What is the big deal with energy weapons? Characters in the game always refer to energy weapons as if they were super weapons far superior to any other guns. I never really understood the hype considering that the damage listed for them is not any better than traditional guns. Early on in the game, you find laser pistols all over and when you see that whopping damage of 5, you immediately sell it and keep your varmint rifle.

Many people say they use the laser rifle with scope as their favorite weapon in the game. What am I missing that makes these weapons great?

Also, is there anywhere to find mods for the standard service rifles later in the game? I really like the service rifles, but they are almost useless later in the game.

Idk what other people think but I love plasma weaponry... There is something dominating about melting your foe into green goo

Because things have to be balanced now, in Fallout 2 the guy who could comfortably use the P94 Plasma Caster (after he'd played a fair chunk of the game to find one (unless he meta-gamed of-course)) went around taking names... especially those of people with puny guns like the Pancor Jackhammer (a fully automatic 12 gauge btw).

That was the trade-off, you don't get them till later but when you do things die real good.

Like power armor, energy weapons in the newer games have been downgraded, due to their easy accessibility. In the originals an enemy wearing power armor and wielding an energy weapon, was a god in the wasteland. Bethesda has always been about if you see a weapon you like, you can take it if you can. I've always loved that feature in tes, not so much in their Fallout games. Btw does anyone remember their first encounter with the Enclave in FO2? That was a harrowing experience to say the least.

yeah, i remember when my characters from fallout 2 got their first sets of power armor and a plasma rifle. dear god, there was nothing left of the wasteland after that. you could scoop up entire cities worth of ash with a cup.

i think theyre revered because theyre like... idk not the 'norm' i guess

also as someone said above, something badass about using them. i think personally that, if i were to be killed in the FO universe, i would rather have my body still there after.. than turned to ash/goo. I mean, yeah there is something pretty impressive about a gun that sends that much heat in a current through you that that happens, no?

I believe that part of the allure of Energy weapons would be that they are pre war tech(correct me if im wrong) and thus the inhabitants of the wasteland have not been able to replicate them.

In theory I believe they are supposed to be a very rare item which only a few have access to( and the enclave for obvious reasons). In F3 and New Vegas I believe they were made more available and less powerful so the people could actually have an energy weapon based char right from the get-go with out making them an instan super god who can kill anything in their path.

I do have to add the in F3 it seems that the majority of the special weapons and rare weapons are energy based with very few weapons which use bullets/ gun powder.

-Tesla Cannon, Gauss rifle, A3-21 plasma rifle, alien blaster, even the sword you get from OA is kinda energy based... sort of.

When I try to think of regular guns which are one of a kind only 2 come to mind- Lincoln's repeater and the perferator. These weapons dont really have the best damage rating either when compared to weapons like the metal blaster and Tesla Cannon.

I'm not sure why The Enclave mentioned the winchester plasma rifle when in FO2 the bestest Energy Weapon and potentially easiest to acquire if you run Navarro and then San Fran is the Yuma Flats Pulse rifle, but regardless it does not matter.

You can beat FO2 with a 10mm pistol if you so desire. Combat is easy, PA Enclave or Deathclaw. 10mm pistol is not preferred if you say enter a deathclaw hive, but as soon as you hit NCR you can buy or steal the Red Ryder LE bb gun and be a terror of the wastes.

Really, FO2 you are a god if you choose your method of combat and stick to it. Ie don't tag guns and raise unarmed and take hth perks.

Trying hard much? It's the first really effective one you can get and my personal favourite.

Meh they nerfed it in FO2 and it requires str 6. Preposterous I says.

They both have the same page on the wikia so I wouldn't say that, though I'd agree with the STR requirement (that and it's thoroughly silly design as a weapon).

I pretty sure it increased the AP cost +1 from 1 to 2. Which mean aimed shots are insane AP cost. When facing 20+ deathclaws it best to kill stuff as fast as possible.

It alright for a fast shot trait build, but it is not the king ew of FO2. I would almost say pulse pistol is top dog with the lower AP for pistols.

But I'm just busting yer chops there, Enclavey.