Greetings everybody. I've never done this sort of thing before, so bear with me.

I started making up stories and interviewing characters when I was 4, playing in the back yard. I loved Robin Hood, Ivanhoe, and Disney, but I didn't actually start reading until after I discovered a worn copy of Martin the Warrior by Brian Jacques on a shelf in my parents basement. Since then, I've rarely gone a day without sticking my nose in a book.

Some of my fiction favorites.

-Redwall Series, by Brian Jacques, may he rest in peace.

-Warhammer (Fantasy and 40K. Favorite Space Marine Chapter: Space Wolves. Favorite Character: Sandy Mitchell's Ciaphas Cain and side-kick Jurgen)

-Monty Python and the Quest for the Holy Grail

-Sherlock Holmes (Robert Downey Jr. is amazing)

-Mass Effect (I've played all three games. M(Shep) Favorite class: Infiltrator. Favorite character: Garrus Vakarian)

-Dragon Age (Played all three games. Not so much a fan until they worked out all the kinks in DA: Inquisition)

-Stargate SG-1 (Grew up watching Teal'c giving the Eyebrow of Doom, Jack being snarky, Daniel drinking coffee, and Sam kicking ass every week.)

-Mass Effect

Update - 4/23/2017 - Everyone, I'm giving myself a challenge. When Mass Effect Andromeda came out, I naturally wanted to buy it and write about it. Thing is, my PC couldn't handle the game without some significant upgrades. Saving up for those upgrades takes time. So here's the challenge. I need $300 for upgrades. For every chapter I write and post here about the story, I'll put $20 away. If I can't care enough about the game to write enough chapters, then the game wasn't worth it in the first place.

As always, help me by reading and reviewing. Tell me what you think. What about ME:A made you feel? Not romance, but the little things that kicked you in the gut, the choices that were easy for you; the choices that were hard; the silly moments that made you bust out laughing and the serious moments that made your heart sink.

Stories:

-Thoughts From Andromeda - A series of video journals recorded by the Pathfinder Scott Ryder about his first year in the Heleus Cluster: things he sees, people he meets, the things he says and thinks about when no one else is around. Since I am working with significantly shorter pieces, Updates will be whenever I can get something in the pipe.

Personal Piece: Mass Effect Andromeda Weapons

- The weapons. I’ve been trying to sort out the system for what weapons turn up in Andromeda and why. The weapons are crucial to any Mass Effect story.

With Mass Effect 2, there was a linear progression to the quality of the weapons: basic, to advanced, to powerful. There was always a clear sense that you (Shepard) was getting somewhere by including advancements to your weapons and armor. Avenger to Vindicator to Revenant, Mantis to Viper to Widow, Katana to Scimitar to Claymore, etc.

In Mass Effect 3, that sense of progression remained, although the options were broadened considerably. (My personal favorite was the Phaeston Assault Rifle with Scimitar Shotgun for CQB. On Soldier Shepard, that was hell-a-fun! And for multi-player, my go-to-gun was always the Tempest SMG.)

Even Mass Effect 1, there was a sense that each weapon had a back-story to it (or at least you knew where they came from). The only problem I had was that the options were really limited in what the weapons could actually do in regard to function. The weapons with the best stats always came from the Citadel (at least that’s what I found). So even if when you were wandering the Milky Way hunting Saren, you weren’t at the mercy of the luck of the draw (i.e. poking around in crates) for your best gear.

Except in Mass Effect Andromeda, the options are… weird, and the reasons for them are not exactly obvious. The merchants seem to be just… there, and their inventories are: “well, this is everything I’ve grabbed or traded for in the general chaos of Heleus Cluster, have a look!” And that’s fine, in the right setting. But it subtracts somewhat from the story, because those “Eureka” moments of finding, buying, or making something really good simply aren’t there, except maybe in the players own head.

It wasn’t until I started doing some cross referencing the weapons for ME:A, excluding the weapons found or made in Andromeda that the picture started to become clear. I’m planning on posting a secondary piece to try and clear up a few things on how the Initiative was put together before it left the Milky Way. But in the meantime, here’s what I’ve found on the Andromeda Initiative’s Armoury:

Mass Effect Andromeda Weapons - By Source, Rarity, and Type

Milky Way Weapons

Common

Assault Rifles

· M-8 Avenger – 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.

Shotguns

· M-23 Katana – The M-23 Katana was a popular shotgun among Milky Way soldiers, criminals, and civilians. It was manufactured by Ariake Technologies, an Earth-based company eager to do business with the Andromeda Initiative

Sniper Rifles

· M-97 Viper – The Viper is a rapid-fire rifle popular with military snipers who appreciated a long-range gun that could snap off multiple shots in a short period. Rosenkov Materials sold a considerable number of Vipers to the Initiative at a discount in return for undisclosed favors from Initiative founder Jien Garson.

