A virtual machine is basically an operating system emulator . Various programs will let you create a computer within a computer . However , this can also be taxing on your PC though depending on your specs because you have to designate resources RAM , CPU Cores , HD space to the vm . I would suggest watching a youtube video or 2 on creating them if you wish to proceed . Hope I was able to properly assist with the explanation . <| sep |> I don ' t think there is an easy answer for that question . But I ' d like to share my thoughts . The simplest and smart ass answer that comes to my mind is The best build is the one you use . There is no other build to compare it against in a single player environment . The optimal build is the one that gets the job done well enough and didn ' t require a lot of studying . Those two are usually identical , unless you notice inefficiencies in your build , then those make it suboptimal . Now to my real answerImportant considerations in crowning the bestoptimal build gamepad vs mouse do you consider roleplaying as part of the game experience ? normal gameplay vs challenge runs survival or nonsurvivalGamepad vs Mouse An avid mouse player won ' t need VATS for guns and can avoid sinking points into luck or agility agility and it ' s perks still have their uses , but it ' s not as important . Those points can be used for general stat increases or defensive perks . Roleplaying If you just want to play the game , and not play a role , you can skip useless or flavor perks e . g . Nuclear Physicist or Cannibal . Challenge RunsHere you have to specialize to stay in the game , so you might take perks others would never touch e . g . Moving Target . SurvivalThe reduced carry capacity limit your arsenal and might force you to take more strength than usual . Being a hoarder like Jon is not advised . Here some builds I ' d call optimal , under the right circumstances Cha 3 and Lone Wanderer is mandatory for all builds , unless you specifically roleplay as a companions guy . SniperInfiltrator The Classic Primary SPECIAL Per and Agi Secondary SPECIAL Str Start with Per 7 , Chr 3 and Agi 7 , dump into StrEnd . Get Strong Back , if you need more carry weight . Perception Bobblehead is with Preston Garvey , so you don ' t need to waste a point for 8 to get to Sniper . Primary Perks anything rifle or damagerelated Primary Weapons Silenced Rifles Secondary Weapons Silenced Pistols Optimal for nonsurvival mouse players With this build you are ahead of the level curve , as long as you got bullets and hit the shots . Works also for Survival , but needs some tight inventory budgeting , as highpower semiauto sniper rifles plus ammo quickly fill up your weight , and you ' ll need armor as well . Melee The Bacon Primary SPECIAL Str and Agi Secondary SPECIAL Lck Start with Str 10 , Chr 3 , Agi 9 and Lck 3 . Debuff Str to use the Special Book for Str 11 e . g . one of the Day Tripper from ConcordPrimary Perks Big Leagues , Rooted and Blitz Secondary Perks Sneak and Ninja , Idiot Savant if you want to level faster , Crit Perks Primary Weapons Melee Optimal for most situations , but can get boring . Can get you ranged kills due to glitches , and thus may feel unrewarding and cheap . For me personally this feeling of breaking the game disqualifies it for the title best build . VATS Pistol The VATSolero Primary SPECIAL Per and Agi Secondary SPECIAL Lck Start with Per 8 , Chr 3 , Agi 10 and Lck 4 If you want to go for Idiot Savant as soon as possible change Per to 7 and Lck to 5 . Use to SPECIAL book to boost Agi to 11 . Primary Perks Gunslinger , Gun Fu , Penetrator Secondary Perks Sneak and anything that improves critical strikes Primary Weapons pistols Secondary Weapons grenades , maybe rifles Optimal for gamepad players and players who want less involvement . Edit I should also add , I think the Infiltrator build is the best , because it doesn ' t require dozens of perks in it ' s core it just needs two , Rifleman and Sniper . It ' s lightweight and can be adopted into other more complex builds .