Changes: Gauss rifle

Revision as of 20:52, 26 May 2020

This is an overview article, listing content appearing in multiple games.

Gameplay articles

...

Gauss rifles are infantry fielded railguns that appear in Fallout 2, Fallout 3, Fallout: New Vegas, Fallout 4, Fallout 76, Fallout Tactics, and Fallout Extreme.

Background

The Gauss rifle is a coilgun, a type of projectile accelerator, which uses electromagnetic coils configured as a linear motor to accelerate ferromagnetic or conductive projectiles to extreme velocities. Though these weapons were historically suffering from a number of difficulties, focused on discharging the coils in sequence or providing enough power for the coils, these design issues were overcome by German scientists in the 21st century and entered limited service. This class of weapons is named in honor of the German mathematician Carl Friedrich Gauss, responsible for formulating the math underlying the magnetic acceleration principle of coilguns.

Models

M72 Gauss rifle

Gameplay articles: Fallout 2, Fallout Tactics, Fallout Extreme

Patterned after conventional rifles, the M72 has a seven stage electromagnetic accelerator mounted onto a standard frame. A classic stock and grip are provided to make handling easier. This design uses an auto-loading 2mm EC cartridge (carrying both the 2mm slugs and the battery necessary to power it) slid into the magazine well in front of the trigger group. The combination of German engineering and attention to detail make it a tremendously powerful weapon, with the slugs capable of piercing most targets at extreme ranges.^[1]^[2]

It uses 2mm EC magazines containing both batteries and ammunition. In 2241, it is often used by Enclave soldiers.

Scoped Gauss rifle

Gameplay articles: Operation: Anchorage, Fallout: New Vegas, Creation Club, Fallout Shelter

The following is based on Creation Club content.

Advertised as the United States Army's newest weapon,^[3] a Prototype Gauss rifle was found by a Gunners unit, and wielded by one of their commanders at Gunners plaza.

End of information based on Creation Club content

A supposed Chinese variation on the German design,^[4] the scoped Gauss rifle was originally deployed in the Sino-American War. Unlike the original weapon, it features eleven coilgun stages, resulting in a higher damage output. The weapon is larger and bulkier to accommodate the increased stress put on the weapon and uses a different feed system. While the standard 2mm EC magazines incorporate both slugs and ammunition, the Chinese Gauss rifle has to be loaded with ferromagnetic slugs separately, with microfusion cells loaded into the battery well in front of the trigger group. The cell is used to power the magnetic accelerator and fire the slug and has to be replaced after each shot.^[5]^[6]

The immense recoil generated by the weapon is mitigated somewhat by a long muzzle brake and a leather recoil pad. The bulk of the weapon also helps make it more manageable. However, the payoff is more than generous, as the sheer kinetic energy of the projectile creates a shockwave on impact, dealing additional damage to the target and potentially knocking them off balance.^[7] The sheer firepower of the weapon has resulted in the design being used by the American military against the Chinese, both in the form of captured units^[8] and a limited production run of reverse-engineered units.^[9]

For the unique Gauss rifle that appears in Fallout: New Vegas, see YCS/186
For other versions in Fallout Shelter, see rusty Gauss rifle, enhanced Gauss rifle, hardened Gauss rifle, accelerated Gauss rifle
For the unique Gauss rifle that appears in Fallout Shelter, see Magnetron 4000

American Gauss rifle

Gameplay articles: Fallout 4, Fallout 76

A design halfway between the German Gauss rifle and the Chinese anti-materiel gun, this type of coilgun uses a series of high-powered capacitors and hypermagnetized coils to propel the projectile. The 2mm ferromagnetic slug exits the barrel at extreme velocity, enough to destroy anything in its path. These are fed from a top-mounted drum, sitting in front of a control panel that displays the current capacitor charge level via a pair of Nixie tubes. The custom-made grip and stock help manage the weapon's mass and recoil, though it's still quite front-heavy and has exposed components.^[10]

Enhanced Gauss rifle

The following is based on Fallout Extreme and is not canon.

