The Outer Worlds guide: How to find the shrink ray

Science weapons in The Outer Worlds are unique, reality-defying weapons. They might not deal the most damage, but they sure are fun to use.

There are five science weapons to find in The Outer Worlds. All five require energy cell ammo. Their damage will scale with the wielder’s tech > science skill. The real use of science weapons are their physics-breaking properties.

In this guide, we’ll find your first science weapon, the shrink ray, in Phineas’ Lab.

Weapons From the Void // Acquire Phineas’ Science Weapon

Obsidian Entertainment/Private Division via Polygon

Once you get your ship repaired at the end of the main quest Stranger in a Strange Land, head to your quarters on the Unreliable. Read through the notes on your terminal to learn that Hawthorne had been trying to track down some science weapons. One is in Phineas’ Lab.

Fly the Unreliable to Phineas’ Lab, and head inside. There’s plenty to distract you here, but your destination is the counter right in front of Phineas. Approach him, and look just a little to your right.

Shrink ray

The shrink ray deals plasma damage, but it also makes your target smaller for a few seconds. They’re slightly harder to hit, but their armor and damage are also reduced. Increasing your tech > science skill will increase the amount of reduction.