Microfusion cell (Fallout: New Vegas)

For an overview of microfusion cell ammunition types in various Fallout games, see microfusion cell.

Fallout: New Vegas ammunition
Microfusion cell
Microfusion cell
Weight	0
HC weight	0.1
Value	3
Editor ID	AmmoMicroFusionCell
Form ID	00004485
Microfusion cell, bulk
Weight	0
HC weight	0.1
Value	0
Form ID	00158312
Microfusion cell, max charge
Weight	0
HC weight	0.1
Value	5
Form ID	0015830C
Microfusion cell, over charge
Weight	0
HC weight	0.1
Value	5
Form ID	0015830B
Microfusion cell, optimized
Weight	0
HC weight	0.06
Value	3
Form ID	xx000873

 

The microfusion cell is a type of ammunition in Fallout: New Vegas.

Characteristics

The microfusion cell model No. 1040 MFC, a medium-sized energy production unit, is a self-contained fusion plant with an output of 1040.8 VDC used as ammunition for energy weapons. It is the primary energy source for rifle-type energy weapons, and is commonly available within the Mojave Wasteland. Microfusion cells are more powerful than energy cells, but are less capable of rapid discharge than electron charge packs. Microfusion cells can also be rigged into improvised grenade weapons.

Production

Recycling

Main article: Workbench

After firing, there is a chance that spent microfusion cells will turn into drained microfusion cells. These are automatically placed in the player character's inventory. Drained microfusion cells can then be recycled back into usable ammunition at a workbench.

Materials:		Requirements:		Produces:
Drained microfusion cell (4)		Workbench Science: 25		Microfusion cell (1)

Materials:		Requirements:		Produces:
Drained microfusion cell (3)		Workbench Science: 50¹ Vigilant Recycler		Microfusion cell (1)

¹ Due to Vigilant Recycler having Science 70 as a pre-requisite, efficient recycling can not be made at the skill listed in the workbench.

Conversion

Conversion (type)

Microfusion cells can be converted into, and from, other energy weapon ammunition types (i.e. electron charge packs and energy cells) at a workbench, with the appropriate Science skill.

Materials:		Requirements:		Produces:
Electron charge pack (3)		Workbench Science: 40		Microfusion cell (1)

Materials:		Requirements:		Produces:
Energy cell (2)		Workbench Science: 20		Microfusion cell (1)

Conversion (variant)

The player can also pool charges from good cells together to make more powerful variants, which improve damage and bypass more of an enemy's DT, but burn out weapon components faster.

Materials:		Requirements:		Produces:
Microfusion cell (3)		Workbench Science: 45		Microfusion cell over charge (2)

Materials:		Requirements:		Produces:
Microfusion cell (5)		Workbench Science: 75		Microfusion cell max charge (2)

Materials:		Requirements:		Produces:
Microfusion cell (3)		Workbench Science: 55¹ Vigilant Recycler		Microfusion cell optimized (GRA) (2)

¹ Due to Vigilant Recycler having Science 70 as a pre-requisite, none of the optimized recipes can be made at the skill listed in the workbench.

Weapons using this ammunition

• Gauss rifle
  • YCS/186
• Holorifle
• LAER
  • Elijah's advanced LAER
• Laser rifle
  • AER14 prototype
• MFC cluster (Mad Bomber) (GRA)
• MFC grenade (Mad Bomber) (GRA)
• Multiplas rifle
• Plasma caster
  • The Smitty Special (GRA)
• Plasma rifle
  • Q-35 matter modulator
• Tri-beam laser rifle
  • Tri-beam laser rifle (GRA)

The following is based on test content from the Fallout: New Vegas files.

• Plasma rifle always crit
• Plasma rifle weak
• The Disintegrator
• The Faderator

End of information based on test content from the Fallout: New Vegas files

Variants

Microfusion cell, bulk

Bulk microfusion cells carry less charge than standard microfusion cells, but are substantially cheaper to compensate. The reduced charge results in 85% damage and no Damage Threshold negation (standard cells negate 2 points), but also reduces the strain on the weapon to 85% as well. The bulk design also means a significantly reduced chance of recovering the drained cell (only 20% compared to the standard 35%).

Microfusion cell, over charge

Over charged microfusion cells gives a damage multiplier of (x1.25 or 125%) and negates 5 points of an opponent's Damage Threshold. This comes at the cost of having the weapon deteriorate at a faster rate (x1.50 or 150%) as well as only a 25% chance of recovering the drained cell.

