This article is about pistol weapons in Mass Effect and Mass Effect: Andromeda. For the skill in Mass Effect: Andromeda, see Pistols (skill). For pistols in Mass Effect 2 and Mass Effect 3, see Heavy Pistols. |
Mass Effect[]
Pistols refers to both a type of weapon and the talent that gives proficiency in them. Pistols are close- and mid-range weapons designed for a variety of situations, particularly shooting on the move. They lack the automatic fire of assault rifles, and do less damage compared to shotguns or sniper rifles.
This talent is available to all classes except Sentinels, who get bonuses to pistol proficiency from their class skill, Asari Scientist, who has no weapon talents whatsoever, and Krogan Battlemaster and Turian Agent, which instead use assault rifles as their "basic" weapon.
However, even with a low number of points or none whatsoever, pistols are significantly more accurate than any of the other weapons. For this reason they are generally reserved as backup weapons for biotic and tech specialists as their main skills recharge. Moreover their high accuracy, particularly in the early levels, should not be overlooked by Soldiers as an alternative to assault rifles, especially if the Shotgun talent is going to gain investment much later in the game.
Pistols have a rate of fire of 4 shots per second. When Master Marksman is active, they will out-perform assault rifles of the same rank.
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 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 Marksman power in Mass Effect 3, see Marksman.
Marksman is a talent gained from the Pistols skill tree. 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.
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 Marksman power in Mass Effect 3, see Marksman.
Marksman in Legendary Edition works somewhat differently from the original 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 Mass Effect).
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.
Specialization[]
Commandos gain Assassin Specialization at level 12.
- Level 12: Assassin Specialization: Reduces the recharge time on Assassination and Marksman by 25%.
Classes[]
These classes have access to the Pistols talent:
- Adept Unlockable
- Engineer
- Infiltrator
- Soldier
- Vanguard
- Quarian Machinist
The Sentinel, Asari Scientist and Turian Agent classes can also use pistols, but do not have access to the specific Pistols talent. The Sentinel class talent provides smaller bonuses to pistol accuracy and damage, and at level 6 provides the first level of Marksman (for Shepard, though not for Kaidan).
Pistol types[]
Raikou line of Pistols
Manufacturer: | Ariake Technologies | |||||||||
Weapon Level: | I | II | III | IV | V | VI | VII | VIII | IX | X |
Damage: | - | - | - | 163 | 173 | 182 | 192 | 202 | 211 | 221 |
Shots Before Overheat: | - | - | - | 17.7 | 18.6 | 19.5 | 20.5 | 21.7 | 23 | 24.4 |
Accuracy Rating: | - | - | - | 63 | 64 | 65 | 66 | 66 | 67 | 68 |
Brawler line of Pistols
Manufacturer: | Armax Arsenal | |||||||||
Weapon Level: | I | II | III | IV | V | VI | VII | VIII | IX | X |
Damage: | - | - | - | - | - | - | 208 | 218 | 229 | 239 |
Shots Before Overheat: | - | - | - | - | - | - | 24.6 | 26.3 | 28.3 | 30.5 |
Accuracy Rating: | - | - | - | - | - | - | 77 | 77 | 78 | 79 |
Judgement line of Pistols
Manufacturer: | Batarian State Arms | |||||||||
Weapon Level: | I | II | III | IV | V | VI | VII | VIII | IX | X |
Damage: | 112 | 120 | 128 | 136 | 144 | 152 | 160 | 168 | 176 | 184 |
Shots Before Overheat: | 14.4 | 15 | 15.5 | 16.2 | 16.9 | 17.6 | 18.5 | 19.4 | 20.4 | 21.5 |
Accuracy Rating: | 52 | 53 | 54 | 55 | 56 | 57 | 58 | 59 | 60 | 61 |
The Judgement pistols can only be acquired through console commands.
Harpy line of Pistols
Manufacturer: | Cerberus Skunkworks | |||||||||
Weapon Level: | I | II | III | IV | V | VI | VII | VIII | IX | X |
Damage: | 157 | 168 | 179 | 190 | 202 | 213 | 224 | 235 | 246 | 258 |
Shots Before Overheat: | 14.4 | 15 | 15.5 | 16.2 | 16.9 | 17.6 | 18.5 | 19.4 | 20.4 | 21.5 |
Accuracy Rating: | 86 | 86 | 86 | 87 | 87 | 87 | 87 | 88 | 88 | 88 |
The Harpy pistols can only be acquired through console commands.
