M-97 Viper: Rapid-Fire Sniper Rifle
Rosenkov Materials Marksman Weapon
The M-97 Viper was a rapid-fire military sniper rifle developed by Rosenkov Materials in answer to the spread of kinetic barriers. Accurate and deadly at long range, its high rate of fire let it bring down almost any target regardless of its defenses, making it a favorite of infiltrators and assassins.
The M-97 Viper was a rapid-fire military sniper rifle prized for accuracy and lethality at long range. Where many precision rifles fired a single heavy round and then demanded a long pause, the Viper delivered its shots in quick succession, a quality that made it a favorite among infiltrators and assassins across the galaxy. (Mass Effect 2; Mass Effect 3)
Origin and design#
Rosenkov Materials produced the Viper as a direct response to the growing prevalence of kinetic barriers, defenses that had begun to blunt the effectiveness of slower, single-shot sniper rifles. Rather than relying on one devastating round, the Viper paired strong stopping power with a rapid rate of fire, so that even a target shielded by kinetic barriers could be overwhelmed by a quick succession of accurate hits. (Mass Effect 2)
The result was a weapon that remained incredibly accurate and deadly at long range while keeping its lethality against modern protections. It was very effective against armor and retained meaningful potency against shields and biotic barriers, a balance that suited it to operators who needed to drop hardened targets quickly. These traits made it especially popular among infiltrators and assassins, for whom a single decisive engagement often mattered more than sustained fire. (Mass Effect 2)
Frequently asked questions
- What was the M-97 Viper?
- The M-97 Viper was a rapid-fire military sniper rifle, incredibly accurate and deadly at long range. Its combination of power and a high rate of fire made it popular among infiltrators and assassins.
- Why was the Viper developed?
- Rosenkov Materials developed the Viper in response to the rising prevalence of kinetic barriers. While such barriers still offered some protection against it, the weapon's sheer power and rapid rate of fire let it quickly kill almost any target regardless of its defenses.
Sources
- GameMass Effect 2, BioWare, 2010
- GameMass Effect 3, BioWare, 2012
Spotted a factual error or a primary source we missed? Email a correction. Every flagged claim gets reviewed.
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