The Survival skill, which is similar to Outdoorsman, was re-added.

New throwing weapons, such as the throwing spear, have been added and are categorized as Melee Weapons. Weapons using explosive ordnance (missile and grenade launchers, for instance) are covered by Explosives. Small Guns and Big Guns having been combined into the Guns skill, which now covers all conventional firearms with bullet projectiles.

Thirteen skills still remain, but the combat skills have been revised. Fallout: New Vegas shares a similar skill set to its predecessor, Fallout 3, but with several differences.