Microfusion cell, max charge

The max charged version of the microfusion cell deals the highest possible damage (x1.5 or 150%) at the expense of highly increased weapon degradation (x2.50 or 250%) and only a 10% chance of recovering the drained cell. Using this ammunition type also negates 10 points of an opponent's Damage Threshold.

Microfusion cell, optimized

Added in the add-on Gun Runners' Arsenal, this version provides an optimal balance of power and efficiency, superior in all properties compared to overcharged cells. Damage is multiplied by (x1.3 or 130%) and Damage Threshold penetration is equal to the overcharged cell at 5 points. It weighs less than the standard microfusion cell yet has the same 35% chance of recovering the drained cell. The only drawback is a minor increase in weapon degradation (x1.1 or 110%). It requires Vigilant Recycler and can only be crafted at a workbench.

Comparison

Legend
	- Ammunition Type		Weapons spread modifier
	- Weapon Damage modifier		Ammo bonus effect
	- Target Damage Threshold modifier		- Ammo is craftable
	- Weapon condition modifier		- Percentage change of empty casing, hull or drained cell/pack/tank

microfusion cell, standard	x 1	- 2	x 1	x 1			35% chance
microfusion cell, bulk	x 0.85	x 1	x 0.85	x 1			20% chance
overcharge	x 1.25	- 5	x 1.5	x 1			25% chance
microfusion cell, optimized	x 1.3	- 5	x 1.1	x 1	60% of standard weight		35% chance
microfusion cell, max charge	x 1.5	- 10	x 2.5	x 1			10% chance

Locations

• A large stockpile of microfusion cells can be found at REPCONN headquarters, behind a locked door (Lockpick 50) on the first floor. Over 600 microfusion cells can be found throughout the building.
• Quartermaster Bardon in the Hoover Dam offices stocks large quantities.
• The Great Khan armorer, southeast of Red Rock Canyon stocks large quantities.
• Hidden Valley bunker. If the Courier gains accepted status or higher with the Brotherhood of Steel, they will be approached by a BoS initiate telling them that they have placed recycled ammunition in a box at the bottom of the entrance stairs into the L1 area. The box will be replenished randomly with microfusion cells, electron charge packs and small energy cells whenever the Courier enters L1, providing a continuous supply of energy weapons ammunition.
• The Silver Rush sells very large quantities, and also has a lot of the ammo "on display", that can be stolen.
• Having an NCR emergency radio, and an Energy Weapons skill higher than the Guns skill, will allow for the calling for a supply crate which usually contains an amount of microfusion cells.
• In Vault 22, over 100 microfusion cells can be found in the reactor room, inside two lockers in the common areas.
• Cliff Briscoe in the Dino Bite gift shop sometimes stocks large quantities.
• Campanas del Sol - 80 in an open tool cabinet, small ruined room with crates and shelves, on the 2nd second floor, west side.
• Magnetohydraulics complex - 260 at the bottom of the underwater section.

Notes

• Microfusion cells are used by 12 different weapons, the largest number for any ammunition type in Fallout: New Vegas.
• The in-game mechanics of the microfusion cells are somewhat inconsistent. The Holorifle uses a single and whole microfusion cell with each shot like normal ammunition, while the Laser rifle is visibly loaded with one microfusion cell which lasts for 24 shots, but expels a cell from the inventory with every shot fired. The Gauss rifle and Pulse gun are visibly loaded with one microfusion cell but expend multiple cells from the inventory with each shot.
  • Furthermore, all of the microfusion cell-powered weapons have a chance of dropping a drained cell with every shot, no matter if it the single loaded cell lasts for multiple shots like the laser rifle, or if multiple cells are expended per shot like the gauss rifle (such weapons also only drop a single drained cell per shot).
• In Hardcore mode, they are very heavy when carried in bulk, as 10 of them weigh 1 pound.
• Rigged shotguns use a microfusion cell as a power source.
• According to writing on the side, the cell is apparently capable of outputting 1040.8 DC volts. This is incorrectly labeled as "Capacity." The capacity of a power source (that is, the amount of electrical energy it can contain) is properly measured in watt-hours, not volts.

