Fallout 76: A Comprehensive Guide to the Top Melee Weapons

Melee weapons have remained an integral part of the Fallout franchise since its inception, and Fallout 76 is no exception. With guns often locked behind high levels and ammo not always readily available, getting up close and personal with melee weapons can be an effective playstyle, especially early on.

In this comprehensive guide, we will be taking a deep dive into Fallout 76’s extensive arsenal of melee weapons. We’ll be covering damage, attributes, ideal character builds, locations, and tips for 20 of the best melee weapons available in the game.

Why Choose Melee Weapons?

While ranged weapons undoubtedly have their place, melee weapons offer some unique benefits:

• Available early on – Many powerful guns are level locked. Melee weapons provide strong options without this limitation.

• Ammo conservation – No ammo worries with a trusty melee weapon as your backup. Perfect for emergencies.

• Stealth – Silent takedowns suit certain character builds. Melee is ideal for this.

• Satisfaction – Getting up close and personal has a primal satisfaction no gun can replicate.

• Strength boosts – Most melee weapons provide +5% strength, enhancing your damage output.

Now let’s get into the nitty gritty of Fallout 76’s hard-hitting melee arsenal.

Death Tambo

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A unique early option, the Death Tambo is a spiked tambourine designed for one-handed use. With medium swing speed, it’s great for stealth builds taking down unsuspecting low to mid-level foes.

Level	Damage	Speed	AP Cost	Weight
11	30	Medium	25	0.5

Obtain the Death Tambo through Rose‘s questline or purchase plans from vendors. A potential free spawn is near Harper’s Ferry.

Pole Hook

This heavy hitter originating from Fallout 4‘s Far Harbor DLC has a large iron fish hook on a wooden pole. While slow, it delivers devastating damage enhanced further with upgrades.

Level	Damage	Speed	AP Cost	Weight
10	43	Slow	40	7.0

With extended reach and excellent armor penetration, the Pole Hook is an intimidating addition available at lower levels. Craft at workbenches or purchase plans from vendors.

Shishkebab

A flaming sword on steroids, the Shishkebab is a heavily modified wakizashi which deals double fire damage on top of its base 22 damage. For pyromaniac builds, it‘s a must-have.

Level	Damage	Speed	AP Cost	Weight
35	44	Medium	35	3.0

This rare beauty spawns randomly after level 35 but has a guaranteed location at the Abandoned Bog Town. Beware the condemned building!

Baseball Bat

A classic melee option, the humble Baseball Bat offers a nostalgic way to bash heads in. With upgrades, it reaches a substantial 55 damage at later levels.

Level	Damage	Speed	AP Cost	Weight
1	28	Slow	35	3.0

Retrieve one early on at Green Country Lodge near a child’s swing. Color variants are also available, like at Morgantown High School. Play ball!

Boxing Glove

An unarmed quick-hitter, the Boxing Glove is a practical choice for nimble fighters, especially newcomers. While low damage, its fast speed enables rapid strikes.

Level	Damage	Speed	AP Cost	Weight
5	13	Medium	25	1.0

Locate one at Green Country Lodge Gym near towels and a radio. Later, mod it to increase damage to 34. Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee!

Combat Knife

This lightweight blade might seem underwhelming at first glance, but its swift swing speed makes it perfect for stealthy infiltration or emergency melee situations when ammo runs dry.

Level	Damage	Speed	AP Cost	Weight
1	9	Fast	1	0.2

Obtain a Combat Knife at the Shadowbreeze Apartments west of Morgantown High School on a bedroom dresser. Watch those bleed damage ticks add up!

Meat Hook

This terrifying claw-like instrument is tailor-made for bloodied builds. While nerfed from its glory days, with the right build it still cuts deep, adding to that survival horror aesthetic.

Level	Damage	Speed	AP Cost	Weight
5	14	Medium	30	2.0

Originally farmable off melee scorched foes, plans now available from a Responder vendor at Whiteprings Resort. Rip and tear!

Fire Axe

A no-fuss melee option available early on, the Fire Axe chops wood just as well as limbs. Slow but hard-hitting, its generous 35 base damage makes short work of low to mid-tier foes.

Level	Damage	Speed	AP Cost	Weight
5	35	Slow	30	3.0

Locate plans at the Charleston Fire Department or various spawn points in fire stations. Adds +5% strength too! Can’t beat that.

Electro Enforcer

This electrified blunt surprise introduces energy damage to the mix. While slow and rare, it wrecks shop on unsuspecting enemies once acquired.

Level	Damage	Speed	AP Cost	Weight
20	55	Slow	40	8.0

As a random legendary drop, team up to farm those legendary foes! Alternatively, snag plans from a vendor if lady luck isn’t on your side.