Gameplay article: Fallout Extreme

An enhanced model of the Gauss rifle, used in the war between the Brotherhood and the Cause.

Beta Gauss rifle

The following is based on Fallout 3 cut content.

Gameplay article: Operation: Anchorage

A beta version of the rifle, used to test it for Operation: Anchorage. It uses the laser rifle model, deals a quarter of the damage, but knocks targets down with 100% chance.

Gallery

References

↑ Fallout 2 item description: "{39200}{}{M72 Gauss Rifle}"
"{39201}{}{The M72 rifle is of German design. It uses an electromagnetic field to propel rounds at tremendous speed... and pierce almost any obstacle. Its range, accuracy and stopping power is almost unparalleled. Min ST: 6.}"
(PRO ITEM.MSG (Fallout 2))
↑ Fallout Tactics: Brotherhood of Steel item description: "name_gaussRifle = {M72 Gauss Rifle}"
"desc_gaussRifle = {The M72 rifle is of German design. It uses an electromagnetic field to propel 2mm steel rounds at tremendous speed... and pierce almost any obstacle. Its range, accuracy and stopping power is almost unparalleled.}"
(Items.txt)
↑ FO4 Creation Club - Gauss Rifle Prototype.png
↑ Chinese propaganda posters.
↑ Emil Pagliarulo: ""The gun energizes and magnetizes a standard projectile round; those are already pre-loaded into the weapon, and are in that giant clip attached to the side of the weapon. The player loads in the Micro Fusion Cells needed to energize/magnetize each round. We did it this way because we knew we wanted to have an Energy Weapon equivalent of the sniper rifle..." ([1][2])
↑ Weapon appearance.
↑ Weapon characteristics.
↑ The weapon is seen in the hands of an U.S. paratrooper and can be received by the player character under the table from the American quartermaster in the Operation: Anchorage simulation.
↑ The weapon is found in the hands of Brotherhood of Steel paladins in the Mojave and former Elder Elijah in significant numbers.
↑ Weapon appearance.

[1] Fallout 2 item description: "{39200}{}{M72 Gauss Rifle}"
"{39201}{}{The M72 rifle is of German design. It uses an electromagnetic field to propel rounds at tremendous speed... and pierce almost any obstacle. Its range, accuracy and stopping power is almost unparalleled. Min ST: 6.}"
(PRO ITEM.MSG (Fallout 2))

[2] Fallout Tactics: Brotherhood of Steel item description: "name_gaussRifle = {M72 Gauss Rifle}"
"desc_gaussRifle = {The M72 rifle is of German design. It uses an electromagnetic field to propel 2mm steel rounds at tremendous speed... and pierce almost any obstacle. Its range, accuracy and stopping power is almost unparalleled.}"
(Items.txt)

[3] FO4 Creation Club - Gauss Rifle Prototype.png

[4] Chinese propaganda posters.

[5] Emil Pagliarulo: ""The gun energizes and magnetizes a standard projectile round; those are already pre-loaded into the weapon, and are in that giant clip attached to the side of the weapon. The player loads in the Micro Fusion Cells needed to energize/magnetize each round. We did it this way because we knew we wanted to have an Energy Weapon equivalent of the sniper rifle..." ([1][2])

[6] Weapon appearance.

[7] Weapon characteristics.

[8] The weapon is seen in the hands of an U.S. paratrooper and can be received by the player character under the table from the American quartermaster in the Operation: Anchorage simulation.

[9] The weapon is found in the hands of Brotherhood of Steel paladins in the Mojave and former Elder Elijah in significant numbers.

