[Top 10] Fallout 76 Best Weapons (And How to Get Them)

Updated:

24 Nov 2019

What are the best weapons in Fallout 76?

From vault dweller, to lone survivor, to any role you wish to play in the wasteland, you need weapons. Lots of weapons.

Instead of trying every weapon in Appalachia, check out this list to help you pick one.

Choose your weapon and create your build. Post-apocalyptic West Virginia is your S.P.E.C.I.A.L. oyster.

Please note. The stats on all weapons change from player to player, depending on your level, perk cards, mods and mutations. You can increase the stats of every weapon, with the right build.

10. All Rise (Best for heavy hitting)

Collectibles are a thing. Don't sell this.

You hit level 50 and still didn’t find yourself a decent weapon. The game’s got you covered.

There is a side quest, that will reward you with this awesomely named, starter super sledge. If you like hitting things and hitting them hard, what’s better than a giant hammer with a rocket attached to it?

All Rise stats

Damage: 160
Speed: Slow
Value: 91
Weight: 8
Bonus: 90% reduced carry weight

What's good about All Rise

The greatest thing about this super sledge is the reduced weight.
The best melee weapon you can get easily when hitting level 50.
Perk cards, such as Slugger, Martial Artist, Incisor and Expert Slugger improve stats.

How to get All Rise

Complete the quest Mayor for a Day in Watoga.

Video Guide:

Mayor for a Day

See All Rise in action:

3 Scorchbeasts vs All Rise

9. Deathclaw Gauntlet (Best for high damage unarmed slashing)

When you first see a Deathclaw you run. Now have others run from you.

This weapon is as terrifying as the creature which’s limb it was made from. You’re guaranteed to become an intimidating opponent yielding this high damage, sharp gauntlet.

Deathclaw Gauntlet stats

Damage: 68
Speed: Medium
Value: 48
Weight: 10

What's good about the Deathclaw Gauntlet

Perks like Martial Artist, Incisor, Ninja increase the damage.
An extra claw can be added, with a mod you can get from vendors. The mod also randomly spawns in the world.
Using the correct perks, mods and mutations, make this one of the best unarmed weapons in the game.

How to get the Deathclaw Gauntlet

There is one in Appalachian Antiques in the south east of the map, near Watoga.
They can randomly drop from enemies/events.
One may spawn in a shack outside Kerwood Mine, in Cranberry Bog.

Video guide:

Deathclaw Gauntlet location

See the Deathclaw Gauntlet in action:

3000 damage Death Claw Gauntlet

8. Grognak’s Axe (Best for immersive damage inflicting)

Is it a reference to Conan the Barbarian? Yes it is.

Before the war, there was a comic book called Grognak the Barbarian, by Hubris Comics. Step into the shoes of Grognak and carry his axe, as your ultimate fan tribute.

This weapon may be a replica but your enemies won’t feel the difference.

Grognak’s Axe stats

Damage: 148
Speed: Slow
Value: 68
Weight: 6

What’s good about Grognak’s Axe

Modding takes this weapon to the next level. Damage for miles.
Legendary versions with the right mods and perk cards make this one of the best melee weapons in the game.

How to get Grognak’s Axe

This weapon randomly drops from enemies/events.
You can craft the axe. The plans spawn randomly.

Video guide:

Grognak's Axe location

See Grognak’s Axe in action:

Instigating Grognak's Axe

7. Tesla Rifle (Best for taking out many enemies at once)

Surprisingly Elon Musk is not the inventor.

Is it a rifle or is it a shotgun? Obviously, it’s a rifle but it’s wide blast radius says shotgun.

This fusion cell eater fires arcing electricity, that jumps from one target to another. This unique characteristic makes this rifle a top damage dealer.

Tesla Rifle stats

Accuracy: 72
Ammo: Fusion Cell
Damage: 79
Fire Rate: 20
Range: 228
Value: 22
Weight: 10.4

What’s good about the Tesla Rifle

Comes in many varieties, including, Quad, Vampire, Two-shot explosive, etc.
After equipping the right perk cards (e.g.: Rifleman, Commando, Tank killer, Tormentor or Shotgunner and Expert Shotgunner) the Tesla Rifle becomes one of the best, if not the best rifles in the game.
Even though it doesn’t deal the most damage, it’s most effective at taking out many enemies at once. A single fusion cell can kill and entire group of enemies.

How to get the Tesla Rifle

This weapon randomly drops from enemies, events and quests.
You can buy the plans for this weapon from the Brotherhood vendor in Watoga.

Video guide:

Watoga Shopping Center location

See the Tesla Rifle in action:

Tesla Rifle in PvP

6. Railway Rifle (Best for making yourself known)

There's no sneaking around with this in your arsenal.

If you like trains, you’re going to love the aesthetics of this weapon. It shoots railways spikes and makes train sounds. Not the most silent of rifles, but let them hear you coming!

Railway Rifle stats

Accuracy: 120
Ammo: Railway Spike
Damage: 75
Fire Rate: 10
Range: 64
Value: 90
Weight: 12.6

What’s good about the Railway Rifle

Ammo for this weapon is crafted from steel. You don’t need lead, like with most ammo. Saving materials is always good.
Any versions of this rifle (default, quad, explosive, nocturnal, bloodied) combined with the right perk cards (e.g.: Rifleman, Commando, Bloody Mess) and mods, makes this into many players go-to weapon.
It makes a choo-choo sound and it’s fun.

