The main protagonist of the Mass Effect game series has always been the character that the player himself creates. In addition to choosing such standard features and characteristics as gender, race, hair and facial features, the hero also received a unique specialization (class), which determined his future abilities. Classes are a kind of archetype of characters. It is they who determine what skills the hero will possess, as well as what path he will take in the future.
general information
The game features six main classes, which are conditionally divided into two additional categories: "pure" and "combined." The "clean" include a soldier, adept and technical engineer. The "combined" include attack aircraft, reconnaissance and guard. The last category of classes got its name because of its hybridity, which we will talk about later. In addition to this division, both categories can be supplemented with specializations with a narrower focus, namely a fighter, technical engineer and biotic.
What is the best Mass Effect class to play? The choice depends only on the player himself, namely on what style of play is preferred.
In addition to the skills and abilities, Mass Effect classes also determine other features of the character. For example, what weapons he can fight during the battle, what kind of armor he can put on himself. Players who wonder about which class to choose in Mass Effect should also rely on this.
Classes can be selected at the very last stage of character creation. It is also worth noting that Mass Effect: Andromeda has a more flexible class system, in contrast to the trilogy. The fact is, Ryder can use various Pathfinder profiles that allow him / her to change his skills right on the battlefield. For Sheparad (a) this is not possible, therefore he / she uses only a limited set of skills.
Some interesting features
Before proceeding to the description of each Mass Effect class, we advise our readers to pay attention to a few additional interesting facts. Here they are:
- All classes can use heavy weapons.
- When completing the third story mission, during which Shepard and the team explore the collectors ship, it becomes possible to learn one non-core weapon. Another available option is one superweapon for an existing class.
- In the first parts of the series, players who wanted to change their class in Mass Effect couldn't do anything about it. They had to play with the choice that was made at the very beginning of the passage. The situation has changed a bit in Mass Effect: Andromeda, where the standard classes were replaced by the Pioneer profile system.
- All Shepard party members are also trained according to one class. However, their set of skills and abilities is somewhat different from what is available to the main protagonist.
- While Shepard can use four weapons, only two are available to his / her partners. If you want to change the standard set of party members to something new, then you can install the popular GiveAllWeapons mod.
Adept
The first class from our list today, which is completely based on biotic abilities. Adept characters can control gravity and space using the Mass Effect fields for this. In battle, such heroes inflict various damage on their enemies with great damage and use deformation to weaken it. For their own protection, adepts have access to the biotic barrier skill. In their field, adherents are considered almost the best Mass Effect class, while technical skills are completely inaccessible to them.
There are special implants for biotic people, usually these are models above L3. It is known that only the Kaiden Alenko (as part of the series) uses the outdated version of the implants, L2, which is why he constantly has big health problems.
Soldier
The next class of characters from Mass Effect include strong and hardy warriors who can handle any combat situation. In addition to a large supply of vital energy, they also have access to a large selection of weapons and heavy armor. By the way, soldiers are the only class in ME that can wear this kind of armor. Their uniqueness does not end there. In addition to exclusive heavy armor, assault rifles are also available to them. Does this make the soldier the most powerful class in Mass Effect? Perhaps, especially when it comes to physical and enduring superiority on the battlefield.
But one cannot do without weaknesses. The soldiers are not adapted to biotics and technical skills, which somewhat limits the style of the game. In ME 1, this class includes: partisan Ashley, Corporal Jenkins and commander Shepard himself (by default).
Engineer
Technicians, representatives of this class prefer strategic moves and planning to brute force. Their main weapon is a unique holographic tool called omni-tool. With it, engineers can deal with security systems, repair and improve various technical equipment, as well as sabotage the work of enemy weapons and shields. Another major advantage of omni-tool is that it can replenish the health of wounded partners.
Engineers have access only to light armor. As the main weapon they use pistols.
Attack aircraft
Another great fighter who managed to combine the skills of two powerful classes at once - an adept and a soldier. Attack aircraft have access not only to a wide variety of weapons and armor, but also to biotics. No wonder the representatives of this class are considered the main striking force of the detachment. Biotics opens up space for attack tactics for stormtroopers and gives more freedom in battle. At one point, heroes can masterfully disable one enemy after another, weakening the effectiveness of their armor, and at another moment - rush into the thick of the enemies, defending themselves from damage with their own shield.
The very first possible partner for Shepard, who belongs to the class of stormtroopers, is the krogan Urdnot Rex.