[10] Weapon appearance.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 {{Gamearticlelist
 |game1     =FO2
-|articles1 =[[M72 Gauss rifle (Fallout 2)|M72 Gauss rifle]]
+|articles1 =[[Gauss rifle (Fallout 2)|M72 Gauss rifle]]
 |game2     =FO3OA
-|articles2 =[[Gauss rifle (Fallout 3)|Gauss rifle]]<br />{{cut}} [[Gauss rifle (Beta)]]
+|articles2 =[[Gauss rifle (Operation: Anchorage)|Gauss rifle]]<br />{{cut}} [[Gauss rifle (Beta)]]
 |game3     =FNV
 |articles3 =[[Gauss rifle (Fallout: New Vegas)|Gauss rifle]]<br />[[YCS/186]]
 |game4     =FO4
-|articles4 =[[Gauss rifle (Fallout 4)|Gauss rifle]]<br />[[Prototype Gauss rifle]] ([[Creation Club]])
+|articles4 =[[Gauss rifle (Fallout 4)|Gauss rifle]]<br />[[The Last Minute]]<br />[[Prototype Gauss rifle]] {{Icon|FO4CC|link=Creation Club}}
-|game5     =FOT
+|game5     =FO76
-|articles5 =[[M72 Gauss rifle (Fallout Tactics)|M72 Gauss rifle]]
+|articles5 =[[Gauss rifle (Fallout 76)|Gauss rifle]]<br />{{Cut}} [[Presidential Gauss rifle]]
-|game6     =FOS
+|game6     =FOT
-|articles6 =[[Gauss rifle (Fallout Shelter)|Gauss rifle]] ([[Rusty Gauss rifle|rusty]], [[Enhanced Gauss rifle (Fallout Shelter)|enhanced]], [[Hardened Gauss rifle|hardened]], [[Accelerated Gauss rifle|accelerated]])<br />[[Magnetron 4000]]
+|articles6 =[[M72 Gauss rifle (Fallout Tactics)|M72 Gauss rifle]]
-|game7     =FOX
+|game7     =FOS
-|articles7 =[[Gauss rifle (Fallout Extreme)|Gauss rifle]]<br />[[Enhanced Gauss rifle]]
+|articles7 =[[Gauss rifle (Fallout Shelter)|Gauss rifle]] ([[Rusty Gauss rifle|rusty]], [[Enhanced Gauss rifle (Fallout Shelter)|enhanced]], [[Hardened Gauss rifle|hardened]], [[Accelerated Gauss rifle|accelerated]])<br />[[Magnetron 4000]]
+|game8     =FOX
-}}{{Games|FO2|FO3OA|FNV|FO4|FOT|FOS|FOX}}
+|articles8 =[[Gauss rifle (Fallout Extreme)|Gauss rifle]]<br />[[Enhanced Gauss rifle]]
+}}{{Games|FO2|FO3OA|FNV|FO4|FO76|FOT|FOS|FOX}}
+'''Gauss rifles''' are infantry fielded [[railgun]]s that appear in ''[[Fallout 2]]'', ''[[Fallout 3]]'', ''[[Fallout: New Vegas]]'', ''[[Fallout 4]]'', ''[[Fallout 76]]'', ''[[Fallout Tactics]]'', and ''[[Fallout Extreme]]''.
-'''Gauss rifles''' are hand-held weapons utilizing electromagnetic coils to propel metal slugs at extremely high velocities.
+__TOC__
+{{clear}}
-While in ''[[Fallout 2]]'' the Gauss rifle uses the [[Small Guns]] skill, it uses the [[Energy Weapons]] skill in ''[[Fallout 3]]'' and ''[[Fallout: New Vegas]]''.
 ==Background==
+<section begin="background" />The Gauss rifle is a coilgun, a type of projectile accelerator, which uses electromagnetic coils configured as a linear motor to accelerate ferromagnetic or conductive projectiles to extreme velocities. Though these weapons were historically suffering from a number of difficulties, focused on discharging the coils in sequence or providing enough power for the coils, these design issues were overcome by German scientists in the 21st century and entered limited service. This class of weapons is named in honor of the [[Germany|German]] mathematician [[Carl Friedrich Gauss]], responsible for formulating the math underlying the magnetic acceleration principle of coilguns.<section end="background" />
-<section begin="background" />
-The Gauss rifle, also called a "coil gun," is a device used to propel a ferromagnetic projectile by accelerating it through a process of electromagnetic induction. The Gauss rifle (and Gauss gun) are named after [[Germany|German]] mathematician [[wikipedia:Carl Friedrich Gauss|Carl Friedrich Gauss]], who formulated mathematical descriptions of the magnetic effect demonstrated by magnetic accelerators.<section end="background" />
