Science Weapons are back in The Outer Worlds 2, and they’re bigger, stranger, and even more fun than before! These rare experimental weapons add a dose of chaos to combat with unique effects that no standard gun or blade can match!
This guide breaks down every science weapon, explains how they work, and why you’ll want to hunt them down on Arcadia.
What Are Science Weapons in The Outer Worlds 2?
Science Weapons are special prototype weapons that don’t just deal damage, they completely change how you fight. They often have strange effects, odd visuals, and unusual mechanics that can make for a strong Science Build!
In the first Outer Worlds, these weapons were some of the rarest and most memorable gear you could find. Each one had a unique gimmick: the Shrink Ray could miniaturize enemies, the Mandibular Rearranger could freeze targets with a single hit, the Mind Control Ray let you turn enemies against each other, and the Gloop Gun launched blobs that bounced around the battlefield and knocked foes into the air.
Instead of just being rare collectibles, science weapons in The Outer Worlds 2 are an important part of shaping your build. Expect the return of reimagined classics like the Shrink Ray, as well as entirely new creations like the Armageddon and the Spectrum Dance Saber, alongside other tools that bend the rules of how combat works on Arcadia. There’s even new Science Armor!
All Science Weapons in The Outer Worlds 2
| Weapon Name | Type |
| Armageddon | Launcher |
| Big Bang | Launcher |
| Pop Up Gun | Shotgun |
| Shrink Ray | Pistol |
| Spectrum Dance Saber | 1-Handed Melee Weapon |
| GARY | Light Armor |
| Zyranium Automech Suit | Heavy Armor |
As new science weapons are revealed, we will update this guide with details on where to find them and how to use them effectively.
Armageddon
Armageddon is another science weapon revealed for The Outer Worlds 2. This weapon fires unstable organic rift material that attaches on impact with surfaces or even enemies. The bio-mass rounds turn into arms which then hit enemies nearby. These masses continue to hit their targets over and over again until they are destroyed, making it an unusual and aggressive option during combat.
The Armageddon science weapon can be obtained by closing a rift at the Interstitial Reconfiguration Center, located on the planet Praetor. Check the Armageddon Science Weapon guide.
Big Bang
The Big Bang is the largest and most devastating science weapon in the game. It uses material harvested from rifts to shoot a giant ball of energy capable of vaporizing everything in its path. Because the ammunition for this weapon is extremely rare, it is a weapon best reserved for dangerous situations where maximum firepower is required.
Big Bang can be obtained at the EARL research facility on the planet Cloister. Check our Big Bang Science Weapon Guide.
Popup Gun
The Popup Gun Science Weapon fires advertising drones to taunt and distract enemies. This weapon automatically reloads whenever an ad drone dies, but manually reloading causes the ad drone to explode. This weapon can be a bit difficult to use in combat and may be best reserved for a pacifist or speech playthrough that attempts to avoid combat.
To obtain the Popup Gun you’ll need to head to the ACS Undisputed Claim, the Auntie’s Choice faction station and locate the Arms Merchant. The Popup Gun costs 16,000 bits to purchase. Check the Popup Gun guide for The Outer Worlds 2.
Shrink Ray
The Shrink Ray makes a return in The Outer Worlds 2, but this time it has been upgraded in a major way. Instead of shrinking enemies for just a short period of time, it now reduces them permanently to the size of a sprat. Once they are shrunk, you can run over them, step on them, or even kick them to finish the job. This change was made because players wanted that full fantasy of not only miniaturizing their enemies but also crushing them underfoot.
In The Outer Worlds 2, the Shrink Ray is located in the first area of Paradise Island, however you will need to progress the story until you at least obtain the Rift Anomaly Modulator. This Gadget allows you to close active Rifts, helping you gain access to hidden areas and items located throughout the game.
Once you have the Rift Anomaly Modulator in your inventory, proceed to Paradise Island and the Crabble Spawning Grounds location, just south of the Landing Pad where you first start. In this location, you will find two rifts, which when closed, create platforms, helping you jump to reach the safe which contains the Shrink Ray. Check out our Full Shrink Ray guide!
Spectrum Dance Saber
The Spectrum Dance Saber is a melee science weapon that introduces rhythm-based combat. When you attack with this weapon, your swings can be synced to a musical beat. By maintaining that rhythm, you earn stacking bonuses with each hit you land. The more accurate your timing, the stronger your attacks become, giving melee players a stylish and highly interactive way to fight.
The Spectrum Dance Saber can be purchased (or stolen) from Fionna F. Walker, the elite Sub Rosa trading card collector and owner of Card-Collector’s Curios. There are multiple ways of obtaining this unique melee weapon, but the most straight-forward option is by purchasing it for 15,000 bits after completing Fionna’s quest to retrieve collectible cards. Check out our full Spectrum Dance Saber Guide!
GARY
Gary is a unique Science Armor found in The Outer Worlds 2. GARY is a reactive sentient creature shell which uses its spiny tendrils to reach out and attack nearby enemies. It’s damage dealt increases with your Medical and Science skill, plus GARY also has unique voice lines which he interjects during combat or general gameplay (he is sentient, after all).
The GARY Science Armor can be found by opening a rift using the Rift Modulator gadget on the first planet, Eden. Check the GARY Science Armor guide.
Zyranium Automech Suit
The Zyranium Automech Suit is a unique Heavy Science Armor which allows the player to hover by spending Gadget energy and will also keep them alive at death’s door, but builds Zyranium poisoning while at zero health, which can eventually kill you.
This fantastic science armor is found at the Automech Production Facility located on the planet Praetor. Check the full guide for more details.
How Science Weapons Change Combat
Because of their unconventional mechanics, science weapons completely change the way combat feels in The Outer Worlds 2. You can shrink enemies and stomp them like bugs, stick Armageddon’s swarming masses to your target to keep them staggered, slice to a musical rhythm with the Spectrum Dance Saber, or unleash a devastating Big Bang energy shot when things get overwhelming. Science armor like Gary adds another layer of flexibility by letting you deal damage simply by moving around. These weapons and gear aren’t just for show; they reward creativity and let you build playstyles that feel completely different from traditional combat.
Why You Should Collect Science Weapons
These experimental weapons are worth seeking out because they do things that ordinary gear simply can’t. They allow you to combine quirky effects with standard combat, create unique builds that lean into fun mechanics, and handle encounters in ways that standard rifles or pistols never could. Science weapons are a signature part of The Outer Worlds identity, and The Outer Worlds 2 takes them to the next level.
FAQs – The Outer Worlds 2 Science Weapons
Are science weapons worth using in The Outer Worlds 2?
Yes. Science weapons give you abilities you simply cannot get from normal weapons. Shrinking enemies, sticking attacking masses to targets, fighting in rhythm for bonus melee damage, and using rift energy to vaporize foes are just a few examples.
Can science weapons be upgraded or modded?
No, Science Weapons cannot be modded in The Outer Worlds 2, as their unique effect takes up their only existing mod slot.
Are science weapons in The Outer Worlds 2 missable?
Yes, nearly all science weapons are missable depending on how much you explore and which quests you choose to complete.
Do science weapons have limited ammo?
Some science weapons, like the Big Bang, use rare ammunition, while others like the Shrink Ray and Armageddon consume regular ammo but in vast amounts. Either way, Science Weapons need to be used sparingly for the biggest impact.
Dive Into The Outer Worlds 2!
Check the links below to browse more guides and builds for The Outer Worlds 2:
