Assault rifles are great at medium range. They’re fairly accurate and best utilized when fired in bursts. Due to their lower fire rate, they’re weaker at close range when rapid fire comes into play.
CYclone
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Assault Rifle |
| Firing Type | Automatic |
| Ballistic Type | Standard Bullet |
The Cyclone’s rapid rate of fire requires a short warm-up before use. The rifle’s massive capacity balances its mediocre accuracy. As its manufacturer states, “With so many rounds to spare, what does it matter if a few don’t land?” The Cyclone was removed from production years prior to the Andromeda Initiative’s departure due to intense maintenance requirements, but some soldiers still swear by it.
M-37 Falcon
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Grenade Launcher |
| Firing Type | Semi-Automatic |
| Ballistic Type | Grenade |
Lighter and more accurate than most grenade launchers, the Andromeda Initiative’s M-37 Falcon generates its ammunition through a field fabrication kit. The launcher and explosives contain sensors that allow the miniature grenades to bounce off walls and cover, then detonate immediately on contact with an enemy target.
M-8 Avenger
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Assault Rifle |
| Firing Type | Automatic |
| Ballistic Type | Standard Bullet |
A common and versatile assault rifle, the M-8 Avenger’s modular design and inexpensive components made it a favorite of military groups and mercenaries in the Milky Way. Many Avengers were acquired for Andromeda Initiative security forces. The sturdy rifle has a reputation for being reliable and easy to use.
M-96 Mattock
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Marksman Rifle |
| Firing Type | Semi-Automatic |
| Ballistic Type | Standard Bullet |
The M-96 Mattock’s increased power is favored by marksmen looking to bring down hardened targets. Its lack of an automatic setting was originally advertised as a feature rather than a shortcoming, as it curbs a user’s tendency to spray inaccurate fire under stress.
N7 Valkyrie
| Rarity | Ultra Rare |
| Type | Assault Rifle |
| Firing Type | Two-Shot Burst |
| Ballistic Type | Standard Bullet |
A variant of the Avenger that fires two-shot bursts, the Valkyrie was once standard-issue for new recruits to the Milky Way’s Alliance military. The exceptionally well-crafted rifle is also a hot black market item. How the Andromeda Initiative procured a crate intended for N7-trained Alliance fighters remains a mystery.
P.A.W.
| Rarity | Ultra Rare |
| Type | Beam Weapon |
| Firing Type | Continuous Beam |
| Ballistic Type | Particle Beam |
The Particle Accelerator Weapon (P.A.W.) fires a continuous high-energy particle beam with incredible accuracy. For short-term operations, its power supply is effectively inexhaustible, and overheating is the only concern. The P.A.W. combines Remnant particle beam technology with Andromeda Initiative targeting and stabilizers. Theoretically, it may be scalable to a ship-sized version.
Revenant
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Assault Rifle |
| Firing Type | Automatic |
| Ballistic Type | Standard Bullet |
Rare and expensive in the Milky Way galaxy—the preference of warlords over soldiers—the high-capacity Revenant was studied and illegally duplicated by Andromeda Initiative engineers. Though inaccurate, the fully automatic rifle can obliterate foes with a sustained barrage.
Sandstorm
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Marksman Rifle |
| Firing Type | Semi-Automatic |
| Ballistic Type | Standard Bullet |
A highly accurate rifle, the Sandstorm was developed by exiles from the Nexus after their arrival in Heleus. The design of the semi-automatic weapon has been streamlined and appears to adapt certain non-Initiative technologies.
Soned
| Rarity | Ultra Rare |
| Type | Assault Rifle |
| Firing Type | (Charged) Automatic |
| Ballistic Type | Plasma Rounds |
The massive kett Soned, translated as “resistance,” rapidly unleashes plasma-surrounded projectiles after a brief charging period. Much of the Soned’s size is devoted to insulating the user from its own power. A damaged Soned could incinerate its wielder’s hands while continuing to fire.
Sweeper
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Assault Rifle |
| Firing Type | Three-Shot Burst |
| Ballistic Type | Particle Bursts |
The Sweeper—a particle weapon that fires three-shot bursts—is largely a mystery to its own developers. The weapon is derived from Remnant technology, repurposed for Andromeda Initiative needs. It does not require reloading but is prone to overheating. Sweepers should be turned over for study between missions.
Thokin
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Assault Rifle |
| Firing Type | Automatic |
| Ballistic Type | Plasma Tracking Rounds |
The kett Thokin, translated to “sudden death,” fires tracking-enabled, plasma-surrounded rounds. The tracking effect—enabled by magnetic-field adjustors in the projectiles—is slight but useful, particularly given the Thokin’s low ammunition capacity. With such a weapon, accuracy is everything.
Zalkin
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Assault Rifle |
| Firing Type | Semi-Automatic (Three-Shot Charge) |
| Ballistic Type | Plasma Rounds |
The kett Zalkin rifle is a mainstay among kett forces. This semi-automatic weapon can be overcharged to release its standard plasma-surrounded projectiles in a three-round burst at increased power—a feature that earned the weapon its name, roughly translated as “three stars.”