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Plasma rifles or plasma casters are energy based weapons that appear in Fallout, Fallout 2, Fallout 3, Fallout: New Vegas, Fallout Tactics and Fallout: Brotherhood of Steel.
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[edit] Background
Plasma rifles or plasma casters are high tech weapons firing superheated bolts of plasma, powered by either microfusion cells or heavy energy cells, which find numerous applications in military and industrial fields. The bolts form into toroids in the plasma chamber, which is then sent down a superconducting barrel,[1][2] propelled by, and in some models stabilized by electromagnetic claws upon exiting it.[3]
Initially, the weapon was a bulky, industrial plasma caster, manufactured by Winchester Arms; while it performed admirably, it was expensive and required specialized training to use. However, later developments for the US Army would lead to a more compact design that was cheaper to produce and easier to train for, perfectly suited for urban warfare.[4]
Regardless, all types of plasma weapons have a common feature - when a critical hit is delivered, they can literally melt down enemies. While most industrial casters aren't powerful enough to dissolve bones, subsequent models have no problem converting the entire target into a puddle of goo.
[edit] Models
[edit] Winchester P94
The Winchester Model P94 is a bulky, industrial-grade energy caster, firing superheated bolts of plasma down a superconducting barrel,[1] ending in electromagnetic claws helping to stabilize the plasma bolt.[3] Interestingly, in an interview for Future Weapons Today, US Army Colonel Moretti slammed the design,[4] likely for being bulky and outdated.[5][6]
[edit] Winchester P94 turbo
A modified version of the Winchester P94 plasma rifle. The turbo P94 has had its plasma bolt chamber hotwired to accelerate the bolt formation process, resulting in an increase in the rate of fire.[7]
- For the modification that appears in Fallout: New Vegas, see : Plasma caster HS electrode.
[edit] The Smitty Special
The Smitty Special is a heavily modified Winchester P94 which was first created by the legendary Smitty, the blacksmith of the Adytum, Boneyard in 2161, who was also the only one able to improve the Winchester P94 into a turbo version at that time, with a higher rate of fire.
[edit] Winchester P94 military
 | The following is based on Fallout Tactics and some details might contradict canon. |
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In the military version, the company has downsized the weapon and revamped its design, making it a more portable energy rifle, complete with a stock, pistol grip and carry handle which can, presumably, also mount optics.
[edit] Urban plasma rifle
This plasma rifle is a lightweight urban warfare weapon[4] created by REPCONN Aerospace for the US Army based on engine parts from the failed Z43-521P - "Green Bean" plasma-powered rocket. Like the AER9 laser rifle, it uses a micro fusion cell as its power supply. It taps into the cell, essentially a small fusion reactor, to produce a toroid of plasma that is ejected down a superconductor barrel.[2] In contrast to the Winchester P94, it does not have the electromagnetic claws.
As of 2277, these plasma rifles can usually be found in use by Enclave soldiers on the East Coast. By 2281, they can be found less commonly throughout the Mojave Wasteland.
- For the unique plasma rifle in Fallout 3, see: A3-21's plasma rifle.
- For the unique plasma rifle in Fallout: New Vegas, see: Q-35 matter modulator.
- For the cut content plasma rifle in Fallout: New Vegas, see: Plasma rifle always crit and Plasma rifle weak.
[edit] V.32 Quantum plasma modulation matter injection rifle
Version: 32
Status: Failure
Notes: While v.32 didn't have the power yield of the v.31 or v.30, we managed to increase the stabilization threshold by approximately 27.35%. This is promising, however we still have yet to come up with a solution for the matter inversion issues.[8]
[edit] V.33 Quantum plasma modulation matter injection rifle
Version: 33
Status: Failure
Notes: Lab destroyed. Data Lost.[8]
[edit] V.34 Quantum plasma modulation matter injection rifle
Version: 34
Status: Failure
Notes: Interesting. I'm not sure where we got this data from, it is a completely different direction from what we've been working on. We managed to cycle the matter inversion using a polarized quantum spin. I think that we solved the issue with the Compensation field, I have high hopes for the next weapon.[8]
[edit] V.35 Quantum plasma modulation matter injection rifle
Also known as the Q-35 matter modulator, the V.35 Quantum plasma modulation matter injection rifle was created by REPCONN Aerospace engineers as part of "Project: Quantum Plasma Modulation Matter Injection Rifle",[8] a research program overseen by Colonel Moretti of the US Army ,[5] who was looking for a replacement for the aging plasma rifle designs, especially the Winchester P94.[4][6] The prototype was created by a team of engineers under the lead of Senior Staff Engineer Xuan Duong, using design specifications stolen from Poseidon Energy for the canceled plasma rifle project SEMELE, in conjunction with designs from their own failed Quantum Matter Modulator plasma engine of the Z43-521P rocket.[5]
With the data from the SEMELE project, REPCONN was finally able to create a functional prototype after thirty-four failures. While prototype materials make it unsuitable for prolonged field use, the Q-35 has a longer refire rate on average - but a more consistent delay between shots, an increase in active bolt charge time, increased accuracy and a 30% increase in bolt energy.[8]
When the prototype was completed, unknown individuals conspired with REPCONN CFO Julia Masters to intercept and secure the prototype while it was in transit to the Department of Defense.[9]
[edit] Multiplas rifle
The multiplas rifle (a portmanteau of "multiple" and "plasma") is based on the urban plasma rifle design. It is a sort of plasma shotgun, firing three rounds of plasma in a volley, at the cost of a massive drain on the microfusion cell.
[edit] Electric plasma rifle
 | The following is based on Fallout: Brotherhood of Steel and has not been confirmed by canon sources. |
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The electric plasma rifle appears only in the city of Los and the Secret Vault. It's to be manufactured using technology contained in the Secret Vault. It's equipped by the most important ghouls of the Church of the Lost and some super mutants of Attis army.
[edit] Turbo electric plasma rifle
| The following is based on Fallout: Brotherhood of Steel and has not been confirmed by canon sources. |
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The turbo electric plasma rifle is a upgraded version of the electric plasma rifle, and is found only in the Secret Vault. It's to be manufactured using technology contained in the Secret Vault. It's equipped by the most important super mutants of Attis army and by the champion of the Gladiator Pit in Los, the Wasteland Stranger.
[edit] Gallery
P94 in Fallout: New Vegas
Concept art by Adam Adamowicz
Concept art by Adam Adamowicz
- Error creating thumbnail: Invalid thumbnail parameters
Concept art by Adam Adamowicz
Concept art by Adam Adamowicz
Concept art by Adam Adamowicz
[edit] References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 In-game description for the plasma rifle in Fallout, Fallout 2 and Fallout Tactics. [1][2][3]
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Research Note - Plasma rifle, Fort Independence terminal entries. [1]
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Chris Taylor interview for Vault13.net. [1]
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Cover of Future Weapons Today. [1]
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Inter-office Correspondence #3458503 - REPCONN Headquarters terminal entries. [1]
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 From Arcade Gannon's dialogue files - "Plasma rifles. They were intended to replace the P94 plasma caster. There was some corporate espionage going on between Poseidon Energy's Project SEMELE and whatever was going on here."
- ↑ In-game description for the turbo plasma rifle in Fallout and Fallout 2. [1][2]
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 Q-35 Release Notes - REPCONN Headquarters terminal entries. [1]
- ↑ Encrypted Message - REPCONN Headquarters terminal entries. [1]
