8 Best Weapons In Fallout 4 (& How To Get Them)

In Fallout 4, equipping the right weapons and armor is essential for survival against the threats of the nuclear Wasteland. While the RPG offers a plethora of firearms and melee options, managing your inventory effectively is crucial, as it's easy to accumulate weapons that don't match your playstyle, are short on ammo, or lack the power needed against formidable foes.

Many of the best weapons in Fallout 4 can be sourced from vendors, earned as rewards from quests, or looted from fallen enemies, often featuring powerful Legendary effects. By carefully selecting and customizing these weapons with modifications, you can significantly improve your combat capabilities, ensuring your arsenal is well-rounded and suited to various combat scenarios.

Related 10 Best Weapons In Fallout 76 There is a plethora of great firearms and melee weapons in Fallout 76, most of which benefit from legendary modifications and perk card enhancements.

8 Tinker Tom Special

Increases V.A.T.S Accuracy

Tinker Tom's Special is a unique hunting rifle in Fallout 4, available exclusively to members of the Railroad, a faction committed to protecting and liberating sentient synths from the Institute in Fallout 4. This rifle features the Stalker’s legendary effect, which increases Fallout 4's V.A.T.S. accuracy when not in combat at the cost of more Action Points (AP), making it perfect for long-range sniper shots.

Features Stats Class/Type Unique Sniper Rifle Damage 37 Ammo .308 round

.38 round (.38 receiver)

.50 caliber (.50 receiver) Magazine Size 5 Fire Rate 3 Range 185 Accuracy 112

When first equipped, it always comes with a full stock, standard receiver, suppressor, and long-range scope, facilitating stealthy engagements without revealing your position. Additionally, it uses commonly found ammunition, enhancing its practicality in the wasteland.

To access Tinker Tom’s Special, players must complete the 'Road to Freedom' quest followed by the 'Tradecraft' Railroad main quest. Afterward, you can join the Railroad and purchase the rifle from Tinker Tom at the Railroad HQ for 709 Caps.

Joining the Railroad can strain relationships with other major factions you have joined. Actions favoring the Railroad will lead to disapproval from the Institute and the Brotherhood of Steel, although they do not impact relations with the Minutemen.

7 Deliverer

Improved V.A.T.S Hit Chance, 25% less AP Cost

In Fallout 4, players can enjoy a flexible gameplay experience by constructing various builds to suit their preferred style, ranging from melee to V.A.T.S-focused approaches. One standout weapon is the Deliverer, a pistol that excels in V.A.T.S and stealth due to its 25% lower AP consumption and built-in suppressor, making it ideal for silent operations.

Features Stats Class/Type Unique Pistol Damage 25 Ammo 10mm Round Magazine Size 12 Fire Rate 66 Range 53 Accuracy 67 AP Cost 26

The Deliverer uses 10mm ammo, which is plentiful across the Wasteland, often making it a practical choice given the scarcity of other ammunition types. This pistol offers increased accuracy and efficiency in V.A.T.S. and boasts an impressive range, making it a reliable primary weapon for unexpected encounters of low-to-mid levels.

To obtain the Deliverer, players must once again join the Railroad faction and complete the 'Tradecraft' quest given by Desdemona. During this mission, players will team up with Deacon to infiltrate an old hideout, and upon successful completion, Deacon will award the Deliverer in gratitude.

6 Gauss Rifle

Bloody Mess; 5% chance of Making Enemies Explode

The Gauss rifle delivers exceptionally high damage when fired fully charged. It can be enhanced with the best mods in Fallout 4, such as additional capacitors, a shielded barrel, and a choice of a compensator or suppressor, making it ideal for stealth missions. Its special-effect shots can create a powerful explosion on impact, allowing it to damage multiple targets if they are close together.

Features Stats Class/Type Automatic Rifle Damage 110 Ammo 2mm EC Magazine Size 7 Fire Rate 66 Range 191 Accuracy 69 AP Cost 40.5

With five ranks in the Rifleman perk, the Gauss rifle can destroy almost any piece of Power Armor and Fusion Cores with a single shot. The two-shot legendary variant of this rifle is among the most powerful weapons in Fallout 4, capable of eliminating the toughest enemies in one hit from level 36 onwards.

Players can find up to five Gauss rifles at Skylanes Flight 1981 and Skylanes Flight 1665, accessible via a hidden compartment under the cockpit, which requires rank 3 of the Locksmith perk. This area contains leveled loot, which means the items vary depending on the player's level.

Gauss rifles won't appear in this location if the player is below level 32.

Additionally, a Gauss rifle can be acquired on the Prydwen in Teagan's shop, though it must be stolen rather than purchased. Players aiming to acquire it stealthily should enhance their Stealth stats and use perks or consumables to improve their ability to hide.

5 Le Fusil Terribles

+25% Damage/Limb Damage & Increases Recoil

The Le Fusil Terribles stands out among shotguns for its high damage output, further enhanced by a special effect that adds 25% more damage and limb impact. However, this power comes with increased recoil, which modifications can mitigate somewhat.

Despite its slow firing rate, limited range, and small magazine typical of most shotguns in Fallout 4, Le Fusil Terribles compensates with a capacity for 32 shells and significantly enhanced damage, making it particularly effective for dismembering limbs.

Features Stats Class/Type Unique Shotgun Damage 62 Magazine Size 32 Ammo Shotgun Shell Fire Rate 20 Range 71 Accuracy 41 AP Cost 35

Unlike other powerful weapons in the game that require completing specific quests, Le Fusil Terribles can be obtained anytime by visiting Libertalia, a raider encampment in Fallout 4, northeast of the airport and south of Nahant Wharf. The weapon is found in the captain’s cabin, the largest building at the end of the floating settlement. While players can access this area at any point, it is also featured in the 'Institute's Synth Retention' quest.

