Plasma Rifle (Fallout 3)

The plasma rifle is an energy weapon found in Fallout 3.

Characteristics
The plasma rifle uses microfusion cells, and can discharge up to twelve green, self-illuminated plasma bolts before requiring a reload.

The plasma rifle fires projectiles that inflict potentially heavy damage at a fairly quick semi-automatic rate of fire. The plasma bolt moves at subsonic speeds, giving enemies the chance to dodge the plasma bolts. Because of this, the plasma rifle is most effective in close to medium range combat.

It empties its 12-shot magazine rather quickly, and its reload time is somewhat longer than most other small guns/energy weapons. Maintenance is a combination of perks and drawbacks: Like other energy weapons, it has a high maximum condition compared to small guns but is expensive and/or difficult to repair.

A plasma rifle in poor condition (under 10%) can cost over 1,000 bottle caps to repair. Additionally, the plasma rifle can be hard to come by under normal circumstances. The plasma rifle has twice the chance of inflicting a critical hit than most other weapons and can turn enemies into piles of green goo if the killing blow is a Critical Hit. The plasma rifle's plasma bolt can ignite gas leaks.

Durability
The plasma rifle can fire a total of about 500 shots, the equivalent of 42 reloads, from full condition before breaking.

Variants
A3-21's plasma rifle - Obtained from Harkness at the end of The Replicated Man. A3-21's plasma rifle is one of the most powerful energy weapons in the game.

Locations

 * Within Taft Tunnel, held by a Tesla armored soldier in the room where Doctor Li opens the locked door. One needs to hop on top of a barrel and onto the lamp and onto the beams to reach the soldiers.
 * Fort Independence, inside a weapons armory (the key to the armory door is inside one of the footlockers in the quarters).
 * The Citadel laboratory, on the table.
 * Sometimes one can purchase this weapon in the Citadel armory.
 * Standard issue for Enclave soldiers wearing Tesla armor.
 * Used by Enclave soldiers wearing Enclave Hellfire armor
 * Officer Lepelletier is also armed with one. It is possible to obtain it passing a Speech check.
 * Paladin Tristan carries one.
 * Occasionally carried by smugglers.
 * One can be found in the weapons lab and another in the cargo hold.

Behind the scenes
The model for the plasma rifle was created by Ben Carnow, based on concept art by Adam Adamowicz.