Pistols

· M-3 Predator – A reliable semi-automatic pistol. Originally manufactured by Elanus Risk Control, the rapid-fire Predator is a deadly and inexpensive weapon. Although Milky Waymilitaries generally avoided using the Predator, the Andromeda Initiativeobtained and adjusted several hundred of them.

Submachine Guns

· Charger – This sturdy submachine gun is standard-issue inside the Andromeda Initiative's security forces. The Initiative commissioned the automatic Charger from Elanus Risk Control Services. The company heavily customized one of their existing weapons to meet Initiative needs.

Uncommon

Assault Rifles

· Cyclone – The Cyclone's rapid rate of fire requires a short warm up before use. The rifle's mediocre accuracy is balanced by a massive capacity. 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-96 Mattock – 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.

Shotguns

· Disciple – A relatively lightweight shotgun originally built in the Milky Way for asari justicars and commandos. The semi-automatic Disciple uses shells packed with microscale submunitions to inflict serious damage. The Initiative have only a small number of Disciples due to the asari's unwillingness to freely share their design.

· Ruzad – A massive, slow-firing krogan shotgun, the Ruzad delivers a forceful blow that will stagger any enemy who survives. In krogan culture, Ruzad translates loosely as "judge." The krogan consider the name more obvious than humorous or ironic.

Sniper Rifles

· M-13 Raptor – An automatic sniper rifle derived from a similar turian weapon. The Raptor isn't especially accurate, but combines some of the best traits of a sniper weapon and an assault rifle. The Raptor was controversial among Initiative security personnel who argued the weapon had no place in the Initiative's mission of exploration. A small number were still stocked.

· M-29 Incisor – Capable of three-shot bursts, the Incisor was part of a new wave of Milky Way sniper rifles designed to overload a foe’s defenses. It was advertised as having negligible recoil, though the second and third rounds frequently “climb” in combat conditions, distributing damage along a vertical line.

· M-98 Widow – A heavy and formidable single-shot sniper rifle originally designed for the use against armored vehicles. The Widows acquired by the Andromeda Initiativehave been modified for the additional portability-the original model was nearly unusable by organic lifeforms.

Pistols

· M-5 Phalanx – In the Milky Way, the M-5 Phalanx was the product of the Alliance's Offensive Handgun Project. It is an accurate, close-quarters weapon with minimal recoil and solid stopping power. The versions purchased by the Andromeda Initiativewere intended for civilian use, but are modified for more robust applications.

· M-6 Carnifex – A heavy semi-automatic pistol, the powerful Carnifex was the preferred choice of Milky Way mercenaries. An expensive weapon, its marketing materials featured a charging krogan alongside the tagline "Don't you wish Carnifex was at your side?"

Submachine Guns

Rare

Assault Rifles

· L-89 Halberd – The sleek L-89 Halberd favors power and precision. The semi-automatic rifle was the Andromeda Initiative's attempt to make a weapon on par with the reliable M-96 Mattock that also used Initiative breakthroughs in materials science. Only a few were made but their effectiveness in the field is unquestioned.

· M-37 Falcon – 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 a target.

· M-76 Revenant – 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.

Shotguns

· N7 Piranha – An assault shotgun capable of automatic fire, the Piranha is devastating at short-range but loses accuracy with distance. In the Milky Way, the Piranha was a "proof of concept" prototype by the Bradford Engineering Group. The Initiative procured their Piranhas when the company's military clients deferred on a full production run.

· Reegar Carbine – Designed by the Milky Way's quarians, the Reegar Carbine is effective against shields and radiates enough energy to harm enemies near the main target. An invisible laser ionizes the air and creates a path for a high amperage electric shock. It was named for the quarian Reegar in recognition of his service against the geth.

· Venom – This powerful semi-automatic shotgun fires explosive rounds and-after a short charging period-unleashes clusters of microgrenades that rebound off obstacles. The salarian Special Tasks Group designed the Venom for missions into hostile territory and extraction operations.

Sniper Rifles

· M-90 Indra – An automatic sniper rifle with a rapid fire-rate and a large capacity to compensate for its limited scope. The Indra was still in an early design phase when the Andromeda Initiative acquired its schematics. Initiative engineers completed the design and manufactured a number of functional prototypes.

Pistols

· M-358 Talon – The slow firing, semi-automatic Talon scatters projectiles like a shotgun. Its waste heat is excessive enough that it requires six separate ammunition blocks that rotate like a twentieth-century revolver to prevent premature melting of the shot.

· Scorpion – A mini-grenade launcher with adhesive explosives that stick to walls and detonate after a short countdown. In the Milky Way the Scorpion was issued to the salarianSpecial Tasks Group so small units could contain larger enemy forces. The Initiative procured and modified a small number of the weapons.

