Weapons Guide
From rusty .357 revolvers to futuristic Gauss Rifles, Fallout: New Vegas offers a vast arsenal where combat effectiveness is determined by more than just raw damage. Success in the Mojave Wasteland requires an understanding of weapon categories, the strategic pursuit of unique variants, and the tactical application of weapon modifications to overcome the Damage Threshold (DT) of your enemies.
Weapon Categories & Strategies
- Guns (Ballistic): The most versatile category, ranging from the early-game Varmint Rifle to the devastating Anti-Materiel Rifle. Use Hollow Point rounds against unarmored targets (Fiends) and Armor Piercing (AP) rounds against heavily armored foes like Brotherhood of Steel Paladins.
- Energy Weapons: These rely on the Science skill for crafting ammunition. The Laser Rifle is a mainstay, but the Plasma Caster provides superior DPS. High-Luck builds should prioritize the AER14 prototype for its high critical hit multiplier.
- Melee & Unarmed: Often overlooked, these builds excel when paired with the 'Super Slam!' and 'Slayer' perks. Weapons like the 'Pushy' displacer glove or the 'Oh, Baby!' super sledge can stunlock Deathclaws, making them viable even in late-game scenarios.
- Explosives: Essential for crowd control. The Thump-Thump unique grenade launcher and the Mercy 40mm machine gun allow for high-burst damage, though they require careful inventory management of heavy ammunition types.
Unique Variants & Modifications
While standard weapons can be upgraded with up to three modifications—such as the Service Rifle's Upgraded Springs or the Sniper Rifle's Suppressor—Unique Weapons often boast superior base stats and cannot be modified. Seek out the 'All-American' in Vault 34 for high-fire-rate precision, or 'This Machine' from the quest 'Dealing with Contreras' for a reliable .308 battle rifle. For Energy builds, the 'YCS/186' (found in the northern wastes if you lack the Wild Wasteland perk) is the strongest long-range option in the game.
Build Synergies & Tips
- The Critical Build: Focus on 'Better Criticals' and weapons with a high crit chance (1st Recon Beret + Ulysses' Duster).
- The Grunt vs. Cowboy: Choose your perks early. 'Grunt' boosts 9mm SMGs and Combat Knives by 25%, while 'Cowboy' focuses on revolvers and lever-actions like the Medicine Stick.
- Durability: Always carry Weapon Repair Kits (crafted at a Workbench with 50 Repair) to maintain your high-value uniques without spending thousands of caps at vendors like Major Knight.