Hate to ask what seems like a dumb question, but I came from Junktown to the Hub. I did everything there was to do in Junktown, with little issue. Now, I can do nothing, without getting my ass handed to me. And, I knew better than to try DeathClaw. Tried Irwin's Farm...realized I was way too weak.....tried turning Decker into the cops, near instadeath.

I've Googled this endlessly, and gotten zippo. I've looked at all the FAQs on Gamefaqs....none give pointers on how to build up strength and caps to help get stronger. Am I supposed to go on to other places, or just roam the countryside?

I kinda like my games a tad more linear, so guess that's why I'm asking like this. I have little $, and am level 6 with the typical weaponry and armor you could have coming from Junkwon.....I did buy the Metal Armor from Beth though.

Oh, also, I have caravan trips that are a week and two weeks out. I certainly don't see myself sleeping in this city for two weeks as my timer for the water chip and game goes down.

I don't know...I feel lost. Was seriously just thinking of punting and going to another game.

Where were you already? What's yourlevel? What's your build?

You pretty much need combat armor, and company for starter. You might be able to do the farm (raider occupation), but against the deathclaws if you only have unarmed/melee/small guns you're pretty much screwed. They are the toughest quest in the entire game, only solvable by combat,and with advanced weaponry. This pretty much means either the upped plasma rifle (available right in the area), or the best class of the game: Big Mutha Weapons. Preferably Rocket Launchers. Miniguns might work too.

But please remember: most areas are OPTIONAL. Fallout is an open world game. Go somewhere else, maybe even skip the whole town. Were you at the BoS? Necropolis? The Glow?

I'm lvl 5..nearly 6....I found another FAQ that didn't act like you should be ready to do all those HUB quests, which make no sense......it explained to come back there later, as we're underequipped for those quests just yet...which makes total sense. Not sure why all these other FAQs/Walkthrus make you think you should be able to do those at that point.

Anyhow, so on to Necropolis....making my way through this fairly easily.....hoping not to run out of ammo, though...we shall see.

I do have my dog, Ian and the other dude with the shotgun fondness.

Thief's circle quests? Also, you can take a caravan to Brotherhood, go to Glow, get initiated and receive a lot of equipment.

If you don't mind spoilers, http://fallout.wikia.com/wiki/Fallout_quests

I feel like the min/max guide I used as a reference was on gamefaqs.

I don't remember specifics, but it involves putting a hefty chunk of your SPECIAL into Luck, then gambling like a fiend, buying all the books from the librarian, getting various skills way up, rinse/repeat a few times. You'll be critting eyeballs for a good while.

Seems like you've found a good alternative, though.