However, A3-21's is very easy to get, as long as you know what you're doing, which makes it a very popular choice for both the early game as well as the late game. The Metal Blaster and the Tri-Beam Laser Rifle both outdamage A3-21's Plasma Rifle in terms of DPS. Nor does it mean that plasma is inherently better than laser. This does not necessarily mean A3-21's Plasma Rifle is unequivocally the best energy weapon in the game (although it is indeed very good). For example, A3-21's Plasma Rifle is probably the most popular energy weapon in FO3. In the end, it comes down to which one you like better, and the qualities of the individual weapons themselves. However, with VATS, this becomes less of an issue. Plasma weapons offer more punch per trigger pull, but the plasma bolts move noticeably slower than lasers, making free aiming harder.
Laser weapons are weaker per shot, but they fire faster, and as hitscan weapons they are generally effective across all ranges, from short to long. Or which is better, Power Armor or the Chinese Stealth Armor.īasically, you're comparing two weapons that have different uses, with their individual strengths and weaknesses in any given situation. This is like asking which is better, a hunting rifle or an assault rifle.