Stinger line of Pistols
Manufacturer: | Devlon Industries | |||||||||
Weapon Level: | I | II | III | IV | V | VI | VII | VIII | IX | X |
Damage: | - | - | - | 150 | 158 | 167 | 176 | 185 | 194 | 202 |
Shots Before Overheat: | - | - | - | 18.6 | 19.5 | 20.6 | 21.7 | 23 | 24.5 | 26.2 |
Accuracy Rating: | - | - | - | 66 | 67 | 68 | 69 | 69 | 70 | 71 |
Striker line of Pistols
Manufacturer: | Elanus Risk Control Services | |||||||||
Weapon Level: | I | II | III | IV | V | VI | VII | VIII | IX | X |
Damage: | 101 | 108 | 115 | 122 | 130 | 137 | 144 | 151 | 158 | 166 |
Shots Before Overheat: | 13.9 | 14.4 | 14.9 | 15.5 | 16.1 | 16.8 | 17.6 | 18.4 | 19.3 | 20.3 |
Accuracy Rating: | 47 | 48 | 49 | 51 | 52 | 53 | 54 | 55 | 56 | 57 |
Legendary Edition: The Striker has the lowest stats among the three three-round-burst pistols available.
Kessler line of Pistols
Manufacturer: | Hahne-Kedar | |||||||||
Weapon Level: | I | II | III | IV | V | VI | VII | VIII | IX | X |
Damage: | 90 | 96 | 102 | 109 | 115 | 122 | 128 | 134 | 141 | 147 |
Shots Before Overheat: | 14.4 | 15 | 15.5 | 16.2 | 16.9 | 17.6 | 18.5 | 19.4 | 20.4 | 21.5 |
Accuracy Rating: | 52 | 53 | 54 | 55 | 56 | 57 | 58 | 59 | 60 | 61 |
Cobra line of Pistols
Manufacturer: | Hahne-Kedar Shadow Works | |||||||||
Weapon Level: | I | II | III | IV | V | VI | VII | VIII | IX | X |
Damage: | 123 | 132 | 141 | 150 | 158 | 167 | 176 | 185 | 194 | 202 |
Shots Before Overheat: | 15.3 | 15.9 | 16.6 | 17.3 | 18.1 | 19 | 19.9 | 21 | 22.3 | 23.6 |
Accuracy Rating: | 57 | 58 | 59 | 60 | 60 | 61 | 62 | 63 | 64 | 65 |
The Cobra pistols can only be acquired through console commands.
Stiletto line of Pistols
Manufacturer: | Haliat Armory | |||||||||
Weapon Level: | I | II | III | IV | V | VI | VII | VIII | IX | X |
Damage: | 146 | 156 | 166 | 177 | 187 | 198 | 208 | 218 | 229 | 239 |
Shots Before Overheat: | 15 | 15.6 | 16.2 | 16.9 | 17.7 | 18.5 | 19.4 | 20.5 | 21.6 | 22.9 |
Accuracy Rating: | 57 | 58 | 59 | 60 | 60 | 61 | 62 | 63 | 64 | 65 |
Pinnacle line of Pistols
Manufacturer: | Jormangund Technology | |||||||||
Weapon Level: | I | II | III | IV | V | VI | VII | VIII | IX | X |
Damage: | 134 | 144 | 154 | 163 | 173 | 182 | 192 | 202 | 211 | 221 |
Shots Before Overheat: | 17.9 | 18.7 | 19.6 | 20.7 | 21.8 | 23.1 | 24.6 | 26.3 | 28.3 | 30.5 |
Accuracy Rating: | 76 | 77 | 77 | 78 | 78 | 79 | 79 | 80 | 80 | 81 |
The Pinnacle pistols can only be acquired through console commands.
Razer line of Pistols
Manufacturer: | Kassa Fabrication | |||||||||
Weapon Level: | I | II | III | IV | V | VI | VII | VIII | IX | X |
Damage: | - | - | - | - | - | - | 224 | 235 | 246 | 258 |
Shots Before Overheat: | - | - | - | - | - | - | 23.1 | 24.5 | 26.2 | 28.2 |
Accuracy Rating: | - | - | - | - | - | - | 75 | 75 | 76 | 77 |
Legendary Edition: The Razer has the highest stats among the three three-round-burst pistols available.
