In Fallout 4, there are many weapons to choose from, each suited for different playstyles. The “best” weapon depends on your character build and how you approach combat, but some weapons stand out for their damage output, versatility, and unique features. Here’s a breakdown of the best weapons in Fallout 4, categorized by playstyle and type:
1. The “Big Guns” – Best High Damage Weapons
1.1. Overseer’s Guardian (Rifle)
- Type: Automatic Laser Rifle
- Where to Find: Vault 81 (Quest: “Hole in the Wall”)
- Why It’s Great:
- The Overseer’s Guardian is one of the best weapons in the game, with a unique effect that makes it fire two projectiles per shot. This effectively doubles your damage output, making it a devastating weapon for both enemies and bosses.
- It works well for both Energy Weapon builds and general combat.
- High DPS (damage per second) and useful in almost any situation.
1.2. Gatling Laser (Energy Weapon)
- Type: Heavy Gun (Energy)
- Where to Find: Found at various locations or obtained through quest rewards.
- Why It’s Great:
- The Gatling Laser has incredible sustained DPS when upgraded with the proper mods.
- It’s especially powerful in endgame combat, thanks to its ability to mow down large groups of enemies.
- Best for builds that focus on Energy Weapons and Heavy Gunner perks.
2. The “Stealth” – Best for Stealth and Precision Shots
2.1. The Deliverer (Pistol)
- Type: 10mm Pistol (Unique)
- Where to Find: The Railroad (after joining them and completing their questline)
- Why It’s Great:
- The Deliverer has a unique effect that increases its V.A.T.S. hit chance and reduces Action Points (AP) cost by 25%.
- This makes it an exceptional choice for stealthy V.A.T.S. builds, allowing you to pick off enemies from a distance quickly and silently.
- It’s one of the best weapons for sneak attacks, especially when paired with Sneak perks.
2.2. Gauss Rifle (Rifle)
- Type: Energy Rifle
- Where to Find: Found at various locations, or purchased from DiMA after completing the Far Harbor DLC quests.
- Why It’s Great:
- The Gauss Rifle uses magnets to propel a powerful, highly accurate projectile at extreme range.
- It does massive damage with the charge-up mechanic (longer charges result in higher damage).
- Ideal for sniping, particularly with mods that increase damage and accuracy.
3. The “Close Combat” – Best Melee Weapons
3.1. Kremvh’s Tooth (Melee)
- Type: Sword
- Where to Find: The Swamp area (connected to a quest in The Mire DLC)
- Why It’s Great:
- This weapon has the chance to inflict additional poison damage, making it perfect for melee builds that focus on increased damage over time.
- With high base damage and great potential for dealing damage with each hit, it’s one of the best melee weapons for close combat in the game.
3.2. The Shishkebab (Melee)
- Type: Flame sword
- Where to Find: Obtained by finding the schematics in The Saugus Ironworks and crafting it at a workbench.
- Why It’s Great:
- The Shishkebab is a flaming sword that deals fire damage with every swing.
- It’s very effective in close quarters, especially for melee combat focused on fire damage. It’s also fun to use in roleplaying builds.
- Its high durability and ability to deal sustained damage make it an iconic weapon in Fallout 4.
4. The “Explosives” – Best for Large Groups
4.1. Fat Man (Nuclear Launcher)
- Type: Heavy Weapon (Nuclear Launcher)
- Where to Find: Found in various locations throughout the Wasteland, and can be purchased from vendors.
- Why It’s Great:
- The Fat Man is one of the most iconic weapons in the Fallout series, launching a mini-nuclear warhead to deal massive area-of-effect damage.
- It’s perfect for crowd control, taking out large groups of enemies or bosses with a single shot.
- It’s a one-hit kill for most enemies, but due to its rarity and high ammo cost, it’s best used strategically.
4.2. MIRV (Fat Man Modification)
- Type: Explosive Launcher (Fat Man mod)
- Where to Find: You can modify the Fat Man with the MIRV mod to launch multiple mini-nukes at once.
- Why It’s Great:
- The MIRV modification makes the Fat Man even more deadly, scattering multiple nuclear warheads in a wide radius. This is incredibly powerful for large-scale battles or clearing out an enemy stronghold.
- Due to the high destruction potential, it’s a weapon best used sparingly.
5. The “All-Arounder” – Most Versatile Weapon
5.1. Combat Rifle (Automatic or Semi-Auto)
- Type: Rifle
- Where to Find: Available from various vendors or can be crafted.
- Why It’s Great:
- The Combat Rifle is one of the most versatile weapons in Fallout 4, offering a solid mix of damage, accuracy, and modification options.
- You can modify it for automatic fire, increased accuracy, or high damage (with high-speed firing).
- It’s a great weapon for a balanced character build that wants an adaptable, reliable rifle.
5.2. Plasma Rifle
- Type: Energy Rifle
- Where to Find: Found in various locations or can be bought from vendors.
- Why It’s Great:
- The Plasma Rifle is a high-damage energy weapon that has a fast fire rate and can be modded for additional damage or highly efficient firing.
- It’s one of the best weapons for general-purpose combat, effective against both human enemies and various types of creatures.
- Works well with Energy Weapon builds.
6. Best Weapon for Roleplaying and Fun
6.1. Railway Rifle
- Type: Rifle (Unique)
- Where to Find: The Railroad (after completing certain quests).
- Why It’s Great:
- The Railway Rifle shoots nails that pin enemies to walls, providing both a unique visual effect and impressive damage.
- It’s a fun weapon to use, especially in roleplaying builds, and can make for a great storytelling element.
- Its high damage output combined with its quirky design makes it a fan favorite.
Final Thoughts:
- Best All-Rounder: The Overseer’s Guardian and Plasma Rifle are solid choices for general combat, versatility, and damage output.
- For Stealth or V.A.T.S. Builds: The Deliverer and Gauss Rifle stand out for stealthy, precision combat.
- For Melee: If you prefer close combat, the Shishkebab and Kremvh’s Tooth are excellent choices.
- For Explosions and Big Guns: The Fat Man and Gatling Laser are perfect for destroying large groups or tough enemies.
Ultimately, the best weapon depends on your playstyle and character build, but the options above should provide a great selection to help you dominate the wasteland in Fallout 4.