Reaper Blackstar

The Reaper Blackstar is a heavy weapon in Mass Effect 3.

Description
The Reaper weapon nicknamed "Blackstar" is so advanced that Alliance scientists can only offer speculation about how it works. The gun appears to exploit an element zero and mass effect fields to fire gravitational singularities - micro black holes - that revert to their natural lethality when they impact a solid object. Researchers theorize that the blast tears apart the strong nuclear forces that hold the target's atoms together, resulting in a localized fusion reaction in light atoms and a fusion reaction in heavy atoms. If that hypothesis is correct, the weapon alters nuclei, thus changing the chemical composition of the target. It destroys organic tissue, corrodes surviving armor, and leaves a visible trail of light-emitting particles.

Although some might argue that the Blackstar's single-launch capability makes it a liability, its capacity for utter destruction is essential when the user requires large-scale, instantaneous damage.

Acquisition
The Reaper Blackstar is first found during Priority: Palaven and it can also be found by the area covered in fallen columns right after the second Harvester encounter, to the far right of the room sitting on top of broken pillar Tuchanka: Turian Platoon. Like all heavy weapons in Mass Effect 3, once its ammunition has been depleted, the weapon is thrown away.

Player Notes
(in addition to having another Blackstar equipped with one shot after the cutscene, and weapons missing from inventory).
 * The Blackstar is an exceedingly powerful weapon of Reaper design. When acquired, it will only have one round available to Shepard, a drawback which is balanced by its high damage and area of effect. It should be used against powerful enemies or groups of weaker ones for greatest effect. Because the Blackstar requires a charging period, it is less advisable to use it from cover, especially on higher difficulties. Instead, simply stand behind cover and pop out to fire the weapon.
 * The Blackstar is functionally similar to the M-920 Cain, which also deals massive area damage and requires a charging period to fire. Mass Effect 2 players familiar with the Cain may thus find the Blackstar easier to use than those who expect it to fire instantaneously.
 * On Xbox 360 version, if the Blackstar is fired on the Harvester when it is first encountered (finishing it), and Shepherd subsequently dies from the Harvester or other enemies immediately after the shot is fired, the cutscene will continue. This causes Shepherd's money to completely diminish to 0.