Related Fallout 4: 10 Best Side Quests For XP (& Gear) To gain XP and gear in Fallout 4, complete side quests, picked up by joining the Minutemen and Brotherhood of Steel, and helping NPCs around the map.

4 Ashmaker Minigun

Sets Targets On Fire

The Ashmaker minigun in Fallout 4 offers a compelling upgrade to the standard minigun by adding fire damage to each shot, increasing its damage per second (DPS). This unique weapon is a prize from completing 'The Big Dig' quest, available through Bobbi No-Nose in Goodneighbor. The quest involves a heist that can end in various ways, but all outcomes provide an opportunity to acquire the Ashmaker, ensuring players don't miss it due to different dialogue choices.

Although the Ashmaker is a heavy weapon, players can optimize their load by handing it to a companion in Fallout 4, thus freeing up inventory space without sacrificing firepower.

This is particularly useful since standard miniguns generally offer poor damage output while rapid firing. The Ashmaker's additional fire damage makes it the most desirable minigun in the game and even more formidable when paired with Power Armor.

Features Stats Class/Type Unique Heavy Minigun Damage 8 Ammo 5mm Round Magazine Size 500 AP Cost 40

To embark on 'The Big Dig,' locate Bobbi No-Nose behind a nondescript door in Goodneighbor’s narrow alleys, as demonstrated by Fudgemuppet. She'll enlist you for a mysterious job leading to Diamond City's strongroom. This quest also features a set of power armor and offers multiple endings. Whether you choose to side with Bobbi or betray her to Fahrenheit, you can obtain the Ashmaker either as a direct reward from Fahrenheit or by looting it from her corpse.

3 Final Judgement

25% Faster Fire Rate & 15% Faster Reload

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Final Judgement is a Gatling laser that deals 26 damage per shot at an incredibly high rate, allowing players to decimate formidable enemies like Deathclaws with relentless laser fire. Like all energy weapons in Fallout 4, it runs on Fusion Cores, which are also used to fuel Power Armor in Fallout 4, making it a costly choice for those who don't have an ample supply of Cores.

The most effective way to obtain Fusion Cores is by defeating Sentry bots. These robots typically carry two or more fully charged Fusion Cores, which can be recovered once the robot has been destroyed.

Considered one of the game's most versatile and formidable weapons, Final Judgement is wielded by Arthur Maxson, the leader of the Brotherhood of Steel, who does not give it up easily. Luckily, there are multiple opportunities for players to obtain it during significant confrontations with Maxson in several quests.

Features Stats Class/Type Unique Energy Weapon Damage 14 Ammo Fusion Core Magazine Size 500 Fire Rate 340 Range 203 Accuracy 48

In the Railroad's 'Precipice of War,' players can confront him at the Prydwen instead of heading to the Police Station. Another encounter arises during 'Rocket’s Red Glare,' where Maxson ambushes the player after they plant explosives on the Prydwen.

Alternatively, players can acquire Final Judgement during the Institute's 'Airship Down' quest. This method is less recommended due to a potential bug that might cause Maxson's body and weapon inaccessible under debris. There's a chance that Maxson may not appear during the battle, which would make his unique items unobtainable.

2 Experiment 18-A

25% Faster Fire Rate, 15% Faster Reload

The Experiment 18-A is a unique automatic plasma rifle in Fallout 4. It is ideal for fast-paced combat and excels in crowd control due to its high DPS. It comes equipped with the Rapid Legendary effect, which enhances its performance with a 25% faster fire rate and 15% quicker reloads.

This makes it superior to standard automatic rifles, offering rapid, energy-based firepower with Plasma Cartridges. While Plasma Cartridges are less commonly found than other ammo types, their effectiveness in combat justifies the effort to acquire them.

Players can find a significant stash of approximately 100 Plasma Cartridges on the corpse of General McGann, a former Minutemen leader, during the quest 'Old Guns.'

As shown by Camelworks on YouTube, acquiring Experiment 18-A requires access to the Institute Concourse, achieved after completing the main Institute quest, 'Synth Retention.' Once inside, players have the freedom to explore and can purchase the Plasma rifle from the Synth Requisition Officer for 1809 Bottle Caps in Fallout 4. This location becomes a base where players can receive their own personal quarters and return as needed.

Features Stats Class/Type Unique Energy Weapon Damage 24 Ammo Plasma Cartridge Magazine Size 36 Fire Rate 136 Range 203 Accuracy 140

1 Pickman's Blade

Targets Bleed For 25 Points

As for melee weapons in Fallout 4, Pickman's Blade is a standout option, renowned for its brutality and stealth capabilities. It features a Wounding effect that causes targets to bleed for an additional 25 points of damage.

Additionally, it is equipped with a stealth blade mod that increases the damage multiplier on Sneak Attacks by 0.5 and inflicts 10 additional points of bleed damage over 5 seconds. This combination makes Pickman's Blade particularly effective for damage over time, proving valuable even against higher-level enemies later in the game.

Features Stats Class/Type Unique Melee Combat Knife Damage 15 Speed Fast Range 10 AP Cost 20

To acquire this knife, players must venture into Pickman's Gallery, shown in a walkthrough by Camelworks, and locate it inside a Master-locked wall safe hidden behind Pickman's painting titled 'Picnic for Stanley.' To access the safe, players must navigate through the gallery and interconnected sewers to rescue Pickman from a group of raiders during the 'Pickman's Gift' quest.

After completing the rescue mission in Fallout 4, Pickman will express his gratitude and hand over the key to the safe. He will then direct you to the location of your reward, which includes the blade and a sum of Caps.

Source: Fudgemuppet/YouTube, Camelworks/YouTube, Camelworks/YouTube