System Shock 2 Remaster: Best Weapons, Ranked

Summary

System Shock 2 Remaster offers a faithful but upgraded version with cross-platform co-op.
The best weapons include Talon M2A3 Pistol, Apollo H4 Laser Pistol, 10-Gauge Shotgun.
The TC-11 "Brick" Grenade Launcher is versatile & effective with various ammo types.

System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster is here and brings with it a faithful but upgraded version of the original game, along with cross-platform co-op. The classic FPS, immersive-sim, RPG hybrid still has many players who will go to bat for it online, and this remaster seems to have all the ingredients that players asking for an updated version have been asking for.

After 25 years, even veteran System Shock 2 fans might be a little rusty on the finer points of the game. There are a lot of options for weapons, and the player's effectiveness with each one will be determined by their character stats. For players who want a refresher, or those jumping in for the first time, this article will cover the best weapons for players who want to use Basic, Energy, Heavy, or Exotic weapons (not including psionic powers).

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9 Talon M2A3.45 Caliber Pistol

Starting Strong

System Shock 2 25th Anniversary Remaster Talon M2A3 pistol

Stats:

Damage: 4
Magazine: 12
Firing Modes: Single Shot, Three-round Burst
Ammo Types: Standard, Anti-Personnel, Armor-Piercing

Mods:

Level 1: Doubles clip size (24) and increases damage (1.1x)
Level 2: Decreases reload time (20%) and increases damage (1.25x)

The Talon M2A3 is the first weapon players will find in the System Shock 2 remaster, but a fully upgraded version equipped with armor-piercing rounds can give even the game's toughest mechs a hard time. The pistol is part of the basic weapons skill category, so players who are leaning into standard weaponry can make good use of it throughout the game. The first non-broken version can be found in the chemical store room on the MedSci Deck.

8 Apollo H4 Argon-Suspension Laser Pistol

Laser Weapon

System Shock 2 25th Anniversary Remaster Apollo H4 laser pistol

Stats:

Damage: 2 (12)
Magazine: 160
Firing Modes: Single Shot, Overcharge
Ammo Types: Energy

Mods:

Level 1: Increases maximum energy (50%) and increases damage (1.1x)
Level 2: Decreases energy consumption (33%) and increases damage (1.25x)

The Apollo H4 laser pistol doesn't do a lot of per-hit damage, but it has a massive "clip" thanks to its rechargeable energy battery. The overcharged shot can do good damage to robotic enemies and turrets, which can make this gun a good choice for ammo-efficiency in certain sections of the game. The pistol requires some minor skill in energy weapons to use, but only the first level of the category is needed. The Marine starting class can choose to start System Shock 2's campaign with this weapon.

7 10-Gauge Shotgun

Close-Up Firepower

System Shock 2 25th Anniversary Remaster 10 gauge shotgun

Stats:

Damage: 8 (16)
Magazine: 12
Firing Modes: Single Shot, Triple shot
Ammo Types: Rifled Slugs, Anti-Personnel Shells

Mods:

Level 1: Decreases reload time (33%) and increases damage (1.1x)
Level 2: Decreases recoil (66%) and increases damage (1.25x)

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The 10-Gauge Shotgun will end up as a lot of players' favorite weapon. The shotgun can be picked up relatively early on the MedSci Deck, and will deal solid damage to fleshy enemies throughout the game. With upgrades, the shotgun can do a lot of close-range damage, especially with the weapons' alternate fire mode, which fires three shells at once for double the base damage. With anti-personnel shells, the shotgun can do even more damage to Annelid and Annelid-hybrid enemies.

6 M-22 Assault Rifle

Reliable Rifle

System Shock 2 25th Anniversary Remaster M22 assault rifle

Stats:

Damage: 10
Magazine: 36
Firing Modes: Single Shot, Full-Auto
Ammo Types: Standard, Anti-Personnel, Armor-Piercing

Mods:

Level 1: Decreases reload time (33%) and increases damage (1.1x)
Level 2: Increases clip size (72) and increases damage (1.25x)

For players who want to stick to standard weapons, the M-22 assault rifle is the strongest weapon in the category. The weapon has high per-hit damage, and can be switched to fully automatic fire to deal massive consecutive damage.

The rifle uses the same ammo as the Talon pistol, so it's capable of switching between standard, anti-personnel, and armor-piercing rounds, meaning it can be applied to any combat scenario effectively. It does mean that the pistol becomes somewhat obsolete once players pick up this weapon, though. The rifle can be found in the armory on the MedSci Deck or on the Hydroponics Deck, and requires level 6 in the standard weapons skill to use.