Ammunition in Fallout: New Vegas Guns .223 round · .22LR round · .30-30 round  · .308 round · .357 Magnum round · .38 Special round · .44 Magnum round · .45 Auto · .45-70 Gov't · .50 MG · 5mm round · 5.56mm round · 9mm round · 10mm round · 12.7mm round · 12 gauge shotgun shell · 20 gauge shotgun shell · BB · Camera film · Magical companion ammo · Nails Explosives 25mm grenade · 40mm grenade · Missile · Mini nuke · Rocket Energy Weapons Alien power cell · ARCHIMEDES II charge · Electron charge pack · Energy cell · Flamer fuel · Microfusion cell · MF Breeder

Gun Runners' Arsenal Achievements Combat Veteran · Curios and Relics · Master of the Arsenal · Pros Only · Up to the Challenge Items Weapons (Non-unique) 12.7mm submachine gun · 25mm grenade APW · 5.56mm pistol · Anti-materiel rifle · Assault carbine · Baseball bat · Battle rifle · Chainsaw · Fat Man · Fat mine · Hunting revolver · Katana · Laser pistol · MFC cluster · MFC grenade · Nuka-grenade · Plasma Defender · Plasma pistol · Power fist · Ripper · Time bomb, high yield · Tin grenade · Tri-beam laser rifle Weapons (Unique) Bozar · Cleansing Flame  · Embrace of the Mantis King! · Esther · Gehenna · Greased Lightning · Li'l Devil · Medicine Stick · MF Hyperbreeder Alpha · Nuka-Breaker · Paciencia · Sleepytyme · Sprtel-Wood 9700 · The Smitty Special · Two-Step Goodbye Ammo 12 gauge dragon's breath · 12 gauge 4/0 Buck · 12 gauge flechette · 12 gauge pulse slug · 20 gauge shotgun shell, 3/0 buck · 20 gauge shotgun shell, pulse slug · Hive missiles · 40mm Plasma grenade · 40mm grenade, pulse · 25mm Plasma grenade · 25mm grenade, pulse · 25mm grenade, timed · 12.7mm JHP · 5.56mm match · 5mm JSP · 9mm JHP · .50 MG, explosive · Energy cell, optimized · Microfusion cell, optimized · Electron charge pack, optimized · Flamer fuel, optimized · Mini nuke, Big Kid · Mini nuke, low yield · Mini nuke, timed · Mini nuke, tiny tots · Missile, hive Weapon mods GRA plasma pistol magnetic accelerator · GRA plasma pistol high-energy ionizer · GRA plasma pistol recycler · Katana balanced grip · Katana authentic blade · Katana protective sheath · GRA anti-materiel rifle custom bolt · GRA anti-materiel rifle suppressor  · GRA anti-materiel rifle carbon fiber parts · Ripper carbide teeth · 25mm grenade APW expanded drum · 25mm grenade APW long barrel · 25mm grenade APW upgraded internals · Baseball bat cork core · Baseball bat maple body · Baseball bat nails · GRA 12.7mm submachine gun laser sight · GRA 12.7mm submachine gun silencer · GRA 12.7mm submachine gun stacked magazine · GRA assault carbine extended magazines · GRA assault carbine forged receiver · GRA assault carbine light bolt · GRA chainsaw alloy frame · GRA chainsaw carbide teeth · GRA chainsaw heavy duty chain · GRA hunting revolver match barrel · GRA hunting revolver six shot cylinder · GRA Plasma Defender high-capacity terminal · GRA Plasma Defender scope · GRA Plasma Defender sheath stabilizer · GRA tri-beam laser rifle focus optics · GRA tri-beam laser rifle heavy duty capacitor · GRA tri-beam laser rifle high-capacity terminal · GRA laser pistol combat sights · GRA laser pistol focus optics · GRA laser pistol recycler · Power fist chromed tubes · Power fist high-capacity valves · Power fist ported chambers · Ripper heavy duty chain · Ripper carbide teeth Challenges Regular Curios and Relics · Master of the Arsenal ★ A Slave Obeys · Benefit Or a Hazard · Ne Ne Ne Ne... · Overkill · The Same Could Be Said of All Religious Weapons · You Don't Belong In This World! ★★ Dyin' Ain't Much of a Living · Even a God-King Can Bleed · Historical Propriety · Nyah! See? · Sic Semper Tyrannis · Talk About Owned · Vault 13's Revenge · White Line Nightmare ★★★ Against All Tyrants · Armed For Bear · Crackerjack Timing · Deathclaw Pro Hunter · Man-Machine Interface Perk Mad Bomber