M-5 Phalanx

The M-5 Phalanx is a heavy pistol in Mass Effect 2, Mass Effect 3, and pistol in Mass Effect: Andromeda.

Mass Effect 2

M-5 Phalanx
General Stats
Type	Heavy Pistol
Location	N/A: Firepower Pack
Accuracy	High
Recoil	High
Fire Mode	Semi-Automatic
Fire Rate	80 RPM
Reload Time	1.43
Ammo Per Clip	6
Damage & Bonus Multipliers
Base	109.8
Armor	×1.5
Shields	×1.0
Barrier	×1.0
Spare Ammo Capacity
Default	24
Armor Pack	29
Upgraded	N/A
Both	N/A
Pickup Amount (Min - Max)	8

Description

Highly accurate and lethal sidearm. Effective against armor; weak against shields and biotic barriers. Upgrades the Predator heavy pistol.

The M5 Phalanx is the product of the Alliance's Offensive Handgun Project that developed a close-in weapon to be used on armored or shielded targets with no loss of stopping power in comparison to the soldier's assault rifle. The Phalanx enjoys a ballistics advantage even over most "hand cannons" and features an integral laser sight which is highly visible even in bright lighting conditions. Civilian variants are often purchased by colonists on planets that have particularly dangerous big game animals.

Acquisition

Available through purchase of the Firepower Pack DLC.

Squad Use

This weapon can be used by Jack, Jacob, Miranda, Mordin, Tali, Kasumi, Liara and Wilson.

E-Mail from the Illusive Man

Phalanx Heavy Pistol Shepard, EDI informed me that Jacob recently acquired some M5 Phalanx pistols from some friends who shall remain unnamed. I appreciate this resourcefulness, but had he come to me, I would have made the arrangements. We've discussed this, and to show there are no hard feelings, I've had a few more complimentary Phalanxes, replacement parts for their laser sights, and their repair manuals delivered to the Normandy. Use them how you will.

Player Notes

• The laser sight only appears when aiming the weapon with the left trigger or right mouse button. It sometimes does not appear immediately when aiming at very distant targets, but it's possible to get around this by pointing it at something close by to activate the laser, then keeping it on to aim at a distant target.
• The laser sight isn't just a "guide" for the player – it actually makes the Phalanx 100% accurate when used, similar to a sniper rifle scope. The bullet will follow the sight and land on the spot painted by the laser without any deflection or random error; if fired without the laser sight active then the weapon loses that accuracy and bullets have a spread just like most other weapons.
• Adverse lighting conditions can make the beam difficult to see.
• The sway of the laser sight is extreme when moving, making it best to fire while stationary.
• The M-5's standout features are its high damage per shot and pinpoint accuracy even at the longest ranges while the laser sight is on, making it a substitute for sniper rifles for classes that lack one. The laser sight makes it easy to place headshots on stationary targets at any range.
• Armor Piercing Ammo or Inferno Ammo further augment the M-5's high damage to armor.
• Squadmates do not fire this weapon as often as they fire the Carnifex making the Carnifex a better option for them. They also do not suffer from the Carnifex's lower ammunition reserve.

Mass Effect 3

M-5 Phalanx
Type	Heavy Pistol
Location	Priority: Tuchanka
Fire Mode	Semi-Automatic
Weight	16%
Capacity	33%
Fire Rate	16%
Damage	16%
Accuracy	50%
Ammunition
Clip Size	12
Reserve	72
Type	Heavy Pistol
Location	Multiplayer Store
Fire Mode	Semi-Automatic
Weight	16%
Capacity	33%
Fire Rate	16%
Damage	16%
Accuracy	50%
Ammunition
Clip Size	12
Reserve	72

Description

The M-5 Phalanx is the product of the Alliance's Offensive Handgun Project, a close-in weapon to be used with no loss of stopping power in comparison with a soldier's assault rifle. The Phalanx enjoys a ballistics advantage over most heavy pistols. Civilian variants are often purchased by colonists on planets that have particularly dangerous big-game animals.

Acquisition

Singleplayer

The M-5 Phalanx is found during the mission Priority: Tuchanka at the top of a long set of stairs right before you head into the Maw Hammers. (It is also purchasable from Kassa Fabrication post-mission if it was missed.)

Multiplayer

Weapons are randomly rewarded through purchases of item packs. The M-5 Phalanx is categorized as uncommon.

Player Notes

• Singleplayer
• Multiplayer

Singleplayer

• Unlike the Phalanx in Mass Effect 2, the version available in Mass Effect 3 is not equipped with a laser sight, features a much higher rate of fire, and has twice the magazine capacity.
• The Phalanx also now does less damage than the M-6 Carnifex.
• Because of its moderate damage, very high accuracy, and good rate of fire, the Phalanx is a very flexible pistol. It fires almost as quickly and at the same distances as the M-3 Predator, with a slight "action delay."
• This can be a good sidearm for players who want to use their powers frequently due to its balanced nature and light weight.

