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For an overview of Gauss rifle models in the Fallout series of games, see Gauss rifle.
Gauss rifle
Gauss rifle
Gauss rifle icon
Requirements
SkillEnergy Weapons 75
Strength Req.5
Attack statistics
Dmg/Attack
120 (142.8)
DPS
360 (599.8)
DPS (reload)
45 (71.8)
Crit Dmg
60
Crit % Mult
x2
Attacks/Sec
3 (4.2)AP40
Projectiles1Spread0.03
Ammo & reloading
Ammo TypeMicrofusion cell
Ammo/Shot
5
Shots/Reload
1
Ammo Cap.5
Reload Time
2.3 (1.7)
Other
Weight7Value3000
Item HP80
Repair
Gauss rifle
Energy rifles (other)
Editor IDWeapNVGaussRifle
Base ID0015837b
xx013eb1 (Elijah's)
xx013eb2 (Elijah's)
xx013eb3 (Elijah's)
xx013eb4 (Elijah's)
xx013eb5 (Elijah's)
xx013eb6 (Elijah's)
Perk Effects
Perks (dam.)
Lord Death
(+4.8)
Perks (Att.)
Fast Shot
(+0.6)
Perks (Rel.)
Rapid Reload
(-0.6s)
 
Gametitle-FNV
Gametitle-FNV

The Gauss rifle is a weapon in Fallout: New Vegas.

Background[]

The following section is transcluded from Gauss rifle. To modify, please edit the source page.

The Gauss rifle is a coilgun, a type of projectile accelerator, which uses electromagnetic coils configured as a linear motor to accelerate ferromagnetic or conductive projectiles to extreme velocities. Though these weapons were historically suffering from a number of difficulties, focused on discharging the coils in sequence or providing enough power for the coils, these design issues were overcome by German scientists in the 21st century and entered limited service. This class of weapons is named in honor of the German mathematician Carl Friedrich Gauss, responsible for formulating the math underlying the magnetic acceleration principle of coilguns.

This rifle is a Chinese variation on the German design and was originally deployed in the Sino-American War.[1] Unlike the original weapon, it features a scope and eleven coilgun stages, resulting in a more versatile range and higher damage output. The weapon is larger and bulkier to accommodate the increased stress put on the weapon and uses a different feed system. While the standard 2mm EC magazines incorporate both slugs and ammunition, the Chinese Gauss rifle has to be loaded with ferromagnetic slugs separately, with microfusion cells loaded into the battery well in front of the trigger group. The cell is used to power the magnetic accelerator and fire the slug and has to be replaced after each shot.[2]

The immense recoil generated by the weapon is mitigated somewhat by a long muzzle brake and a padded leather recoil pad. The bulk of the weapon also helps make it more manageable. However, the pay off is more than generous, as the sheer kinetic energy of the projectile creates a shockwave on impact, dealing additional damage to the target and potentially knocking them off balance.

Characteristics[]

Virtually identical to the Gauss rifle of the Fallout 3 Operation: Anchorage add-on, the New Vegas variant can still knock down enemies and is effectively an energy sniper weapon. However, it uses 5 microfusion cells per shot, rather than one.

It is a rare weapon and is very expensive to repair without weapon repair kits. However, unlike its tier equivalent, the anti-materiel rifle, it's much more accessible. It only requires 5 Strength to use (as opposed to 8 for the AMR), double the critical chance (76%, while the AMR only offers 38%), not to mention the fact that its lighter than the AMR and its ammunition is more common. In Hardcore mode, the weapons are more closely matched in terms of weight, as the five MFCs required for each firing of a Gauss rifle are together twice the weight of one .50 MG round.

The fact that the rifle has to be reloaded after each shot is also a factor, as this adds 10 AP to the firing cost in VATS.

Variants[]

Icon cut contentThe following is based on Fallout New Vegas cut content and has not been confirmed by canon sources.
  • The Faderator: A development tool, featuring fully automatic fire and 20,160 damage per second (DPS).
Icon cut contentEnd of information based on Fallout New Vegas cut content.

Comparison[]

Name Type Dmg/shot DPS Att/sec Crit mult Crit dmg Spread AP cost Ammo Ammo cap Weight Item HP Value Stat Req. Notes
Gauss rifle Energy sniper rifle 120 360 3 x2 60 0.03 40 Microfusion cell 5 7 80 3000 Energy Weapons:75 Strength:5 Uses 5 MFC per shot
YCS/186 Energy sniper rifle 140 420 3 x2 70 0.0275 40 Microfusion cell 4 8 100 3000 Energy Weapons:75 Strength:5 Uses 4 MFC per shot

Locations[]

Vendors
Loot
Non-player characters

Notes[]

  • The Meltdown perk will cause enemies killed with the Gauss rifle to be launched in random directions with extreme force (as the standard Gauss force is combined with the Meltdown explosion).
  • The magnification level is 3.5x for the Gauss rifle scope.
  • A single shot in Hardcore mode will use 0.5 Pounds of ammunition, costing at a combined value of 15 caps per shot.

Bugs[]

  • PCIcon pc PlayStation 3Icon ps3 Xbox 360Icon xbox360 The PIP-Boy will not display the DPS properly, as it ignores the single-shot nature of the weapon.
  • PCIcon pc PlayStation 3Icon ps3 Xbox 360Icon xbox360 The Gauss rifle suffers from the same bugs as the Operation: Anchorage rifle, caused by the explosive visual effect.

Gallery[]

Behind the scenes[]

Main article: Gauss rifle

The weapon appears to be based on a Finnish anti-tank rifle, the 20mm Lahti L-39.

Sounds[]

SingleShotVB ReloadVB
JamVB

References[]

  1. Chinese propaganda shows the use of a Gauss rifle; the Anchorage Reclamation simulation is also "without any shadow of a doubt, divorced from reality." (Outcast outpost terminal entries, 09/06/77), therefore use of the Gauss rifle by the American military is dubious.
  2. Emil Pagliarulo: ""The gun energizes and magnetizes a standard projectile round; those are already pre-loaded into the weapon, and are in that giant clip attached to the side of the weapon. The player loads in the Micro Fusion Cells needed to energize/magnetize each round. We did it this way because we knew we wanted to have an Energy Weapon equivalent of the sniper rifle..." ([1][2])
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