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Shotguns

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Disambiguous This article is about shotgun weapons in Mass Effect, Mass Effect 2, Mass Effect 3, and Mass Effect: Andromeda. For the talent in Mass Effect, see Shotguns (talent). For the skill in Mass Effect: Andromeda, see Shotguns (skill).
A Katana shotgun

Shotguns are one of the primary weapons in the Mass Effect universe. These weapons typically deal very high damage at close range but at the expense of less accuracy over larger distances.

Mass Effect[]

Shotguns fire a number of pellets per shot giving them high burst damage, which can quickly eliminate enemies. However, the fairly random spread of these pellets greatly reduces the effectiveness of shotguns for mid-range or long range shooting.

Shotguns are further limited by their low rate of fire and high heat generation per shot, making them not quite as versatile as assault rifles or pistols. While shotguns are capable of fully automatic fire, a more deliberate shooting style is recommended in view of the afore-mentioned attributes. Heat Sinks or Frictionless Materials are very effective upgrades for shotguns, allowing them to be fired much more often in general combat.

Zooming, also referred to as "tight-aiming" or "aiming-down-sights", is only possible for player classes that are trained in the use of that weapon type, i.e. they possess the corresponding talent. The Shotguns talent allows you to zoom even without any points allocated to the talent, though unlike with other weapon types, aiming down the sights of a shotgun does nothing to improve its accuracy. Further training in the Shotguns talent improves damage with shotguns, and also unlocks the Carnage active ability.

Although the Shotguns talent and a few others like Spectre Training provide bonuses to weapon accuracy, this provides no noticeable improvement to the spread, accuracy, or consistency of shotgun fire. The same applies to accuracy bonuses from any other source, such as weapon upgrades or firing from cover.

Legendary Edition: In Legendary Edition, any player class can zoom or scope with any weapon without requiring the corresponding talent, though at the cost of reduced movement speed. The addition of bonus headshot damage has improved the damage potential of all weapon types; however, most shotguns benefit comparatively less, as the spread of their pellets makes it difficult to concentrate the full damage of a shot in one spot except at point-blank ranges. The shotgun lines produced by Haliat Armory and Armax Arsenal fire single slugs, making them more effective at long range shooting and landing headshots than other shotgun models. All other shotgun models fire a spread of pellets, though the firing pattern and number of pellets varies by manufacturer. The Hurricane line of shotguns produced by ERCS is the only shotgun model to feature fully automatic fire. The spread pattern of all shotguns is much more consistent across the board compared to the original game.

If all of the pellets land, shotgun blasts hit targets with a great deal of force, so equipping them with ammunition upgrades like Sledgehammer Rounds or High Explosive Rounds can make them an excellent tool for knocking down dangerous opponents like Husks or krogan. Squadmates can also be very effective for close encounters when armed in this way. High Explosive Rounds tend to be less effective on shotguns than on sniper rifles because of their shorter effective range, and this ammunition will overheat most shotguns in a single shot, making them drastically less reliable for sustained combat.

Shotguns have a rate of fire of 0.8, i. e. one shot every 1.25 seconds.

Shotgun Models[]

Below is a list of types of Shotguns and their base stats:

















































































































Katana line of Shotguns

Katana SG

Katana Shotgun

Manufacturer: Ariake Technologies
Weapon Level: I II III IV V VI VII VIII IX X
Damage: - - - 197 211 226 240 254 269 283
Shots Before Overheat: - - - 4.2 4.3 4.5 4.6 4.8 5.0 5.3
Accuracy Rating: - - - 70 70 71 72 73 74 75
 


Avalanche line of Shotguns

Avalanche SG

Avalanche Shotgun

Manufacturer: Armax Arsenal
Weapon Level: I II III IV V VI VII VIII IX X
Damage: - - - - - - 260 276 291 307
Shots Before Overheat: - - - - - - 6.1 6.5 6.9 7.5
Accuracy Rating: - - - - - - 81 82 82 83

Legendary Edition: Of the two single-slug shotguns available, the Avalanche has superior stats compared to the Tornado.

 


Executioner line of Shotguns

Executioner SG

Executioner Shotgun

Manufacturer: Batarian State Arms
Weapon Level: I II III IV V VI VII VIII IX X
Damage: 128 140 152 164 176 188 200 212 224 236
Shots Before Overheat: 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 3.8 3.9 4 4.1 4.2 4.4
Accuracy Rating: 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69

The Executioner shotguns can only be acquired through console commands.

