Mass Effect Andromeda is an RPG- this means that you need to plan out your build, to try to get the exact kind of character that you want. Andromeda has a dizzying array of abilities and skills for your character to pick and learn, all of which contribute towards his or her build- so it stands to reason that you need some kind of help with it, especially if you are new to the series, or new to the genre.
That’s where we come in. In this guide, we walk you through the entire process of building your character, listing out every skill and ability they can learn along the way, as well.
Unlike previous games, and a lot of other RPGs, you are not required to select a class in Mass Effect Andromeda– the class is debundled and distributed among the various skills you can learn, and your character naturally leans towards resembling the kinds of skills you pick for them the most. The skills you can learn in the game come in three varieties:
- Combat
- Biotics
- Tech
COMBAT
Combat skills naturally make you proficient at combat, allowing you to use advanced techniques and weapons that you otherwise would not have access to. Here are the combat skills you can learn. Unless noted otherwise, each ability can be upgraded six times.:
- Trip Mine: Deploys a mine that goes off when enemies come close to it. The damage it deals is determined by how close the enemy in question got to it. Activation requires one power cell from Trip Mine’s limited power cell supply.
- Flak Cannon: Fires shells that explode into shrapnel upon impact. Activation requires one power cell from Flak Cannon’s limited power cell supply.
- Pistols: This skill improves your sidearm training, making you more adept at using pistols and submachine guns.
- Turobocharge: Temporarily enhances weapon efficiency to prevent excessive overheating, and increase weapon firing rates.
- Combat Fitness: Investing in this skill increases your max health and shields.
- Combat Power: Increases the combat power damage that you deal out. The damage you deal out increases with each skill point you invest in this skill.
- Assault Rifles: This skill improves your ability to handle assault rifles.
- Shotguns: This skill increases your ability to handle shotguns.
- Omni Grenade: Throws a grenade after a 2 second fuse (can be shortened by holding down the button). Activation requires one power cell from the Omni Grenade’s limited power cell supply.
- Concussive Shot: A target seeking shot is launched that knocks down unarmored enemies, and detonates combo primers.
- Barricade: Generates a temporary barrier that quickens shield regeneration for everyone who takes cover behind it. Activation requires one power cell from Barricade’s limited power cell supply.
BIOTICS
Biotics abilities are like Jedi abilities, allowing you to manipulate the field around you to gain the upper hand. Biotic skills usually detonate combo primers if used right. Here are the Biotics skills you can learn. Unless otherwise noted, each skill can be upgraded six times.
- Nova: Creates a controlled explosion around the user.
- Shockwaves: Sets out shockwaves within a controller user.
- Annihilation: Creates a damage field around the user by manipulating mass effect fields. Other powers caught in the radius of this one take longer to recharge.
- Backlash: Reflects projectile attacks, interrupts melee attacks, and reduces damage from all other attacks.
- Lance: Allows the user to launch a shaft of energy into an area.
- Barrier: Maximum shield strength grows directly proportionally to each point invested in the Biotic skill group.
- Offensive Biotics: Lets you increase the damage dished out with Biotic attacks.
- Containment: Increases the duration of all Biotic powers deployed on field.
- Pull: Pulls an enemy into the air (drags them along with the player if you hold down the button).
- Throw: Hurls a gravity field projectile to knock enemies back. Can be used with Pull for devastating results.
- Charge: Imbues the user with a lot of mass and momentum as they launch themselves at an opponent. The user gains some shield regeneration by the end of the charge.
- Singularity: Creates a massive gravity well to attack enemies nearby. Can be interrupted early by the user.
TECH:
Tech abilities help you manipulate technology, hacking into computers and AI, and also regenerating shields quicker, among other things. These are the Tech abilities you can learn. Unless otherwise noted, they can all be upgraded six times each.
- Cryo Beam: Supercooled particle beam fired at enemies that freezes them.
- Energy Drain: Regenerates shield by sapping electromagnetic energy from enemies. Most effective against Synths.
- Overload: Overloads an enemy with an electric charge. Can be lethal against Synths. Holding the button can let you overload multiple enemies.
- Incinerate: Fires a plasma projectile that does bonus damage to armored foes.
- Assault Turret: Deploys an automatic assault turret. By holding the deployment button, you can detonate the turret, dishing damage to enemies nearby.
- Tactical Cloak: Makes you invisible, but slows down health and shield regeneration.
- Flamethrower: Lets loose a jet of flames at the enemy.
- Auxiliary Systems: Increases duration of Tech powers on the field.
- Unknown: Unlocked by investigating Remnant technology.
- Invasion: Infects synth enemies with a virus that weakens defense and spreads to other enemies.
- Team Support: Improves defenses and support for the whole squad through kinetic barrier generator and hardsuit enhancements.
- Offensive Tech: For each skill point invested in the Tech Tree, it increases damage dished out by tech powers.