Plasma gun (Fallout 4)

The plasma gun is a weapon in Fallout 4. Variants include the plasma pistol, plasma rifle, plasma scattergun and plasma thrower.

Characteristics
Plasma guns are a versatile urban warfare weapon that can be used as a pistol, sniper rifle, semi-auto rifle, assault rifle, shotgun or even a 'plasma flamethrower.' It is usually encountered later in the game and found on technologically advanced opponents, although at even higher levels it can be found on raiders and legendary enemies.

Compared to the previous iterations, Fallout 4 ' s plasma projectiles travel much faster and cause both ballistic damage and energy damage as opposed to only energy damage. It is capable of high damage output (inflicting more than 100 damage in both ballistic and energy damage), however its plasma cartridge ammuntition spawns less frequently, and bolts are slower in comparison to other weapons, which outside of V.A.T.S. can lead to accuracy issues.

Plasma guns are the lightest ranged weapon class in the game, closely followed by laser weaponry. A fully upgraded plasma gun in a rifle configuration weighs just over 8 pounds while a top tier laser gun in a rifle configuration weighs around 9 pounds.

Variants

 * Experiment 18-A - a unique plasma rifle with the Rapid Legendary effect. It is sold by the synth requisition officer in the Institute.
 * Sentinel's Plasmacaster, a unique plasma pistol with the Instigating Legendary effect. It is sold by Proctor Teagan aboard the the Prydwen after completing A New Dawn.

Locations

 * Vendors start selling plasma guns starting at level 16.
 * If the Sole Survivor enters Nuka-World and is below level 16, Aaron Corbett can sell this weapon.
 * Arturo Rodriguez sells at least two at higher levels.
 * Legendary plasma guns start dropping at level 24.
 * Level 3 weapon shops in settlements always have three for sale.
 * Higher level Gunners are sometimes equipped with plasma guns.

Bugs

 * The plasma thrower is bugged and has a high (though not 100%) chance of dealing no damage each time the trigger is pulled. This occurs while using V.A.T.S. or immediately after using V.A.T.S.
 * This bug only seems to happen in V.A.T.S. or immediately after exiting V.A.T.S., however if one isn't close enough to one's target it will not deal damage, being much like a flamethrower.
 * The plasma thrower is completely bugged in V.A.T.S. The weapon is shown to attack in short flame bursts, however, only the first puff of plasma in V.A.T.S. will deal damage, one shot will be used regardless of how many attacks are queued up, and every attack queued after the first will supercharge the critical meter.
 * With the rifle variants, firing and then swimming will cause the weapon to be held like a bat and prevent firing the weapon. To fix it, just unequip and re-equip the rifle.
 * Depending on which variant (Rifle or Pistol) you acquire before turning the weapon into a Plasma Thrower, it will only get damage buffs from (Gunslinger or Rifleman) and will not get buffs from Commando.