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Disambiguous This article is about sniper rifle weapons in Mass Effect, Mass Effect 2, Mass Effect 3, and Mass Effect: Andromeda. For the talent in Mass Effect, see Sniper Rifles (talent). For the skill in Mass Effect: Andromeda, see Sniper Rifles (skill). For other uses of sniper, see Sniper.
A Mantis sniper rifle

Sniper Rifles are one of the primary weapons in the Mass Effect universe. Used for long-distance combat situations, sniper rifles are generally equipped with targeting scopes, sport longer barrels, and pack a higher damage per round than most other weapons but at the expense of reduced firing rates and overheat allowances.

Mass Effect[]

Sniper rifles are slow-firing and usually overheat after one or two shots in quick succession. However, they make up for this in accuracy, range, and damage, often able to kill weaker enemies in one shot.

Sniper rifles are the only weapon type with built-in scopes that enable a higher level of accuracy at longer ranges than other weapons; zooming automatically looks through the scope of a sniper rifle. As with assault rifles and shotguns, 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 Sniper Rifles talent allows you to zoom through a scope even without any points allocated to the talent; increasing its level improves your damage and accuracy with sniper rifles, and also unlocks the Assassination active ability.

When zoomed through a sniper rifle scope, tapping the "use" button (this can be rebound to a different key if desired) will zoom your view to an even higher magnification. This makes a sniper rifle an excellent telescope for scouting out enemies at a distance whether you fire at them or not.

Sniper rifles have a unique weakness: when zoomed in, the crosshairs sway in an unpredictable, but generally circular pattern. This swaying is reduced by accuracy bonuses from any source, such as from higher levels of the Sniper Rifles talent, crouching, and by using cover. Your aim while scoped can also be thrown off by taking damage. Using the Assassination ability temporarily nullifies both weapon sway and any disruption from damage.

Legendary Edition: In Legendary Edition, all player classes can zoom with any weapon without requiring its corresponding talent. Also, swaying when zoomed no longer occurs with sniper rifles, and bonus headshot damage is possible as well. There is also more variety in firing pattern across the available weapon models, with some sniper rifles able to rapidly fire multiple lower-strength shots before overheating as opposed to the more standard slow, powerful shots.

In view of their high heat generation, Heat Sinks or Frictionless Materials are very effective upgrades for sniper rifles, allowing them to be fired much more often in general combat.

Sniper rifle shots possess a high level of force, so equipping them with ammo 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 provide you with excellent supporting fire when armed with sniper rifles so-modified. High Explosive Rounds on sniper rifles can also cause massive area damage to multiple opponents, especially with Assassination, though this will overheat most models of sniper rifle with a single shot.

Sniper rifles have a rate of fire of 0.6, i. e. one shot every 1.67 seconds.

Sniper Rifle Models[]

Below is a list of types of Sniper Rifles and their base stats:




































































































































































Naginata line of Sniper Rifles

Naginata SR

Naginata Sniper Rifle

Manufacturer: Ariake Technologies
Weapon Level: I II III IV V VI VII VIII IX X
Damage: - - - 166 180 194 209 223 238 252
Shots Before Overheat: - - - 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.6 1.6 1.6
Accuracy Rating: - - - 55 56 57 58 59 60 61
 


Punisher line of Sniper Rifles

Punisher SR

Punisher Sniper Rifle

Manufacturer: Armax Arsenal
Weapon Level: I II III IV V VI VII VIII IX X
Damage: - - - - - - 226 242 257 273
Shots Before Overheat: - - - - - - 1.8 1.9 2.0 2.0
Accuracy Rating: - - - - - - 72 72 73 74
 


Lightning Strike line of Sniper Rifles

Lightning Strike SR

Lightning Strike Sniper Rifle

Manufacturer: Batarian State Arms
Weapon Level: I II III IV V VI VII VIII IX X
Damage: 102 114 126 138 150 162 174 186 198 210
Shots Before Overheat: 1.3 1.3 1.3 1.3 1.3 1.4 1.4 1.4 1.4 1.4
Accuracy Rating: 41 42 44 45 46 47 48 50 51 52

The Lightning Strike sniper rifles can only be acquired through console commands.

