During quite a fun expedition to the Super-Duper Mart Moira sent me to I found a laser pistol, which I had not found used before. After awhile I was leaving Megaton again and decided to test it out. I wandered for quite awhile before I came across anything but finally (on my way to Minefield), I see for the first time Bloatflys and quickly crouch and get ready to fire. I used V.A.T.S and I really enjoyed how effective this big ol' pistol zapped the crap out of the first one. I V.A.T.S the other two there and again, really effective. I think I crit'd all three. I continue on my journey.

I do the whole Minefield thing and head back to Megaton.

Later I decided that I would go to Greyditch and fight those damn ants. I get there and throw grenades at most of them but I used a laser pistol in V.A.T.S once again on one or two ants. Now, while not as effective as it was against the Bloatflys, I still kinda zapped away at some of the ants like they were nothing. When I ran out of AP and shot manually, I found that my laser pistol was much weaker with each hit compared to when I used it in V.A.T.S. The laser pistol just seems more effective in V.A.T.S and I wonder if it's like that for the rest of the laser guns.

I was also wondering if certain enemies are weaker to different types of guns.

I have yet to use the laser pistol on any raiders, so I don't know if its weaker or stronger, but I have a feeling it won't be as effective as me using my 10mm or hunting rifle. Do laser weapons work better against insects? Do explosives work better against bigger enemies and raiders or are they universally "explosive" ? And with standard guns (10mm, .32 pistol, Hunting/Assault Rifle, etc.), do they work better against raiders or humans?

I could be making stuff up in my head but it seems like laser guns could more effective against some types of enemies and other guns would do the same (however the weaknesses/differences would work).

What level are you? Early levels, sounds like it. One of my characters has an energy weapons skill of 75. A laser pistol does about 10- 12 damage for me. A unique laser pistol does 18 damage for me. A plasma pistol on the other hand, does 21 damage. And the metal blaster does 41.

Oh, I'm a noobie. I just got the game over last weekend. I think I'm halfway to level 5, so quite early in the game.

I'm not even wondering specifically on damage as I know as my skills grow, so will my damage. I was more looking for effectiveness of weapons against different enemies.

Lincoln Repeater destroys all.

That is all.

Ok, stock up on any and all .44 magnum rounds you can find. Until you come across this rifle. I spoon it everynight I go to bed. It does my laundry, you name it.

I have found through various encounters that different weapons are more effective against different targets. I usually don't use any energy weapons as I have found them to be quite weak when compared to the projectile weapons. My favorite weapon at this time is the Reservist Rifle followed by the Xuanlong Assault Rifle. I do carry a laser rifle that I use against the weaker insects so that I don't use up my other ammo.

I found almost anything I needed to know on the FO Wiki. It pretty much breaks down the strengths and weaknesses of each gun. Thank you guys.

I find the energy weapons to hold larger magazine sizes, last longer, have less spread, but don't do a whole lot of damage per shot. Small guns may do more damage, but seem to wear out faster. Recently finished the Zeta DLC and for some reason the Destabilizer says it has more fire power but the Alien Disintegrators still hurt the enemies more. Unless I'm missing something and the Destabilizer is suppose to be an alien shotgun version energy weapon (more damage at closer range)?