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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 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 refers to both a type of weapon and the unlockable combat-oriented talent that gives proficiency in them, available to Soldiers, Vanguards, the Krogan Battlemaster, and the Quarian Machinist.

Shotguns are particularly deadly at close range and can grant the Carnage ability by leveling up in them enough. The shotgun is stored on the small of the back in its collapsed form, below your character's assault rifle and sniper rifle. Shotguns should be monitored closely when being used as they are prone to quickly overheating.

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

See also: Shotgun Guide.

Talent Ranks[]

Level 1: Increases damage by 5%. Increases accuracy by 10%.
Level 2: Increases damage by 8%. Increases accuracy by 14%.
Level 3: Increases damage by 10%. Increases accuracy by 17%.
Level 4: Carnage
Level 5: Increases damage by 12%. Increases accuracy by 20%.
Level 6: Increases damage by 14%. Increases accuracy by 22%.
Level 7: Increases damage by 16%. Increases accuracy by 24%.
Level 8: Advanced Carnage
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 Carnage

Carnage[]

For the Mass Effect 3 power, see Carnage.
Carnage

Carnage is an unlockable talent used with shotguns to fire a concentrated fireball-like blast from the shotgun, causing it to deal massive amounts of damage to anything it strikes.

The shot fired with Carnage has perfect accuracy, and can be used to hit targets over long distances for which shotguns are normally not ideal; however the shot has a travel time that can make it easy to miss moving targets. Carnage is also one of the few ways weapons in Mass Effect can deal area-of-effect damage.

Counterintuitively, Carnage does not actually shoot a shotgun round in a conventional sense, though a shotgun must be selected to use it and the projectile appears to come from the weapon. While it does use weapon damage in its calculations, the generated projectile is a standalone power in most regards: no heat is produced; any force component and on-hit properties of ammunition (such as organic/synthetic damage bonus or fire/chemical DoT) are lost; Spectre Training and 75% Renegade bonuses are applied twice (once to weapon base damage and again to the Carnage itself).

Several enemies, notably Geth Shock Troopers and Geth Destroyers, use Carnage at the beginning of a battle. Luckily the blast is often slow enough to dodge and takes a while to recharge.

Note: Switching weapons, changing the equipped shotgun to a different model, or modifying any upgrades currently installed on the shotgun, will immediately cancel Carnage if it was active but not yet fired. This applies to all similar weapon talents in Mass Effect, for both Shepard and squadmates.

Carnage[]

Fires a blast of particles inflicting weapon damage +50% to any enemy within 2 m of its impact point.
Recharge Time: 45s.
Accuracy Cost: 40%.

Advanced Carnage[]

Inflicts weapon damage +100% within 2 m of its impact point.
Recharge Time: 45s.
Accuracy Cost: 40%.

Master Carnage[]

Inflicts weapon damage +150% within 3 m of its impact point.
Recharge Time: 45s.
Accuracy Cost: 40%.

Classes[]

The following classes can use the Shotguns talent:

Shotgun types[]

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.

 
















































































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

Weapon Modifications[]

See also: Weapon Mods, Equipment Guide, section on 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.

Weapon 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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