Plasma Defender

The Plasma Defender is an energy weapon in Fallout: New Vegas.

Characteristics
The Plasma Defender is a powerful energy-based pistol that fires superheated bolts of green plasma. It is able to punch through most critters and low-level armor with ease, when compared to the more commonly found and cheaper laser pistol.

In comparison to the standard laser pistol, the Plasma Defender deals more than 3 times the damage per shot and over twice as much damage-per-second (DPS). This is offset by the fact that it consumes energy cells at twice the rate, has reduced durability, and has a slightly increased spread. Additionally, it causes a large green burst of plasma upon firing which in addition to partially obscuring the view, travels at a slower rate, resulting in the need to lead the target.

In comparison to the plasma pistol, the plasma defender does an additional 5 damage per shot, has a reduced critical chance, and is less durable. However, the plasma defender is a more accurate weapon, uses fewer Action Points in V.A.T.S. and has a higher rate of fire in real-time, delivering almost twice as much DPS. Unlike the plasma pistol, the plasma defender is not considered a holdout weapon.

Durability
The Plasma Defender can fire a total of about 495 times using standard cells, the equivalent of 31 reloads, from full condition before breaking.

Variants

 * Arcade's Plasma Defender - A unique non-playable Plasma Defender used by Arcade Gannon. It only differs from the standard pistol in its use of companion ammunition.
 * Plasma Defender (GRA) - A variant that can accept modifications.

Locations

 * Lucky 38, in a floor safe of the cocktail lounge.
 * Silver Rush, located on a table and sold by Gloria Van Graff.
 * Dead Bright followers have a 1-in-3 chance of carrying Plasma Defender once the Courier has reached Level 8. They can be found at REPCONN test site along with other energy weapons.
 * Y-17 trauma override harness may carry them on higher levels.
 * Hopeville silo bunker entrance, located in a desk with a Hard lock.
 * Sometimes found on Marked Men.