Assault Rifles

Assault rifles are one of the primary weapons in the Mass Effect universe. Extensively used by factions across the galaxy, assault rifles generally offer mid-range stopping power, more accuracy than submachine guns, and overheat allowances larger than shotguns, pistols/heavy pistols, or sniper rifles.

Mass Effect
Assault rifles refers to both the weapon type and the combat-oriented talent available only to Soldiers, the Turian Agent, and the Krogan Battlemaster as a starting talent. Assault rifles are designed for any combat situation, allowing for close-, medium-, and even (in the right circumstances) long-range combat.

Their automatic fire makes assault rifles perfectly designed for taking down enemies quickly or providing cover fire, but due to their high recoil, sniping with assault rifles is very difficult. Short, controlled bursts and a crouching stance are required to hit anything at long range. At close range, spraying bullets into a target is effective, if not as quick as a shotgun blast.

The Assault Rifle talent unlocks the Overkill ability. When active this causes the assault rifle to generate less heat (thus taking longer to overheat) and increases accuracy.

Assault Rifles is an excellent bonus talent for biotic or tech-focused characters. They have a rate of fire of 10 shots per second.

See also: Assault Rifle Guide.

Talent Ranks

 * Level 1: Overkill


 * Level 2: Increases damage by 5%. Increases accuracy by 10%.


 * Level 3: Increases damage by 8%. Increases accuracy by 14%.


 * Level 4: Increases damage by 10%. Increases accuracy by 17%.


 * Level 5: Increases damage by 12%. Increases accuracy by 20%. Unlocks Shotguns (Krogan Battlemaster).


 * Level 6: Increases damage by 14%. Increases accuracy by 22%. Unlocks Sniper Rifles (Turian Agent).


 * Level 7: Increases damage by 16%. Increases accuracy by 24%. Unlocks Sniper Rifles (Soldier).


 * Level 8: Advanced Overkill


 * Level 9: Increases damage by 18%. Increases accuracy by 26%.


 * Level 10: Increases damage by 19%. Increases accuracy by 28%.


 * Level 11: Increases damage by 20%. Increases accuracy by 30%.


 * Level 12: Master Overkill

=== Overkill ===

Overkill is used by characters that can specialize in assault rifles. Soldiers, the Turian Agent, and the Krogan Battlemaster can learn this skill. It allows for firing of the rifle for long periods, with seriously reduced overheating and extra accuracy.

Overkill

 * Firing rifles generates 40% less heat, costs 20% less accuracy.
 * Duration: 10s.
 * Recharge Time: 45s.

Advanced Overkill

 * Firing rifles generates 50% less heat, costs 30% less accuracy.
 * Duration: 12s.
 * Recharge Time: 45s.

Master Overkill

 * Firing rifles generates 60% less heat, costs 40% less accuracy.
 * Duration: 15s.
 * Recharge Time: 45s.

Assault Rifle types
Below is a list of the types of Assault Rifles and their base stats:

Classes
The following classes can use the Assault Rifles talent:
 * Soldier
 * Krogan Battlemaster
 * Turian Agent

Mass Effect 2
Assault rifles in Mass Effect 2 are a class of rapid firing ranged weapons, which also encompasses battle rifles, marksman rifles and light machine guns. All assault rifles benefit from the short-range damage bonus. The Soldier is the only player class that starts with training in assault rifles, while other player classes may choose to specialise in assault rifles later during the game. The following squadmates also utilize assault rifles: Garrus, Grunt, Legion, Samara/Morinth, and Zaeed.

Assault Rifle Models
Below is a list of the types of assault rifles in Mass Effect 2 and their base stats:

M-8 Avenger

 * Manufacturer: Elkoss Combine
 * Base Damage: 10.8
 * Damage Multipliers (Armor / Barriers / Shields): x1.25 / x1.25 / x1.25
 * Default ammo: 40 / 400
 * Acquisition: Default starting weapon

M-15 Vindicator

 * Manufacturer: Elanus Risk Control Services
 * Base Damage: 36.8
 * Damage Multipliers (Armor / Barriers / Shields): x1.25 / x1.25 / x1.25
 * Default ammo: 24 / 96
 * Acquisition: Dossier: Archangel

M-76 Revenant

 * Manufacturer: Unknown
 * Base Damage: 21.3
 * Damage Multipliers (Armor / Barriers / Shields): x1.4 / x1.2 / x1.2
 * Default ammo: 80 / 480
 * Acquisition: Collector Ship (mission) (Soldier only).

