Most one handed edged weapons have the Back Slash special attack, which, at the cost of less damage, delivers a quicker attack. Note: All Unarmed/Melee power attacks double weapon's base damage. Special melee attacks outside of V.A.T.S., however, don't have any special properties to them, but are considered as a standard power attack. It is possible to execute special attacks outside of V.A.T.S., without the required Melee skill of 50 to perform the moves, by initiating a power attack (hold attack button) while moving forward. Note: All Unarmed/Melee attacks in V.A.T.S. The only exceptions are when this reduction allows for a player to make 3 or 2 attacks in one V.A.T.S. Note that, in general, the reduction of action points expended for some special attacks does not make up for the corresponding decrease in damage, compared to usage exclusively in V.A.T.S. round, but with a lower damage inflicted by each individual attack a higher action point cost with greater damage, allowing for fewer, more damaging attacks or a higher action point cost and a lower damage, but the addition of a special effect like the chance to knock down enemies. Attacks most often couple a lower action point cost with lower damage, allowing for more attacks per V.A.T.S. When the player has 50 Melee Weapons skill points, they have access to special melee attacks which consume a certain amount of action points for a variety of effects in V.A.T.S.

2.2 Special Power Attacks outside of V.A.T.S.1.2 Special Attacks outside of V.A.T.S.

New vegas melee mod