Running out of ammo in Fallout 4 can be a real buzzkill, especially when you're facing down a horde of ghouls or a particularly grumpy Deathclaw. You guys know the feeling, right? That moment of panic when you hear that click-click-click instead of the satisfying bang? Yeah, not fun. So, let's dive into the nitty-gritty of how to keep your guns loaded and your enemies properly ventilated in the Commonwealth. This guide will cover everything from scavenging and crafting to buying and even a little bit of strategic thinking to maximize your ammo supply.

Scavenging for Ammo: Leaving No Stone Unturned

Scavenging for ammo is your bread and butter, especially in the early game. The Commonwealth is littered with containers, corpses, and even just random spots where ammo might spawn. The key is to be thorough and methodical. Don't just run through a location; explore every nook and cranny. Check these places religiously:

• Containers: Ammo boxes are the obvious choice, but don't neglect first aid kits, toolboxes, and even those rusty old steamer trunks. You'd be surprised where you can find a stray box of .38 rounds.
• Corpses: Raiders, Gunners, and even the occasional unfortunate settler are prime candidates for carrying ammo. Always loot bodies! It's morbid, but necessary for survival.
• Desks and Cabinets: Offices and homes often have desks and cabinets that can contain ammo, especially in pre-war locations. These are often overlooked, so make them a priority.
• Police Stations and Military Checkpoints: These locations are practically ammo depots. Expect to find a variety of ammo types, from 5.56 rounds to shotgun shells. Just be prepared for a fight, as these places are usually heavily guarded.
• Don't forget the obvious: Sometimes, ammo is just lying around in plain sight! Check shelves, tables, and even the floor. You never know when you'll stumble upon a hidden stash.

Maximize Your Scavenging:

To really up your scavenging game, consider these tips:

• Increase your Perception: A higher Perception stat makes it easier to spot containers and items, including ammo. Invest in Perception perks like Awareness to further enhance your scavenging abilities.
• Use Dogmeat: Dogmeat, your loyal canine companion, can sniff out items, including ammo. While he won't directly fetch ammo for you, he'll lead you to containers that might contain it.
• Take the Scrounger Perk: This perk dramatically increases your chances of finding more ammo in containers. It's a must-have for any player who relies on scavenging for their ammo supply.

Buying Ammo: Supporting Your Local Gun Merchant

Buying ammo is another reliable way to keep your weapons loaded, especially as you accumulate caps. Various merchants throughout the Commonwealth sell ammo, and their stock usually refreshes regularly. Here's what you need to know:

• Diamond City Market: Arturo Rodriguez at Commonwealth Weaponry is your go-to guy for a wide variety of ammo types. He usually has a decent stock and is a reliable source.
• Goodneighbor: KL-E-0 at Kill or Be Killed is another excellent option, especially if you're looking for more exotic ammo types or unique weapons.
• Traveling Merchants: Keep an eye out for traveling merchants like Cricket, who wander the Commonwealth and often carry rare ammo types and weapons.
• Settlement Vendors: Once you establish settlements, you can build weapon shops and assign settlers to run them. These vendors will sell ammo, providing a convenient source of supply at your home base.

Tips for Smart Buying:

• Invest in Charisma: A higher Charisma stat will lower the prices you pay for ammo (and everything else). Perks like Cap Collector further reduce prices, saving you precious caps.
• Barter: Don't be afraid to trade items for ammo. Merchants are often willing to accept weapons, armor, or even junk in exchange for ammo.
• Check Regularly: Merchant inventories refresh periodically, so check back often to see what's new in stock.
• Consider Ammo Conversion: Some merchants offer ammo conversion services, allowing you to trade one type of ammo for another. This can be useful if you have a surplus of one type and a shortage of another.

