M-97 Viper/ME3SP

Description
The Viper is a semi-automatic, rapid-fire sniper rifle manufactured by Rosenkov Materials. Rosenkov developed a patented automated-release system that assists with thermal-clip ejection, shortening the Viper's reload time. This rifle is popular with military snipers, who appreciate a long-range gun that can snap off multiple shots in the blink of an eye.

Acquisition
The M-97 Viper is found during the mission Priority: Palaven, on top of a crate in the center of the first base. (It is also purchasable from Kassa Fabrication post-mission if it was missed).

Player Notes

 * The Viper has changed drastically compared to Mass Effect 2. It now fires much more slowly but has more damage per shot.
 * The Viper, especially when fully upgraded, is the lightest sniper rifle in the game, with the Indra a close second.
 * The Viper is ideal for taking down groups of lightly protected enemies because its semi-high fire rate, very fast reload, and reasonably large clip allow it to rapidly kill infantry with headshots, provided a character has modded it appropriately and has the right skillset. When upgraded appropriately it can still take down moderately protected enemies with 2-4 hits to the head, with the first hit to the head often causing enemies to flinch, making successive shots easier.
 * In contrast with the Black Widow, the Viper fires slightly faster with more shots per clip. The reloading time is also very short, making missed shots far less costly; however, the trade off is that you have significantly less damage per shot and no cover/armor penetration without Weapon Mods.
 * The Viper serves as a good middle ground between the M-13 Raptor and the M-92 Mantis, doing more damage than the former and firing faster than the latter.