SYNTHETIK Weapon Perks 101 (Update 25 tooltips info added)

Reference guide to Synthetik's Weapon Perks and Technologies, updated to reflect new tooltip information in Update 25.

Any entry that is more an educated guess is marked with a (SPECULATION) tag. I'm still hoping to get explanations on what the four class-name perks do, and a couple perks that I haven't seen a speculation or explanation for just yet. The list is arranged alphabetically by perk name. You can also use the index on the lower right column of this guide.

March 28, 2020 Updates

• 'Fighting the World' and 'Unyielding Burst,' both on the amazing Battle Hymn laser weapon.
  
• 'Double Headshot Empower' and 'Double Headshot Heals' on the powerful AN-94 Deathstalker semi-automatic rifle.
  
• 'Chaos Burst' on the Chaos Launcher rifle.

Credit and thanks to the following Synthetik players for reporting their observations/insights/speculation for many of these weapon module entries. Although I'll gradually replace our guesses at what perks do, I'm keeping their credited names here as a guide memorial of sorts. :) Thanks to: Chris, Cody, Edu8000, Fraggoth, Mertvyn, motorbit, Puppet #7, ?^3, sMaikel.-, Valandras, Xcage and Xinnobun.

Active Reload Heat Vent

(SPECULATION) Active reload ventilates the weapon's heat.

Adaptive Recoil

Air Cooled

Seen on the rarely acquired Gladiator rotary cannon.

Ammo at Teleporter

(Speculation) Automatically receive ammo as you teleport into the next level. Or it may mean there's always an ammo crate at the entry teleportation bad.

Ammo Pickup Malus

Ammo Printing

Slowly regenerates ammo as long as magazine's NOT empty.

Anti Shield

Especially effective against shields.

Ammo Teleport

Restocks your ammo every time you use a teleporter. (thanks Edu8000)

7% Armor

Notes:

Although this is probably seen in other number percentages, I have so far only encountered the 7% Armor variant.

++Armor

Notes:

Unique to the Guardian's Riotshield, when equipped.

89M Auto Needles

Notes:

On the awesome, rarely found X512 Experimental rifle.

The tooltip text may be a bug. I don't know if "Ammo Sensor" is the correct label. Have asked about it.

Weapons that Use '89M Auto Needles'

Battle Hunger

(SPECULATION) Could possibly mean that the weapon gets some kind of limited boost as you kill enemies that then goes away after a set time without an enemy being killed. (thanks Valandras)

Better With Time

• Slowly upgrades your gun's stats over time. Players believe this upgrade takes place over the passage of time, even if you literally "do nothing." :-) (thanks Xinnobun)
  
  
• As the time passes by the weapon gets stat additions (random stats improved) from my experience the "time" only applies to aggro time. So if you just clear the floor and stand there it won't get improved. (thanks Xcage)

75% Bonus Boss Damage

Bullet at Multihits

Burst at 33 / 66% Heat

Notes:

Seen on the QBZ Type LAS laser rifle.

3% Chance for 500% Damage

Self-explanatory -- weapon has a 3 percent chance to do 5 times its normal damage (i.e., 500%).

Chaos Burst

Notes:

Only seen on the Chaos Launcher rifle.

Weapons Using 'Chaos Burst'

2% Coil Supercharge

Notes:

Available on the XM2 Coil Pistol starter weapon, and I think coil shotguns.

Weapons Using 2% Coil Supercharge

Consume

Notes:

Seen on the amazing Armageddon machine gun.

Consumes Shield Each Shot

Notes:

Encountered this on the wild 'Mjolnir' Chain Lightning weapon, which makes it an extremely risky weapon to use.

Examples of Weapons Using This Perk

10% Critical Chance

Notes:

I think the percentage can vary, but after 200 hours of play, I've only encountered the 10 percent variant.

X% Critical Damage Bonus

Notes:

I believe the percentage of extra damage can vary -- I've seen 20% on one weapon and 125% on a different weapon.

Critical First Shot

Notes:

Seen on the KSG-2000 shotgun.

