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If you’re looking to dominate Appalachia with up-close brutality, melee builds in Fallout 76 remain some of the most rewarding and efficient ways to play. Whether you prefer stealthy knife kills, sledgehammer smashes, or unarmed devastation, these 17 builds focus on squeezing every bit of damage out of your melee approach. Here’s a guide for players who want to maximize their potential and survive anything the Wasteland throws at them.

1. Bloodied Melee BerserkerUse low health with the Bloodied legendary effect for massive bonus damage. Combine Unyielding armor and perks like Nerd Rage and Adrenaline to hit harder the closer you are to death. Great for high-risk, high-reward play.

2. Power Armor Slugger BuildFocus on two-handed weapons with the Slugger perks, all while protected by Power Armor. This is a tanky choice that trades stealth for raw, consistent damage and durability.

3. Unarmed ChampionEmbrace the Iron Fist perk line with unarmed weapons like Power Fists or the Deathclaw Gauntlet. Martial Artist and Incisor further boost your attack speed and armor penetration.

4. Stealth Knife AssassinUse light armor or Secret Service armor with Chameleon or Weightless mods. Suppressed melee attacks from weapons like the Cultist Blade or Bowie Knife allow you to one-shot many enemies in stealth.

5. Vampire’s SurvivalistLeverage the Vampire’s legendary effect on melee weapons to heal with every hit. Paired with Lifegiver and Fireproof, you’ll become incredibly hard to kill.

6. Junkie’s Heavy HitterStack addictions to maximize the Junkie’s effect. Works well with both one- and two-handed weapons. Pharma Farma and Chem Fiend help you sustain the chem use that powers this build.

7. Instigating Sneak StrikerInstigating doubles damage on full-health targets, perfect for sneak critical hits. Combine with Covert Operative and Escape Artist to stay hidden while striking.

8. Commando Hybrid MeleeWhile primarily ranged, some players build a hybrid that uses Commando perks for rifles while also investing in melee perks for close encounters. Very adaptable in daily ops or events.

9. No Power Armor BarbarianRely purely on Barbarian and Blocker in the Strength tree, with heavy investment in endurance and health regeneration perks. Makes for a classic Wasteland warrior look and feel.

10. Speed Demon Psycho MeleeMutations like Speed Demon and Marsupial plus Adrenal Reaction can be game changers for fast, lethal attacks. Combine with Class Freak and Starched Genes for reliability.

11. One-Handed DuelistFocus on Gladiator perks and one-handed weapons like the Combat Knife or Shishkebab. Faster swings mean more procs of Vampire’s or Bloodied damage.

12. Blunt Force TraumaTwo-handed blunt weapons like Super Sledge with the Slugger perk line deliver huge stagger and knockdown potential, making them ideal for crowd control.

13. Anti-Armor ExecutionerThis combo is extremely effective against bosses. Anti-Armor reduces resistances, while Executioner’s doubles damage below 40 percent health. Pairs well with chem stacking for boss fights.

14. Enclave Assassin BuildCombine stealth melee with the Enclave Flamer mod for extra intimidation factor. Works best with VATS-enhanced weapons and high Agility.

15. Tanky Blocker BuildMax Blocker and Ironclad while using Power Armor or dense armor mods. Even in melee, you’ll barely feel enemy hits, making it great for solo play.

16. Fire Damage SpecialistUse the Shishkebab or heated mods with Incendiary effects. Pyromaniac-style builds add flair and great area-of-effect potential against groups.

17. Pure Roleplay Melee RaiderFor players who want immersion, combine Raider armor with melee-only perks and weapons. Use a Raider sword or Tire Iron for thematic play while still hitting hard.

These builds can be mixed and matched depending on your preferred playstyle and gear. It’s also worth noting that finding or trading for top-tier melee weapons can make a huge difference. Players often look for Fallout 76 Items for sale in trusted communities to round out their loadouts. Likewise, farming caps is a big part of the game economy—knowing the Best Place to buy Fallout 76 Caps can save you time if you’re looking to quickly gear up for these melee builds.

Ultimately, melee remains one of the most satisfying ways to explore Fallout 76. With the right perks, weapons, and armor mods, you’ll turn the Wasteland into your own personal arena. Grab your favorite weapon and get smashing.