Forum:Sniper Sidearms

I've started building a solid sniper/ranger type character, typical build with a few additions to make it more interesting. A question for my fellow snipers though; considering how often we're forced into buildings, what sorts of sidearms, if any, do you carry?

In my beloved FO3 I stuck to a 10mm or something like that, anything that could put a lot of bullet downrange when my rifle's slow-as-molasses RoF wasn't enough to get me out of harm's way.

However, with the addition of the Shotgun Surgeon perk, and the necessity for a sniper to have a high Gun skill anyway, would a shotgun be a reasonable panic button? Sneaking missions would probably suffer, so The Professional is probably a better choice, but the 10 points of DT ignored with the shotgun perk makes it look very appealing, not to mention the addition of Center of Mass or Sniper (haven't decided which is better yet), and the frequent Sneak Criticals.

So what do you think? Stick to a silenced 10mm or 22 and go for the head, or keep a mean slug-loaded shotty on your back for when the enemy inevitably closes in, and start aiming for the chest? Or, a compromise between the two?

71.229.162.214 18:52, October 26, 2010 (UTC) the pistol Maria, the end, lol honestly a good backup gun is the all american or its non epic variant, pretty much a battle rifle, but if i didn't have the epic versions id stick with the 9mm pistol, that thing just looks so awesome plus its quick fire rate and if you put the mods on it it does some good damage, or if you want a shotty i strongly suggest the riot shotgun, 15 shot's rapid fire before a quick reload, and 9.5x7 dmg. Toolazytomakeaaccount 10:27, October 26, 2010 (UTC)

71.229.162.214 18:52, October 26, 2010 (UTC) I'd say either option is equally valid, but shotguns and the Shotgun Surgeon perk are better for when you don't have the drop on your opponents, in my opinion. Since shotguns can sometimes graze a target's head and deal minimal damage even with a 95% chance to hit in VATS, making Center of Mass a potent addition. The Fast Shot perk will lower the Action Point cost of all your Guns attacks, and let you unleash more lead outside of VATS. To make up for the accuracy penalty Fast Shot imposes, though, you might want to take Four Eyes for more Perception, which increases accuracy. Schneidend 16:29, October 26, 2010 (UTC)

71.229.162.214 18:52, October 26, 2010 (UTC) See, that was my thinking. The problem I came across on my first New Vegas character - which, sadly, was a total failure - was that pistols had decent or even exceptional DPS, like my 10mm, but only shined when I had the drop on my target. When it came time to go loud, the 13 shots in the magazine weren't enough.

I suppose, with a high enough Sneaking skill, I could keep something quieter for my sneak attacks - with a high gun score and Commando, I could just tote a silenced rifle or pistol with me. But from my experience with Center of Mass, it even boosted the effects of sneak attacks. So combined with the Shotgun perk, I would have an option for all three events - sniping, having the element of surprise, and being caught off guard. 71.229.162.214 19:24, October 26, 2010 (UTC) Center of Mass definitely improves Sneak Attack damage. Although, when using a Sneak Attack with a shotgun or other weapon that fires multiple projectiles at once, it is theorized to deal far more damage outside of VATS. For non-Sneak Attacks, though, Center of Mass will be a huge boon. Better Criticals would also be a deadly perk for such a build. Schneidend 19:35, October 26, 2010 (UTC)

71.229.162.214 19:24, October 26, 2010 (UTC)Now that I hadn't heard. If that's true, I could stick to taking real shots for sneak attacks, and if enemies start bunching up - case in point, the way Ferals love to run at you in a straight line, one foot apart from each other - VATS could help me turn the tables in my favor. Besides, I could see Center of Mass making my non-VATS sniping life a lot easier. With a high AGI, Finesse, Better Crits, I could see this build putting the hurt on a lot of enemies.

The other benefit of a shotgun is having a specialized weapon for slugs. I dislike using anti-armor rounds on my primary weapon, let alone on the already fragile sniper rifle. The shotgun, however, I would find commonly enough to repair accordingly. I'll need those slugs if a Brother or a heavily armored gang member comes at me.

