Mass Accelerator Weapons
A mass accelerator propels a solid metal slug using precisely-controlled electromagnetic attraction and repulsion. The slug is designed to squash or shatter on impact, increasing the energy it transfers to the target. If this were not the case, it would simply punch a hole right through, doing minimal damage. Accelerator design was revolutionized by element zero. A slug lightened by a mass effect field can be accelerated to greater speeds, permitting projectile velocities that were previously unattainable. If accelerated to a high enough velocity, a simple paint chip can impact with the same destructive force as a nuclear weapon.
However, mass accelerators produce recoil equal to their impact energy. This is mitigated somewhat by the mass effect fields that rounds are suspended within, but weapons recoil is still the prime limiting factor on slug velocity.
Assault Rifles
Assault Rifles are designed for any combat situation, allowing for close, medium, and even (in the right circumstances) long-range combat. Their automatic fire makes the Assault Rifles perfectly designed for taking down enemies quickly or providing cover fire, but due to their high recoil, sniping with ARs is very difficult. Short, controlled bursts and a crouching stance are required to hit anything at long range. At close range, spraying bullets into a target is effective, if not as quick as Shotguns.
Shotguns
Shotguns are weapons that are particularly deadly at close range. A shotgun fires a number of small projectiles which spread over distances, the result is a "cone" effect where the further away from the shotgun the rounds are, the more spread apart they are. At close ranges the multiple projectiles are devastating. Shotguns should be monitored closely when being used as they are prone to quickly overheating.
Pistols
Pistols are small firearms that can be held with one hand and are often held in a holster by the side of the corresponding leg. In Mass Effect, pistols, like many weapons, are designed to be used by many species with a large grip area designed to be used by any manner of hand. Pistols are close- and mid-range weapons designed for a variety of situations, particularly shooting on the move. They lack the automatic fire of an Assault Rifles, and do less damage compared to Shotguns or Sniper Rifles, however they are significantly more accurate than any of the other weapons. For this reason they are generally reserved as backup weapons for use by Biotic and Tech specialists as their main skills recharge. Many components of the weapon can be modified and changed for different effects, including the ammunition fired and direct modifications of the pistol itself.
Sniper Rifles
Sniper rifles have a slow rate of fire and generally overheat after two shots in quick succession. However, they make up for this in range and damage; High quality Sniper Rifles retain accuracy at incredible ranges, and can kill in one shot. However, their large size and lack of ironsights make them ill suited for close-range encounters.
added 7-27-08
