The Mojave Wasteland is a harsh and unforgiving place. To survive, you’ll need more than just luck; you’ll need firepower. Fallout: New Vegas offers a vast arsenal of weapons, but some stand out above the rest – iconic, powerful, and often with a unique story behind them. These aren’t just tools of destruction; they’re extensions of your Courier’s personality, defining your playstyle and leaving a trail of (hopefully) defeated enemies in your wake.
Let’s dive into six of the absolute best weapons in Fallout: New Vegas, exploring their history, stats, where to find them, and why they deserve a spot in your arsenal.
1. This Machine (Battle Rifle)
- History & Lore: This Machine is a unique M1 Garand, a classic American battle rifle from World War II. It’s a powerful and accurate semi-automatic weapon, perfect for mid-range combat. Its name is a direct reference to the inscription on Woody Guthrie’s guitar: “This machine kills fascists.” The in-game version bears a similar inscription: “WELL THIS MACHINE KILLS COMMIES,” a darkly humorous nod to the Cold War paranoia that permeated the pre-war Fallout universe.
- Character/Association: While not directly tied to a specific character, This Machine is associated with the NCR and their struggle against the Legion. It’s a weapon that embodies the NCR’s ideals (or at least, their propaganda).
- Location: You can obtain This Machine by completing the NCR quest “Dealing with Contreras,” given by Lt. Boyd at Camp McCarran. You can either expose Contreras’s smuggling operation or help him, but siding against Contreras is the only way to get the rifle. Specifically, you’ll need to turn in the evidence to Boyd.
- Requirements:
- Weapons Skill: 75
- Strength: 6
- Why It’s Great: This Machine is incredibly versatile. Its high damage per shot, accuracy, and relatively low AP cost make it effective against a wide range of enemies. The .308 round is fairly common, and the weapon’s durability is excellent. It’s a reliable workhorse that will serve you well throughout the game. The satisfying ping sound when the clip ejects is just icing on the cake.
2. All-American (Marksman Carbine)
- History & Lore: The All-American is a unique variant of the Marksman Carbine, a weapon favored by NCR Veteran Rangers. It’s a highly accurate and powerful semi-automatic rifle, chambered in 5.56mm. It represents the pinnacle of pre-war small arms technology, designed for precision and reliability.
- Character/Association: While not held by a specific named character, the All-American is strongly associated with the NCR’s elite forces.
- Location: Found in Vault 34’s armory. Vault 34 is a notoriously difficult location, filled with heavily irradiated Ghouls and complex security systems. You’ll need good lockpicking skills (or a high Science skill to hack the terminals) and plenty of Rad-X and RadAway.
- Requirements:
- Weapons Skill: 100
- Strength: 6
- Why It’s Great: The All-American is arguably the best all-around rifle in the game. It boasts incredible accuracy, high damage per shot, a large magazine (24 rounds), and a fast rate of fire. It’s effective at almost any range and can handle even the toughest enemies with ease. The high Weapons skill requirement means it’s best suited for late-game characters, but it’s well worth the investment.
3. Medicine Stick (Brush Gun)
- History & Lore: A Custom lever-action Brush Gun designed as the ultimate hunting weapon, this weapon is well suited to taking down large prey.
- Character/Association: No specific character
- Location: Sold by the Gun Runners near Freeside.
- Requirements:
- Weapons Skill: 100
- Strength: 6
- Why its great: It has exceptional damage for a rifle, especially when using special ammo.
4. Ratslayer (Varmint Rifle)
- History & Lore: The Ratslayer is a heavily modified Varmint Rifle, a common .22LR weapon used for hunting small creatures. Don’t let its humble origins fool you; this is a deadly weapon in the right hands. It features a custom scope, a suppressor, and an extended magazine, making it perfect for stealthy sniping.
- Character/Association: No specific character, but its modifications suggest it was used by a skilled survivalist or assassin.
- Location: Found in the Broc Flower Cave, on a metal table near the entrance. The cave is inhabited by giant rats, but the weapon is relatively easy to obtain even at low levels.
- Requirements:
- Weapons Skill: 0 (That’s right, zero!)
- Strength: 4
- Why It’s Great: The Ratslayer is a stealth player’s best friend. It has a 5x critical hit multiplier (the highest in the game), meaning that sneak attacks with this weapon are devastating. Combine this with its suppressor and high accuracy, and you can clear out entire groups of enemies without ever being detected. Its low skill requirement makes it accessible to all character builds, and the .22LR ammo is incredibly cheap and plentiful. It’s a fantastic early-game weapon and remains viable throughout the game.
5. Gobi Campaign Scout Rifle (Sniper Rifle)
- History & Lore: The Gobi Campaign Scout Rifle is a unique Sniper Rifle, designed for long-range engagements. It’s a bolt-action weapon, chambered in .308, with exceptional accuracy and damage. It’s a weapon for patient and precise players who prefer to eliminate their targets from afar.
- Character/Association: No specific character, but its name suggests it was used by scouts or snipers during a military campaign.
- Location: Found in the Sniper’s Nest, overlooking Cottonwood Cove. It’s locked in a Very Hard (100 Lockpick skill) footlocker.
- Requirements:
- Weapons Skill: 75
- Strength: 6
- Why It’s Great: The Gobi Campaign Scout Rifle is the best conventional sniper rifle in the game (excluding energy weapons). It has higher damage than the standard Sniper Rifle, a faster rate of fire, and a larger magazine. It’s perfect for taking out high-value targets from a distance, and its critical hit damage is substantial.
6. Lucky (Revolver)
- History & Lore: Lucky is a unique .357 Magnum Revolver, a classic six-shooter with a stylish design. It’s a weapon that favors players who value critical hits and a bit of luck.
- Character/Association: No specific character, but its name and design suggest it belonged to a gambler or gunslinger.
- Location: Found in the Bison Steve Hotel in Primm. It’s locked in a Hard (75 Lockpick skill) safe behind the counter in the gift shop.
- Requirements:
- Weapons Skill: 25
- Strength: 4
- Why It’s Great: Lucky has a 2.5x critical hit multiplier, making it incredibly effective for characters with high Luck and perks that enhance critical hits (like Finesse and Better Criticals). It also has a lower AP cost than other revolvers, allowing for more shots in V.A.T.S. The .357 Magnum round is powerful and relatively common. It’s a fun and stylish weapon that rewards a specific playstyle.
Arm Yourself for the Mojave
These six weapons represent just a small fraction of the best weapons in Fallout New Vegas , but they are some of the most iconic and powerful. Whether you prefer stealthy sniping, close-quarters combat, or all-out firepower, there’s a weapon on this list that will suit your Courier’s needs. So, get out there, explore the Mojave, and claim these legendary guns for yourself. The Wasteland awaits!
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