Unleash Destruction: The Ultimate Ranking of Fallout 76's Heavy Guns

Highlights

Heavy guns in Fallout 76 offer destructive power and are fun to use, with options for different playstyles and preferences.

The .50 caliber Machine Gun and Harpoon Gun are robust and powerful weapons, whereas the Cryolator and Flamer offer distinct abilities such as freezing enemies or igniting them. Additionally, heavy guns like the Classic Minigun, Plasma Caster, Gatling Laser, and Gauss Minigun provide a blend of formidable firepower, customization options, and futuristic features to elevate the gaming experience.

Heavy weapons are incredibly exciting and enjoyable to use in any game that features them, and Fallout 76 is no different. Despite their typically large size, heavy guns sacrifice ease of use and lightweight design in exchange for unparalleled destructive force. And let me tell you, they excel at causing widespread mayhem!

Within Fallout 76, players can find an impressive assortment of heavy guns, featuring both iconic favorites from the Fallout franchise and fantastic new additions. Whether it's the timeless minigun or the impressive Gatling laser, there's a heavy gun to suit every player's taste.

10 The .50cal Machine Gun

At level 50, the damage inflicted by the .50cal Machine Gun is 43. Despite being a simple and traditional weapon, it is considered one of the basic heavy guns in Fallout 76. While it offers a decent range, its accuracy is somewhat lacking, making it less preferable for most players as their primary heavy gun option. It has limited customization options with only one receiver and barrel mod available, and its wide spread can be a drawback. Nevertheless, it is a reliable weapon that can be easily obtained compared to other heavy guns, making it worth considering.

Where to find the .50cal Machine Gun

Guaranteed at Hemlock Holes, randomly drooped from Scorchbeasts, purchasable from raider vendor bots in Pleasant Valley Station, Sutton Station, and Welch Station.

9 The Harpoon Gun

The damage inflicted at Level 50 is 175. This unique heavy firearm operates by launching harpoons at the adversary, resulting in destructive harm. It is worth noting that detached limbs have the potential to become lodged onto other objects. While this gun boasts decent range, its customization options are somewhat limited, and its firing rate is relatively slow. However, the Quad Legendary effect can enhance its fire rate. The Harpoon gun is considered more of a specialized weapon and may not be ideal as a primary choice, although it is enjoyable to wield.

Where to find the Harpoon gun

The Harpoon gun spawns in steamer trunks and behind level 2–3 locks, but there's a guaranteed spawn north of Point Pleasant.

8 The Cryolator

At Level 45, the Cryolator deals 36 points of damage. Originally introduced in Fallout 4, this heavy firearm shoots cryogenic fluid with the potential to freeze adversaries upon impact. While certain enemies are immune to its freezing effect, the Cryolator remains an enjoyable and unique weapon option. Though limited in terms of modding possibilities, it still provides a highly satisfying gameplay experience.

Where to find the Cryolator

Dropped by a range of enemies including deathclaws, mothmen, super mutant behemoths, and fog crawlers.

7 The Flamer

Damage at Level 50: 36

Where to find the Flamer

The Flamer, a long-standing favorite in the series, lives up to its name as a fearsome flamethrower in the post-apocalyptic world. While not highly customizable, this hefty firearm delivers a thrilling experience and boasts impressive range. Unsurprisingly, the Flamer has the ability to engulf foes in flames, leaving them charred to perfection even in death. For players seeking to immolate their adversaries, the Flamer serves as an excellent choice of heavy weaponry.

Quarry X3, Grafton Underground, or craftable.

6 The Classic Minigun

Damage at Level 45: 24

Where to find the Minigun

The minigun, a beloved weapon in the Fallout series, is renowned for its immense firepower that obliterates enemies without mercy. Despite its voracious appetite for ammunition, boasting a magazine capacity of 500 rounds, fans are willing to overlook this drawback due to its sheer stopping power. The minigun can be extensively customized, offering a diverse array of enhancements. Notably, the Tri barrel mod is highly sought after as it sacrifices fire rate for increased damage, enhanced accuracy, and extended range. Additionally, players can personalize their minigun with a variety of eye-catching paint jobs to suit their individual style preferences.

The Minigun drops from super mutant overlords, but can also be found at a range of locations including Camp Venture, The ATLAS Observatory, and Harpers Ferry.

5 The Plasma Caster

Damage at Level 50: 76 / 76

The Plasma caster, a formidable heavy firearm, delivers a potent blend of ballistic and energy devastation. Despite its limited magazine capacity of 20 rounds, the Plasma caster's exceptional damage output outweighs any drawbacks stemming from its lower ammunition capacity and rate of fire. While offering a restricted range of modifications, this weapon may surprise its wielder with a randomly assigned Legendary effect upon crafting. As a plasma-based armament, the Plasma caster possesses the ability to reduce adversaries to a gelatinous state.

Where to find the Plasma caster

Craftable after purchasing the plan from Regs for 750 gold bullion, or available as rewards once the plan is known from Purveyor Murmrgh.

4 The Gatling Laser

Damage at Level 45: 25

A futuristic rendition of the classic Gatling gun, the Gatling laser is a powerful heavy weapon featured in the renowned Fallout franchise. Instead of bullets, this weapon harnesses high-powered lasers, making it an ideal choice for combat in the post-apocalyptic world of Appalachia. Although slightly less customizable compared to other heavy guns in Fallout 76, the Gatling laser still offers players a variety of modifications to enhance its performance.

Where to find the Gatling laser

Available as a quest reward, loot from US government supply crates, or craftable with schematics from the MODUS vendor.

3 The Gatling Plasma

Damage at Level 50: 58

The Gatling Plasma, a powerful plasma heavy gun, utilizes the scarce plasma core ammunition. With a limited selection of mods available for enhanced accuracy and damage, this weapon can also be modified to split its beams into multiple beams, effectively covering a larger area. While it provides an enjoyable experience, obtaining its rare ammunition from high-level regions may pose a slight challenge compared to other heavy guns.

Where to find the Gatling Plasma

Picklock 2 safes in the Mire, can be purchased from MODUS armory terminal in Whitespring bunker.

2 The Gauss Minigun

Damage at Level 50: 49

Where to find the Gauss minigun

This powerful weapon is an absolute monster. The Gauss minigun unleashes explosive 2mm electromagnetic cartridges that cause significant damage over a wide radius, making it incredibly satisfying to wield. With its versatility, you can easily modify the Gauss minigun to deliver energy damage instead of ballistic damage, making it even more impressive. Although you can't drop, trade, or sell Gauss miniguns to vendors since they require gold bullion currency, this gun is so enjoyable to use that it's definitely worth holding onto.

The Gauss minigun can be crafted if the plan is purchased from Mortimer for 750 gold bullion, after which it can be crafted with the right materials.​​​​​

1 The Pepper Shaker

Damage at Level 50: 60

Where to find the Pepper Shaker

Introducing the Pepper Shaker, a robust rotary barrel shotgun that made its debut in the Steel Reign update. This exceptional heavy gun combines the finest aspects of a shotgun and a Gatling gun, resulting in unparalleled firepower. With its remarkable damage output, wide shotgun spread, and impressive fire rate, the Pepper Shaker is a formidable choice for incapacitating adversaries. Moreover, this versatile weapon can be customized to suit different combat scenarios, accommodating shotgun shells, fusion cells, or plasma cartridges, while also offering a diverse range of barrel options.

Plan available from Grahm's Meat Cook as a rare reward.

Fallout 76

Franchise FalloutMultiplayer Online MultiplayerPlatform(s) PC, PS4, Xbox OneDeveloper(s) Bethesda See at Playstation Store