Utterly Mad

As someone who proclaims to be the master of Fallout New Vegas (I have only played hard core playthroughs, I really like having to eat and drink okay). And most of these apply to hard core (FUCKING REALLY HARD CORE IS A BAD WORD!?) anyway.

1. Don't be a Skyrim player and "save" your chems for a more urgent time. If you're going into any battle with more then 4 enemies, always buff yourself, I can't tell you how many times a Med-X, Psycho, with a Whiskey chaser saved me from having to spam F5 24/7. This ain't like normal where you can just ignore drugs and move on, in hard core mode (on very hard) you'll need all the help you can get, your power armor can only help so much.

2. Learn how to plant mines and set up a "camp" when you're battling. If you see Legion or NCR assassin's, find a good covered spot and run to it, toss some mines on your way up there to start dealing damage. Then begin to pick them off.

3. Karma literally means nothing in New Vegas, don't be afraid to steal what you need to. You may feel like **** stealing from your favorite NPC or Faction, but if you're broken, battered, and nearly out of ammo don't be afraid to stoop down to becoming a more 'passive' raider.

4. Stealthboys and the cover of night are your friend.

5. If you have Nevada Skies installed, make sure you get a tent mod so you don't die in the Radiation Storms.