The Energy Weapons skill determines your effectiveness with any weapon that uses Small Energy Cells, Micro Fusion Cells, EC Packs, or Flamer Fuel as ammunition.

A bit of a weapon shakeup here, Flamers now belong to Energy Weapons, and not to the now-defunct Big Guns category. Still, Energy Weapons are in direct competition with Guns as a primary arms. Explosives might have their own niche, but if you’re using a ranged weapon, it’s either Guns or Energy Weapons. The most conventional Energy Weapons are either Laser Pistols, Laser Rifles, Plasma Pistols, or Plasma Rifles, which are by default short to mid-ranged weapons. There are weapons that function like shotguns, the Gauss Rifle takes the place of a Sniper Rifle, and there’s even a cannon-type weapon. There are fewer types of ammo… which is a blessing and a curse. You won’t get Armor-Piercing ammo, and more powerful weapons tend to burn through their ammo quickly (the Gauss Rifle, for example, takes five ‘rounds’ of ammunition per shot.) Overall Guns just seem to have a better selection of ammo and higher relative damage, not to mention the fact that they are more readily available. But it’s hard to argue with the fact that YCS/186 is a superior long-ranged weapon, outperforming the Gauss Rifle in both damage, weight, proficiency requirements, and ammo consumption, and a Multiplas Rifle kills enemies with satisfying speed. Seriously, take a Multiplas Rifle out with Maximum Charge ammo and go shoot up some Deathclaws. It’s effective, you gotta give it that.