Fallout 4 Best Weapons Ranked â Top Picks for Every Build
Fallout 4 isnât just about surviving the wastelandâitâs about dominating it. And the tools you bring to the battlefield can mean the difference between becoming a legend or another irradiated corpse in the Commonwealth. Whether you prefer sneaking in shadows, punching through Power Armor, or melting raiders with plasma, thereâs a weapon designed to fit your buildâand your style.
This guide ranks the best weapons in Fallout 4 by build synergy, damage potential, modding capability, and sheer enjoyment. From stealth assassins to brute enforcers, weâve got something for every kind of Vault Dweller. And yes, weâre covering everything from the iconic Fat Man to cutting-edge energy weapons.
S-Tier: Game-Changing Arsenal
1. Deliverer (Pistol Build / Stealth)
Quick, deadly, and unmatched in V.A.T.S. efficiency. The Deliverer is perfect for Agility builds, especially when paired with perks like Sneak and Gun-Fu.
Why itâs great : Lightning-fast V.A.T.S., low AP cost, high crit chance.
Best with : Stealth/Agility builds, Deacon companion, suppressor mods.
Cons : Lower raw damage per shot compared to other pistols; limited range.
2. Spray nâ Pray (Explosives / Crowd Control)
This Tommy Gun comes with explosive roundsâenough said. It shreds enemies in packs, making it a nightmare for groups of ferals or synths.
Why itâs great : Explosive damage bypasses many armor types.
Best with : Demolition Expert, Commando perks.
Cons : Friendly fire risk in tight quarters; ammo drains fast.
3. Overseerâs Guardian (Rifle Build / Versatility)
Double the bullets, double the pain. Its two-shot effect scales beautifully with Rifleman perks, and it handles almost any situation.
Why itâs great : Double-shot modifier deals massive damage.
Best with : Rifleman or Sniper builds, Combat Rifle modding.
Cons : Requires a lot of ammo; can be overkill on weaker enemies.
A-Tier: Power in the Right Hands
4. Reaperâs Slayer (Melee Build)
Ideal for Strength-heavy builds, this custom super sledge hits like a truck and pairs perfectly with Blitz and Rooted perks.
Why itâs great : High base damage and stagger potential.
Best with : Full Strength builds, Power Armor users.
Cons : Close-range only; struggles against flying enemies.
5. Justice (Shotgun / Crowd Control)
This combat shotgun slows enemies on hit, giving you time to finish the job or regroup. Itâs also incredibly satisfying to use in tight corridors.
Why itâs great : Hit-slow effect adds survivability.
Best with : Close-quarters tank or shotgun builds.
Cons : Short range and wide spread hurt accuracy outside small spaces.
6. Old Reliable (Lever-Action Rifle)
Brought in through Far Harbor, this weapon hits hard and reloads fastâgreat for sharpshooters who donât want to use V.A.T.S.
Why itâs great : High damage-per-shot, smooth feel.
Best with : Sniper builds, Luck builds (for crits).
Cons : Ammo type (.45-70) is rare; not ideal for sustained fights.
B-Tier: Niche but Deadly
7. Plasma Gun (Energy Build / Versatile)
The plasma gun can be modded into a rifle or pistol, and its damage scaling with Science! perks makes it deadly mid- to late-game.
Why itâs great : Customizable, strong energy and ballistic damage.
Best with : Energy builds, Science + Gun Nut synergy.
Cons : Slower projectile speed; aiming requires lead time.
8. Righteous Authority (Laser Rifle / Crit Builds)
Granted early by Paladin Danse, this laser rifle boosts critical hit damage, making it perfect for Luck-heavy builds.
Why itâs great : Crit synergy and early accessibility.
Best with : Luck/Perception builds, Lone Wanderer synergy.
Cons : Falls off late-game unless heavily upgraded.
9. Big Boy (Heavy Weapons Build)
Essentially a mini-nuke launcher that fires two nukes at once. A more powerful version of the iconic Fat Man , the Big Boy brings nuclear devastation to any standoff.
Why itâs great : Massive area damage.
Best with : Heavy Gunner builds, Power Armor, late-game bosses.
Cons : High risk of self-harm; mini-nuke ammo is rare and expensive.
C-Tier: Flavor Over Function
10. Syringer Rifle (Tactical / Challenge Builds)
Interesting, quirky, and useful in creative hands. The syringer fires custom darts that can cause frenzy, fatigue, or slow effects.
Why itâs great : Tactical utility, RP flavor.
Best with : Survival mode, stealth roleplay.
Cons : Weak damage output; ammo can be tedious to craft.
11. Cryolator (Freeze Effects)
Found in Vault 111, this freezing weapon looks amazing but underperforms unless heavily modded. Still, freezing enemies is never not fun.
Why itâs great : Crowd control and visual flair.
Best with : Science builds, companions who distract enemies.
Cons : High ammo consumption, mediocre damage output.
12. Shishkebab (Fire Melee Weapon)
A flaming sword? Absolutely. Unfortunately, it lacks the punch of other melee options.
Why itâs great : Fire effects, style points.
Best with : Light melee builds, thematic characters.
Cons : Underwhelming damage; hard to justify over other melee weapons.
Weapon Comparison Table
| Weapon | Type | Best For | Unique Trait |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deliverer | Pistol | Stealth/V.A.T.S. builds | Low AP, fast shots |
| Spray nâ Pray | SMG | Crowd Control | Explosive rounds |
| Overseerâs Guardian | Rifle | Versatile builds | Two-shot legendary effect |
| Reaperâs Slayer | Melee | Strength builds | High stagger, high damage |
| Justice | Shotgun | Close-quarters | Slows enemies on hit |
| Old Reliable | Lever-Action | Snipers | High damage per shot |
| Plasma Gun | Energy Weapon | Modding versatility | Energy + ballistic damage |
| Righteous Authority | Laser Rifle | Crit builds | Increased crit damage |
| Big Boy | Heavy Weapon | Area damage | Fires two mini-nukes (Fat Man upgrade) |
| Syringer Rifle | Tactical | Survival/RP builds | Fires custom-effect darts |
| Cryolator | Freeze Weapon | Crowd Control | Freezing effects |
| Shishkebab | Fire Melee | Thematic melee builds | Flaming blade |
Final Thoughts
No matter your playstyle, Fallout 4 has a weapon waiting to become your signature. From precision pistols to flaming melee tools, every option can shine with the right perks and playstyle. The best builds donât just deal damageâthey make you feel unstoppable.
Want to take it even further? Stack perks, mod your arsenal, and craft a loadout that makes every raider think twice. Whether youâre raining fire with the Fat Man or melting ghouls with top-tier energy weapons, the Wasteland rewards those who bring style and strategy.
So, whatâs your weapon of choice?Â