Plasma rifle (Fallout 4)

The plasma rifle is a weapon in Fallout 4.

Characteristics
The plasma rifle is an adaptable urban warfare weapon that can be used as a sniper rifle, assault rifle, shotgun, or 'plasma flamethrower'. It is usually encountered later in the game and found on technologically advanced opponents, although at even higher levels it can be found on raiders and legendary enemies.

Compared to the previous iterations, this rifle's projectiles travel much faster and cause both ballistic damage and energy damage as opposed to just energy. It is a good weapon for facing high tier enemies, what with its dual damage types and up to 200 points of combined damage per shot when fully upgraded.

This weapon is comparatively harder to find than other energy weapons, and has a much more valuable ammunition type. Consider using it as a high damage secondary weapon, with a weapon of the more common variety as a primary.

Plasma weapons are the lightest ranged weapon class in the game, closely followed by laser weaponry. A fully upgraded plasma rifle weighs a mere 7 pounds while a top tier assault rifle for instance is four times as heavy and only deals about half as much damage. This makes them even more useful as a powerful backup weapon that can be carried around at all times without weighing the player down too much.

Conversions
The rifle is usually found as a pistol that has to be upgraded to rifle status through the weapons workbench. A full stock gives it the rifle status including all of the respective advantages such as enhanced accuracy and bashing damage.

Locations
Can begin to be found on enemies past level 30, although it may begin to spawn in shops at level 25+.