 


Titan line of Sniper Rifles

Titan SR

Titan Sniper Rifle

Manufacturer: Cerberus Skunkworks
Weapon Level: I II III IV V VI VII VIII IX X
Damage: 143 160 176 193 210 227 244 260 277 294
Shots Before Overheat: 1.3 1.3 1.3 1.3 1.3 1.4 1.4 1.4 1.4 1.4
Accuracy Rating: 82 83 83 83 84 85 85 85 85 86

The Titan sniper rifles can only be acquired through console commands.

 


Striker line of Sniper Rifles

Striker SR

Striker Sniper Rifle

Manufacturer: Devlon Industries
Weapon Level: I II III IV V VI VII VIII IX X
Damage: - - - 152 165 178 191 205 218 231
Shots Before Overheat: - - - 1.5 1.6 1.6 1.6 1.7 1.7 1.8
Accuracy Rating: - - - 59 60 60 61 62 63 64
 


Hammer line of Sniper Rifles

Hammer SR

Hammer Sniper Rifle

Manufacturer: Elanus Risk Control Services
Weapon Level: I II III IV V VI VII VIII IX X
Damage: 92 103 113 124 135 146 157 167 178 189
Shots Before Overheat: 1.2 1.2 1.3 1.3 1.3 1.3 1.3 1.3 1.3 1.4
Accuracy Rating: 35 37 38 39 41 42 43 45 46 47

Legendary Edition: Of the two three-round-burst sniper rifles available, the Hammer has inferior damage and accuracy but higher heatsink capacity compared to the Harpoon.

 


Pulse Rifle line of Sniper Rifles

Geth Pulse Sniper

Geth Pulse Sniper Rifle

Manufacturer: Geth Armory
Weapon Level: I II III IV V VI VII VIII IX X
Damage: 143 160 176 193 210 227 244 260 277 294
Shots Before Overheat: 1.5 1.5 1.6 1.6 1.6 1.7 1.7 1.8 1.8 1.9
Accuracy Rating: 84 85 85 85 86 86 86 87 87 87

The geth sniper rifles can only be acquired through console commands.

 


Avenger line of Sniper Rifles

Avenger SR

Avenger

Manufacturer: Hahne-Kedar
Weapon Level: I II III IV V VI VII VIII IX X
Damage: 82 91 101 110 120 130 139 149 158 168
Shots Before Overheat: 1.3 1.3 1.3 1.3 1.3 1.4 1.4 1.4 1.4 1.4
Accuracy Rating: 41 42 44 45 46 47 48 50 51 52
 


Python line of Sniper Rifles

Python SR

Python Sniper Rifle

Manufacturer: Hahne-Kedar Shadow Works
Weapon Level: I II III IV V VI VII VIII IX X
Damage: 112 125 139 152 165 178 191 205 218 231
Shots Before Overheat: 1.4 1.4 1.4 1.4 1.4 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.6 1.6
Accuracy Rating: 47 48 49 50 51 52 54 55 56 57

The Python sniper rifles can only be acquired through console commands.

 


Equalizer line of Sniper Rifles

Equalizer SR

Equalizer Sniper Rifle

Manufacturer: Haliat Armory
Weapon Level: I II III IV V VI VII VIII IX X
Damage: 133 148 164 179 195 211 226 242 257 273
Shots Before Overheat: 1.3 1.4 1.4 1.4 1.4 1.4 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5
Accuracy Rating: 47 48 49 50 51 52 54 55 56 57

Legendary Edition: Of the two semi-automatic sniper rifles available, the Equalizer has inferior stats compared to the Volkov. However, according to its description it is more accurate than the other sniper rifles of its class.

 


Helix line of Sniper Rifles

Helix SR

Helix Sniper Rifle

Manufacturer: Jormangund Technology
Weapon Level: I II III IV V VI VII VIII IX X
Damage: 122 137 151 166 166 194 209 223 238 252
Shots Before Overheat: 1.6 1.6 1.7 1.7 1.7 1.8 1.8 1.9 2 2
Accuracy Rating: 71 71 72 72 72 74 74 75 75 76

The Helix sniper rifles can only be acquired through console commands.

 


Harpoon line of Sniper Rifles

Harpoon SR

Harpoon Sniper Rifle

Manufacturer: Kassa Fabrication
Weapon Level: I II III IV V VI VII VIII IX X
Damage: - - - - - - 244 266 277 294
Shots Before Overheat: - - - - - - 1.7 1.8 1.8 1.9
Accuracy Rating: - - - - - - 69 70 70 71

Legendary Edition: Of the two three-round-burst sniper rifles available, the Harpoon has superior damage and accuracy but lower heatsink capacity compared to the Hammer.

 


Volkov line of Sniper Rifles

Volkov SR

Volkov Sniper Rifle

Manufacturer: Rosenkov Materials
Weapon Level: I II III IV V VI VII VIII IX X
Damage: - - - - - - 261 279 297 315
Shots Before Overheat: - - - - - - 1.6 1.7 1.7 1.8
Accuracy Rating: - - - - - - 66 67 68 69

Legendary Edition: Of the two semi-automatic sniper rifles available, the Volkov has superior stats compared to the Equalizer. However, according to its description it is less accurate than the other sniper rifles of its class.

 


Reaper line of Sniper Rifles

Reaper SR

Reaper Sniper Rifle

Manufacturer: Elkoss Combine
Weapon Level: I II III IV V VI VII VIII IX X
Damage: 102 114 126 138 150 162 174 186 198 210
Shots Before Overheat: 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.3 1.3 1.3 1.3
Accuracy Rating: 24 25 27 28 30 31 33 34 36 38
 


HMWSR Basic line of Sniper Rifles

SpectreBasic SR

HMWSR Basic Sniper Rifle

Manufacturer: Spectre Gear
Weapon Level: I II III IV V VI VII VIII IX X
Damage: 102 114 126 138 150 162 - - - -
Shots Before Overheat: 1.3 1.3 1.3 1.3 1.3 1.4 - - - -
Accuracy Rating: 41 42 44 45 46 47 - - - -

The HMWSR Basic Sniper Rifle can only be acquired through console commands.

 


HMWSR Advanced line of Sniper Rifles

SpectreAdv SR

HMWSR Advanced Sniper Rifle

Manufacturer: Spectre Gear
Weapon Level: I II III IV V VI VII VIII IX X
Damage: - 120 132 145 158 170 183 195 - -
Shots Before Overheat: - 1.4 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.6 1.6 - -
Accuracy Rating: - 45 46 48 49 50 51 52 - -

The HMWSR Advanced Sniper Rifle can only be acquired through console commands.

 


HMWSR Master line of Sniper Rifles

HMWSR SR

HMWSR Master Sniper Rifle

Manufacturer: Spectre Gear
Weapon Level: I II III IV V VI VII VIII IX X
Damage: - - - 221 240 259 278 298 317 336
Shots Before Overheat: - - - 1.7 1.7 1.7 1.8 1.8 1.9 2
Accuracy Rating: - - - 83 84 84 85 85 85 86

Only The HMWSR Master Sniper Rifle 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 sniper rifles possess unique attributes that determine how they fire, further distinguishing each model.

Model Manufacturer Firing Mode
Avenger Hahne-Kedar Bolt action
Equalizer Haliat Armory Semi-automatic
Hammer Elanus Risk Control Services Three-round burst
Harpoon Kassa Fabrication Three-round burst
HMWSR Spectre - Master Gear Bolt action
Naginata Ariake Technologies Bolt action
Punisher Armax Arsenal Bolt action
Reaper Elkoss Combine Bolt action
Striker Devlon Industries Bolt action
Volkov Rosenkov Materials Semi-automatic

Mass Effect 2[]

Sniper rifles are powerful, long-ranged weapons with built-in scopes. In contrast to the other standard weapon types, none of the sniper rifles in Mass Effect 2 possess any sort of short-range damage bonuses, but on the flip side none suffer from any damage falloff at long range. All sniper rifles can be fired in a scoped mode during which Shepard's vision is zoomed. During scoped mode, sniper rifles will place bullets on the crosshair with 100% accuracy; firing non-scoped shots on the other hand is highly inaccurate, especially out of cover. While attached to cover, all shots will automatically be fired in scoped mode. Zooming through the scope to view anything at very close range often results in Shepard's view being thrown off-center from where it was prior to zooming, which can be disorienting and makes taking accurate or quick shots at those ranges a challenge.

Taking fire or being damaged will usually not cancel scoped mode unless Shepard is stunned or staggered (e.g. being hit by an enemy power or melee attack), but taking damage will cause the crosshair to shake, making precise aiming more of a challenge. Using any powers while scoped can allow them to lock on to targets farther away than normal targeting allows and with greater precision, but this also usually disrupts the position of Shepard's crosshair severely.

At the start of the game, sniper rifles are available only to the Infiltrator and Soldier player classes. Other player classes can choose to train in sniper rifles later in the game. The following squadmates utilize sniper rifles: Garrus, Legion, Thane, and Zaeed.

Sniper Rifle Models[]

Below is a list of the types of sniper rifles in Mass Effect 2 and their base stats:

M-29 Incisor

M-29 Incisor Sniper Rifle
  • Manufacturer: Unknown
  • Base Damage: 53.6
  • Damage Multipliers (Armor / Barriers / Shields): x1.25 / x1.25 / x1.25
  • Default ammo: 15 / 30
  • Acquisition: Aegis Pack DLC or Digital Deluxe Edition, Legendary Edition: Rodam Expeditions

M-92 Mantis

M-92 Mantis Sniper Rifle
  • Manufacturer: Devlon Industries
  • Base Damage: 263.1
  • Damage Multipliers (Armor / Barriers / Shields): x1.5 / x1.0 / x1.0
  • Default ammo: 1 / 9
  • Acquisition: Default starting weapon.

M-97 Viper

M-97 Viper Sniper Rifle

M-98 Widow

M-98 Widow Anti-Material Rifle

Upgrades[]

See also: Upgrade Guide#Sniper Rifle Upgrades, Research#Sniper Rifles
  • AP Sniper Rifle (Tungsten Sabot Jacket)
Increases damage by +50% against armor.
  • Sniper Headshot Damage (Combat Scanner)
Sniper rifles deal +50% headshot damage.
  • Sniper Rifle Damage 1 - 6 (Scram Pulsar)
Provides +10% sniper rifle damage.

Mass Effect 3[]

Sniper rifles are on the heavier side of the weight spectrum, but they can provide players with accurate and powerful long-range firepower. Typically, the less damage per shot done by a sniper rifle, the higher its rate of fire.

All sniper rifles possess a scope, allowing them to fire with pinpoint accuracy when the scope is used; however, this comes with the downside that most sniper rifles are both less accurate and less damaging when fired unscoped. It is also difficult to hit targets at close range while scoped, especially if they move erratically. Like assault rifles, sniper rifles can also be modded with more advanced scopes that can detect invisible enemies and see through smoke and objects.

The player does not gain additional accuracy when firing a sniper rifle from cover while scoped, but firing from cover does grant additional shot stability, which also reduces the disruption to aim that occurs when taking hostile fire. Also, it isn't possible to leave cover while looking through a sniper rifle's scope.

Along with SMGs, sniper rifles cannot be modified to improve the user's melee damage.

The following squadmates utilize sniper rifles: Ashley, Garrus, and Zaeed.

Sniper Rifle Models[]

Below is a list of the types of sniper rifles 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.

