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Critical damage builds in Fallout 76 can turn even modest weapons into absolute powerhouses. Whether you're running a VATS-focused build or just love seeing those big yellow numbers, choosing the right weapon is key. Here are 17 weapons that truly excel when paired with critical damage perks like Better Criticals, Critical Savvy, and Four Leaf Clover.
Rifles – Precision and Power
The Fixer – A fan favorite for stealth commando builds, its high fire rate and innate stealth bonuses make it a crit machine.
Handmade Rifle – Versatile and deadly, especially with the right mods for VATS efficiency.
Railway Rifle – High base damage and armor penetration ensure crits hit like a freight train.
Plasma Rifle (Enclave Variant) – With a flamer barrel or sniper configuration, this energy weapon melts enemies on crits.
Alien Blaster (with Cryo Mag) – Surprisingly strong in VATS, especially with the right legendary effects.
Heavy Hitters – Slow but Devastating
Gauss Rifle – Charged shots in VATS can one-shot most enemies when built for crits.
Lever Action Rifle – High per-shot damage and great VATS accuracy make this a reliable choice.
Black Powder Rifle – If you can tolerate the reload, a crit from this will delete anything.
Compound Bow (with Plasma Arrows) – Silent, deadly, and perfect for stacking crits.
Automatic and Fast-Firing Options
Elder’s Mark – A newer SMG with excellent crit potential due to its high fire rate.
Tommy Gun – Underrated but effective when modded for VATS.
10mm SMG – Lightweight and great for spamming crits in close quarters.
Pistols – Surprisingly Effective
Crusader Pistol – Energy or ballistic variants both work well with crit builds.
Gamma Gun (with Signal Repeater) – A niche pick, but radiation crits can be hilarious against humanoids.
Western Revolver – High base damage makes each crit count.
Melee – For When You Want to Get Personal
Plasma Cutter – Fast swings and energy damage make this a crit monster.
War Glaive – Heavy, but a power-attack crit can one-shot most foes.
Optimizing Your Build
To get the most out of these weapons, prioritize:
Luck perks (Better Criticals, Critical Savvy, Grim Reaper’s Sprint)
VATS enhancements (Concentrated Fire, Gun Fu)
Legendary effects like 50% VATS Critical Damage or *+15% Critical Fill*
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