71.229.162.214 22:51, October 26, 2010 (UTC) Sadly, Center of Mass only improves your damage in VATS, not ALL attacks against the torso. Other than that it sounds like you're set. I'd recommend buying a Riot Shotgun from the Gun Runners as soon as possible. Nothing quite like a semi-auto stream of shotgun shells. Schneidend 19:35, October 26, 2010 (UTC)

71.229.162.214 22:51, October 26, 2010 (UTC) I don't much care for shotguns personally. If you load them with slugs why even bother having a shotgun. If you don't use slugs your panic button is only good out to about 5 paces. I recommend an assault rifle or smg for soft targets and a hard hitting semi-auto rifle or pistol w/o a scope for armored enemies. Since you are a sniper and probably have crit related perks Lucky or the Ranger Sequoia should have pretty impressive results. This Machine is also easy to get and uses the same ammo as a sniper rifle which can be handy. Pair one of those with a 10mm smg or a 12.7 smg and all your bases are covered.67.149.196.9 20:18, October 26, 2010 (UTC)


 * You bother using a shotgun because it deals obscene amounts of damage with a non VATS critical or Sneak Attack. In FO3 a sneak attack headshot with the Terrible Shotgun did more damage than the Fatman. With the addition of Magnum shells I imagine even greater damage could be achieved. In addition, Shotgun Surgeon turns every single shotgun shell into an armor-piercing round. Schneidend 23:00, October 26, 2010 (UTC)


 * Which would be relevant if we were talking about Fallout 3, or if I weren't referring specifically to slugs. It was the multiple pellets that allowed for the ridiculously high damage crits in FO3, whereas slugs are a single projectile.  In New Vegas, Shotgun Surgeon is a great perk if you plan on using shotguns most of the time.  But you get half as many perks in New Vegas, so if you don't want to rely heavily on shotguns there are plenty of other perks which are more versatile and useful for general gun builds.  67.149.196.9 10:45, November 12, 2010 (UTC)

71.229.162.214 22:51, October 26, 2010 (UTC) In FO3, my usual close-range gun was a 10mm SMG (for raiders, ghouls, and critters), a Combat Shotgun (for Super Mutants and other tough foes), or both if I have the ammo and carry weight. Point-blank headshots for the win. Haven't tried NV yet. --StClair 20:30, October 26, 2010 (UTC)

71.229.162.214 22:51, October 26, 2010 (UTC) Gah, I'm dumb, forgot CoM doesn't work outside of VATS. Still, I use VATS often enough that I take the perks associated with it - not to mention, I can't find many others after level 20 I like.

My concerns are multi-fold here. I like the SMGs of the game, but my experience with them left a bad taste in my mouth after I realized I chewed through a full magazine in three seconds, making a fight of any decent length require 100+ rounds. Not at all the efficiency I expect from a reliable sidearm. This Machine is a fantastic rifle, but sharing ammo means I'll be eating into my long-range ammunition in close and mid-range engagements, and that will wear out my wallet in no time. Rifles are a good field for secondaries, but the most common one I can hope for is a Service Rifle, or the assault carbine if I get to the Boomers early.

This is all compounded by the fact that, with the Trigger Discipline perk, SMGs and semi-auto rifles lose their edge.

The shotgun might have limited range, but there IS a purpose behind the slugs. Again, the DT ignored with Shotgun Surgeon, combined with the damage and accuracy of the slug, and the critical chance of a sniper, would stack and punch through more armor than a semi-auto rifle. The slugs, of course, would be for heavy targets, the normal spread would still cut into softer, but more prevalent targets.

Deathclawpoop's Suggestions
from greatest to least greatest, all very useful though Deathclawpoop 23:01, October 26, 2010 (UTC)
 * Ballistic Fist
 * Mysterious Magnum
 * Maria

71.229.162.214 08:55, October 28, 2010 (UTC) A little update for those of you still interested in this topic. At level 8, with 75 gun skill, I've gathered just a handful of info on this combination. What I can say is that despite a few kinks, its a promising build.

PROS: The added DT penetration makes even a simple shotgun a more effective tool. Lightly armored opponents are taken out with one blast of a Caravan Shotgun at close range, and two will put down slightly heavier targets. Sneak attacking crippled a Nightkin's leg with one shot, and with a slug the range is comparable to a 9mm, meaning you don't need to put yourself in close range for a devastating shot. In gunfights where I've been ambushed or unable to effectively use my repeater, the shotgun has picked up the slack and kept me alive.

CONS: Shotguns are by nature an irregular weapon. This means even a skilled shot won't guarantee every pellet lands in the right spot. This means the DPS of this build (using the shotgun) is never going to be constant. Furthermore, buckshot can still effectively take down soft targets, but to get the full force against heavier ones means you need to get in close, even for a sneak attack. Furthermore, so far I have found only three Caravan Shotguns, which means my weapon has been at about 50% condition the whole time, worsening the damage.

