Fallout 4‘s Top Automatic Weapons for Effective Combat

Automatic weapons are essential in Fallout 4 to effectively take down enemies and progress through the irradiated Commonwealth. With dangers around every corner, relying on slow-firing rifles or precise aim simply won‘t cut it. Players need high fire rate guns with decent damage to rapidly dispatch feral ghouls, super mutants, mirelurks, and more.

In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll cover Fallout 4‘s 15 best automatic weapons to consider for your playstyle and character build.

Why Choose Automatic Weapons in Fallout 4

Fallout 4 throws countless enemies at you through random encounters. While single fire weapons have their purpose, automatic guns provide key advantages:

• Higher hit chance: Automatic fire enhances your probability of landing shots, especially against mobile or distant enemies. This allows more overall damage.

• Faster staggering: Rapid bullets can quickly stagger opponents, interrupting powerful attacks and leaving them vulnerable.

• Effective limb crippling: Spraying fire at limbs is an easy way to cripple opponents, slowing them tremendously.

• Superior crowd control: Nothing thins out groups faster than a high fire rate weapon. Automatics allow quick kills before you‘re overwhelmed.

These core benefits make automatics well-suited for most character builds. Let‘s examine the top options across rifles, pistols, shotguns, and more.

10mm Auto Pistol

The 10mm pistol is the one of first weapons you‘ll acquire, found early on in Vault 111. While weak at first, attaching an automatic receiver transformation it into a formidable machine pistol.

• Ammo: 10mm
• Fire Rate: 46
• Damage: 18
• Weight: 3.5 lbs
• Range: 83

Its fast fire rate, low weight, and cheap ammo make it a reliable early game weapon against weak foes. It can even serve you well into mid game, upgraded with more damaging receivers and boosted by pistol perks.

A solid backup weapon that complements rifles and complements gunslinger builds.

Pipe Gun

While one of the weakest weapons on paper, never underestimate the versatility of an automatic pipe gun. They excel as secondary weapons and sport numerous customization options to match ammo types.

• Ammo: .38, .45, .308, 5.56
• Fire Rate: 55
• Damage: 13
• Weight: 2.3 lbs
• Range: 83

They‘re highly common, allowing you to easily keep one on hand with cheap and plentiful ammo. Though weak individually, automatic pipe guns shine when dual wielded, rapidly stacking damage.

Their customization flexibility also lets you use leftover ammo from stronger primary weapons. They serve as great backups if you run dry mid-fight on a combat rifle.

Cryolator

An often overlooked automatic energy weapon, the cryolator is lethal despite weaker base damage. Every shot it fires freezes enemies briefly while inflicting constant cryo damage over time after thawing.

• Ammo: Cryo Cell
• Fire Rate: 90
• Damage: 20
• Weight: 13.2 lbs
• Range 71

Against individual tough enemies like Deathclaws, the freezing effect allows safely repositioning while the target thaws and takes secondary damage.

The main drawback is ammo scarcity. You‘ll need to buy cryo rounds whenever possible and scavenge thoroughly. It‘s also heavy, so consider perks like Pack Rat. Overall an excellent crowd control weapon that slows groups while steadily whittling down health.

Combat Shotgun

For raw close quarters power, an automatic combat shotgun is hard to top. It tears apart any target at short range, blasting entire limbs off. Bleed and stagger effects leave survivors reeling.

• Ammo: Shotgun shell
• Fire Rate: 20
• Damage: 50
• Weight: 7 lbs
• Range: 47

While weighty and quick to devour ammo, it makes up for cons through sheer stopping power. If you‘re bold or reckless enough for point-blank fights, this gun rewards courage with unrivaled damage potential versus durable foes. It also carves through tightly packed groups.

If willing to get your hands dirty with constant looting and sells for ammo funds, the combat shotgun shines with high Strength builds.

Submachine Gun

While the pipe gun offers versatility, classic submachine guns provide focused .45 stopping power and rapid fire to match pistol perks. They bridge the gap between pistols and rifles.

