Laser RCW

The laser RCW (rapid capacitor weapon) is a weapon in Fallout: New Vegas.

Background
The unique feature of this "laser assault rifle" is the addition of a "drum", which gives this weapon its unique look, high rate of fire, and unusual name.

This drum contains a bank of 6 capacitors in a circle formation, centered around an electron charge pack (ECP). The capacitors in the drum are rotated as they fire in succession, producing a single continuous laser beam. While each capacitor is firing, the ECP is used to recharge the previously discharged capacitors.

This capacitor rotation allows the Laser RCW to operate like a multi-barreled ballistic weapon (for example, the minigun), and avoids the rate-of-fire limitations imposed by a single capacitor design. This high rate of fire requires the Laser RCW to use the Electron Charge Pack ammunition type, which is ordinarily reserved for weapons in the heavy category.

Characteristics
With adequate energy weapons skill and Strength, this weapon exhibits amazing accuracy due to a low weapons spread, making it useful for taking down enemies at almost any range. As a direct energy weapon it has no recoil, allowing for continuous accurate fire. However, using it extensively on full-auto requires large amounts of ammunition (A partial solution to this problem is to apply the Laser RCW Recycler modification, which recycles every fourth discharge). It also has the lowest critical chance of any energy weapon in the entire game.

Using true iron sights can become difficult with this weapon as the bright flash and pulse emitted when this weapon fires can easily obscure the tiny field of vision that the iron sights allow. This effect is especially pronounced in low light conditions.

Durability
The laser RCW can fire a total of about 1995 times using standard packs, the equivalent of 34 reloads, or 25 reloads when modified with the recycler, from full condition before breaking.

Modifications

 * Laser RCW Recycler - recycles and replenishes 1 in 4 shots.

Locations

 * One can be bought or stolen from the Silver Rush in Freeside.
 * Can be found on one of the corpses by the locked door in the lobby of REPCONN Headquarters.
 * Fiends occasionally carry them, more often around Vault 3.
 * Brotherhood of Steel scribes often carry them, as well as Elder McNamara.
 * Sometimes carried by Greasy Johnny.
 * Can be found on Bright Brotherhood members.

Behind the scenes
The weapon bears a striking similarity to the laser weapon used by Robot Santa in the Futurama episode Xmas Story.