How do u know whether to use a ballistic, laser, plasma etc? Does it depend on the enemy? Damage resistance? I had a plasma pistol that had a very high damage to it that did hardly anything to some raiders. I switched to a rifle and did away with them in two shots? Does make sense to me. What am I missing? Thanks

Some metal armors give good resistance to energy weapons.

The Awareness perk can show you the different damage resistances of different enemies. So if you see something with low energy resistance, use an energy weapon. Same with Ballistic resistance. If you see something with really high resistances all around, try something with armor-piercing capabilities (later ranks of the Rifleman perk add armor-piercing on all rifles). For some other enemies you're better off just focusing on the legs to immobilize them instead of trying to face them head on, Feral Ghouls especially. For most robots you're better off trying to disable some of the limbs, too, although you don't want to get rid of all of their arms or they'll run up to you and self-destruct.

Enemies like Mirelurks have specific weak-spots. You'll have a hell of a time trying to shoot through a Mirelurk's shell, but if you can hit their face they go down a lot faster.

Thanks! Should I pay attention to their damage resistance then in regards to which weapon I use?

Thank you guys!!!

I never do. Just make sure you have the best receiver, the appropriate perks and suitable sights, and try to place your shots. Lasers I found underwhelming, but a suppressed ballistic weapon lets you see what you are shooting at and provides the fastest recovery. It's excellent for shooting the mini nukes on those pesky supermutant suiciders.

Lol yea I hate the mutant suiciders

i have the opposite experience with the sniper barrel on laser rifles, who gives them heavier hit than the .50 bullet but with very high rate of fire and low recoil.

Suppressed ballistic has the benefit of not giving away your position.

In the case of people the armor they wear determines resistances. Like your armor, the specifics can vary, but in general:

• Leather resists energy well.
• Metal resists ballistic well.
• Comat armor resists both equally well, but not as well as the more specialized armors.
• Raider armor resists both, but resists ballistic slightly more.
• Synth armor resists energy well.
• Power armor resists both very well, but resists ballistic more.
• Railroad armored coats resist energy well.
• Robots resist ballistic more.
• For creatures I recommend Awareness (as others have mentioned), as they vary widely.

I hope this helps. Good luck, and good hunting.

Very helpful! Thank you very much

I have combat rifle chambered in .308, the rifleman perk maxed out and the Killshot perk from MacReady. I find that a default tactic of shooting everyone in the head works well enough that I don't bother carrying a bunch of different weapons.

For mutant suiciders I've taken to shooting a leg first thing, as soon as I see them. They're a lot easier to handle when they're limping

Ha great point! Lol