This is a lore summary, presenting intradiegetic or in-universe information about the subject. For game characteristics and similar data, consult the table on the right. |
Laser pistols are high-tech sidearms that emit a concentrated beam of coherent light, with sufficient wattage to do considerable damage. They can be powered by various power sources, but most models use a internal capacitor, charged by a small energy cell. Colloquially known as lightbringers to the uneducated denizens of New Reno.
More powerful laser weapons exist like laser rifles and Gatling lasers.
Background[]
Several different variants of laser pistols exist, from low power civilian models to extremely powerful military sidearms. Typically, the main difference are the focusing optics. While civilian models utilize a laser diode,[1] military models employ a photonic focusing chamber and crystal array,[2] which creates a tighter, more destructive beam, although certain modifications (e.g. a magneting field focusing system) can improve the performance of a civilian model, bringing it on par with military models.[3] Power can be provided through a variety of methods, including battery packs, fusion cells, and even cabled power systems.[4]
It needs to be noted that even civilian models are extremely powerful weapons, emitting a beam of coherent light with several megawatts worth of wattage.[5] As such, civilian models can be locked down for transport, requiring an arming sequence to make them operable again.[6]
Models[]
Wattz 1000 laser pistol[]
The Wattz 1000 laser pistol is a mass produced civilian variant of the laser pistol, offering lower wattage than military or police versions.[7] Its design is one of the primary reasons for the reduced wattage, as rather than a crystal array, it uses a laser diode for focusing light.[1][2]
The weapons can be easily locked down for transport and storage, preventing unauthorized users from operating the weapon. The proper arming sequence needs to be transmitted to enable the weapon to function.[6]
Solar Scorcher[]
The Solar Scorcher is a special laser pistol that uses sunlight as its energy source.[8] In full daylight, the experimental photo-electric cells absorb light and allow the weapon to fire up to six shots, after which it must be reloaded.
This rare weapon was seen in the armory of Vault 13, prior to the events of Fallout in 2161.[9]
AEP5 laser pistol[]
Notorious for overheating issues, the AEP5 laser pistol was an early military model.[2]
AEP7 laser pistol[]
The standard energy sidearm of the United States Armed Forces, the AEP7 replaced the AEP5 model. Boasting redesigned internal components, including a new photonic focusing chamber and completely redesigned focusing crystal pattern, the AEP7 offers a respectable damage output, excellent accuracy at range, and generous battery size. By taking advantage of new manufacturing techniques developed shortly before the Great War, it also boasted reduced weight and bulk compared to previous models.[2]
It's entirely likely that if wartime logistic troubles did not delay development and deployment, the AEP7 and its superior version, the AEP9, would have entirely superseded the N99 10mm pistol as the standard sidearm of the U.S. military. As it stands, the Great War prevented it from being widely deployed, despite a large number of units being produced. Repair and calibration are generally recommended whenever a functional laser pistol is found.[2]
- Fallout 3: Smuggler's End, Colonel Autumn's laser pistol, Protectron's Gaze.
- Fallout: New Vegas: Pew Pew, missing laser pistol.
- For the modifiable versions that appear in Fallout: New Vegas add-on Gun Runners' Arsenal, see: Laser pistol (GRA).
