Best weapons in Fallout 4 & where to find them

Fallout 4 allows players to choose from a plethora of weapons to be able to survive the vast wastelands of the Commonwealth. Here are some of the best weapons in the game.

Like other RPGs, Fallout 4 allows you to tackle the game in a variety of ways. As you progress in the game, you unlock new weapons and choose the build that best suits you. However, it might be difficult to stick to one weapon especially when the game has such a diverse set to offer.

With weapons ranging from throwables to literal alien blasters, there’s a lot to choose from so these are the very best weapons in the game.

Contents

• Wounding Combat Shotgun
• Overseer’s Guardian
• Spray N’ Pray
• Never-Ending Double-Barrel Shotgun
• Kiloton Radium Rifle
• Explosive Minigun
• Deliverer
• The Problem Solver
• Kellogg’s Pistol
• The Last Minute
• Aeternus
• Big Boy
• Nuka-Nuke Launcher
• Shishkebab
• Atom’s Judgement
• Righteous Authority
• Final Judgment
• Experiment 18-A
• Le Fusil Terribles
• Sergeant Ash
• Splattercannon
• Furious Power Fist
• Admiral’s Friend
• Kremvh’s Tooth
• The Harvester
• Cito’s Shiny Slugger
• Cryolator
• Lorenzo’s Artifact gun
• Alien Blaster pistol
• Grognak’s Axe

1. Wounding Combat Shotgun

Bethesda

Wounding Combat Shotgun in Fallout 4

• Damage: 50
• Fire rate: 20
• Range: 47
• Accuracy: 23
• AP Cost: 35

Bonus effect: Adds bleed damage with each hit

The Wounding Combat Shotgun is one of the best shotguns in the game. While the weapon delivers a considerable amount of damage on its own, the wounding variant kicks it up a notch, adding bleed damage to every shot you take, which means every hit your target takes will keep stacking bleed damage to them, ultimately dealing a huge amount of damage.

Location: There’s no sure way to get this weapon. Since it is a legendary weapon, you will have to take out legendary enemies for a chance to get this weapon.

2. Overseer’s Guardian

• Damage: 55
• Fire rate: 90
• Range: 119
• Accuracy: 70
• AP cost: 25

Bonus effect: Shoots an additional projectile.

The Overseer’s Guardian is a unique variant of the combat rifle that can be obtained pretty early on. The two-shot effect of the Guardian shoots an additional projectile with each shot you take, making the combat satisfying while also dealing a hefty amount of damage.

Location: You can buy this gun from Alexis Combes in Vault 81 as indicated by the map above.

3. Spray N’ Pray

• Damage: 34
• Fire rate: 127
• Range: 77
• Accuracy: 69
• AP cost: 35

Bonus effect: Bullets explode on impact doing +15 area of effect damage.

The Spray N’ Pray is a legendary submachine gun that deals a hefty amount of damage and the cherry on top is the gun’s bullet-exploding effect which gives you additional damage for every shot you take.

Location: This weapon can be acquired from Cricket the wandering merchant, who is hard to keep track of. However, you can wait at the entrance of the Diamond City Market as indicated on the map above.

4. Never-Ending Double-Barrel Shotgun

Bethesda

• Damage: 45
• Fire rate: 36
• Range: 47
• Accuracy: 16

Bonus effect: Unlimited ammo capacity

The Never-Ending Double-Barrel Shotgun is a legendary variant of the Double Barrel Shotgun that lets you channel your inner Doom Slayer. You can use this weapon to deal a huge amount of damage. Consider it a gun with the damage of a shotgun without its clumsy and time-consuming reload time.

Location: There’s no sure-shot way to acquire this weapon, as the only way you can get legendary weaponry in the game is by taking down mini-bosses.

5. Kiloton Radium Rifle

• Damage: 42 + 50 (Radiation)
• Fire rate: 40
• Range: 119
• Accuracy: 69
• AP Cost: 25

Bonus effect: Bullets explode on impact doing 15 points area effect damage.