 


Hydra line of Shotguns

Hydra SG

Hydra Shotgun

Manufacturer: Cerberus Skunkworks
Weapon Level: I II III IV V VI VII VIII IX X
Damage: 179 196 213 230 246 263 280 297 314 330
Shots Before Overheat: 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 3.8 3.9 4 4.1 4.2 4.4
Accuracy Rating: 88 88 89 89 89 90 90 90 90 91

The Hydra shotguns can only be acquired through console commands.

 


Firestorm line of Shotguns

Firestorm SG

Firestorm Shotgun

Manufacturer: Devlon Industries
Weapon Level: I II III IV V VI VII VIII IX X
Damage: - - - 180 194 207 220 233 246 260
Shots Before Overheat: - - - 4.5 4.6 4.8 5 5.3 5.5 5.8
Accuracy Rating: - - - 72 73 74 75 75 76 77
 


Hurricane line of Shotguns

Hurricane SG

Hurricane Shotgun

Manufacturer: Elanus Risk Control Services
Weapon Level: I II III IV V VI VII VIII IX X
Damage: 115 126 137 148 158 169 180 191 202 212
Shots Before Overheat: 3.3 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.6 3.7 3.8 3.9 4.0
Accuracy Rating: 56 57 58 59 60 62 63 64 65 66
 


Pulse Rifle line of Shotguns

Geth Pulse Shotgun

Geth Pulse Shotgun

Manufacturer: Geth Armory
Weapon Level: I II III IV V VI VII VIII IX X
Damage: 179 196 213 230 246 263 280 297 314 330
Shots Before Overheat: 4.3 4.6 4.9 5.4 5.9 6.5 7.3 8.4 9.9 12.3
Accuracy Rating: 90 91 91 91 92 92 92 93 93 93

The geth shotguns can only be acquired through console commands.

 


Storm line of Shotguns

Storm SG

Storm Shotgun

Manufacturer: Hahne-Kedar
Weapon Level: I II III IV V VI VII VIII IX X
Damage: 102 112 122 131 141 150 160 170 179 189
Shots Before Overheat: 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 3.8 3.9 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.4
Accuracy Rating: 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69
 


Viper line of Shotguns

Viper SG

Viper Shotgun

Manufacturer: Hahne-Kedar Shadow Works
Weapon Level: I II III IV V VI VII VIII IX X
Damage: 141 154 167 180 194 207 220 223 246 260
Shots Before Overheat: 3.7 3.8 3.9 4 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.6 4.8 5
Accuracy Rating: 64 65 66 67 68 69 69 70 71 72

The Viper shotguns can only be acquired through console commands.

 


Tornado line of Shotguns

Tornado SG

Tornado Shotgun

Manufacturer: Haliat Armory
Weapon Level: I II III IV V VI VII VIII IX X
Damage: 166 182 198 213 229 244 260 276 291 307
Shots Before Overheat: 3.6 3.7 3.8 3.9 4 4.1 4.3 4.4 4.6 4.8
Accuracy Rating: 64 65 66 67 68 69 69 70 71 72

Legendary Edition: Of the two single-slug shotguns available, the Tornado has inferior stats compared to the Avalanche.

 


Savage line of Shotguns

Savage SG

Savage Shotgun

Manufacturer: Jormangund Technology
Weapon Level: I II III IV V VI VII VIII IX X
Damage: 154 168 182 197 211 226 240 254 269 283
Shots Before Overheat: 4.6 4.8 5 5.2 5.5 5.7 6.1 6.5 6.9 7.5
Accuracy Rating: 80 81 81 82 82 83 83 83 84 85

The Savage shotguns can only be acquired through console commands.

 


Armageddon line of Shotguns

Armageddon SG

Armageddon Shotgun

Manufacturer: Kassa Fabrication
Weapon Level: I II III IV V VI VII VIII IX X
Damage: - - - - - - 280 297 314 330
Shots Before Overheat: - - - - - - 5.5 5.8 6.1 6.6
Accuracy Rating: - - - - - - 80 80 81 81
 


Sokolov line of Shotguns

Sokolov SG

Sokolov Shotgun

Manufacturer: Rosenkov Materials
Weapon Level: I II III IV V VI VII VIII IX X
Damage: - - - - - - 300 318 336 354
Shots Before Overheat: - - - - - - 5 5.3 5.5 5.8
Accuracy Rating: - - - - - - 78 79 79 80
 