Critical Last Shot

5% Critical Shot

Curse Self Damage

I believe this means the weapon has a chance to damage you as use it.

I'm unclear if that's every time you fire, or just a "chance" that this will happen?

Cursed Shot Chance

Notes:

Seen on the T 8-00-Gauge lever-action shotgun.

Custom Ammo Supplier

Custom Heavy Ammo

Custom Suppressor

Defender

Notes:

Found on the Mag47 Heavy MG.

Delayed Ammo Print

Seen on the Gladiator rotary cannon.

Distance Damage Increase

Double Headshot Empower

Notes:

Used on the powerful AN-94 Deathstalker semi-automatic rifle.

Weapons Using 'Double Headshot Empower'

Double Headshot Heals

Notes:

Cool healing benefit on the powerful AN-94 Deathstalker semi-automatic rifle.

10% Double Shot Chance

Dynamic Barrel Choke

On shotguns, the first shot from a full magazine will get a huge deviation bonus.

First shot will have ~5 deviation, enough to headshot across the screen. normal deviation is ~25, across the screen most pellets will miss. (thanks motorbit)

This essentially means the first shot from the shotgun -- when the magazine is full -- is a narrow, accurate blast instead of a wide-cone, scattered, inaccurate, more typical shotgun blast. (me, BlackjackGT)

Elite Damage+

Notes:

Seen on the powerful AEK Special Elite assault rifle. Not sure if it always has it, but that's the weapon I've seen it on so far.

Elite Kills Heal for 100

Notes:

Too obvious I guess to warrant a tooltip. :) You'll receive 100 hp for each Elite enemy killed.

Empowered Last Shot

Last shot in the magazine does about 150% damage. (thanks Xcage)

Energy Absorption

Evolving Software

Weapons That Use 'Evolving Software'

Exponential Ultra Piercing

(SPECULATION) Adds a very high piercing rating; not sure what the "exponential" part signifies. I found this one on a Self-Destructing Nemesis weapon.

Fast Dash

You can dash even faster when equipping this weapon. Another duh! :)

Fast Plasma Recharge

Notes:

Interesting ammo recharge mechanic seen on the SS58 Plasma Charger rifle.

20% Faster Item Cooldowns

Seen on the Eminence AR assault rifle.

Fighting the World

Notes:

On the amazing Battle Hymn laser weapon.

Fire Rate & Ammo Stacking

Notes:

Seen on the fairly rare R5000 Sudden DMR Rifle.

Weapons Using 'Fire Rate & Ammo Stacking'

First Shot Choke

Notes:

This is a shotgun perk. Have seen on a Divine variant of the SPAS 12 shotgun.

First Shot Spray

Notes:

Seen on the KSG-2000 shotgun.

Weapons Using 'First Shot Spray'

50% Fire Resistance

Seen on the Flamethrower, so you can have more flamer fun without so much self-friendly fire :)

5% Quad Chance

Notes:

Unique to the Kaida Nailgun.

75 Kills Upgrade

Notes:

So far in Update 25 beta branch, I've encountered this on the Spectre submachine gun.

Weapons Using '75 Kills Upgrade'

Grenade/Trap Cooldown

(SPECULATION) Shorter cooldown on grenade items and trap items you've equipped.

Headhunter

Notes:

Equipped on the Desert Eagle .50 pistol.

Healing Nanomachines

Seen on the Type 89 'Tokko' assault rifle.

5 Health Regen

Seen "5 Health Regen" on the Kaida Medic ACR-X assault rifle. It's possible the number varies.

Health Regen on Kills

Example Weapons with 'Health Regen on Kills' Perk

Heat, Firerate & Recoil

Heatshot Heat Reduction

(SPECULATION) Ventilate the weapon's heat by performing a successful headshot.

Heat Ventilation

On reload, weapon cools off to default value. Seen on Object 29 fusion asssault rifle. (thanks Xcage)

Heavy Movement

Notes:

This is a side effect of using Riot Guard's shield.

Hellfire Barrage

Notes:

Pretty sure this is exclusive to the over the top Armageddon machine gun.

