Pistols (talent)

Garrus using a pistol

Pistols is a combat talent available to all classes except the Asari Scientist, the Krogan Battlemaster, and the Turian Agent. Sentinels also do not possess this talent, though they receive bonuses to pistol proficiency from their class talent.

Training in the Pistols talent improves damage and accuracy with pistol weapons, and eventually unlocks the activatable Marksman ability.

Legendary Edition: As in the original game, any player class can zoom their view with a pistol for improved accuracy, though unlike in the original game this comes at the cost of reduced movement speed. The addition of bonus headshot damage has improved the damage potential of all weapon types. The unlockable Marksman ability further improves the damage bonus from scoring pistol headshots.

Talent Ranks

Level 1: Increases damage by 5%. Increases accuracy by 10%.

Level 2: Increases damage by 8%. Increases accuracy by 14%.

Level 3: Marksman

Level 4: Increases damage by 10%. Increases accuracy by 17%. Unlocks Shotguns (Soldier).

Level 5: Increases damage by 12%. Increases accuracy by 20%. Unlocks Sniper Rifles (Infiltrator).

Level 6: Increases damage by 14%. Increases accuracy by 22%. Unlocks Shotguns (Vanguard, Quarian Machinist), Basic Armor (Engineer).

Level 7: Increases damage by 16%. Increases accuracy by 24%.

Level 8: Advanced Marksman

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 Marksman

Marksman

For the power in Mass Effect 3, see Marksman.

Marksman is unlocked by increasing levels in the Pistols talent. It improves the weapon's fire rate and accuracy, as well as reducing overheating. A Sentinel Shepard can unlock Marksman through the class talent, but this is only the basic rank of the ability and can't be improved to either Advanced or Master Marksman. Both Soldiers and Infiltrators can choose to augment Marksman's recharge time by choosing Commando specialization.

Note: Switching weapons, changing the equipped pistol to a different model, or modifying any upgrades currently installed on the pistol, will immediately cancel Marksman if it was active. This applies to all similar weapon talents in Mass Effect, for both Shepard and squadmates.

Marksman

Boosts accuracy by 60%, increases rate of fire 1 round/sec, reduces heat 30% to compensate.

Duration: 10s.

Recharge Time: 45s.

Advanced Marksman

Boosts accuracy by 60%, increases rate of fire 1.5 rounds/sec, reduces heat 40% to compensate.

Duration: 13s.

Recharge Time: 45s.

Master Marksman

Boosts accuracy by 60%, increases rate of fire 2 rounds/sec, reduces heat 50% to compensate.

Duration: 16s.

Recharge Time: 45s.

Marksman (Legendary Edition)

For the power in Mass Effect 3, see Marksman.

Marksman in Legendary Edition works somewhat differently from the original Mass Effect game. It purges all residual weapon heat on activation, has a fixed 6 second duration, and instead of boosting firing rate, it increases both base damage and headshot damage (headshots are not possible in the original game); in all other respects it functions the same. It is worth mentioning, however, that squad members do not deliberately aim for enemy heads.

Marksman

Boosts accuracy by 60%, increases damage 25%, increases headshot damage 50%, purges heat on use

Duration: 6s.

Recharge Time: 45s.

Advanced Marksman

Boosts accuracy by 60%, increases damage 50%, increases headshot damage 75%, purges heat on use

Duration: 6s.

Recharge Time: 45s.

Master Marksman

Boosts accuracy by 60%, increases damage 75%, increases headshot damage 100%, purges heat on use

Duration: 6s.

Recharge Time: 45s.

Classes

These classes have access to the Pistols talent:

• Adept Unlockable
• Engineer
• Infiltrator
• Soldier
• Vanguard
• Quarian Machinist