 ==Models==
@@ Line 28: / Line 29: @@
 [[File:Fo2 M72 Gauss Rifle.png|right|120px]]
 {{Gamearticle|FO2|FOT|FOX|link=Gauss rifle}}
+<section begin="M72" />Patterned after conventional rifles, the M72 has a seven stage electromagnetic accelerator mounted onto a standard frame. A classic stock and grip are provided to make handling easier. This design uses an auto-loading 2mm EC cartridge (carrying both the 2mm slugs and the battery necessary to power it) slid into the magazine well in front of the trigger group. The combination of German engineering and attention to detail make it a tremendously powerful weapon, with the slugs capable of piercing most targets at extreme ranges.<ref>''[[Fallout 2]]'' item description: ''"{39200}{}{M72 Gauss Rifle}"''<br />''"{39201}{}{The M72 rifle is of German design. It uses an electromagnetic field to propel rounds at tremendous speed... and pierce almost any obstacle. Its range, accuracy and stopping power is almost unparalleled. Min ST: 6.}"''<br />([[PRO ITEM.MSG (Fallout 2)]])</ref><ref>''[[Fallout Tactics: Brotherhood of Steel]]'' item description: ''"name_gaussRifle	= {M72 Gauss Rifle}"''<br />''"desc_gaussRifle	= {The M72 rifle is of German design. It uses an electromagnetic field to propel 2mm steel rounds at tremendous speed... and pierce almost any obstacle. Its range, accuracy and stopping power is almost unparalleled.}"''<br />([[Items.txt]])</ref>
-The M72 rifle is of [[German]] design. It uses an electromagnetic field to propel rounds at tremendous speed... and pierce almost any obstacle. Its range, accuracy, and stopping power are almost unparalleled.<ref>In-game description of the Gauss rifle in ''Fallout 2'' and ''Fallout Tactics''. [[PRO ITEM.MSG (Fallout 2)|[1]]][[Items.txt|[2]]]</ref>
-It uses [[2mm|2mm EC]] magazines containing both batteries and ammunition. In [[Timeline#2241|2241]], it is often used by [[Enclave]] soldiers.
+It uses [[2mm EC]] magazines containing both batteries and ammunition. In [[Timeline#2241|2241]], it is often used by [[Enclave]] soldiers.
 {{clear}}
 ===Scoped Gauss rifle===
-[[File:FO3 Gauss rifle.png|right|120px]][[File:Gauss rifle.png|right|120px]]
+[[File:FO3 Gauss rifle.png|right|120px]]
-{{Gamearticle|FO3OA|link1=Gauss rifle (Fallout 3)|FNV|FOS}}
+[[File:Gauss rifle.png|right|120px]]
-<section begin="Scoped Gauss rifle" />
-The scoped Gauss rifle is an advanced sniper rifle used during the [[Battle of Anchorage|invasion of Alaska]]. Unlike the M72 Gauss rifle, which uses 2mm EC magazines containing both batteries and ammunition, this gun requires the user to load in the [[microfusion cell]]s needed to energize and magnetize each pre-loaded standard round contained in the magazine that is attached to the side of the weapon.<ref>[[Emil Pagliarulo]] in the Bethesda Game Studios forum [http://www.bethsoft.com/bgsforums/index.php?showtopic=948168&st=60][http://planetfallout.gamespy.com/articles/news/420/Gauss-Rifle-Explained] - ''"The gun energizes and magnetizes a standard projectile round; those are already pre-loaded into the weapon, and are in that giant clip attached to the side of the weapon. The player loads in the Micro Fusion Cells needed to energize/magnetize each round. We did it this way because we knew we wanted to have an Energy Weapon equivalent of the sniper rifle..."''</ref> Each round produces a small "explosion" on impact, dealing minor splash damage as well as a knock-back/stun effect on the enemy (or enemies) for a short period of time.
