Commander Shepard certainly does not have it easy in Mass Effect: Legendary Edition. With the imminent return of the Reapers, biomechanical leviathans who seek to exterminate all life in the galaxy, Shepard definitely has his work cut out for him. A large arsenal of weaponry is at his disposal to help get the job done.

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But what is the best class of weapon to defeating a Reaper invasion? Assault rifles are generally an excellent choice when customizing one's loadout. Across all three titles of the trilogy, there are plenty of great options to choose from when selecting an assault rifle. Always be on the lookout for these overpowered dealers of death.

10 HMWA Master Assault Rifle X

Commander Shepard isn't some average human trotting across the furthest reaches of the galaxy. He's a Spectre and as such commands a great deal of authority. Spectres also utilize the best weaponry. For assault rifles, the HMWA Master X is by far the best available in the first Mass Effect.

The top-tier version inflicts a staggering amount of damage (384) with decent accuracy (77), making it a potent weapon. However, unlocking Spectre gear isn't entirely straightforward. Shepard needs to be granted Spectre status first by the Citadel Council. This occurs as part of the main quest. To access Level X gear, the player also needs to get Shepard to Level 50, at which point the best Spectre weapons and armor become available for purchase.

9 Geth Pulse Rifle

The player can make use of Geth weaponry in all three games of the trilogy. The Geth Pulse Rifle is one of the better assault weapons Shepard can acquire in the Legendary Edition. This rifle proves doubly useful against shields and even armor, which makes it useful against some of the tougher enemies.

The Geth Pulse Rifle can be purchased from a merchant in Mass Effect. In Mass Effect 2, it can only be acquired on Hardcore or Insanity difficulty during Tali's recruitment mission. In Mass Effect 3, it can be found during the mission "Priority: Geth Dreadnought."

8 M-96 Mattock

The M-96 Mattock is a reliable assault rifle that can be obtained in both Mass Effect 2 and Mass Effect 3. It's a semi-automatic weapon that packs quite a punch against hardened targets. Although its ammo reserves are a bit lower than others, the Mattock's firepower and accuracy can typically end a fight early.

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In Mass Effect 2, the M-96 Mattock can be purchased on Omega. In Mass Effect 3, it can be found during the "Grissom Academy: Emergency Evacuation" mission.

7 M-15 Vindicator

The M-15 Vindicator has plenty of stopping power, especially when aiming for headshots. The weapon fires in bursts, dealing a devastating amount of damage if fired accurately. However, the Vindicator's damage potential is offset by its small clip size, capable of firing only 24 shots before needing a reload.

Players can acquire the M-15 Vindicator after meeting Archangel in Mass Effect 2. It can also be obtained during the "Priority: Mars" mission in Mass Effect 3.

6 M-76 Revenant

The M-76 Revenant is a rather valuable assault rifle, being considered somewhat rare from the standpoint of the trilogy's lore. Boasting a huge ammo capacity, the Revenant can maintain a deadly volume of fire on an enemy. Although not terrifically accurate, its high rate of fire is useful for taking on the bigger and more well-armored enemies.

The Revenant is only available to players who choose the Soldier class in Mass Effect 2 during the Collector Ship mission. It can also be obtained in Mass Effect 3 while completing "Priority: Citadel II."

5 Cerberus Harrier

This assault rifle is actually a modified version of the M-96 Mattock. Various modifications allow the Cerberus Harrier to experience less recoil. As such, it's not quite as powerful as a standard Mattock, but more accurate. Thus, players with a steady aim can cut down groups of enemies with better precision.

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The Cerberus Harrier can be purchased from the Spectre requisitions terminal in the Citadel Embassies in Mass Effect 3. The base price is 150,000 credits.

4 Kovalyov VIII-X

Produced by Rosenkov Materials, the Kovalyov line of assault rifles prioritize damage over precision. The VIII-X models deal between 330-360 points of damage, some of the highest numbers in the game. It's a great mid-range weapon, being able to fire 60.5-69 shots before overheating.

Like most of the standard weapons in the original Mass Effect, the Kovalyov assault rifles can typically be found as loot after a battle or inside a container. Merchants, of course, are also an option. As Shepard levels up, the chances of finding higher-quality weapons increase.

3 N7 Typhoon

In terms of bulk, the N7 Typhoon is the heaviest assault rifle in Mass Effect 3. Great for shredding through both armor and shields, the Typhoon's penetrative power is significant. When utilized from cover, this rifle can chew through enemies from either mid or long-range. Furthermore, the longer the trigger is held down, the faster the shots get released.

Originally a DLC item, the N7 Typhoon is made purchasable in the Legendary Edition. It can be bought for 150,000 credits at the Spectre requisitions terminal in the Citadel Embassies.

2 M-7 Lancer

The M-7 Lancer is an extremely rare piece of equipment. It dates back to the time of the First Contact War and has subsequently been upgraded with more modern enhancements. Unlike the majority of weapons in Mass Effect 3, the ammo capacity for the Lancer is unlimited. Instead of running out completely, the clip will need to recharge, similar to how weapons operated in the first game of the trilogy.

This collector's item can be found in The Citadel DLC for Mass Effect 3. It will be in a display case during the "Citadel Archives: Escape" mission.

1 M-99 Saber

The M-99 Saber is a beast of an assault rifle. Although a bit on the heavy side, few other assault rifles can compete with the Saber in the damage department. It's also quite accurate, making it ideal for more long-range encounters. Its rate of fire is slow, but it packs a tremendous punch.

Players can locate the M-99 Saber during "Priority: Horizon" in Mass Effect 3. It's contained within a capsule that, once unlocked, will yield the weapon in question. The M-99 Saber cannot be purchased from a merchant, so it needs to be grabbed during Shepard's time on Horizon.

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