- Fallout Shelter: Smuggler's End
AEP9 laser pistol[]
The primary energy service weapon of the United States military, the AER9 is a sturdy, reliable weapon focusing on ruggedness and usability over performance. The titanium cage housing the laser rifle mechanism is durable and retains focus of the internal arrays over extended periods of time, although the emphasis on reliability reduces firepower compared to state-of-the-art models like the AER12, with its gold alloy housing.[2] The principle of operation is simple, shared across all weapons of the AE platform: Power is drawn from microfusion cells and sent through a General Atomics International wave/particle diverter and on through precision-cut lenses of the crystal array to generate a focused laser beam. While the components are well protected (the diverter is shielded by a carbon fiber housing), they can be damaged. The aforementioned diverter is extremely difficult to repair and renders the weapon unusable if damaged. The lenses are also delicate when exposed, but can be replaced with cut clear glass, although a skillful hand is needed to duplicate the original cutting. However, beyond these components, the AER9 is a very forgiving weapon. The chassis can be opened in the field for servicing, while a damp cloth is enough to wash mirrored and glass components. Overheating is an issue, but simply submerging the weapon's barrel will help cool heat sinks down and prevent permanent damage. Most importantly, the absence of recoil allows even sub-par marksmen to use it effectively in the field.[10]
Despite its advantages, the AER9 did not manage to fully supersede conventional firearms in service. Limited production runs were manufactured and issued to select military units on all fronts of the Resource Wars (foreign or domestic), with many more undergoing further testing and development in facilities operated by the American military.[10] While full-scale adoption has not taken place, the military was already preparing for the full-scale deployment of the AER9 as standard weapon platform for the entire military. An extremely broad range of weapon modifications was developed for the rifle, allowing for the AER9 to be converted into almost any desired weapon type, depending on the situation. With the right barrel and muzzle, it could be an automatic assault weapon, a sniper rifle, or a close-quarters energy shotgun. Different options for optics and grips further refined the amount of options at the soldier's disposal. Combined with the commonality of ammunition type, the AER9 was set to revolutionize frontline combat.[11]
The AEP9 is essentially a standard AER9 modified with a pistol grip. It can readily accept all the basic mods that can be applied to the AER-9, allowing for creating weapons as diverse as a regular sidearm, a carbine, close quarters combat shotgun, and more. The commonality of fusion cells between the rifle and the pistol greatly simplifies logistics as well.[12]
Institute pistol[]
A mass-produced laser weapon developed by the Institute for use by its squads of synth troopers operating on the surface. The design sacrifices raw firepower per shot in favor of easier manufacturing and increased refire rate and is overall intended for use by groups of synths, rather than individual human operators. This philosophy is reflected by its limited customization options.
Recharger pistol[]
The recharger pistol is the second version[13] of a self-charging weapon with effectively limitless ammunition. It's a more advanced and compact version of the recharger rifle. It is fitted with a microfusion breeder that provides it a virtually limitless power supply capped at 20 shots. Recharging time takes 1 second to recharge 1 shot, and a fully discharged recharger pistol takes 20 seconds to charge fully.
- For the unique recharger pistol added in the Fallout: New Vegas add-on Gun Runner's Arsenal, see: "MF Hyperbreeder Alpha"
Home-made electric laser pistol[]
The following is based on Fallout: Brotherhood of Steel and has not been confirmed by canon sources. |
This electric laser weapon appears only in the city of Los and is to be manufactured using technology contained in the Secret Vault. It's equipped by the low ghouls of the cult Church of the Lost.
Electric laser pistol[]
The following is based on Fallout: Brotherhood of Steel and has not been confirmed by canon sources. |
This kind of electric laser weapon appears only in the city of Los and is to be manufactured using technology contained in the Secret Vault. This rare weapon is only found in the Secret Vault and was weaponry part of Secret Vault guards.
Phazer[]
The following is based on Fallout 2 cut content and has not been confirmed by canon sources. |
The Phazer is a strange powerful laser pistol. Its origin is unknown. It may only be acquired in a special encounter in Fallout 2, which is a shuttle crash around three corpses dressed in a red uniform. It's a reference to the Star Trek weapon.
APOLLO laser pistol[]
The following is based on Van Buren and has not been confirmed by canon sources. |
The APOLLO laser pistol is a primary weapon designed and abandoned by Poseidon Energy that science-oriented characters in Van Buren could complete.
Unnamed laser pistol[]
The following is based on Van Buren and has not been confirmed by canon sources. |
An unnamed laser pistol.
Behind the scenes[]
- In the Fallout demo's item description, makes no reference to the wattage of the Wattz 1000 laser pistol.[14]
Gallery[]
Concept art by Adam Adamowicz
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Dialogue files from Fallout 2 - "Pointy end with the laser diode goes toward the enemy. Then pull the trigger." [1][2][3].
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Citadel terminals; Terminal, AEP7 Laser Pistol: "The AEP7 Laser Pistol was put into service to replace the AEP5, a model which was notorious for its problems with overheating. The AEP7 features a new design in the photonic focusing chamber as well as an entirely redesigned focusing crystal pattern. The bulk and weight have both been reduced over previous models and it was likely that within the new few development cycles, the successor to the AEP7 would replace the n99 10mm as the standard issue sidearm for all forces.
