In my current playthrough I started going all guns, but then leveled up EW and Explosives in the end. The AER14 is one of my favorite guns, geting solid damage, fast ROF and fast reload. Beats the LLC in my opinion.

I am actually suprised to say that my end game load out has only one gun in it - the LMG. For the rest I am using just EW - YCS, Aer14, and Plasma Caster. Of and the Grenade Machine Gun. That thing is just so much fun.

The biggest weakness in EW right now is in the full auto category. The Laser RCW rocks, but the Gatling Laser is just pitiful.

About the spread on This Machine... as a boy, I had an obsession with the Garand, and geeked out a little too much on Garand websites and forums. These guns can get nasty amounts of throat and muzzle wear over the years, due to the continuous usage in mediocre conditions and as training weapons by inexperienced kids bitter about the possibility of being shipped off to Vietnam. I know, Fallout isn't real life, but these guns do accumulate a good amount of wear and tear. I'm guessing the muzzle of This Machine would gauge around 4-5, which is considered barely acceptable. Semi-autos are usually marginally less accurate than bolt-actions, as they are optimized for reliability and cycle speed, not accuracy. Having that operating rod flying around doesn't help anything, just ask the National Match armorers! Besides, it'd be of dubious use for really long-range engagements, as it lacks a scope mod. Just my 2 cents.

Agreed; it's supposed to be getting a much-needed buff.

You should NOT be dieing in VATS! I have never died in VATS. Always attack regular and then once they are close switch to VATS for a single head shot. That will almost always kill your target. Wait for the kill cam to end and then switch back to VATS. But I really do not see how you are dieing in VATS, I always croak after my AP has been used up.

The only time I feel the need to queue up all my shots in VATS is when I am traveling with Boone and an Upgraded ED-E. Otherwise they keep stealing my kills! Even then, it is one head shot per target.

@ Tuninator - I hope the Gatling gets a buff. I used to LOVE storming Paradise Falls with Fawkes and myself using Gatling Lasers! Talk about bad a$$. Just the sound of all that heavy weapons going off!

I use to use VATS for all my attacks because I am playing an RPG after all, and my character build should be what determine how effective his is in combat, not my FPS skill. But VATS is just as wonky as it was and 25% damage reduction is just not enough to cover it.

Getting kills from Boone are easy compare to Cass with Vengeance Heart and a rifle.