Fallout 76: 7 Worst Melee Weapons, Ranked

Fallout 76 is a multiplayer experience, with some base-build aspects, based on the Fallout canon. The gameplay takes place on a large multiplayer map. Released in 2018, Fallout 76 is operated as a live service game. Although it is possible to attempt a PvE style of gameplay, there are certain areas where PvP cannot be avoided.

Weapons are important in Fallout 76. Whether crafted by the player or looted, the player needs to find the best weapons they can to survive. Especially if they intend to be competitive in PvP. There are not as many melee weapons as there are ranged weapons available, and some of the melee weapons are awful.

7 Hatchet

Early Game Weapon That Is Not Entirely Useless

Stats:

• Damage: 15
• Speed: Medium
• Value: 15

Crafting requirements:

• Oil: 1
• Screw: 1
• Steel: 3
• Wood: 2

The Hatchet is an early-game melee weapon that Fallout 76 players should find it easy to loot or craft. It is the best of all the melee weapons on this list, although this isn’t saying much. However, in the first few hours of gameplay, this is likely the best melee weapon the player will have access to.

With 15 damage and medium speed, it is quite capable of talking down low-level enemies. But once the player heads into the more dangerous areas, this hatchet just won’t cut it anymore (excuse the pun).

6 Pipe Wrench

It’s A Tool Not A Weapon

Stats:

• Damage: 13
• Speed: Medium
• Value: 30

Crafting requirements:

Even the Fallout 76 in-game description of this melee weapon states it is only appropriate for use as a makeshift weapon. Unfortunately, this is a high loot chance item, and it is more than likely that a player will end up looting one of these before they leave the new player experience.

Don’t be tempted to craft this weapon, it really is not worth the junk materials, even though it only takes a handful of junk to make. If this is the only melee weapon available, sure, use it, but replace it as soon as possible.

5 Bowie Knife

Close Range And Low Damage

Stats:

• Damage: 10
• Speed: Fast
• Value: 35

Crafting requirements:

• Adhesive: 2
• Rubber: 1
• Screw: 2
• Steel: 4

If one thing was changed about the Bowie Knife in Fallout 76, it would not have made this list of bad melee weapons at all. If the level requirement for this weapon was 1 and not 5, it would be so much better. As it is, the fast attack speed is great for early-game enemies.

The sad thing about the bowie knife is despite the fact it has early-game weapon stats, it is not a common loot item. However, it could be worth crafting one of these if the player doesn’t have access to something better by level 5.

4 Bone Club

Poor Performance But Cheap To Craft

Stats:

• Damage: 21
• Speed: Medium
• Value: 15

The Bone Club is a loot-only item that can be found when searching fresh graves. It is not the worst melee weapon in Fallout 76, as long as the player can loot it early on before something better becomes available. If it could be crafted, it would be much better.

The weapon model is simply a large bone, and no attempt has been made to weaponize it, such as adding some form of handle or grip. If this is all the player has, then they should use it. However, there are better craftable options in the early game.

3 Cattleprod

Shockingly Bad

Stats:

• Damage: 18
• Speed: Medium
• Value: No Trade Flag

Crafting requirements:

• Adhesive: 1
• Aluminum: 1
• Circuitry: 2
• Legendary Module: 2 (optional)
• Plastic: 2
• Rubber: 2
• Spring: 2
• Steel: 2

Two facts make this mediocre melee weapon bad. Firstly, the fact the player needs to unlock the recipe for it. Secondly, when the weapon is crafted it will take the highest level the player can use for its base stats. This means that crafting it at level 5 will result in a level 5 weapon.

The crafting cost for the Cattlprod is ridiculously high considering its stats. However, it should be noted that using legendary modules during the construction process will result in a legendary build. However, this isn’t really useful until the late game, due to the aforementioned problem with the crafted weapon leveling to match the player. Put simply, crafting this with legendary modules before level 45 is a waste.

2 Baton

It’s Just A Stick

Stats:

• Damage: 15
• Speed: Medium
• Value: 15

Crafting requirements:

• Plastic: 3
• Rubber: 1
• Steel: 5

With its relatively expensive crafting requirements and awful stats, the Baton is one of the very worst melee weapons a player can use in Fallout 76. There is absolutely nothing good about this weapon.

The only time a beginner player should consider using this weapon is if they loot one in the very early game stages and don’t have something better. It should never be crafted, as this is a waste of hard-to-find mid-grade materials such as rubber and plastic.

1 Lead Pipe

Arguably The Worst Melee Weapon Of All

Stats:

• Damage: 14
• Speed: Medium
• Value: 15

The Lead Pipe is a loot-only weapon in Fallout 76. There is no rhyme or reason to this, as it has the worst stats of any melee weapon in the game, so why make it loot only? With its low damage and medium swing speed, it is better to use fists than this weapon.

The Lead Pipe is something of an iconic early-game weapon in the Fallout franchise, and this is likely why it was added to Fallout 76. Put simply, players shouldn’t use this, they are better off just punching enemies with empty hands than using this.