How to Kill Someone Without Lowering Your Reputation in Fallout: New Vegas

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Last Updated: August 5, 2024

Do you need to make a quick assassination? Just an in-and-out without everyone around you going nuts? Don't worry, this article will help you take care of that.

Steps

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Raise your Sneak skill. If nobody witnesses you killing a non-aggressive NPC, it won't lower your reputation and will have no consequence for your gameplay other than Karma loss. For a better chance of being undetected, try raising your sneak skill to at least 50.
- Unlike in games like Skyrim, practicing sneaking does not increase your character's Sneak skill. Only skill books, magazines and levelling up can do so. You can also increase your characters Agility, either through perks or implants at the New Vegas Medical Clinic.
If you're going to kill this NPC in a populated area, you're going to need to do it quickly and quietly - which means a gun won't do. Knives are quiet, but not particularly powerful, and melee weapons are too big. Brass Knuckles will also do the trick, if your Unarmed skill is raised a bit (30 or 40 should do).

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Bulky armor is easily noticeable, so wear something tight. Leather armor works fine.
You don't necessarily need one, but better to be safe than sorry.
Crouch, then approach them.
Wait until the text at the top of the screen says, "Hidden".
Try locking on with V.A.T.S. first, just in case you miss.

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Tips

Try to stay in the dark.

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Turn your Pip-Boy light/radio off.

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If there are others present, activate the Stealth-Boy.

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Warnings

If you are spotted before/during your attack, you will fail, and be under attack.

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Some characters will spite allies to attack you anyway.

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