Multiplayer

• The Phalanx does double the damage per round than the Predator, but it only has half the rate of fire; thus they have almost the same Damage Per Second (DPS).
• The biggest advantage of the Phalanx is that while it doesn't have an overwhelming strength, it also has no overwhelming weakness.
• The Phalanx isn't recommended on harder difficulties against tough enemies like the Cerberus Atlas, since the Phalanx isn't as effective against shields and only moderately effective against armor, and the Atlas has large amounts of both.
• Its higher damage and lower recoil compared to most SMGs can also make it a better secondary weapon for snipers.
• When paired with the Pistol Piercing Mod, the Phalanx becomes very effective at taking down Guardians at close range on Bronze, with only 6 headshots required. This is very useful as it allows low level Vanguards who cannot use their powers to get past the shield to defeat them easily.
• This can be a good sidearm for players who want to use their powers frequently due to its balanced nature and light weight.

Mass Effect: Andromeda

M-5 Phalanx
General Info
Category	Pistols
Rarity	Uncommon
Tech Type
Mod Slots	2
Base Stats
Damage	86-141
Rate of Fire	260
Max Clip Size	12
Max Ammo	84-105
Accuracy	52-65
Weight	10-5
Base Stats
Damage	113-142
Rate of Fire	260
Max Clip Size	12
Max Ammo	84-105
Accuracy	52-65
Weight	10-5
Bulwark
Damage Resistance (1 Ally): 15-25 Damage Resistance (2 Allies): 22-37 Damage Resistance (3 Allies): 30-50
Concussive
Area Damage: 800-1500 Radius (m): 7.50
Siphon
% Damage Returned as Health: 3-3.75 % Heal Bonus per kill: 4.5 Kill Streak Duration (s): 7 Max. Kill Bonus: 3

Description

In the Milky Way, the M-5 Phalanx was the product of the Alliance's Offensive Handgun Project. It is an accurate, close-quarters weapon with minimal recoil and solid stopping power. The versions purchased by the Andromeda Initiative were intended for civilian use, but are modified for more robust applications.

Stats

• Singleplayer
• Multiplayer

Singleplayer

Rank	Damage	Rate of Fire	Max Clip Size	Max Ammo	Accuracy	Weight
I	86	260	12	84	52	10
II	92	260	12	86	56	9
III	98	260	12	89	58	9
IV	104	260	12	91	60	8
V	110	260	12	93	61	8
VI	116	260	12	96	62	7
VII	122	260	12	98	63	7
VIII	129	260	12	100	64	6
IX	135	260	12	103	64	6
X	141	260	12	105	65	5

Multiplayer

Rank	Damage	Rate of Fire	Max Clip Size	Max Ammo	Accuracy	Weight
I	113	260	12	84	52	10
II	116	260	12	86	56	9
III	119	260	12	89	58	9
IV	123	260	12	91	60	8
V	126	260	12	93	61	8
VI	129	260	12	96	62	7
VII	132	260	12	98	63	7
VIII	136	260	12	100	64	6
IX	139	260	12	103	64	6
X	142	260	12	105	65	5

Development

Rank	Blueprint Unlocked	Omni-Gel Canister	Iron	Cadmium	Element Zero	Augmentation Slots
I	Level 1	20	80	40	10	0
II	Level 6	20	90	40	10	2
III	Level 11	20	100	50	10	2
IV	Level 21	30	110	50	10	2
V	Level 31	30	130	60	20	2
VI	Level 41	30	140	70	20	2
VII	Level 51	30	145	70	20	2
VIII	Level 61	40	150	70	20	2
IX	Level 71	40	155	70	20	2
X	Level 81	40	160	80	20	2
Total	N/A	300	1260	600	160	N/A

Trivia

• A Phalanx is a tactical formation in which spear- or pike-men form into a rectangle, marching in close formation, with the front ranks interlocking their shields and the rear ranks wielding their weapons over the shields of those in front, allowing more soldiers to be engaged in combat while simultaneously discouraging attacks against the formation, especially by cavalry. The phalanx was most famously employed by the Macedonian armies of Alexander the Great.
• BioWare developer Christina Norman nicknames the Phalanx the "dismantler," citing its extreme power and accuracy that allows the player to shoot the legs off every mech in one shot if they choose.
• Despite the in-game text, the pluralization of "Phalanx" is not "Phalanxes," but "Phalanges."
• The laser sight on the Phalanx was designed to be both a benefit and a negative compared to a crosshair. While shots fired will hit exactly where the laser dot is aimed, it is more difficult to place the laser dot in the desired location when compared with a crosshair because the beam sways.
• The Phalanx does not "collapse" like other weapons do in Mass Effect 2 when unused. This is most visible on squadmates who can use pistols but not SMGs.
• The N7 Eagle is a variant on the Phalanx.