The Shrink Ray in The Outer Worlds 2 is a unique Science Weapon which permanently shrinks your enemies down to a small size, letting you smash them simply by walking over them!
The Outer Worlds 2 is a highly anticipated sequel, developed by Obsidian Entertainment and published by Xbox Game Studios, that continues the sci-fi fantasy weapon design the series is known for.
The Outer Worlds 2 (TOW2) launches in October 2025, bringing a fresh set of skills, perks, companions, and weapons for players to experiment with. Just like the first game, builds are the key to maximizing your combat potential, dialogue, and exploration. Since there are no respec options confirmed at launch, choosing the right build early can save you hours of frustration and getting Unique Weapons makes up a huge part of establishing the right build for your preferred playstyle.
Shrink Ray Stats – The Outer Worlds 2
The Shrink Ray is a unique Science Weapon in The Outer Worlds 2, which deals a small amount of Shock Damage, but can be charged to Shrink enemies to boot-stomping size! When shrunk, enemies do not take direct damage from the Shrink Ray itself; instead, the effect makes them easier to hit and finish off with other weapons. Powerful enemies will resist this effect until weakened first.
Description: It’s the Shrink Ray Mark II, now with Mega-Dwindle!
Weapon Stats:
- Weapon Type: Pistol
- DPS: 8
- Damage Type: Shock
- Ammo Type: Shock Rod
- Magazine Size: 333
- Rate Of Fire: 6/s
- Ammo Per Shot: 111
- Equip Time: 0.25s
- Reload Time: 1.2s
- Crit Chance: 11%
- Crit Damage: 200%
- Weak Spot Bonus: +60%
- Stealth Multiplier: +0%
- Effective Range: 30m
- Noise Range: 50m
- Shrinkify Mod: Reduce foes down to boot-stomping size! Powerful enemies will resist this effect unless weakened first. They instead take damage and are briefly stunned from molecular trauma.
How to use the Shrink Ray in The Outer Worlds 2
The Shrink Ray has been updated in The Outer Worlds 2 to permanently shrink enemies, making them so small that they can be smashed under your feet. This is the signature weapon of The Outer Worlds 2 Science Build.
Compared to how the Shrink Ray played in the first game, the updated version greatly enhances the fighting experience by making combat more immersive and fun. Its unique effects really sell the sci-fi fantasy, making every encounter feel impactful and convincing.
The main thing to note about this weapon is that it’s ammo consumption is huge (111 Shock Rods per shot) so you’ll need to conserve it’s use. Also, Strong enemies and Bosses cannot be affected until they are weakened. Enemies can be weakened by lowering their health enough until their health bar changes.
Where to get the Shrink Ray in The Outer Worlds 2
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. Players can locate the Shrink Ray by following the map to the Crabble Spawning Grounds on Paradise Island, the land where the adventure begins.
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.
Progress through the Crabble Spawning Grounds until you find the back entrance where the Rifts can be interacted with. Closing the first Rift will help you get to a higher location, while closing the second Rift will lead you up to a high ledge. You will need to climb various structures and ledges to reach the chamber where the Shrink Ray is found. Progressing further is seemingly blocked by the pipes that appear while the Rift is open, so the trick here is to jump at the last second from the ramp as the pipes despawn as the Rift fades. Open Rifts despawn after about a minute of being open.
Tips and Tricks for The Outer Worlds 2 Shrink Ray and Science Weapons
The Shrink Ray Mark II in The Outer Worlds 2 is a game-changer when it comes to shrinking enemies and turning the tide of combat. Mastering this unique science weapon can give you a serious edge, especially when facing powerful enemies or exploring the dangerous rifts of Paradise Island and beyond. Here are some essential tips and tricks to help you get the most out of the Shrink Ray and dominate your foes:
Conserve Your Ammo: The Shrink Ray’s mega-dwindle effect comes at a cost with each shot consuming a hefty 111 Shock Rods. To make every shot count, reserve the Shrink Ray for moments when you’re up against tough groups or particularly stubborn targets. Don’t waste it on weaker enemies you can easily dispatch with other weapons.
Weaken Before You Shrink: Not all enemies in Outer Worlds 2 will shrink on your first attempt. Bosses and other powerful foes often resist the Shrink Ray’s effects until they’re sufficiently weakened. Use your other weapons to lower their health, then switch to the Shrink Ray to reduce them to boot-stomping size and finish the fight in style.
Synergize with Other Weapons: The Shrink Ray is designed to shrink enemies, not necessarily to deal massive direct damage. Once you’ve shrunk your targets, follow up with high-damage weapons like the Boarst Blaster or the Spectrum Dancer Saber to quickly eliminate them. This combo is especially effective in chaotic combat scenarios.
Maximize Combat Impact: In the heat of battle, try to line up multiple enemies before firing the Shrink Ray. Shrinking several foes at once can quickly turn a dangerous encounter into a walk in the park, letting you stomp or attack them while they’re vulnerable and briefly stunned from molecular trauma.
Leverage the Rift Anomaly Modulator: Accessing the Shrink Ray requires the Rift Anomaly Modulator, but don’t forget to use this gadget throughout your adventure. Closing rifts can open up new paths and hidden areas, giving you more opportunities to find ammo, unique weapons, and strategic vantage points.
Play to the Beat: If you’re wielding the Spectrum Dancer Saber after shrinking enemies, try attacking in rhythm with the game’s musical beat. This can stack bonuses and help you deal even more damage to your miniaturized foes, making combat both effective and entertaining.
Shrink Ray Lore
It’s worth investigating the Crabble Spawning Grounds further to find information on how the Shrink Ray was created and how it was used. Apparently the Protectorate created the Shrink Ray as part of their work at the Crabble Population Research Station on Paradise Island, but they were eventually overrun by Crabble. The Shrink Ray served as an effective means of culling the Crabble population, but the researchers were separated from the ray when two Rifts appeared inside the facility and the Crabble subsequently took over the location, killing all the researchers.