The Kiloton Radium Rifle can be considered an enhanced version of the Spray N’ Pray. It deals a hefty amount of regular damage paired with radiation damage which can be increased even more with the perks Nuclear Physicist and Demolition.

Location: You can buy this weapon from Brother Kane at The Nucleus

6. Explosive Minigun

Bethesda

• Damage: 8
• Fire rate: 272
• Range: 131
• Accuracy: 35
• AP Cost: 40

Bonus effect: Bullets explode on impact doing 15 points area of effect damage.

The Explosive Minigun is considered to be one of the most overpowered weapons in the game easily able to take out dangerous creatures such as Behemoths and Deathclaws. Having the last ranks of Demolition Expert and Heavy Gunner perks can make this weapon tank even more damage.

Location: Explosive Minigun is a legendary weapon that can only be found by taking down legendary enemies. However, there is no sure-shot way to get this weapon.

7. Deliverer

• Damage: 25
• Fire rate: 66
• Range: 53
• Accuracy: 67
• AP cost: 26

Bonus effect: Improved VATS hit chance, 25% less Action Point cost.

The Deliverer is one of the best pistols in Fallout 4 with a suppressor attachment. You can also get rid of the attachment if you want, which adds recoil but also increases the weapon range. Paired with its improved VATS hit chance effect, this pistol is a fantastic addition for players who use the VATS effect.

Location: The easiest way to get this weapon is to head to the Old North Church and make your way into the catacombs. You will then come across a bronze spinning letter plate with the words Boston, the Freedom Trail engraved on it. Interact with the puzzle to spell out the world, R-A-I-L-R-O-A-D.

Doing so will open a door, allowing you to speak with Deacon and unlock a quest called the Tradecraft. Once you finish the quest, Deacon will give you the weapon.

8. The Problem Solver

• Damage: 57
• Fire rate: 59
• Range: 185
• Accuracy: 92

Bonus effect: Increased damage after each consecutive hit on the same target.

The Problem Solver is a rifle part of the Nuka World expansion. If you like emptying clips on enemies, this weapon will be your cup of tea. The damage for each hit keeps increasing by 15%, making it a good choice if you want to shoot your enemies down from a distance.

Location: To get the Problem Solver, you need to start the Ambitious Plan quest given by Mason in Nuka-World. You will then need to pass a Charisma check with him and only choose aggressive and assertive dialogue choices when you speak with him. You can check the map for where to find Mason in Nuka World.

9. Kellogg’s Pistol

• Damage: 48
• Fire rate: 6
• Range: 119
• Accuracy: 70

Bonus effect: Refills your AP on a Critical Hit

Kellogg’s Pistol is a powerful handgun that packs a punch and if you have a Luck-focused character build, this weapon is the best to land critical hits. You can even use this with an Infiltrator build which is one of the strongest builds in the game focusing on Agility and Luck.

Location: You can find Kellogg’s Pistol by killing Kellogg in Fort Hagen while doing the quest Reunions. This is a main story quest given to you by Nick Valentine.

10. The Last Minute

• Damage: 192
• Fire rate: 66
• Range: 203
• Accuracy: 112

Bonus effect: +50% more limb damage

The Last Minute is an Energy-based Gauss rifle with a massive amount of damage. Paired with its legendary bonus effect, the weapon is a good fit for players using V.A.T.S. While the ammo might be hard to come by, it’s good for taking down bulky enemies such as behemoths.

Location: Complete the Old Guns Minutemen main quest at the Castle. Once this is done, head back to the Castle and purchase the weapon from Ronnie Shaw.

11. Aeternus

• Damage: 24
• Fire rate: 45
• Range: 251
• Accuracy: 63
• AP Cost: 30

Bonus effect: Unlimited ammo capacity.

Exclusive to the Nuka-World DLC, Aeternus is a unique Gatling laser with the Never Ending legendary effect similar to the Never-Ending Double-Barrel Shotgun. While it does use a small amount of your fusion core when you equip it for the first time, you basically get unlimited ammo after this without having to reload at all. You can even increase the damage up to 70 with mods.

