U4GM - Fallout 76: 24 Melee Builds That Save on Ammo Costs

ObsidianOwl

If you’ve been playing Fallout 76 for a while, you know how quickly ammo can become a scarce and expensive resource, especially in the higher-level zones. Whether you’re grinding events, exploring the wasteland, or facing off against other players, relying solely on firearms can drain your caps and stash faster than you’d like. That’s why melee builds are gaining traction among players who want to conserve ammo without sacrificing combat effectiveness.

In this article, I’ll walk you through 24 melee builds that focus on maximizing damage, survivability, and efficiency—helping you save on ammo costs while still dominating the battlefield. As someone who’s tested many different setups, I’ve found these builds to be both practical and enjoyable. And for those who want to supplement their gameplay by stocking up on resources, the best site to buy Fallout 76 items, like powerful melee weapons and repair kits, can make a huge difference. Plus, if you ever need to buy Fallout 76 caps cheap, sites like U4GM offer a reliable way to keep your inventory stocked without breaking the bank.

Why Go Melee in Fallout 76?

Melee builds shine because they don’t rely on bullets or energy cells, which are often limited and costly. With the right perks, weapons, and armor, you can disarm enemies quickly, deal significant damage, and avoid wasting precious ammo. Plus, melee combat often encourages a more tactical approach—using stealth, positioning, and timing to outplay foes.

Key Perks for Melee Builds

Before jumping into specific builds, here are some perks every melee player should consider:

• Iron Fist: Increases unarmed damage, essential for fist-based builds.
  
• Big Leagues: Boosts melee weapon damage.
  
• Nerd Rage!: Provides damage resistance when health is low, improving survivability.
  
• Blocker: Reduces incoming melee damage, great for tanky setups.
  
• Adrenaline: Grants increased damage after consecutive kills.
  
• Lone Wanderer: If you prefer solo play, this perk boosts damage resistance and AP regeneration.
  
• Unstoppable: Reduces stagger, which keeps your melee flow smooth.
  
  

Top 24 Melee Builds to Try

• Unarmed Powerhouse – Focuses on Iron Fist and heavy gauntlets for raw punch damage.
  
• Sledgehammer Smash – Uses Big Leagues and a modded sledgehammer for crowd control.
  
• Stealth Blade – Combines stealth perks with a Bowie knife for high sneak attack damage.
  
• Tank Brawler – Heavy armor and Blocker perks for soaking damage and dealing it back.
  
• Adrenaline Frenzy – Stacks Adrenaline for explosive damage bursts.
  
• Lone Wanderer Berserker – Perfect for solo runs with high damage and AP regen.
  
• Melee Sniper Hybrid – Combines ranged sneak attacks with close-range melee finishers.
  
• Throwing Weapons Expert – Uses throwing knives and melee for a versatile approach.
  
• Slashing Raider – Fast attacks with a machete or combat knife, maximizing speed.
  
• Unstoppable Juggernaut – Focuses on stagger resistance and heavy melee weapons.
  
• Berserk Gauntlet – Uses power fists and Berserker perk for critical hits.
  
• Quick Reflexes – High agility build with perks to improve hit chances and evasion.
  
• Power Armor Brawler – Melee in power armor with perks to boost strength and damage.
  
• Rad Resistance Fighter – Uses radiation-based melee weapons combined with Rad resistance perks.
  
• Explosive Melee – Integrates explosive melee weapon mods for area damage.
  
• Speed Demon – Prioritizes attack speed and AP regeneration.
  
• Nerd Rage Tank – Uses Nerd Rage and Blocker for surviving tough encounters.
  
• Feral Melee – Embraces stealth and critical hits with low detection.
  
• Heavy Weapon Brawler – Mixes heavy melee weapons with strength perks.
  
• Energy Melee Hybrid – Combines energy weapons and melee for hybrid combat.
  
• Melee and Medic – Focuses on survivability with healing perks.
  
• Shock Melee – Uses shock damage melee weapons for stunning enemies.
  
• Revenant – Builds around health regen and counterattacks.
  
• Bloodthirsty Assassin – Combines stealth, critical damage, and quick kills.
  
  

Final Thoughts

Melee builds offer a refreshing alternative to the traditional gun-heavy playstyle in Fallout 76. Not only do they help you conserve ammo, but they also add a new layer of challenge and strategy to your gameplay. If you’re looking to gear up or stock up without emptying your caps, remember that the best site to buy Fallout 76 items can give you an edge. And for those moments when you need more caps to afford upgrades, the option to buy Fallout 76 caps cheap from trustworthy sellers like U4GM is always there.

What’s your favorite melee build? Have you tried any of the ones above? Feel free to share your experiences or tips—melee combat is as much about personal style as it is about raw stats.