Experiment 18-A is a powerful weapon in Fallout 4, and a good choice for VATS Builds or a run-and-gun playstyle.
Fallout 4 Experiment 18-A Stats
| Experiment 18-A | |
 | |
| Effect: 25% faster fire rate, 15% faster reload | |
| Damage: +24 Attack Damage +24 Energy Damage | |
| Ammo: Plasma cartridge | |
| Magazine size: 36 | |
| Fire Rate: 136 | Range: 203 |
| Accuracy: 140 | AP Cost: – |
| Value: 1,809 | Weight: 6.6 |
Experiment 18-A Weapon Modifications
Barrel
| Mod | Description | Change | Effect |
| Standard Barrel | Standard. | – | – |
| Splitter | Fire multiple projectiles. Improved damage. Poor accuracy. | – | – |
| Automatic barrel | Improved rate of fire, range and sighted accuracy. Worse recoil. Reduced ammo capacity. Poor hip-fire accuracy. | – | – |
| Sniper barrel | Superior damage and range. Worse recoil. Poor ammo capacity and hip-fire accuracy. | – | – |
| Flamer barrel | Flame-thrower conversion. | – | – |
| Improved short barrel | Improved damage. | – | – |
| Improved splitter | Fires multiple projectiles. Better damage. Poor accuracy. | – | – |
| Improved automatic barrel | Superior rate of fire. Improved damage, range and sighted accuracy. Worse recoil. Reduced ammo capacity. Poor hip-fire accuracy. | – | – |
| Improved sniper barrel | Exceptional damage. Superior range. Worse recoil. Poor ammo capacity and hip-fire accuracy. | – | – |
Grip
| Mod | Description | Change | Effect |
| Standard Stock | Standard. | – | – |
| Comfort grip | Improved recoil and hip-fire accuracy. | – | – |
| Standard stock | Exceptional sighted accuracy. Better recoil and aim with scopes. Improved bash. | – | – |
| Markman’s stock | Exceptional sighted accuracy. Superior recoil and aim with scopes. Improved bash. | – | – |
| Recoil compensating stock | Exceptional sighted accuracy and recoil. Better aim with scopes. Improved bash. | – | – |
Capacitor
| Mod | Description | Change | Effect |
| Half Capacitors | Standard. | – | – |
| Beta wave tuner | Adds burning damage. Improved range. | – | – |
| Boosted capacitor | Improved damage. Reduced ammo capacity. | – | – |
| Photon exciter | Improved critical shot damage and accuracy. | – | – |
| Photon agitator | Superior critical shot damage. Better accuracy and ammo capacity. | – | – |
| Gamma wave emitter | Adds better burning damage. Better range and ammo capacity. | – | – |
| Maximized capacitor | Better damage. | – | – |
| Boosted photon agitator | Superior critical shot damage and ammo capacity. | – | – |
| Boosted gamma wave emitter | Adds better burning damage. Superior ammo capacity. Better range. Improved damage. | – | – |
| Overcharged capacitor | Superior damage. Improved ammo capacity. | – | – |
Sights
| Mod | Description | Change | Effect |
| Standard sights | Standard. | – | – |
| Short scope | Improved magnification. Superior sighted accuracy. | – | – |
| Reflex sight | Better focus and sighted accuracy. | – | – |
| Medium scope | Better magnification. Superior sighted accuracy. | – | – |
| Long scope | Superior magnification and sighted accuracy. | – | – |
| Short night vision scope | Night vision. Improved magnification. Superior sighted accuracy. | – | – |
| Medium night vision scope | Night vision. Better magnification. Superior sighted accuracy. | – | – |
| Long night vision scope | Night vision. Superior magnification and sighted accuracy. | – | – |
| Short recon scope | Tracks targets. Improved magnification. Superior sighted accuracy. | – | – |
| Long recon scope | Tracks targets. Superior magnification and sighted accuracy. | – | – |
Fallout 4 Experiment 18-A Location
- Experiment 18-A can only be found at The Institute and purchased from the synth requisition officer.
- Access requirement: You must have reached the Institute through the main questline (completing “Institutionalized”)
- Location: The Concourse is the central hub area of the Institute
- Approximate cost: 1,800-2,000 caps depending on Charisma and perks
- Cost reduction: Bring Charisma-boosting gear and Grape Mentats before purchasing