Karpov line of Pistols
Manufacturer: | Rosenkov Materials | |||||||||
Weapon Level: | I | II | III | IV | V | VI | VII | VIII | IX | X |
Damage: | - | - | - | - | - | - | 240 | 252 | 264 | 276 |
Shots Before Overheat: | - | - | - | - | - | - | 21.7 | 23 | 24.5 | 26.2 |
Accuracy Rating: | - | - | - | - | - | - | 73 | 73 | 74 | 75 |
Edge line of Pistols
Manufacturer: | Elkoss Combine | |||||||||
Weapon Level: | I | II | III | IV | V | VI | VII | VIII | IX | X |
Damage: | 112 | 120 | 128 | 136 | 144 | 152 | 160 | 168 | 176 | 184 |
Shots Before Overheat: | 13.4 | 13.8 | 14.3 | 14.9 | 15.5 | 16.1 | 16.8 | 17.5 | 18.4 | 19.3 |
Accuracy Rating: | 38 | 39 | 40 | 42 | 43 | 44 | 45 | 47 | 48 | 49 |
HMWP Basic line of Pistols
Manufacturer: | Spectre Gear | |||||||||
Weapon Level: | I | II | III | IV | V | VI | VII | VIII | IX | X |
Damage: | 112 | 120 | 128 | 136 | 144 | 152 | - | - | - | - |
Shots Before Overheat: | 14.4 | 15 | 15.5 | 16.2 | 16.9 | 17.6 | - | - | - | - |
Accuracy Rating: | 52 | 53 | 54 | 55 | 56 | 57 | - | - | - | - |
The HMWP Basic Pistol can only be acquired through console commands.
HMWP Advanced line of Pistols
Manufacturer: | Spectre Gear | |||||||||
Weapon Level: | I | II | III | IV | V | VI | VII | VIII | IX | X |
Damage: | - | 126 | 134 | 143 | 151 | 160 | 168 | 176 | - | - |
Shots Before Overheat: | - | 16.6 | 17.3 | 18.1 | 19 | 20 | 21.1 | 22.3 | - | - |
Accuracy Rating: | - | 55 | 56 | 57 | 58 | 59 | 60 | 61 | - | - |
The HMWP Advanced Pistol can only be acquired through console commands.
HMWP Master line of Pistols
Manufacturer: | Spectre Gear | |||||||||
Weapon Level: | I | II | III | IV | V | VI | VII | VIII | IX | X |
Damage: | - | - | - | 218 | 230 | 243 | 256 | 269 | 282 | 294 |
Shots Before Overheat: | - | - | - | 20.1 | 21.2 | 22.4 | 23.8 | 25.4 | 27.2 | 29.3 |
Accuracy Rating: | - | - | - | 87 | 87 | 87 | 87 | 88 | 88 | 88 |
Only The HMWP Master Pistol VII and X sophistication level can be found in-game. The rest can be acquired through console commands.
Legendary Edition: This is the only fully-automatic pistol naturally obtainable in-game.
Mass Effect: Andromeda[]
A mixture of "hand cannons" and submachine guns (SMGs), pistols are generally the lightest weapons on the battlefield. This light weight allows more frequent use of powers. Single-shot pistols tend to be more effective against armor than SMGs but require careful aim.
In Mass Effect: Andromeda, Pistols and Submachine Guns (SMGs) were combined into a single Pistols category.
- Even if the in-game names and descriptions of some weapons specifically call out the weapon as an SMG (e.g. Charger), the weapon is classified as a "Pistol".
- The "Heavy" designation seen in Mass Effect 2 and Mass Effect 3 that was used for pistols was dropped in Mass Effect: Andromeda.