Examples of Weapons with 'Hellfire Barrage' Perk

High Ammo Capacity

Weapon has a larger ammunition capacity than normal. It's unclear precisely how much larger.

High Ammo Pickup

Ammo from crate and offed enemies provides more ammo than normal. It's unclear precisely how much more.

Hi-Power First Shot

Hi-Power Last Shot

High-Powered

Notes:

You'll find this characteristic on the 'Raptor' Laser SG weapon.

High Pressure

Notes:

Seen on the Pressurized Impaler weapon.

Examples of Weapons with 'High Pressure' Perk

High Temperature

• (SPECULATION) Pretty sure this just means the weapon generates heat rapidly. Noticed this on the KAIDA full auto assault rifle. So weapons with this benefit greatly from an attachment that reduces heat generation.
  
  
• Lowest heat value is 25%, and appears to rise more rapidly with each shot. (Thanks, Puppet #7)

Hunting Big Game

(SPECULATION) My guess is this means weapon does greater damage against the tougher enemies that have lots of health points.

Weapons with 'Hunting Big Game'

Road Warrior double-barrel shotgun.

Improves Over Time

Notes:

Usually seen on the Tactical Observer assault rifle.

X% Increased Ammo Regen

Notes:

Seen on the Heavy Gunner's LG-2 Onslaught starter machine gun.

I think the percentage may vary if the Perk shows up on other weapons.

Inverted Recoil

Gun gets more accurate as it keeps shooting, like with light machine guns in Tom Clancy's The Division. (thanks ?^3)

5 Kills Grants Critical Buff

Notes:

Seen on the AKS-74U assault rifle.

Weapons Using '5 Kills Grants Critical Buff' Perk

75 Kills Upgrade

Notes:

Seen on the Object 29 Assault Rifle/OICW Missile Launcher combo weapon.

Kill Frenzy

Notes:

Seen on the Vindicator Ultra ballistic scatter weapon.

Last Shot Spray

Notes:

Seen on the SS58 Plasma Charger rifle.

Lifesteal

Light Movement

• Increases movement speed. Seemed like you run faster with some sort of guns. (thanks Mertvyn)
  
  
• Light Movement on a LS Laser Sub on a Guardian changes my movement speed from 360 to 438 while it is equipped. That's either a +21.6% increase, or a +78 increase. (thanks Cody)
  
  
• Adds 50 movement speed. (thanks Xcage)

Lightweight

(SPECULATION) A heavier weapon that doesn't hinder movement speed?

OK, since I've encountered this on the decidedly NOT heavy FMG-9 Personal SMG, perhaps you actually move a bit faster when equipping a weapon that has this module?

Low Shield Damage

(SPECULATION) Ineffective against shields because it does less damage against them.

200 Max Health

I assume this adds 200 to your max health. This number may vary, I've only encountered this 200 variant, which was on the Flamethrower.

X-number Max Shield

Notes:

I believe the passive bonus item bonus can vary from one item to another. I've just only got this 75 example for a screenshot so far.

1-2 Max Shield on Kill

Money Shot

Movement Stabilized

Notes:

You'll usually find this on Stabilized Variant weapons.

Multi Bounce

Notes:

Used in the unique new Ripjack weapon introduced in Update 25.

Weapon Using 'Multi Bounce'

Nail Fabrication

Weapons that Use Nail Fabrication

5% No Ammo Cost Chance

Notes:

Although it's possible this comes in other percentage variants, I've only encountered this one so far.

No Ammo Pickup

Notes:

Exclusively on the Heavy Gunner's LG-2 starter machine gun.

Examples of Weapons that Use 'No Ammo Pickup' Perk

360-degree No Scope Damage Bonus

OICW Missile Launcher

Notes:

Believe this is exclusive to the Object 29 assault rifle/missile launcher combo. Although the missiles are useful, do note it only fires once every 6 regular AR rounds fired.

Weapons That Use OICW Missile Launcher

Overheat Overdrive

Notes:

Used in the Mag47 Heavy MG and P25 Overdrive pistol.

