Let's Sperg Fallout: New Vegas DSP Edition - DSP Tries It: Surviving the Wasteland

[Judge Dredd]

It’s Christmas. I have some free time, and Cyberpunk 2077 is broken, so let’s play Fallout New Vegas again. This time as DarkSydePhil.

My DSP lore is weak. Pretty much all my knowledge on DSP comes from the Down The Rabbit Hole episode, and the bankruptcy saga. So if I get anything wrong or miss the obvious, please say so.

For anyone somehow unfamiliar with Fallout: New Vegas. It’s a first person shooter RPG. Widely considered a classic thanks to lots of moral choices and viable character builds. Whereas games like Mass Effect have choices limited to obvious good/evil choices with obvious villains. New Vegas is more nebulous and less clear cut. The plot has you as a courier, shot in the head and left in a shallow grave, your quest for revenge ultimately decides the fate of a three way battle that will decide the fate of the region.

Spoiler: My opinion on DSP

I like Phil. I don’t hate him. The This Is How You Don’t Plays of Resident Evil: Remake and Forza 3 are funny to me, and they wouldn’t exist without Phil.

Compared to my favourite lolcows like MovieBob, ResetEra, and Jim Sterling, DSP is a chad. From telling one of his fans to stop false DMCAing in his name, to getting a real girlfriend. What’s more, as bad as DSP is at games, he has the determination to stick at them until he wins, which is more than can be said for games journalists.

This run will be modded with quest mods, and will act as a review of said mods.

I don’t know who to have Phil side with during the main quest. I’m thinking Independent, but I'll put a poll.

Spoiler: Rules and load order

I will be playing on Medium difficulty. The story mods can be difficult, and this isn’t some kind of challenge run. This is just for fun, with the difficulty coming from the unusual build. It’s not like you want to read about me dying a lot anyway. Plus, New Vegas is easy to break with enough knowledge and/or mods. The house in A World of Pain has a full autodoc in it, meaning a full heal, full addiction removal, and radiation removal is just a fast travel away. I will avoid those kinds of exploits.

Hardcore mode is a tedious chore once you’ve beaten it a couple of times. Especially if you put any points into survival. It just means carrying around a few more items and using them when a meter ticks over.

I try to keep my load order small to keep stability and prevent conflicts. I won’t list every mod, but here’s the main load order.

Gameplay mods
A Perk Every Level
Alternative Start
Extra Perks
Extra Traits
Just Vanilla Sprint
NIF-Bashed Weapon Pack

Quest Mods
A World of Pain
Alien Exterminator
Autumn Leaves
New Vegas Railroads
Rags to Riches

I’m thinking about the Someguy series (New Vegas Bounties, The Inheritance, etc.) but I’m not sure yet.

I also installed some Christmas themed radio stations.

THE BUILD
Special stats are all 1, exception for Endurance and Luck, because nothing can stop Phil. Not demonetization, not bankruptcy, nothing. Perception and Intelligence will stay at 1 because he fails to notice seemingly obvious things in the games he plays.

Skills, I’ll go for Barter first. I think Phil has a business degree, and he always manages to make money even if he seems to waste it.

Other than that, I don’t know where to put points. I was thinking of making a shotgun build, simply because I’ve never done that.

Traits, I’m going for Banned for Life and High Value Target.
Banned for Life makes you vilified by all the major factions. In exchange you get 2 overpowered companions. I will be dismissing them as soon as they arrive.
High Value Target makes armed hit squads come after you. Tough guys, but lots of cool gear if you beat them. They will be the Phil detractors.

Thanks to Alternative Start, I also get to choose a backstory. There is no “YouTuber” option, so “Village Idiot” it is. Starting wealth will be broke. AWOP has a box of starting items. I’d choose “Home Buyer”, but there’s no option to default on the mortgage, so I’ll choose “Pocket Warehouse”, which gives you an item to carry a lot of stuff.

I drop all the DLC equipment in a box in Doc Mitchel’s house and I'm ready to start.