Scimitar line of Shotguns

Scimitar SG

Scimitar Shotgun

Manufacturer: Elkoss Combine
Weapon Level: I II III IV V VI VII VIII IX X
Damage: 128 140 152 164 176 188 200 212 224 236
Shots Before Overheat: 3.1 3.2 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 3.8
Accuracy Rating: 48 49 51 52 53 55 56 57 58 60
 


HMWSG Basic line of Shotguns

SpectreBasic SG

HMWSG Basic Shotgun

Manufacturer: Spectre Gear
Weapon Level: I II III IV V VI VII VIII IX X
Damage: 128 140 152 164 167 188 - - - -
Shots Before Overheat: 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 3.8 3.9 - - - -
Accuracy Rating: 60 61 62 63 64 65 - - - -

The HMWSG Basic Shotgun can only be acquired through console commands.

 


HMWSG Advanced line of Shotguns

SpectreAdv SG

HMWSG Advanced Shotgun

Manufacturer: Spectre Gear
Weapon Level: I II III IV V VI VII VIII IX X
Damage: - 147 160 172 185 197 210 223 - -
Shots Before Overheat: - 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.5 4.6 4.8 5 - -
Accuracy Rating: - 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 - -

The HMWSG Advanced Shotgun can only be acquired through console commands.

 


HMWSG Master line of Shotguns

HMWSG SG

HMWSG Master Shotgun

Manufacturer: Spectre Gear
Weapon Level: I II III IV V VI VII VIII IX X
Damage: - - - 262 282 301 320 339 358 378
Shots Before Overheat: - - - 5 5.2 5.5 5.8 6.1 6.5 7
Accuracy Rating: - - - 89 89 90 90 90 90 91

Only The HMWSG Master Shotgun VII and X sophistication level can be found in-game. The rest can be acquired through console commands.

 
















































































Legendary Edition Firing Patterns[]

In Legendary Edition, the various shotguns possess unique attributes that determine how they fire, further distinguishing each model.

Model Manufacturer Firing Mode
Armageddon Kassa Fabrication Fully automatic, hexagonal pattern (6 pellets around, 1 in center)
Avalanche Armax Arsenal Bolt action, slug (1 pellet per round)
Firestorm Devlon Industries Bolt action, hexagonal pattern (6 pellets around, 1 in center)
HMWSG Spectre - Master Gear Bolt action, hexagonal pattern (6 pellets around, 1 in center)
Hurricane Elanus Risk Control Services Fully automatic, hexagonal pattern (6 pellets around, 1 in center)
Katana Ariake Technologies Bolt action, X-shaped pattern (4 pellets on each diagonal, 1 in center)
Scimitar Elkoss Combine Bolt action, X-shaped pattern (4 pellets on each diagonal, 1 in center)
Sokolov Rosenkov Materials Bolt action, X-shaped pattern (4 pellets on each diagonal, 1 in center)
Storm Hahne-Kedar Bolt action, hexagonal pattern (6 pellets around, 1 in center)
Tornado Haliat Armory Bolt action, slug (1 pellet per round)

Mass Effect 2[]

Shotguns in Mass Effect 2 are powerful close range weapons. All shotguns fire eight projectiles per shot (with the exception of the Geth Plasma Shotgun which fires three). Like all other non-heavy weapon types in Mass Effect 2 with the exception of sniper rifles, shotguns benefit from a 100% damage bonus at point-blank (melee) range. At the start of the game, the shotgun is available only to the Soldier and the Vanguard player classes, but can be chosen by any player class as a weapon specialization later in the game. The following squadmates utilize shotguns: Grunt, Jack, Jacob, and Tali.

Shotgun Models[]

Below is a list of the types of shotguns in Mass Effect 2 and their base stats.

M-22 Eviscerator

M-22 Eviscerator Shotgun

M-23 Katana

M-23 Katana Shotgun
  • Manufacturer: Ariake Technologies
  • Base Damage: 27.5 (220)
  • Damage Multipliers (Armor / Barriers / Shields): x1.0 / x1.5 / x1.5
  • Default ammo: 5 / 10
  • Acquisition: Default starting weapon

M-27 Scimitar

M-27 Scimitar Assault Shotgun

M-300 Claymore

M-300 Claymore Heavy Shotgun

Geth Plasma Shotgun

Geth Plasma Shotgun
  • Manufacturer: Geth Armory
  • Base Damage: Single Shot: 156.50 (250.38) – Fully Charged: 347.77 (556.4)
  • Damage Multipliers (Armor / Barriers / Shields): x1.0 / x1.5 / x1.5
  • Default ammo: 5 / 10
  • Acquisition: Firepower Pack DLC, Legendary Edition: Kenn's Salvage

