Damage types
There are several different damage types that you can use against your enemies out in the wasteland. Understanding what each one does is key to knowing when and where to use it. Nothing is worse than having a weapon with a high damage rating doing absolutely nothing because you used it on the wrong enemy.
(The Awareness perk under the Perception branch definitely helps out in this area.)
Radiation- Ineffective against radiation immune enemies such as robots, turrets, Super Mutants, ghouls, and creatures. Humans are are highly susceptible to Radiation provided that they don’t have radiation protection.
Cryogenic- The damage of ice. Damages and slows enemies. Useful against all enemy types making this very useful although it is extremely rare to come across anything with this damage type.
Ballistic- Your standard damage type. Not especially powerful, but useful against all enemy types to varying degrees. Damage can be reduced by armor so use V.A.T.S. to aim for exposed areas. If you don’t you’ll just be giving away bullets for nothing.
Energy- Plasma and Pulse damage. Energy Damage is very useful against Synths and other robotic enemies. It is also able to disintegrate or “gooify” fleshy enemies. In some cases it can even lead to burning. Ammunition is common where ever you can find a lot of machine type enemies (factories, Vaults, etc.).