Ski Sword

An often overlooked blade, the Ski Sword offers a unique flair with impressive base damage to boot. At 35 damage, it carves through the opposition with grace.

Level	Damage	Speed	AP Cost	Weight
15	35	Medium	30	3.0

Buried away at a hidden location, Rose‘s questline rewards this beauty. Once acquired, find a cosy ski lodge and get chopping!

War Glaive

This medieval-inspired halberd variation ushers in high damage with its double-edged attachment. Slow by default, but tough enemies melt with some perk investment.

Level	Damage	Speed	AP Cost	Weight
30	62	Slow	40	9.0

Daily ops provide plans for this elusive weapon. Once acquired, find higher ground and rain down that sweet justice from above!

Meteoritic Sword

Besides boasting damage versus humans, this unique blade features reduced weight and high durability through its legendary traits. Sharp and resilient.

Level	Damage	Speed	AP Cost	Weight
20	56	Medium	35	3.0

The rarest of the bunch, reward chances from the Breach and Clear event. Bring your A-game and pray RNGesus is watching over you!

Deathclaw Gauntlet

Forged from the claws of the formidable Deathclaw, this fist weapon offers raw damage, shreds armor, and looks badass. Talons dripping with blood never looked so good.

Level	Damage	Speed	AP Cost	Weight
30	45	Medium	40	10.0

Locate set plans at the Rusty Pick or farm those rare Scorchbeast Queens for random drops! Once acquired, all foes shall fear your claws!

Guitar Sword

Allow me to introduce… the shredder! With six attached blades, this musical melee weapon rips and tears jamming a new tune with each fateful swing. Rock on!

Level	Damage	Speed	AP Cost	Weight
15	35	Medium	35	3.0

Located on a mic stand at Pleasant Valley, punish tone-deaf enemies with this DOOM-esque delight while stylishly leading the one man mosh pit!

War Drum

If one metal music melee just won‘t cut it, may we suggest the War Drum? Like a tanked up version of the Guitar Sword, each slam of this heavy hitter is music to one’s ears!

Level	Damage	Speed	AP Cost	Weight
15	48	Slow	45	20.0

Rewarded occasionally from One Violent Night events. Alternatively, seek out at Sons of Dane Compound. Either way, tune up before crushing!

Blade of Bastet

This rare katana variation is rewarded upon completion of the Forging a Legend questline. Battling through that grind rewards a fast and efficient slayer suited for rapid maneuvers.

Level	Damage	Speed	AP Cost	Weight
25	42	Medium	35	3.0

Start this elusive questline at Riverside Manor. Once the legendary blade is yours, channel your inner samurai and perfect that warrior form!

Sheepsquatch Club

Brain scrambles to describe this curveball entry to Fallout ecosystem. Horrifying in form yet mighty in function, this unique club tailors to braver warriors unfazed by such sights.

Level	Damage	Speed	AP Cost	Weight
10	20	Medium	30	3.0

The stuff of nightmares for some, rewarded from Free Range events. If looks could kill, acquiring this already handles half the job! Go bash some brains!

Power Fist

Just as the name suggests, the Power Fist delivers bone-crushing blows with each piston-powered punch. Turn your fists into wrecking balls with this brutal classic.

Level	Damage	Speed	AP Cost	Weight
30	48	Medium	35	4.0

Locate at Tanagra Town atop the gargantuan tree. Once equipped, channel your inner barroom brawler and knock teeth loose left and right! Pow!

Grognak‘s Axe

Does a 17.5 inch single bladed axe forged by the mighty barbarian warrior Grognak himself entice? If so, we‘ve got just the ripper for you. Enhance further with chems!

Level	Damage	Speed	AP Cost	Weight
30	65	Slow	20	10.0

Random legendary drops provide this gem. When the stars align, embrace your inner barbarian, strike your mightiest pose and cleave those fiends!

Super Sledge

When basic clobbers just don’t cut it, may we recommend this rocket-powered monster? Each skull-rattling swing will imprint enhanced shock damage deep within your poor soulless targets. Ouch!

Level	Damage	Speed	AP Cost	Weight
30	65	Slow	45	20.0

Plans attainable from vendors. Once equipped, charge up, find some high ground, and smash away with reckless abandon as the wasteland tremors below!

And there we have it – 20 of the finest melee weapons Fallout 76 has to offer. Whether you’re low on ammo, want to conserve resources, or simply want to beat some heads in with satisfying flair, equipping any of these bad boys provides the perfect outlet. Each melee type caters to different fighting styles and builds so experiment until you find your favorites. Just be sure to keep those quicksave buttons handy during your wasteland rampages! Grab a partner to watch your back and happy hunting!