Classes

From Mass Effect Wiki

For guides on optimising and playing classes, see Class Guides.

A new character can choose from six different classes, each of which may have one or more focuses in either combat, tech, and biotic talents. Each class has a corresponding class talent which improves abilities important to that class.

Class also decides what weapons a character is proficient with (an untrained character cannot even aim with a weapon), what armors they may wear, and what other talents they possess.

[edit] Classes

Below are the classes available to Commander Shepard in Mass Effect.

[edit] Adept

Biotics specialist

The Adept possesses all biotic abilities, but can only equip light armor, and may only gain specialist training with Pistols. They also possess no tech skills. Biotic powers focus on manipulation of dark energy with Singularity, Lift and Throw. They can weaken foes with Warp and protect themselves with Barrier. Adepts are durable and powerful manipulators of mass effect fields.

The Adept class talent reduces recharge time for biotic talents and increases biotic protection.

[edit] Engineer

Tech specialist

The Engineer possesses all tech abilities, but can only equip light armor and may gain specialist training with Pistols as well. They possess no biotic skills. Tech skills focus on crippling and damaging the enemy. Tech proximity mine damage is, admittedly, often viewed as a secondary effect, but should not be discounted. Engineers also possess the First Aid and Medicine talents, making their healing very effective.

The Engineer class talent reduces recharge time for tech talents and increases tech protection.

[edit] Infiltrator

Combat / Tech

The Infiltrator possesses a mixture of combat and tech talents. They may gain specialist training with Pistols and Sniper Rifles, begin with Light Armor (though they eventually gain the ability to wear Medium Armor), and possess a variety of tech abilities that focus on disabling and crippling the enemy.

The Infiltrator class talent reduces heat buildup with Pistols and Sniper Rifles while increasing damage for tech explosions.

[edit] Sentinel

Biotics / Tech

The Sentinel is a support-focused character, possessing biotic and tech abilities mostly focused around controlling the battlefield and keeping the squad alive. They receive no specialized weapon or armor training, but are proficient with a pistol. The Sentinel is surprisingly durable, with access to many of the shield-increasing talents, along with the Barrier biotic power.

The Sentinel class reduces the cooldown time on their abilities and grants small amounts of pistol accuracy and damage, culminating in the Marksman combat talent.

[edit] Soldier

Combat specialist

The Soldier is the full spectrum warrior of the squad. They may specialize in any weapon they choose and are the only class to have access to the Assault Rifle talent. Soldiers begin with Medium Armor and are also the only class that may upgrade to Heavy Armor. They possess talents focused on improving durability and damage. Their major weaknesses are their complete lack of biotic and tech abilities, relying on squadmates to pick up the slack in those areas.

The Soldier class talent increases their health, and grants a small amount of health regeneration.

[edit] Vanguard

Biotics / Combat

The Vanguard is the front line of the squad. Their biotic powers focus on combat potential - disabling the enemy, making their armor ineffective, and shielding themselves from harm so that they can get close enough to go to work. The Vanguard wears Light Armor to start, though they can upgrade to Medium Armor, and they may gain specialist training in Shotguns and Pistols.

The Vanguard class talent increases damage with shotguns and pistols, and increases biotic protection.

[edit] Specialized class talents

The game also allows you to unlock specialized class talents once you have completed the assignment UNC: Rogue VI on Luna . There are six specializations, two of which are available based on your initial class choice. Selecting a specialization offers access to a new trait that add ranks 7-12 to your class specific talent; ranks 1-6 are unchanged, and grant the same bonus when you take ranks 7-12.

[edit] Bastion

Available to Adepts and Sentinels.

Bastions are masters of using their biotic powers for defense. Bastions are the only character class that can attack enemies held by a stasis field, and gain improved versions of Barrier and Stasis.

[edit] Commando

Available to Soldiers and Infiltrators.

The Commando focuses on lethal precision and devastating strikes, increasing damage with all weapons, and giving bonuses to Immunity, Assassination, and Marksman combat powers.

[edit] Medic

Available to Engineers and Sentinels.

Medics improve upon the First Aid and Medicine talents and dramatically increase the recharge rate of associated abilities. Medics can also use medi-gel to revive fallen squadmates rather than relying on Unity.

[edit] Nemesis

Available to Adepts and Vanguards.

A Nemesis is a biotic who uses their abilities to damage and weaken their foes. Nemesis gain bonus damage to all biotic abilities, and are granted improved versions of Lift and Warp. Improved Lift increases its radius by 4 meters, and improved Warp increases its radius and damage done per second.

[edit] Operative

Available to Engineers and Infiltrators.

The Operative focuses on increasing the damage and area of the engineer's mine attacks, while lowering their recharge time. This also results in a significant boost to the Decryption and Electronics talents.

[edit] Shock Trooper

Available to Vanguards and Soldiers.

The Shock Trooper focuses on out-lasting the enemy. This manifests itself as a significant boost to health, bonuses to the Immunity, Barrier and Adrenaline Burst abilities, and increased damage resistance.

[edit] Squadmate classes

There are also four other classes used by your squad members:

[edit] See also