Location: Start the side quest Armoral Combat by talking to Fritsch in the Nuka-Cade. Keep repeating the quest until you end up with Rogue Knight as the challenger. Defeat him to acquire the weapon.

12. Big Boy

• Damage: (18+450 [Explosion])x2 (936 if both shots directly hit)
• Fire rate: 1
• Range: 117
• Accuracy: 75

Bonus effect: Shoots an additional projectile.

The Big Boy is a unique variant of the Fat Man, which is quite an apt name for an explosive weapon that uses Mini Nukes as ammo. With so many rifles and SMGs on the list, this is an explosive weapon you need to have in your inventory. Additionally, you can add the MIRV Launcher mod to make the Big Boy shoot 12 mini-nukes while only consuming one, which can deal a lot of damage.

Location: The Big Boy can be purchased from Arturo in the Diamond City Market from a shop with a yellow banner called the Commonwealth Weaponry.

13. Nuka-Nuke Launcher

• Damage: 18+675
• Fire rate: 1
• Range: 117
• Accuracy: 63
• AP cost: 75

Bonus effect: No bonus effect

Another weapon included with the Nuka World add-on, the Nuka-Nuke Launcher similar to the Big Boy is a Fat Man nuclear weapon. Not only is this one of the most powerful weapons in the game, but it shoots Nuka-Nuke which deals 50% more damage than its base variant. You can even upgrade its damage to go beyond 1000. While its reload time might prove to be a hassle, the Nuka-Nuke is perfect for taking down buffed-up enemies such as the Super Mutant Warlord.

Location: You can find this weapon in a vault below John-Caleb Bradberton’s office in Nuka-Town. However, you need to complete the side quest Cappy in a Haystack siding with Bradberton over Sierra to obtain this weapon.

14. Shishkebab

• Damage: 13 (Attack) + 13 (Energy)
• Speed: Medium
• Range: 0.8
• AP cost: 35

Bonus effect: No bonus effect

The Shishkebab, similar to its fiery name is a flashy sword engulfed in flames. With a combination of normal attacks paired with energy attacks, Shishkebab is one of the best melee weapons in the game. You can even add the Extra flame jet mod to gain +10 fire damage.

Location: To get this iconic sword, head to Saugus Ironworks as indicated on the map above and take out the leader of the Forged, Slag who will be wielding the weapon. You can loot the weapon off of him once he’s defeated.

15. Atom’s Judgement

• Damage: 40 + 100 (Radiation)
• Fire rate: Slow
• Range: Melee
• AP Cost: 45

Bonus effect: +100 radiation damage

Added in the Far Harbor DLC, Atom’s Judgement is a unique super sledgehammer that deals a significant amount of damage paired with a hefty amount of radiation damage. The weapon leaves a smoky green trail of radiation whatever it hits, not only making it feel really cool but also adding a radiation effect that deals a ludicrous amount of damage.

Location: You can get this weapon by completing the Children of Atom quest called The Heretic. Once the quest is finished you will then be rewarded with the weapon by Grand Zealot Richter.

16. Righteous Authority

• Damage: 26
• Fire rate: 50
• Range: 203
• Accuracy: 76
• AP cost: 21

Bonus effect: Critical hits do double the damage. The critical meter fills 15% faster.

Righteous Authority is a laser rifle that is a weapon beneficial for players using V.A.T.S. Paired with its bonus effect, the weapon even has a large magazine size perfect for mowing down enemies without worrying about reloading.

Location: To obtain Righteous Authority, head to the location on the map and complete the Brotherhood of Steel quest Call to Arms after which Paladin Danse will reward you with the weapon.

17. Final Judgment

• Damage: 14
• Fire rate: 340
• Range: 203
• Accuracy: 48

Bonus effect: 25% faster fire rate and 15% faster reload

If the Big Boy or the Shishkebab doesn’t satisfy your over-the-top weapon needs, then you might need a Gatling laser gun. Not only does the weapon have an incredible fire rate, which when paired with its weapon effect increases further, but using it feels really cool as you get to tear your enemy to shreds with laser projectiles.

