimeter ammunition is relatively common throughout the Commonwealth, ensuring that you won’t run out of ammo as easily as you might with rarer ammo types. This allows you to use the Deliverer frequently without worrying about resource scarcity.
Customization Options
The Deliverer, like most weapons in Fallout 4, is highly customizable. You can modify the barrel, grip, muzzle, sights, and magazine to tailor the weapon to your specific playstyle. A long barrel will increase its range, while a larger magazine will allow for sustained fire in prolonged engagements. Experimenting with different modifications is key to unlocking the full potential of the Deliverer.
Acknowledging Limitations: Drawbacks and Considerations
Despite its numerous advantages, The Deliverer isn’t without its limitations. Understanding these drawbacks is crucial for making informed decisions about your weapon loadout and playstyle.
Lower Damage Output
Compared to some other pistols and rifles, the Deliverer’s base damage is relatively low. This means that it may take more shots to kill tougher enemies, especially at higher levels.
Late-Game Scaling
While effective in the early game, The Deliverer may require more investment in perks to remain viable in the late game. You’ll need to maximize your critical hit damage and VATS accuracy to compensate for its lower base damage.
Limited Range
While modifications can improve its range, the Deliverer is primarily a close-to-medium range weapon. Engaging enemies at longer distances can be challenging, requiring precise aiming and strategic positioning.
Ammunition Consumption in VATS
While the reduced AP cost allows for more VATS shots, relying too heavily on VATS can quickly deplete your ammunition reserves. It’s important to manage your ammo effectively and use VATS strategically.
Crafting Your Combatant: Builds and Playstyles
The Deliverer shines in the hands of players who embrace specific builds and playstyles. Here are a few examples:
The Stealth Assassin
This build focuses on maximizing stealth, VATS accuracy, and critical hit damage. Key perks include Sneak, Mister Sandman, Gunslinger, Ninja, and Better Criticals. Armor with shadowed modifications further enhances your stealth capabilities. This build allows you to eliminate enemies silently and efficiently from the shadows.
The Gunslinger
This is a more general pistol build that emphasizes damage and accuracy. Perks like Gunslinger, Action Boy/Girl, Gun Nut, and Bloody Mess are essential. This build relies on quick reflexes and accurate aiming to dispatch enemies in real-time combat.
The VATS Specialist
This build prioritizes AP regeneration and VATS accuracy. Perks like Action Boy/Girl, Grim Reaper’s Sprint, Four Leaf Clover, and Critical Banker are crucial. This build allows you to chain VATS attacks and unleash devastating critical hits in rapid succession.
Experiment with different perk combinations and armor choices to find a build that suits your playstyle and maximizes the Deliverer’s potential.
Echoes of Freedom: The Deliverer and the Railroad
The Deliverer is more than just a weapon; it’s a symbol of the Railroad’s mission to liberate synths from the Institute. The Railroad operates in the shadows, providing safe passage and new identities to synths seeking freedom. The Deliverer, with its emphasis on stealth and precision, perfectly reflects the Railroad’s clandestine methods. While the exact history of the weapon within the Fallout universe remains somewhat shrouded in mystery, it’s clear that it represents the values of freedom, hope, and liberation that the Railroad embodies. Its name itself, “The Deliverer,” speaks volumes about its intended purpose.
Final Verdict: A Weapon of Choice
The Deliverer is a unique and exceptionally useful weapon in Fallout 4, particularly for players who favor stealth and VATS-focused builds. Its reduced AP cost, enhanced accuracy, and suppressor make it a formidable tool in the hands of a skilled operator. While it may not be the highest-damage weapon in the game, its versatility and synergy with various perks and playstyles make it a valuable addition to any arsenal.
So, is The Deliverer worth getting? Absolutely. It’s obtainable relatively early in the game, highly customizable, and incredibly effective when used correctly. It is ideally suited for players who enjoy playing as stealthy assassins, VATS-focused specialists, or simply those who appreciate a reliable and accurate pistol.
What are your experiences with The Deliverer? Share your favorite builds, modifications, and combat strategies in the comments below! What makes it a staple in your Fallout four playthrough?
