Plasma Rifle (Fallout 3)

This Plasma Rifle, superior to the pre-War P94 Plasma Rifle, was developed by the Enclave after the Great War. By 2277, it was widely used by Enclave soldiers in the Capital Wasteland.

The Enclave Plasma Rifle is a high-energy-output assault weapon. The plasma burns and melts through the toughest opposition found in the wasteland. It utilizes a semi-automatic firing action and fires twelve rounds before reloading is required.

It is not without downsides, however. Plasma shots move slower than bullets and laser rounds, both of which hit almost instantly. Opponents can dodge the plasma bolt if the shot is not aimed correctly. This relegates the Plasma Rifle to a close to medium-range assault weapon as opposed to the medium-to-long-range duties of the AER9 Laser Rifle. The Enclave Soldiers use a combination of Plasma and Laser Rifles in the field. A critical hit from a plasma rifle can reduce the target to a green pile of goo.

Looking like something out of Ghost-busters this is quite a recognisable weapon not only because of its appearance but also becuase of its green plasma rays and the fact that it turns people into a pile of green goo if you score a critical hit! Although this weapon has been dismissed above as an unsuitable weapon for long-range because of the speed, I will say that it's very rare that you need a long-range weapon (I've never used one and i've had no trouble). Most of the time you are within 100 yards of your targets and you can always use VATS if you don't think you can hit the opposition. You're probably thinking at this point 'wow! what a great gun! it's such a shame that there's probably so few of them'. Well actually there is a Plasma Rifle lying on a table in The Citadel Laboratory. Its on the ground-floor in the room that you have to go through to reach the armoury. It is also a standard weapon used by the Enclave.

Appearances
The Enclave Plasma Rifle appears only in Fallout 3, replacing the P94 Plasma Rifle from previous Fallout games.