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This is an overview article, listing content appearing in multiple Fallout media. For information specific to a given game or TV series, consult the table on the right. |
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Laser rifles are high-tech weapons that emit a concentrated beam of coherent light, with sufficient wattage to do considerable damage. They can be powered by battery packs, fusion cells, or cabled power systems, but most models use an internal capacitor, charged with microfusion cells.
Their relatively new introduction to pre-War America makes laser rifles a fairly uncommon sight and their penetrative power can be a major boon for any faction still using low caliber weaponry or melee.
Background[]
Laser weaponry was readily available for civilian use before the Great War
Several different models exist, from low-power home-made versions to extremely powerful military weapons. As with all energy weapons, laser rifles can suffer from poor performance if not properly maintained. The crystal arrays and non-mechanical components are delicate and if not properly cleaned and serviced can lead to a loss of beam intensity, overheating, and energy regulation failure. Given that laser weapons were still in their infancy even as standard military weapons, parts can be hard to come by in the wasteland. However, their lack of moving parts (aside from the microfusion cell holding latch and trigger mechanism) means they are resilient against extended use.
The AER9 laser rifle is broadly utilized in the wasteland, while the Wattz 2000 laser rifle is popular on the West Coast. Other classes of laser weapon include laser pistols and Gatling lasers.
Models[]
Wattz 2000 laser rifle[]
The Wattz 2000 laser rifle, also referred to as the Sunbeam laser rifle,[1] uses microfusion cells to generate its powerful beams, and an extended barrel for additional range.[2] The Wattz 2000 laser rifle was used by American snipers during Marine operations in Nanjing, China.[3]
- There is also a modified version of the Wattz 2000 laser rifle found in Fallout 2.
AER9 laser rifle[]
The AER9 features a titanium housed crystal array which proved to withstand long years of exposure to the elements much better than the gold alloy housing of the later models. As a result, the crystal arrays stayed focused within operating parameters, rather than falling completely out of focus like the newer models.[4] Power is drawn from microfusion cells and processed through a wave/particle diverter manufactured by General Atomics International. The diverters are protected by a carbon-fiber housing, preventing frequent malfunction, but when a diverter fails the weapon becomes unusable.[5]
The AER9 was actually not the top laser rifle in service at the time of the Great War. The model line went up to the state-of-the-art AER12, which saw service in a handful of specialty units. The AER9 is much more commonly found due to being much sturdier and more reliable than the models that followed.[4] A new model, the AER14, was in development prior to the War, with at least one prototype surviving in Vault 22.
AER9 Metal Blaster[]
The Metal Blaster is a modified version of the AER9 that was rigged to fire nine laser beams while expending only one microfusion cell. According to Everett, the weapon was worked on by an unnamed traveler from somewhere outside the Pitt using parts he found lying around, including a series of prisms to split the beam. At some point after its creation, the weapon and its previous owner were found by Everett who added it to his collection in the Steelyard.[6]
AER12 laser rifle[]
The AER12 laser rifle was considered cutting-edge state-of-the-art technology before the Great War and was used only in a handful of specialty units. However, it is not as reliable as the older models like the AER9 or the Wattz 2000, as the focusing crystal array is housed in gold alloys, more vulnerable to years of exposure to the environment.[4]
AER14 prototype laser rifle[]
The AER14, a successor to the AER9 and AER12, was a prototype in development before the Great War. The unit found in Vault 22 is one of these development models, complete with exposed wiring and loose prototype circuit boards taped to the stock.
The AER14 is similar in appearance to the AER9, although it is a lighter gray scheme with an orange-red trim. It also has two integrated circuit chips housed inside its stock, which are connected to the rest of the weapon via wires. It uses two microfusion cells per shot. The AER14 also fires a green laser instead of the normal red laser, similar to the ultracite laser gun.
Tri-beam laser rifle[]
The tri-beam laser rifle is essentially a "laser shotgun," which fires three laser beams with each shot. Compared to the regular AER9, it is missing the tube on the bottom length of the barrel, is shorter in overall length, and has a new emitter aperture and attached wires.
Recharger rifle[]
A specialized laser rifle designed to work with microfusion breeder ammunition, the recharger rifle effectively has unlimited ammunition. The recharger rifle is also an incredibly sturdy weapon and requires less skill with energy weapons to use effectively. However, this particular rifle is much weaker and heavier than the more common AER9, and the user must time their shots to compensate for the weapon's need to charge up its shots.
Laser musket[]
A post-War invention used primarily by the Commonwealth Minutemen, utilizing various recycled parts including an AER9 barrel and a wooden rifle frame. The laser musket utilizes a hand-cranked capacitor, requiring the user to crank it after each shot.
Institute laser[]
A large rectangular rifle developed by the Institute from the ground up. Standard issue for Institute scientists and all varieties of synth.
Ultracite laser gun[]
An AER-9 using ultracite crystals as a focusing array, resulting in a distinct yellow-green beam. Compared to the stock laser gun, it has a higher rate of fire and lower base damage.
Home-made laser rifle[]
 | The following is based on information from Fallout: Brotherhood of Steel. |
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Found in the city of Los, and apparently fashioned from Vault-Tec materials, this garage-rate rifle has terrible accuracy and doesn't fire very fast. A poor excuse for an energy weapon.
| End of information based on information from Fallout: Brotherhood of Steel |
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Lightning gun[]
 | The following is based on Fallout 3 cut content. |
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The lightning gun fires a basic laser rifle's laser. At the point of impact, it generates a natural gas cloud. After a moment, a second laser flies in (horizontally, from a seemingly arbitrary location) towards the gas cloud to ignite it.
| End of information based on Fallout 3 cut content |
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Laser array gun[]
 | The following is based on Van Buren design documents and is not canon. |
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| End of information based on Van Buren design documents |
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See also[]
- For plasma rifles, see Plasma rifle.
- For handheld lasers, see Laser pistol.
- For the unique AER9 laser rifle found in Fallout 3, see Wazer Wifle.
- For the unique laser rifle found in Fallout Shelter, see Wazer Wifle.
- For the unique AER9 laser rifle found in Fallout: New Vegas, see Van Graff laser rifle.
- For the cut content AER9 laser rifle found in Fallout: New Vegas, see The Disintegrator.
- For the world object AER9 found in Fallout: New Vegas, see Broken laser rifle.
- For other versions in Fallout Shelter, see rusty laser rifle, tuned laser rifle, focused laser rifle and amplified laser rifle.
- For a list of laser weapons in Fallout 4, see Laser gun.
References[]
- ↑ Fallout Tactics description
- ↑ In-game descriptions: Fallout description, Fallout 2 description
- ↑ Cover of Future Weapons Today
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Citadel terminal entries; terminal, AER9 Laser Rifle
- ↑ Fort Independence terminal entries; research terminal, Critical Components
- ↑ The Lone Wanderer: "You got anything for me?"
Everett: "Sure thing. Bit of a weird one, here - found it from some sucker out of town. Some genius got to tinkering with his laser. Polished metal barrel, a few prisms in there, and he got this lethal light show."
(Everett’s dialogue)