Introduction
Need a reliable sniper rifle early in Fallout: New Vegas? Look no further than the Ratslayer! This unique weapon, named with a clear purpose, is a modified Varmint Rifle that offers exceptional accuracy, stealth capabilities, and a devastating critical hit chance. While many powerful firearms await discovery in the Mojave Wasteland, the Ratslayer provides a considerable advantage in the early to mid-game. This guide will delve into the Ratslayer’s location, stats, pros, cons, and, most importantly, how to wield it effectively against the dangers that lurk beyond the walls of Goodsprings.
Fallout: New Vegas is renowned for its immersive world, compelling story, and deep role-playing mechanics. Central to the experience is the vast arsenal of weapons at the player’s disposal. From rusty revolvers to energy-based plasma rifles, the game caters to diverse combat styles. The Ratslayer occupies a niche as a precision-focused weapon, ideal for players who prefer a stealthy approach and value landing critical hits. Its silenced nature makes it perfect for eliminating enemies without alerting their comrades, while its high critical hit chance ensures that those shots pack a serious punch. This makes the Ratslayer a very effective tool for navigating the perilous early hours of the game.
The Ratslayer is a highly valuable and versatile weapon in New Vegas, especially in the early to mid-game, due to its accuracy, stealth capabilities, and critical hit potential. This guide will cover its location, stats, advantages, disadvantages, and effective usage.
Finding the Ratslayer
To acquire this prized rifle, you’ll need to venture into the depths of Broc Flower Cave. This cave, known for its somewhat unsettling inhabitants, lies to the southwest of Goodsprings. To reach it from Goodsprings, head south along the main road until you reach a fork. Take the path leading west, and continue until you see a prominent rock formation on your right. Broc Flower Cave’s entrance is nestled within this rocky outcrop. Be warned, while Broc Flower Cave might seem harmless, it’s infested with Giant Rats, so make sure you are equipped for a fight before venturing inside.
The interior of Broc Flower Cave is a winding network of tunnels and chambers. Upon entering, you’ll immediately encounter the aforementioned Giant Rats. Exercise caution and use your starting weapon or any other early-game firearms to dispatch them. The cave branches into several paths, but your ultimate goal is to reach the deepest section. Follow the main path, eliminating any rats you encounter along the way. Keep an eye out for any loot, as even basic supplies can be invaluable in the early game.
The Ratslayer rests on a table in the deepest part of the cave, near a skeleton. The skeleton serves as a grim reminder of the cave’s dangers. The rifle is easily identifiable. Simply approach the table and interact with it to claim your prize. While there are no specific traps guarding the Ratslayer, be vigilant for any remaining Giant Rats that might be lurking in the shadows.
The difficulty of acquiring the Ratslayer depends on your character level and build. Ideally, you should attempt to retrieve it around level five or six. At this point, you should have a decent starting weapon, some basic armor, and a few healing items. If you are below this level, consider recruiting a companion, such as Sunny Smiles, to assist you in combat. Alternatively, you can focus on stealth, avoiding direct confrontations with the Giant Rats whenever possible. A stealth boy can be an invaluable asset here.
Ratslayer Stats and Attributes
The Ratslayer, at its core, is a modified Varmint Rifle. However, it boasts several key advantages over its standard counterpart. The weapon’s damage output is in line with a regular Varmint Rifle, meaning that, initially, it doesn’t deal a tremendous amount of damage per shot. Calculating the damage per second depends heavily on your skill level and weapon mods, but it is a significant upgrade.
The most notable attribute of the Ratslayer is its exceptional critical hit chance. This weapon provides a substantial bonus to your critical hit rate, meaning that you’ll be landing devastating critical hits far more frequently. A critical hit deals increased damage and can often stagger or knock down enemies, giving you a significant tactical advantage. The higher critical hit chance is what makes the weapon so good, even with its somewhat low damage.
The Ratslayer uses AP when used in VATS. VATS is the Vault-Tec Assisted Targeting System and it is one of the defining characteristics of Fallout and it allows players to target specific parts of their enemies to deal extra damage. You’ll need to manage your AP wisely to make the most of VATS.
A significant downside to the Ratslayer is that it cannot be modded. This means you cannot attach scopes, silencers, or other upgrades to enhance its performance. While the absence of mods might seem restrictive, it is offset by the weapon’s inherent advantages. The lack of mods simplifies the weapon.
The Ratslayer’s condition deteriorates with use, just like any other weapon in New Vegas. To maintain its effectiveness, you’ll need to repair it regularly. This can be done using Weapon Repair Kits or by combining it with other Varmint Rifles at a workbench.