Submachine Guns

· M-25 Hornet – The M-25 Hornet is a heavy submachine gun that fires three-round bursts. Originally created in the Milky Way by the paramilitary group Cerberus. The Andromeda Initiative's Hornet stockpile was seized from a Cerberus base by the Systems Alliance, and then bought by the Initiative at a semi-legal auction.

Ultra Rare

Assault Rifles

· N7 Valkyrie – A variant of the Avenger that fires two-round burst, 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.

Shotguns

· N7 Crusader – This semi-automatic weapon has greater accuracy than most shotguns because it fires an ultra-dense projectile instead of a typical pellet cluster. The Initiative's stock of N7 Crusaders are heavily modified compared to those used in the Milky Way'sSystems Alliance

Sniper Rifles

· Black Widow – A smaller, higher-capacity variation of the Widow sniper rifle, the Black Widow fires three powerful shots per thermal clip. Andromeda Initiative engineers have adjusted the scope for improved optical enhancement in a variety of atmospheres.

· Kishock Harpoon Gun – Batarians brought the Kishock Harpoon Gun to Andromeda so they could spear their enemies in an entirely new galaxy. The barbed harpoons stick tight and continue to cause massive internal injuries to targets over time. The projectiles drop slightly during flight unless the shooter quickly charges the rifle before firing. Users must reload after every shot, so a steady hand and keen eye are crucial.

· N7 Valiant – This semi-automatic sniper rifle has a sophisticated fire-control system that improves accuracy at the cost of reduced capacity. In the Milky WayN7 soldiers generally found the Valiant's increased precision and quick reloads a worthy trade-off.

Pistols

· N7 Eagle – An update of the M-5 Phalanx, the compact Eagle was named after the Desert Eagle pistol that gained a romantic reputation among collectors due to its popularity in classic Earth action movies. A sympathetic agent inside the Systems Alliance provided the Initiative with the N7 military variant.

Submachine Guns

· N7 Hurricane – A disciplined marksman can hit targets with alarming speed using this submachine gun. In the Milky Way, the Hurricane was standard issue in many Systems Alliance Squads. Its proponents demanded that a small stock be acquired for the Andromeda Initiative's security forces.

The Common Weapons are easy enough to understand. A pretty straight-forward armory with all the basics covered. Obviously the writers couldn’t include my favorite Tempest SMG due to confusion with the scout-ship Tempest, so they changed it to the Charger, including a plausible backstory. But after that things start to get a little wonky.

My biggest pet peeves with this list are: The Cyclone, the Ruzad, and the Kishock Harpoon Gun.

The Cyclone and the Ruzad are brand spanking new to the franchise, and they’re carried by two of the members on the Pathfinder team, Vetra and Drack respectively. However, despite the fact that these weapons are carried by two of our squad mates (for the whole game) we learn nothing else special about these weapons except for what is provided in the Codex. The Cyclone looks impressive, but we get no backstory as to why Vetra would choose the Cyclone over… say… a Revenant. Since we can’t change the squads weapon choices, presumably their choice of weaponry should be important. But we get nothing. So we need to make up everything.

This goes for the Ruzad as well, although my gripe has more to do with logistics and practicality. The Ruzad looks amazing: badass with the double-barrels and support grip on the top, terrifying with that blade (half-bayonet, half-bloody-axe) sticking out the front. It would be amazing to have seen what someone like Grunt could have done with it in the Rachni tunnels. But beyond the fact that Ruzad means judge and that the weapon was built by the krogan, we get nothing else. And by the Uncommon nature of the weapon, there should have been a reason why there are so many of the things “lying around” as opposed to the Rare and Ultra Rare weapons. The krogan are in Heleus, but would so many of them have brought a Ruzad as opposed to other weapons? And would they simply throw or barter the weapon away so easily? And would they all have that massive blade on the front? A pet peeve, I know, but still.

And, the piece de resistance, the Kishock Harpoon Gun. Yeah, I didn’t like this gun even when it was in Mass Effect 3, with an actual legitimate reason for being there. Why would the designers put this thing in when they never even put forward anything really to do with the Batarians? Did someone pack a crate of the things on the Nexus on the off-chance that the Ark actually carrying the batarians would lose theirs? Ridiculous. I suppose in the case of guns like the Disciple or the Venom and Scorpion, the asari and the salarians would keep back a few cases of special weapons from their own species to maintain an edge on the competition. But if that were the case, why the devil would the turians not include a few Phaeston assault rifles or Krysae sniper rifles?

Anyway, enough ranting from me. I’ll keep plugging away at it, and you keep reading and reviewing. I’m always looking for constructive input. Enjoy!