First-time players of Mass Effect: Legendary Edition may be at a loss as to which weapons they should utilize. Generally, all classes of weapons are going to be used to some extent. Unique situations often demand different approaches. As such, it should come as no surprise that shotguns are probably going to be unholstered from time to time.
However, considering Commander Shepard's arsenal, it may be difficult to choose which shotguns are the best of the bunch. The right firearm used at the correct moment can easily turn the tide of a battle. These are some choice selections that should never be passed up while exploring the galaxy.
Updated July 14, 2022 by Mark Hospodar: In Mass Effect: Legendary Edition, players have tons of options when it comes to dispatching enemies. Arguably no other method is more satisfying than using a shotgun. The amount of hardware on offer to Commander Shepard is significant.
Knowing which shotguns in the Mass Effect trilogy are the best is handy information. This list has been expanded to include the relevant statistics for each shotgun so that players know exactly what they're getting with each piece of hardware. A short section on shotgun upgrades for Mass Effect 2 and Mass Effect 3 has also been added. All stats come courtesy of the Mass Effect Wiki.
12 Reegar Carbine
- Firing Mode: Automatic
- Clip Size: 22
- Reserve: 66
Although all shotguns tend to be devastating at close range, the Reegar Carbine is an excellent weapon at close quarters. A Quarian weapon by design, it fires a stream of continuous electricity at its target. It turns enemy shields into tissue paper when foes are hit with a concentrated burst.
Players can get their hands on the Reegar Carbine in Mass Effect 3. It's available to purchase from the Elkoss Combine Arsenal Supplies Terminal in the Presidium Commons for 10,000 credits. The price can be knocked down to 9,000 credits with a discount.
11 Venom Shotgun
- Firing Mode: Charged Semi-Automatic
- Clip Size: 4
- Reserve: 12
The Venom Shotgun possesses a rather unique design. It utilizes three barrels, the third of which can be used for charged shots. Although quite heavy, the damage the Venom Shotgun can inflict is significant, as it discharges explosive rounds much like a grenade launcher.
Once again, this weapon can only be obtained in Mass Effect 3. Once part of the Groundside Resistance DLC, players can purchase this weapon in the Legendary Edition from the Aegohr Munitions terminal in the Presidium Commons for the bargain price of 7,000 credits.
10 Sokolov Shotgun X
- Damage: 354
- Shots Fired Before Overheating: 5.8
- Accuracy Rating: 80
Shepard has plenty of weapon brands to choose from in the first Mass Effect. The Level X version of the Sokolov shotgun isn't a bad piece of hardware to carry. It inflicts decent damage (354) while maintaining an excellent accuracy rating of 80. Thus, players can afford to be quite surgical with the Sokolov X.
As with all X-Level gear, players will have to wait until they are at a relatively high level before getting their hands on the Sokolov X as dropped loot. At Level 18, fans can purchase a Rosenkov Materials armory license from Opold on Noveria for 6,250 credits. Once purchased, Sokolov shotguns will start to be stocked by merchants.
9 Graal Spike Thrower
- Firing Mode: Charged Semi-Automatic
- Clip Size: 3
- Reserve: 12
The Graal Spike Thrower is a nasty weapon of Krogan design. It fires metal flechettes meant to penetrate thick protective surfaces, causing heavy bleeding in the process. This weapon is incredibly accurate and can also be charged for added damage.
Players can obtain the Graal Spike Thrower in Mass Effect 3 during the mission "Priority: Tuchanka." However, if fans happen to miss it, the Spike Thrower can be purchased from Cirpritine Armory for 7,000 credits after the mission is complete.
8 Armageddon Shotgun X
- Damage: 330
- Shots Fired Before Overheating: 6.6
- Accuracy Rating: 81
Shotguns obviously deal quite a bit of damage from short ranges. The Level X version of the Armageddon Shotgun in Mass Effect deals a respectable amount of damage (330), putting it in line with other top-tier weapons of its class. However, with an accuracy rating of 81, the Armageddon is one of the most precise shotguns among its brethren.
