Heavy guns are some of the most spectacular and fun weapons to use in any game that has them, andFallout 76is no exception. As the name suggests these guns are usually pretty hefty, but they trade being lightweight andeasy to use for sheer destructive power. And boy are they good at indiscriminate killing!
Fallout 76has a full range of heavy guns, including some of the most memorable heavy guns from theFalloutfranchise along with some great new additions! From the classic minigun to the Gatling laser, there’s a heavy gun for everyone.
Updated July 24, 2025, by Ewan Selmes:As a live service game, Fallout 76 continues to receive updates which add new content, including new locations, enemy types, and weapons. After an admittedly rough launch Fallout 76 continues to go from strength to strength, expanding the world of post-apocalyptic Appalachia and its surroundings with update after update. The most recent set of updates, the Atlantic City expedition, has even added a new - awesome - heavy weapon for players to try out.
14The Light Machine Gun
Damage at L50: 42
The Light Machine Gun inFallout 76is the basic, no-nonsense heavy gun. It doesn’t offer much in the way of damage compared with some of the other heavy guns, although its ammo type is craftable even if it isn’t found in particularly high quantities. The Light Machine Gun has a really high AP cost, too.
The Light Machine Gun is a perfectly serviceable heavy weapon… at least until better ones are available.
Where to find
Crafted at any weapons workbench after obtaining the plan; some vendor bots sell this; can be given as a daily quest reward
13The Gatling Gun
Damage at L50: 86
The Gatling Gun isn’t a particularly impressive heavy gun. As heavy weapons inFallout 76go, the Gatling Gun is kind of basic and doesn’t stand out among its competition. Still, it offers good damage at Level 50 and doesn’t use a particularly rare ammo type either.
It isn’t as easily modded as some other weapons, but it makes up for its disadvantages by being readily available and easy to use.
Where to Find
Mothman cultists in the Mothman Equinox event; Plan can be purchased sometimes at Watoga Shopping Plaza; found as random lood on mid-tier enemies
12The .50cal Machine Gun
Damage at L50: 43
Perhaps the most basic of all the heavy guns inFallout 76, the .50cal Machine Gun is nevertheless a classic weapon. With a good range but relatively poor accuracy, the .50cal Machine Gun is unlikely to be most players' first choice in heavy guns. With only one receiver and barrel mod available it’s not readily customizable, and it does suffer a bit from a wide spread. That said, it’s a solid weapon and is readily available unlike some of the other heavy guns, so it’s definitely worth a shot.
Where to find the .50cal Machine Gun
Guaranteed at Hemlock Holes, randomlydrooped from Scorchbeasts, purchasable from raider vendor bots in Pleasant Valley Station, Sutton Station, and Welch Station.
11The Harpoon Gun
Damage at L50: 175
This somewhat unconventional heavy gun shoots harpoons at the enemy to deal devastating damage. Dismembered limbs can even end up stuck to objects! This gun has good range, although it isn’t very moddable, and has a low fire rate; this can be improved with the Quad Legendary effect. A more niche weapon, the Harpoon gun is fun to use but probably not as a main weapon.
Where to find the Harpoon gun
The Harpoon gun spawns in steamer trunks and behind level 2–3 locks, but there’s a guaranteed spawn north of Point Pleasant.
10The Cryolator
Damage at L45: 36
First featured inFallout 4,the Cryolator is a heavy gun that shoots cryogenic fluid to potentially freeze any enemy it hits. This heavy gun is really fun to play with due to its freezing effect, although some enemies can’t be frozen at all! But the Cryolator is a fun if niche heavy gun, and although it isn’t very moddable, it can be very satisfying to use.
Where to find the Cryolator
Dropped by a range ofenemies including deathclaws, mothmen, super mutant behemoths, and fog crawlers.
9The Flamer
Damage at L50: 36
A series staple, the Flamer is exactly what it says on the tin; a post-apocalyptic flamethrower. Not very moddable, this heavy gun is fun to use and has good range. As one might expect from a flamethrower the Flamer can set enemies on fire, and even burns their corpses to a crisp! The Flamer is a great choice of heavy gun for any player looking to burn their enemies to a crisp!
Quarry X3, Grafton Underground, or craftable.
8The Classic Minigun
Damage at L45: 24
A staple of theFalloutfranchise, the minigun is a powerful weapon that absolutely shreds the opposition. With a clip size of 500 this is a gun which really eats ammo, but for fans of its sheer stopping power, it’s worth it! The minigun is fully moddable with a wide range of improvements, including the powerful Tri barrel mod which reduces the fire rate in exchange for more damage, better accuracy, and greater range. It even has a range of paint jobs to match any player’s sense of style!
Where to find the Minigun
The Minigun drops from super mutant overlords, but can also be found at a range of locations including Camp Venture, The ATLAS Observatory, and Harpers Ferry.
7The Plasma Caster
Damage at L50: 76/76
The Plasma caster is a powerful heavy gun dealing a mixture of ballistic and energy damage. With a low clip size of 20, the Plasma caster suffers from a lower ammo capacity and fire rate, but with its damage output, that might not matter. With only a small range of mods, it isn’t the most moddable gun, but when crafted it gets arandom Legendary effect.Like all plasma weapons, the Plasma caster can turn enemies into goo.
Where to find the Plasma caster
Craftable after purchasing the plan from Regs for 750 gold bullion, or available as rewards once the plan is known from Purveyor Murmrgh.
6The Gatling Laser
Damage at L45: 25
A classicFalloutfranchise heavy gun, the Gatling laser is a futuristic reimagining of the Gatling gun that shoots high-powered lasers. Using the relatively rare fusion core as ammo, the Gatling laser is a high-tech alternative to the classic Gatling gun right at home inpost-apocalyptic Appalachia.Not quite as moddable as other heavy guns inFallout 76,the Gatling laser does still have some mods for players to choose from to improve its capabilities.
Where to find the Gatling laser
Available as a quest reward, loot from US government supply crates, or craftable with schematics from the MODUS vendor.
5The Ultracite Gatling Laser
Damage at L45: 28
The Ultracite Gatling Laser is a modified and upgraded version of the Gatling Laser. In lore, this Gatling laser has been modified with ultracite crystal conduits to produce a weapon with more damage.
The Ultracite Gatling laser has more damage an accuracy than a tri-barrel minigun, with a more cost-efficient ammo type, since it uses fusion cores. The Ultracite Gatling Laser is strictly better than the Gatling Laser, with a higher damage per shot. It also has a range of mods available.
Plan is a rare drog from Cranberry Bog events
