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For an overview of laser rifle models in the Fallout series of games, see laser rifle. |
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The Metal Blaster is a unique weapon in the Fallout 3 add-on The Pitt.
Background[]
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.[1] 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.[2]
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.[1] A new model, the AER14, was in development prior to the War, with at least one prototype surviving in Vault 22.
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.[3]
Characteristics[]
The Metal Blaster fires nine separate beams per microfusion cell expended, with the damage being split evenly between the nine beams. Outside of V.A.T.S., each beam can cause a separate Critical Hit, doing 27 damage for each beam striking the target. A sneak attack critical and the Better Criticals perk has the potential to inflict 839 damage if all beams connect with a target. The spread of the beams increases when used in V.A.T.S., however, and may strike wide of a selected target. It can be repaired with standard laser rifles.
Durability[]
The Metal Blaster can fire 455 shots, or about 19 reloads, from full condition before breaking. That's 631 fewer shots than a regular laser rifle.
Variants[]
- Laser rifle - the standard variant found throughout the Capital Wasteland.
- Wazer Wifle - a unique variant with higher damage and durability as well as a larger magazine.
Tri-beam laser rifle - a variant that fires three high-powered beams per shot, similar to the Metal Blaster, though it does require three microfusion cells every time the trigger is pulled.
 | The following is based on Fallout 3 cut content. |
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- A "demo" version of the laser rifle is included in Fallout 3, presumably left from the game's E3 demo. It does one point less damage per shot and less than half the critical damage than the standard variant, but has a much higher critical chance percentage. It is not used anywhere in the game and is only accessible through the use of console commands.
| End of information based on Fallout 3 cut content |
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Comparison[]
| Legend | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | - Weapon name (melee or unarmed) |  | - Attacks in V.A.T.S. | |
 | - Weapon name (gun, energy or explosive) |  | - Action point cost | |
 | - Damage per attack (damage per projectile) |  | - Damage per action point | |
 | - Damage per second |  | - Weapon spread | |
 | - Area of effect damage |  | - Magazine capacity (shots per reload) | |
 | - Effect damage & duration |  | - Durability (number of attacks before breaking) | |
 | - Bonus effects |  | - Weight | |
 | - Attacks per second |  | - Value in caps | |
 | - Critical chance % multiplier |  | - Value to weight ratio | |
 | - Critical damage |  | - Skill required | |
 | - Critical effect damage & duration |  | - Strength required | |
 | - With all mods attached | |||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laser rifle | 23 | 47 | 2.05 | x1.5 | 22 | 17 | 1.4 | 0.0 | 24 | 1087 | 8 | 1000 | 125 |
Metal Blaster  | 55 (6.1x9) | 112.5 | 2.05 | x1.5 | 27 | 17 | 3.2 | 2.5 | 24 | 455 | 8 | 1000 | 125 |
| Wazer Wifle | 29 | 59.3 | 2.05 | x1.5 | 28 | 17 | 1.7 | 0.0 | 30 | 1552 | 8 | 900 | 112.5 |
Tri-beam laser rifle  | 75 (25x3) | 204.5 | 2.73 | x1.5 | 15 | 23 | 3.3 | 2.0 | 24(8) | 333 | 9 | 1000 | 111.1 |
Locations[]
The weapon is located in the Steelyard where it can be given as a reward from Everett by finding a total of 50 steel ingots during Mill Worker.
Related quests[]
Notes[]
The Metal Blaster's laser beams won't set off any gas leaks if shot from a distance. However, if the Lone Wanderer shoots while standing in a gas leak, the explosion will occur just as with a "regular" firearm.
Behind the scenes[]
The Metal Blaster is one of two items in The Pitt add-on that serve as a reference to the film Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome, which features a pair of characters known as Master and Blaster, with the corresponding items being the Metal Master armor and the Metal Blaster weapon, respectively.
Bugs[]
Very rarely, after restarting the game, the Metal Blaster will do zero damage to anything. This bug can be solved by un-equipping and re-equipping the weapon. [verified]
Sounds[]
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References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 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)
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