 | 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. |
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Plasma rifles or plasma casters are energy based weapons that appear in Fallout, Fallout 2, Fallout Tactics, Fallout 3, Fallout: New Vegas, Fallout 4, and Fallout: Brotherhood of Steel.
Background[]
Plasma rifles or plasma casters are high tech weapons firing superheated bolts of plasma, powered by either microfusion cells or heavy energy cells, which find numerous applications in military and industrial fields. The bolts form into toroids in the plasma chamber, which are then sent down a superconducting barrel,[1][2][3] propelled by, and in some models stabilized by electromagnetic claws upon exiting it.[4] However, the plasma bolt chamber can be hotwired in order to accelerate the bolt formation process, effectively turbocharging the rifle.[5] The primary damage mechanism of plasma rifles is thermal transfer, causing serious burns to soft targets and melting hard ones. In extreme cases, the plasma can cause spontaneous dissolution of the target, including separation of soft tissues from hard ones or wholesale molecular destabilization that turns the target into a viscous green fluid.[6]
Initially, the weapon was a bulky, industrial plasma caster, manufactured by Winchester Arms; while it performed admirably, it was expensive and required specialized training to use. However, later developments for the United States Army would lead to a more compact design that was cheaper to produce and easier to train for, perfectly suited for urban warfare.[7]
Models[]
Winchester P94[]
The Winchester Model P94 is a bulky, industrial-grade energy caster, firing superheated bolts of plasma down a superconducting barrel,[1] ending in electromagnetic claws helping to stabilize the plasma bolt.[4] Interestingly, in an interview for Future Weapons Today, United States Army Colonel Moretti slammed the design,[7] likely for being bulky and outdated. This would lead to corporations like REPCONN Aerospace and Poseidon Energy undertaking projects intended to replace the P94.[8][9]
- For the modified version that appears in Fallout and Fallout 2, see Turbo plasma rifle.
- For the unique P94 plasma caster in Fallout: New Vegas, see The Smitty Special.
- For the modification that appears in Fallout: New Vegas, see Plasma caster HS electrode.
Urban plasma rifle[]
This plasma rifle is a lightweight urban warfare weapon created as part of a desire to replace the aging Winchester P94 "Plasma Caster" design.[7] This design was produced and fielded in number prior to the Great War of October 23, 2077. This however was not the end of the design nor manufacture[10] of this weapon platform. Prior to the nuclear Armageddon REPCONN Aerospace – as a subsidiary of RobCo Industries – would successfully develop an improvement from their spaceflight research. With significantly advanced factions tinkering with the design post Armageddon.[11]
This rifle uses a microfusion cell as its power source and draws plasma from a separate cartridge. When depressing the trigger a plasma toroid is produced that can remain stable under normal atmospheric conditions. This toroid is then ejected down a superconducting barrel against a given target.[2][3]
- For the unique plasma rifle in Fallout 3, see A3-21's plasma rifle.
- For the unique plasma rifle in Fallout: New Vegas, see Q-35 matter modulator.
- For a unique plasma rifle in Fallout 4, see AX90 Fury.
- For a unique plasma rifle in Fallout 4, see Experiment 18-A.
- For a unique plasma rifle in Fallout 4, see Sentinel's Plasmacaster.
- For the Legendary weapon in Fallout Shelter, see Mean Green Monster.
- For the cut content plasma rifle in Fallout: New Vegas, see Plasma rifle always crit and Plasma rifle weak.
V.30 ~ 32 Quantum plasma modulation matter injection rifle[]
Version: 32
Status: Failure
Notes: While v.32 didn't have the power yield of the v.31 or v.30, we managed to increase the stabilization threshold by approximately 27.35%. This is promising, however we still have yet to come up with a solution for the matter inversion issues.[12]
V.33 Quantum plasma modulation matter injection rifle[]
Version: 33
Status: Failure
Notes: Lab destroyed. Data Lost.[12]
V.34 Quantum plasma modulation matter injection rifle[]
Version: 34
Status: Failure
Notes: Interesting. I'm not sure where we got this data from, it is a completely different direction from what we've been working on. We managed to cycle the matter inversion using a polarized quantum spin. I think that we solved the issue with the Compensation field, I have high hopes for the next weapon.[12]
Quantum plasma modulation matter injection rifle, version 35[]
Also known as the Q-35 matter modulator, the V.35 quantum plasma modulation matter injection rifle was created by REPCONN Aerospace engineers as part of the Quantum Plasma Modulation Matter Injection Rifle project,[12] a research program overseen by Colonel Moretti of the United States Army,[8] who was looking for a replacement for the aging plasma rifle designs, especially the Winchester P94.[7][9]
The prototype was created by a team of engineers under the lead of Senior Staff Engineer Xuan Duong, using design specifications stolen from Poseidon Energy for the canceled plasma rifle project Semele, in conjunction with designs from their own plasma engine, the failed quantum matter modulator of the Z43-521P rocket. Poseidon data allowed the REPCONN team to rectify issues with matter inversion by using a polarized quantum spin, simultaneously solving the issues with matter conversion in the Heisenberg compensation field, enabling the creation of the first prototype of a new line of plasma weapons.[8]
With the data from the SEMELE project, REPCONN was finally able to create a functional prototype after thirty-four failures. While prototype materials make it unsuitable for prolonged field use, the Q-35 has a longer refire rate on average - but a more consistent delay between shots, an increase in active bolt charge time, increased accuracy and a 30% increase in bolt energy.[12]
When the prototype was completed, unknown individuals conspired with REPCONN's CFO Julia Masters to intercept and secure the prototype while it was in transit to the Department of Defense.[13]
Multiplas rifle[]
The multiplas rifle (a portmanteau of "multiple" and "plasma") is based on the urban plasma rifle design. It is a sort of plasma shotgun, firing three rounds of plasma in a volley, at the cost of a massive drain on the microfusion cell.
