I'm playing Fallout: New Vegas at Very Hard difficulty as an explosive – sneak character currently at level 7. The problem I'm facing is the lack of a decent weapon.
I've been able to do quite a bit of damage with the Merc's Grenade Rifle but the merchants are not quite stocking up enough of ammos. So I went to give the Ratslayer(Sniper) a chance, but I'm not getting enough DPS whenever I'm detected.
What I need is suggestions for either a good explosive/sniper weapon or a way to get enough launcher ammos.
Best Answer
Since Ratslayer seems to be the best gun you have so far I'm going to assume that you have not yet made it to Novac and thus will limit my answers to guns which can be acquired between Goodsprings (early-game) and Novac (mid-game).
Melee is also a viable early-game option with weapons like Chance's Knife but this list would get really long if I included every category of weapon.
If you're specializing in guns you have a few options here. The absolute best things you can do is maximize your guns and lockpick levels to get the two unique weapons:
Lucky is a revolver which uses the ever-so-common .357 rounds. This requires a lockpick skill of 75 and a trip back to the Bison Steve Hotel in Primm to acquire. Lucky boasts a high critical hit chance, a faster-than-normal fire rate and has low AP requirements for VATS.
Gobi Campaign Scout Rifle is one of the best guns in the game. Since you've been able to get to the Brock Flower Cave to collect the Ratslayer's rifle the hidden Sniper's Nest would be within a short walking distance. This beast of a rifle fires the uncommon .308 round but hits like a freight train, benefits from a scope, and has an incredibly high fire rate for a rifle. Be warned, you will need a lockpick skill of 100 to retrieve it. Consider crafting your own bullets to offset the rarity of the .308 cartridge.
There are two decent early-game weapons that can might be useful too, especially if the lockpick requirements shown above are too intense:
Cowboy Repeater is a decent option for the aspiring gunslinger. This all-rounder can be retrieved from Primm in the Sheriff's Office. It shoots .357 rounds and can hit targets pretty well from medium range. One of the better guns available in the early-game.
The Service Rifle is given as a reward for completing the Mojave Outpost quest Can you find it in your heart. It has low damage but a high fire rate which makes it ideal for lightly armored targets. Combine it with 5.56 hollow point bullets to tear through unarmored enemies.
Lastly, the Ratslayer you've mentioned is a really good early-game gun. Make sure you are hidden before firing and you should have a decent opening to any confrontation. When the bullets start flying you will need to find something with more firepower. That being said, a suppressed rifle with a night vision scope is a great way for building long distance relationships.
Ultimately, there aren't any high power guns until mid-game and beyond. Once you've reached Novac keep an eye out for high-powered weapons like the Hunting Rifle, That Gun, Trail Carbine and the Sawed-Off Shotgun, all of which can be found in Novac.