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MEA Weapons - Research

In Mass Effect: Andromeda, there are five types of weapons that can be used by any character. Assault Rifles, Pistols, Sniper Rifles, Shotguns, and Melee Weapons.

Overview[]

Class type requirements were removed in Mass Effect: Andromeda. The same requirements were removed from weapons as well. Characters and weapons are highly customizable in Mass Effect: Andromeda differing greatly from previous Mass Effect games.

Weapons can be found dropped from enemies, looted from containers, purchased from merchants, or by Development (crafting) at a Research Center.

Each weapon counts as one item towards the Inventory item limit.

Combat Style[]

In addition to weapons, combat also allows use of Flak Cannons, Grenades, Trip Mines, etc. Adding points to Tech skills, allows focusing more on experimental weapons, such as the Flamethrower and the Cryo Beam. Enemies are not generally classified as 'weapons' so are not listed here, but by using Biotic skills can, in fact, temporarily turn an enemy into a weapon, either as a shield or to do damage to another enemy.

Weapon Types[]

  • Rd icon milkyway orange Milky Way - Similar to weapons found in Mass Effect, Mass Effect 2, and Mass Effect 3 but upgraded.
  • Rd icon heleus orange Heleus - This type of weapon is generally plasma based and benefits from heat-seeking technology. Some Heleus weapons are also charged based. The longer they are charged before releasing the trigger, the more devastating the impact.
  • Rd icon remnant orange Remnant - Typically use beams, have a high rate of fire and are exceptionally accurate, though they typically lack per-shot damage compared to Heleus or Milky Way weapons. Due to rising heat, the weapon will experience occasional cooldown requirements. A fair trade-off considering this weapon type does not require carrying extra ammunition.

Weapon Categories[]

Assault Rifles[]

Damage Max Clip Size Max Ammo Accuracy Weight
Name Rarity Tech Type Rank
I
Rank
X
Rate
Of
Fire
Rank
I
Rank
X
Rank
I
Rank
X
Rank
I
Rank
X
Rank
I
Rank
X
MEA Mod Slot Mod
Slots
MEA Augmentation Slot For Tables Aug
Slots
L-89 Halberd Rare Rd icon milkyway orange 103 N/A 300 17 N/A 97 N/A 111 N/A 25 N/A 2 0
M-8 Avenger Common Rd icon milkyway orange 30 51 525 30 30 300 375 52 65 25 13 2 2
M-37 Falcon Rare Rd icon milkyway orange 255 404 90 6 6 36 45 48 60 30 15 2 3
M-96 Mattock Uncommon Rd icon milkyway orange 54 88 405 20 20 160 200 60 75 25 13 2 2
Cyclone Uncommon Rd icon milkyway orange 28 46 675 50 50 250 313 42 53 35 18 2 2
N7 Valkyrie Ultra Rare Rd icon milkyway orange 106 163 500 20 20 140 175 65 81 20 10 2 4
Pathfinder Pioneer Rare Rd icon milkyway orange 63 81† 600 24 24† 168 187† 55 65† 25 19† 2 2
P.A.W. Ultra Rare Rd icon remnant orange 35 54 600 25 37 1(∞) 1(∞) 75 94 35 18 2 4
Revenant Rare Rd icon milkyway orange 34 54 620 60 60 360 450 40 50 40 20 2 3
Sandstorm Rare Rd icon milkyway orange 148 234 210 14 14 126 158 68 85 35 18 2 3
Soned Ultra Rare Rd icon heleus orange 32 49 850 120 120 360 450 30 38 60 30 2 4
Sovoa Ultra Rare Rd icon heleus orange 263 302 300 10 10 90 113 60 75 30 15 2 0
Sweeper Rare Rd icon remnant orange 76 120 450 18 28 1(∞) 1(∞) 70 88 25 13 2 3
Thokin Rare Rd icon heleus orange 44 70 750 24 24 240 300 50 63 30 15 2 3
X5 Ghost Rare Rd icon milkyway orange 40 63 600 75 75 450 563 52 65 20 10 2 2
Zalkin Uncommon Rd icon heleus orange 70 115 475 24 24 192 240 48 60 25 13 2 2

†Like all weapons in the Pathfinder Elite Weapons Set, the Pathfinder Pioneer is not available above Rank V.