Upgrades[]

See also: Upgrade Guide#Shotgun Upgrades, Research#Shotguns
  • Shotgun Shield Piercing (Microphasic Pulse)
Increases damage by 50% against shields and biotic barriers.
  • Shotgun Extra Rounds (Thermal Sink)
Shotguns, heavy shotguns and assault shotguns double their rounds.
  • Shotgun Damage 1 - 6 (Synchronized Pulsar)
Provides +10% shotgun damage.

Mass Effect 3[]

Shotguns in their most conventional form fire spreads of weak projectiles, or "pellets", making them primarily geared for close encounters, though there are several shotgun models that are an exception to this, firing single slugs, explosive projectiles, or other unconventional munitions. Shotguns excel at delivering high damage in short bursts, in contrast to the sustained fire of assault rifles or submachine guns. Also, most shotguns are efficient against shielded enemies, with minimal damage lost to the shield gate mechanic.

While most shotguns lack long-range accuracy and none can utilize scopes, most can be modified for greater precision or tighter pellet spread. Unlike most other weapons, shotguns gain no increase to their accuracy from aiming down sights, with only three exceptions: the Venom Shotgun, the N7 Crusader, and the Graal Spike Thrower. No shotgun model gains any bonus to accuracy when fired from cover.

Shotguns tend towards the heavy side, though as with all the weapon classes there are exceptions less burdensome to power-oriented classes while still packing a punch.

In keeping with their close-range identity, shotguns can be modded to provide increased melee damage to the user, which can potentially be a higher boost to damage than from any other weapon type.

The following squadmates utilize shotguns: Aria, Grunt, Jack, Jacob, James, Tali, and Wrex.

Shotgun Models[]

Below is a list of the types of shotguns 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.

AT-12 Raider

AT-12 Raider
  • Manufacturer: Batarian
  • Base WCFDA: 80 / 20 / 20 / 70 / 2
  • Fire Mode: Semi-Automatic
  • Default ammo: 2 / 18
  • Acquisition: Pre-order bonus or Namakli: Leviathan1

Disciple

Disciple

Geth Plasma Shotgun

Geth Plasma Shotgun

Graal Spike Thrower

Graal Spike Thrower

M-11 Wraith

M-11 Wraith
  • Manufacturer: Unknown
  • Base WCFDA: 55 / 13 / 4 / 70 / 15
  • Fire Mode: Semi-Automatic
  • Default ammo: 2 / 10
  • Acquisition: Spectre Requisitions

M-22 Eviscerator

M-22 Eviscerator

M-23 Katana

M-23 Katana

M-27 Scimitar

M-27 Scimitar

M-300 Claymore

M-300 Claymore

N7 Crusader

N7 Crusader

N7 Piranha

Piranha Assault Shotgun

Reegar Carbine

Reegar Carbine

Venom Shotgun

Venom Shotgun

1 In the Mass Effect 3: Leviathan DLC (LE: included in Mass Effect Legendary Edition)

Weapon Modifications[]

See also: Weapon Mods#Shotgun Upgrades, Equipment Guide (Mass Effect 3)#Shotgun Mods
  • Shotgun Spare Thermal Clip I - V
Adds sockets to raise thermal clip capacity, increasing number of spare shots.
  • Shotgun Shredder Mod I - V
Capacitor boosts kinetic coil generators, increasing shot penetration.
  • Shotgun Blade Attachment I - V
Tungsten-carbide bayonet with recessed edge for increased melee damage.
  • Shotgun High Caliber Barrel I - V
Allows wider projectiles, causing more trauma on impact. Ballistically optimized to retain penetrative power.
  • Shotgun Smart Choke I - V
Servo motors hooked up to adjustable system tighten or loosen pellet spread for maximum accuracy.
  • Shotgun Ultralight Materials I - V
Superior lightweight alloys replace weapon parts, making the weapon less obtrusive and easier to handle.
  • Shotgun Omni-Blade I - V (Requires Retaliation for multiplayer.)
Attach an omni-blade to the weapon for increased melee damage.
  • Shotgun High-Velocity Barrel I - V (Requires Retaliation for multiplayer.)
Superior kinetic coils increase shot penetration.