It’s only later I learn I’m more screwed than I originally thought. Village idiot not only gives you -4 intelligence (not a problem because I was at the minimum of 1), but it also gives you -3 skill points per level. So each level up I have 7-8 points to spend. Ouch. This will be made worse by the honour rules I'll get to later.



TUTORIALS
Starting off with such bad gear, I decided to go through the tutorial for the free weapon, ammo, and xp. Got the stash at the pass full of geckos, the usual New Vegas tutorial stuff.

I kill Joe Cobb before starting Ghost Town Gunfight, in keeping with DSPs original plan to side with Cobb and betray him. I remember hearing it was possible to do that by starting Run Goodsprings Run and shooting him in the back, but I don’t know if that’s true. Killing Cobb changes some dialogue. I didn’t finish the quest here. I wanted to do some mod stuff first.


A WORLD OF PAIN
A World Of Pain is possibly my favourite New Vegas mod, or is in the top 5. The premise is as simple as it gets. It adds a lot of dungeons to New Vegas. They are themed as sewers, vaults, bunkers, what have you, but they are lite on story, heavy on combat. All made with vanilla content and well balanced.

Monster Mod adds even more. They drop the pretence entirely. You go into clearly marked “Rumble” areas, fight through a gauntlet of bad guys, fight a named enemy at the end, grab the key to open a chest full of loot. While people talk about New Vegas for the dialogue and choices, sometimes you just want to shoot stuff in VATS.

Most of my first session was spent doing dungeon runs. It was tough at times, but I won’t bore you with detailed descriptions. It was fun to play, not so much to write or read about.

There was one moment I want to share. During a dungeon, I was near death and looting. Someone ran around the corner, startling me. I swung at him with a crowbar. Turned out it was Malcolm Holmes, a friendly NPC who starts the quest Legend of the Star. He didn’t get the chance. Turns out that smashing a NPC in the face makes them hostile. The fight was on. He was attacking with his fists, me with a crowbar. After a few swings he ran away, only to attack again when I tried to leave.

Nothing much has happened plot wise. The gist is that there’s rumoured to be a massive underground complex called the underground, which is full of deadly monsters, but houses a trove of valuable pre-war tech to anyone who can find it and survive long enough to claim it. I did a quest chain to get the key to the west entrance. The LakeLurks are too much for me to make much progress, but even so I assume that entrance won’t lead to the treasure. Maybe it does, but I doubt it.


MORE VANILLA
Second session started and I completed Ghost Town Gunfight. Went to Primm, reprogrammed the robot to be the new sheriff as per the This Is How You Don’t Play. Repaired EDE with parts. Went to Nipton, killed the Legion there. All interspersed with dungeon diving.

I’m about level 11 when I realise I’m in more trouble than I initially realised, again. My honour rules/build is survivability perks, luck based item/money finding perks, and then anything I want, in that order. I only broke this rule once early on to get Shotgun Surgeon (ignores 10 armour when using shotguns) in order to kill Radscorpions for a mod quest.

The problem is I’m still getting loot and survivability perks, with a backlog growing faster than I can take them. I’m level 13 and I still have no accuracy perks, and with 1 perception VATS is of limited use. However, the build kinda works so far. DSP might lack in ability, but he's tough to take down and (almost) always stays standing by the end.


Current play time: 8 hours.

 

[Gloomy guest]

He's a Street Fighter pro dood, definitely need to go unarmed combat
Take the confirmed bachelor perk, obviously
Make sure you always have alcohol on you
Also need to put points into Science (he used to build computers for fun)
Wear sunglasses and a vest when someone gives you some caps

 

[Judge Dredd]

Make sure you always have alcohol on you

I didn't know he was into drink. I was avoiding drugs, but I can start hording booze. He basically gets no in game benefit from drinking. There is a perk that turns them into healing items. I'll grab it if I get the chance. Right now he's carrying more than 100lbs in stakes and soda, so he doesn't need healing items.

