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During the early stages ofFallout 76, players will likely notice that the weapons they use will constantly be changing. As enemies get stronger, the old pipe pistol seems to no longer cut it. And so, on a whim, one weapon is scrapped, and another is crafted or looted. It seems, at first, that there are no weapons with any kind of unique identity, or anything that makes them worth holding on to. However, as players spend more time with the game, and the world becomes more challenging, a select group of weapons will rise above the rest. These arethe best weapons inFallout 76.
Creating a list of thebest guns and melee weapons inFallout 76is actually a tricky endeavor. So much depends on playstyle and perk choice. Each style of play could easily have its own best weapons list, and they would be very different from each other. With that in mind, this guide will strive to pick several unranked options, with an eye toward variety and the greatest overall utility for players.
Updated June 29, 2025, by Christopher Norman Worcester:As Fallout 76 rounds out 2024, we are revisiting many of our most popular guides and ensuring they still provide the best possible information. This update will check to ensure our guide to finding and acquiring thebest weapons in Fallout 76still remains accurate.
Fallout 76is an online multiplayer experience, and as such it is constantly changing. With the year coming to a close, this list presents thebest weapons inFallout 762024.As new weapons are introduced in 2025, the list will be updated.
Best Weapons in Fallout 76 – Skyline Valley Update
TheSkyline Valley updateforFallout 76does not introduce a wide range of new weapons. What it does do, however, is introduce several new versions of previously popular weapons, many of which are still thebest weapons inFallout 76in 2024. From this new pool of weapons, We picked two that we enjoyed using the most. They are:
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How to Get the Perfect Storm 10mm Submachine Gun in Fallout 76:
Because players can only get Perfect Storm once, players should wait to acquire the gun until they are level 50 or above. This has nothing to do with difficulty, and more to do with the fact that there is no way to level the gun at a crafting station. The gun’s level will match the level you are when you complete ‘Cold Case.’ Level 50 is by far the best version of the gun.
Currently, there are two ways to get the Auto Axe:
Honorable Mentions
There are so many weapons in the game, there will always be some weapons missing from any list of thebest weapons inFallout 76.These selections are some alternatives to consider if the main list is not quite enough.
Auto Grenade Launcher:
TheAuto-Grenade Launcheris a powerfulHeavy Weapon inFallout 76.While late-game players may find more use from it, there are far more practical weapons for new players to enjoy. The Auto-Grenade Launcher plans can be purchased from various merchants at the Whitespring Mall for 4658 caps. It can also be dropped by high-level enemies.
Gatling/Minigun Variants:
Many lists of the best weapons inFallout 76include some form of Gatling Gun or Minigun. The Laser and Plasma Gatling Guns are incredibly powerful energy weapons, but their rapid ammo use makes them impractical for players just starting out in Appalachia. The basic ballistic Gatling Guns and Minigun are also very useful against large enemies, such as Deathclaws, Scorchbeasts, Ogua, Blue Devils, etc. At the very least, it is worth keeping one in your stash for when you know you are taking on these boss-type enemies.
The Dragon:
The Dragon is a four-barreled Black-Powder Rifle that many players enjoy using. It uses .50 balls and, despite shooting four projectiles, only costs a single unit of ammo each time the trigger is pulled. The reason it is not included in the main list, is because the stock version of the gun takes 10 seconds to reload. Even with its incredibly high damage potential, this fact makes it far less practical.
Alien Blaster:
The final entry is more for fun than anything else. The Alien Blaster uses special ammo, or can be modded to use Fusion Cells. While it never reaches the damage level of other weapons on this list, it can be fun to use, especially against smaller enemies.
The Alien Gun is found in a submerged safe at the Toxic Pond and Wreckage. This unmarked location is found in the Toxic Valley, east of Grainger Farm. Look for the Butterfly on the map. This serves as a perfect landmark.
Merchant Locations in Fallout 76
Several merchants have been listed in this guide. This section will explain where they are located in the world ofFallout 76.
Whitespring Mall:
The Whitespring Mall is located in the Whitespring Resort in the central section of Appalachia. It is found in the area known as the Savage Divide. The resort is made of two different sections, the Mall and the Refuge. The Mall features a long hallway with several vendors. Look for chalkboards outside each storefront to see which type of local goods they sell. The stock of these stores change, so if one does not carry the weapon or plans you are looking for, quit and switch servers, then reload.
Whitespring Refuge:
Giuseppe’s Curios is located in the Whitespring Refuge. Head to the large pink-tinted room with a chandelier hanging in the center. There is a pink and white banner over a small room to the side. Giuseppe can be found here. His market only accepts stamps, which are earned throughFallout 76’s Expeditions.