Weapons Using 'Overheat Overdrive'

Passive Shield Generator

Perfect Last Shot

Notes:

Equipped by the Desert Eagle .50 pistol

Weapons Using 'Perfect Last Shot'

Pillager

Increases scavenging by 20. On RPK-12 Tundra light machine gun. (Thanks Chris)

Plating Looter

Weapons Using 'Plating Looter'

Posessed Projectiles

Notes:

This essentially integrates the cool Blood Bolt item ability into the Damnation assault rifle without using an item try slot.

"Possessed" is misspelled (missing the 2nd 's'), and terrorlevel should be two words. I'm reporting it as basic text bug on Discord and hopefully they'll tweak it eventually. :)

Weapons Using 'Possessed Projectiles'

Power Surge

Notes:

Seen in the X512 Experimental weapon that uses 89M Auto Needles.

5% Powershot

Notes:

Although it's possible this comes in other percentage variants, I've only encountered the 5% iteration so far.

Powerup Chance

Psyonic Weapon

5% Quad Shot Chance

Notes:

Seen this on a couple of weapons, including the extremely rare Annihilator ANH-5 explosives rifle.

Reduced Detection Range

Notes:

Seen on the Assassin's/Sniper's silenced PXS Covert Ops starter weapon pistol.

Weapons With 'Reduced Detection Range'

Reliable - No Jamming

Notes:

Weapon never jams. Since it's obvious, Update 25 didn't add an explanatory tool tip.

Worth noting that this is only useful IF you enable Jamming in the difficulty/curse modifiers screen. Otherwise, this perk serves no purpose.

Rogue Bonus (Assassin/Sniper passive)

Notes:

I've encountered this class-based bonus Perk on FMJ-9 and a couple other weapons when using Rogue sub-classes, which means Assassin or Sniper.

Reload Burns

Notes:

Neat gameplay mechanic on the SS58 Plasma Charger rifle that encourages you not to hold down that firing button too long. :-)

Weapons Using 'Reload Burns

Scarce Custom Ammo

Notes:

Likely exclusive to the powerful, tricky-to-use Yoko-Logann sniper rifle.

Weapons Using 'Scare Custom Ammo' Perk

Scrappy

Self Destructing

Temporary-use weapon which blows up when the timer on it runs out.

Note that in co-op play, a "Nemesis console" can provide BOTH a Self Destructing, Nemesis quality weapon AND then also a "regular quality" weapon that STILL has the Self Destructing passive. :-)

Shield Bash

Notes:

Perk on Riot Guard's shield.

-25% Shield Delay

Your personal shield regenerates 25% faster. I think?

Shield Generator

Gives the player a permanent +1 max shield value per kill. (thanks Puppet #7)

Shield on Hit

Examples of Weapons that Use 'Shield on Hit' Perk

S-Lightning Weapon

Notes:

Pretty sure this is exclusive to the Mjolnir chain lightning weapon.

Slow Start

(SPECULATION) Maybe this is an automatic weapon with a firing rate that gradually gets faster, the longer you continously fire it?

Specialist Bonus (Engineer/Demolisher passive)

Notes:

I believe this is a passive when equipped by Engineer or Demolisher.

Weapons Using 'Specialist Bonus'

Stabilized Twin Barrels

Notes:

Seen on the Twin Mill MKII assault rifle.

3-Stage Startup

Notes:

This seems exclusive to the Mjolnir Chain Lightning weapon.

Weapons that Use this Perk

Steady Heat

(SPECULATION) My general impression after use is this may mean that the weapon produces a consistent, moderate amount of heat but doesn't get "hotter and hotter" even if you continously fire for a long time. Found in the Mag47 Heavy MG.

Steady Stance Required

Notes:

Self-explanatory, so no tooltip provided in Update 25.

However, I would explain it as, "You can ONLY fire this rifle when standing still. You can't fire this weapon while moving." So, it's tricky to use. :-)

Weapons Using 'Steady Stance Required' Perk

Stimpack on Healing

See on Kaida Medic ACR-X assault rifle.

