In Fallout 76, firearms come in three distinctive flavors of destruction. You have Automatic, Non-Automatic, and Launcher weapons. Non-Automatic weapons fire a single shot when the trigger is pulled, whereas an Automatic will continuously fire until you empty the clip or run out of ammo. Launchers...well...Launch their payload, often doing area damage.
Choosing whichever fits your playstyle is a matter of personal choice. Non-Automatic firearms are about precision and a strong initial hit, whereas Automatic weapons are DPS (Damage Per Second) weapons where they benefit from continuous fire. Automatic weapons have low damage statistics wise, however, you need to take into account that this is per burst of fire.
Non-Automatics like Sniper Rifles are good on the approach to a hostile location. However, once you are inside, it’s my humble opinion that this is when you want to break out an Automatic weapon for close-quarters action.
In our quest to make sure you’re not walking into a deathtrap with just any old weapon you found out in the wastes, we are taking a look at three contenders for the slot of best automatic rifle in Fallout 76.
Weapon Statistics will be shown as accurate as they can be without the addition of player stats and perks taken into effect. Player perk and stat loadouts can greatly alter a weapons performance.
3. The Combat Rifle
Fallout 76: Weapon Spotlights: Furious Explosive Combat Rifle
What a weapon may lack in uniqueness it can make up for in reliability. An automatic rifle on the same footing as an Assault Rifle, the difference here being is that the Combat Rifle takes up a bit less real estate on your screen. A military weapon utilized by US forces prior to the Dreaded Day.
Weapon Stats:
Damage: 28/32/36/40
Fire Rate: 33
Range: 120
Accuracy: 68
Weight: 9.8
Ammo: .45 round
What makes the Combat Rifle awesome:
Comes in the usual flavors of Legendary from loot and legendary enemies found in the world to make the players playstyle (Furious players, this one's for you)
As stated above, compared to the Assault Rifle, it takes up far less screen real estate. It’s nice not having too much of the screen you use to perceive your surroundings and detect danger blocked by a large chunk of metal (One reason I never use Energy Weapons myself…)
A lightweight weapon coming in just shy of 10 carry weight before customization (yes adding mods to your weapon can affect its weight)
How to Get the Combat Rifle:
One found in the world can be obtained from the Brig in the Enclave bunker across from a bloody shower stall.
Plans can be acquired as a reward for completing the quest “Project: Motherlode”.
Can be dropped by enemies like Scorched and also appear in loot off legendary monsters for the Legendary variants
Legendary variants can naturally be acquired by chance from the Purveyor.
Fallout 76: Where to get the Combat Rifle Plans
2. The Fixer
Fallout 76: Weapon Spotlights: The Fixer (Unique)
A customizable Combat Rifle with bonuses tied to the more stealth-based players out there, creating the appearance of a modified Combat Shotgun with the functionality of a Combat Rifle.
While obtained as a quest reward easily enough, as a quest reward it will always show up as a level 30 weapon. However, plans can be obtained elsewhere to allow players to craft the higher-level variants.
Weapon Stats:
Damage: 33/38/42/48
Fire Rate: 33
Range: 90
Accuracy: 79
Weight: 13.75
Ammo: .45 round
Special: Improved stealth. Faster sneaking movement speed
What makes the Fixer awesome:
The bonus to sneak is a boon to stealth-based players, allowing them to duck in and out of enemy sight to land that sweet sneak attack damage.
While equipped your sneaking speed is much faster, widening your window of opportunity to weave in and out of the action or around enemies without being noticed.
The Fixer can be fixed with a suppressor and a Recon Scope to create a formidable infiltration weapon.
How to Get the Fixer:
The weapon can be acquired as a quest reward for completing “Wolf in Sheep's Clothing” which can be started from any train station from a poster.
The plans for the Fixer can be acquired for completing the event Encrypted, after which the plan is learned there is a chance of acquiring a legendary version from the Purveyor.
How to craft the Fixer: Fallout 76 Guides
1. The Handmade
Fallout 76 Rare Weapon Guide- The Handmade
Believed to be the handiwork of the Free States and designed around the idea of the AK-47, and can often be found at times with a shovel handle shoved into the side of it for the stock. The Handmade is the evolution of the Pipe Pistol, although unlike the Pipe weapons, you cannot turn a Handmade rifle into a handgun.
Weapon Stats:
Damage: 30/35/40/45
Fire Rate: 40
Range: 120
Accuracy: 71
Weight: 11.2
Ammo: 5.56mm round
What makes the Handmade Rifle awesome:
The impressive list of possible modifications to this weapon makes it well sought after by players, and compared to the Fixer, it is more easily obtained by comparison from mobs and loot for deconstructing for the necessary plans.
The amount of modifications allowed to the weapon makes it suitable to be re-kitted to fit what the player feels best suits their next objective.
On top of customization options, the weapon is also available in a wide variety of legendary variants, for all you Bloodied and Furious runners out there.
How to Get the Handmade Rifle:
Normal versions can appear in the loot off Supermutants and honeybeasts to name a few, legendary variants are known to drop from legendary enemies, including scorchbeasts and Honeybeasts.
Grahm will sometimes have one in his stock to sell.
One can possibly be found on top of a building in Berkeley Springs.
Plans can sometimes be found in Free State's vendors at the Whitespring Resort.
Fallout 76- Rare Handmade Weapon Guide! Spawn location, plans and modifications
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