Weird as I know magic ball like attacks in Morrowind and Oblivion was proximity triggered. if they get to close to something underway to target even an rope they would go off.

That would be the wonderful BGS Hitbox Dissonance problem then. I am hoping that the id Software people and their new former Bungie guy get on the modelers' cases about that as part of the "Shooter mechanics overhaul". Those derelict subway car meshes from FO3 annoy me just thinking about them.

Both. I like to have a silenced weapon for those times stealth is a must and energy weapons for when it get hairy/weird.

I'm gonna be recreating my http://static-8.nexusmods.com/15/mods/130/images/40040-1-1318635417.jpg http://www.nexusmods.com/fallout3/images/19133/? as soon as possible with FO4 mods.

I hope plasma weapons are rethought. Somehow the very notion of slow moving energy offends me, even in the Fallout universe where wacky science is par for the course.

Plasma IS slow moving though, it is a inbetween of a Solid and Liquid and gas of sorts.

I like guns. Energy weapons are a bit too "pew pew" for my taste.

That's not what plasma is. It's a state of matter after gas. Solid, Liquid, Gas, Plasma. A state of matter so energized that electrons break free of their orbits and fly freely through the mass. It's why plasma is so electromagnetically active and reactive. It's why the largest mass of plasma in the solar system, the Sun, has http://www.artinaid.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Campo-Magn%C3%83%C2%A9tico-del-Sol.jpg (and that's just one moment, it's always changing)

Anyhoo... If you think plasma weapon projectiles are too slow, then you're using the plasma weapons wrong. They're supposed to be short-midrange weapons in FO3+, not long-range standoff weapons. If you're shooting at a distance, get a laser or gauss gun. You wouldn't use a shotgun for sniping, http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/ShortRangeShotgun. I saw a "plasma sniper rifle" in the custom weapon montage, but it makes me wonder if it's akin to being able to stick a long scope on the shottie in Crysis...

My primary playthrough is always Energy Weapons focused, with a preference for lasers. I'm going to set the world on fire. The new plasma flamethrower barrel looks like it's going to be interesting too.

I assume adding the sniper barrel adds range and increase the speed of the plasma projectile, maybe even changes the projectiles nature to make it less the typical slow ball.

Energy weapons definitely. Love seeing enemies turn into piles of goo and ash.

I think both are awesome, but guns just have that extra "umph" that makes them more fun to play with in my opinion.

Deciding factor for me is whether there's a way to 'silence' any of the energy weapons. Also might do melee if the system is any good.

If Fallout 4 follows the tradition of past Fallout entries, Guns will be more available at the start of the game and will be a smart skill to invest in for the player who is just beginning.

Thus, I will be picking Guns my first time.

Typically, the order I've played through the Fallout games has always been:

-Guns

-Energy Weapons

-Melee

-Unarmed

-Whatever is left depending on the game and what interests me the most after that.

I would agree, but it does seem like they're trying to add more energy weapon options at low levels, like the laser musket, so it may be a bit more viable in 4.

Let's hope so, friend, let's hope so.

The Laser Musket did look incredibly cool.

This ^

If you can silence a sniper rifle but not an energy weapon, this will make me go guns only for sure.

Indeed, I like the idea of choosing how much to charge it. I'm hoping you can charge it to more than 2.

My first character will be a gun user.

Energy weapons. It gives the game a more sci-fi feel, IMO. I will force myself to play with guns in the second play trough.

Can I modify my BB Gun? There is a BB gun right?

Turning my Baseball Bat into a Scoped Plasma Bat would be awesome.

Generally, Im a Small guns guy. Hunting Rifle or the Lever ACtion generally is my favorite weapon (and note that the Lever ACtion is kinda reloaded like a Musket). AFter that Im using the Combat Shotgun or Chinese Assault Rifle --> Infiltrator.

Alien Distintergrator would be nice.

Lever action != muzzle loaded. Not in the least.

I think he meant sort of like muzzleloading because you put your hand up by the end of the barrel to feed bullets into the tube. But yeah it's definitely not muzzleloading.

I like Guns, but I've always used them and it seems too mainstream So I'm taking a risk with my first character and going with Energy Weapons. Assuming the death animations are better this time round.

Plus, my first character is going to be science-oriented so Energy Weapons seems like the logical choice for his personality.

I like both, but I will always be a fan of energy weapons in Fallout. Have always ended up being my end game weaponry in all of the Fallout games, and usually the most powerful weapons (Fallout 2's Pulse Rifle was so powerful, you couldn't loot the bodies as there was nothing left!). Although between energy weapons, I'm more so a fan of the awesome power of plasma over lasers. And with Fallout 4's weapon crafting, I'm curious to see the different kind of plasma weapons we will be able to create.