Plasma Defender

The Glock 86 plasma pistol, also known as the Plasma Defender, is an energy weapon in Fallout: New Vegas.

Characteristics
The Plasma Defender is a powerful energy-based pistol which fires superheated bolts of green plasma. It is able to punch through most critters and low-level types of armor with ease, when compared to the more commonly found and cheaper laser pistol.

In comparison to the standard laser pistol, the Plasma Defender deals more than 3 times the damage per shot and over twice as much damage-per-second (DPS). This is offset by the fact that the it consumes energy cells at twice the rate, reduced durability and has a slightly increased spread.

Additionally, it causes a large green burst of plasma upon firing which partially obstructs view, and the plasma bolts travel at a slow rate, resulting in the need to lead the shot.

In comparison to the plasma pistol, the Plasma Defender only does an additional 5 damage per shot, has a reduced critical chance and is less durable. However, it is a more accurate weapon, uses fewer action points in V.A.T.S. and has a higher rate of fire, delivering almost twice as much DPS. Unlike the plasma pistol, the Plasma Defender is not considered a holdout weapon.

Variants

 * Arcade's Plasma Defender is a unique non-playable Plasma Defender used by Arcade Gannon. It only differs from the standard pistol in its use of companion ammunition.
 * Plasma Defender (GRA), a variant that can accept modifications.

Locations

 * Lucky 38, in a floor safe of the cocktail lounge
 * Silver Rush, located on a table and sold by Gloria Van Graff
 * Dead Bright Brotherhood followers have a 1-in-3 chance of carrying Plasma Defender once the Courier has reached Level 8.
 * Y-17 trauma override harnesses at Big MT may carry them.
 * Hopeville silo bunker entrance in the Divide, located in a desk with a Hard lock.
 * Can be found randomly on marked men.

Bugs

 * Plasma Defenders are not sold by any merchants, including the Van Graffs and the Gun Runners. This is due to their absence from a number of levelled item lists, while being present on several other lists which are not used.