M-622 Avalanche

The M-622 Avalanche is a heavy weapon from Mass Effect 2.

In-Game Description
Cryo Round technology is used to modify standard weapon slugs. A cooling laser collapses the ammunition into Bose-Einstein condensate, a mass of super-cooled subatomic particles capable of snap-freezing impacted objects. Normandy's scientists have found a way to apply this technology on a large scale: by generating a mass effect containment "bubble", this proof-of-concept large weapon technology is effective against armor, shields, and biotic barriers. It is nicknamed the "Cryo-Blaster".

Acquisition

 * Unlocked at the Normandy research station after two Heavy Weapon Ammo upgrades have been researched. Costs 15,000 iridium.

Player Notes

 * Very effective against shielded groups of enemies, e.g. Husks will die spontaneously after freezing. Repeated hits will strip off shields, barriers, and armor. Once unprotected, enemies, even heavy ones like YMIR mechs and Geth Primes, can be frozen for at least 15-20 seconds, leaving them open to further attacks from which they will suffer double damage. It takes a short while for the projectiles to reach their target, and a single hit does little damage, but the generous ammo capacity partly compensates for that. Also in order to freeze an enemy, the target must remain in the freezing cloud, making it mainly a defensive support weapon. On the other hand, the freezing cloud may trap several enemies at once, providing an area effect. The Avalanche can be fired rapidly or charged up, although a charged blast is no different from a non-charged blast. It isn't a good idea to bring this weapon into confrontations with the Blood Pack, as the freezing effects don't stop regeneration, and the little damage it does won't be enough to make a dent in enemy numbers.

Trivia

 * Although holding the fire button charges up the weapon, it does not have any effect on the weapon. This could possibly have been an early feature that was removed.