How to Use V.A.T.S. in Fallout 3 and New Vegas

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

If you love playing Fallout 3 but aren't sure how to use V.A.T.S (Vault-Tec Assisted Targeting System) then this guide will help you. V.A.T.S is useful when you are being attacked by an enemy far away or that is stronger as it works on a percentage hit system. This is also useful if you are beginning and are not good at aiming.

Steps

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/16\/Use-V.A.T.S-in-Fallout-3-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Use-V.A.T.S-in-Fallout-3-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/16\/Use-V.A.T.S-in-Fallout-3-Step-1.jpg\/aid1043935-v4-728px-Use-V.A.T.S-in-Fallout-3-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":346,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":547,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    But before hitting that, make sure there is an enemy close to you nearby to target using V.A.T.S.
    • Each specific body part will have a number percentage next to it. It will tell you the chances of your bullets hitting that part. (eg: The Head 32%). There will never be 100%; 95% is the highest.
    • If there are several possible targets, there will be arrows to scroll through the targets on the left and right sides of the screen. You can also use A and D if you wish.
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/d5\/Use-V.A.T.S-in-Fallout-3-Step-2-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Use-V.A.T.S-in-Fallout-3-Step-2-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/d5\/Use-V.A.T.S-in-Fallout-3-Step-2-Version-2.jpg\/aid1043935-v4-728px-Use-V.A.T.S-in-Fallout-3-Step-2-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    • The head and torso are good targets, but you should also consider the percentages that V.A.T.S gives you. You don't want to waste action points (AP) and ammo while you try and hit the torso that shows 10%.
    Advertisement
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/b\/bc\/Use-V.A.T.S-in-Fallout-3-Step-3-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Use-V.A.T.S-in-Fallout-3-Step-3-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/bc\/Use-V.A.T.S-in-Fallout-3-Step-3-Version-2.jpg\/aid1043935-v4-728px-Use-V.A.T.S-in-Fallout-3-Step-3-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Just click on the body part you wish to attack.
  4. 4
    Watch the animation that plays as you either kill or inflict damage on the enemy.
    • Make sure you get ready to hide for cover as you leave V.A.T.S!
    5. Advertisement
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/de\/Use-V.A.T.S-in-Fallout-3-Step-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Use-V.A.T.S-in-Fallout-3-Step-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/de\/Use-V.A.T.S-in-Fallout-3-Step-4.jpg\/aid1043935-v4-728px-Use-V.A.T.S-in-Fallout-3-Step-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    What's the corresponding button for V.A.T.S. in Fallout: New Vegas?
    Magnus
    Community Answer
    The button to activate V.A.T.S. is usually V. You can go to Settings > Controls > Action Mapping and then scroll down, and you should see "VATS". The button to the right of VATS should be what you need to press to activate it.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 5 Helpful 4
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Video

      Tips

      • V.A.T.S is more of a RPG style of fighting, but you don't have to use it. In some cases, it can be less useful than normal combat.
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      • Every time you use V.A.T.S you use 'action points', so the more you use V.A.T.S the less points you will have. Action points do regenerate over time though.
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      • Your best bet is to aim at the body part with the highest percentage, as you have a better chance of hitting it, alternatively you can aim at the head, which has a better chance of one hit KOs. Choosing the "Concentrated Fire" Perk will up the percentage by 5 every time you target a specific part.
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      Show More Tips
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      Warnings

      • Sometimes V.A.T.S can just stop working altogether so be careful and just occasionally check when you hit the V.A.T.S button it works. V.A.T.S will only activate when there is a target around.
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 1
      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Hack a Computer Terminal in Fallout 3
      How to
      Play Caravan
      How to
      Join the Brotherhood of Steel in Fallout: New Vegas
      How to
      Get to Rivet City in Fallout 3
      How to
      Join Caesar's Legion in Fallout: New Vegas
      How to
      Kill Someone Without Lowering Your Reputation in Fallout: New Vegas
      How to
      Use Power Armor in Fallout 4
      How to
      Run Faster in Fallout 3
      How to
      Go to and Survive the Glowing Sea in Fallout 4
      How to
      Pick a Lock in Fallout 3
      How to
      Install FOSE
      How to
      Get Fawkes As a Companion in Fallout 3
      Advertisement

      About This Article

      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 76,285 times.

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement