Fallout 4 has all manner of weapons to suit any play style, from stealth-based pistols to massive miniguns. Although guns and energy weapons might be more synonymous with the franchise, there are some really fantastic and cool melee weapons for Sole Survivors to track down during their exploration of the Commonwealth. However, with some of the best being unique weapons and a little harder to get than others, knowing where to look for them becomes all the more important.

melee build and perks. From swords and machetes to baseball bats and sledgehammers, here are some of the best melee weapons to keep an out for during your next playthrough.

10 2076 World Series Baseball Bat

Baseball Bat Looted From Jamaica Plains

With one of the major settlements in Fallout 4 being located in Boston's Fenway Park, it's no surprise there are a fair few baseball bats to be found in the Commonwealth. There are plenty of the regular variety that can be used, but for something a little special, you should head over to Jamaica Plains to pick up the 2076 World Series Baseball Bat. Although not a quest reward, this bat can only be gotten by completing the side quest “Find the Treasure of Jamaica Plains.”

After traveling to Jamaica Plains, head into the town hall and down into the basement. There are plenty of traps to keep an eye out for, but these can be disarmed with the Mayor's ID, which can be found on a body in the church opposite the town hall. Inside the basement are lots of pre-war items, including the bat, which comes with the ability to knock targets back and send them flying, making it great against large groups of attackers.

9 Cito's Shiny Slugger

Baseball Bat Quest Reward From Cito In Nuka-World

Another great baseball bat to pick up is Cito's Shiny Slugger, which is given as a reward by Cito after clearing out the Safari Adventure zone of Nuka-World during the main quest, “The Grand Tour.” To gain the bat, Cito and his ghoulrilla family will have to be alive, either by getting them to leave or persuading him to live with the raiders. Keeping Cito and his family alive is not only the right thing to do, but also worth it for this fantastic bat, which has the highest damage of any blunt weapon in Fallout 4.

The best Nuka-World raider gang to assign to the Safari Adventure zone is the Pack, as they not only fit the theme best but will also get along well with Cito.

Cito's Shiny Slugger is an upgraded baseball bat with spiked rocket modification to give extra armor piercing with a chance to cripple targets. It has also been upgraded to aluminum material for extra damage, further adding to the bat's output to a whopping 123. However, my favorite aspect of Cito's Shiny Slugger is the Relentless legendary effect, which will refill your action points when you get a critical hit.

8 General Chao's Revenge

Chinese Officer Sword Purchased From Trudy At Drumlin Diner

While out exploring the Commonwealth, you might stumble across a confrontation happening outside a diner a short walk west of Starlight Drive In. Getting involved will begin the quest “Order Up,” which, if settled in a particular way, means getting hold of an excellent variant of the Chinese Officer Sword called General Chao's Revenge. To do this, the diner's owner, Trudy, must be kept alive. This can be achieved by either persuading her to settle her son's debt with Wolfgang or if Wolfgang is killed or intimidated into leaving.

General Chao's Revenge can be bought from Trudy and comes with the Troubleshooter's legendary effect, which deals an extra 50% damage to robot enemies, making it handy when dealing with Automatron's quests. The sword has been upgraded to have a serrated blade to inflict the bleeding effect on targets for extra damage. Finally, General Chao's Revenge has the highest base damage of any of the Chinese Officer Swords, dealing 28 before any bonuses or perks.

7 Grognak's Axe

Two-Handed Axe Looted From Hubris Comics

Perhaps one of the most well-known melee weapons in Fallout 4 is Grognak's Axe, the iconic two-handed axe belonging to the in-universe comic character. Grognak's Axe can be found in Hubris Comics inside an advanced locked display case just behind the front desk. Although it cannot be modified or renamed, Grognak's Axe has some amazing effects that make the trip to Hubris Comics, close to Boston Common, well worth it.

It is best to also pick up the Grognak costume from the top floor of Hubris Comics as it gives a plus-two boost to Strength as well as boosts melee damage by 25%.

Grognak's Axe has two great damage effects, as its hits cause more stagger, and enemies will take additional bleed damage. This means targets will take extra damage over time during fights as well as have their own attacks interrupted by becoming staggered. However, Grognak's Axe also has a hidden effect, as it uses much fewer action points in V.A.T.S. than other comparable melee weapons.

6 Atom's Judgement

Super Sledge Quest Reward From Grand Zealot Richter In Far Harbor

If you are looking to deal out damage with one of the coolest-looking weapons in Fallout 4, then look no further than Atom's Judgement. To get this flashy sledgehammer, you'll need to sail over to Far Harbor and the Children of Atom cult on the Island to get the quest “The Heretic” from Grand Zealot Richter. Once the quest is complete, he'll hand over Atom's Judgement, which features four damaged fusion cores for the head of the hammer.

Atom's Judgement does an impressive amount of damage, with the only trade-off being its slow speed and hefty weight. With a base damage of 40, it deals the same amount as a regular Super Sledge; however, Atom's Judgement has a unique legendary effect that sets it apart. On top of its regular damage, the hammer will also deal out 100 points of radiation damage, making it devastatingly effective against humans.

5 Throatslicer

Knife Purchased From Katelyn Alden In Nuka-World

The cutthroat world of Nuka-World's raiders necessitates a certain level of protection, and given that the DLC isn't available until after you hit level 30, there are some great new weapons to be found. Luckily, one of the best melee weapons can be bought as soon as you arrive in the park, as Katelyn Alden in the Nuka-Town Market sells that fantastically named Throatslicer. This unique knife is a variant of the blades carried by the Disciples, Nuka-World's most psychotic gang, and definitely lives up to its name.

Throatslicer is a brilliantly fast little weapon, perfect for sneak attacks on lone enemies. Although it already has decent base damage of 20, Throatslicer also has the Wounding legendary effect for extra bleeding damage. One little nick with Throatslicer will have targets taking an extra 25 points of damage, which isn't bad for a trip to the market.

4 The Harvester

Chainsaw Looted From Echo Lake Lumber In Far Harbor

From one fast blade to another with the Harvester, which can be found while exploring the Island in the Far Harbor DLC. The Harvester is a unique variant of the Ripper, a short chainsaw-like tool that is ridiculously fast to attack with. The Harvester can be looted from a red steamer trunk on the top floor of the main building at the Echo Lake Lumber Settlement.

As with the Ripper, the Harvester doesn't just damage enemies once per hit but instead deals consecutive damage at close range, which, with its very fast attack speed, makes it a devastating weapon. However, what really sets the Harvester apart is its legendary effect, which can stagger targets, allowing you to get in even more attacks before they can respond. I like to combine the Harvester with the Blitz perk to increase the melee distance in V.A.T.S. or Critical Banker for armored enemies.

3 Pickman's Blade

Combat Knife Looted From Safe In Pickman Gallery

Along with Grognak's Axe, Pickman's Blade might be one of the most well-known melee weapons in Fallout 4. This fast knife can be looted while inside the Pickman Gallery, and can be found in a master locked wall safe behind a painting named “Picnic for Stanley.” With a low action point cost and a high speed of attack Pickman's Blade can deal an impressive amount of damage in a short space of time.

Pickman's Blade can be gained without saving Pickman, as the key to the safe can also be looted from his body. Those with a high enough skill can also pick the lock and get the knife without ever interacting with the serial killer.

However, the knife's legendary effects and mods are what make this blade special. Pickman's Blade comes with the Wounding effect, causing targets to take 25 extra points of bleeding damage with each hit. The second effect is a great mod that deals extra sneak attack damage and even more bleeding damage, making it the perfect weapon of choice for any Stealth build.

2 Shishkebab

Flaming Sword Quest Reward From Abraham Finch

First appearing in Fallout 3, the Shishkebab has quickly become a staple of the franchise, going on to appear in Fallout: New Vegas and Fallout 76 as well as Fallout 4. This flaming sword perfectly captures the makeshift nature of so many wasteland weapons, combining a fuel source with a rusted wakizashi. To gain the Shishkebab in Fallout 4, you will have to defeat Slag, the leader of the Forged at the Saugus Ironworks, during the quest “Out of the Fire.”

Slag is a tough fight, especially in the confined space, but worth it for the option of keeping Shishkebab. On top of looking incredibly cool, Shishkebab deals both regular and energy damage and has the chance to set targets on fire for extra damage over time. Shishkebab can also be modified to increase the energy damage, and considering it doesn't require fuel, it is always a great weapon to keep on hand.

1 Kremvh's Tooth

Machete Looted From Dunwich Borers

Finally, one of the best melee weapons is also one of the most unique-looking and potentially creepy. Kremvh's Tooth is a distinctive-looking machete that can be found on an underwater altar deep under Dunwich Borers. Heading down there, you'll experience pre-war flashbacks to sacrificial ceremonies with possible links to Ug-Qualtoth, a strange eldritch being, before diving into a claustrophobic submerged section to retrieve the blade.

I always make a point to head over to Dunwich Borers to pick up Kremvh's Tooth as soon as I hit around level 30, as it is easily one of my favorite weapons in Fallout 4. Kremvh's Tooth is a fun weapon to keep in your arsenal with an impressive base damage of 28, medium attack speed, and a unique weapon mod called Sacrificial Blade. This mod will boost damage, inflict poison and bleeding on targets, and is also the reason for the strange shape of the machete.