There is something a little bit classy about using a pistol in a game with multiple gun choices. It says that you are not afraid to make a statement, and for Mass Effect 3, there are some real benefits to using one of the several heavy pistols in the game.
Mass Effect 3 was the first in the series to introduce weight to the guns as a means of regulating the cooldown of your powers. This meant that most people only ever entered a fight with one gun so as not to be kept in cooldown hell due to preferring heavy snipers or shotguns.
However, if you like to play one of the power-reliant classes like adept or engineer, you might find yourself wanting a pistol. But which one is the best? Read on as we rank every heavy pistol found in Mass Effect 3 from worst to best, to help you get the most out of your pistol.
11. N7 Eagle
N7 Eagle 101 | Gameplay/Guide
At the bottom of our list, we have the N7 eagle. That isn’t to say that it’s bad, there are just better pistols available in the game. You can get it from the Spectre Requisitions at the Citadel in the Legendary Edition or it was a part of the N7 Collector's Edition Pack DLC.
It is a fully automatic pistol, so it gives foes a good kick, but it deals a low amount of damage, even when fully upgraded. The base damage is as follows: 16 / 50 / 33 / 16 / 50.
N7 Eagle full details: https://masseffect.fandom.com/wiki/N7_Eagle
10. Scorpion
Next up, we have the sleek-looking Scorpion. It can be found early in the main story during the Priority: Sur'Kesh mission. Its main selling point is that it doesn't use standard rounds but instead launches explosive projectiles that resemble sticky grenades. This is great if that’s what you're into, but there are better options, so the Scorpion is just not worth the weight.
The biggest advantage is the early damage it puts out, but again, there are better pistols available to make this one not worth it.
Scorpion full details: https://masseffect.fandom.com/wiki/Scorpion
9. Executioner Pistol
Executioner Pistol guide
The Executioner Pistol is a handheld cannon able to fire high-impact, armor-piercing rounds, which is great for dealing with pesky Centurions. It can be found in the Elkoss Combine Arsenal Supplies terminal for a relatively cheap 10,000 credits and is a solid early game choice.
The main advantage of this gun is that your squadmates will wreak havoc with it, at least more so than Shepard. This is due to the AI not getting impacted by the low ammo and high recoil this gun has.
Executioner Pistol full details: https://masseffect.fandom.com/wiki/Executioner_Pistol
8. Arc Pistol
Arc Pistol rundown
The Arc Pistol is a weighty yet versatile pistol found around the midpoint of the game, either during the mission Priority: Geth Dreadnought or afterward at the Elkoss terminal. One of the appealing factors of this gun is that it can be used as a semi-automatic or charged for a powerful shot, dealing a massive amount of damage when fully upgraded.
The Arc Pistol shares the same drawbacks as other weapons with a charged-shot function: you can't stay in cover while charging the shots. Under these circumstances, It is preferable to hide behind high ground or to carry a pistol without a charge time, such as some of the guns found later on the list. Additionally, even if the shot was fired before cloaking, the Arc Pistol does cause Tactical Cloak's invisibility to be broken.
Arc Pistol full details: https://masseffect.fandom.com/wiki/Arc_Pistol
7. Acolyte
Acolyte gameplay
The explosive Acolyte has been a solid choice for many pistol users due to its bouncing charge shots. It can be bought from Nos Astra Sporting Goods in the Legendary edition of the game or the Groundside Resistance Pack in the base game. It is probably one of the most unique pistols on the list as it will only fire charged shots, which can be a little annoying in a firefight or against swarming enemies like husks.
This pistol is more of a grenade launcher than a pistol as it deals explosive damage, making it great to take out shields or barriers. While it is a poor option to pray and spray, it is an effective means of crowd control for enemies in cover as it will damage more than one if aimed right.
Acolyte full details: https://masseffect.fandom.com/wiki/Acolyte
6. M-3 Predator
M-3 Predator in action
A reliable semi-automatic, available from the beginning of the game, the M-3 Predator is a reliable pistol that you may find yourself using for longer than you think. It has a fairly low weight, so if you are a power-reliant class, it makes a good stop-gap while your real damage-dealing attacks are on cool down.
Other than that, it is a very middle-of-the-road pistol, which is why it is here, and other than a lower-than-average damage output, it is an okay pistol.
M-3 Predator full details: https://masseffect.fandom.com/wiki/M-3_Predator#Mass_Effect_3
5. M-77 Paladin
Paladin rundown
The easy-to-find M-77 Paladin is available from Spectre Requisitions for the “low” price of 75,000 credits. Its weight isn’t terrible, and its damage output is killer. In fact, in the early game, it deals enough damage to kill with a single headshot.
However, you are going to want to make sure you remember where the ammo crate is in each section as it has a low clip size of 4 and only 16 in reserve. This flaw can be quickly remedied by using the Pistol Magazine Upgrade mod, which can come in handy in tight situations.
M-77 Paladin full details: https://masseffect.fandom.com/wiki/M-77_Paladin
4. M-358 Talon
Where to find the Talon
Found during the Priority: The Citadel II mission, the M-358 Talon is almost a mini shotgun, firing a scattered shot. This makes it perfect for up close and personal attacks, so if you are planning a Vanguard playthrough and have high damage for a lower cooldown time, it could be the gun for you.
Unfortunately, if you like to play it safe at a distance, you will either need to have a support gun or bring another pistol as this will not be the gun for you.
M-358 Talon full details: https://masseffect.fandom.com/wiki/M-358_Talon
3. M-5 Phalanx
Phalanx gameplay
The M-5 Phalanx, found during Priority: Tuchanka or later at Kassa Fabrication, is a great filler gun for the last two weapons on the list. It is lightweight, highly accurate, and doesn’t do a pathetic amount of damage.
M-5 Phalanx full details: https://masseffect.fandom.com/wiki/M-5_Phalanx#Mass_Effect_3
2. M-6 Carnifex
Carnifex multiplayer gameplay
The Carnifex is a great sniper substitute for long-range fighting. It can be found during the Arrae: Ex-Cerberus Scientists mission or later at Kassa Fabrication. As a fan favorite, it may seem a little controversial that this is second, but this is mostly due to its weight more than anything.
It is a solid gun to use until you get access to the gun topping the list, as you can get it early-ish and it will drop those low-level Cerberus troops on most difficulties.
M-6 Carnifex full details: https://masseffect.fandom.com/wiki/M-6_Carnifex#Mass_Effect_3
1. M-11 Suppressor
M-11 Suppressor rundown and gameplay
The M-11 Suppressor is the cream of the crop when it comes to pistols, and it ranks first on our list. It can be found during the Citadel DLC mission Citadel Wards: Ambush as a part of a cinematic, so you don’t need to worry about missing this beauty.
It deals a huge amount of damage, and if you get a headshot, it will deal 4x. This feature is paired perfectly with any equipment designed to boost your headshot damage, as it will all stack, making life a breeze on the late-game, high-difficulty missions. It also isn’t terrible with a squadmate as they will also benefit from the headshot damage boost.
M-11 Suppressor full details: https://masseffect.fandom.com/wiki/M-11_Suppressor
For more about Mass Effect 3 check out these:
[Top 5] Mass Effect 3 Best Armor From Early Till Late Game
Best Mass Effect Games To Play (Ranked From Fun To Most Fun)
Mass Effect 3 Best Assault Rifles (All Assault Rifles In The Game Ranked)
Mass Effect 3 Best Shotguns (All Shotguns In The Game Ranked)
