Summary
While many fans are focused on how the next entry in the franchise can do justice to power armor,Fallout 5also needs to shake up the weapon variety. AfterFallout 76’s weapon balancing took the franchise in an unpopular new direction,Fallout 5shouldn’t be afraid to pull out some of the iconic weapons fromFallout: New Vegasand other past games to steer things back on track.
Bethesda is no stranger to havingweird weapons in theFalloutgames, like a neon billboard as a melee weapon or a portable naval cannon, but it also has its share of standard weapons that are equally powerful. While the Anti-Material Rifle borders the line between realistic fiction and fantasy, it proves that ballistic weaponry is still a reliable option in the franchise, and it arguably deserves the spotlight within anotherFalloutgame. Naturally,Fallout 5is the perfect opportunity for that, but that doesn’t mean that futureFalloutgames - including the unofficial ones likeFallout MiamiandFallout London-shouldn’t experiment with the gun as well.
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Why Fallout 5 Needs the Anti-Material Rifle and Other Returning Weapons
The weapon variety inFallout 76is underwhelming compared to the earlierFalloutgames. There are technically plenty of weapons inFallout 76, but most of them aren’t necessarily viable options for the endgame. It may be a result of the game being an online multiplayer title in a family of single-player games, but the weapon balancing inFallout 76still leaves numerous weapons in an undesirable state. Specifically, most shotguns and pistols inFallout 76can’t compete with the other weapon types. Even with serious investment into related perks and Legendary weapon traits, these weapons can be easily outclassed by heavy weapons, rifles, and melee weapons. Though the Anti-Material Rifle isn’t a shotgun or a pistol,Fallout 5still needs to ensure it is strong and thatFallout 76’s weapon balancingis not replicated.
The Anti-Material Rifle is an unstoppable force in the hands of players who invest in agunslinger build inFallout: New Vegas. Even without a proper build, this weapon can still hold its ground against some of the toughest enemies inFallout: New Vegas, including the deathclaws, radscorpions, and cazadors. Players can beatFallout: New Vegaswhile leaving many optional areas unexplored, but with weapons as strong as the Anti-Material Rifle, there’s no reason not to venture into even the most dangerous corners of the Mojave Wasteland. Not only is the Anti-Material Rifle a great weapon in the hands of players, but it being featured in the opening cutscene forFallout: New Vegasalso makes it iconic, as an NCR Ranger uses the weapon to shoot a Fiend.
Another way for players to put this weapon to good use without using it themselves is to give it, along with some ammo, to a compatible companion. As an incredibly powerfulcompanion inFallout: New Vegaswho happens to be proficient with sniper rifles, this weapon can be extremely deadly in the hands of Craig Boone. Many players consider Boone to be broken in a good way since he has the power to turn the tides of some of the hardest fights inFallout: New Vegas, so the Anti-Material rifle is overkill in his hands.
There are plenty offeatures thatFallout 5should continueand expand upon from the older games, but it should remember not to leave some of the strongest weapons behind. Many fans are eager to see numerous other weapons return for future titles in the franchise, like the Junk Jet fromFallout 4, butFallout 5should prioritize the Anti-Material rifle for sure.