Surprise Attack

Taking Credit

(SPECULATION) Earn more credits for killing each enemy robot than you normally would? Have seen it on the R2000 'Sour' acid DMR.

Target Acquired

Notes:

Seen in the Auto 9/45 pistol

Weapons That Use 'Target Acquired'

Teleport Stock Up

Weapons that Use Teleport Stock Up

6% Triple Shot Chance

{Speculation) I guess this means when you fire this weapon, you have a 6% chance of triggering a triple-round burst salvo.

Underdog

• On the FMJ-9 SMG. Every enemy killed using this weapon speeds up your health regen
  
  
• Every kill gives +0.10 regen until 10hp/sec . Then it becomes +0.5 per kill. (thanks Xinnobun)

Unyielding Burst

Notes:

Equipped on the amazing Battle Hymn laser weapon, you only need to tap the firing button once to fire this salvo. Does incredible damage in a wide spray, but do note it devours ammo like Pac-Man. :-)

Weapon Using 'Unyielding Burst'

Upgraded at Bossrooms

Notes:

(Speculation) I'm guessing this means the weapon's overall stats get upgraded when you enter a bossroom. Or it could mean you get a free overall upgrade of the weapon after completing a bossroom.

March 2020 UPDATE: I'm afraid the tooltip for this still doesn't explain whether it just triggers upon entry into a bossroom/level.

Example Weapons that Use 'Upgraded at Bossrooms' Perk

Varying Damage

Seen on the Eminence AR Assault Rifle. I think it's like a random dice roll how much damage each shot makes, but it's unclear on if that's in a given range.

Vulnerability

Notes:

Sometimes seen on the Vindicator Ultra ballistic scatter weapon.

Water Cooled

Notes:

On the Heavy Gunner's LG-2 machine gun.

Weak

Notes:

Usually seen in the Medic FMJ-9 submachine gun.

Example Weapons With the 'Weak' Perk

[BlackjackGT]

UPDATE: I've finally oped into beta branch update 25 on Steam. The new mouseover tooltips for Perks, Ammo and Variants is great. :) I've begun gradually replacing our community guesswork here with cropped tooltip panel screenshots.

I've also begun updating some Perks to reflect their updated names in the Update 25 beta build.

[Gness Erquint]

Good timing then, I guess. Thank you.

[BlackjackGT]

The "Intel" portion of Update 25 (due in a couple weeks) is supposed to include full perk descriptions, which I assume will be tooltips.. From the update announcement on Discord chat:

>>Long awaited Weapon Perk Descriptions + Perk overhaul & perk depth increase!

Assuming that's what it means, that should help me flesh out this game guide with correct, "dev-written" descriptions, though I probably can't make that happen overnight. :)

I checked last night, and I think they've implemented tooltips for most (possibly all) ammo types but not perks (they used to be called weapon modules).

[Gness Erquint]

Haven't played since a long time ago.
Did the dev STILL not implement basic tooltips?

[BlackjackGT]

> God bless you.

Ha, you're welcome! I just feel bad I have so many empty entries, and some where I'm just wild-guess speculating at what a Perk description means. Hopefully, game itself will get more tooltip popup explanations, and then I could add those here.

[Roborovski]

God bless you.

[BlackjackGT]

I spent some time this weekend adding 47 new entries to this guide, and renaming it the Perks guide, since the devs removed the term "weapon module." I still need some help figuring what all these Perks do, and I won't pretend it's complete, but it's now at least closer to being up to date.

[BlackjackGT]

I decided to gradually start adding new weapon module entries. Most of these are blank or only have a cropped screenshot, but hopefully I can get explanations to add, down the road.

So far these are some new entries:
* 360-degree NoScope Damage Bonus
* Kill Frenzy
* No Ammo Pickup
* Vulnerability
* Water Cooled

[Gness Erquint]

Let's hope.

[BlackjackGT]

This is an old guide,and it was really more community driven.

My work hours changes, and I just don't have much time to play anymore. Maybe when Arena DLC is polished the devs will finally try to fully catch up on tooltips and such.