How to get the Railway Rifle

You can buy the plans for this weapon from the vendor in Harper’s Ferry, or the one in Watoga.

Video guide:

Where to get Railway Rifle

See the Railway Rifle in action:

Anti-Armor Explosive Railway Rifle

5. The Dragon (Best for one shotting)

Khaleesi would be proud.

It doesn’t breathe fire, but this rare black powder rifle will make anyone run for the hills. Don’t let its vintage look fool you, it may require reloading after every shot but it makes each one count.

The Dragon Stats

Accuracy: 71
Ammo: .50 caliber ball
Damage: 200
Fire Rate: 1
Range: 419
Value: 200
Weight: 6

What’s good about The Dragon

With the right perks and mods (see above for rifle), most versions of this gun are sworn by players to be the best weapon in the game.
Even though the reload is slow, each shot can deal up to over 500 damage.
You can one shot enemies with this rifle.

How to get The Dragon

You can buy this weapon from vendors in Harpers Ferry and Watoga. May require server hopping.
Grahm has been reported to sell this weapon.
The weapon randomly drops from enemies, events and quests.

Video Guide:

Dragon Vendor Location

See The Dragon in action:

Two Shot Explosive Dragon

4. Gatling Gun (Best for steady fire)

"Come with me if you want to live"

The daddy of heavy weapons, superior in every way. Even without mods, this beast of a gun, keeps a steady stream of fire.

Wipe out everything in sight with the Gatling Gun.

Gatling Gun stats

Accuracy: 55
Ammo: 5mm
Damage: 30
Fire Rate: 20
Range: 120
Value: 132
Weight: 19.80

What’s good about the Gatling Gun

Because the fire rate is steady, you can stagger humanoid enemies and finish them off quickly.
A high level, fully modded Gatling Gun deals up to over 450 damage. Perk cards for this weapon are Martial Artist, Heavy Gunner, Bloody Mess.
Great at conserving ammo because of its high damage and steady fire rate.

How to get the Gatling Gun

You can buy the plans from the vendor in Watoga.
The gun randomly drops from enemies.
You can find it in random places on the map, such as weapon containers and government aid drops.
It sometimes spawns in the Whitespring Lookout, in the duffle bag on top of the tower.

Video guide:

Gatling Gun plan location

See the Gatling Gun in action:

Anti-Armor Gatling Gun

3. Gauss Rifle (Best for maximum damage and range)

For when you want to win a game that doesn't end.

Named after the German mathematician, Carl Friedrich Gauss, this is one of the most powerful weapons in the game. Deal up to over 1000 damage, and make the old man proud!

Gauss Rifle stats

Accuracy: 60
Ammo: 200 EC
Damage: 125
Fire Rate: 67
Range: 204
Value: 227
Weight: 10.4

What’s good about the Gauss Rifle

This rifle operates on a charging principle. This means you hold down the trigger to build up the charge and release it to deal the damage.
If your targets are close to each other, you can hit more than one at a time.
The rifle’s ammo counts it as an energy weapon, but you can use the Rifleman perk cards.

How to get the Gauss Rifle

You can buy the weapon from MODUS in the Whitespring Bunker or from the vendor in Watoga.

Video Guide:

Gauss Rifle location

See the Gauss Rifle in action:

Legendary Gauss Rifle with 500+ damage

2. Double- Barrel Shotgun (Best for modding)

Who said the classics aren't good?

Where it lacks in reload speed, it makes up in damage. With the right build, surprise yourself as you take down high level enemies in seconds. You may think twice about all those shotguns you scrapped.

Double-Barrel Shotgun stats

Accuracy: 14
Ammo: Shotgun Shell
Damage: 80
Fire Rate: 36
Range: 36
Value: 105
Weight: 8.4

What’s good about the Double-Barrel Shotgun

The Quad Hardened Double-Barrel Shotgun is one of the best shotguns in the game.
The bullets can explode for area damage.
Bloodied Double Barrel-Shotgun is one of the most sought-after shotguns by players.
Using correct mods, such as Hardened Receiver help stabilize the gun.
You have to equip the shotgun perk cards (e.g.: Shotgunner) and after level 42, Bloody Mess.

How to get the Double- Barrel Shotgun

The shotgun is dropped by mole miners and by scorched wanderers.
You can find it scattered in random places on the map.

Video Guide:

Double-Barrel Shotgun all spawn locations

See the Double-Barrel Shotgun in action:

Legendary Instigating Explosive Shotgun

1.Bone Hammer (Best for one hit kill melee attacks)

Beat a scorched beast with a scorched beast femur. Perfect.

It may not look intimidating, but the Bone Hammer is a force to be reckoned with. Even better if it’s legendary. Not to mention the teal shards sticking out of it are aesthetically pleasing. I’m sure they hurt too.

Bone Hammer stats

Damage: 65
Speed: Slow
Value: 36
Weight: 12

What’s good about the Bone Hammer

One of, if not the best melee weapon added into the game with the Wild Appalachia patch.
After equipping all the perk cards for a melee build, you can down enemies with one blow.
It’s easy and cheap to repair. The only material needed is bone.

How to get the Bone Hammer

You can test your luck for a legendary version at the Purveyor in Berkeley Springs Station.
Normal ones drop randomly from enemies.
You can buy one from the vendor at the R&G Station. May require server hopping.

Video guide: