Weapons (Mass Effect: Andromeda)

In Mass Effect: Andromeda, there are five types of weapons that can be used by any character. Pistols, Shotguns, Sniper Rifles, Assault Rifles, and Melee Weapons.

Overview
Class type requirements were removed in Mass Effect: Andromeda. The same requirements were removed from weapons as well. Characters and weapons are highly customizable in Mass Effect: Andromeda differing greatly from previous Mass Effect games.

Weapons can be found from dropped enemies, from containers, purchased from merchants, or by crafting at the Research & Development console.

Combat Style
In addition to weapons, combat also allows the player to use Flak Cannons, Grenades, Trip Mines, etc. Adding points to Tech skills, allows the player to focus more on experimental weapons, such as the Flamethrower and the Cryo Beam. Enemies are not generally classified as 'weapons' so are not listed here, but players with Biotic skills can, in fact, temporarily use an enemy as a weapon, either as a shield or to do damage to another enemy.

Weapon Categories

 * Assault Rifles
 * Shotguns
 * Sniper Rifles
 * Pistols
 * Melee Weapons

Weapon Types

 * Milky Way - Similar to weapons found in Mass Effect, Mass Effect 2, and Mass Effect 3 but upgraded.
 * Heleus - This type of weapon is generally plasma based and benefits from heat-seeking technology. Some Heleus weapons are also charged based. The longer they are charged before releasing the trigger, the more devastating the impact.
 * Remnant - Typically uses beams, have a high rate of fire and are exceptionally accurate, though they typically lack per-shot damage compared to Heleus or Milky Way weapons. Due to rising heat, the weapon will experience occasional cooldown requirements. A fair trade-off considering this weapon type does not require the player to carry ammunition.

Weapon Loadout
Weapons can only be added/changed/removed at a Loadout terminal.

The number of weapons a player can carry will depend on the skill points placed into the Combat Fitness skill.

Weapon Weight
Total weapon weight is affected by the number and type of weapons the player chooses at the Loadout terminal.
 * Melee weapons are weightless but each firearm adds more weight.
 * If the player carries too much weight, power recharge times are affected.
 * Skills such as Combat Fitness can increase weight capacity.
 * Certain Mods can reduce the weight of guns.

Weapon Customization
Weapons can be customized by two different methods in Mass Effect: Andromeda.

Weapon Modifications
Mods are customizations that are exclusive to weapons only in Mass Effect: Andromeda. Mods use round-shaped sockets on a weapon and can only be changed at a Loadout terminal.

Weapon Augmentations
Augmentations are semi-permanent customizations to crafted weapons or armor in Mass Effect: Andromeda. When a weapon is created during Development (crafting), hexagonal-shaped sockets are available to add Augmentations to the weapon. These augmentations cannot be changed like weapon Mods and stay part of that weapon until it is deconstructed.