Also need to put points into Science (he used to build computers for fun)

I had no idea. Will do.

He's a Street Fighter pro dood, definitely need to go unarmed combat

I did think of that, but didn't he wimp out of a wrestling match with one of his detractors?

Wear sunglasses and a vest when someone gives you some caps

That's why I have that outfit on in the picture. It's from the NIF-bashed armour pack I think. There is a bank robber outfit (suit with armoured vest) that gives you extra money drops when worn. I've not had it drop yet, but that would work well too.

 

[Fascist Frederick]

You might as well cheat and turn on god mode, because Phil has never done anything wrong and does everything correct. In any tactical engagement he always makes the best possible decision and any damage taken is obviously a glitch and should be invalidated.

 

[Vault Boy]

Be sure to burn every bridge besides Yes Man, and even then keep fucking up his missions.

 

[Richard Harrow]

Make sure to shoot your enemies' legs and claim that you made a headshot but lag and bugged game mechanics robbed you. This happens a lot in Call of Duty for him. Poor guy. Because we all know, that at anytime: He can pick up a controller and play a game at a "professional level."

 

[Near]

Make sure to grab a hatchet weapon. He keeps it by the front door in case the detractors try to assassinate him.

 

[Jimmy Durante's Ballsack]

Whoa! This game is way better than Cyberpunk!!

 

[Lone MacReady]

Watching DSP play Fallout almost makes you wish for a Nuclear winter.

 

[Prophetic Spirit]

Bro, next time try to play TTW and roast Fallout 3 vanilla content to the dust.

 

[UncleTusky]

He's a Street Fighter pro dood, definitely need to go unarmed combat
Take the confirmed bachelor perk, obviously
Make sure you always have alcohol on you
Also need to put points into Science (he used to build computers for fun)
Wear sunglasses and a vest when someone gives you some caps

I had no idea. Will do.

You also need to actively avoid any black or LGB character and all the prostitutes on the Strip for the complete experience.

I don't think it's possible with maxed out luck but could you at least try to lose all your money gambling? I don't know how familiar you are with Phil but gambling debt is the primary reason he went bankrupt.

EDIT:

Be sure to burn every bridge besides Yes Man, and even then keep fucking up his missions.

In keeping with Phil's Ahnest Eyetalian heritage and hilariously poor knowledge of history, Caesar's Legion seems way more appropriate in my opinion.

 

[HumanHive]

Isn’t DSP already in the game?

Fantastic

Fantastic is a man working at HELIOS One as a technician for the NCR in 2281. It is obvious, however, that his technical expertise is severely lacking and is merely using the position as a way to fuel his drug addiction. 1 Background 1.1 Personality 2 Interactions with the player character 2.1...

fallout.fandom.com

 

[Judge Dredd]

Bro, next time try to play TTW and roast Fallout 3 vanilla content to the dust.

Honestly, I never saw the appeal of TTW. If I want to play Fallout 3, I can play Fallout 3.

I've not played Fallout 3 in almost a decade. I wouldn't do a lolcow run of it, simply because I'd want to do AWOP for FO3 for the first time, and revisit Point Lookout, my favourite DLC. Iirc FO3 didn't allow much in the way of choice or faction alignment.

I don't think it's possible with maxed out luck but could you at least try to lose all your money gambling? I don't know how familiar you are with Phil but gambling debt is the primary reason he went bankrupt.

The closest to WWE Gotcha is the fruit machine, and like you said, it's entirely luck based.

In a way, Phil did win, because he was in the top 10 players iirc.

Make sure to grab a hatchet weapon. He keeps it by the front door in case the detractors try to assassinate him.

I didn't know that. Given some of Phil's detractors, I don't blame him. I've known people keep bats under their bed/by the door for less.

Though coincidentally, I've been using the fire axe as my backup weapon.

 

[Overcast]

In keeping with Phil's Ahnest Eyetalian heritage and hilariously poor knowledge of history, Caesar's Legion seems way more appropriate in my opinion.