M-96 Mattock

 * Manufacturer: Unknown
 * Base Damage: 50.4
 * Damage Multipliers (Armor / Barriers / Shields): x1.3 / x1.2 / x1.2
 * Default ammo: 16 / 64
 * Acquisition: Firepower Pack DLC.

Collector Assault Rifle

 * Manufacturer: Collectors
 * Base Damage: 17.4
 * Damage Multipliers (Armor / Barriers / Shields): x1.25 / x1.25 / x1.25
 * Default ammo: 28 / 280
 * Acquisition: Mass Effect 2 Limited Collectors' Edition (Xbox 360 and PC). Recon Operations Pack (PlayStation 3).

Geth Pulse Rifle

 * Manufacturer: Geth Armory
 * Base Damage: 10.8
 * Damage Multipliers (Armor / Barriers / Shields): x1.15 / x1.35 / x1.35
 * Default ammo: 40 / 480
 * Acquisition: Dossier: Tali (Hardcore or Insanity only)

Upgrades

 * Assault Rifle Penetration (Tungsten Jacket)
 * Provides +25% assault rifle damage against armor, shields, and biotic barriers.


 * Assault Rifle Accuracy (Targeting VI)
 * Your entire squad's assault rifles are now much more accurate.


 * Assault Rifle Damage 1 - 7 (Kinetic Pulsar)
 * Provides +10% assault rifle damage.

Mass Effect 3
No longer exclusive to the Soldier, Assault Rifles are a viable option for any class. Their consistent rate of fire and damage output makes them an appealing choice for most play styles. The following squadmates utilize assault rifles: Ashley, Garrus, James, Javik, Kaidan, Grunt, Nyreen, Samara, Zaeed.

Assault Rifle Models
Below is a list of the types of assault rifles in Mass Effect 3 and their base stats. Note that WCFDA stands for weight, capacity, fire rate, damage, and accuracy. The relevant values for those statistics are presented in that order.

Adas Anti-Synthetic Rifle

 * Manufacturer: Quarian
 * Base WCFDA: 80 / 30 / 35 / 30 / 15
 * Fire Mode: Automatic
 * Default ammo: 24 / 72
 * Acquisition: Firefight Pack (single-player), Mass Effect 3: Reckoning (multiplayer)

Cerberus Harrier

 * Manufacturer: Cerberus
 * Base WCFDA: 65 / 35 / 45 / 30 / 63
 * Fire Mode: Automatic
 * Default ammo: 20 / 80
 * Acquisition: Rebellion Pack (multiplayer), Firefight Pack (single-player)

Chakram Launcher

 * Manufacturer: Ama-Lur Equipment
 * Base WCFDA: 40 / 22 / 12 / 50 / 75
 * Fire Mode: Charged Semi-automatic
 * Default ammo: 4 / 40
 * Acquisition: Kingdoms of Amalur Promotional Item, Omega: Aria T'Loak1

Collector Assault Rifle

 * Manufacturer: Collectors
 * Base WCFDA: 80 / 57 / 46 / 14 / 29
 * Fire Mode: Automatic
 * Default ammo: 28 / 280
 * Acquisition: Promotional Item, Mass Effect 3: Retaliation

Geth Pulse Rifle

 * Manufacturer: Geth Armory
 * Base WCFDA: 33 / 80 / 90 / 12 / 37
 * Fire Mode: Automatic
 * Default ammo: 80 / 400
 * Acquisition: Priority: Geth Dreadnought or Elkoss Combine Arsenal Supplies

Geth Spitfire

 * Manufacturer: Geth Armory
 * Base WCFDA: 100 / 90 / 80 / 19 / 0
 * Fire Mode: Automatic
 * Default ammo: 220 / 600
 * Acquisition: Mass Effect 3: Reckoning2

