Chinese Assault Rifle (Fallout 3)

The Chinese Assault Rifle (CAR) is a weapon in Fallout 3. It is affected by the Small Guns skill.

Characteristics
The Chinese Assault Rifle is a second-tier, general purpose automatic firearm. Chambered in the same 5.56mm ammo, it is the most powerful of the generic assault rifles: in DAM, DPS, and Durability. It has the same ammo capacity, AP cost, and spread statistic as other assault rifles; however, the Chinese AR appears less accurate in practice. It may also suffer the same weakness in close quarters combat as other rifles (see below). Regardless, it remains a formidable automatic weapon for any Small Guns character in the early to mid-game.

The Chinese Assault Rifle appears to degrade at the same moderate rate as the R91 Assault Rifle but with 100 points additional item health. It lacks the sound suppressor and scope of the Infiltrator (weapon), but hits considerably harder in base damage.

A unique version--Xuanlong Assault Rifle--is available and may be appropriate for late-game users (see Notes).

Locations
The Chinese Assault Rifle seems less common than the R91, but plenty can be found in the right locations, and at higher character levels.


 * Super Mutant Masters carry these weapons throughout the Wastes.
 * Talon Company Mercs periodically spawn with CARs.
 * You can commonly acquire Chinese Assault Rifles at Fort Bannister by the respawning Talon mercs.
 * Several can be acquired from Super Mutant Masters in Vault 87.
 * You can loot about a dozen rifles at Mama Dolce's, the secret headquarters of the Chinese infiltrators in the DC area.
 * There is a rifle on a shelf in the Wilks residence in Grayditch
 * One can also be found on a table in Flak 'N Shrapnel's chamber in Rivet City.
 * Donovan, a member of Reilly's Rangers also carries a Chinese Assault Rifle.
 * Three rifles can be found in Megaton's armory.
 * One can easily be acquired at Tenpenny Tower from Gustavo early in the game by accepting the Tenpenny Tower quest and passing a Speech check.
 * Another way to acquire one easily is to let Mr. Burke kill Lucas Simms during the Power of the Atom quest.

This editor has yet to meet a Raider with a CAR; they seem to prefer the R91.

World Background
It was designed and manufactured by Chinese industrial conglomerate Norinco for the People's Liberation Army during the Resource Wars, for the purpose of equipping the Chinese infiltrators and American fifth-columnists. To this end, it was chambered for the abundant NATO 5.56mm round.

Thousands of these weapons were smuggled into the US for use by Chinese operatives and sympathizers on the East Coast, and many remain functional even two hundred years after the Great War. These rifles are also proven to be ready for manufacturing in post-war conditions.

Surviving examples are used by various groups and individuals in the Capital Wasteland, including super mutants (particularly super mutant masters), Talon Company mercenaries (on lower levels), Chinese commandos (before and after the war), certain scavengers and the Eastern Brotherhood of Steel (and some brotherhood paladins found inside the Citadel). It's also the trademark weapon of Lucas Simms, sheriff of Megaton. Jericho is also armed with this weapon.

Game Tactics

 * The Chinese Assault Rifle is not the most accurate weapon, though careful use can make it effective at long ranges. Like other assault rifles, it has a higher ammo capacity and rate of fire over Combat Shotguns, Hunting Rifles, and Sniper Rifles. Thus, CAR is suited to close quarter, short, and medium range combat; in urban and dungeon environments.


 * Keep automatic fire limited to short (3 or 4 rounds), aimed bursts. Use full auto only on tougher targets or bigger targets (like super mutants or Yao Guai). When using the weapon in V.A.T.S., the user will squeeze off a three-round burst with every attack.


 * Higher durability makes the weapon suitable for V.A.T.S. The rifle has a medium AP cost. About 6 bursts can be queued with AP-boosting perks and clothing items (far more with chemical assistance).


 * It is not the most powerful Small Gun; however The Chinese Assault Rifle can be considered one of the better ones in the game because of sufficient availability for repairs, abundant ammunition, and good DAM and DPS. It is particularly suited to Small Gunners who don't rely as much on stealth.


 * That said, consider an Infiltrator/CAR mix. The former can used for stealth kills. If surviving enemies finally detect you, break out the latter for heavier firepower. Both use the same ammunition, so you can keep your inventory tidy (Remember that ammunition doesn't weigh anything in Fallout 3, so isn't as crucial to carry weapons chambered in the same cartridge).

Operation: Anchorage
In the first DLC pack certain weapons have been re-skinned to make them look like actual pre-War weapons. The Chinese Assault Rifle is among the small group that was chosen for use in the DLC.

The new looks include brown-colored hand- and foregrips, and the outer plating is a darker black with fewer scratches than the post-War version. The stats and name are exactly the same, but the durablity (as with every in-simulation item) is near-infinite, making the weapon (almost) impervious to damage and frequent use. The only downside is that the condition must be lowered dramatically if you wish to repair this weapon up to 100%.

Despite the barriers the developers have placed to prevent looting, it is possible to acquire as many of these as you can carry and take them out of the simulation into the rest of the game, by using a combination of glitches. To do this you'll first need to prepare the simulation pod so you can take your pre-War items out of the simulation. A guide including a video with instructions can be found on the Operation: Anchorage page, under the 'Glitch' section.

After you're done preparing, enter the simulation and just keep playing until you're at the US Army HQ, and the quest Paving the Way begins. Now acquire the Gauss Rifle via the Quartermaster, but do NOT initiate any missions with Sgt. Montgomery.


 * 1) As already mentioned, acquire a Gauss Rifle, and also another weapon of your choice (except the Assault Rifle) along with its matching ammo.
 * 2) Find a Chinese soldier holding the gun (it is advisable to eliminate any other units), and knock him down using the Gauss Rifle (it is advised to aim for his weapon). It is best to perform this in the Ice Camp, as its front “area” is small and can be attacked from a distance.
 * 3) Once he is knocked down, crouch next to him and repeatedly “interact” with him until his inventory shows up (meaning you have pickpocketed him). Now remove his 5.56mm ammo (you have a 100% chance of success here), and instead plant the other weapon you picked and its ammunition.
 * 4) Once the soldier gets up, wait until he equips his new weapon, then knock him down again (aim for the weapon) using the Gauss Rifle. Once again, pickpocket him, and now remove your brand new Chinese Assault rifle!

Bugs

 * In close quarters conditions, the rifle can clip targets or level geometry. This causes all shots to miss or be absorbed by geometry, even when the muzzle protrudes beyond the obstruction. Also in V.A.T.S. mode, point-blank bursts sometimes inflict little or no damage.

Behind the scenes
The rifle's appearance was based on the AK family of weapons (overall appearance), specifically the Type 56 assault rifle. The Type 56 was the standard military issue weapon for China from 1956 to the mid 1980's.

Appearances
Chinese Assault Rifles appear only in Fallout 3.