Durability (number of attacks before breaking) Damage per attack (damage per projectile) Plasma Defender (GRA) - A variant that can accept modifications.It only differs from the standard pistol in its use of companion ammunition. Arcade's Plasma Defender - A unique non-playable Plasma Defender used by Arcade Gannon.
The Plasma Defender can fire a total of about 495 times using standard cells, the equivalent of 31 reloads, from full condition before breaking. Unlike the plasma pistol, the plasma defender is not considered a holdout weapon. and has a higher rate of fire in real-time, delivering almost twice as much DPS. However, the plasma defender is a more accurate weapon, uses fewer Action Points in V.A.T.S. In comparison to the plasma pistol, the plasma defender does an additional 5 damage per shot, has a reduced critical chance, and is less durable. Additionally, it causes a large green burst of plasma upon firing which in addition to partially obscuring the view, travels at a slower rate, resulting in the need to lead the target. This is offset by the fact that it consumes energy cells at twice the rate, has reduced durability, and has a slightly increased spread. In comparison to the standard laser pistol, the Plasma Defender deals more than 3 times the damage per shot and over twice as much damage-per-second (DPS).
It is able to punch through most critters and low-level armor with ease, when compared to the more commonly found and cheaper laser pistol. The Plasma Defender is a powerful energy-based pistol that fires superheated bolts of green plasma.