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However, not all guns are created equal in the Shadowrun Trilogy. Similar to firearms in other games, some ranged weapons in each Shadowrun game just outperform the others. And not to mention, some mundane-looking weapons in the title may outshine the rest with incredible stats hiding behind their simplistic nature.
Best Ranged Weapons In Shadowrun Returns
Being the first game in the comeback of the cyberpunk franchise, Shadowrun Returns boasts a rather flexible arsenal of weapons for its shadowrunners. In line with its mixture of cyber-sleuthing and spellslinging are Ranged Weapons fitting players of various combat preferences, similar to other cyberpunk RPGs like Cyberpunk.
Ruger Thunderbolt (Pistol)
Base Damage: 14 Action Cost: 1 Magazine Size/Reload Cost: 12/AP 1
One of the most reliable ranged weapons throughout the Shadowrun Returns title is the Pistol, especially given its trusty accuracy at medium ranges. Not only that, garnering Pistol 4 will allow players to reload at the cost of 0AP, allowing them to engage in fiercer combat more extensively.
Boasting the appearance of a rather ordinary pistol, the Ruger Thunderbolt is the favorite heavy pistol of the Lone Star. Compared to the bulkier Colt Manhunter, the Ruger has a dedicated burst-fire mode, allowing players to hit enemies multiple times with a lesser strain on the AP. With 14 base damage, the Ruger Thunderbolt can one-tap most minions with ease.
Heckler & Koch HK227 (SMG)
Base Damage: 12 Action Cost: 1 Magazine Size/Reload Cost: 24/AP 1
Despite the SMG specialization containing the least amount of abilities in Shadowrun Returns, they do boast the best accuracy at medium ranges. Not only that, they fire two shots per attack that have individual damage calculations, despite being registered as a single hit. Considering the sheer firepower of the Heckler & Koch HK227, this feature is rather a godsend, especially to Races in the Shadowrun game that excel in ranged combat.
This perhaps explains why this SMG is a preferred firearm of both security and shadowrunners, as its 24-magazine size at 12 Base Damage could garner at least 24 points of damage at a single round - and that’s through this ranged weapon alone.
Ares Alpha (Assault Rifle)
Base Damage: 16 Action Cost: 1 Magazine Size/Reload Cost: 38/AP 1
The best weapon at the longest range in Shadowrun Returns is the Assault Rifle, and the Ares Alpha takes the cake for being a juggernaut in terms of its stats. Boasting 16 base damage and a whopping 38 magazine size, it’s no wonder the Ares Alpha is considered a must-have by the mid-to-endgame stages of the game. Its sheer firepower and multi-fire capability make it something to possess for ranged builds.
Best Ranged Weapons In Shadowrun: Dragonfall
Starting out as a DLC before evolving into its own Shadowrun entry, Shadowrun: Dragonfall carries the same arsenal as the original game but also boasts quite a few new additions as well. Most notable among these new weapons are specialized subtypes, such as Sniper Rifles and Machine Guns, that further diversify the combat options of players.
Defiance T-250 (Shotgun)
Base Damage: 22 Action Cost: 1 Magazine Size/Reload Cost: 5/AP 1
Given the sheer firepower in a Shotgun, it makes sense that one of their best perks includes the probability of hitting adjacent targets. And considering their strength at close range, it makes sense why the Defiance T-250 is such a menace to behold.
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Considered as the most powerful Shotgun in both Shadowrun Returns and in the original Dragonfall DLC, this packs quite a heavy punch for 22 base damage. Due to its strength in proximity, this is a good gun to punish those who think they can trespass over anyone’s property.
Ranger Arms SM-3 (Sniper Rifle)
Base Damage: 20 Armor Damage: 1 Action Cost: 1 Magazine Size/Reload Cost: 6/AP 1
The Sniper Rifle is a new rifle subclass introduced in Dragonfall, excelling in far better range compared to the traditional Rifle. While they hit much harder than the usual Rifle, they have lower magazine sizes and a lack of burst-fire, making them fit characters who want to stay in the clear at longer distances.
