Fallout 76 Items: 20 Melee Weapons That Scale With Strength
In Fallout 76, melee builds can pack a serious punch when paired with the Strength stat. As one of the primary S.P.E.C.I.A.L. attributes for close-combat characters, Strength increases melee damage and unlocks essential perk cards. Whether you're smashing through Scorchbeasts or clearing Daily Ops, here are 20 melee weapons that scale exceptionally well with Strength.
1. Super Sledge
This heavy two-handed weapon delivers massive damage and has one of the highest Strength scalings. Perfect for power-armored builds.
2. Grognak’s Axe
A fan favorite from the Fallout universe. With fast swings and bonus limb damage, it benefits greatly from Strength perks.
3. The Tenderizer
This unique sledgehammer increases target damage taken. Its base damage scales beautifully with Strength, making it a go-to in team play.
4. Bone Club
A brutal blunt weapon, especially effective when enhanced with the Incisor and Martial Artist perks.
5. Auto Axe
With fast attack speed and Strength-based damage, this weapon is especially effective in VATS-heavy builds.
6. Fire Axe
Not just for firefighters. Scales well with Strength and can be modded for bleeding or flame damage.
7. War Drum
The War Drum is more than a novelty—it hits hard and has excellent Strength synergy when perked correctly.
8. Chainsaw
When modded with the dual-barrel or flamer attachment, it can decimate enemies in seconds. Strength boosts its already terrifying DPS.
9. Pole Hook
Fast and deadly. Great for hit-and-run melee tactics and scales well with Strength-based perks like Slugger.
10. Baseball Bat
Easy to craft early on and surprisingly strong with the right mods. A solid choice for Strength-based characters.
11. Sheepsquatch Club
A rare weapon that looks ridiculous but hits like a truck. It's heavy, slow, but devastating when your Strength stat is high.
12. Walking Cane
Underrated and stylish. Modded with spikes or blades, it becomes a dangerous tool in the hands of a Strength-focused build.
13. Combat Knife
While not traditionally heavy, it becomes lethal with high Strength and perks like Blitz and Ninja.
14. Mr. Handy Buzz Blade
The perpetual spinning blade doesn’t stop and stacks well with Strength to deal continuous damage over time.
15. Shishkebab
A flaming sword that looks as cool as it performs. It benefits heavily from both Strength and fire damage perks.
16. Meat Hook
Dual-wielded and fast. With Strength and Gladiator perks, it tears through enemies in close quarters.
17. Guitar Sword
A weirdly effective weapon that scales with Strength and shreds both in sound and damage.
18. Multi-Purpose Axe
This weapon is often overlooked but becomes effective in Strength builds due to its quick swing speed.
19. Ski Sword
Found in the snowy parts of Appalachia, the Ski Sword is modifiable and works surprisingly well with Slugger and Incisor.
20. The Gauntlet
A Power Fist-style weapon used by Mole Miners. High base damage and brutal Strength scaling make it a powerhouse in melee combat.
If you're focusing on a Strength-heavy build, these weapons should be part of your rotation. Keep an eye out for legendary versions with effects like “Power Attack Damage” or “+Strength.” Combine them with perk cards like Martial Artist, Incisor, and Slugger variants for maximum impact.
Players often trade or farm for legendary melee weapons, especially those listed above. There’s a healthy market of Fallout 76 items for sale PC, including specialized melee gear. If you're short on bottle caps to snag a top-tier weapon, many players also look for Fallout 76 Caps for Sale to give their builds a boost and save time.
Whether you're diving into PvE or holding your own in PvP, a well-perked Strength build with the right melee weapon can dominate any part of Appalachia.