So I've started using a fully modded gauss rifle with maxed out rifleman perk and it completely take all challenge out of the game.

Its damage is so obscenely high that a 5.3x sneak attack critical (maxed ninja, sandman and lone wanderer) 1 shots everything I've thrown it at...

Im guessing the limiting factor on it is meant to be the rare/expensive ammo it uses but the vendors always stock it and it's not THAT expensive.

Is there really a need for such an overpowered weapon in the game? Is it needed on survival difficulty? (have not started running on survival yet.)

There's a need for every weapon... that's why they put them in. They (devs) needed it, so it's there. Might be overpowered and that's something they might need to look at. But it's increasingly frustrating reading thread after thread of people complaining about how this or that ruins their game and isn't challenging. So... stop using it. No one says you need to. Very few instances in the game FORCE you to do anything or use a specific item. So stop using them if it's ruining your experience.

there is no way to cheat in a single player game, the only person you are ever going to help / hurt is yourself. if your having fun, use it, if not, then stop.

I personally like the weapon but I'm more focused on just using my combat knife (totally doable and badass btw) but I love it, I like the way it handles, it looks (love that steampunk style and the charge display is sweet) it performs. I actually don't use the cover that increases the damage and range a bit because I want to see all the components.

its not terribly good up close and I would not take it feral hunting but I do enjoy it and think its a badass weapon.

For one your build is completely OP because I know. I did the same Sniper/Stealth build and I was absolutely destroying everything on survival difficulty. The gauss rifle is found late in the story. At least it was for me. and It was a challenge going up against the Railroad Heavies who would basically one shot me.

Also no one is making you use OP weapons or Builds.

How difficult your battles are is all up to you.

Want a challenge? Don't use Powerful gear and builds. Simple.

So you fully modded it and maxed out the perk relating to it, and now you're complaining it's too strong? Don't you see some issue with your logic here?

No one is making anyone use these so called powerful items. Don't have to touch them if you don't want to.

That's kind of the point. You've maxed out the perks of rifles, obtained a strong rifle and maxed it out with crafting. If it wasn't powerful you'd complain.

Yup it's no surprise when you've maxed every perk that works with the weapon. Atleast it's hard to get a lot of ammo for it. And in my view the most overpowering thing you did was get the sneak attack damage bonuses. I did that for my first stealth play through on skyrim and cleared every room through the game from a distance without being seen. It was cool initially, but then I learned I have to choose my perks based on how I want to enjoy the game and not go for the most OP bonuses just because I can.

The gauss rifle has always been a powerful weapon, been in fallout since fallout 2 I believe. Also changed the ammo up to, went from micofusion to 2mm electromagnetic which are rarer then the previous games.

Op stop using the it. quite simple

It's a bethesda game. It's going to end up faceroll easy no matter what you do.

You should expect that by now lol.

Its lore friendly, so its your fault you don't like fallout.

Same thing goes for power armor...