-<section end="Scoped Gauss rifle" />
-* For other versions in ''[[Fallout Shelter]]'', see [[Rusty Gauss rifle]], [[Enhanced Gauss rifle]], [[Hardened Gauss rifle]], [[Accelerated Gauss rifle]]
-* For the unique version in ''Fallout Shelter'', see [[Magnetron 4000]]
-* For the version in the [[Creation Club]] of ''[[Fallout 4]]'', see [[Prototype Gauss rifle]]
-{{clear}}
-===YCS/186===
 [[File:Gauss rifle FNVUnique.png|right|120px]]
+[[File:CC Prototype Gauss rifle.png|right|120px]]
-{{Gamearticle|FNV|link1=YCS/186}}
+{{Gamearticle|FO3OA|FNV|FO4CC|FOS|link3=Prototype Gauss rifle}}
-The YCS/186 is a unique version of the scoped Gauss rifle. In [[Timeline#2281|2281]], it is found in the hands of a group of mercenaries. Its appearance is similar to the scoped Gauss rifle but rustier and with an additional 4 coils around the barrel. It requires fewer microfusion cells per shot, is more accurate, and causes greater damage than the normal variant found in the [[Mojave Wasteland]].
-{{clear}}
+{{CCC}}
+Advertised as the [[United States Army]]'s newest weapon,<ref>[[:File:FO4 Creation Club - Gauss Rifle Prototype.png|FO4 Creation Club - Gauss Rifle Prototype.png]]</ref> a Prototype Gauss rifle was found by a [[Gunners]] unit, and wielded by one of their commanders at [[Gunners plaza]].
+{{CCC|end}}
+<section begin="scoped" />A supposed Chinese variation on the German design,<ref>[[:File:FO3OA DLCAnchLoading china02.jpg|Chinese propaganda posters]].</ref> the scoped Gauss rifle was originally deployed in the [[Sino-American War]]. Unlike the original weapon, it features eleven coilgun stages, resulting in a higher damage output. The weapon is larger and bulkier to accommodate the increased stress put on the weapon and uses a different feed system. While the standard [[2mm EC]] magazines incorporate both slugs and ammunition, the Chinese Gauss rifle has to be loaded with ferromagnetic slugs separately, with [[microfusion cell]]s loaded into the battery well in front of the trigger group. The cell is used to power the magnetic accelerator and fire the slug and has to be replaced after each shot.<ref>[[Emil Pagliarulo]]: "''"The gun energizes and magnetizes a standard projectile round; those are already pre-loaded into the weapon, and are in that giant clip attached to the side of the weapon. The player loads in the Micro Fusion Cells needed to energize/magnetize each round. We did it this way because we knew we wanted to have an Energy Weapon equivalent of the sniper rifle..."'' ([https://archive.is/WoQK3][https://archive.is/RqvgW])</ref><ref>Weapon appearance.</ref>
+The immense recoil generated by the weapon is mitigated somewhat by a long muzzle brake and a leather recoil pad. The bulk of the weapon also helps make it more manageable. However, the payoff is more than generous, as the sheer kinetic energy of the projectile creates a shockwave on impact, dealing additional damage to the target and potentially knocking them off balance.<ref>Weapon characteristics.</ref> The sheer firepower of the weapon has resulted in the design being used by the American military against the Chinese, both in the form of captured units<ref>The weapon is seen in the hands of an U.S. paratrooper and can be received by the player character under the table from the American quartermaster in the ''Operation: Anchorage'' simulation.</ref> and a limited production run of reverse-engineered units.<ref>The weapon is found in the hands of [[Brotherhood of Steel]] paladins in the Mojave and former [[Elijah|Elder Elijah]] in significant numbers.</ref><section end="scoped" />