Pistols[]

Damage Max Clip Size Max Ammo Accuracy Weight
Name Rarity Tech Type Rank
I
Rank
X
Rate
Of
Fire
Rank
I
Rank
X
Rank
I
Rank
X
Rank
I
Rank
X
Rank
I
Rank
X
MEA Mod Slot Mod
Slots
MEA Augmentation Slot For Tables Aug
Slots
M-3 Predator Common Rd icon milkyway orange 34 58 500 15 15 105 131 52 65 5 3 2 2
M-5 Phalanx Uncommon Rd icon milkyway orange 86 141 260 12 12 84 105 52 65 10 5 2 2
M-25 Hornet Rare Rd icon milkyway orange 55 87 950 24 24 192 240 50 63 15 8 2 3
Carnifex Uncommon Rd icon milkyway orange 190 311 100 8 8 56 70 57 71 10 5 2 2
Charger Common Rd icon milkyway orange 19 32 650 50 50 400 500 45 56 15 8 2 2
Equalizer Rare Rd icon remnant orange 36 57 600 35 53 1(∞) 1(∞) 64 80 20 10 2 3
N7 Eagle Ultra Rare Rd icon milkyway orange 57 88 450 24 24 192 240 55 69 15 8 2 4
N7 Hurricane Ultra Rare Rd icon milkyway orange 24 37 925 40 40 280 350 45 56 25 13 2 4
Pathfinder Ranger Rare Rd icon milkyway orange 25 32† 700 75 75† 225 250† 45 53† 20 16† 2 2
Rozerad Ultra Rare Rd icon heleus orange 17 26 225 70 70 420 525 45 56 10 5 2 4
Scorpion Rare Rd icon milkyway orange 315 497 75 4 4 28 35 40 50 30 15 2 3
Sidewinder Rare Rd icon milkyway orange 99 157 380 6 6 60 75 45 56 10 5 2 3
Silhesh Ultra Rare Rd icon heleus orange 91 105 800 50 50 400 500 40 50 15 8 2 0
Talon Rare Rd icon milkyway orange 315 497 75 4 4 28 35 40 50 30 15 2 3
Ushior Ultra Rare Rd icon heleus orange 500 769 70 2 2 20 25 60 75 20 10 2 4

†Like all weapons in the Pathfinder Elite Weapons Set, the Pathfinder Ranger is not available above Rank V.

Sniper Rifles[]

Damage Max Clip Size Max Ammo Accuracy Weight
Name Rarity Tech Type Rank
I
Rank
X
Rate
Of
Fire
Rank
I
Rank
X
Rank
I
Rank
X
Rank
I
Rank
X
Rank
I
Rank
X
MEA Mod Slot Mod
Slots
MEA Augmentation Slot For Tables Aug
Slots
M-90 Indra Rare Rd icon milkyway orange 48 76 500 25 25 175 219 61 76 45 23 2 3
Black Widow Ultra Rare Rd icon milkyway orange 465 715 65 3 3 24 30 68 85 55 28 2 4
Incisor Uncommon Rd icon milkyway orange 82 134 585 15 15 120 150 75 94 50 25 2 2
Inferno Ultra Rare Rd icon remnant orange 198 305 180 5 7 1(∞) 1(∞) 65 81 45 23 2 4
Isharay Rare Rd icon heleus orange 615 974 75 1 1 14 18 74 93 60 30 2 3
Kishock Harpoon Gun Ultra Rare Rd icon milkyway orange 1320 2031 100 1 1 20 25 62 78 55 28 2 0
Lanat Rare Rd icon heleus orange 260 412 60 2 2 20 25 61 76 50 25 2 3
Naladen Ultra Rare Rd icon heleus orange 288 443 95 4 4 28 35 60 75 55 28 2 4
N7 Valiant Ultra Rare Rd icon milkyway orange 295 454 125 5 5 45 56 79 99 45 23 2 4
Pathfinder Observer Rare Rd icon milkyway orange 190 244† 110 6 6† 24 27† 70 82† 50 39† 2 2
Raptor Uncommon Rd icon milkyway orange 49 80 550 15 15 135 169 70 88 40 20 2 2
Shadow Rare Rd icon remnant orange 64 101 60 20 30 1(∞) 1(∞) 65 81 55 28 2 3
Vanquisher Rare Rd icon milkyway orange 278 440 90 4 4 32 40 65 81 45 23 2 3
Viper Common Rd icon milkyway orange 249 423 90 3 3 24 30 70 88 50 25 2 2
Widow Uncommon Rd icon milkyway orange 495 810 60 1 1 16 20 65 81 65 33 2 2

†Like all weapons in the Pathfinder Elite Weapons Set, the Pathfinder Observer is not available above Rank V.

