Laser Pistol (Fallout 3)

The AEP7 Laser Pistol is a military issue laser sidearm. It is used extensively by the Enclave and Brotherhood of Steel in the Capital Wasteland. Talon Company mercenaries may also be seen using it. Its heavier counterpart is the AER9 Laser Rifle.

Overview
As opposed to the civilian Wattz 1000 Laser Pistol commonly found on the West Coast it is a relatively powerful energy weapon, at least compared to conventional firearms like the N99 10mm Pistol or the Chinese Pistol. With a generous battery size, tight shot grouping at range, resilience to extended use, and fairly decent damage output, it is a very good choice for a sidearm and is used extensively in this role by the Brotherhood of Steel and the Enclave in the Capital Wasteland.

It was the successor to the AEP5, boasting a redesigned focusing crystal pattern, an improved photonic focusing chamber and a selectable laser focus. In addition, it was lighter and less bulky than its predecessor (although still fairly cumbersome compared to the sleek Wattz 1000) and was perceived as a step toward replacing the N99 with a laser weapon as the standard issue sidearm for military forces.

The AEP7 was produced in large numbers, thanks to newly developed manufacturing technologies in the USA, although logistics and supply issues in pre-War USA caused by its prolonged war with China prevented its wide-scale deployment.

The Brotherhood requests that any models that are found should be returned to the Citadel for repair and recalibrating before field deployment.

Like other energy weapons, the Laser Pistol has a multiplier on critical chance, making crits more frequent with this weapon than most others. Critical hits that are fatal can reduce enemies to piles of steaming ash. This process does not damage any equipment or items the victim was holding or wearing prior to their death.

A laser pistol can be traded for two points and 24 5.56mm ammo, 2 Radaway, 2 Stimpacks or 2 Frag Grenades to Protector Casdin at the Fort Independence near the Citadel.

Custom versions
There are three custom weapons of this type available in the Wasteland that can be repaired with the standard AEP7:


 * Smuggler's End
 * Protectron's Gaze
 * Colonel Autumn's Laser Pistol

Availability
The only problem with the AEP7 Laser Pistol is its rarity. These guns don't show up in the Capital Wasteland very often, so keeping the pistol repaired and maintained might be a problem. Shops that sell weapons are the most reliable source of laser pistols. Fortunately, the ammunition for the Laser Pistol is reasonably plentiful. Energy cells can often be found in ammunition boxes, other various containers, and destroyed robots.

A player looking to find one early in the game may acquire two from the deli to the right of the cash registers at the Super Duper Mart. Both are in poor condition, so it is recommended to use one to repair the other. If the player can find Vault 92, there is a AEP7 with several energy cells on a table just inside the entrance; aside from the perils of crossing the Wasteland to get there, this is entirely unguarded.

In addition, it is commonly used by both the Brotherhood of Steel and Enclave in a sidearm capacity. Often in random encounters, various Talon Company members can be seen using it as a primary weapon.

Companion Notes

 * Star Paladin Cross' Laser Pistol has a Base ID of 00063E82. It has unlimited durability and unique (unlimited for joinable NPCs) ammo; all other stats are identical with the standard one. You can successfully have another character use it with unlimited ammo.

Appearances
The AEP7 Laser Pistol appears only in Fallout 3, replacing the Wattz 1000 Laser Pistol from previous Fallout games.