Weapon Models[]
M-3 Predator[]
- Rarity: Common
- Tech Type: Milky Way
- Damage: 34-58
- Rate of Fire: 500
- Max Clip Size: 15
- Max Ammo: 105-131
- Accuracy: 52-65
- Weight: 5-3
M-5 Phalanx[]
- Rarity: Uncommon
- Tech Type: Milky Way
- Damage: 86-141
- Rate of Fire: 260
- Max Clip Size: 12
- Max Ammo: 84-105
- Accuracy: 52-65
- Weight: 10-5
M-25 Hornet[]
- Rarity: Rare
- Tech Type: Milky Way
- Damage: 55-87
- Rate of Fire: 950
- Max Clip Size: 24
- Max Ammo: 192-240
- Accuracy: 50-63
- Weight: 15-8
Carnifex[]
- Rarity: Uncommon
- Tech Type: Milky Way
- Damage: 190-311
- Rate of Fire: 100
- Max Clip Size: 8
- Max Ammo: 56-70
- Accuracy: 57-71
- Weight: 10-5
Charger[]
- Rarity: Common
- Tech Type: Milky Way
- Damage: 19-32
- Rate of Fire: 650
- Max Clip Size: 50
- Max Ammo: 400-500
- Accuracy: 45-56
- Weight: 15-8
Equalizer[]
- Rarity: Rare
- Tech Type: Remnant
- Damage: 36-57
- Rate of Fire: 600
- Max Clip Size: 35-53
- Max Ammo: 1 (∞)
- Accuracy: 64-80
- Weight: 20-10
N7 Eagle[]
- Rarity: Ultra Rare
- Tech Type: Milky Way
- Damage: 57-88
- Rate of Fire: 450
- Max Clip Size: 24
- Max Ammo: 192-240
- Accuracy: 55-69
- Weight: 15-8
N7 Hurricane[]
- Rarity: Ultra Rare
- Tech Type: Milky Way
- Damage: 24-37
- Rate of Fire: 925
- Max Clip Size: 40
- Max Ammo: 280-350
- Accuracy: 45-56
- Weight: 25-13
Pathfinder Ranger[]
- Rarity: Rare
- Tech Type: Milky Way
- Damage: 25-32
- Rate of Fire: 700
- Max Clip Size: 75
- Max Ammo: 225-250
- Accuracy: 45-53
- Weight: 20-16
Rozerad[]
- Rarity: Ultra Rare
- Tech Type: Heleus
- Damage: 17-26
- Rate of Fire: 225
- Max Clip Size: 70
- Max Ammo: 420-525
- Accuracy: 45-56
- Weight: 10-5
Scorpion[]
- Rarity: Rare
- Tech Type: Milky Way
- Damage: 315-497
- Rate of Fire: 75
- Max Clip Size: 4
- Max Ammo: 28-35
- Accuracy: 40-50
- Weight: 30-15
Sidewinder[]
- Rarity: Rare
- Tech Type: Milky Way
- Damage: 99-157
- Rate of Fire: 380
- Max Clip Size: 6
- Max Ammo: 60-75
- Accuracy: 45-56
- Weight: 10-5
Silhesh[]
- Rarity: Ultra Rare
- Tech Type: Heleus
- Damage: 91-105
- Rate of Fire: 800
- Max Clip Size: 50
- Max Ammo: 400-500
- Accuracy: 40-50
- Weight: 15-8
Talon[]
- Rarity: Rare
- Tech Type: Milky Way
- Damage: 315-497
- Rate of Fire: 75
- Max Clip Size: 4
- Max Ammo: 28-35
- Accuracy: 40-50
- Weight: 30-15
Ushior[]
- Rarity: Ultra Rare
- Tech Type: Heleus
- Damage: 500-769
- Rate of Fire: 70
- Max Clip Size: 2
- Max Ammo: 20-25
- Accuracy: 60-75
- Weight: 20-10
Pistols Customization[]
Pistols 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[]
- Assault Rifles
- Equipment
- Heavy Pistols
- Heavy Weapons
- Pistol Guide
- Shotguns
- Sniper Rifles
- Submachine Guns
- Upgrade Guide
Mass Effect Talents | |
---|---|
Biotic | Barrier • Lift • Singularity • Stasis • Throw • Warp |
Combat | Assault Rifles • Pistols • Shotguns • Sniper Rifles • Assault Training • Fitness • Basic Armor • Combat Armor • Tactical Armor |
Tech | Damping • Decryption • Electronics • First Aid • Hacking • Medicine |
Class | Adept • Asari Scientist • Engineer • Infiltrator • Krogan Battlemaster • Quarian Machinist • Sentinel • Soldier • Turian Agent • Vanguard |
Player only | Charm • Intimidate • Spectre Training |