Mass Effect 3 offers a diverse selection of classes for players, each offering a distinct playstyle. These classes, Soldier, Adept, Engineer, Infiltrator, Sentinel, and Vanguard, grant Commander Shepard unique abilities that shape how they approach combat.
It is important to note here that beyond the single-player experience, the game features a thrilling multiplayer mode. This cooperative mode allows players to tackle missions together, and just like the single-player campaign, it features a class system.
This guide is a comprehensive resource for helping you select the perfect class, master its abilities, and dominate both single-player and multiplayer challenges.
6. Adept
In Mass Effect 3, the Adept class masters biotic combos. With all their biotic abilities from the previous game, Adept players can now focus on creating devastating combos that can take down even the toughest enemies. Pull, at max rank, allows you to pull two targets at once, priming them for a detonation. This pairs well with the max rank of Throw, which launches two target-seeking projectiles. Shockwave, another returning ability, can detonate multiple primed targets and even prime targets itself with the Lifting Shockwave evolution. Singularity can also detonate when the field dies out, causing massive damage in a wide radius.
The Adept’s new ability, Cluster Grenade, is a biotic power grenade that splits into multiple projectiles, making it a universal detonator. Combined with the Adept’s other biotic powers, this ability allows various combos to take down even the toughest enemies. However, due to the Adept’s low weight capacity, players must stick to SMGs and pistols for their weapons. Additionally, Adepts struggle with shields and lack raw damage due to their limited gun selection. Despite these limitations, the Adept’s ability to create powerful biotic combos makes it a formidable class.
5. Engineer
The Engineer class is a versatile and dynamic choice for players who enjoy a more tactical and supportive approach to combat. As an Engineer, you can control and manipulate enemy mechanics, creating openings for your team and disrupting the opposition.
One of the standout features of the Engineer class is the ability to deploy drones and hack enemy turrets, effectively turning the enemy’s strengths against them. Additionally, Engineers have a wide range of tech powers, such as Overload, which can disable enemy shields, and Sabotage, which can cause enemy weapons to malfunction. These abilities make the Engineer class an invaluable asset to any team, providing crucial support and control. Furthermore, the class offers a variety of customization options, allowing players to tailor their Engineer to their preferred playstyle.
4. Infiltrator
The Infiltrator class offers a unique and thrilling gameplay experience that differentiates it from other classes. With its focus on stealth and long-range combat, players can take down enemies with deadly precision using powerful sniper rifles. The tactical cloak ability allows for strategic positioning and surprise attacks, while the sticky grenade provides an explosive punch to finish off opponents. The Infiltrator’s ammo powers and incinerate ability also make it effective against enemy health, giving players a versatile toolkit to tackle any situation. Overall, the Infiltrator class is a great choice for players who enjoy a mix of stealth and high-damage combat and want to approach missions with a tactical mindset.
3. Sentinel
The Sentinel class remains a versatile and powerful choice for players. This class combines the biotic and tech abilities of Adepts and Engineers, making it a formidable force on the battlefield. Sentinels can use their biotic powers to control crowds, lift and throw enemies, and even lock them in place with stasis. They also have access to various tech abilities, including overload to damage shields and disable enemies and encryption to increase tech explosion damage.
One of the key strengths of the Sentinel class is its ability to reduce the cooldown of its tech and biotic powers, allowing for more frequent use of these abilities in combat. Additionally, the Sentinel’s unique ability, Tech Armor, provides extra shielding and damage resistance, making it a tanky class that can withstand much damage. With access to pistols and the ability to unlock SMGs, the Sentinel also has decent firepower, making it a well-rounded choice for players who want to handle any situation.
2. Soldier
The Soldier class is a formidable choice for players looking for a straightforward, powerful combat experience. With automatic access to all weapon types and the highest weight capacity for weapons and ammo, the Soldier is ideally suited for dealing massive damage and adaptability in various combat situations. This is why he is considered the Jack-of-all-trades.
One key advantage of the Soldier class is effectively utilizing all three basic ammo types (disruptor, incendiary, and cryo) against shields, armor, and synthetic targets. Additionally, the Soldier’s new ability, Frag Grenade, provides extra utility by piercing armor or dealing increased damage to shields. While the Soldier class lacks biotic and tech abilities, the weight capacity mechanic allows for more weapons and ammo, making up for this weakness.
1. Vanguard
The Vanguard class is a high-risk, high-reward choice that offers a thrilling and dynamic combat experience. It is ideal for players who enjoy fast-paced action and prefer to be in the heart of the battle, utilizing both biotic powers and weapons to devastating effect.
The Vanguard’s unique abilities, such as Biotic Charge and Nova, provide incredible offensive potential and utility. Biotic Charge lets you quickly close the distance to your enemies and deal massive damage. At the same time, Nova consumes your barriers to unleash a powerful ground strike that can Prime or Detonate biotic combos. Combined with weapons and melee attacks, these abilities create a thrilling and engaging gameplay loop that can be incredibly satisfying.
However, the Vanguard class is not without its challenges. It requires precise timing and strategic decision-making to maximize its potential, and a single mistake can result in swift punishment, especially on higher difficulty levels. To overcome these challenges, it’s essential to have a solid understanding of the game’s mechanics, positioning, and enemy behavior.
