Fallout 1 - How I know I'm a Retard
 

I'm tried running with the hi-res mod and I can't control the game very well. Its hard to select stuff, hard to even see fine details.

Then I dropped to 1024x768. Now I can see stuff. But I still can't control the game worth a damn! It took me 5 minutes to get the click on the computer in the opening sequence. I can't figure out how to use the combat round. I can't figure out how to target anything. I just keep clicking the rats until I get the target icon and he shoots. Then I have more round time and I don't know how to use the time so I hit end round.

Mind you I finished ToEE so I get the concept of turn based. I don't know if anyone can even help here, I'm just astonished I can't get anything done in Fallout. Its pathetic!

Going off memory you select different actions through the big block thing with your weapon on it and your action point dots.

Also, if you right click the mouse on screen it changes the icon to different icons that do different things (like pickpocket), left clicking performs that action. But I could be wrong as i haven't played one or two in a couple years.

That sounds about right.

alright I'll try right now…

OK so the cursor cycles. What a moroon I am!

It it definitely awkward and tedious. After playing FO1 and finishing FO2 I was very tired of the combat, especially with the lack of control over followers, and their poor AI. It makes POR2 look like high tactics. ;)

I only played it for a few minutes but I was actually getting sort of bored. The travel system between grids and the movement, controls… I guess I was expecting something more like the Infinity engine games. It is a classic though… I need to give it a fair shot. Is there any way to start combat and have the initiative??? Waiting for rats to bite me gets old.

I think one of your stats (either speed or agility) increases you initiative.

You can indeed pick a fight pre-emptively, if that is what you are asking. The details are foggy for me though :P I think you just left click your weapon window.. or maybe it's a red button that you click.

Stick with the game!

Errr, from memory like Drithius said - don't you simply click on your equipped weapon - and then with the red crosshair, click on your desired target to begin fighting? I love the ability to do this by the way.

If you're smart with your movement and action points during your turn, you can move as such with rats so that they won't actually attack you and then you can pick them off at your leisure.

It's a great game mate, keep slugging it out.

Fallout will (probably) grow on you, so don't give up. It is a great game, with a great setting and a great underlying rule system. Combat can be a bit awkward at times, but the game has so much going for it that it manages to remain great.

Also, when designing a character, make sure that you don't skimp on Int & Agi, the two most important stats (in my opinion). Int will open up a lot of dialogue options, and many skills are int-reliant.
Agi will give you more action points in combat, which is vital, in particular if you don't make a Cha-beast.

I just started a new playthrough this week. I didn't use the high-res patch but do use the following mods:
Concerning combat I always position myself at max-range from a mob and wait for it to detect and attack me. That way it'll use up its action points traveling towards me arriving at my feet when its my turn. When a new round starts I have the first initiative. :) Save often.

Remember to take with some rope for the first vault btw and don't go cheap on the stimpaks. :)

Here's my ratkiller which aims to be a sharpshooting thieving scientist:

I find the combat in Fallout boring. There, I said it.