In the ever-changing world of Fallout 76, one thing remains constant: the hunt for powerful weapons. Whether you're a seasoned Wastelander or a fresh Vault Dweller, event farming is one of the best ways to score rare and desirable gear. With daily and seasonal events offering generous loot drops, knowing which weapons are worth your time can make all the difference.
After countless hours roaming Appalachia, here’s a curated list of 16 top-tier weapons you should be targeting during events — whether you're going solo or rolling with a crew.
1. The Fixer
The Fixer has become a staple in many stealth and commando builds thanks to its innate stealth boost and improved movement speed. Farming events like "A Colossal Problem" or "Scorched Earth" often yield legendary variants that can be game-changers, especially with the right perks like Bloodied or Anti-Armor.
2. Handmade Rifle
A favorite among rifle users, the Handmade Rifle shines in both PvE and PvP. You'll want to keep an eye out for versions with perks like Quad ammo capacity or Faster Fire Rate, particularly in high-yield events like "Radiation Rumble" and "Eviction Notice".
3. Gatling Plasma
A solid heavy weapon, the Gatling Plasma scales well into late game, especially in boss events. Look for legendary variants that offer damage boosts or faster reload speeds. This weapon thrives in area-of-effect-heavy events where enemies swarm in large numbers.
4. Auto Grenade Launcher
Perfect for crowd control, especially during events like "Project Paradise". While ammo can be a chore to manage, the payoff in splash damage is often worth it. Farming for perks like Explosive or Faster Reload can elevate this weapon to top-tier status.
5. Plasma Caster
This powerhouse is slow to fire but delivers devastating damage. Events that drop high-end legendary weapons — such as "Scorched Earth" — are ideal for chasing Bloodied or Anti-Armor variants.
6. Gauss Shotgun
High burst damage and great against tough enemies, the Gauss Shotgun is perfect for boss-killing events. Use perks that support shotgun builds and aim for critical-heavy engagements.
7. Tesla Rifle
While not the strongest on its own, the Tesla Rifle’s chain lightning effect makes it fantastic for tagging enemies during events — ensuring you get your share of loot drops, even in chaotic public events.
8. Gatling Gun
Not to be confused with the Gatling Plasma, the classic Gatling Gun is a strong and ammo-efficient option. Look out for Mutant Slayer or Executioner rolls during Brotherhood-themed or Super Mutant-heavy events.
9. Double-Barrel Shotgun
Often overlooked, a powerful Double-Barrel with the right perks can melt enemies in close range. It's ideal for urban events or tight spaces like "Line in the Sand".
10. Pepper Shaker
This unique heavy weapon is a hybrid between a shotgun and a minigun. It excels in crowd-clearing events and benefits greatly from perks like Quad ammo or Faster Fire Rate.
11. Gauss Minigun
Great for sustained boss damage, the Gauss Minigun becomes particularly lethal with proper modding. Farming encrypted or seasonal boss events can yield high-stat versions worth keeping.
12. Combat Shotgun
A solid early-to-mid-game weapon, the Combat Shotgun is easy to mod and readily available. Look for event drops with Two Shot or Explosive to make this weapon truly shine.
13. Cryolator
Niche but effective, the Cryolator is fun to use during crowd-control-heavy events like "Guided Meditation". Its freezing effect offers utility beyond raw damage.
14. Railway Rifle
This underrated powerhouse is great for sneaky builds or high-crit characters. Don’t overlook it if you find one during "Distinguished Guests" or other event reward pools.
15. Assaultron Head
More of a novelty weapon, but with proper setup and perks, it can be a surprising burst weapon. Worth experimenting with if found during robotic-themed events.
16. Harpoon Gun
Clunky but satisfying, the Harpoon Gun is best reserved for single-target events. Its slow reload is balanced by massive damage potential with the right perks.
Pro Tips for Event Weapon Farming
Join High-Level Events: The best rewards often come from the most difficult events, so prioritize ones like “A Colossal Problem,” “Eviction Notice,” or seasonal boss fights.
Use Public Teams: Bonuses to XP and damage, along with shared loot tags, make farming more efficient in groups.
Build Around Your Drops: Don’t always chase the meta — sometimes, a solid 2-star roll on an uncommon weapon can fit perfectly with your playstyle.
And if RNG just isn’t on your side, many players look to pieeeep Fallout 76 items online from trusted sellers. Similarly, for those looking to gear up fast, the best site to pieeeep Fallout 76 Caps can offer the currency needed to pieeeep for specific weapons or components.
Farming events in Fallout 76 is one of the most rewarding ways to build your arsenal — not just for the loot, but for the chaos, teamwork, and adrenaline that comes with it. Whether you're hunting for that perfect Bloodied Fixer or experimenting with lesser-known weapons, there’s always something worth chasing in Appalachia.