Fallout 4 has a fair share of ranged weapons for you to obtain, but melee weapons are some of the strongest in your arsenal. You'll find that there are many different melee weapons to obtain, all of which are useful in their own right – but not all created equal.

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It goes without saying, but some weapons are naturally stronger than others based on their stats and effects alone. The best melee weapons in the action RPG Fallout 4 will turn the post-apocalypse into your playground.

Updated on July 17, 2023: There are lots of great weapons in Fallout 4, with different effects and ranges. But the melee gear is special. You might not find as interesting and fun weapons to use as these ones. That's why we have updated this article, keeping it fresh with our current style guides.

Mr. Handy Buzz Blade

A screenshot showing the stats of the Mr. Handy Buzz Blade weapon.

Damage

5

Weight

10

Speed

Very Fast

The Mr. Handy Buzz Blade is similar in many ways to the Ripper, a separate melee weapon you can encounter in Fallout 4. Although they look nothing alike, and the Mr. Handy Buzz Blade is the broken arm of a Mr. Handy robot, they both feature a moving blade that deals damage by moving across an enemy's hitbox, so they feel similar to use.

You can earn the Mr. Handy Buzz Blade by looting it from a chest at the end of the Fort Hagan Hangar in the Automatron DLC. Rust Devils also have a chance to be carrying this weapon upon their death, so it's technically possible to obtain multiple weapons of this variety.

Sword Of Wonders

A screenshot showing the stats of the Sword Of Wonders weapon.

Damage

15

Weight

3

Speed

Medium

The Sword Of Wonders sure is wonderful. It completely ignores 30 percent of an enemy's resistances when it hits them. This legendary effect is unique, and the Sword Of Wonders is one of the only weapons which you can gain this ability from.

You earn the Sword Of Wonders at the end of the "A Magical Kingdom" quest. This is the only way to obtain this sword. After getting the Sword Of Wonders, you can either use it yourself or give it to a companion, both of which will prove useful due to their powerful effects.

Big Jim

A screenshot showing the stats of the Big Jim weapon.

Damage

13

Weight

2

Speed

Medium

Big Jim is one of the funnier melee weapons in Fallout 4 in that it isn't really a weapon at all, but a Pipe Wrench. However, it is usable as a weapon in Fallout 4, which is quite interesting considering all the better choices a survivor would logically use to defend against Super Mutants and other terrifying wasteland creatures.

Even though a Pipe Wrench may not seem like the best weapon choice, Big Jim is actually quite powerful because it grants you a 20 percent chance to break an enemy's leg, wounding them and making the battle much easier for you and your companions. You can find Big Jim inside the basement at Walden Pond's gift shop.

ThroatslicerFallout 4 Throatslicer Inside Inventory

Damage

20

Weight

2

Speed

Fast

Throatslicer is a bladed weapon in the Nuka-World DLC, but it also has an effect that causes the target to bleed for 25 points of damage after being hit. Although the Throatslicer isn't the strongest weapon in Fallout 4 at its base, it's very powerful due to its legendary effect.

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You can acquire the Throatslicer by buying it from Katelyn at the Nuka-World Market. Since Throatslicer is a buyable weapon, it's one of the easiest melee weapons to get your hands on that's also extremely powerful.

Assaultron Blade

A screenshot showing the stats of the Assaultron Blade weapon.

Damage

17

Weight

3

Speed

Medium

The Assaultron Blade is another weapon you can find at the end of the Fort Hagan Hangar in the Automatron DLC. It's not a particularly special weapon other than the fact that it's made from the blade of an Assaultron robot, as its name implies.

However, where the Assaultron Blade truly shines is when you add a modification to electrify the weapon. With this mod, it deals extra damage and is overall more powerful. You'll get the Assaultron Blade by simply following the Automatron storyline, so it's a weapon you can obtain naturally on your wasteland adventure.

Super Sledge

A screenshot showing the stats of the Pickman's Blade weapon.

Damage

40

Weight

20

Speed

Slow

The Super Sledge is one of the strongest weapons in the Fallout franchise. The Super Sledge does massive damage, with its only downside being how long the hammer takes to swing.

The best way to utilize the Super Sledge is by finding a unique variant called Adam's Judgment on Dar Harbor while completing quests for the Children of Adam faction. The Super Sledge deals radiation damage and is necessary for any powerful brutes.

Chinese Officer Sword

A screenshot showing the stats of the Cavalier's Chinese Officer Sword weapon.

Damage

16

Weight

3

Speed

Medium

The Chinese Officer Sword can be unlocked by completing the quest "Here There Be Monsters." You can also find it in other locations throughout Fallout 4, although this mission is one of the only set ways to obtain it without having to purchase it from a merchant.

