 | For an overview of plasma pistol variants, see plasma pistol. For the Gun Runners' Arsenal version of this weapon, see Plasma Defender (GRA). |
|---|
|
Split (reason: Arcade Gannon's Plasma Defender)
Article is suggested to be split into independent articles as outlined above.
|
|---|
The Plasma Defender is an energy weapon in Fallout: New Vegas.
Gameplay
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 Weapon 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.
| Ammunition Type | Durability | |
|---|---|---|
| Shots | Reloads | |
| Standard | 495 | 31 |
| Bulk | 584 | 37 |
| Optimized | 450 | 29 |
| Over charge | 329 | 21 |
| Max charge | 195 | 13 |
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 Magical Companion Ammo, and as a consequence, does not have the -2 DT from Energy Cells.
Plasma Defender (GRA) - A variant that can accept modifications.
Comparison
| Legend | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 |
Weapon name (melee or unarmed) |  |
Weapon name (gun, energy or explosive) |
 |
Damage per attack (damage per projectile) |  |
Damage per second |
 |
Area of effect damage |  |
Effect damage & duration |
 |
Bonus effects |  |
Attacks per second |
 |
Critical chance % multiplier |  |
Critical damage |
 |
Critical effect damage & duration |  |
With all mods attached |
 |
Attacks in V.A.T.S. |  |
Action point cost |
 |
Damage per action point |  |
Weapon spread |
 |
Magazine capacity (shots per reload) |  |
Durability (number of attacks before breaking) |
 |
Weight |  |
Value in caps |
 |
Value to weight ratio |  |
Skill required |
 |
Strength required | ||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plasma Defender | 38 | 95 | 2.5 | x1 | 38 | 20 | 1.9 | 0.3 | 32(16) | 495 | 2 | 3000 | 1500 | 50 | 2 |
| Plasma Defender | 38 | 95 | 2.5 | x1 | 38 | 20 | 1.9 | 0.3 | 32(16) | 495 | 2 | 3000 | 1500 | 50 | 2 |
Plasma Defender  | 38 | 95 | 2.5 | x1 | 38 | 20 | 1.9 | 0.1 | 64(32) | 495 | 2 | 7100 | 3550 | 50 | 2 |
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.
Notes
- Plasma Defenders are not randomly sold by any merchants, including the Van Graffs and the Gun Runners. This is due to their absence from a number of leveled item lists while being present on several other lists that are not used. The only exception is a single Plasma Defender which can be found on the display table in front of Gloria Van Graff.
- This is changed in YUP, and they are a rare energy weapon spawn for vendors.
Bugs
Marked Men can almost never use their Plasma Defenders, as it is distributed with Microfusion Cells instead of Energy Cells.
This is fixed in version 1 of YUP.
Sounds
|
|
||
|
Gallery
Plasma Defender in the perk image for Meltdown
Plasma Defender in the achievement image for Blast Mastery