The AEP7 took advantage of new manufacturing techniques developed shortly before the Great War. Although many were produced, most did not make it into field service because of logistics problems concerning their deployment during active wartime.
The AEP7 can be a rare find in the Capital Wasteland, and any models that are produced should be returned to the Citadel for repair and recalibrating before field deployment." Cite error: Invalid<ref>
tag; name "citadel" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid<ref>
tag; name "citadel" defined multiple times with different content - ↑ In-game description for the Magneto-laser pistol in Fallout 2 and Fallout Tactics. [1][2]
- ↑ The Chosen One: "{766}{}{Definitely sounds like lasers. Do you know how the Salvatores power their laser pistols? Do they employ battery packs, fusion cells, or cabled power systems of any kind?}"
(NcJules.msg) - ↑ The Chosen One: "{711}{}{What kind of "firepower" do the Salvatores have?}"
Jules: "{725}{}{Pistols…'cept they shoot LIGHT. Now, Reno's a city o' lights, but the light THOSE pistols shine can cut a man in two... *swuppp*... (Jules makes slicing motion.) Makes a clean burn 'tween the two halves, it does.}"
The Chosen One: "{726}{}{They shoot light? Do they call the pistols 'laser pistols?'}"
Jules: "{735}{}{Well, uh, I don't really know… I ain't sure what you're talking about. But take my word for it: don't go asking the Salvatores about those pistols. They have this twitchy habit a killing people who're curious.}"
The Chosen One: "{736}{}{By 'laser pistols,' Jules, I mean pistols that emit beams of coherent light. A beam of sufficient wattage - say, several megawatts - could do considerable damage if focused on a target for a few seconds, producing the effect you've described.}"
(NcJules.msg) - ↑ 6.0 6.1 Help guard a secret transaction taking place in the desert.
- ↑ In-game description for the laser pistol in Fallout, Fallout 2 and Fallout Tactics. [1][2][3]
- ↑ Fallout 2 item description: "{39000}{}{Solar Scorcher}"
"{39001}{}{Without the sun's rays to charge this weapon's cpacitors this gun can't light a match. However, in full daylight, the experimental photo-electric cells that power the Scorcher allow it to turn almost anything into a crispy critter. Min ST: 3.}"
(PRO ITEM.MSG (Fallout 2)) - ↑ Guardian of Forever random encounter in Fallout 2.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 Fort Independence terminals; Research Terminal (Laser Rifle/Pistol): "Subject -> Laser Rifle/Pistol
Researcher -> J. T. Benning
Analysis
Analysis ->
Further research regarding Laser Weaponry has not revealed much we didn't already know. Small production run of prototype weapons developed by US Military, most of these weapons were recovered from military armories where the weapons were being tested by live-fire groups of active duty personnel.
Critical Components
Critical Components ->
Power drawn from Micro fusion Cell is processed through a Wave/Particle Diverter (manuf:Gen Atomics Intnl). Diverters are protected by carbon-fiber housing, preventing frequent malfunction, but when a diverter fails the weapon becomes unusable, and this part is extremely difficult to replace or repair.
Precision-cut lenses focus optic energy. Lenses are prone to damage and can grossly affect precision of the firing weapon's firing mechanism. Lenses are easily replaced with any clear glass, but require a great deal of skill to fabricate.
Field Operation
Field Operation ->
A fully charged cell will discharge 20 bolts from a pistol, and 12 shots from the rifle model. Recoil is negligible compared to ballistic weapons, so long range combat requires less marksmanship ability of the soldier.
Maintenance
Maintenance ->
The chassis are easily opened, allowing the weapon to be serviced in the field. Purified water and a clean cloth can be used to wash mirrored and glass components, slowing wear on the weapon. The weapon can also overheat after a period of intense use. This can be counteracted by submerging the barrel of the weapon in water, which helps cool heat sinks located beneath the chassis shell in that area." - ↑ The array of weapon modifications available.
- ↑ Weapon appearance and modding options
- ↑ Josh Sawyer on Formspring
- ↑ Fallout demo item description: "{1600}{}{Laser Pistol}"
"{1601}{}{A Watts 1000 Laser Pistol. Civilian model. Uses small energy cells.}"
(PRO ITEM.MSG (demo))
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