Fallout 76: 17 Loadouts Built Around Melee Mastery

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If you’re the kind of Wastelander who prefers swinging a Super Sledge over spraying bullets, Fallout 76 offers plenty of ways to build around melee combat. Whether you enjoy the brute-force style of a Power Fist or the elegant speed of a Blade of Bastet, these 17 loadouts emphasize close-quarters dominance, leveraging perks, armor, and legendary effects to turn you into an unstoppable melee machine.

1. Power Fist Powerhouse
Combine the Power Fist with Martial Artist and Iron Fist perks for devastating punches. Add Incisor and Blocker for armor penetration and damage resistance.

2. Slasher Commando Hybrid
Use a one-handed melee weapon with stealth perks from the Commando tree. This loadout shines in sneak attacks while allowing for quick getaways.

3. Unyielding Berserker
Equip Unyielding armor and keep your health low. Pair it with Bloodied weapons and the Adrenaline perk for insane damage scaling.

4. Juggernaut's Juggernaut
Use a high-health build with Juggernaut’s legendary melee weapons. Stack health boosts with Lifegiver and Rejuvenated to maximize damage.

5. Stealth Blade Build
Combine Covert Operative, Escape Artist, and Sneak with a fast one-handed weapon like the Cultist Blade for silent but deadly strikes.

6. Gladiator Tank
Go full tank with Power Armor and a heavy melee weapon like the Super Sledge. Pain Train helps you initiate with a knockdown rush.

7. Vampire Survivalist
Use a Vampire’s effect melee weapon and stack Dodgy, Ricochet, and Serendipity. This loadout keeps you alive even in drawn-out fights.

8. Bladed Brute
Two-handed weapons like the Grognak’s Axe pair well with Sluggers perks. Focus on high Strength and armor penetration for raw damage output.

9. Mutant’s Melee Mayhem
Use a Mutant’s weapon while maintaining positive mutations like Marsupial and Herd Mentality. Boost damage with Twisted Muscles.

10. Poison Fang Build
Poison-infused weapons like the Cultist Dagger benefit from stealth and DOT-focused perks. Ideal for PvP surprise attacks.

11. Executioner’s Enforcer
Executioner’s melee weapons become lethal when enemies are below half health. Pair this with Nerd Rage and Adrenaline for fast cleanup.

12. Friendly Fist Fighter
A pacifist-style melee build that works well in team scenarios. Focus on survivability, team buffs, and area knockdowns over lethal damage.

13. Bloodied Sneak Striker
Low HP + Bloodied weapon + Sneak perks = instant takedowns. Equip Unyielding armor and activate stealth before every fight.

14. Shocking Brawler
Add electrical damage to your fists with Power Armor mods. Power User and Electric Absorption add utility and sustainability.

15. Ironclad Shredder
Use an Auto Axe with shredder mods and Power Armor. Stack Stabilized, Heavy Gunner, and One Gun Army for absurd stagger potential.

16. Stimpak Assassin
Rely on fast weapons and Dodgy to avoid damage. Constant healing via Field Surgeon and Born Survivor helps you stay aggressive.

17. PvP Disruptor Loadout
Focus on crowd control. Use Incisor, Blocker, and fast attack speed with staggering weapons to lock down human opponents in PvP zones.

No matter your preference, melee combat in Fallout 76 remains one of the most satisfying ways to experience the game. It’s personal, fast-paced, and rewards smart perk management and strategic planning.

If you're looking to experiment with these builds without grinding endlessly, there are Fallout 76 items for sale PC through legitimate player trading hubs. And when you're trying out new builds, it’s always worth picking up some Cheap Fallout 76 Caps to afford armor mods, plans, or that perfect legendary roll from Purveyor Murmrgh.

Just remember: the best melee build is the one that feels right for your playstyle. Test, tweak, and enjoy the wasteland on your own terms.