Winchester P94 military[]
 | The following is based on Fallout Tactics and some details might contradict canon. |
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In the military version, the company has downsized the weapon and revamped its design, making it a more portable energy rifle, complete with a stock, pistol grip and carry handle which can, presumably, also mount optics.
Electric plasma rifle[]
 | The following is based on Fallout: Brotherhood of Steel and has not been confirmed by canon sources. |
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The electric plasma rifle appears only in the city of Los and the Secret Vault. It's to be manufactured using technology contained in the Secret Vault. It's equipped by the most important ghouls of the Church of the Lost and some super mutants of Attis's Army.
Turbo electric plasma rifle[]
| The following is based on Fallout: Brotherhood of Steel and has not been confirmed by canon sources. |
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The turbo electric plasma rifle is a upgraded version of the electric plasma rifle, and is found only in the Secret Vault. It's to be manufactured using technology contained in the Secret Vault. It's equipped by the most important super mutants of Attis army and by the champion of the Gladiator Pit in Los, the Wasteland Stranger.
Notes[]
- According to the Fallout demo the P94 plasma rifle's item name was originally going to be called "Plasma Caster".[14]
Gallery[]
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P94 in Fallout: New Vegas -
P94 in Fallout 76 -
Concept art by Adam Adamowicz -
Concept art by Adam Adamowicz -
Concept art by Adam Adamowicz
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Concept art by Adam Adamowicz
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Concept art by Adam Adamowicz
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Fallout and Fallout 2 item description: "{1500}{}{Plasma Rifle}"
"{1501}{}{A Winchester Model P94 Plasma Rifle. An industrial-grade energy weapon, firing superheated bolts of plasma down a superconducting barrel. Powered by Micro Fusion Cells. Min ST: 6.}"
Fallout Tactics: Brotherhood of Steel item description: "name_plasmaRifle = {Plasma Rifle}"
"desc_plasmaRifle = {A Winchester Model P94 Plasma Rifle. An industrial-grade energy weapon, firing superheated bolts of ionised gas down a superconducting barrel. Powered by Micro Fusion Cells.}"
(PRO ITEM.MSG (Fallout), PRO ITEM.MSG (Fallout 2), and Items.txt) - ↑ 2.0 2.1 Fort Independence terminals; Research Terminal, Research Log - Plasma Rifle
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Research Note - Plasma rifle
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Chris Taylor interview for Vault13.net
- ↑ Fallout and Fallout 2 item description: "{23300}{}{Turbo Plasma Rifle}"
"{23301}{}{A modified Winchester P94 plasma rifle. The plasma bolt chamber has been hotwired to accelerate the bolt formation process. Min ST: 6.}"
(PRO ITEM.MSG (Fallout), PRO ITEM.MSG (Fallout 2), and Items.txt) - ↑ Weapon behavior in the game.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 The cover of the Future Weapons Today periodical as seen in Fallout: New Vegas has a section prominently promoted entitled "Urban Plasma Rifles."
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 REPCONN headquarters terminals; Terminal, Inter-office Correspondence #3458503
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 The Courier: "What kind of prototypes?"
Arcade Gannon: "Plasma rifles. They were intended to replace the P94 plasma caster. There was some corporate espionage going on between Poseidon Energy's Project SEMELE and whatever was going on here."
(Arcade Gannon's dialogue) - ↑ Energy weapon forge
- ↑ In Fallout 3 and Fallout 4 both the Institute and the Brotherhood of Steel are origins of such designs acquirable by the player character. See the variations list on the overview article.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 12.4 REPCONN headquarters terminals; Terminal, Q-35 Release Notes
- ↑ REPCONN headquarters terminals; Terminal, Encrypted Message
- ↑ Fallout demo item description: "{1500}{}{Plasma Caster}"
"{1501}{}{A Winchester Model P94 Plasma Rifle. An industrial-grade energy weapon, firing superheated bolts of plasmadown a superconducting barrel. Powered by Micro Fusion Cells.}"
(PRO ITEM.MSG (demo))