The small energy cell (SEC, but simply called energy cell in-game) is a type of small, self-contained energy storage unit, manufactured by Wattz Electronics[1] in Fallout: New Vegas.
Characteristics[]
Produced by Wattz Electronics with a low shelf life,[1] energy cells were used for many things such as energy weapons and regular household appliances.[1] It is a small, self-contained energy storage unit often associated with one-handed energy weapons; a single cell contains three batteries, each with a capacity of 1040.8 volts of direct current.[2]
Gameplay attributes[]
Energy cells are the standard ammunition used by the majority of pistol energy weapons, and as such are widely available across the Mojave Wasteland.
Weapons using this ammunition[]
Crafting[]
In Honest Hearts, a recipe for recharging drained energy cells was unlocked with 45 science added that required the use of a fission battery. With 5 drained energy cells and a fission battery, the player could convert them into 25 new energy cells.
| Components | | Requirements | | Products |
|---|
| | | | |
Recycling[]
After firing, there is a chance that spent energy cells will turn into drained energy cells. These are automatically placed in the player character's inventory. Drained energy cells can then be recycled back into usable energy cells at a workbench.
- See: comparison table for chances of drained energy cells being produced for each variant of energy cell.
Conversion[]
- Conversion (type)
Energy cells can be converted into, and from, other energy weapon ammunition types (i.e. electron charge packs and microfusion cells) at a workbench, with the appropriate Science skill.
- Conversion (variant)
The player can also pool charges from good cells together to make more powerful variants, which improve damage and bypass more enemy DT but burn out weapon components faster.
| From
|
To
|
Skill required
|
Produced on
|
Amount required
|
| Energy cell
|
Energy cell max charge (2)
|
Science: 70
|
Workbench
|
5
|
| Energy cell optimized (GRA)¹ (2)
|
Science: 40/(70)²
|
Workbench
|
3
|
| Energy cell over charge (2)
|
Science: 30
|
Workbench
|
3
|
Variants[]
Energy cell, bulk[]
Bulk energy cells are cheaper than the regular variant, but not as potent. The decreased voltage causes weapons to degrade more slowly while using this ammunition, but damage is reduced accordingly and there is no armor-piercing effect.
Energy cell, max charge[]
This ammunition is more powerful than standard energy cells. The increased voltage stored in the cells increases the damage output of weapons by 1.25 and has a -5 DT effect on enemies, but degrades weapons 1.5 times faster than normal.
Energy cell, over charge[]
This is the most powerful of the energy cell variants. Max charge cells increase damage output to 1.5 times normal and have an armor piercing effect of -10 DT, but the increase in voltage release causes weapons to degrade 2.5 times as fast.
Energy cell, optimized (Vigilant Recycler) (GRA)[]
Added in the Gun Runners' Arsenal add-on, this sub-type causes 30% more damage, penetrates armor more effectively, and weighs less than the standard energy cell. The only drawback is a slight increase in weapon degradation. It requires Vigilant Recycler and can only be crafted at a workbench. This type of cell is slightly superior to overcharged cells.
Comparison[]
| Name
|
Damage
|
Damage Threshold
|
Condition
|
Weapons Spread
|
Other
|
Craftable
|
Drained energy cells
|
| Energy cell
|
x 1
|
- 2
|
x 1
|
x 1
|
|
Yes
|
35% Chance
|
| Energy cell, bulk
|
x 0.85
|
x 1
|
x 0.85
|
x 1
|
|
No
|
20% Chance
|
| Energy cell, max charge
|
x 1.5
|
- 10
|
x 2.5
|
x 1
|
|
Yes
|
10% Chance
|
| Energy cell, over charge
|
x 1.25
|
- 5
|
x 1.5
|
x 1
|
|
Yes
|
25% Chance
|
| Energy cell, optimized (Vigilant Recycler) (GRA)
|
x 1.3
|
- 5
|
x 1.1
|
x 1
|
60% of standard weight.
|
Yes
|
40% Chance
|
Notable locations[]
- Hidden Valley bunker. If you gain accepted status or higher with the Brotherhood of Steel, you will be approached by a BoS initiate telling you they have placed recycled ammunition in a box at the bottom of the entrance stairs to the L1 area. The box will be replenished randomly with energy cells, microfusion cells and electron charge packs whenever you enter L1, giving a continuous supply of energy weapons ammunition.
- Muggy can provide 50 a day.
- Both ED-Es, with the right upgrade, can provide a small amount of small energy cells a day. ED-E can also make microfusion cells and flamer fuel.
- When killed, Mister Gutsys will have about 3 to 6 rounds on them
- Occasionally sold by Cliff Briscoe.
- Regular and variants sold by Chet.
Notes[]
- Despite their name, energy cells are abbreviated as "SEC" (small energy cell) at workbenches. Additionally, the drained cell sometimes left behind and the bulk ammunition box also adopts this trait, being called small "drained energy cell" and "ammo box, small energy cell, bulk" respectively.
See also[]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 The Courier: "Energy Cells have a high expenditure rate. Some extra reserve cells could offset that."
Klein: "[SUCCEEDED] HMMM. YES, I BELIEVE WATTZ ELECTRONICS TENDED TO MAKE THE BATTERY SHELF LIFE ON THE LOW END."
Dala: "They certainly did. Batteries for my vib... vivisectors... would always come up short right before climax."
0: "*I think Wattz manufactured holodisks. Or was it holotapes? Never can keep those two straight. Anyway, we're out of small energy cells. Dala.*"
8: "@@[*.......]@@... @@[$((*&^#%]@@."
0: "*You have some? Why do... actually, never mind, I don't even want to know.* *And no, I don't want to handle your batteries. Just... pass them on to the Lobotomite yourself.*"
8: "@@[$((*&^#%]@@. @@[$######$]@@. @@[$######$]@@. @@[$######$]@@... @@[$######$]@@."
(0's dialogue, 8's dialogue, Dala's dialogue, Klein's dialogue)
- ↑ Printed on the side of every energy cell.