This perhaps explains why the Ranger Arms SM-3 is a mammoth to behold at such a distance, particularly at the hands of a nifty spellcaster-gunner who wants to dish out one spell after the other but resort to an equally-powerful gun in worst-case situations.
Vindicator Minigun (Machine Gun)
Base Damage: 20 Action Cost: 2 Magazine Size/Reload Cost: 30/AP 2
One of the new weapon types introduced in Dragonfall, the Machine Gun specializes in wreaking havoc through sheer firepower, boasting large ammo sizes and both full-auto and burst modes. While their weight means having another Strength requirement to be carried, they still apply the Rifle specialization with regards to their access to abilities.
In terms of specifics, the Vindicator Minigun easily takes the case as the best Machine Gun in the Shadowrun title due to its extreme 20 Base Damage and whopping 30 ammo capacity. However, it does cost AP 2 to use and AP 2 to reload, which does help balance the sheer power this weapon possesses.
Best Ranged Weapons In Shadowrun: Hong Kong
With Shadowrun: Hong Kong being perhaps the most intense across the games of the Shadowrun trilogy, it makes sense for the game to provide a whole host of new weapon options for players to use. This is particularly noticeable with its Ranged Weapons arsenal, wherein more powerful versions of certain weapons are introduced particularly suited to take down tougher foes in the game.
Nemesis Arms Gryojet Pistol (Pistol)
Base Damage: 18 Action Cost: 1 Magazine Size/Reload Cost: 5/AP 1
It’s not all the time that a Pistol could boast almost the same firepower as a base-level rifle, but such is the case of the Nemesis Arms Gryojet Pistol. As though powered by air, its 14mm rocket rounds can pierce through enemies at a longer range.
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And with its 18 Base Damage and the potential to garner 0 AP reload cost with Pistol 4, this gun easily becomes a nifty long-range companion for any Shadowrun Class despite its lightweight nature. Across the new weapons in the Shadowrun: Hong Kong RPG, this easily becomes a great asset for long-ranged builds.
Enfield AS-7 (Shotgun)
Base Damage: 18 Action Cost: 1 Magazine Size/Reload Cost: 5/AP 1
While it’s true that the Defiance T-250 is the best Shotgun when it comes to sheer firepower, one can’t deny that an efficient firearm could be a more practical choice in most situations. Such is the case of the Enfield AS-7, a shotgun that has a burst-fire option, technically making it an assault shotgun.
Boasting 18 Base Damage with 10 ammo size, this is a rather stockier option compared to the Defiance. Not only that, its two-damage difference is a worthy consequence for frugal players, as this weapon costs only 2500 credits compared to the 3500 credit cost of the Defiance.
Ares HVAR (Assault Rifle)
Base Damage: 14 Action Cost: 1 Magazine Size/Reload Cost: 56/AP 1
In the Shadowrun: Hong Kong cyberpunk game, the Ares Alpha is made obsolete with the newer, more improved Ares HVAR model, this time boasting a higher-velocity barrel. With this in mind, the weapon does boast a much higher firing rate, giving players two additional attacks in the already-powerful full-auto and burst-fire modes.
However, players receive a setback in the form of the removal of aimed and single-shot options with this rifle. Regardless, such a consideration might be worth the while, as the weapon does have a large 56-ammo magazine, making it ideal for longer, more intense incursions.
Prototype Sniping Laser (Sniper Rifle)
Base Damage: 20 Armor Damage: 3 Action Cost: 1 Magazine Size/Reload Cost: 5/AP 1
While the Ranger Arms is probably the best Sniper Rifle in Shadowrun: Hong Kong in terms of its stats, its contender Prototype Sniping Laser is probably the more ideal option for most players in the latter part of this cyberpunk RPG’s story.
Aside from being 1000 credits less than the former, the Prototype Sniping Laser can also pierce up to 2 Armor, making it quite a nifty companion against tougher mobs and bosses. If players can get through its 3-ammo limit and persevere through the reloads, the Prototype Sniping Laser can easily be a beast to behold in long-ranged situations.
The Shadowrun Trilogy Remastered Edition arrived on the Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, and PS5 on June 21, 2022.
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