Location: You can acquire the weapon by killing Arthur Maxson and looting his body during the quests Airship Down or the Railroad quest Precipice of War. When paired with strong Power Armor, the Final Judgment is perfect for a heavy build.

18. Experiment 18-A

• Damage: 24 (Attack) + 24 (Energy)
• Fire rate: 136
• Range: 203
• Accuracy: 140

Bonus effect: +25% faster fire rate and 15% faster reload.

Experiment 18-A is a unique plasma rifle that shoots green plasma obliterating enemies. 18-A deals a whooping amount of damage which when paired with mods such as the Overcharged Capacitor or the Recoil Compensating Stock makes it even better.

Location: You can buy this weapon from the Institute Requisition in The Institute as shown on the map above.

19. Le Fusil Terribles

• Damage: 62
• Fire rate: 20
• Range: 71
• Accuracy: 41
• AP Cost: 35

Bonus effect: +25% damage and limb damage.

Le Fusil Terribles is one of the best shotguns in the game. Compared to other shotguns which you need to reload after every shot, this weapon has a magazine size of 32 with a significant amount of damage which gets amplified even more with its bonus effect.

Location: To find the Le Fusil Terribles, head to the location on the map above. The weapon will be inside Libertalia on top of a wooden crate in the Captain’s cabin.

20. Sergeant Ash

• Damage: 13
• Fire rate: 90
• Range: 47
• Accuracy: 53

Bonus effect: 20% chance to cripple enemy’s leg.

Sergeant Ash is a unique flamer part of the Far Harbor DLC. While a majority of flamers in Fallout 4 are quite underwhelming, Sergeant Ash paired with its unique effect is quite effective especially when dealing with hordes of enemies. While its base damage might seem to be less, the weapon shoots multiple projectiles which amplifies its damage.

Location: You can buy this weapon from Dejen at Acadia.

21. Splattercannon

• Damage: 51
• Fire rate: 11
• Range: 89
• Accuracy: 108
• AP cost: 32

Bonus effect: +15% increased damage after each hit on the same target.

Added as a part of the Nuka-World DLC, the Splattercannon is a mid-range weapon similar to the Problem Solver. It does a significant amount of damage which paid with its legendary bonus effect gets amplified even more.

Location: The Splattercannon can be bought from Aaron Corbett in the Nuka-Town Market as indicated on the map above.

22. Furious Power Fist

• Damage: 33
• Speed: Medium
• AP cost: 35

Bonus effect: Increased damage after each hit on the same target.

The Furious Power Fist is a cool-looking weapon that amplifies the strength of your punches. You can use the weapon on enemies that need multiple hits to be taken down. While the weapon does a hefty amount of damage it is important to note that you can’t use this weapon with any Power Armor which you might end up using as you reach the end of the game.

Location: Obtaining the Furious Power Fist is a bit hard as you have to take down the unique Behemoth, Swan in Swan’s Pond. Remember to equip yourself with enough weapons as this fight is quite difficult.

23. Admiral’s Friend

• Damage: 150
• Fire rate: 2
• Range: 14.3
• Accuracy: 63
• AP Cost: 40

Bonus effect: Deals double the damage if the target is at full health.

Added as part of the Far Harbor DLC, Admiral’s Friend is a harpoon gun with an intriguing legendary effect. This weapon is best for players going for a stealth approach as you can often take down enemies with one shot if they have full health.

Location: You can buy this weapon from Allen Lee for 1,500 caps from the location highlighted on the map.

24. Kremvh’s Tooth

• Damage: 28 + 3 (Poison)
• Speed: Medium
• AP Cost: 30

Bonus effect: No bonus effect

Kremvh’s Tooth is a cool-looking melee weapon that looks like it’s pulled straight out of Elder Scrolls. The weapon has a unique mod called the Sacrificial blade which inflicts bleed and poison damage on enemies which makes it a good fit for players going for a melee build. You can even install this mod on any other legendary variant of the machete.