Black Widow

Black Widow

Collector Sniper Rifle

Collector Sniper Rifle
  • Manufacturer: Collector
  • Base WCFDA: 57 / 100 / 80 / 20 / 40
  • Fire mode: Automatic
  • Default ammo: 25 / ∞
  • Acquisition: Retaliation (multiplayer)

Javelin

Javelin

Kishock Harpoon Gun

Kishock Harpoon Gun

Krysae Sniper Rifle

Krysae Sniper Rifle
  • Manufacturer: Turian
  • Base WCFDA: 75 / 10 / 2 / 60 / 75
  • Fire mode: Semi-Automatic
  • Default ammo: 3 / 9
  • Acquisition: Rebellion Pack (multiplayer), Firefight Pack (single-player)

M-13 Raptor

M-13 Raptor

M-29 Incisor

M-29 Incisor
  • Manufacturer: Unknown
  • Base WCFDA: 42 / 35 / 41 / 23 / 66
  • Fire mode: Three-round Burst
  • Default ammo: 15 / 120
  • Acquisition: Tuchanka: Bomb or Kassa Fabrication

M-90 Indra

M-90 Indra
  • Manufacturer: Unknown
  • Base WCFDA: 65 / 50 / 50 / 20 / 70
  • Fire mode: Automatic
  • Default ammo: 25 / 180
  • Acquisition: Bonus item or Firefight Pack (single-player), multiplayer

M-92 Mantis

M-92 Mantis

M-97 Viper

M-97 Viper

M-98 Widow

M-98 Widow

N7 Valiant

N7 Valiant

Weapon Modifications[]

See also: Weapon Mods#Sniper Rifle Upgrades, Equipment Guide (Mass Effect 3)#Sniper Rifle Mods
  • Sniper Rifle Concentration Mod I - V (Single-player only)
Biometric sensors and auto-targeting software adjust to the user's pulse and breath rate, assisting aim.
  • Sniper Rifle Spare Thermal Clip I - V
Adds sockets to increase thermal clip capacity, increasing number of spare shots.
  • Sniper Rifle Extended Barrel I - V
Lengthens barrel, creating greater bullet velocity and impact.
  • Sniper Rifle Piercing Mod I - V
Capacitor boosts kinetic coil generators, increasing shot penetration.
  • Sniper Rifle Enhanced Scope I - V
Stability-enhancing scope increases accuracy while moving and taking damage. Highlights targets through smoke.
  • Sniper Rifle High-Velocity Barrel I - V (Requires Retaliation for multiplayer.)
Superior kinetic coils increase shot penetration.
  • Sniper Rifle Thermal Scope I - V (Requires Retaliation for multiplayer.)
Reveal enemies through walls and smoke with a 4x optical scope and enhance stability and accuracy while zoomed.
Superior lightweight alloys replace weapon parts, making weapon less obtrusive and easier to handle.

Mass Effect: Andromeda[]

MEA Sniper Rifles

Designed for long-range engagements, sniper rifles are generally the hardest hitting and most precise weapons available. The sniper rifle's power comes at the cost of ammo capacity and reload rate.

Sniper rifles are effective against armored foes.

Sniper Rifle Models[]

M-90 Indra

MEA M-90 Indra MP
  • Rarity: Rare
  • Tech Type: Rd icon milkyway orange Milky Way
  • Damage: 48-76
  • Rate of Fire: 500
  • Max Clip Size: 25
  • Max Ammo: 175-219
  • Accuracy: 61-76
  • Weight: 45-23

Black Widow

MEA Black Widow MP
  • Rarity: Ultra Rare
  • Tech Type: Rd icon milkyway orange Milky Way
  • Damage: 465-715
  • Rate of Fire: 65
  • Max Clip Size: 3
  • Max Ammo: 24-30
  • Accuracy: 68-85
  • Weight: 55-28

Incisor

MEA Incisor MP
  • Rarity: Uncommon
  • Tech Type: Rd icon milkyway orange Milky Way
  • Damage: 82-134
  • Rate of Fire: 585
  • Max Clip Size: 15
  • Max Ammo: 120-150
  • Accuracy: 75-94
  • Weight: 50-25

