As one of the best modern RPGs, Fallout: New Vegas allows the player to play the game in all sorts of different and exciting ways. It not only has a robust and highly customizable character creation system but a whole host of well-designed questlines in which the player's choices are extremely impactful. For these reasons, the game has become well regarded for its replay value.
New playthroughs allow for different character builds and choices that shape the player's experience. Many of the role-playing tropes that have spawned from this, such as the 'low intelligence' playthrough, have become widely attempted by fans of the game. There are, of course, many more to try out on initial or subsequent playthroughs of Fallout: New Vegas.
8 The NCR Loyalist
Everyone knows that the NCR (New California Republic) is one of the primary in-game factions. The main quests, as well as many of the side quests, all feature them in some capacity. Though the player is not required to, one of the major decisions they must make is whether to side with them or not. Bearing this in mind, siding with the NCR is a very common gameplay choice among players.
This doesn't just mean joining their side at the final battle of hoover dam, however, this can mean keeping their monorail safe, helping to train the troops at camp Golf, or providing aid to camp Forlorn Hope for example. The general rule is that the player commits to supporting the NCR's operations in the Mojave Wasteland.
7 Devoted Follower of Caesar
Caesar's Legion is one of the main factions of New Vegas just like the NCR or Mr. House. They, however, are very different from them in almost every way. They are a post-apocalyptic reflection of the Roman Empire at its ugliest; merciless warriors and slavers bent on conquering every inch of the Mojave through sheer brutality.
Playing as a Legion character tends to have some crossover with psychopath playthroughs because of how bloodthirsty the faction is. Players would do well to make a strong and intimidating character, so perks like Terrifying Presence with a high Strength skill are highly recommended. The Legion also frowns upon most advanced technology, so say goodbye to guns and hello to melee weapons and melee centric skills/perks.
6 The Greedy Opportunist
Sometimes it's just about the money. This is a playthrough that's predicated on only doing things if it means some sort of reward for the player. After all, what use does the goodness of one's heart have in a savage, untamed wasteland filled with all sorts of bloodthirsty creatures and psychotic raiders? It's playthroughs like this where high speech and luck skills are recommended so as to get as big a reward as possible for quests, as well as to potentially reduce the amount of money the player might have to pay an NPC for something in return.
This also means doing quests for more than one faction rather than picking a side for much of the game. If their money is good, then why not? With the help of Yes Man, the player can even take all of New Vegas for themselves, making it the ultimate reward, and a perfect way to conclude this playthrough.
5 The Science Geek
One of the more common Fallout role-playing tropes is the science nerd, where the player is good at science and crafting-related skills but nothing else. For example, this would mean high Science and Medicine skills but low Barter and Speech skills. As far as SPECIAL stats go, stats like Intelligence and Perception are high but others such as Strength and Charisma are low.
This build results in a character who isn't as dangerous with guns or melee weapons but can hack computers, make ammo and chems, and in general use their intelligence to solve problems during quests rather than rely on other methods.
4 The Man with No Name
It's a good thing that New Vegas does such a great job at being a sort of neo-western, otherwise, it'd be difficult to role play as a Clint Eastwood-type gunslinger. The type that wanders the wasteland alone, going from settlement to settlement with mysterious intentions. This playthrough is obviously going to require high Guns and Survival skills as well as high Perception, Endurance, and Strength.
It is also recommended that the player sticks to "cowboy" weapons such as the .357 Magnum Revolver or the various 'repeaters' and similarly themed attire like the Bounty Hunter Duster and Desperado Cowboy Hat.
3 Pacifist Playthrough
Using violence to solve problems can get a bit tiresome at times. For this reason, the well-known 'pacifist' or 'non-violence' playthrough can be a welcome change of pace for players who feel this way. New Vegas allows the player to build their character in such a way that their skills in weaponry of any kind are so low that they wouldn't be worth using.
Other skills like Speech, Stealth, Medicine, Science, and/or Survival can be emphasized in their place, allowing for a radically different experience. This means the player is given ample opportunity to solve problems in ways not involving a weapon or violence of any kind.
2 Psychotic Wasteland Raider
In contrast to the pacifist playthrough where the goal is to always avoid violence, the raider playthrough trope is all about solving problems with violence. This means stealing from or murdering anyone the player wishes with an air of psychotic glee. A playthrough like this also means a whole lot of chem usage, even to the point of addiction, and wearing the typical garb of a raider.
Some factions, like the Powder Gangers and Great Khans, are joinable and make for a fitting home for a raider character. Both factions have moderate questlines to occupy the player's time as a bloodthirsty raider.
1 The Low Intelligence Playthrough
Being a dummy can be a lot of fun. That's why so many players attempt the low intelligence playthrough. Of course, a lot of that has to do with how New Vegas rewards intelligence, to begin with, or in this case a lack thereof. Players with a low enough intelligence will get special, "reverse intelligence" options when talking to NPCs during certain quests, allowing for new and interesting ways to complete objectives.
Being a dumb character doesn't just have to be limited to the build itself; The player may also wear funny clothing (or none at all), carry certain weapons (such as Boxing Gloves), or have a whacky backstory created by the player to help inform choices during quests.
Fallout: New Vegas is available on PS3, Xbox 360, and PC.