Huh? WHAT? I removed his tumor! Why is he DEAD?! I DID EVERYTHING RIGHT! THIS IS FUCKING STUPID! FUCK THI-

*gets killed by praetorians*

 

[Prophetic Spirit]

Honestly, I never saw the appeal of TTW. If I want to play Fallout 3, I can play Fallout 3.

I've not played Fallout 3 in almost a decade. I wouldn't do a lolcow run of it, simply because I'd want to do AWOP for FO3 for the first time, and revisit Point Lookout, my favourite DLC. Iirc FO3 didn't allow much in the way of choice or faction alignment.

That mod for FO3 exists as a TTW port, and there's a mod what can have faction alignment in FO3, just like F:NV. Sadly there's not much improvement, only a barter bonus or nerf for now.
There's another mod that reset many things (level, skills, perks) you have if you playing from FO3 and later visit New Vegas.

That's a understandable reason. In my case i prefer playing TTW for being compact and having two games in a same playthrough rather than switching (and using a dialogue mod what adds inmersion, like mentioning FO3 actions in New Vegas).

 

[Lurkio]

Be sure to burn every bridge besides Yes Man, and even then keep fucking up his missions.

Seriously, it's not a DSP play-through if you don't ignore 99% of the shit going on around you but still end up coming out on top through the sheer virtue of someone literally programmed into being forced to help you no matter how many stupid decisions you make.

 

[Exceptionally Exceptional]

Independent or Legion. Whichever one Phil could exploit for more money and power.

 

[millais]

You're not allowed to disarm any mines or traps (especially grenade bouquets). It's a trademark of his Fallout playthroughs that he activates every single trap or mine he comes across due to his lack of real life perception. Also make sure to save when on low health and no healing items, this is another trademark.

 

[Judge Dredd]

You're not allowed to disarm any mines or traps (especially grenade bouquets). It's a trademark of his Fallout playthroughs that he activates every single trap or mine he comes across due to his lack of real life perception. Also make sure to save when on low health and no healing items, this is another trademark.

I have been disarming mines, but I should stop doing that. Beartraps, bouquets, and shotgun traps I can't disarm because in NV you need a few points in repair to that, which DSP doesn't have. I can't even make bullets except for nails (which I can't use because the nailgun crashes the game). I might be able to make 20 gauge shells as well.

 

[Judge Dredd]

TRAPS
Because of his low repair skill, Phil can’t disarm most traps. He can disarm mines, but not bear-traps, tripwires, or anything like that. I can usually avoid them fine, but I tend to forget about them on the way out, resulting in good old leadfoot Phil we know from Fallout 4.

Speaking of which, why did Phil never get the lightfoot perk that means he won’t trigger traps? Seems like an obvious thing to get given how much trouble they cause him. This is Phil we’re talking about though.


NOVAC
Because of Banned for Life, Phil is already vilified by the major factions of the game. So far this hasn’t really changed much. NOVAC is where it first becomes apparent. Bosco flip flops between calm and absolutely terrified. Boone won’t even talk to us.

I start the quest Come Fly with Me, which tasks you with clearing ghouls out of a rocket test site. The ghouls want to get into the basement, but the basement is full of Nightkin. Ie. Invisible super mutants. I go down there and after failed negotiation, I have to kill all the Nightkin. Evidently I’m missing one because the quest doesn’t progress. According to the compass, he’s out of bounds somewhere. Bugged quest mechanics.

So, time to kill the bright followers.

I don’t have a good image to put here, so have a screenshot of DSP killing ghouls from another part of the game.


One of the reasons I think New Vegas has endured is the extreme attention to detail, and even after 500 hours of total play time I’m still discovering new things. When I kill Jason Bright with a shotgun to the back of the head, all the followers turn hostile except Harland, who runs away and comes back once the fighting is over.

