Energy Cell (Fallout: New Vegas)

The energy cell is a type of ammunition in Fallout: New Vegas.

Characteristics
Energy cells are the standard ammunition used by the majority of pistol energy weapons, and as such are widely available across the Mojave Wasteland.

Recycling
After firing, there is a chance that spent energy cells will turn into drained energy cells. These are automatically placed in the player character's inventory. Drained energy cells can then be recycled back into usable energy cells at a workbench.
 * See: comparison table for chances of drained energy cells being produced for each variant of energy cell.

Conversion
Energy cells can be converted into, and from, other energy weapon ammunition types (i.e. electron charge packs and microfusion cells) at a workbench, with the appropriate Science skill.
 * Conversion (type)

The player can also pool charges from good cells together to make more powerful variants, which improve damage and bypass more enemy DT but burn out weapon components faster.
 * Conversion (variant)

Energy cell, bulk
Bulk energy cells are cheaper than the regular variant, but not as potent. Weapons degrade more slowly using this ammunition, however damage is reduced and there is no armor-piercing effect.

Energy cell, over charge
This ammunition is more powerful than standard energy cells. It increases the damage output of weapons by 1.25 and has a -5 DT effect on enemies, but degrades weapons 1.5 times faster than normal.

Energy cell, max charge
This is the most powerful of the energy cell variants. Max charge cells increase damage output to 1.5 times normal and have an armor piercing effect of -10 DT, but cause weapons to degrade 2.5 times faster.

Energy cell, optimized
Added in Gun Runners' Arsenal, this sub-type causes 30% more damage, penetrates armor more effectively, and weighs less than the standard energy cell. The only drawback is a slight increase in weapon degradation. It requires Vigilant Recycler and can only be crafted at a workbench.

Notable locations

 * Hidden Valley bunker. If you gain accepted status or higher with the Brotherhood of Steel, you will be approached by a BoS initiate telling you they have placed recycled ammunition in a box at the bottom of the entrance stairs to the L1 area. The box will be replenished randomly with energy cells, microfusion cells and electron charge packs whenever you enter L1, giving a continuous supply of energy weapons ammunition.