Level 28 now, this is my dude so far:
S - 3
P - 5 perks: rifleman2, locksmith3
E - 4 perks: chem resistant 2 (no addiction to chems!)
C - 8 perks: Companion 1, local leader 1
I - 8 perks: Gun Nut3, Science1, Crazy Scientiest 2 (makes chems last longer)
A -5 perks: Action boy2,
L - 4 perks: Mysterious Stranger1, Bloody Mess2, Scrounger1
Loaded up early game adding points to my special as there are some wicked perks i wanted to pick up later in the game.
Weapons: Have a range of modded weapons - cannot place greater importance on loading up on gun nut perk if you are into ranged weaponry. Long range: 98 DMG Silenced sniper rifle that tracks enemies on map. Medium range: 102DMG hunting rifle (no scope, hip shot & VATS special weapon). Short range: 98 DMG Shotgun. Have a wicked .44 revolver & a fully loaded flamer & missile launcher for bosses.
Armour: About 3 combat suits, and if have received a wicked non combat armour suit that you will pick up if following the story. I need to get Armourer perk to allow for armour customization - but am not down with arm/leg/body armour as is so heavy - need dat loot space! Not a big combat armour user, i love rockin round with my sunglasses (Perception +1 bonus), and badass skull bandanna over my face. Pimpin!
Companions: Have partnered up with Cait - dont wanna say too much in case of spoilers, but this chic is wicked! Can locksmith difficult locks if you're not leveled up for lockpicking early and she loves it when i steal, murder & use chems. Good in a fight unlike some other companions i've tried too.
Settlements: Havent done a great deal with the settlements as yet, loaded up on defenses at Sanctuary, and basically using it as home base for all companions not currently in use. Just started to figure out creating supply lines but as other players have stated, it isnt really linking up my workshop items which is annoying as hell.
Current Level/perks: Love using chems to gain damage bonuses, and really looked to get chem resistance full perk early on. Gun nut lvl. 3 makes some wicked gun mods! Bloody mess for DMG bonus & lols. Action boy underrated perk - a must for me! Science is also a good one for gun modding. Took scrounger as i was struggling early on for ammo & didnt wanna spend heaps of caps.
Future levelling/perks: Really wanna build up my Endurance - i think this is an underrated special, as the perk on lvl. 9 Endurance for radiation actually healing you i think would be one of the best ones - ghouls dont attack you, and you can go to irradiated areas to heal health - awesome! Also want high Perception to unlock the Sniper perk, as blowing the heads off of long distance enemies that cant detect you is awesome! Mysterious stranger i will probs level out, as he is awesome to finish off bosses etc.
Anyways, hope there are no spoilers there, is a friggen wicked game, cant wait to get out of work and continue to blow enemies into bloody chunks!