-===Unnamed Gauss rifle===
-[[File:Gauss_rifle_(Fallout_4).png|thumb|150px]]
-{{Gamearticle|FO4}}
-The Gauss rifle has large, external capacitors and exposed copper wiring run alongside the barrel. The rifle operates on a charging principle: the user holds down the trigger to build up the charge which is shown on a nixie tube display above the stock. Releasing the trigger fires the round with a larger charge dealer more damage.
+* For the unique Gauss rifle that appears in ''[[Fallout: New Vegas]]'', see [[YCS/186]]
-The rifle, like the M72 Gauss rifle, uses 2mm EC rounds as ammunition, which is fed through a dorsal mounted cylindrical magazine. When fired, its projectile produces a momentary blue trail, similar to a lightning bolt. It can also be modded with a shielded barrel, extra capacitors, a compensator or suppressor, and various sights and scopes.
+* For other versions in ''[[Fallout Shelter]]'', see [[rusty Gauss rifle]], [[enhanced Gauss rifle]], [[hardened Gauss rifle]], [[accelerated Gauss rifle]]
+* For the unique Gauss rifle that appears in ''[[Fallout Shelter]]'', see [[Magnetron 4000]]
 {{clear}}
-===Beta Gauss rifle===
+===American Gauss rifle===
+[[File:Gauss_rifle_(Fallout_4).png|thumb|150px]]
-{{FO3CC}}
+{{Gamearticle|FO4|FO76}}
-[[File:AER9LASERRIFLE.png|right|120px]]
+A design halfway between the German Gauss rifle and the Chinese anti-materiel gun, this type of coilgun uses a series of high-powered capacitors and hypermagnetized coils to propel the projectile. The 2mm ferromagnetic slug exits the barrel at extreme velocity, enough to destroy anything in its path. These are fed from a top-mounted drum, sitting in front of a control panel that displays the current capacitor charge level via a pair of Nixie tubes. The custom-made grip and stock help manage the weapon's mass and recoil, though it's still quite front-heavy and has exposed components.<ref>Weapon appearance.</ref>
-{{Gamearticle|FO3|link1=Gauss rifle (Beta)}}
-The Beta Gauss rifle is a beta version of the Scoped Gauss rifle that uses the model of a [[Laser rifle (Fallout 3)|laser rifle]] and features a five round magazine. It only does about 25% of the damage of the final version, but has a 100% knock-down chance. It is only obtainable through console commands.
 {{clear}}
 ===Enhanced Gauss rifle===
 {{FOX}}
+[[File:Fo2 M72 Gauss Rifle.png|right|120px]]
 {{Gamearticle|FOX|link1=Enhanced Gauss rifle}}
-An enhanced version of the M72 model.
+An enhanced model of the Gauss rifle, used in the war between the Brotherhood and the Cause.
+{{clear}}
+===Beta Gauss rifle===
+{{FO3CC}}
+[[File:AER9 laser rifle.png|right|120px]]
+{{Gamearticle|FO3OA|link1=Gauss rifle (Beta)}}
+A beta version of the rifle, used to test it for ''[[Operation: Anchorage]]''. It uses the [[Laser rifle (Fallout 3)|laser rifle]] model, deals a quarter of the damage, but knocks targets down with 100% chance.
 {{clear}}
 ==Gallery==
 <gallery>
-tactics m72 Gauss rifle.png|M72 Gauss rifle as seen in ''[[Fallout Tactics: Brotherhood of Steel|Fallout Tactics]]''.
+Tactics m72 Gauss rifle.png|M72 Gauss rifle as seen in ''[[Fallout Tactics: Brotherhood of Steel|Fallout Tactics]]''.
+FO3 Gauss rifle.png|Gauss rifle as seen in ''[[Operation: Anchorage (add-on)|Operation: Anchorage]]''
 </gallery>
+==See also==
+* [[Railgun]]
+* [[Gauss minigun (Wastelanders)|Gauss minigun]]
+* [[Gauss pistol]]
+* [[Gauss shotgun]]
 ==References==
@@ Line 83: / Line 91: @@
 [[ru:Винтовка Гаусса]]
 [[de:Gaussgewehr]]
+[[pl:Karabin Gaussa]]
+[[uk:Гвинтівка Гауcса]]