Assault Rifles is a combat-oriented talent available only to Soldiers, the Turian Agent, and the Krogan Battlemaster by default. Higher levels of the talent improves proficiency with assault rifle-type weapons. The Assault Rifles talent also unlocks the Overkill active ability, which functions somewhat differently in Legendary Edition.
Player characters with the Assault Rifles talent are able to aim down sights (ADS) with assault rifles, also referred to as "tight-aiming" or simply "zooming". This shrinks the size of the targeting reticle and improves accuracy.
Legendary Edition: Any player character can zoom or tight-aim with any weapon to shrink its reticule and improve accuracy, no specific weapon talent is required. However, doing so will slow the player's movement.
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[]
When active, Overkill allows for firing of the rifle for long periods, with seriously reduced overheating and extra accuracy.
Switching weapons, changing the equipped assault rifle to a different model, or modifying any upgrades currently installed on the rifle, will immediately cancel Overkill if it was active. This applies to all similar weapon talents in Mass Effect, for both Shepard and squadmates.
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
Overkill (Legendary Edition)[]
Overkill in Legendary Edition works largely as it did in the original game except that it has a much shorter 6 second duration and deals greatly increased damage during that period. Master Overkill is able to completely remove all heat generation; however, this will not enable a weapon that has been disabled by an enemy Sabotage to fire.
Overkill[]
- Firing rifles generates 80% less heat and does 50% more damage. Purges heat on use.
- Duration: 6s
- Recharge Time: 45s
Advanced Overkill[]
- Firing rifles generates 90% less heat and does 75% more damage. Purges heat on use.
- Duration: 6s
- Recharge Time: 45s
Master Overkill[]
- Firing rifles generates no heat and does 100% more damage. Purges heat on use.
- Duration: 6s
- Recharge Time: 45s
Classes[]
The following classes can use the Assault Rifles talent by default:
| Mass Effect Talents | |
|---|---|
| Biotic | Barrier • Lift • Singularity • Stasis • Throw • Warp |
| Combat | Assault Rifles • Pistols • Shotguns • Sniper Rifles • Assault Training • Fitness • Basic Armor • Combat Armor • Tactical Armor |
| Tech | Damping • Decryption • Electronics • First Aid • Hacking • Medicine |
| Class | Adept • Asari Scientist • Engineer • Infiltrator • Krogan Battlemaster • Quarian Machinist • Sentinel • Soldier • Turian Agent • Vanguard |
| Player only | Charm • Intimidate • Spectre Training |