[Fo2] Only small guns skill for solo playthrough?

V

voodzia

It Wandered In From the Wastes
Every time I play Fallout games I go for energy or big guns as my ultimate weapons. Now I started a new game (after 10 years or so) and would like to try something different. I was wondering if it's possible to finish Fo2 using only small guns*? Of course I know that Gauss rifle is pretty powerful but I'm not sure if I'm gonna find/buy enough ammo for the final stages of the game. And the rest of small guns doesn't look that good in terms of stopping power. But maybe I'm wrong?


* - by small guns I mean every weapon that isn't a big gun or energy weapon

p.s.
I forgot to mention that I'm not going for criticals - this time I picked fast shot instead of finesse.
 
My guess is you wouldn't have any trouble at all if you're a hoarder - definitely not if you don't starting using 2mm ammo until you really have to.
 
It's not only wholly possible, I personally find it nearly as easy as going with Energy Weapons. Removing targeted shots is going to make it a lot more of a challenge, but focusing on maximizing your shots-per-turn might make up most of the difference.

As you've already pointed out, Gauss are top shelf, and if the endgame is your primary worry you'll find hundreds upon hundreds of rounds at the Rig. The H&K G11e is fantastic if you've stockpiled caseless and you've got sticking power. Most of the other small guns do have trouble with the hairier Enclave battles, but if you're not going full-on Code Red against Navarro and the Rig, you can feasibly (if not easily) complete most of the game (including Enclave patrols) with mainstays like the Red Ryder LE, the Pancor Jackhammer, and the .223 Pistol (with the latter being just a step down from the Gauss pistol in my opinion, though it loses points for its lower rate of fire). The Needler can be surprisingly nasty if you load it with AP ammo, too, especially at the point in the game where you can first acquire it.

It'll probably help to jack up your luck and your crit chance even though you're trying to avoid the "cheaper" targeted crit-kills. The whole point of sending a wall of pistol ammo at the enemy John Woo-style is the hope that some of the shots are going to hit where it hurts, no?
 
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Many thanks guys for all this information. I don't know why but I was pretty much sure that ammo for Gauss rifle is very rare (looks like I forgot almost everything after 10 years).

BTW, I was reading Per's walkthrough (thank you Per for all your work on this) about character creation and must say I don't understand that line in solo sniper description:

Don't get the enhanced combat implants until you've temporarily recruited the NPCs you can get xp and other bonuses from (such as Myron's antidote quest).
Click to expand...

If this character has CH 1 then it won't be able to recruit any NPC's - am I right?
Initial stats: ST 5, PE 7, EN 4, CH 1, IN 7, AG 9, LK 8.
Click to expand...
 
It's a solo sniper after all. He was probably mentioning picking up NPCs that have a quest angle (myron) that you might pick up to do their quest with mentats.
 
Yes, solo sniper - that's what I'm interested in. And here's another quote from Per's walkthrough:

Even if you don't plan to keep any company you might want to set it to 2 so you can at least pick up NPCs temporarily for xp and such.
Click to expand...

But I'm guessing that he was assuming that player will eventually increase CH during gameplay.

Anyway, I got just one more question about that Needler pistol that Yamu mentioned - how is it possible to feed it with AP ammo?
 
Good choice on the needler pistol. last I checked it's critical damage is quite high at close ranges. At close ranges, with AP ammo, the Needler pistol is quite deadly. I would rank it near the .223 Pistol or even the Gauss Pistol in the vanilla FO2 game. Just empty the chamber as is, then drag and drop the AP ammo over the gun. It should load the gun with AP ammo.
 
When Yamu mentioned AP ammo I thought that he was referring to 10mm AP ammo. But I just found out that there is special AP ammo for Needler pistol - HN AP Needler cartridge. And as for the pistol - I'm afraid I won't be able to use it in my playthrough as I'm playing solo sniper and rather avoid close range engagements.
 
Due to map sizes, you're not really going to have the luxury of choice when it comes avoiding close quarter combat. Even with bonus move and maxed agility, one shot will keep you from maintaining sniper distance.

Any sniper needs a close range option. It wouldn't hurt to have unarmed bumped up with a Mega Power Fist on your side, either. That usually keeps people from trying to get up close and personal.
 
Yeah, I was wrong about that close range shooting and also I underestimated the Needler pistol. When loaded with AP ammo it can be as good as .233 pistol or even better when it comes to criticals. I'm glad I didn't sell it and kept it with me.
 
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