Microfusion Cell (Fallout: New Vegas)

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

Characteristics
The microfusion cell is a medium sized energy production unit; a self-contained fusion plant used as ammunition for energy weapons. It is the primary energy source for rifle-type energy weapons and is commonly available in the Mojave Wasteland. More powerful than energy cells, but less capable of rapid discharge like electron charge packs, it can also be made into improvised explosive devices.

Recycling
After firing, there is a chance that spent microfusion cells will turn into drained microfusion cells. These are automatically placed in the player character's inventory. Drained microfusion cells can then be recycled back into usable microfusion cells at a workbench.


 * See: comparison table for chances of drained microfusion cells being produced for each variant of microfusion cell.

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

Conversion (variant)
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.

Microfusion cell, bulk
Bulk microfusion cells carry less charge than standard microfusion cells, but are substantially cheaper to compensate. The reduced charge results in 85% damage, but also reduces the strain on the weapon to 85% as well.

Microfusion cell, max charge
The max charge version of the microfusion cell deals the highest possible damage (x 1.5 or 150%) at the expense of highly increased weapon degradation (x 2.50 or 250%). Using this ammunition type also negates 10 points of an opponent's Damage Threshold.

Microfusion cell, over charge
Over charge microfusion cells gives a damage multiplier (x1.25 or 125%) and negates 5 points of an opponent's Damage Threshold. This comes at the cost of having your weapon deteriorate at a faster rate (x1.50 or 150%).

Microfusion cell, optimized
Added in the add-on Gun Runners' Arsenal, this sub-type causes 30% more damage, penetrates armor more effectively, and weighs less than the standard microfusion cell. The only drawback is a slight increase in weapon degradation. It requires Vigilant Recycler and can only be crafted at a workbench. This type of cell is superior to overcharged cells.

Locations

 * A large stockpile of microfusion cells can be found at REPCONN Headquarters, behind a locked door (Lockpick 50) on the first floor. Over 600 microfusion cells can be found throughout the building.
 * Quartermaster Bardon in the Hoover Dam Offices stocks large quantities.
 * The Great Khan armorer, southeast of Red Rock Canyon stocks large quantities.
 * 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 microfusion cells, electron charge packs and small energy cells whenever you enter L1, giving a continuous supply of energy weapons ammunition.
 * The Silver Rush sells very large quantities.
 * Having an NCR Emergency Radio, and an Energy Weapons skill higher than your Guns skill, will allow you to call for a supply crate which usually contains an amount of microfusion cells.
 * In Vault 22, over 100 microfusion cells can be found in the reactor room, inside two lockers in the Common Areas.
 * Magnetohydraulics complex - 260 at the bottom of the underwater section.