Advantages and Disadvantages of the Ratslayer
The Ratslayer shines as a precision instrument, excelling in accuracy. Its tight bullet spread ensures that your shots will land where you intend them to, even at longer ranges. This makes it ideal for picking off enemies from a distance, minimizing your exposure to danger.
Another key advantage of the Ratslayer is its built-in suppressor or silencer. This allows you to fire without alerting nearby enemies, enabling you to eliminate targets discreetly. Stealth is an invaluable asset in New Vegas, and the Ratslayer significantly enhances your ability to remain undetected.
The increased critical hit chance is the defining trait of this weapon. This bonus translates to significantly higher damage output and a greater chance of staggering or incapacitating your foes. This can turn the tide of battle.
The Ratslayer is easily accessible early in the game. This makes it a powerful tool for tackling early-game challenges and leveling up your character. You can find it relatively quickly after leaving Goodsprings.
It uses common five point five six millimeter rounds. This ammunition type is readily available and relatively inexpensive, making the Ratslayer an economical choice for extended use.
Despite its strengths, the Ratslayer does have some limitations. Its base damage output is lower compared to some later-game sniper rifles. This means that against heavily armored enemies, it may take several shots to bring them down.
The inability to apply modifications limits its long-term potential. As you progress through the game, you’ll encounter weapons with greater damage potential and a wider range of customization options.
The Ratslayer’s condition degrades relatively quickly, requiring frequent repairs. This can be a minor inconvenience, especially in the early game when resources are scarce.
The Ratslayer will eventually be outclassed by other sniper rifles and weapons, especially in the very late game when you’re facing heavily armored enemies and have access to more powerful firearms.
Effective Usage and Strategies
To maximize the Ratslayer’s effectiveness, consider investing points into the Guns and Sneak skills. The Guns skill increases your accuracy and damage with ranged weapons, while the Sneak skill enhances your ability to remain undetected.
The Sniper perk, obtainable at level twelve, increases your accuracy when using scoped weapons in VATS. Better Criticals perk increases the critical damage inflicted by all weapons, further amplifying the Ratslayer’s already impressive critical hit potential. Finesse increases your critical hit chance, an obvious must-have for maximizing the power of the Ratslayer. Finally, the Ninja perk, achievable with high Sneak and Melee skill, increases critical hit damage when sneaking.
Decide which method to use depending on the situation. VATS offers guaranteed accuracy and the ability to target specific body parts, while manual aiming provides greater control and precision for long-range shots.
The different ammunition types vary their effectiveness. Armor piercing rounds are effective against armored targets, while hollow point rounds deal increased damage to unarmored targets.
Always prioritize stealth and positioning when using the Ratslayer. Find a vantage point that offers a clear line of sight and cover. Pick off enemies from a distance. Aim for the head or other weak points to maximize damage and critical hit chance. If you have a companion, use them as a distraction to draw enemy fire.
Utilize the Ratslayer against early-game enemies. Clear the Viper gang camps, hunt geckos, and eliminate threats from a safe distance.
Comparing the Ratslayer to Other Sniper Rifles
The Hunting Rifle is aquired sooner, is moddable, and has higher damage. The Sniper Rifle has more damage, is moddable, and has later availability. The Gobi Campaign Scout Rifle has similar properties and later aquisition. The Anti-Material Rifle has high damage, expensive ammunition, and very late game availability.
Despite its limitations, the Ratslayer remains a worthwhile choice, especially in the early to mid-game, due to its unique combination of accuracy, stealth, and critical hit potential. It provides a significant advantage in combat, allowing you to tackle challenges that would otherwise be difficult or impossible.
In Conclusion
The Ratslayer stands as a remarkable testament to the ingenuity found within the Mojave Wasteland. This Varmint Rifle variant, with its built-in suppressor and enhanced critical hit chance, provides a crucial edge in combat, especially during the early and mid-game phases. Its accuracy and stealth capabilities make it a superb tool for strategic engagements, allowing players to eliminate threats before they even know you’re there.
The combination of accuracy, stealth, and critical hits make it a unique weapon. The Ratslayer is a testament to the fact that raw power isn’t everything. Tactical advantage and intelligent weapon selection can often be more effective than simply wielding the biggest gun.
Seek it out. Experiment with it. Discover the joy of landing a perfectly timed critical hit from the shadows. The Ratslayer is more than just a weapon; it’s a key to survival in the unforgiving world of New Vegas.