Mass Effect: Andromeda[]

MEA Shotguns

Ideal for combat at close range, most shotguns fire a deadly blast in a wide cone, but are ineffective over longer distances. Mass Effect: Andromeda continues the long Mass Effect tradition of heavy-hitting, close-ranged weapons designed to devastate anything in their way.

Shotgun Models[]

M-23 Katana

MEA M-23 Katana MP
  • Rarity: Common
  • Tech Type: Rd icon milkyway orange Milky Way
  • Damage: 322-546
  • Rate of Fire: 85
  • Max Clip Size: 5
  • Max Ammo: 40-50
  • Accuracy: 22-28
  • Weight: 40-20

Dhan

MEA Dhan MP
  • Rarity: Ultra Rare
  • Tech Type: Rd icon heleus orange Heleus
  • Damage: 614-945
  • Rate of Fire: 95
  • Max Clip Size: 3
  • Max Ammo: 21-26
  • Accuracy: 42-53
  • Weight: 30-15

Disciple

MEA Disciple MP
  • Rarity: Uncommon
  • Tech Type: Rd icon milkyway orange Milky Way
  • Damage: 432-704
  • Rate of Fire: 85
  • Max Clip Size: 6
  • Max Ammo: 42-53
  • Accuracy: 34-43
  • Weight: 35-18

Hesh

MEA Hesh MP
  • Rarity: Rare
  • Tech Type: Rd icon heleus orange Heleus
  • Damage: 260-410
  • Rate of Fire: 220
  • Max Clip Size: 10
  • Max Ammo: 60-75
  • Accuracy: 16-20
  • Weight: 40-20

N7 Crusader

MEA N7 Crusader MP
  • Rarity: Ultra Rare
  • Tech Type: Rd icon milkyway orange Milky Way
  • Damage: 360-554
  • Rate of Fire: 80
  • Max Clip Size: 4
  • Max Ammo: 28-35
  • Accuracy: 44-55
  • Weight: 35-18

N7 Piranha

MEA N7 Piranha MP
  • Rarity: Rare
  • Tech Type: Rd icon milkyway orange Milky Way
  • Damage: 328-504
  • Rate of Fire: 165
  • Max Clip Size: 8
  • Max Ammo: 48-60
  • Accuracy: 22-28
  • Weight: 50-25

Pathfinder Deep Impact

Pathfinder-Deep Impact
  • Rarity: Rare
  • Tech Type: Rd icon milkyway orange Milky Way
  • Damage: 255-325
  • Rate of Fire: 85
  • Max Clip Size: 6
  • Max Ammo: 24-27
  • Accuracy: 35-41
  • Weight: 30-23

Reegar Carbine

MEA Reegar Carbine MP
  • Rarity: Rare
  • Tech Type: Rd icon milkyway orange Milky Way
  • Damage: 52-82
  • Rate of Fire: 525
  • Max Clip Size: 36
  • Max Ammo: 216-270
  • Accuracy: 50-63
  • Weight: 30-15

Ruzad

MEA Ruzad MP
  • Rarity: Uncommon
  • Tech Type: Rd icon milkyway orange Milky Way
  • Damage: 355-580
  • Rate of Fire: 70
  • Max Clip Size: 3
  • Max Ammo: 27-34
  • Accuracy: 28-35
  • Weight: 45-23

Scattershot

MEA Scattershot MP
  • Rarity: Rare
  • Tech Type: Rd icon remnant orange Remnant
  • Damage: 135-315
  • Rate of Fire: 150
  • Max Clip Size: 8-12
  • Max Ammo: 1 (∞)
  • Accuracy: 60-75
  • Weight: 35-18

Shorty

MEA Shorty MP
  • Rarity: Ultra Rare
  • Tech Type: Rd icon heleus orange Heleus
  • Damage: 310-360
  • Rate of Fire: 400
  • Max Clip Size: 15
  • Max Ammo: 120-150
  • Accuracy: 30-38
  • Weight: 42-21

Venom

MEA Venom MP
  • Rarity: Rare
  • Tech Type: Rd icon milkyway orange Milky Way
  • Damage: 233-369
  • Rate of Fire: 80
  • Max Clip Size: 5
  • Max Ammo: 25-31
  • Accuracy: 25-31
  • Weight: 45-23

Shotguns Customization[]

Shotguns can be customized by two different methods in Mass Effect: Andromeda.

Weapon Modifications[]

Main article: Mods

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[]

Main article: 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.

See Also[]

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