Submachine Guns (SMGs) are one of the primary weapons in the Mass Effect universe. They are a class of rapid-firing weapons, with both fully-automatic and burst-fire models. SMGs generally have low accuracy and damage per shot, offset by their thermal clip size and rate of fire. They are best suited for close- to mid-range combat.
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Mass Effect 2[edit | edit source]
SMGs possess a bonus to damage against shields and biotic barriers, but are weak against armor. Like all other non-heavy weapon types in Mass Effect 2 with the exception of sniper rifles, SMGs benefit from increasing damage against targets at close ranges, maximized at point-blank (melee) range.
All player classes except soldiers start the game able to use SMGs. The following squadmates also utilize submachine guns: Miranda, Mordin, Samara/Morinth, Thane, Kasumi, Liara, and Dr. Amanda Kenson.
Submachine Gun Models[edit | edit source]
Below is a list of Submachine Gun models and their base stats:
M-4 Shuriken[edit | edit source]
- Manufacturer: Elkoss Combine
- Base Damage: 20.5
- Damage Multipliers (Armor / Barriers / Shields): x1.0 / x1.5 / x1.5
- Ammo capacity: 24 / 240
- Acquisition: Default starting weapon.
M-9 Tempest[edit | edit source]
- Manufacturer: Elanus Risk Control Services
- Base Damage: 14
- Damage Multipliers (Armor / Barriers / Shields): x1.0 / x1.5 / x1.5
- Ammo capacity: 50 / 450
- Acquisition: Dossier: Tali
M-12 Locust[edit | edit source]
- Manufacturer: Kassa Fabrication
- Base Damage: 25
- Damage Multipliers (Armor / Barriers / Shields): x1.25 / x1.25 / x1.25
- Ammo capacity: 20 / 240
- Acquisition: Kasumi: Stealing Memory
Upgrades[edit | edit source]
- See also: Upgrade Guide, section on SMG upgrades, Research
- SMG Shield Piercing (Phasic Jacketing)
- Provides +50% SMG damage against shields and biotic barriers.
- SMG Extra Rounds (Heat Sink Capacity)
- Adds +50% more SMG rounds.
- Submachine Gun Damage 1 - 6 (Microfield Pulsar)
- Squad bonus +10% submachine gun damage.
Mass Effect 3[edit | edit source]
Submachine guns are good choices for power-dependent classes. These lightweight weapons can deal out high rates of fire at the cost of low accuracy and stopping power. As a rule, Submachine guns are weak weapons but they have some extremely good mods - notably the Ultralight Materials offering a 90% weight discount makes them a superb backup weapon, whereas with the right DLC a character who focusses primarily on powers can combine the Power Magnifier and the High Velocity Barrel to have a very effective gun against targets like Brutes, a damage bonus for powers, and a recharge bonus of 200%. The following squadmates utilize submachine guns: Aria, EDI, and Liara.
Submachine Gun Models[edit | edit source]
Below is a list of the types of submachine guns 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.
Blood Pack Punisher[edit | edit source]
- Manufacturer: Blood Pack
- Base WCFDA: 30 / 70 / 65 / 25 / 20
- Fire Mode: Automatic
- Default ammo: 40 / 320
- Acquisition: Firefight Pack (single-player), Mass Effect 3: Reckoning (multiplayer)
Collector SMG[edit | edit source]
- Manufacturer: Collector
- Base WCFDA: 33 / 100 / 80 / 22 / 30
- Fire Mode: Automatic
- Default ammo: 30 / ∞
- Acquisition: Retaliation
Geth Plasma SMG[edit | edit source]
- Manufacturer: Geth Armory
- Base WCFDA: 18 / 80 / 80 / 10 / 60
- Fire Mode: Automatic
- Default ammo: 100 / 600
- Acquisition: Resurgence Pack (multiplayer), Firefight Pack (single-player)
M-4 Shuriken[edit | edit source]
- Manufacturer: Elkoss Combine
- Base WCFDA: 18 / 70 / 80 / 12 / 10
- Fire Mode: Six-round burst
- Default ammo: 36 / 324
- Acquisition: Priority: Mars
M-9 Tempest[edit | edit source]
- Manufacturer: Elanus Risk Control Services
- Base WCFDA: 18 / 72 / 70 / 12 / 30
- Fire Mode: Automatic
- Default ammo: 50 / 350
- Acquisition: Tuchanka: Turian Platoon or Kassa Fabrication
M-12 Locust[edit | edit source]
- Manufacturer: Kassa Fabrication
- Base WCFDA: 23 / 58 / 58 / 15 / 63
- Fire Mode: Automatic
- Default ammo: 20 / 240
- Acquisition: Priority: Horizon or Kassa Fabrication
M-25 Hornet[edit | edit source]
- Manufacturer: Cerberus
- Base WCFDA: 33 / 38 / 90 / 18 / 23
- Fire Mode: Three-round burst
- Default ammo: 24 / 144
- Acquisition: Priority: The Citadel II or Batarian State Arms
N7 Hurricane[edit | edit source]
- Manufacturer: Systems Alliance
- Base WCFDA: 30 / 60 / 100 / 22 / 15
- Fire Mode: Automatic
- Default ammo: 40 / 240
- Acquisition: N7 Collector's Edition Pack or multiplayer
Weapon Modifications[edit | edit source]
- SMG Ultralight Materials I - V
- Superior lightweight alloys replace weapon parts, making weapon less obtrusive and easier to handle.
- SMG Magazine Upgrade I - V
- Increases magazine capacity, allowing more shots before reload.
- SMG High-Caliber Barrel I - V
- Allows wider projectiles, causing more trauma on impact. Ballistically optimized to retain penetrative power.
- SMG Heat Sink I - V
- Increases heat conductivity of thermal clip receiver. Negates heat generated by some shots.
- SMG Scope I - V
- Simple 2x optical scope enhances stability while zoomed. Increases accuracy while moving and taking damage.
- Superior kinetic coils increase shot penetration.
- Increase weapon mass for a split second per shot by using expert timing-VI to reduce weapon kick and improve aim.
