Plasma rifle (Fallout)

The Winchester P94 plasma rifle is an energy weapon in Fallout and Fallout 2.

Background
The P94 is a bulky, industrial-grade energy caster powered by microfusion cells. The superheated plasma bolt forms in a special chamber, then sent down a superconducting barrel and stabilized by electromagnetic claws upon exiting it.

Fallout
The Winchester P94 is a powerful single-shot energy weapon, roughly doubling the damage per shot of even the best conventional rifles available in the game, and capable of taking out nearly any bipedal enemy with a single critical to the eyes. At 25 hexes, however, its range is only about half that of many other higher-end single-shot weapons.

Fallout 2
With its stats unchanged from the predecessor, the Winchester P94 remains a potent energy weapon in Fallout 2, with the same old drawback of a relatively short range. It averages 47.5 Hit Points per non-critical attack on unarmored targets, and 21.5 HP on medium-armored targets, sometimes exceeding 200 HP in a good Critical Hit.

Variants
A superior version of this weapon exists, with a hotwired plasma bolt chamber, called the turbo plasma rifle.

Fallout
Unlike the laser rifle, the plasma rifle is rare in Fallout. It is mostly found:
 * In the Mariposa Military Base and the Cathedral.
 * Certain super mutants can be looted for these.
 * Bought from the Gun Runners, Zack sells one for $3225
 * One example also exists in the secure testing labs of the Glow.

Fallout 2

 * Carried by some super mutants.
 * Carried by some Enclave members in Enclave patrols.
 * Navarro underground, in the armory

Behind the scenes

 * Elder Owyn Lyons mentions the P94 plasma rifle when in dialogue in Fallout 3, but it is not in the actual game, being replaced by the urban plasma rifle.
 * According to the Fallout demo, the plasma rifle was originally going to be called "Plasma Caster".