M-7 Lancer

 * Manufacturer: Hahne-Kedar
 * Base WCFDA: 15 / 100 / 50 / 25 / 15
 * Fire Mode: Automatic
 * Default ammo: 40 / ∞
 * Acquisition: Mass Effect 3: Reckoning (multiplayer), Citadel Archives: Escape 3 (single-player)

M-8 Avenger

 * Manufacturer: Elkoss Combine
 * Base WCFDA: 16 / 56 / 50 / 13 / 20
 * Fire Mode: Automatic
 * Default ammo: 30 / 210
 * Acquisition: Prologue: Earth

M-15 Vindicator

 * Manufacturer: Elanus Risk Control Services
 * Base WCFDA: 17 / 47 / 40 / 22 / 45
 * Fire Mode: Three-round burst
 * Default ammo: 24 / 144
 * Acquisition: Priority: Mars or Kassa Fabrication

M-37 Falcon

 * Manufacturer: Systems Alliance
 * Base WCFDA: 60 / 22 / 11 / 50 / 15
 * Fire Mode: Semi-Automatic
 * Default ammo: 6 / 24
 * Acquisition: Priority: Cerberus Headquarters or Kassa Fabrication

M-55 Argus

 * Manufacturer: Unknown
 * Base WCFDA: 57 / 50 / 27 / 27 / 12
 * Fire Mode: Three-round Burst
 * Default ammo: 21 / 168
 * Acquisition: Pre-order bonus, Despoina: Leviathan4

M-76 Revenant

 * Manufacturer: Unknown
 * Base WCFDA: 54 / 70 / 65 / 20 / 15
 * Fire Mode: Automatic
 * Default ammo: 60 / 320
 * Acquisition: Priority: The Citadel II or Kassa Fabrication

M-96 Mattock

 * Manufacturer: Unknown
 * Base WCFDA: 30 / 33 / 19 / 22 / 65
 * Fire Mode: Semi-Automatic
 * Default ammo: 16 / 96
 * Acquisition: Grissom Academy: Emergency Evacuation or Kassa Fabrication

M-99 Saber

 * Manufacturer: Systems Alliance
 * Base WCFDA: 54 / 22 / 8 / 50 / 62
 * Fire Mode: Semi-automatic
 * Default ammo: 8 / 40
 * Acquisition: Priority: Horizon

N7 Typhoon

 * Manufacturer: Systems Alliance
 * Base WCFDA: 98 / 70 / 65 / 20 / 30
 * Fire Mode: Automatic
 * Default ammo: 100 / 400
 * Acquisition: Mass Effect 3: Earth (multiplayer), Groundside Resistance Pack (single-player)

N7 Valkyrie

 * Manufacturer: Systems Alliance
 * Base WCFDA: 55 / 44 / 36 / 20 / 47
 * Fire Mode: Two-round burst
 * Default ammo: 16 / 144
 * Acquisition: N7 Warfare Gear, Omega: Aria T'Loak1

Particle Rifle

 * Manufacturer: Protheans
 * Base WCFDA: 58 / 100 / 80 / 12 / 40
 * Fire Mode: Automatic
 * Default ammo: 100 / ∞
 * Acquisition: Priority: Eden Prime5

Phaeston

 * Manufacturer: Turian
 * Base WCFDA: 33 / 68 / 60 / 15 / 24
 * Fire Mode: Automatic
 * Default ammo: 50 / 300
 * Acquisition: Tuchanka: Turian Platoon, Cipritine Armory, or Omega: Aria T'Loak1

Striker Assault Rifle

 * Manufacturer: Krogan
 * Base WCFDA: 80 / 20 / 25 / 30 / 15
 * Fire Mode: Automatic
 * Default ammo: 12 / 48
 * Acquisition: Resurgence Pack (multiplayer), Groundside Resistance Pack (single-player)

1 In the Mass Effect 3: Omega DLC 2 Categorized as an assault rifle in multiplayer and as a heavy weapon in single-player 3 In the Mass Effect 3: Citadel DLC 4 In the Mass Effect 3: Leviathan DLC 5 In the Mass Effect 3: From Ashes DLC

Weapon Modifications

 * Assault Rifle Stability Damper I - V
 * Distributes recoil with sliding system of counterweights compatible with kinetic coil generators. Reduces weapon kickback.


 * Assault Rifle Magazine Upgrade I - V
 * Increases magazine capacity, allowing more shots before reload.