Inferno

MEA Inferno MP
  • Rarity: Ultra Rare
  • Tech Type: Rd icon remnant orange Remnant
  • Damage: 198-305
  • Rate of Fire: 180
  • Max Clip Size: 5-7
  • Max Ammo: 1 (∞)
  • Accuracy: 65-81
  • Weight: 45-23

Isharay

MEA Isharay MP
  • Rarity: Rare
  • Tech Type: Rd icon heleus orange Heleus
  • Damage: 615-974
  • Rate of Fire: 75
  • Max Clip Size: 1
  • Max Ammo: 14-18
  • Accuracy: 74-93
  • Weight: 60-30

Kishock Harpoon Gun

MEA Kishock Harpoon Gun MP
  • Rarity: Ultra Rare
  • Tech Type: Rd icon milkyway orange Milky Way
  • Damage: 1320-2031
  • Rate of Fire: 100
  • Max Clip Size: 1
  • Max Ammo: 20-25
  • Accuracy: 62-78
  • Weight: 55-28
  • Not available in singleplayer - multiplayer only

Lanat

MEA Lanat MP
  • Rarity: Rare
  • Tech Type: Rd icon heleus orange Heleus
  • Damage: 260-412
  • Rate of Fire: 60
  • Max Clip Size: 2
  • Max Ammo: 20-25
  • Accuracy: 61-76
  • Weight: 50-25

Naladen

MEA Naladen MP
  • Rarity: Ultra Rare
  • Tech Type: Rd icon heleus orange Heleus
  • Damage: 288-443
  • Rate of Fire: 95
  • Max Clip Size: 4
  • Max Ammo: 28-35
  • Accuracy: 60-75
  • Weight: 55-28

N7 Valiant

MEA N7 Valiant MP
  • Rarity: Ultra Rare
  • Tech Type: Rd icon milkyway orange Milky Way
  • Damage: 295-454
  • Rate of Fire: 125
  • Max Clip Size: 5
  • Max Ammo: 45-56
  • Accuracy: 79-99
  • Weight: 45-23

Pathfinder Observer

Pathfinder-Observer
  • Rarity: Rare
  • Tech Type: Rd icon milkyway orange Milky Way
  • Damage: 190-244
  • Rate of Fire: 110
  • Max Clip Size: 6
  • Max Ammo: 24-27
  • Accuracy: 70-82
  • Weight: 50-39

Raptor

MEA Raptor MP
  • Rarity: Uncommon
  • Tech Type: Rd icon milkyway orange Milky Way
  • Damage: 49-80
  • Rate of Fire: 550
  • Max Clip Size: 15
  • Max Ammo: 135-169
  • Accuracy: 70-88
  • Weight: 40-20

Shadow

MEA Shadow MP
  • Rarity: Rare
  • Tech Type: Rd icon remnant orange Remnant
  • Damage: 64-101
  • Rate of Fire: 600
  • Max Clip Size: 20-30
  • Max Ammo: 1 (∞)
  • Accuracy: 65-81
  • Weight: 55-28

Vanquisher

MEA Vanquisher MP
  • Rarity: Rare
  • Tech Type: Rd icon milkyway orange Milky Way
  • Damage: 278-440
  • Rate of Fire: 90
  • Max Clip Size: 4
  • Max Ammo: 32-40
  • Accuracy: 65-81
  • Weight: 45-23

Viper

MEA Viper MP
  • Rarity: Common
  • Tech Type: Rd icon milkyway orange Milky Way
  • Damage: 249-423
  • Rate of Fire: 90
  • Max Clip Size: 3
  • Max Ammo: 24-30
  • Accuracy: 70-88
  • Weight: 50-25

Widow

MEA Widow MP
  • Rarity: Uncommon
  • Tech Type: Rd icon milkyway orange Milky Way
  • Damage: 495-810
  • Rate of Fire: 60
  • Max Clip Size: 1
  • Max Ammo: 16-20
  • Accuracy: 65-81
  • Weight: 65-33

Sniper Rifle Customization[]

Sniper Rifles 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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