The Mass Effect franchise brought with it an arsenal of cool sci-fi weaponry, the likes of which we might see in the far future. From sniper rifles to shotguns and energy cannons, there's something for every gun-nut and every playstyle.
Different weapons perform better for certain players depending on their chosen class and playstyle, but some guns are a cut above the rest and deserve special mention. Anyone who is planning another run through the Mass Effect series might do well to seek out these beauties. Here are the best weapons throughout the series.
Updated June 14, 2021 by Ritwik Mitra: The gunplay of the Mass Effect series has been quite stellar, with the sole exception of the first game that has been touched upon extensively in the Legendary Edition. Players who want to enjoy the combat in the Mass Effect series to the fullest would be well-serviced with the following weapons in their arsenal that will absolutely decimate enemies in style.
15 Reaper Blackstar
One of Mass Effect 3's best weapons that only comes with one round due to its immense damage potential, the Reaper Blackstar is a heavy weapon that will decimate pretty much any enemy in Shepard's path.
Aside from the extremely limited ammunition, another drawback of the Reaper Blackstar is its charging time. However, all of these drawbacks pale in comparison to the immense damage that this gun can deal in a single shot, with its area-of-effect pretty much obliterating even the strongest enemies.
How to Obtain:
- Mass Effect 3: Can be acquired in the missions Priority: Palaven, Tuchanka: Turian Platoon, and Mahavid: Leviathan.
14 Geth Spitfire
Mass Effect's version of a Gatling gun absolutely tears through enemies with sustained fire, making the Geth Spitfire one of Mass Effect 3's best weapons by a country mile.
While the ammunition for this gun might dwindle at an alarming rate, there's no denying the fact that the Geth Spitfire still ends up being a powerful weapon that mows down enemies in a flash and helps Shepard and his squadmates turn the tide of battle as well.
How to Obtain:
- Mass Effect 3: Can be found in Rannoch. Alternatively, it is automatically acquired during the mission Citadel Wards: Ambush.
13 M-920 Cain
Pretty much a handheld space nuke that can completely annihilate all but the strongest of enemies in both Mass Effect 2 and 3, the M-920 Cain is a brilliant addition to Shepard's arsenal and one of Mass Effect's best weapons.
While the destructive potential of this weapon is immense, players certainly need to be extra careful while using this weapon — it has a longer charge time than the Reaper Blackstar and its projectile moves extremely slow, meaning that players need to be extra careful while using this weapon in any mission.
How to Obtain:
- Mass Effect 2: Can be unlocked by using 25,000 Iridium at the research center after three Heavy Weapon Ammo upgrades have been researched.
- Mass Effect 3: Can be found during Priority: Earth near a crashed shuttle.
12 Arc Projector
A chain lightning gun that ends up creating a rather hypnotic light show in battle, the Arc Projector is a weapon exclusive to Mass Effect 2.
Aiming this weapon in the general direction of enemies and watching them get fried to a crisp with this weapon is nothing short of amazing, although the player should make sure that each and every shot from this weapon counts, given the limited ammunition.
How to Obtain:
- Mass Effect 2: It's a free DLC item that came packed with the Cerberus Network in the original release.
11 M-560 Hydra
A heavy weapon exclusive to Mass Effect 3 that launches a string of deadly homing missiles at multiple targets, the M-560 Hydra is a weapon of mass destruction that leaves no survivors in its wake.
Using this weapon during a rather crowded and chaotic firefight makes for a rather satisfying — and explosive display — as powerful enemies are blasted to kingdom come at a moment's notice.
How to Obtain:
- Mass Effect 3: Can be found during the missions Tuchanka: Bomb, Priority: Thessia, Despoina: Leviathan, and Priority: Earth.
10 Black Widow Sniper Rifle
The Black Widow is widely considered the best sniper rifle gun in the Mass Effect series, balancing deadly shot power with a 3-round mag to offset its slow reload time.
In contrast to weaker rifles, the Black Widow is excellent at whittling down shields and opening up the field for a deadly headshot. When placed in steady hands, it dramatically changes the course of a fight, thereby living up to its ominous name.
How to Obtain:
- Mass Effect 3: Purchased from the Spectre Requisitions terminal in the Citadel Embassies.
- Andromeda: Purchased in the Kadara Market and the Research Room on Tempest.
9 M-6 Carnifex Hand Cannon
This lethal pistol started out as an upgrade for the Predator heavy pistol and was favored among the Blue Suns mercenary outfit for its strong stopping power.
The weapon was less effective at shield penetration, however, making it a good item to switch to after a more prudent weapon does the job.
How to Obtain:
- Mass Effect 2: Given by Mordin on Omega.
- Mass Effect 3: Picked up from on top of a pipe during Arrae: Ex-Cerberus Scientists mission, or later purchased from Kassa Fabrication.
- Andromeda: Purchased from Prodromos on Eos.
8 Collector Particle Beam
Players who have been on the receiving end of this weapon realize its danger quotient. Turning the tables and wielding it on foes is one of the more joyous parts of Mass Effect combat.
