Energy Cell (Fallout: New Vegas)

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

Characteristics
Energy cells are the standard ammunition used by the majority of pistol energy weapons, and as such are widely available across the Mojave Wasteland.

Recycling
After firing, there is a chance that a spent energy cell will turn into drained energy cells. These are automatically placed in the player characters inventory. Drained energy cells can then be recycled at a workbench back into usable energy cells.
 * See: comparison table for chances of drained energy cells being produced for each variant of energy cell.

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

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.
 * Conversion (variant)

Energy cell, bulk
Found in various vendors throughout New Vegas, compared to the normal type of ammunition this reduces both weapon wear and damage. They also have no armor piercing effect.

Energy cell, over charge
This can either be bought from some vendors or crafted by the player with a science skill of 30 or higher. Requires 3 normal energy cells to create 2 over charge versions. They increase the damage output of weapons by 1.25 and have a -5 DT effect on enemies, unfortunately they degrade weapons 1.5 times faster than normal.

Energy cell, max charge
Only crafted by players with a science skill of 70 or higher. Requires 5 normal energy cells to create 2 max charge versions. Max charge cells increase damage output to 1.5 times normal, have an armor piercing effect of -10 DT but cause weapons to degrade 2.5 times faster.