Power Combos are a gameplay element introduced in Mass Effect 3, expanding on the Warp detonations of Mass Effect 2. By attacking an enemy with two powers in sequence, the combined effects of each power can result in an explosion. All power combos require two different varieties of powers be used: a source and a detonator. The source power determines which of the four power combos will be triggered, and the detonator triggers the combo and causes the explosion.

Some powers can be both sources and detonators, but any combo must be composed of a different source and detonator - for example, you cannot detonate Warp with another Warp, but Reave and Warp will detonate each other in any order.^[1] Area-of-effect powers can set up multiple combos (one on each affected target), but can only detonate one combo per use, or per projectile launched if more than one (e.g. single-player Throw or Cluster Grenade).

Note: Powers marked with an asterisk (*) have rank evolutions that can increase biotic explosion, tech burst, fire explosion, or cryo explosion damage. This increases the effective level of the power by at least 50%, whether used as source or detonator, with damage bonuses stacking if both powers have the applicable combo damage-increasing evolutions.

Contents 1 Damage 2 Biotic Explosion 2.1 Source Powers 2.2 Detonator Powers 3 Cryo Explosion 3.1 Source Powers 3.2 Detonator Powers 4 Tech Burst 4.1 Source Powers 4.2 Detonator Powers 5 Fire Explosion 5.1 Source Powers 5.2 Detonator Powers 6 References

Damage Edit

All power combos have a "base" damage based on the combo level, which is simply the total power level of the source and detonator.

The combo damage is modified based on its type and on whether it is damaging armor, shield, barrier, or health as noted below (e.g. Tech Bursts do 2x damage to shields).

The combo damage is independent of the actual damage or damage bonuses of the powers being used, unless it is a damage bonus that specifically mentions combo damage (such as Warp's Detonate evolution).

Biotic Explosion Edit

Biotic explosions cause a wave of biotic force that damages and knocks back enemies. These combos can be triggered without killing an enemy, and can also instantly kill lesser enemies.

Biotic explosions do two times normal damage against biotic barriers and armor.^[2]

Source Powers Edit

• Annihilation Field
• Barrier (when detonated)
• Biotic Sphere (with "Warp Effect" evolution)
• Dark Channel
• Dark Sphere
• Lash* (except armored targets)
• Lift Grenade
• Pull* (increase combo damage evolution in multiplayer only)
• Reave
• Shockwave* (with "Lifting Shockwave" evolution)
• Singularity
• Smash (with "Biotic Combo" evolution)
• Stasis
• Warp*

Detonator Powers Edit

• Annihilation Field (when detonated)
• Biotic Charge
• Biotic Hammer*
• Biotic Orbs
• Biotic Slash*
• Biotic Sphere
• Cluster Grenade
• Concussive Shot (with "Amplification" evolution and Warp Ammo equipped, single-player only)
• Dark Sphere
• Flare*
• Lash* (except armored targets)
• Lift Grenade (only on enemies without protection)
• Nova
• Poison Strike
• Reave
• Seeker Swarm
• Shockwave*
• Singularity (upon self-detonation with "Detonate" evolution)
• Slam*
• Smash
• Throw*
• Warp*

Cryo Explosion Edit

Cryo explosions create a blast of ice that may freeze nearby vulnerable enemies (those only with health bars showing). Cryo explosions can be triggered in multiplayer without killing an enemy, although in most cases, the enemy must be frozen solid in order to do so. Single-player cryo explosions can only be triggered through killing an enemy.

Source Powers Edit

• Cryo Ammo or Cryo Rounds
• Cryo Blast
• N7 Paladin melee attack (with Shield Mastery "Cryo Shield" evolution)
• Sentry Turret (with "Cryo Ammo" evolution)
• Snap Freeze* (primes cryo explosions on all targets, even if not frozen solid)

Detonator Powers Edit

• Armor-Piercing Arrows
• Biotic Charge
• Biotic Hammer
• Biotic Orbs
• Biotic Slash
• Carnage
• Cluster Grenade
• Combat Drone (on destruction with "Detonate" evolution)
• Concussive Arrows
• Concussive Shot
• Decoy (on destruction with "Exploding Decoy" evolution)
• Electric Slash*
• Electrical Hammer
• Energy Drain (on shielded or synthetic enemies only)
• Frag Grenade
• Havoc Strike
• Incinerate
• Lift Grenade
• Nova
• Overload
• Phase Disruptor
• Proximity Mine
• Shockwave
• Siege Pulse
• Slam
• Sticky Grenade
• Throw
• Warp

Tech Burst Edit

Tech bursts create a blast of electricity that inflicts severe damage on the shields of nearby enemies and has a chance of stunning them. Tech bursts can be triggered without being a killing blow.

Tech bursts do two times normal damage against shields.^[2]

Source Powers Edit

• Arc Grenade (with "Electrical Damage" evolution)
• Concussive Arrows (with "Shock" evolution)
• Disruptor Ammo or Disruptor Rounds
• Energy Drain
• Hex Shield (with "Shock" evolution)
• Overload
• Sabotage
• Shadow Strike (with "Electrical Damage" evolution)
• Smash (with "Electrical Damage" evolution)
• Sticky Grenade (when using Disruptor Ammo or Disruptor Rounds)
• Submission Net

Detonator Powers Edit

• Armor-Piercing Arrows
• Biotic Charge
• Biotic Hammer
• Biotic Slash
• Carnage
• Cluster Grenade
• Combat Drone (on destruction with "Detonate" evolution)
• Concussive Shot
• Concussive Arrows
• Decoy (on destruction with "Exploding Decoy" evolution)
• Electric Slash*
• Electrical Hammer
• Energy Drain (on shielded or synthetic enemies only)
• Frag Grenade
• Homing Grenade
• Incinerate
• Lift Grenade
• Nova
• Overload
• Phase Disruptor
• Proximity Mine
• Shockwave
• Siege Pulse
• Slam
• Snap Freeze*
• Sticky Grenade
• Throw
• Warp

Fire Explosion Edit

Fire explosions create a blast of flames that inflicts severe damage against the armor of nearby enemies and may also set them on fire. Fire explosions can be triggered without killing the enemy. Lesser enemies used as a source for fire explosions are instantly vaporized without leaving a corpse.

Fire explosions do two times normal damage against armor.^[2]

Source Powers Edit

• Carnage
• Electrical Hammer (with "Fire Damage" evolution)
• Flamer
• Geth Turret (with "Flamethrower" evolution)
• Incendiary Ammo or Incendiary Rounds
• Incinerate
• Inferno Grenade
• N7 Paladin melee attack (with Shield Mastery "Fire Shield" evolution)
• Sentry Turret (with "Flamethrower" evolution)

Detonator Powers Edit

• Arc Grenade
• Armor-Piercing Arrows
• Biotic Charge
• Biotic Hammer
• Biotic Slash
• Carnage
• Cluster Grenade
• Combat Drone (on destruction with "Detonate" evolution)
• Concussive Arrows
• Concussive Shot
• Decoy (on destruction with "Exploding Decoy" evolution)
• Electric Slash*
• Electrical Hammer
• Energy Drain (on shielded or synthetic enemies only)
• Frag Grenade
• Havoc Strike
• Homing Grenade
• Incinerate
• Lift Grenade
• Nova
• Overload
• Phase Disruptor
• Proximity Mine
• Shockwave
• Siege Pulse
• Slam
• Snap Freeze*
• Sticky Grenade
• Throw
• Warp

References Edit

1. ↑ Prima Games: Mass Effect 3 Official Game Guide, pg. 34-35
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2} http://social.bioware.com/forum/1/topic/347/index/9822648#10323795