Location: The location to find Kremvh’s Tooth is as spooky as the weapon itself as you have to head to Dunwich Borers which is essentially one of the scariest locations in the game. Once you’re there, head to the very bottom of the location where you will find an underwater tunnel leading up to an altar. You can find the Tooth on the altar.

25. The Harvester

• Damage: 9
• Speed: Very fast
• AP cost: 40

Bonus Effect: Chance to stagger on hit.

The Harvester was added to the game as part of the Far Harbor DLC and is one of the most satisfying melee weapons to use. While it doesn’t deal much damage, its speed more than makes up for it allowing you to hit your target multiple times. You can even add the Extended Blade mod to target bleed and get exceptional damage.

Location: To find this weapon, head to Echo Lake Lumber. Find the tallest building and go to its second floor. The weapon will be in a red chest.

26. Cito’s Shiny Slugger

• Damage: 123
• Speed: Slow
• Range: 10
• AP cost: 35

Bonus effect: Refills your AP on a Critical Hit.

Found in the Nuka World DLC, this melee weapon is an incredible choice for players using V.A.T.S. as each critical hit refills your Action Points. On top of that, the weapon has a whooping base damage of 123.

Location: To get Cito’s Shiny Slugger, complete the side-quest Safari Adventure and help Cito defeat the Gatorclaw. The player will then receive the weapon as a reward from Cito.

27. Cryolator

• Damage: 20 (Energy)
• Fire rate: 90
• Range: 71
• Accuracy: 66
• AP Cost: 21

Bonus effect: Can freeze enemies.

Cryolator is a unique weapon that lets you freeze your enemies in a really satisfying way. While the enemies are only frozen for a short period, it gives you a lot of time to strategize and deal with hordes of foes. That being said, the Cryolator also exhausts ammo really quickly so use it wisely.

Location: You can find this weapon inside Vault 111 which is the area you start the game in. It is locked in a display case in the overseer’s room behind a Master level lock.

28. Lorenzo’s Artifact gun

• Damage: 25 (Explosion) + 10 (Radiation)
• Fire rate: 66
• Range: 203
• Accuracy: 69

Bonus effect: Stuns/knocks enemies back into the area of effect

Lorenzo’s Artifact gun deals radiation damage similar to Atom’s Judgment. However, unlike the Atom’s Judgment which deals radiation poisoning, this weapon deals radiation damage which might not be as effective as poisoning but does deal a significant amount of damage.

Location: To get this weapon, you need to be employed by the Cabot family and complete The Secret of Cabot House quest. You will then have to side with Jack Cabot who will then reward you with Lorenzo’s Artifact gun.

29. Alien Blaster pistol

• Damage: 50
• Fire rate: 100
• Range: 119
• Accuracy: 79
• AP cost: 20

Bonus effect: No bonus effect

The post-apocalyptic wastelands of Fallout 4 aren’t just restricted to minuscule rifles and SMGs. You can go to a UFO crash site and loot this weapon off of an alien body. Shooting this weapon feels really cool as your character shoots blue energy rays that vaporize your opponent. The only drawback is that the ammo for this weapon is quite limited and its accuracy suffers in long-range combat.

Location: To get this weapon, go to the cave to the north of the UFO crash site as seen on the map above. The crash site is east of Oberland Station. Look for the burning trees to find the broken-down UFO. Once there, follow the trail of blood into the cave and kill the alien to obtain the Alien Blaster.

30. Grognak’s Axe

• Damage: 27
• Speed: Medium
• Range: 0.8
• AP cost: 20

Bonus effect: No bonus effect

Grognak’s Axe is yet another powerful melee weapon in the game that not only staggers your enemies but also deals bleed damage. While the time taken between each swing might be a bit much for some players, the damage it deals more than makes up for it:

Location: To (axe)ess this weapon’s location, head to Hubris Comics in Central Boston as indicated on the map. You can find the axe in a locked display case behind the front desk located on the first floor. However, to be able to unlock the case, you will need to have advanced lockpicking skills or make Cait open it. Here is how to recruit her.

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