How to Use VATS to Target Limbs in Fallout: New Vegas

Use VATS in Fallout: New Vegas to select a visible enemy and choose a body part before firing. Read the displayed chance to hit and the action point cost, then queue the attacks you want. Pick the limb or body part based on what you need from the shot. A harder target can be worthwhile when crippling it changes the fight, while a more reliable torso shot can be better when you simply need damage.

Open VATS and queue one attack

1. Equip a ranged weapon, check its ammunition, and face an enemy you can see.
2. Use your VATS input. Select the enemy you intend to attack.
3. Move the selection between body parts and compare their displayed percentages.
4. Queue one attack and check the remaining action points. Add another only if it helps the current plan.
5. Confirm the sequence and watch the result. Move to cover or take another action when normal control returns.

Start with one target and a clear line of sight. That lets you see how the body-part display changes when the enemy is partly behind cover. If you are near a doorway, move to a better angle before trying a low-percentage shot. A new position can give you a different set of choices.

Don't treat a displayed percentage as a promise. A favorable chance can still miss. If your first shot has an important job, decide what you will do afterward if it fails. Leave an escape route or cover nearby rather than spending your entire plan on one result.

Pick the body part that solves the problem

A torso can be an easier target than a smaller limb depending on the angle. A head shot can be attractive when the chance and damage suit the situation. An arm or leg can be a useful choice if you want to affect the enemy's ability to fight or move. Read what the current target offers instead of picking the same part every time.

For example, if an enemy is closing distance and you need to slow it down, compare a leg shot with the shots you can land reliably. If the leg is exposed, take the opportunity when it fits your budget. If the enemy is almost defeated and a torso shot has a much better chance, that can be the simpler answer.

Check both enemies and cover before spending the whole queue. A target beside an obstacle may expose one part and hide another. If a second enemy is about to reach you, use a plan that leaves time or resources to react after VATS ends.

Manage action points between attempts

The weapon and attacks you select use action points. Read the queue before confirming, especially if you're changing targets or weapons. If the sequence would spend nearly everything, decide whether the last shot is likely to matter. You can choose a shorter sequence and return to normal movement when it ends.

When action points are low, use cover and normal attacks if the situation allows. Give the points time to recover. Don't stand still in an exposed position waiting for the next full queue. Move to a place where you can choose the next shot without taking unnecessary damage.

For a practice comparison, use the same weapon against an ordinary enemy. Check one torso shot and one limb shot before choosing the sequence. See how the angle changes each chance. Repeat from a different position so you learn what the display tells you before combat becomes crowded.

Fix an unavailable or unreliable shot

If you can't queue the attack, check ammunition, action points, range, and whether the selected part is available. Try moving to clear cover and reopening VATS. If the chance is low, choose another part or improve the angle before confirming.

If you selected the wrong enemy or body part, cancel or revise the queue before executing it. Check the target name and the selected limb when several enemies overlap. After a missed sequence, reassess the fight instead of repeating the same choice automatically.

Use VATS to make a specific decision: choose the target, choose the part, and spend the action points that decision deserves. Practice with one clear shot before trying to chain several.