The violent post-apocalyptic world ofFallout New Vegasdemands that anyone stepping outside have a weapon on them, lest they face the consequences. With military and civilian weapons, new and old, dotting the wasteland and its emerging factions, the Lone Courier won’t be short on options during their travels.
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Obsidian Entertainment’ssurvival RPG’s expansive arsenal has plenty of weapons to sort through but leads to some being better than others. Not all Big Irons are created equal, and some are the kind of weapons anyone should keep close at all times.
109mm Pistol
A commonplace sidearm throughout the base game, the 9mm Pistol is easily found and even more easily maintained with its use among the NCR. The special variant of the pistol, Maria, is carried by Benny and is the weapon that wounds the Courier and kick-starts the game’s events.
The weapon’s decent overall stats and commonality makes it a reliable carry weapon throughout most of the game, especially if the player brings along one ofNew Vegas’s companionsto act as added carry weight for supplies.
9Li’l Devil
A modified 12.7mm Pistol that packs more than a mighty punch. With improved stats across the board compared to the base model, Li’l Devil is a concealable powerhouse that draws fast and fires faster.
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If a player wants to invest in a pocket-sized hand cannon that’s not a revolver, the Li’l Devil is about as good as it gets for a curious Courier. The Li’l Devil is just as much a monster to the Courier’s enemies as the ammo can be to a player’s wallet.
8All-American
There’s no shortage of long rifles in New Vegas, and the All-American is one of the finest. With solid damage, good accuracy, and a high fire rate, this customized marksman carbine is a fine weapon for any eagle-eyed player.
The major downside to using it is the expense and rarity of standard Marksman Carbines to use for repairs, and the location of the All-American itself, in the flooded and crippled armory of the abandoned Vault 34, one of severaldangerous locationsin the Mojave wasteland that holds great rewards for venturous players.
The Gauss Rifle is one of the hardest-hitting base weapons in New Vegas, made even deadlier if the player has invested in the proper skills and takencertain perkswhile leveling up during their travels. This updated model boasts improved stats and the chance to cripple enemies with a direct impact.
If non-standard weapons are the path a player wishes to pursue, adding the YCS/186 to their arsenal is pivotal for dealing with Deathclaws, power armor, Centaurs and so much more.
6Survivalist’s Rifle
Most special weapons in New Vegas don’t have any major story or presented history to their existence, they simply are. Most are either high-end weapons from one of Fallout’s political and privatefactions, or simply a better version of an existing weapon that’s survived the perilous wasteland and its many hazards. The Survivalist’s Rifle is one of the few exceptions, wrapped up in a heartbreaking story of a good man making the best of a terrible fate.
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Found next to the remains of the man that wielded it in the rocky cliffs of the Honest Hearts DLC, the hand-carved writings and dented iron sights give life to the weapon’s tragic story and its altered and improved stats to the base Service Rifle.
5Euclid’s C-Finder
A weapon out of the left field, but not one to surpass Metal Gear. Euclid’s C-Finder requires a series of events to occur just to acquire and activate the weapon’s satellite-generated beam of destruction, much less use it.
After finding it being used by a child as a toy near Freeside, powering the HELIOS solar generator to specifically power Euclid will allow a single use of the weapon every 24 hours. One blast can devastate entire groups of enemies, so players should stand clear of the designated target zone.
4This Machine
Another dented, story-riddled rifle, but one of an even older breed. The M1 Garand served the United States faithfully for decades and still finds itself in combat in the new world after decades of nuclear fallout.
If players wish to work for the NCR, even for a period, then an unmarked quest for them will lead players to This Machine, a hard-hitting and accurate workhorse gun that can effectively handle most combat scenarios. Anyone in need of a rifle without wanting to spend a fortune needs to look no further.
3Medicine Stick
The Medicine Stick hits enemies almost as hard as it hits the player’s wallet. Added into the game with the Gun Runner’s Arsenal DLC, the Medicine stick is the best lever action .45 Gov’t chambered rifle in New Vegas. It can only be purchased from the Gun Runners directly, and will cost the player thousands of caps depending on their Barter skill and S.P.E.C.I.A.L stats.
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Besides the Anti-Material Rifle, the Medicine Stick is the deadliest rifle in the game, even with base stats. If players can find a way to afford it, the Medicine Stick is all but a must-have for players looking to thrive inside the Mojave wasteland.
Fallout’s ultimate problem solver that doesn’t have a day-long cooldown. A spring-loaded pressure launcher that fires miniature nukes, the Fat Man is destructive, expensive to fire and outrageously heavy.
Uncommon to find, the Fat Man sticks out like a sore thumb and demands the player’s attention whenever it’s around. If players need a person or group dead, the Fat Man is the quickest solution.
1Ranger Sequoia
As expected, the veteran rangers of the NCR have big irons on their hips. Large, beautiful, and hard-hitting, the Ranger Sequoia can make quick work of almost any threat the player points it at.
Only found among the NCR higher-ups and the deadly veteran NCR rangers, the Sequoia is elusive and intimidating, forcing players to either side with the NCR or acquire it during a side quest amidst an anti-NCR playthrough. With affordable and inexpensive ammo, massive size, and solid damage, the Ranger Sequoia is exactly the kind of six-shooter that can keep someone alive in the new world.