When I get my hands on better weaponry, improve my skills, and modify a shotgun properly, I have no doubt this build will put down excruciating damage at mid-short ranges, and sneak attacks with be even more brutal. However, I advise anyone willing to test this build that it comes with the price of occasional irregularity in DPS and even range, though with the benefits expected of a shotgun.

71.229.162.214 10:06, October 28, 2010 (UTC)pft, caravan shotguns are okay but get yourself a real shotgun, get the riot shotty man, rapid fire 12 shots same if not greater damage, and its well worth the price to get it fully repaired at any of the repair people in the wasteland, lasts a good long while, and get jury rigging to help out with those hard to repair guns, just watch out i occasionally have to reload an area because i accidentally repaired my maria pistol with my lucky pistol, lol Toolazytomakeaaccount 09:12, October 28, 2010 (UTC)

71.229.162.214 10:06, October 28, 2010 (UTC) Well, again, I only just got past REPCONN, so there's not a lot of chance of me getting to Gun Runners and buying a 5500 cap shotgun. We'll try that when I break into double-digit levels, might pan out better then.

'Course as a sniper its essential to have a high repair score, so anyone who doesn't snag Jury Rigging is missing out on a fundamental ability to surviving in relative ease.

I'm guessing, as I said in the previous post, when I'm equipped with a strong shotgun in good condition, the full use of the build will come out. I'll probably get a hunting shotgun before I see a riot shotgun, but with a modified choke and extended mag, it'll be a cut above anyway.

Keith3618- Id go with the sillenced 22 sub machine gun

RA- Indoors, I like to use "this machine". Works well with JSP ammo + good ROF and lots of damage (though a bit less than the sniper rifle [Sniper build, 10 luck, finesse, 1st recon beret, better crit, yada, yada.). And saves me from monitoring different ammo supplies. It also allows me to break down all other rifle rounds for powder and lead. Contreras sells .308 by the fistfull, so it's all good. There's around 4k of .308 JSP in my inventory right now. Life is good =) I'd like to get my hands on a 12mm pistol for sneaky time though.

PV- I am on my second sniper. This time I have a handloader (90 repair currently) and the 12G slugs are insane. I am using a modded (tube/choke) Hunting Shotgun, yes the reload time hurts compared to the riot, but the accuracy is greater. Interestingly enough I have also found it to be acceptable at longer ranges, outside of VATS, then the modded cowboy repeater with .357 JSP. Where as taking down a Mr. Handy/Variant requires multiple AP .308 shots usually 1 or 2 slugs and they are down.

For example I have found the Cazadors to be brutal, even with the .308 sniper rifle, any ammo. The old technique was sniper shot to the wings to slow them down, then firing while retreating backwards outside of VATS once AP were used up. The hunting shotgun beats the sniper rifle hands down here.

I also modded up a 10MM (laser/mags/sinlencer) and it is sick, great ROF, 16 round mag, nice damage with the 10mm JHP. Its perfect for dealing with wasteland trash like scorpions, Freeside thugs, and anybody at close ranges.

Note to anyone wanting a Hunting Shotgun cheap, there is one in the bed of a pickup in the farmstead NW of Vegas (a few Vipers there).

--Since ur using a modded hunting shotgun, u might wanna spend time finding the thorne. In there, u can do a quest to get a unique version of the hunting shotgun, that has at least the choke on it, but mayb more, cant remember atm, ;)The weapon is called Dinner Bell, but i dont wanna give away everything if u havent been there yet. It can be found west of the strip. NeedPants 145.118.115.63 19:39, November 14, 2010 (UTC)

I just started sniping and i have found that the best combo for sniper's support weapons are This Machine, preferably with JSP ammo if possible, and a silenced 12.7mm Submachine gun for anytime i need to sneak or just generally want to be, as the butler from Mr. Deeds put it, A-sneaky sneaky! -Bush Viper556


 * Seriously 0.o can believe no one even considered the Marksman carbine or All-American as the goto weapon in a close spot for a sniper build. User avatar tag.gif Avatar talk.png 01:20, March 29, 2011 (UTC)
 * I'd go with one of the normal rifles even indoors until I got busted, then I'd switch to either a shotgun or SMG. Great Mara 01:26, March 29, 2011 (UTC)

Sillenced 22. SMG

Nuff'said Donovans wrench 6:37, March 28 2011 (UTC)

Go with the All American, thats what i used, and it worked pretty well for me.173.138.150.41 04:25, March 29, 2011 (UTC)