Shotguns[]

Damage Max Clip Size Max Ammo Accuracy Weight
Name Rarity Tech Type Rank
I
Rank
X
Rate
Of
Fire
Rank
I
Rank
X
Rank
I
Rank
X
Rank
I
Rank
X
Rank
I
Rank
X
MEA Mod Slot Mod
Slots
MEA Augmentation Slot For Tables Aug
Slots
M-23 Katana Common Rd icon milkyway orange 322 546 85 5 5 40 50 22 28 40 20 2 2
Dhan Ultra Rare Rd icon heleus orange 614 945 95 3 3 21 26 42 53 30 15 2 4
Disciple Uncommon Rd icon milkyway orange 432 704 85 6 6 42 53 34 43 35 18 2 2
Hesh Rare Rd icon heleus orange 216 410 220 10 10 60 75 16 20 40 20 2 3
N7 Crusader Ultra Rare Rd icon milkyway orange 360 554 80 4 4 28 35 44 55 35 18 2 4
N7 Piranha Ultra Rare Rd icon milkyway orange 328 504 165 8 8 48 60 22 28 50 25 2 3
Pathfinder Deep Impact Rare Rd icon milkyway orange 255 325† 85 6 6† 24 27† 35 41† 30 23† 2 2
Reegar Carbine Rare Rd icon milkyway orange 52 82 525 36 36 216 270 50 63 30 15 2 3
Ruzad Uncommon Rd icon milkyway orange 355 580 70 3 3 27 34 28 35 45 23 2 2
Scattershot Rare Rd icon remnant orange 135 315 150 8 12 1(∞) 1(∞) 60 75 35 18 2 4
Shorty Ultra Rare Rd icon heleus orange 310 360 400 15 15 120 150 30 38 42 21 2 0
Venom Rare Rd icon milkyway orange 233 369 80 5 5 25 31 25 31 45 23 2 3

†Like all weapons in the Pathfinder Elite Weapons Set, the Pathfinder Deep Impact is not available above Rank V.

Melee Weapons[]

Name Rarity Tech
Type
Damage
Rank I
Damage
Rank X
Weight MEA Mod Slot Mod
Slots
MEA Augmentation Slot For Tables Aug
Slots
Notes
Angaran Firaan Uncommon Rd icon heleus orange 250 550 0 0 2 -
Asari Sword Ultra Rare Rd icon milkyway orange 400 880 0 0 4 Ryder is invincible during swinging animation.
Biotic Amplifier Uncommon Rd icon milkyway orange 275 605 0 0 2 -
Electric Firaan Rare Rd icon heleus orange 175 385 0 0 3 -
Kett Carfalon Rare Rd icon heleus orange 325 715 0 0 3 Ryder regains health with each successful strike.
Kett Vakarsh Ultra Rare Rd icon heleus orange 175 (Melee)
110 (Fire)
385 (Melee)
242 (Fire)
0 0 3 Primes for Fire Combo. MEA Primer Heat icon
Krogan Hammer Rare Rd icon milkyway orange 400 880 0 0 3 -
Omni-Blade Common Rd icon milkyway orange 275 605 0 0 2 -
Remnant Cryo-Gauntlet Ultra Rare Rd icon remnant orange 200 440 0 0 4 Primes for Cryo Combo. MEA Primer Cold icon

Weapon Loadout[]

Weapons can only be added/changed/removed at a Loadout terminal.

The number of weapons Ryder can carry will depend on the skill points placed into the Combat Fitness skill.

Note: Squad weapons can't be changed in Mass Effect: Andromeda. See Squad - Mass Effect: Andromeda

Weapon Weight[]

Total weapon weight is affected by the number and type of weapons chosen at the Loadout terminal.

For details on the mechanics of weapon weight, see Combat (Mass Effect: Andromeda)#Weight Capacity.

Weapon Customization[]

Weapons 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.

Weapon Buff Mechanics[]

The customization of a weapon in Mass Effect: Andromeda can change stats of Pathfinder Ryder's other weapons. This is known as a buff. There are active and passive buffs based upon the weapon type.

Active Buffs[]

Active Buffs change weapon stats when a weapon is currently equipped. All gun-type weapons use active buffs. Active buffs change weapon stats for all weapons and are in place as long as Pathfinder Ryder has the weapon equipped. If Ryder changes to a different weapon, the buffs from the new weapon will now be in effect.

Active buffs are a moot point for other weapons. Unequipped weapon stats will be changed by an active buff but if Pathfinder Ryder changes weapons to use another weapon, the new weapon buffs are now in place.

Passive Buffs[]

Passive Buffs change weapon stats no matter which weapon is currently equipped. All melee weapons use passive buffs. Passive buffs change weapon stats and are in place no matter which weapon Pathfinder Ryder has equipped.

Passive buffs are a completely different story. If Pathfinder Ryder isn't currently using the melee weapon with passive buffs, the passive buffs are still in place. All weapons Pathfinder Ryder current has in the Loadout are affected by passive buffs.