 * Assault Rifle Piercing Mod I - V
 * Capacitor boosts kinetic coil generators, increasing shot penetration.


 * Assault Rifle Extended Barrel I - V
 * Lengthens barrel, creating greater bullet velocity and impact.


 * Assault Rifle Precision Scope I - V
 * Simple 4x optical scope to enhance stability while zoomed. Increases accuracy while moving and taking damage.


 * Assault Rifle Omni-Blade I - V (Requires Leviathan for single-player and Earth for multiplayer.)
 * Attach an omni-blade to the weapon for increased melee damage.


 * Assault Rifle Thermal Scope I - V (Requires Retaliation for multiplayer.)
 * Reveal enemies through walls and smoke with a 4x optical scope and enhance stability and accuracy while zoomed.


 * Assault Rifle High-Velocity Barrel I - V (Requires Retaliation for multiplayer.)
 * Superior kinetic coils increase shot penetration.

M-8 Avenger

 * Damage: Unknown
 * Rate of Fire: Unknown
 * Max Clip Size: Unknown
 * Max Ammo: Unknown
 * Accuracy: Unknown
 * Weight: Unknown

M-37 Falcon

 * Damage: Unknown
 * Rate of Fire: Unknown
 * Max Clip Size: Unknown
 * Max Ammo: Unknown
 * Accuracy: Unknown
 * Weight: Unknown

M-96 Mattock

 * Damage: Unknown
 * Rate of Fire: Unknown
 * Max Clip Size: Unknown
 * Max Ammo: Unknown
 * Accuracy: Unknown
 * Weight: Unknown

Cyclone

 * Damage: Unknown
 * Rate of Fire: Unknown
 * Max Clip Size: Unknown
 * Max Ammo: Unknown
 * Accuracy: Unknown
 * Weight: Unknown

L-89 Halberd

 * Damage: Unknown
 * Rate of Fire: Unknown
 * Max Clip Size: Unknown
 * Max Ammo: Unknown
 * Accuracy: Unknown
 * Weight: Unknown

N7 Valkyrie

 * Damage: 106-163
 * Rate of Fire: 500
 * Max Clip Size: 20
 * Max Ammo: 140-175
 * Accuracy: 65-81
 * Weight: 20-10

Pathfinder Pioneer

 * Damage: Unknown
 * Rate of Fire: Unknown
 * Max Clip Size: Unknown
 * Max Ammo: Unknown
 * Accuracy: Unknown
 * Weight: Unknown

P.A.W.

 * Damage: Unknown
 * Rate of Fire: Unknown
 * Max Clip Size: Unknown
 * Max Ammo: Unknown
 * Accuracy: Unknown
 * Weight: Unknown

Revenant

 * Damage: Unknown
 * Rate of Fire: Unknown
 * Max Clip Size: Unknown
 * Max Ammo: Unknown
 * Accuracy: Unknown
 * Weight: Unknown

Sandstorm

 * Damage: 166-208
 * Rate of Fire: 210
 * Max Clip Size: 17
 * Max Ammo: 158-175
 * Accuracy: 88-104
 * Weight: 35-27

Soned

 * Damage: Unknown
 * Rate of Fire: Unknown
 * Max Clip Size: Unknown
 * Max Ammo: Unknown
 * Accuracy: Unknown
 * Weight: Unknown

Sweeper

 * Damage: Unknown
 * Rate of Fire: Unknown
 * Max Clip Size: Unknown
 * Max Ammo: Unknown
 * Accuracy: Unknown
 * Weight: Unknown

Thokin

 * Damage: Unknown
 * Rate of Fire: Unknown
 * Max Clip Size: Unknown
 * Max Ammo: Unknown
 * Accuracy: Unknown
 * Weight: Unknown

X5 Ghost

 * Damage: Unknown
 * Rate of Fire: Unknown
 * Max Clip Size: Unknown
 * Max Ammo: Unknown
 * Accuracy: Unknown
 * Weight: Unknown

Zalkin

 * Damage: 70-115
 * Rate of Fire: 475
 * Max Clip Size: 24
 * Max Ammo: 192-240
 * Accuracy: 48-60
 * Weight: 25-13