Electron Charge Pack (Fallout: New Vegas)

The electron charge pack is a type of ammunition in Fallout: New Vegas.

Characteristics
These small electron batteries are used as ammunition by several energy weapons. Unlike energy cells and microfusion cells, they are used to power rapid firing energy weapons, as well as Tesla weaponry.

Recycling
After firing, there is a chance that spent electron charge packs will turn into drained electron charge packs. These are automatically turned into a miscellaneous item and placed into the player character's inventory. Drained electron charge packs can then be recycled back into usable electron charge packs at a workbench.

¹ Due to Vigilant Recycler having Science 70 as a prerequisite, efficient recycling can not be made at the skill listed in the workbench.

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

Conversion (variant)
The player character can also combine partially charged cells together to make more powerful variants, which improve damage and bypass more enemy DT, but burn out weapon components faster.

¹ Due to Vigilant Recycler having Science 70 as a prerequisite, none of the optimized recipes can be made at the skill listed in the workbench.

Weapons using this ammunition

 * Arc welder
 * Gatling laser
 * Sprtel-Wood 9700 (GRA)
 * Laser RCW
 * Tesla cannon
 * Elijah's jury-rigged Tesla cannon
 * Tesla-Beaton prototype

Electron charge pack, bulk
Bulk packs are less potent than the standard version but are cheaper to purchase. Weapons firing bulk electron charge pack ammunition degrade at a rate of 15% less per shot compared to standard electron charge packs, at the cost of dealing 15% less damage to the target and no DT penetration ability. Their already low charge also gives them less chance to leave a drained electron charge pack.

Electron charge pack, over charge
An electron charge pack that has been given a bit more charge than the standard electron charge pack. Weapons firing over charge electron charge pack ammunition take 50% more damage per shot compared to those firing standard electron charge pack ammunition, while dealing 25% higher damage to the target and penetrating 5 DT. Overcharged packs have a somewhat smaller chance of resulting in a drained pack, though still slightly higher than bulk packs.

Electron charge pack, max charge
An electron charge pack with its energy condensers charged to their limits, making it more powerful but also necessitating increased maintenance. Weapons firing max charge electron charge packs degrade at a rate of 150% more per shot compared to those firing standard electron charge pack ammunition, while dealing 50% greater damage to the target and penetrating 10 DT. The increased energy output also leaves little chance for leaving a drained pack, with a mere 5% chance per shot.

Electron charge pack, optimized
Added in Gun Runners' Arsenal, this subtype causes 30% more damage, penetrates armor more effectively and weighs less than the standard electron charge pack. The only drawback is a 10% increase in weapon degradation. It requires Vigilant Recycler and can only be crafted at a workbench. This type of EC pack is superior in all properties compared to overcharged packs.

Locations

 * Hidden Valley bunker - If the player character reaches Accepted status or higher with the Brotherhood of Steel, they will be approached by a BoS initiate saying that they have placed recycled ammunition in a box at the bottom of the entrance stairs to the L1 area. The box will be replenished randomly with electron charge packs, microfusion cells, and small energy cells, providing a continuous supply of energy weapons ammunition.
 * Fiends around Vault 3 and Westside usually have electron charge packs or their drained variant if they have a laser RCW. Sometimes it may also be found on Fiends who lack any compatible weapons.
 * The Great Khan armorer sells bulk, over charge, and standard electron charge packs.

ru:Электронный заряд (Fallout: New Vegas)