5 Dual Circuit EMP Rifle

Energy Rifle

System Shock 2 25th Anniversary Remaster EMP rifle

Stats

Damage: 10 (15)
Magazine: 160
Firing Modes: Single Shot, Overcharge
Ammo Types: Energy

Mods:

Level 1: Increases maximum energy (50%) and increases damage (1.1x)
Level 2: Decreases energy consumption (50%) and increases projectile speed (50%) and damage (1.25x)

The Dual Circuit EMP Rifle is the most powerful weapon in the Energy Weapons category. The weapon can deal massive damage to mechanized enemies, but won't damage Annelid enemy types. Like the laser pistol, the EMP rifle uses a battery, so it can be recharged with portable batteries or at charging stations, and has a large clip size, which is also expandable with upgrades. Players will need to invest in energy weapons to use this rifle, as it requires level 6 in the Energy Weapons skill. Like the M-22, this rifle can be picked up in the MedSci armory, or on the Hydroponics Deck.

4 TC-5 Fusion Cannon

Fusion Power

System Shock 2 25th Anniversary Remaster TC5 launcher

Stats:

Damage: 20 (30)
Magazine: 40
Firing Modes: Normal, Death Mode
Ammo Types: Prisms

Mods:

Level 1: Increases clip size (80) and increases damage (1.1x)
Level 2: Decreases ammo consumption (50%) and increases damage (1.25x)

The TC-5 Fusion Cannon has some steep requirements in order for players to use it, but it can be a very powerful weapon. Players need level 6 in the Heavy Weapons skill, and at least 4 Strength to use this weapon. The cannon fires a large, slow projectile that deals high area damage, even more so if it's used with the secondary fire mode, a.k.a. Death Mode.

Despite the high requirements, the launcher's crystal prisms only get a 2x damage modifier against mechanized enemies, meaning its damage output can be eclipsed by a grenade launcher with EMP ammo in the right circumstances. Non-broken TC-5's can be found near the broken Meson Field on Deck A, or in a high-security crate near the Resurrection Station on Deck A.

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3 Viral Proliferator

Bioengineered Warfare

System Shock 2 25th Anniversary Remaster viral proliferator close up

Stats:

Damage: 15
Magazine: 8
Firing Modes: Anti-Human, Anti-Annelid
Ammo Types: Worm Clusters

Mods:

Level 1: Increases clip size (18) and increases damage (1.1x)
Level 2: Decreases ammo consumption (50%) and increases damage (1.25x)

The exotic weapons in System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster are some of the most interesting weapons in the game. These organic weapons fire bioengineered worms that are deadly to Annelids, and human-hybrids, depending on the firing mode. In either mode, the fire button must be held to stop the projectile exploding, then players can release the button as the projectile travels to detonate it at the right moment, making the Viral Proliferator great for dealing with groups of organic enemies. The weapon requires level 4 in the exotic weapons skill to use, and must also be researched with research skill level 3. The weapon itself can be found on the Recreation Deck.

2 Annelid Launcher

Heat-Seeking Worm Launcher

System Shock 2 25th Anniversary Remaster Annelid launcher

Stats:

Damage: 25
Magazine: 8
Firing Modes: Anti-Human, Anti-Annelid
Ammo Types: Worm Clusters

Mods:

Level 1: Increases clip size (18) and increases damage (1.1x)
Level 2: Increases projectile speed (100%) and increases damage (1.25x)

The Annelid Launcher is the most powerful exotic weapon, and a rival for most powerful weapon in the game with the TC-11 grenade launcher. The launcher has high-damage, enemy-seeking, explosive projectiles, and deals huge damage to Annelid enemies and other organics. Unlike the TC-11, though, the Annelid Launcher has two significant downsides. The first is that it can't damage fully mechanized enemies. The second is the prohibitive usage requirements. Players will need level 6 in exotic weapons, and level 6 in research, as well as at least 3 levels in both strength and agility to use the launcher. The launcher can be found in William Diego's quarters on Deck C.

1 TC-11 "Brick" Grenade Launcher

A Versatile Launcher

System Shock 2 25th Anniversary Remaster TC11 grenade launcher

Stats:

Damage: 20 (varies by ammo type)
Magazine: 6
Firing Modes: Contact detonate, Bounce Detonate
Ammo Types: Frag, EMP, Incendiary, Proximity, Disruption grenades

Mods:

Level 1: Increases clip size (9) and increases damage (2x)
Level 2: Decreases reload time (33%) and increases projectile speed (50%) and damage (2.28x)

The TC-11 "Brick" grenade launcher is one of the most powerful weapons in System Shock 2, and will work out more effective than the TC-5 if used with the right ammo combinations on the right enemies. The launcher is highly versatile, able to load frag grenades, EMPs, incendiary grenades, proximity mines, and Disruption grenades. Frags, mines, and Disruption grenades deal unmodified damage against all enemies, EMPs get 4x damage against Mechs but no damage to Annelids, and incendiary rounds deal 2x damage to Annelids but no damage to Mechs. That means the TC-11 works in all circumstances, so heavy weapons players should prioritize this launcher. The weapon only needs level 1 in the heavy weapons skill to use, but gets a big damage boost if players get to level 6 in the skill. The TC-11 can be found relatively early on, on the MedSci deck.

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