Sentinel
The next class, which will be discussed today, plays the role of the main support of the detachment. At his disposal are powerful biotic and technical skills that provide healing and protection for all allies from attacks by enemy equipment.
The guard practically does not use armor and weapons, if only with a pistol. Despite such meager equipment, representatives of this class are surprisingly tenacious and have a lot of protective skills in their reserves. Due to the special ability that is available only to guards, characters can reduce the recharge of any skill, as well as increase accuracy when shooting from a pistol.
One of the most famous guards from the original trilogy is Senior Lieutenant Kayden Alenko.
Scout
The last major class to choose from in Mass Effect. Scouts have both technical and combat skills. Among their main specializations may be: shooting with pistols or sniper rifles, wearing light or medium armor, various abilities to incapacitate enemy equipment.
On the battlefield, scouts prefer to decrypt data or combat operations rather than treat allies. To achieve their goals, characters usually use omni-tool.
Specializations ME1: Defender
The main classes and skills in Mass Effect, we figured out. Now it's time to dwell in more detail on the additional specializations that representatives of each class can study.
The first such specialization is the defender. In the future, followers and guardians can learn it. The main strength of the defenders lies in the biotics, which they use in order to defend or immobilize the enemy. If the choice fell on this specialization, we recommend that you focus on stasis. This skill not only immobilizes the enemy, but also causes him certain damage. A well-pumped stasis allows you to immobilize even huge opponents, such as threshers.
Commandos
The following specialization was created specifically for scouts and soldiers. Most of all, commandos value the accuracy of their strikes, as well as their effectiveness. Brute force is completely unimportant for this specialization. Heroes receive a bonus for damage with any weapon and several improved abilities, among which stand out especially: elimination, immunity and accuracy when shooting.
Medic
Only engineers and guards can become a physician or nurse. As a bonus, they are given several improved skills that focus on first aid and medicine. In addition, doctors are trained to quickly restore almost all of their skills.
Avenger
Additional specialization for adherents and stormtroopers, which turns them into powerful biotics. The avengers direct their skills to weaken the enemy and cause him serious damage. Students of this specialization receive a bonus on all biotic abilities. In addition, two separate skills, lifting and deformation, become more advanced. Improved lift gains an increase in radius, and improved deformation gains an increase in radius and damage done in 1 sec.
Shock fighter
The following specialization is available for training attack aircraft and soldiers. Such fighters are often called universal killing machines, and this is true. Representatives of this specialization are trained to deal with combat scenarios of any complexity. With each new level, soldiers and attack aircraft will receive their individual bonuses. The soldier will be able to increase his health, and the attack aircraft will increase his immunity to damage. In addition, specialization gives several common bonuses to defense, barrier and adrenaline rush.
Agent
The latest specialization from ME1 is strictly for engineers and scouts. Each agent is a real specialist and a manipulator that controls the situation of the battle and gets the maximum benefits from it. Among the main bonuses of this specialization are reduced reloading of technical skills, improved reboot, as well as more advanced sabotage.
Passive ME2 Skills: Excellence in Biotics
Unique passive skills are skills that are similar to the specializations from the first part of Mass Effect. They are also associated with specific and classes and give them various bonuses.
The first skill to be discussed is called Excellence in Biotics. It is suitable only for adepts who appear in ME2 and ME3. Being a standard class skill, Perfection in Biotics gives the character a bonus to the reputation of a hero or an apostate.
"Perfection in battle"
All soldiers can learn this unique passive skill. Standard enhancements include increased health and hero and apostate bonuses. Additional bonuses include increased weapon damage and an increase in assault speed.
"Excellence in technology"
The next skill, called "excellence in technology", as you might have guessed, was created specifically for engineers. Like other passive skills, he gives an increase in health and bonuses to the reputation points of a hero or an apostate. In addition, "Excellence in Engineering" reduces the time it takes to recharge abilities, and also reduces the cost of all research.
Perfection in Attack
Attack aircraft can use this unique skill to improve their existing abilities. In addition to the standard increase in health and reputation points, Perfection in Attack also provides several additional bonuses (only in ME3): increased carry weight, improved shotgun performance, Shepard’s strength and skills.
Assistant and operative
The last passive skills to be discussed are specifically for classes such as guards and scouts. In both cases, the characters are awarded standard bonuses in the form of increased health, reputation points and reduced reload time. As a bonus to this, operatives receive additional improvements in aiming and weapon strength.