I think the MF Hyperbreeder Recharger Pistol is the best EW in the game: it has nice health, DAM, and crit chance. Though if you want to see how ineffective EW can be just try to kill a Mk 6 Mr. Gutsy- even with MC there are only two weapons that seem to penetrate that 25 DT meanwhile the Avenger chews through it with AP rounds.

@Cpl Facehugger I'm just using basestats with no upgraded ammo, depending on what perks you pick and ones you've unlocked you will have different damage stats, but they're accurate. When it comes to killing things quickly, the sprtel will not beat out a modded Gatling Laser, it just doesn't do enough DPS to make up for the damage it gets. The Smitty's damage drop off, which is massive chews through so much ammo, it's not worth it. You're better off using weapons who's role is DPS like the Gatling Lasers and Sprtel. People used the Plasma Caster because of the high damage and low ammo usage, somewhere along the lines the dev's forgot to remember.

I was wrong about Smitty being useful, a 12mm SMG outguns it easily. The only difference is that the SMG is less expensive , has more health and ammo doesnt weigh a tonne.

New Vegas' strong point has never been energy weapons. There's no reason to use them, just stick to guns and explosives. You'll have a much more pleasant experience.

Energy weapons have been crap since fallout 1, not just New Vegas.

The advantage of EWs over Guns in FNV was that EWs have more critical multipliers, now after GRA, they dont have even that advantage.

Just an example, Paciena has a crit of x 2, and does 110 critical damage, whereas the most critical damage an EW weapon with critical multiplier does is 63 , by the Q-35. Now Guns have alot of weapons with high Critical multiplier. Gauss rifle has a crit damage of 60, Even more pathetic is the Crit damage of tesla cannon 40, that too with health of 40 as well.

Theres no reason to use EWs, everything an EW can do, its Guns counter-part does it better.

I use them because I like them.

Good enough?

And by that logic, there's no point to using anything automatic since the Avenger does it better. Why snipe with anything else since GRA anti-materiel rifle does it better than any other weapon?

Red Glare? I'll just use Mercy since it does more damage.
Why would I bother with one-mag (Thump Thump) explosives when I have Mercy.
The APW is useless because of Mercy.
Nothing in the game warrants use of the Fat Man so why use it?

In fact, 80% of the weapons in New Vegas are obsolete with that logic.

I use weapons such as the trail carbine, K9000, Dinner Bell, Pew Pew not because they're statistically inferior. But because I like the variety and some of them are pretty cool.

And what Gun regenerates ammo faster than the MF Hyperbreeder?

I like this, good point.

You are comparing Explosive weapons with explosive weapons, which makes no sense. Anyhow, The reason we are complaining about energy weapons is also simply because we like them, but we also want them to be effect and not the rubber-tossers they are right now.

J.E Sawyer too said that Guns and EW should be comparable OVERALL. So if one is weak in something, it should be able to compensate it with another.

The Smitty Special looks funky doesn't it? Problem solved.

Oh yeah and DPS for Smitty Special and a normal Plasma Caster+ isn't even close. SS shoots about 7 shots a second 8.5 with perks, where the PC+ shoots 3.75, 4.5 with perks, a second. It also holds more ammo saving you 3 seconds in some situations.

The Sprtel-Wood 9700 does 6 more damage than normal thats good enough for me. I also like the huge green bolts better.

I'm using the principle of usefulness. In that case Mercy just does everything better than any automatic explosive weapon. And because its statistically better there's no point to any of the other explosives.

Why I use Red Glare over Mercy? Because I think it looks cooler.

As for Energy Weapons yes you do need to put more effort in them than with Guns, but when you do the results are phenomenal. And DLC added some awesome Energy Weapons (Holorifle, GRA tri-beam, sonic emitter-tarantula, MF Hyperbreeder). Guess I'm the only one willing to jump through the hoops.

Nope, you are not alone.

I just gotta say, all of the "THERE'S NO REASON TO USE EW WHEN GUNS ARE BETTER IN EVERYWAY" Is total Bull [censored].

Laser RCV > Assault Carbine in Every Way

GRA Laser Pistol > Easily outclasses 9mm and 10mm with all mods.

Full Mod Laser Rifle = Most Medium to Long Range weapons in terms of Utility, and can fill many roles.

GRA Plasma Pistol > Is exceptional compared to a .357 or (With a High EW) .44 Mag. AND Has to be reloaded 1/3 as much.

Gauss Rifle = AMR

Holorifle Full Mod = Probably one of the best Guns In The [censored] Game.

GRA Plasma Defender > Superior to .45 and 12.7 in Every way.

GRA Tribeam Laser Rifle = Hunting Shotgun

Gat. Laser = Minigun

On top of that, EW Crit WAY More and are more Accurate.