• Ammo: .45
• Fire Rate: 127
• Damage: 10
• Weight: 12.7 lbs
• Range: 107

Their staggering rate causes even tough enemies like sentry bots to pause briefly with concentrated fire. Large 50 round magazines let you shred groups before reloading.

The main downside is substantially heavier weight than pistols. Boost strength to offset it while reaping superior damage. Overall SMGs provide balanced, rapid pistol-type fire with considerably higher damage.

Overseer‘s Guardian

Boasting long range power similar to the combat rifle, Overseer‘s Guardian is a unique variant rifle with an extra offensive punch – every shot fires an additional projectile.

• Ammo: .45
• Fire Rate: 90
• Damage: 55 x2
• Weight: 15.7 lbs
• Range: 119

It‘s precision and extra bullet at a distance effectively doubles your damage output. Two hit kills become common even later in the game. It‘s less effective up close, but mid to long range lethality is tremendous.

You must complete an unmarked side quest to purchase it from Alexis Combes in Vault 81. It‘s expensive but worthwhile for superior damage that pairs nicely with rifleman perks. Ammo is reasonably common as well from vendors and looted pistols.

Automatic Tesla Rifle

Added by the Automatron DLC, the automatic tesla rifle fires arcs of chain lightning, allowing damage on multiple targets simultaneously. Standard firing mode shoots single projectiles.

• Ammo: Fusion cell
• Fire Rate: 40
• Damage: 32
• Weight: 8.1 lbs
• Range: 83

While weaker on individual shots, the arcs enable hitting entire groups at once, conserving ammo. It‘s particularly handy against tightly bunched enemies you‘d normally waste ammo individually targeting.

The automatic mod enhances damage per second substantially. You can acquire an early tesla rifle around level 15 by completing the Automatron questline. It‘s one of the most useful automatic energy weapons.

Handmade Rifle

Introduced in the Nuka World DLC, the handmade rifle boasts exceptional versatility through vast modification options. It can shift across multiple ammo types on the fly.

• Ammo: 5.56, .308, .45, .38
• Fire Rate: 61
• Damage: 36
• Weight: 13.1 lbs
• Range: 119

After completing the Nuka World main questline, you can purchase the plan for it and craft your own. This allows customizing it as desired for automatic fire, often surpassing the combat rifle once upgraded.

It‘s a jack of all trades weapon – effective at any range and against nearly any opponent. Experiment with receivers to match your stockpiled ammo reserves. The handmade rifle adapts well to most playstyles.

Splattercannon

Earning its name through sheer brutality, the Splattercannon is a handmade rifle with boosted limb damage and superior fire rate. Trigger a few bursts, and most enemies will collapse into crippled piles of gore.

• Ammo: 5.56
• Fire Rate: 74
• Damage: 48
• Weight: 13.1 lbs
• Range: 119

While lighter overall damage per bullet than Overseer‘s Guardian, it makes up through rapid fire carnage. Combined with high luck builds relyong on critical hits, nothing withstands concentrated Splattercannon bursts for long.

It must be purchased from the Nuka World market after completing the main story quest line and raising your raider reputation. Alongside Overseer‘s Guardian, Splattercannon is arguably the overall best automatic ballistic weapon.

Kiloton Radium Rifle

Added in the Far Harbor DLC, the Kiloton radium rifle fires standard radiation enhanced bullets while inflicting explosive area damage as well. It‘s brutal against individuals and groups alike.

• Ammo: .45
• Fire Rate: 53
• Damage: 33 (+50 rads)
• Weight: 12.2 lbs
• Range: 119

A master of overkill, each bullet causes splash damage on top of severe ballistic and radiation damage directly, cutting down most enemies rapidly. It‘s flexible enough for all ranges and durable enough to last most battles without breaking.

You‘ll receive it as a reward for completing the Far Harbor questline while keeping peace between rivaling factions. Boost it further via nuclear physicist to amplify radiation damage. It‘s arguably the best balanced automatic weapon reward across all DLCs.

Experiment 18-A

The creatively named Experiment 18-A is a unique Institute hybrid rifle added in Fallout 4‘s main storyline. It delivers a combination dose of energy and physical damage with each hit.