Buff Strategies[]

Depending upon playstyle, Pathfinder Ryder can have a melee weapon customized with Augmentations that buff all weapons but the melee weapon never actually has to be used during combat. As an added bonus, all melee weapons have no weight and therefore won't impact Recharge Speed.

For example:

  • using an Asari Sword which has four augmentation slots
  • with the Innovation Cryo Pod Perk which grants one additional augmentation slot
  • and applying five Kinetic Coil augmentations which grant +3% Weapon Damage each, +15% Weapon Damage total
  • will change any weapon that Pathfinder Ryder has in the current Loadout to have the +15% Weapon Damage passive buff in place.

Multiplayer Variants[]

When a weapon reaches Rank X in multiplayer, item packs subsequently dispense variants of the weapon that come with additional abilities or improved stats, and can be upgraded again from Ranks I-X. These are the S, Bulwark, Concussive, and Siphon variants.

S weapons confer different stats per weapon. The Bulwark, Concussive, and Siphon variants all confer the same effects and rank gains regardless of weapon. The latter three variants also retain the Rank X stats of the base weapon, with subsequent I-X upgrades only making the variant effect stronger. The weapon effects also end when switching to another gun.

While base weapons can't be taken to the field twice, different variants of the same weapon can. It's possible to bring an Avenger X and an Avenger S, an Avenger Siphon and an Avenger Concussive, and so on.

S[]

MEA Charger S MP

Nexus scientists have worked to improve APEX weaponry, creating enhanced Special Edition weapons that are showcased in a titanium finish.

The five Common weapons are given "S" variants, sporting boosted damage compared to the originals. The remaining stats stay the same: a Rank I common weapon has the same stats as a Rank I S weapon except for damage, and will continue on the same vein until Rank X.

Unlike the other variants, which inherit the rarity of the base gun, S weapons are classified as Rare.

Bulwark[]

MEA Charger S Bulwark

This weapon upgrade is based on tech accidentally discovered while creating shield generators. The Bulwark's user takes less damage from all sources when standing near allies—the more allies, the stronger the effect.

Gain Damage Resistance with each nearby ally.

+15-25 Damage Resistance Near One Ally
+22-37 Damage Resistance Near Two Allies
+30-50 Damage Resistance Near Three Allies

Bulwark weapons' paint scheme is yellow with grey hexagons. A bluish shimmer envelopes the user when the damage resistance effect is active, and the effect is active only up to a certain distance between teammates. The weapons are typically appropriate to use during defensive actions requiring teammates close together, such as in Hack or Upload waves, or during Devices or Retrieval waves when one works the objective while another squadmate stands guard nearby, though they can also be deployed offensively if the team acts cohesively. Spawned drones are not counted as "allies" by the Bulwark effect.

Rank I II III IV V VI VII VIII IX X
Damage
Resistance

Near
One Ally
15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 25
Damage
Resistance
Near
Two Allies
22 24 25 27 29 30 32 34 35 37
Damage
Resistance
Near
Three Allies
30 32 34 36 38 41 43 45 47 50

Concussive[]

MEA Charger S Concussive

Initiative scientists have outdone themselves with this weapon upgrade. Using this upgrade to kill an enemy with a headshot causes a massive explosion, essentially turning the target into a bomb.

Killing an enemy by shooting its weakpoint causes an explosion.

+800-1500 Area Damage
+7.50 Radius (m)

Concussive weapons' paint scheme is purple with grey stripes. This variant is not available for certain weapons, such as those that fire grenade munitions like the M-37 Falcon or Venom Shotgun. Concussive weapons are devastating against clumped enemies, since just killing a guy via weakpoint also damages (and potentially kills) those around them.

Rank I II III IV V VI VII VIII IX X
Area Damage 800 877 955 1033 1111 1188 1266 1344 1422 1500

Siphon[]

MEA Charger S Siphon

This weapon upgrade was developed by angaran scientists excited to experiment with biotics for the first time. The Siphon heals the user while shooting enemies and temporarily increases the amount of healing with fatal shots.

This weapon restores your health as it deals damage.

+3.00-3.75% Damage Returned As Health
+4.50% Heal Bonus Per Kill
+7 Kill Streak Duration (seconds)
+3 Maximum Kill Bonuses

Siphon weapons' paint scheme is red with a large grey stripe. Concentric red holo-circles appear on the weapon barrel after each kill, with an audible whine that also grows louder after each kill. Siphon weapons are versatile on the battlefield compared to the other variants, with a utilitarian life-restoring effect that's always welcome no matter the situation.

Rank I II III IV V VI VII VIII IX X
% Damage
Returned
As Health
3.00 3.08 3.16 3.25 3.33 3.41 3.50 3.58 3.66 3.75
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