The player will have to be patient to get their hands on Level X gear. Commander Shepard needs to be at a relatively high level before the best equipment starts getting dropped as loot. Since the Armageddon is produced by Kassa Fabrication, purchasing that armory license when it becomes available is also a viable option.
7 M-22 Eviscerator
- Firing Mode: Semi-Automatic
- Clip Size: 3
- Reserve: 12 (ME2), 15 (ME3)
- Base Damage: 36.8 (294.4) - Mass Effect 2
- Bonus Multipliers: Armor - x1.25, Shields - x1.25, Barriers - x1.25
- Research Cost: 2500 Iridium (ME2)
The M-22 Eviscerator is actually considered an illegal weapon by galactic authorities. It fires a special type of ammunition, whereby serrated metal pellets are ejected whenever the gun is fired. This makes the Eviscerator quite deadly, especially to heavily-armored foes. Even shielded enemies will have a hard time standing up to this weapon.
This particular shotgun is available in both Mass Effect 2 and Mass Effect 3. It was originally a piece of DLC for Mass Effect 2, but the Eviscerator can now be researched on the Normandy after recruiting Mordin Solus in the Legendary Edition. In Mass Effect 3, it can be found during the "Grissom Academy: Emergency Evacuation" mission.
6 Geth Plasma Shotgun
- Firing Mode: Semi-Automatic
- Clip Size: 5
- Reserve: 10 (ME2), 15 (ME3)
- Base Damage: Instant Shot – 156.5 (250.38) or Fully Charged – 347.77 (556.4) - Mass Effect 2
- Bonus Multipliers: Armor - x1.0, Shields - x1.5, Barriers - x1.5
Not every shotgun is limited to short ranges. The Geth Plasma Shotgun has a longer reach than most, firing clusters of projectiles from its three barrels. This weapon is also unique in that it has two primary modes of fire: single and charged. A charged shot uses double the ammo but proves positively lethal if an enemy is hit flush with the blast.
In Mass Effect 2, the Geth Plasma Shotgun was yet another piece of DLC. In the Legendary Edition, however, the weapon can be purchased on Omega. This shotgun can also be found in Mass Effect 3 during the "Priority: Rannoch" mission sitting atop a crate.
5 M-27 Scimitar
- Firing Mode: Semi-Automatic
- Clip Size: 8
- Reserve: 16 (ME2), 24 (ME3)
- Base Damage: 20.34 (162.7) - Mass Effect 2
- Bonus Multipliers: Armor - x1.0, Shields - x1.5, Barriers - x1.5
The M-27 Scimitar is a popular choice among the galaxy's mercenary elite. Unlike other shotguns, which tend to be slow and plodding in their rate of fire, the Scimitar is actually very quick. Its twin mass effect generators allow for more rapid firing, although its range proves limited. Coupled with incendiary ammo, the Scimitar can be lethal against armor.
In Mass Effect 2, a few Scimitars are dotted across the map during Samara's recruitment mission on Illium. The Scimitar makes a return in Mass Effect 3, where it can be found while completing "Priority: Palaven."
4 M-300 Claymore
- Firing Mode: Single Shot
- Clip Size: 1
- Reserve: 10 (ME2), 8 (ME3)
- Base Damage: 50.1 (400.8) - Mass Effect 2
- Damage Multipliers: Armor - x1.25, Shields - x1.25, Barriers - x1.25
The M-300 Claymore is considered a valuable piece of Krogan weaponry. It only fires one shot per clip, but that's usually enough. The blast is quite powerful at close range, able to shred through any type of armor, shield, or biotic barrier. Nevertheless, it's prudent to use the Claymore cautiously since its slow fire rate can leave the player exposed to enemy attacks.
The Claymore is Grunt's favored weapon in Mass Effect 2. Shepard can also acquire this shotgun during the Collector Ship mission if playing as a Soldier or Vanguard. In Mass Effect 3, it can be found during the "Attican Traverse: Krogan Team" mission inside one of the first buildings the player comes across.
