Plasma Rifle (Fallout 3)

The urban plasma rifle is an energy weapon found in Fallout 3.

Characteristics
The plasma rifle uses microfusion cells, the same type of ammunition used by the laser rifle and commonly found throughout the Capital Wasteland, and can discharge up to twelve green, self-illuminated plasma bolts before requiring a reload.

The plasma rifle fires projectiles that inflict potentially heavy damage at a fairly quick semi-automatic rate of fire. The plasma bolt moves at sub-sonic speeds, giving enemies the chance to dodge the plasma bolts. Because of this, the plasma rifle is most effective in close to medium range combat, as opposed to the laser rifle which is better suited to long range. Due to its fast semi-automatic rate of fire, it empties its 12-shot magazine rather quickly, and its reload time is somewhat longer than most other small guns/energy weapons. Maintenance is a combination of perks and drawbacks: Like other energy weapons, it has a high maximum condition compared to small guns, but is expensive and/or difficult to repair. A plasma rifle in poor condition (under 10%) can cost over 1000 bottle caps to repair. The plasma rifle has twice the chance of inflicting a critical hit than most other weapons, and can turn enemies into piles of green goo if the killing blow is a critical hit. Like all energy weapons, the plasma rifle's plasma bolt can ignite gas leaks. Determining weather the Laser rifle or the plasma rifle is the better weapon is a hard decision the plasma rifle has a higher fire rate and higher damage though the projectile travels slow in the air. At long distances this may prove to be a problem because enemies can litteraly dodge the bolt while the laser rifle hits the target exactly when fired if aimed correctly of course. The plasma rifle has weapon spread while the laser rifle doesn't. One of the biggest problems about the plasma rifle is the repair cost costing 1000 caps to repair while the laser rifle is much lower adding the fact that the plasma rifle is less durable than the laser rifle. the plasma rifle has much more value though being one of the most valuble weapons in the game. The laser rifle is more effective at medium to long distances. but is eneffective at short range the plasma rifle is good for close and medium range. In the long run the Laser rifle is the winner.

Durability
The plasma rifle can fire a total of about 500 shots, the equivalent of 42 reloads, from full condition before breaking.

Variants

 * A3-21's plasma rifle - Obtained from Harkness at the end of The Replicated Man, A3-21's plasma rifle is one of the most powerful energy weapons, rivaling Lincoln's repeater in damage per shot.

Locations

 * Within Taft Tunnels, held by a Tesla soldier in the room where Doctor Li opens the locked door (You need to hop on top of a barrel and onto the lamp and onto the beams to reach the soldiers).
 * Fort Independence, inside a weapons armory (the key to the armory door is inside one of the footlockers in the quarters).
 * The Citadel Laboratory, on the table (note there a possible chance that power armor can be there instead of plasma rifle)
 * Issued to many Enclave soldiers wearing Tesla or Enclave Hellfire armor.
 * Brotherhood soldiers may frequently be armed with plasma rifles, presumably captured by the Brotherhood and re-issued amongst the ranks. Officer Lepelletier is also armed with one. It is possible to obtain it passing a speech check.
 * One can be found in the Weapons Lab and another in the Cargo Hold.
 * There is a very small chance that raiders may spawn with this weapon.