The Particle Beam strikes a strong balance against shields, armor, and barriers, making it a good all-purpose primary weapon. Its long-range is hampered a bit by the need to emerge from cover to maintain the damage output in a concentrated beam, but it's still one of the best weapons to have at one's side.
How to Obtain:
- Mass Effect 2: Can be picked up from a few areas in the Priority: Horizon mission (near the frozen colonists, near the door leading to Delan, and after you exit the garage). If missed, it will be a reward on the completion of the mission.
7 Geth Pulse Rifle
When the standard-issue Avenger assault rifle simply won't do the trick, it's time to upgrade. One of the best weapons to consider is the Geth Pulse Rifle.
This weapon fires projectiles on a variable curve to produce high accuracy, even at fully automatic. It's best used against shielded foes, while armor penetration takes a slight dive. Damage output is fairly standard, but its accuracy makes up for it.
How to Obtain:
- Mass Effect 2: This can only be obtained during Tali's loyalty mission and only if you are on Hardcore/Insanity difficulty. You can simply up your difficulty before this mission, get the gun, then drop it back down afterward. It's found in the same room as Tali.
- Mass Effect 3: It can be found on a crate during the mission Priority: Geth Dreadnought or can alter be purchased from Elkoss Combine Arsenal Supplies on the Citadel.
6 M-22 Eviscerator
If you like to keep a shotgun handy for close encounters, the M-22 Eviscerator is a top pick. Its rapid-fire creates a barrage of destruction for foes who get in your face, turning them into a red mist with little trouble.
Like most shotguns, the Scimitar is useless for distance shots, but its potential damage output is far greater than its peers. It also offers up better damage against armored targets, as well.
How to Obtain:
- Mass Effect 2: Available via the Cerberus Weapon and Armor DLC for legacy versions, or available immediately as a research project in the Legendary Edition.
- Mass Effect 3: Picked up from behind the barricade during the mission Grissom Academy: Emergency Evacuation, or later purchasable from Batarian State Arms on the Citadel.
5 M-25 Hornet
SMGs aren't everyone's bag, but those who want to dip their toes into the pool should start with the Hornet. It's by far one of, if not the best SMG in the Mass Effect arsenal.
A combination of crushing damage output, an insane fire rate, and a very lightweight build make the Hornet the perfect go-to solution for quick and dirty kills. Its only drawback is high recoil, especially if aiming down the sights.
How to Obtain:
- Mass Effect 3: Picked up from a C-Sec corpse during the Priority: The Citadel II mission, or later purchasable from Batarian State Arms on the Citadel.
- Andromeda: Blueprint available from the Research center.
4 Cluster Grenade
When it gets too hot in the kitchen, a grenade can help cool things down. The Cluster Grenade is perhaps the most powerful in the series, thanks to its eye-watering damage output.
When thrown, this grenade breaks apart into three separate explosives which litter a wider area. Those caught up in all three blasts are instantly decimated – even higher-tier foes like Phantoms. The only drawback is trajectory. Players who toss this little monster should do so carefully in order to maximize destructive power.
How to Obtain:
- Mass Effect 3: Available for Adepts.
3 M-96 Mattock
The Mattock assault rifle requires some patience to overcome the learning curve associated with its firing style. This rapid-fire semi-auto weapon fires rounds one trigger-pull at a time, limiting its rate of fire to the overall speed of the user.
With a punishing damage quotient, the Mattock is excellent for charging tactics, especially when it comes to enemies with higher defense. It can also stagger opponents and set up enough time for a melee attack. Its only drawback? It runs dry relatively fast, thanks to limited ammo capacity.
How to Obtain:
- Mass Effect 2: Available in the Firepower Pack DLC for legacy versions, or purchased on Omega in the Legendary Edition.
- Mass Effect 3: Picked up from a couch during the mission Grissom Academy: Emergency Evacuation, or later purchasable from Kassa Fabrication on the Citadel.
- Andromeda: Purchased from Clancy Arquist on Eos.
2 Asari Sword
When all the ammo has run dry, melee weapons are the last resort. The Asari Sword is perhaps the strongest and most capable melee weapon in the entire franchise, which is why it's so popular.
This lightweight weapon deals severe damage at a very fast swing rate, while simultaneously making the user invincible during an attack. Care must be taken when striking, however. Mistimed attacks will leave the user wide open to damage.
How to Obtain:
- Andromeda: Obtained from the Research Center.
1 Spectre Master Weapons
The first Mass Effect game does weapons and Armor a little differently than its successors, but the best weapons/armor you can obtain in the first game are those that fall into the Spectre Master category — weapons only made available to Spectres.
This exclusive range of weaponry and armor will not be available until later in the game, as it takes some grinding in terms of credits and experience points in order to unlock them.
How to Obtain:
- Mass Effect: In order to get your hands on those coveted Spectre Master weapons, you have to farm a lot of credits. Once you reach 1,000,000 credits and are at least Level 36 (classic)/Level 19 (Legendary), these weapons will be available from purchase from either C-Sec Requisitions Officer or the Alliance Requisition Officer aboard the Normandy. Additional Spectre Master weapons and armor will become available as you level up further.