3 M-11 Wraith
- Firing Mode: Semi-Automatic
- Clip Size: 2
- Reserve: 18
The M-11 Wraith is actually an offshoot of the previously mentioned M-22 Eviscerator. Like its cousin, the Wraith is also considered illegal and generally tends to be quite popular with the galaxy's criminal elements. Although it holds less ammo than the Eviscerator, the Wraith reloads quicker and deals more damage.
This shotgun only makes an appearance in Mass Effect 3. It can be purchased at the Spectre Requisitions terminal in the Citadel Embassies for 75,000 credits.
2 N7 Piranha
- Firing Mode: Automatic
- Clip Size: 8
- Reserve: 48
A relatively new invention by the time of Mass Effect 3, the N7 Piranha is an assault shotgun built specifically for repelling the Reaper invasion. The Piranha's distinctive barrel allows it to fire rapidly in a wide arc. As such, it tends to be useful when dealing with hordes of weaker enemies.
In the Legendary Edition, the N7 Piranha can be purchased from the Spectre Requisitions terminal in the Citadel Embassies. It has a base cost of 125,000 credits.
1 HMWSG Master Shotgun X
- Damage: 378
- Shots Fired Before Overheating: 7
- Accuracy Rating: 91
It's hard to compete with the Spectre gear in the first Mass Effect. The Level X variant of the Spectre shotgun inflicts a punishing 378 points of damage. It has an accuracy rating of 91, making it one of the most precise weapons in its class.
In the Legendary Edition, Spectre equipment starts to become available after Shepard is granted his new rank. However, the top-tier variety only becomes available for purchase once Shepard reaches a sufficiently high level of about 50.
Shotgun Upgrades In Mass Effect 2
It's worth mentioning that Commander Shepard will be given several opportunities to research or purchase various weapon upgrades, including shotguns. Players who favor shotguns as part of their build should definitely make it a priority to snag these upgrades whenever possible:
- Shotgun Damage 1-6 (Synchronized Pulsar): +10% Shotgun Damage
- Shotgun Shield Piercing (Microphasic Pulse): +50% Damage against Shields and Barriers
- Shotgun Extra Rounds (Thermal Sink): Double the Rounds for Shotguns, Heavy Shotguns, and Assault Shotguns
Of course, nothing is ever free! To actually make use of these upgrades in the field, players will have to fork over resources or sometimes even their hard-earned credits. Luckily, neither of these things are particularly hard to come by in Mass Effect 2. Fans who prioritize their trusty shotgun should invest the necessary funds/resources at their earliest convenience.
- Cost of Synchronized Pulsar: 2,500/5,000/7,500/10,000 Platinum or 60,000 Credits at Kenn's Salvage
- Cost of Microphasic Pulse: 15,000 Platinum
- Cost of Extra Rounds: 25,000 Platinum
Shotgun Upgrades In Mass Effect 3
Mass Effect 3 also includes a collection of upgrades for Commander Shepard's shotguns. These attachments make the shotgun even deadlier to employ on the battlefield. Players should experiment with each one to help them decide which of them suits their build the best. Each upgrade has 5 Levels that increase its potency.
- Spare Thermal Clip: Increases Spare Shot Capacity
- Shredder Mod: Increases Shot Penetration
- Blade Attachment: Increases Melee Damage (mutually exclusive with Omni-Blade)
- High Caliber Barrel: Increases Damage (mutually exclusive with High-Velocity Barrel)
- Smart Choke: Increases Damage (mutually exclusive with Ultralight Materials)
- Omni-Blade: Increases Melee Damage (mutually exclusive with Blade Attachment)
- High-Velocity Barrel: Increases Shot Penetration (mutually exclusive with High Caliber Barrel)
- Ultralight Materials: Reduces Weapon Weight (mutually exclusive with Smart Choke)
Mass Effect: Legendary Edition is currently available on PC, PS4, and Xbox One.