Crafting Ammo: Becoming Your Own Munitions Factory

Crafting ammo is a more advanced method, but it can be incredibly useful, especially if you have a reliable source of raw materials. To craft ammo, you'll need the Gun Nut perk (Intelligence 3) and access to a weapons workbench. Here's the breakdown:

• Acquire the Gun Nut Perk: This perk unlocks the ability to craft various weapon mods and, more importantly, ammo.
• Gather Raw Materials: Ammo crafting requires various raw materials, including lead, steel, fertilizer, and gunpowder. Scavenge these materials from containers, junk piles, and by scrapping items at your settlements.
• Use a Weapons Workbench: Interact with a weapons workbench and select the ammo you want to craft. The required materials will be listed, and you can craft as much ammo as you have materials for.

Optimizing Your Crafting:

• Establish a Scraping Network: Set up supply lines between your settlements to share resources. This will ensure that you have a steady supply of raw materials for crafting ammo.
• Prioritize Lead: Lead is a crucial component in most ammo types, so prioritize gathering it. Look for lead weights in gyms, lead pipes in plumbing areas, and lead paint in abandoned buildings.
• Grow Fertilizer: Fertilizer is used to craft gunpowder, another essential ingredient. You can grow crops like corn, mutfruit, and tato at your settlements and use them to produce fertilizer.
• Take the Chemist Perk: While not directly related to ammo crafting, the Chemist perk extends the duration of chems, which can be useful for boosting your scavenging and combat abilities.

Strategic Ammo Conservation: Making Every Shot Count

Beyond scavenging, buying, and crafting, strategic ammo conservation is crucial for long-term survival. It's about making every shot count and avoiding unnecessary waste. Here's how to do it:

• Choose Your Battles Wisely: Not every encounter needs to be a firefight. Sometimes, it's better to sneak past enemies or use stealth tactics to eliminate them silently.
• Use VATS Strategically: VATS (Vault-Tec Assisted Targeting System) can improve your accuracy and increase your chances of hitting targets, especially at long range. However, using VATS consumes Action Points, so use it judiciously.
• Target Weak Points: Aim for enemy weak points, such as heads or limbs, to maximize damage and minimize the number of shots required to kill them.
• Use the Right Weapon for the Job: Don't use a powerful weapon like a .50 caliber sniper rifle to kill a radroach. Use a weaker weapon like a pipe pistol or a melee weapon instead.
• Mod Your Weapons: Weapon mods can improve accuracy, damage, and range, making your weapons more effective and reducing ammo consumption.
• Take Advantage of Cover: Use cover to avoid taking damage and minimize the number of shots you need to fire. Pop out from behind cover to take a shot and then duck back down to reload or reposition.
• Melee Combat: Don't underestimate the power of melee combat. In the early game, a good melee weapon can save you a ton of ammo. Plus, it's super satisfying to bash a raider's head in with a tire iron.

Exploiting Game Mechanics: The Sneaky Stuff

Okay, let's talk about some slightly less conventional methods. I'm talking about exploiting game mechanics. Now, I'm not advocating cheating, but there are a few tricks you can use to stretch your ammo supply.

• Duplication Glitches (Use at Your Own Risk): I'm not going to go into detail here because these glitches can be patched and can sometimes mess with your game. But, a quick search online will reveal various duplication glitches that can be used to duplicate ammo. Use these at your own risk! They can be unstable and ruin your experience.
• Ammo Factories (Creation Club): If you're willing to spend a little real-world money, the Creation Club offers an Ammo Plant workshop item. This allows you to passively generate ammo at your settlements. It's not free, but it can be a convenient way to keep your ammo supply topped off.

Final Thoughts: Never Stop Scrounging

So, there you have it: a comprehensive guide to getting more ammo in Fallout 4. Remember, the key is to be persistent, resourceful, and strategic. Never stop scrounging, always be on the lookout for opportunities to buy or craft ammo, and make every shot count. With these tips, you'll be well-equipped to survive the dangers of the Commonwealth and keep your guns blazing. Good luck out there, wastelanders!