Sniper Rifles

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.

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 refers to both a type of weapon and its corresponding unlockable combat-oriented talent, available to Soldiers, Infiltrators, and the Turian Agent. The talent increases accuracy and damage with sniper rifles, and grants the Assassination ability.

Sniper rifles are slow and usually overheat after two shots in quick succession. However, they make up for this in range and damage - higher-level sniper rifles retain accuracy at incredible ranges, and they will often kill weaker enemies in one shot. Beware, though; close-range encounters are not recommended, due to the fact that you will more than likely miss any shots in close combat. To counter this inaccuracy at close range, kneel but do not zoom in, and then fire when the reticle turns red.

Tapping the "use" button ("E" on the PC) will zoom your view. It should be noted that the close-in view from a sniper rifle makes an excellent telescope, useful for scouting out enemies at a distance whether you fire at them or not.

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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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

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 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 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 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 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 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 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

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

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 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.

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

• 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

• 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

• Manufacturer: Rosenkov Materials
• Base Damage: 81.9
• Damage Multipliers (Armor / Barriers / Shields): x1.35 / x1.15 / x1.15
• Default ammo: 12 / 48
• Acquisition: Dossier: The Assassin

M-98 Widow

• Manufacturer: Unknown
• Base Damage: 368.3
• Damage Multipliers (Armor / Barriers / Shields): x1.5 / x1.0 / x1.0
• Default ammo: 1 / 12
• Acquisition: Collector Ship (mission) (Infiltrator or Soldier only), Research Project for Legion

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

• Manufacturer: Systems Alliance
• Base WCFDA: 98 / 14 / 6 / 66 / 80
• Fire mode: Automatic
• Default ammo: 3 / 15
• Acquisition: Spectre Requisitions

Collector Sniper Rifle

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

Javelin

• Manufacturer: Geth Armory
• Base WCFDA: 99 / 12 / 2 / 75 / 80
• Fire mode: Charged Single Shot
• Default ammo: 1 / 9
• Acquisition: Rannoch: Admiral Koris or Elkoss Combine Arsenal Supplies

Kishock Harpoon Gun

• Manufacturer: Batarian
• Base WCFDA: 80 / 15 / 3 / 85 / 75
• Fire mode: Charged Single Shot
• Default ammo: 1 / 15
• Acquisition: Resurgence Pack (multiplayer); Groundside Resistance Pack (single-player)

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

• Manufacturer: Cerberus
• Base WCFDA: 38 / 37 / 56 / 28 / 68
• Fire mode: Semi-Automatic
• Default ammo: 15 / 105
• Acquisition: Priority: Sur'Kesh or Batarian State Arms

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

• 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

• Manufacturer: Devlon Industries
• Base WCFDA: 68 / 11 / 2 / 66 / 74
• Fire mode: Single Shot
• Default ammo: 1 / 9
• Acquisition: Priority: Mars

M-97 Viper

• Manufacturer: Rosenkov Materials
• Base WCFDA: 49 / 18 / 9 / 41 / 83
• Fire mode: Semi-Automatic
• Default ammo: 6 / 36
• Acquisition: Priority: Palaven or Kassa Fabrication

M-98 Widow

• Manufacturer: Unknown
• Base WCFDA: 99 / 7 / 2 / 75 / 75
• Fire mode: Single Shot
• Default ammo: 1 / 7
• Acquisition: Priority: Thessia or Kassa Fabrication

N7 Valiant

• Manufacturer: Systems Alliance
• Base WCFDA: 60 / 15 / 10 / 50 / 75
• Fire mode: Semi-Automatic
• Default ammo: 3 / 30
• Acquisition: N7 Collector's Edition Pack or multiplayer

Weapon Modifications

See also: Weapon Mods, Equipment Guide, section on Sniper Rifles

• 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.

• Sniper Rifle Ultralight Materials I - V (Requires Mass Effect 3: Citadel in single-player and Mass Effect 3: Reckoning in multiplayer.)

Superior lightweight alloys replace weapon parts, making weapon less obtrusive and easier to handle.

Mass Effect: Andromeda

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.

Weapon Models

M-90 Indra

• Rarity: Rare
• Tech Type: 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

• Rarity: Ultra Rare
• Tech Type: Milky Way
• Damage: 465-715
• Rate of Fire: 65
• Max Clip Size: 3
• Max Ammo: 24-30
• Accuracy: 68-85
• Weight: 55-28

Incisor

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

Inferno

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

Isharay

• Rarity: Rare
• Tech Type: 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

• Rarity: Ultra Rare
• Tech Type: 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

• Rarity: Rare
• Tech Type: Heleus
• Damage: 260-412
• Rate of Fire: 60
• Max Clip Size: 2
• Max Ammo: 20-25
• Accuracy: 61-76
• Weight: 50-25

Naladen

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

N7 Valiant

• Rarity: Ultra Rare
• Tech Type: 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

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

Raptor

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

Shadow

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

Vanquisher

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

Viper

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

Widow

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

Sniper Rifles 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

• Assault Rifles
• Equipment
• Heavy Pistols
• Heavy Weapons
• Pistols
• Shotguns
• Sniper Guide
• Submachine Guns
• Upgrade Guide