Note that all of this assumes that the proper Perks have been Taken. Maybe I'm High or something, but I've found EW to be Very, Very Effective, maybe even moreso then guns.

Just My Opinion, to Each his own, but don't call them Rubber Tossers.

And it seems that my lasers are heat seeking lasers and will bend from my gun to kill guys.

All you said was its better, and gave no facts or numbers to back it up. And energy weapons dont critical WAY more after GRA. Too many x2 Guns were introduced.
Will just give one example.

Assault carbine uses -25 AP rounds, you do as much damage as your DPS is. Laser RCW cant penetrate anything. Same with Gat. Laser compared to minigun.

Actually, I clearly said that I was Stating my Mother [censored] Opinion. not showing you that HERP DERP THIS IS BETTER THEN THIS BECASE IT HAS A 1.5X CRIT MOD, Therefore, I don't need to show math to prove that I, in my opinion and personal experience, find a Laser RCV superior to an Assault Carbine.

Who Gives A [censored] About All Of The Little [censored] Numbers?

My EWs do a [censored] FANTASTIC Job of killing people, just as effectively as any Gun.

If you seriously can't Enjoy the game because of this stuff, Then it's time to Get Rid Of It.

Oh, and before you say I didn't provide evidence of my opinion, let me just say,




THIS IS JUST MY OPINION

The Turbo Plasma Rifle in Fallout was as good as any gun in the game. The original game took the perspective that energy weapons were good endgame weapons but not so great in the early game.

I like using energy weapons for the coolness factor, but they are a tad weaker than their nitrocellulose consuming competitors.

It may not matter for all builds, but I consider lower ST requirements to be an advantage on weapons, and that does factor in to how I balance them. The CZ57 Avenger is a phenomenal weapon. It really only has two drawbacks, other than weight (which is more of a strategic issue than a tactical issue): a wind up time (short, but still significant) and a 10 ST requirement. The Gatling Laser has an 8 ST requirement, which opens it up to a wider range of builds. Sprtel-Wood has a 6 ST requirement, and that covers a lot of characters. If you have an 8 ST, or if you have a 6 ST and want to spend a perk for Weapon Handling, there's certainly a case to be made for the Gatling Laser with its fully array of mods. Both the regular Gatling Laser and Sprtel-Wood have effectively instant firing, which makes them feel better to use than the Minigun/Avenger to me. But you're right: Miniguns are the go-to automatic weapons for dealing with armored targets. When I'm dealing with Deathclaws, give me a Minigun. When I'm dealing with Cazadores, Gatling Laser or Sprtel-Wood.

First I appreciate the response as always.

The question I have is that because the game and DLC gives you numerous ways to boost your stats via implants and items, don't you think that balancing a weapon around SPECIAL is not needed especially in a DLC dedicated to weapons? I mean I was looking forward to high powered weapons, but was rather disappointed with their performance. They do look great though, and I would love more DLC dedicated to armor and weapons.

Thanks for giving us a developers perspective. Not meeting ST requirements definitely cause your gun to sway and decreases VATS accuracy, but I think when it comes to Minigun/Gatling lasers, by the time you open fire your target is very close, so even with a big sway, it always hits its target.

Out of personal experience I feel not meeting ST requirements is alot more significant when you are using long range weapons, like AMR, then it causes enough sway for you to miss your aim. And even more so in Melee weapons.

On the other hand minigun's wind up time really does make a difference especially when a fast moving deathclaw is charging towards you. I still think that the Rapid-fire energy weapons need an armor penetration boost, and to prevent Tesla cannon from becoming over-powered, we can change its ammunition to 3 energy cells/shot instead of ECP.

bozar is also a disappointment

I just started an Energy [and secondary explosives] dude, and I must say, he is taking out everything early with his upgraded Plasma Pistol (no damage increase one yet). Even long ranged shots are doable (from sneak, 1 in 3 hits is still usually a melt on a Ganger). Then, up close and the heads keep falling off in a couple of hits at most. Radscorpions are falling easily enough too.

I'm doing as well as my usual firearms using characters so far (actually, a lot better as I only have to worry about one ammunition type and one weapon to repair).

I'd hate to see what a Gun Runner's Plasma Rifle would be like.

One thing I was wondering though, is Alexander just not up on the latest goings on of the Gun Runners? They're selling/making Energy Weapons....

What ? I used a minigun on DCs, I died. How are you taking them down ?

Armor piercing 5mm rounds while unloading into the deathclaw's head always works for me.

How can you die to a Deathclaw when you are armed with a minigun , try using AP rounds

I disagree, the bozar is one of my favorite weapons next to Medicine Stick and Lucky. The Bozar really shines in mid range combat when fighting a group of enemies, and I knid of think of it as a mid range light machine gun (which it is). It has most of the strengths of the LMG, it's just better suited for mid range combat rather than close range.