Fallout 4 Automatron: How to Build the Best Robots

How do you build the best robots in Fallout 4 Automatron? Building your own robotic companion is a big part of Fallout 4: Automatron. Not far into the add-on, you'll get the ability to craft mechanical allies, and at first, the process can seem a bit daunting. With so many mods and parts to make use of, diving head-first into your new profession as a post-apocalyptic engineer can be confusing, and with that in mind, we've put together this hopefully helpful guide on the new robot construction system.

Below, we'll go over the basics, and then talk about some of the best modifications that the downloadable content has to offer. In this Fallout 4 Automatron guide, we're going to reveal how to build the best robots.

The Basics

The first thing that you need to do before you start making mechanical allies is craft the actual robot construction system. Basically, this is a big mechanism that you can place in any settlement as long as you have the space and materials to do so. Once you've set one up, you simply walk over and activate it; you'll then have the option to make alterations to an existing robot, or make one from scratch. Note that you can only customise robots that are either currently following you, or are present in that particular settlement.

Making the base frame for a brand new robot is pretty easy – you just need the materials. Fortunately, the required resources are commonly found throughout the Commonwealth, and if you've been busy making settlements, you'll more than likely have these items readily available.

Customising Your Robot

Okay, so this is where things get a little more complex. The process of customising your robot is essentially the same as customising your weapons or armour with mods – the menu system is near identical, and things will be impacted by specific perks that you may have, as well as the junk and existing mods that might be present in your inventory.

There are essentially two ways to customise your robot: you can either build parts using materials, or you can loot mods from robots that you defeat, and equip your own 'bot with them. Taking the latter route means that you don't need to worry about going through your stash of junk items, so it's well worth picking up any mods that you find lying around.

Meanwhile, if you don't want to rely on the random chance of finding mods on robot bodies, you may want to invest in the Science!, Robotics Expert, Blacksmith, Gun Nut, and Armorer perks, as they're a requirement when it comes to crafting some of the more advanced parts.

Which Mods Are Best?

By and large, the effectiveness of your custom robot is going to come down to your play style. If you're a melee-based character, then you may want a robot that can back you up from a distance with missiles or laser fire. Likewise, if you engage your enemies at range with rifles, a bulky 'bot kitted out with devastating melee weapons might be the best option.

But let's face it: with so many parts and mods to choose from, it can take some time before you come up with a robot design that suits your needs. As such, we've gone ahead and detailed some of the better modifications that you'll probably want to get your hands on, although keep in mind that many of these are going to take some effort to come across.

Best Head Types

Robobrain Head

Perks needed to craft: Science! - Rank 2/Robotics Expert - Rank 1

Description: The Robobrain Head is arguably the best head that your buddy can have. It gives your robot an extra projectile attack in the form of a Mesmetron pulse, and it provides a big boost in accuracy.

Assaultron Head Laser

Perks needed to craft: Science! - Rank 2/Robotics Expert - Rank 1

Description: The Assaultron Head Laser, unsurprisingly, gives your robot the ability to fire off an Assaultron's deadly laser blast from its face. This move is incredibly powerful, but at long range, it's liable to miss, so it might be best suited to a melee orientated 'bot.

Best Torso Types

Mr. Handy Torso

Perks required to craft: Science! - Rank 1

Description: A great choice for a melee-based robot, as the Mr. Handy Torso boosts movement speed, allowing your mechanical ally to get in close with minimal fuss.

Robobrain Torso

Perks required to craft: Science! - Rank 2/Armorer - Rank 1

Description: The bulkiest torso that you can build, if you discount the Sentry Torso that we've detailed below. The Robobrain Torso, however, has one advantage over its beefy brethren in that it won't overheat and leave your robot vulnerable for set periods of time.

Sentry Torso

Perks required to craft: Science! - Rank 3/Robotics Expert - Rank 1

Description: The Sentry Torso sports the best health boost of all torso models, but using it can make your robot overheat during combat - a trait that's a usual Sentry Bot's biggest weakness. If you're confident in your own fighting prowess, you can probably afford to take the risk, though.

Best Arm Types

Assaultron Arm

Perks required to craft: Science! - Rank 1/Armorer - Rank 1

Description: The Assaultron Arm offers the best melee damage of all the arm models, making it an obvious choice if you're going for pure attacking power.

Sentry Arm

Perks required to craft: Science! - Rank 3/Robotics Expert - Rank 1

Description: The Sentry Arm is the safest choice in this category, as it allows for the best carrying capacity, the best health boost, and adds decent melee damage.

Best Arm Weapons

Shishkebab

Perks required to craft: Blacksmith - Rank 3

Description: One of the best melee weapons you can equip your robot with, the Shishkebab is fast and makes targets take burn damage.

Hammer Saw

Perks required to craft: Blacksmith - Rank 3

Description: A brutal melee weapon that packs a devastating punch. As if that wasn't enough, the Hammer Saw also makes your opponents bleed on hit, which is great for taking out tougher foes with large health bars.

Heavy Flamer Gun

Perks required to craft: Science! - Rank 3/Gun Nut - Rank 1

Description: The Heavy Flamer Gun is very destructive indeed, but its projectiles don't have a great amount of range. Still, the raw damage makes this a choice pick for any bulky 'bots.

Minigun

Perks required to craft: Science! - Rank 3/Gun Nut - Rank 1

Description: The Minigun is a solid choice if you want your robot to do good, reliable damage from range.

Missile Launcher

Perks required to craft: Science! - Rank 3/Gun Nut - Rank 1

Description: Another solid choice at range, the Missle Launcher is particularly useful when taking on groups of enemies, as the blast can catch multiple foes.

Gatling Laser Gun

Perks required to craft: Science! - Rank 1

Description: Just like the Minigun, the Gatling Laser Gun offers reliable damage at range, and its energy damage is preferred against various enemy types.

Best Leg Types

Mr. Handy Thruster

Perks required to craft: None

Description: The fastest leg type available, the Mr. Handy Thruster is a great choice for a robot that you want to be mobile, zipping from enemy to enemy.

Assaultron Legs

Perks required to craft: Science! - Rank 1/Armorer - Rank 1

Description: Although the Assaultron Legs don't offer quite as much mobility as the Mr. Handy Thruster, they're a better choice for beefier 'bots, as more armour parts can be added to them.

Sentry Legs

Perks required to craft: Science! - Rank 3/Robotics Expert - Rank 1

Description: Offering the best carrying capacity and a ton of health, the Sentry Legs are an obvious choice for a tank-like robot. The only real downside is that with these legs, your mechanical partner may not be able to move all too freely in enclosed spaces, and they make one heck of a racket to boot.

Did you find our guide covering how to build the best robots in Fallout 4 Automatron? Check out our Fallout 4 guide for more information.