In Fallout 4, melee combat is significantly enhanced through a variety of melee weapons and their accompanying legendary effects, which introduce unique Special Attack abilities. These abilities expand the potential strategies for dealing damage, allowing players to choose weapons that fit their combat style and the enemies they face. Below, we explore the different types of special attacks available with select melee weapons, alongside their effects.

Key Special Attack Types with Examples

| Special Attack Type | Example Weapon | Effect Description |
|———————————|———————————–|————————————————————|
| Bleed + Poison | Pickman’s Blade | Inflicts both bleed and poison effects, causing continuous damage over time with each hit. This makes engagements with enemies particularly punitive over duration. |
| Fire Damage | Shishkebab | Each strike not only deals regular melee damage but also ignites the target, adding fire damage and potentially causing panic among foes due to the flames. |
| Electrified Damage | Modified Machetes/Chinese Officer Sword | Grants additional energy damage on hits, making it effective against a wide range of enemies and boosting overall damage output through electric shocks. |
| Robot-Specific Bonus Damage | Chinese Officer Sword (General Chow’s Revenge) | Delivers a substantial 50% increase in damage against robotic enemies, making it an ideal choice for encounters with Synths and other mechanical foes. |
| High Raw Damage | Rocket Sledgehammer | Delivers extremely high raw melee damage while being usable in power armor, although it lacks the elemental or status effects seen in other weapons. This weapon is especially formidable but straightforward in its assault approach. |

Additional Combat Enhancements

Some melee weapons in Fallout 4 are not only defined by their raw damage or special effects but also by how they influence tactical combat through debilitation or status effects. The emphasis on bleed and poison variations introduces a layer of strategy, compelling players to choose when and against whom to engage, depending on the weapon’s effect.

Moreover, while direct special active melee “command” attacks similar to VATS moves are not prevalent, certain perks like Blitz allow melee users to leap across distances to strike enemies, further bolstering melee gameplay dynamics. This blend of perks and weapon effects encourages creative combat solutions and enhances the visceral, gritty nature of melee encounters in the game.

In summary, the variety of melee weapons in Fallout 4 allows players to customize their approach to combat significantly. From inflicting elemental damage to dealing increased damage against specific enemy types, the choices available foster diverse and tactical gameplay strategies, enabling players to discover new ways to overcome challenges in the Commonwealth.