There are lots of weapon options in Fallout 76. From huge nuclear missile launchers that destroy anything in their path to rolling pins that can cause an almost visible dent in the armor of a Mr. Gutsy robot, there are weapons to suit all playstyles.
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One of the classic weapons in Fallout 76 is the humble Tesla Rifle. This weapon is highly modifiable, and it can pack a serious punch. With the right legendary effects, consumables, and perks, this weapon can be a real powerhouse that can be used to take down almost any enemy that stands in its way.
6 Best Legendary Rolls
It's Got To Be A Quad
For starters, the best way to get the most out of a Tesla Rifle is to use it as an automatic weapon. While it can be a decent weapon when used as a single-shot rifle, it's best used as an automatic weapon.
While primary legendary effects like Vampire's, Anti-Armor, and Bloodied can be very useful on a Tesla Rifle, the Quad effect is by far the most useful. Being able to hold four times the amount of ammo means that the player will be reloading much less often, allowing them to maximize their damage output.
When it comes to secondary legendary effects, the main one players will want to look out for is the Rapid effect. This effect makes the weapon fire 25% faster than normal. Other effects like +25% aiming damage and +50% limb damage can also be fairly good on a Tesla Rifle, but the Rapid effect is the best one to have.
As for 3rd star effects, the one that benefits this weapon the most is the Swift effect. This effect makes players reload the weapon 15% faster. That said, if the first two effects are Quad and Rapid, then the 3rd star doesn't really matter too much.
5 Best Perks
Multiple Damage-Boosting Perks
Tesla Rifles can be made to do a lot more damage if the player is using the right perks. The perks Science, Science Expert, and Science Master will increase the damage output of the Tesla Rifle by 30% when maxed out.
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However, if the player is using the weapon with the automatic mod attached, then they can also use all three Commando perk cards to increase the damage output by a further 60%. The Rifleman perks also work alongside the Tesla Rifle if it is being used as a single-shot weapon.
To top up that damage output, the player can use the maxed-out Bloody Mess perk card for an extra 15% damage per shot. By using all of the perks mentioned, the Tesla Rifle can be made to do 115% more damage than normal. This is without using any damage-boosting consumables.
4 High Damage Output
Take Down Enemies With Ease
Even without using damage-boosting perks and consumables, the Tesla Rifle deals a decent amount of damage. Provided the player is using it as an automatic weapon, the Tesla Rifle can take out large groups of enemies with relative ease.
While it isn't the best weapon for taking down bosses like Earle Williams and the Scorchbeast Queen, it's great at picking off all the smaller enemies that spawn during boss battles. Taking down the smaller enemies that spawn alongside bosses can make boss battles significantly easier.
3 Perfect For Hip Firing
Enemies Are Hard To Miss
Unlike many other weapons in Fallout 76, the Tesla Rifle doesn't need to hit an enemy directly to cause damage. Due to the way it fires, the electrical charges that come out of the Tesla Rifle bounce off objects and hit enemies that are nearby.
Because of this, there's no need to worry about aiming; simply fire in the rough direction of an enemy and fire away. This is a great weapon for those who prefer not to use V.A.T.S. That said, this weapon can still be used in V.A.T.S.
It's a great weapon to have in situations where there are lots of fast-moving enemies, as this one can hit multiple enemies at the same time if they are standing close together.
2 Easy To Get
The Plan Isn't Hard To Come By
Once the player reaches level 40, the plan to craft the Tesla Rifle can be purchased from the Brotherhood Vendor inside the Whitespring Mall and from the Vendor in Watoga's Shopping Plaza. The plan is also commonly sold in player vendors for a relatively low price.
It's also possible to get the plan by using Treasure Maps and completing missions and events in the Ash Heap, Mire, and Cranberry Bog regions. This makes it a great weapon for those mid-level players who want something that is easy to get and great at taking down enemies fast.
1 Great For gaining XP
Level-Up Faster
The best thing about the Tesla Rifle is its ability to help players level up at a much faster rate than normal. As mentioned in the entry about hip firing, the Tesla Rifle can hit multiple enemies at the same time. The energy charges that are fired out of the weapon can arc and jump from enemy to enemy, provided the enemies are somewhat close together.
This makes the Tesla Rifle great for getting extra XP. To gain XP for a kill, the player doesn't need to actually kill the enemy; just tag it. In events like Radiation Rumble, the Tesla Rifle is the perfect weapon as it can tag all enemies that come up from the tunnels. Each enemy tagged will give the player XP.
