Sometimes, you need to make a statement in the Wasteland, and wielding a weapon that spits fire and is the size of a small family car is the way to do it. The Gauss Minigun in Fallout 76 is a serious piece of machinery, especially with a few mods thrown in, but it isn’t too easy to find. Here is a full breakdown of the weapon for the end times.
Where to find the Gauss Minigun in Fallout 76
The problem with the Gauss Minigun is that it can’t actually be found or bought in Fallout 76. You’re going to have to buy the plan and then craft it yourself. The plans themselves can only be bought from two vendors around the map, and one of those isn’t a guarantee.
Mortimer
This is your guaranteed option to buy the plans and various mods. He can be found in The Crater Core in his shop. However, it isn’t a case of simply having the caps for the gun and being on your merry way. If you would like to actually buy the Gauss Minigun, you will need to be at least Ally status with the Fallout 76 Crafter Raiders. This can take time, so you may want to try the second option first.
Minerva
Minerva is a travelling vendor who rotates between Atlas, Foundation, The Whitespring, and Crater, weekly. Her inventory also rotates, so if she doesn’t currently have the Gauss Minigun, you’re simply going to have to wait. However, you don’t need to have any kind of relationship with her as a vendor, and she will sell it at a considerable discount.
Crafting and mods
Once you have managed to pick up the Gauss Minigun in Fallout 76, you will need to craft it. This will take the following resources.
- Aluminium – 18
- Circuitry – 6
- Legendary module – 2
- Screw – 15
- Silver – 4
- Spring – 6
- Steel – 15
Due to the use of a Legendary Module, the Gauss Minigun will be created with a one, two, or three star randomly selected legendary effect.
Mods
There are a few mods for the Gauss Minigun in Fallout 76 that focus on barrel type, energy type, and of course, optics. Getting the right combination can really boost your damage output. However, the minigun is never going to be a precision weapon.
Barrel
- Penta – Improved rate of fire. Reduced damage and accuracy. Inferior range.
- Standard – Standard effects.
- Tri – A better rate of fire and durability. Inferior range and accuracy.
Fusion Coil
- Prime Capacitor – Superior damage. Bonus damage to Scorchbeasts and Scorched.
- Tesla Coil Capacitor – Adds better Electrical damage. Improved reload speed and ammo capacity.
- Tesla Coil Dynamo – Adds electrical damage. Superior ammo capacity.
Sights
- Standard
- Gunner – +1 Magnification +10% Aim Speed +15% Sighted Accuracy.
Notes on the best mods for Gauss Minigun in Fallout 76 – The current meta is to equip the Penta Barrel and Tesla Coil Capacitor. Sure, the range will be low, but the explosions will be devastating. This is not a weapon for accuracy.
Gauss Minigun stats
The base stats for this monstrous weapon are pretty good. Of course, there are better ones out there, but you’re not going to have many complaints wielding this death hose. With its base stats, the Gauss Minigun will look like this:
- Effects -Bullets explode for 15% damage
- Level – 45 / 50
- Damage – 41 / 49
- Area damage – 15%
- Blast radius – Inner: 100, Outer: 125
- Ammo – 2mm EC · Ultracite
- Magazine size – 500
- Fire rate – 91
- Range – 204
- Accuracy – 36
- AP cost – 30
- Weight – 18
