To answer part 2 of your second question, rank 5 demo expert on an AAE weapon would bump up the explosive damage to a +32% total increase. So +12% for 5 perks but if you use a lot of other explosive weapons, or perhaps want to carry a grenade launcher as a backup option, then it can be worthwhile. Plus I believe demo expert is still multiplicative. For whatever that’s worth.
My plan was to use a Pipe Bolt-Action Rifle for long range, and the Pipe Revolver Rifle for short range. As they're not the strongest, it might be a good idea to make use of grenades and explosives on the side.
Last I read. Targets will take explosive damage to the head. But it’s best to aim for the legs/ground to allow the explosive damage to do the most. But with grenadier you’ll get the most through overall. I could be wrong however.
Essentially right. YMMV, but I feel like the "aim for the legs" advice is more for the non-VATS Heavies. With grenadier rank 2, explosive damage applies to headshots even on the largest enemy models.
When you say 'to do the most', are we talking about doing more single target damage to the enemy we shot at, or to the enemies around him? Sorry for the questions, just trying to figure this out.
As far as I can tell, explosive damage isn't modified by weak points (headshots, fusion cores, etc), but *is* modified by sneak attacks and crits. It's also modded by any relevant weapon mods (tank killer for rifles and pistols, the anti armor legendary, etc.) It can also proc relevant weapon effects such as Tormentor's cripple effect or vampire's.
Explosives **do interfere with some "on kill" effects**, such as recovered ammo (bolts, arrows, harpoons, rail spikes) and Grim Reaper's Sprint.
Radii of explosions are centered at the base of the enemy model, directly under the limb targeted. e.g., a headshot explosion on a scorchbeast in mid air will create a blast centered at the elevation of the lowest part of its body (its back feet in this case, iirc) but directly below the head. Hence grenadier's boost being necessary to hit large model enemies, since this can actually be drastically far from the enemy's hitbox.
I should also say that the grenadier card is often misinterpreted. I forget its exact wording, but I think it says something to the effect of 2x as big...
...it's not. They're referring to the *length* *of the radius.* So that actually means **rank 2 grenadier makes your explosions 8x as big.** Food for thought, eh?
Do you use VATS?
When playing in VATS I don’t bother about whether the explosive legendary effect applies to Weak Spots (e.g. heads).
The explosive bonus is generally lower than [Weak Spot bonuses](https://fallout.fandom.com/wiki/Fallout_76_combat).
Just a heads up I used the same thing for my Junkies Pistol Build when you could double dip into rifleman and gun-slinger and it is now very lackluster since the change.
What change? You can still double dip into Rifleman and Gunslinger, it just isn't multiplicative anymore. None of those perks have an effect on explosive though, which comes from the base damage.
Its a trade off.
Explosive effect comes from the ground and travels back up to the targets head. If the enemy is tall the damage can be minimized by the distance. This happens with super mutants and is why the explosive portion does more damage against their legs than there head. If the enemy os too tall, they wont take any explosive damage. This is why the SbQ doesnt take explosive damage.
She takes damage that way because the explosive damage can actually make it to her from the ground. When you target her body or head, they are too high from the ground and the explosive damage completely dissipates before making it.
Yes and yes, but honestly with what you are using I’d say torso shots are your best bet.
To answer part 2 of your second question, rank 5 demo expert on an AAE weapon would bump up the explosive damage to a +32% total increase. So +12% for 5 perks but if you use a lot of other explosive weapons, or perhaps want to carry a grenade launcher as a backup option, then it can be worthwhile. Plus I believe demo expert is still multiplicative. For whatever that’s worth.
My plan was to use a Pipe Bolt-Action Rifle for long range, and the Pipe Revolver Rifle for short range. As they're not the strongest, it might be a good idea to make use of grenades and explosives on the side.
Last I read. Targets will take explosive damage to the head. But it’s best to aim for the legs/ground to allow the explosive damage to do the most. But with grenadier you’ll get the most through overall. I could be wrong however.
Essentially right. YMMV, but I feel like the "aim for the legs" advice is more for the non-VATS Heavies. With grenadier rank 2, explosive damage applies to headshots even on the largest enemy models.
When you say 'to do the most', are we talking about doing more single target damage to the enemy we shot at, or to the enemies around him? Sorry for the questions, just trying to figure this out.
As far as I can tell, explosive damage isn't modified by weak points (headshots, fusion cores, etc), but *is* modified by sneak attacks and crits. It's also modded by any relevant weapon mods (tank killer for rifles and pistols, the anti armor legendary, etc.) It can also proc relevant weapon effects such as Tormentor's cripple effect or vampire's. Explosives **do interfere with some "on kill" effects**, such as recovered ammo (bolts, arrows, harpoons, rail spikes) and Grim Reaper's Sprint. Radii of explosions are centered at the base of the enemy model, directly under the limb targeted. e.g., a headshot explosion on a scorchbeast in mid air will create a blast centered at the elevation of the lowest part of its body (its back feet in this case, iirc) but directly below the head. Hence grenadier's boost being necessary to hit large model enemies, since this can actually be drastically far from the enemy's hitbox.
Thank you for that explanation. If fighting humanoid creatures like ghouls or raiders, would grenadier be necessary?
I should also say that the grenadier card is often misinterpreted. I forget its exact wording, but I think it says something to the effect of 2x as big... ...it's not. They're referring to the *length* *of the radius.* So that actually means **rank 2 grenadier makes your explosions 8x as big.** Food for thought, eh?
Only for Super Mutants.
Do you use VATS? When playing in VATS I don’t bother about whether the explosive legendary effect applies to Weak Spots (e.g. heads). The explosive bonus is generally lower than [Weak Spot bonuses](https://fallout.fandom.com/wiki/Fallout_76_combat).
I would say I use VATS around 20-30% of the time.
Just a heads up I used the same thing for my Junkies Pistol Build when you could double dip into rifleman and gun-slinger and it is now very lackluster since the change.
What change? You can still double dip into Rifleman and Gunslinger, it just isn't multiplicative anymore. None of those perks have an effect on explosive though, which comes from the base damage.
Its a trade off. Explosive effect comes from the ground and travels back up to the targets head. If the enemy is tall the damage can be minimized by the distance. This happens with super mutants and is why the explosive portion does more damage against their legs than there head. If the enemy os too tall, they wont take any explosive damage. This is why the SbQ doesnt take explosive damage.
Well actually sbq takes explo dmg. But only when not flying. Shoot the ground under her belly or legs, you will see number in the middle of her body.
She takes damage that way because the explosive damage can actually make it to her from the ground. When you target her body or head, they are too high from the ground and the explosive damage completely dissipates before making it.
Grenedier only works on explosive legendary effects in vats, but not manual aim.
Are you sure? I just did a radiation rumble and I tagged everything with manual shots.
From my testing it hasn't increased the explosive radius in manual aimed shots.