• Ammo: Plasma cartridge
• Fire Rate: 136
• Damage: 24 ballistic/24 energy
• Weight: 6.6 lbs
• Range: 203

Rapid fire melts enemies under combined laser and bullet damage, offsetting middling individual shot power through sheer quantity. Institute scientists clearly disregarded ethics for firepower.

It can be purchased from the Institute‘s synth quartermaster once you gain access. Compared to standard plasma/laser rifles, Experiment 18-A outclasses both by merging their properties into a ruthless automatic beast.

Final Judgement

Crafted after defeating the Brotherhood of Steel as Railroad or Institute factions, Final Judgement is a customized Gatling laser packing immense damage output through automatic energy barrage.

• Ammo: Fusion core
• Fire Rate: 66
• Damage: 39
• Weight: 7.7 lbs
• Range: 120

It chews through cores swiftly, but unloads ludicrous damage from extreme range while spinning up. Against durable foes and large groups that demand heavy weapons yet also require mobility, Final Judgement is ideal. No other automatic energy weapon compares for sustained damage.

The tradeoff is fusion core consumption. Stockpile them before major battles and make every crank count. With the right preparations and perk investment, no other weapon rewards Allied efforts against the Brotherhood as thoroughly as Final Judgement. It completes the narrative arc perfectly.

Choosing Your Ideal Automatic Weapon

With so many options now covered, selecting an appropriate automatic weapon depends largely on your chosen playstyle and character progression.

Those using pistol perks benefit most from rapid 10mm and .45 options up close, with Overseer‘s Guardian covering long range needs. Rifleman builds shifting close at times work well with handmade rifles and radium/splattercannon for flexibility.

Automatic shotguns and SMGs suit high strength melee hybrids willing to loot constantly for ammo funds. Pure weapon specialists can exploit Gatling lasers, experiment 18-A, and Final Judgement.

Ultimately, your S.P.E.C.I.A.L distribution and perk decisions determine ideal loadouts. Align offensive perks around weapon preferences for maximum damage output. Their combined bonuses then enhance and empower selected firearms uniquely alongside your strengths.

Matching Gear and Mods

Once you settle on suitable primary and backup automatics, tailor armor pieces and mods to further specialize your build:

• VATS Enhancements: Targeting HUDs, AP boosts
• Stealth: Shadowed (leather/combat armor) and muffled mods
• Damage Resistance: Dense and pocketed mods
• Ammo Production: Ammosmith perk and contraptions DLC

These complementary gear adjustments keep you supplied and fighting longer. Experiment with gun customization like recoil compensating stocks and quick eject magazines as well. Optimize weapons to align with armor and perks for peak performance.

Don‘t Be Afraid to Specialize

It‘s tempting to become a jack of all trades in Fallout 4 – hoarding endless guns and gear while spreading perks thinly across categories. However, truly mastering a specific style through focused automatic weapons, aligned armor, and dedicated perks enables much higher damage potential.

The difference while raiding legendary enemies and bosses will be clearly apparent. You‘ll gain levels faster as well by excelling in key niches.

So consider playing to weapon strengths and perk advantages rather than diluting benefits across too many gun types. Match character progression to your guns for best results. The path to dominating Fallout 4‘s threats lies in selective specialization.

Conclusion

Fallout 4 offers a wide assortment of automatic weapons viable for different styles of play. Whether you prefer rapid fire pistols, staggering shotguns, flexible ballistic rifles, or hard-hitting energy weapons, options exist to suit your strengths.

Optimizing bonuses by coordinating firearm selection with perks, armor, and mods pushes damage potential higher. Specializing around a damage type outperforms vague generalism. The key is matching guns to your build efficiently.

If looking to start Fallout 4, first carefully plan character progression, offensive capabilities, and gear upgrading around intended weapons. Keeping the endgame in mind early when picking perks prevents weaker hybrids. The Commonwealth‘s threats demand preparation.

Choose firearms with an eye toward ammo availability, range needs, Weights, and customization flexibility . Aligning your guns and build saves much frustration in Fallout 4‘s unforgiving wasteland. Good luck establishing dominance over enemies and claiming your rightful spot as the Commonwealth‘s apex survivor!