With illegal and legacy weapons slated to be removed from Fallout 76, some players may need to update their arsenal in the future. Knowing which weapons can be powerful without any perk investments nor needing the best legendary weapon effects in Fallout 76 allows players to prepare for this major change. Regardless of how eradicating illegitimate weapons pans out, some players may need to simply mix in some extra utility damage types.

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Flamer - Heavy Weapon

Like most other heavy weapons, the Flamer competes among some of the best weapon builds in Fallout 76. Even though the maximum range for the Flamer is considerably short, modifying the nozzle with shorter ranges gives exponential returns to damage increases. Unique to the flamer is the capability of piercing, making it great against crowds.

.50 Caliber Machine Gun - Heavy Weapon

The .50 Caliber Machine Gun is the most versatile heavy weapon with good accuracy, fire rate, range, and handling. It’s a good weapon for a variety of occasions, including Fallout 76’s world events. Unlike most other automatic heavy weapons, the .50 Caliber Machine Gun doesn’t need to charge up before firing, making it great shredding enemies quickly.

Gatling Plasma - Heavy Weapon

Pairing an extremely fast fire rate with uncontrollable handling makes the Gatling Plasma hard to use at longer ranges, though the projectiles have no cut-off point like most other energy weapons. Unlike the .50 Caliber Machine Gun, this weapon requires a charge-up before it’s able to fire continuously. Gatling plasma ammo is one of the hardest types to get ahold of, but this balances out with 1 unit of ammo converting to 500 firing charges.

Plasma Thrower - Energy Rifle/Energy Pistol

The Plasma Thrower is an incredibly versatile weapon that can change between pistol and rifle configurations, consequently changing the gun’s handling. Having a similar range to the Flamer heavy weapon, the benefit of using the Plasma Thrower instead is the reduced weight options available. Plasma Thrower projectiles pierce enemies, just like the Flamer heavy weapon.

The Fixer - Ballistic Rifle

The Fixer weapon comes with a bonus perk that allows players to remain undetected, which doesn’t interfere with the three legendary effect slots on the weapon. Sneaking in Fallout 76 doubles the damage of ranged weapons, so neither the gun nor stealth needs any investments. The only downside to the Fixer is the scenarios where stealth isn’t always available, like while wearing Power Armor, and during certain Public Events that force players to be detected.

Auto-Axe - Automatic Melee

The Auto-Axe was introduced in The Pitt expansion for Fallout 76 and can either be purchased or awarded from completing Expeditions. The superiority of the Auto-Axe compared to other automatic melee weapons is its adaptability to different damage types. While the Chainsaw is a much easier weapon to obtain, the Auto-Axe can be modified to deal burning, poison, and energy damage, with another option of increasing the fire rate while decreasing damage.

Plasma Cutter - 1-Handed Melee

The plasma cutter is able to use a wide variety of damage types. The standard version already deals both ballistic and energy damage and can be further modified to deal burning or freezing damage. With very few weapons capable of dealing freezing damage, this weapon offers a lightweight opportunity to do so.

Power Fist - Unarmed Melee

For players choosing not to use Fallout’s iconic Power Armor in Fallout 76, unarmed melee weapons are a good option. For the best selection in the unarmed weapon class, the spotlight goes to the Power Fist. This weapon can be modified to add armor piercing, giving it an edge over other unarmed weapons, which are all collectively lightweight and fast-attacking.

Whether players need a better option for dealing damage or are looking to add utility damage types, there are plenty of alternatives in the game. Another reason why spicing up existing builds with surprise armaments is that it allows players to have an upper edge in PvP in Fallout 76. At the end of the day, however, the biggest factor in the choice of weaponry remains weight.

Fallout 76 is available now for PC, PS4, and Xbox One.

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