That’s not a bug. Harland is only loyal to Bright as long as Bright provides him with ammo and “pleasant company”, and since I did him a solid by saving him earlier in the quest, it makes sense that when I start shooting, he’d run away (to not get caught in the massacre) instead of fighting.


QUARRY JUNCTION
All of a sudden, Phil has the inexplicable urge to go to Jean’s Sky Diving. Actually, this is because I installed a Christmas quest mod and that’s where the mod begins.

I have to travel to the east of the map. Instead of fast travelling to NOVAC, I head to Sloan to eat a skill book, and decide to try taking the shortcut through Deathclaw territory. This doesn’t go well. I manage to kill a few from a distance, and kite them using the flare gun, which causes them to flee. Even so, I get killed by Deathclaws and decide to give up-

Wait, that’s not a very DSP thing to do. As long as it’s remotely possible, Phil would smash his face against the challenge over and over again until he beat it. So that’s what I did.

It took a while, and many deaths, but I managed to beat the deathclaw Alpha and mother, and with only one does of turbo as the only drug (not counting stimpaks).


Soon after, I make it to the Gun Runners. I have amassed 33000 caps, and so it’s time to spend on upgrades. The lever action shotgun and hunting shotgun served me well, but it’s time to trade them in. I leave with a riot shotgun, an automatic shotgun, a 5mm bullpup that isn’t actually a bullpup. Time to continue the mod.


CHRISTMAS
The Christmas mod is Sugarloaf’s Christmas Adventure. Oh boy, it’s small, fairly linear (there are choices, but it’s hard to see how they’d make a meaningful difference to the story), and has some obvious limitations, but the story makes it worth a playthough imo.

It begins with a Giddyup Buttercup struggling to read an audio file on a note. It soon becomes clear that the mod doesn’t take itself too seriously.

To cut to the point. We’re going to take a boat across the lake to go and meet Santa!

Sugarloaf also gives you a Christmas outfit to wear.



Santa's cabin is full of custom clutter. It’s all very detailed and includes everything from edible cookies, drinkable milk, readable books, and toys. The clock even tells you the time when you click on it. One detail I didn’t expect is that the gift Santa gives you is random, as I learned when I reloaded a previous save.



The boat used to get here is similarly detailed. The dialogue is also funny. It’s hard to show a single text box that will convince you. The dialogue is just silly.

Spoiler: Spoilers for Sugarloaf's Christmas Adventure

Turns out Santa is a robot. He tasks me with fighting his robot reindeer to prove Sugarloaf’s worth. After that I’m tasked with delivering bars of platinum to various robots throughout the wastes. It is possible to stiff the robots and keep the bars yourself. I seriously considered this, but I doubt Phil is that mean.

Two of the robots refuse their gifts. One crushes it, the other refuses to take it from me.

We return to Santa, mission somewhat a success.

If you have any interest in this mod, don’t read the ending. Otherwise, click the button.

Spoiler: Spoiling the ending

Santa, unhappy that we failed, says he’ll kill us. Sugarloaf sacrifices herself to save Phil.

With her dying moments, Sugarloaf lays out the truth. Turns out they were human once, and lovers. She was almost killed by raiders, to save her he put her brain in a dog. Her failure to communicate led to him leaving. She was saved by an old man who transferred her brain into a Giddyup Buttercup. She then went searching for her former lover, who put himself through a similar procedure, but went mad somewhere along the way.

No, he's not MovieBob.

That twist sounds sudden and abrupt, and it is, but there are hints in the clutter. Like pictures of cyberdog and Sugarloaf’s mentions of having elements of Cyberdog wetware in her system.

Oh, and the NCR sent a hitsquad to threaten me. They got distracted fighting Vipers and I killed them.

I’m now about 20 hours into the playthrough, it’s close to Christmas, and I still haven’t got to Benny. On reflection, I should have focused on story quest mods, not dungeon and combat mods. I'm thinking of focusing on the main quest, just to get it done before the end of 2020.

Merry Christmas, and a happy new year!