The Engine Rifle is the first weapon you’ll use in Abyssus and serves as the default starter gun. While it may seem like a basic machine gun at first glance, it offers a lot of flexibility with its fast fire rate, spread damage, and strong synergy with crowd-control build.
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Although its damage output is middle of the road compared to other weapons, it excels at clearing groups of enemies and works well with builds that take advantage of sustained fire. This guide covers how the Engine Rifle works and the best build setups to maximize its potential.
Engine Rifle
The Engine Rifle is a rapid-fire automatic weapon designed for consistent DPS and ranged versatility.
- Primary Ammo: 40 rounds per magazine.
- Secondary Fire: Lasts for 4 seconds, followed by a 5-second cooldown.
- Playstyle: Fast-paced, excels at spreading damage across groups.
Trade-off: Higher fire rate means lower per-bullet damage. Lower fire rate options increase damage but reduce volume of fire.
Best Build for Engine Rifle
The Engine Rifle is at its best when you lean into its fire rate and spread potential. Other weapons in Abyssus (like the Brine Revolver or Shotgun) handle precision and raw damage better, so the Engine Rifle should be used as a crowd-control, bullet-hose option.
Recommended Fire Modes:
| Slot | Type | Details | Unlock Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary | Gatling | Increases fire rate the longer you hold the trigger. Higher DPS over time but requires frequent reloads. | Kill 15 enemies without reloading. |
| Secondary | Split Shot | Fires multiple projectiles in a wide spread. Excellent for group encounters and crowd control. | Kill 30 enemies with explosions using the Engine Rifle. |
If you go with Gatling, prioritize upgrades that reduce reload time to minimize downtime.
Other Primary/Secondary options tend to favor fewer bullets with higher per-shot damage. If you prefer that style, the Brine Revolver or Shotgun are better alternatives.
Best Abilities for Engine Rifle
- Frag Grenade
- Complements the Engine Rifle’s spread damage with explosive crowd control.
- Keeps your overall DPS high while softening up large enemy packs.
- Works especially well in combination with Split Shot and lightning-focused Aspects.
Check the Logbook for achievement requirements to unlock more abilities, modules, and upgrades.
Best Aspects for Engine Rifle
Aspects vary each expedition, but the following choices pair best with the Engine Rifle’s sustained fire:
| Category | Slot | Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Barrier | Primary Fire | Generates shield charge as you fire. With Gatling, shields build up very quickly. |
| Lightning | Secondary Fire | Chain Lightning upgrades spread damage further, syncing perfectly with Split Shot’s wide area. |
| Spirits | Ability | Spirits attack enemies after ability use, giving you extra damage after throwing Frag Grenades. |
Best Charms For Engine Rifle
Charms are randomized on each run, but these are the best to grab if you find them:
- Marksman: Increases damage with each consecutive hit, stacking perfectly with the Engine Rifle’s high fire rate.
- Piercing Rounds: Bullets pierce through enemies, significantly improving crowd control in group encounters.