Although there are many different types of swords in Fallout 4, the Chinese Officer Sword is very unique in terms of design, offering a nice change of pace to the game's standard melee weapons.

Shem Drowne Sword

A screenshot showing the stats of the Shem Drowne Sword weapon.

Damage

16 Base + 5 Radiation

Weight

3

Speed

Medium

The Shem Drowne Sword is a unique variant of the Revolutionary Sword. You'll find the sword in Shem Drowne's grave during the quest "The Gilded Grasshopper."

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Shem Drowne's Sword also has a powerful radiation effect, and is one of the only melee weapons that can deal out radiation damage in general. If you want to wield one of the most powerful melee weapons in Fallout 4, then the Shem Drowne Sword is a good choice.

Pole Hook

A screenshot showing the stats of the The Fish Catcher weapon.

Damage

30

Weight

7

Speed

Slow

The Pole Hook was first introduced in the Far Harbor DLC and can be obtained by exploring the island and purchasing it in town. It's common all over the island, so it's not too difficult to encounter regardless of which locations you explore.

The Pole Hook is one of the most powerful weapons in the Far Harbor expansion pack and has a unique nautical aesthetic that you won't get from any other melee weapon in the game.

2076 World Series Baseball Bat

A screenshot showing the stats of the 2076 World Series Baseball Bat weapon.

Damage

16

Weight

3

Speed

Slow

The 2076 World Series Baseball Bat has one of the most unique effects in Fallout 4, allowing you to forcefully throw enemies back when the weapon hits them. This effect may remind you of a certain shouting ability in a different Bethesda game franchise.

The 2076 World Series Baseball Bat is found under Jamaica Plain and, if brought to Moe Cronin in Diamond City, can be exchanged for Caps. The 2076 World Series Baseball Bat is one of the most unique weapons in Fallout 4, however, and few rival its effect.

Grognak's Axe

A screenshot showing the stats of the Grognak's Axe weapon.

Damage

25

Weight

10

Speed

Medium

Grognak's Axe is the only axe in Fallout 4 and can be found in Hubris Comics in the heart of Boston. Grognak's Axe has a very distinct look, and its unique effect has a low AP cost in VATS. In addition, the axe's base damage is quite high at 25.

There are few other melee weapons in Fallout 4 as strong or unique as Grognak's Axe, so it's worth adding to your collection if you ever travel deep into Boston.

Ripper

A screenshot showing the stats of the Furious Ripper weapon.

Damage

4

Weight

6

Speed

Very Fast

The Ripper is a powerful weapon that changes the mechanics of combat completely. Instead of swinging and landing one direct hit, the Ripper hits enemies multiple times and consecutively so long as you're close enough. Due to this effect, Rippers are the most unique melee weapon type in Fallout 4.

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The Ripper's effect is similar to a chainsaw in that respect. A unique Ripper can be found in Far Harbor called The Harvester, which staggers enemies.

Shishkebab

A screenshot showing the stats of the Freezing Shishkebab weapon.

Damage

13 Attack + 13 Energy

Weight

3

Speed

Medium

The Shishkebab is the most powerful sword in Fallout 4 and can be found at Saugus Ironworks. The distinct and fiery look of the Shishebab is rivaled by few others in the game, and its stats are top-notch.

With its powerful blade and unique appearance, it's no surprise so many fans consider the Shishkebab their favorite weapon in Fallout 4 and the Fallout franchise as a whole.

Pickman's Blade

A screenshot showing the stats of the Pickman's Blade weapon.

Damage

15

Weight

10

Speed

Fast

What's unique about Pickman's Blade is that the weapon does bleed damage, making it much stronger than its variants. Most weapons only deal basic melee damage, so adding bleed damage makes it an extra powerful choice.

If you have a high-strength stat, Pickman's Blade will deal massive amounts of damage and is the perfect blade for any thief or assassin. Pickman's Blade can be picked up by looting Pickman's Stash.

Kremvh's Tooth

A screenshot showing the stats of the Kremvh's Tooth weapon.

Damage

28 Base + 3 Poison

Weight

2

Speed

Medium

Kremvh's Tooth is the most unique weapon in Fallout 4 because of the way it is obtained and its powerful effect. Kemvh's Tooth deals poison damage in addition to the regular damage it does upon impact.

You'll have to head to Dunwich Borers and complete the entire dungeon before eventually making your way into the final room, where the weapon is in the bottom of a hole. Since this is a completely free weapon and easy to obtain at higher levels, it's a good choice if you've been looking for that new weapon to finish your build.

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