Go with the silenced 12.7 pistol. Quiet the way I like things for my sniper, and enough damage to one-shot a fair number of baddies while fast enough to more than empty a clip (7 rounds) even with a reload in one VATS round if you optimize for VATS attacks (fast-shot, 10 agil, 2 x action boy, math wrath). Plus the ammo is very light-weight for those who play hardcore. Some prefer the 12.7 SMG but I find that I wind up more effective with the pistol.75.67.224.12 03:53, March 30, 2011 (UTC)

I'd have to agree with the people saying Maria. It's fast, it packs a good punch even against strong armored opponents, and ammo is everywhere. Plus you can get it as soon as you hit The Strip. Or if you've been to the Madre and back, that Police Pistol is just as good and by the time you get back to the Mojave, you'll have plenty of ammo to put down whoever or whatever you need. Thedarkscythe 06:50, March 30, 2011 (UTC)

For silent combat, I go with a fully modded sniper rifle(suppressor and carbon fiber parts), and a modded 12mm(suppressor). If I'm spotted, I switch over to a fully modded Hunting Shotgun and move in for close range combat. Add the Bloody Mess perk to all of this and it's all good.--Ryker6110:51, April 25, 2011 (UTC)~3:51am 4/25/2011

now i no its a bulky wepon but when i get in a jam in close qauters when im sniping i always carry a riot shotgun for point blank range to make a people smoothy but apart from that get maria and aim for the head best way

If you have to have a pistol, silence a 12.7mm use that or maria, that thing packs a punch. IF you will are open minded with it, Marksman Carbine or All American would be good. Even a brush gun or trail carbine would be pretty good. If ou really want to go crazy with it, then i would like to see a sniper pull out a minigun and start wailing on em when he gets spotted. that would be pretty awsome. Zion115 23:05, April 25, 2011 (UTC)

I figure if you have to switch to your sidearm, you've already given up the element of surprise in which case I would carry the mysterious magnum loaded with .44 swc, or the Ranger Sequoia. Zac hemker 21:45, June 2, 2011 (UTC)

Usually, on a Sniper build I have three guns. 1. The sniper. (Duh.) 2. A shotgun of some sort. I prefer a caravan shotgun in lower levels, riot shotgun as you progress. 3. Maria. 'Nuff said. I keep 200+ bullets for her on me at all times. --LegionSniper569 03:57, June 4, 2011 (UTC)

Really if you think about it unless you have to have a silencer, a guass rifle or the YCS-36 is way better than the AMR or a sniper. Does more damage than both, scope is way easier to use, load is just as fast as AMR recock and you can get meltdown, witch turns your sniper into a scoped plasma grenade launcher, and with MC ammo you can do over 200 damage per shot, not to mention the impact looks awsome. And carry around the holorifle or Q-35 or even a plasma defender. Only downside is you need a lot of ammo to feed the thing, but it is still cheaper per shot than using 50MG rounds. and they wieght sooooooo much less. Plus if you raid the repcon HQ,you are pretty much set for about 10-12 levels. If you plan on using it than kill a brotherhood member or raid the bootlegging place, it has a guass rifle in it. Or the easist way is to just ger YCS-36. Happy killing you guys. 174.109.137.71 21:07, June 5, 2011 (UTC)

I'm assuming you're RP'ing this a bit, and were it me I'd go for an actual pistol. Personal favorite in my playthrough (not through all of the DLC) is the .45 Auto from Honest Hearts. It's less flashy than the Maria (which negates some of the stealthiness a sniper would want). Maybe a Police Pistol? They're both considerably more powerful than 9mms, and allow for a certain 'professional' look. Flagcaptured 17:15, September 1, 2011 (UTC)

I usually carried a pistol or shotgun at first, but it is useful to have the marksman carbine with you, relatively fast and a high damage output puts it at a high need. NCRFirstReconSniper 02:27, September 2, 2011 (UTC)

LordHood444's Suggestion:
( Cause I'm too lazy to log on/learn how to edit, do shite.)

Hell man, you can N E V E R Go wrong with a .45, especially loaded with Super. Hell, you can even silence it. Badass weapon. I like the Handloader Perk, so I always use handloads for sniping, etc. My usual Rifle of choice is either the Ratslayer, because it's awesome, or a three-way tie for second: Mourning rifle: A.M. Rifle.(( see wut I did thar?)) Fully modified hunting rifle, JSP rounds, or a good ol This Machine. Longer ranges, it's almost always ratslayer or the Mourning Rifle.