User blog comment:LilyheartsLightning/The MEWiki Arsenal Awards 2012/@comment-60.240.209.220-20130124133108/@comment-24174486-20130124212931

The Talon does greater damage per shot if all of its pellets hit. It also does extra damage against shields and barriers, unlike the Paladin.

How is the Mantis's "equivalent" the Carnifex? They're completely different weapons. Or how is the Phalanx the Vindicator's "equivalent"?

The Talon doesn't need a scope; it can remain an excellent close-range weapon without the scope, or its effective range can be extended with the scope.