Plasma or Laser

[Yamu]

I've been getting into laser recently - the RCW is a fabulous weapon. However, the upgrade mods for the plasma pistol are sweeeeeet! fully modded the plasma pistol makes the early game a breeze - IF you can get them.

I never had an issue with finding plasma pistol/defender mods after installing Gunrunner's Arsenal-- merchants were more than happy to clutter up their inventories with GRA mods and ammo, as early as Chet in Goodsprings. (Of course, vanilla early-game mods became next-to-impossible to find, but if you're going Energy anyway, not being able to finish work on your Varmint Rifle until sometime after the Legion assassins start bringing Anti-Materiels to the fight might be less of an annoyance for you).