Best Combat Skills in Mass Effect: Andromeda
The Best Skills in Mass Effect: Andromeda
While playing Mass Effect Andromeda, you will earn a lot of experience which leads to leveling up and being granted Skill Points. Those points can then be spent in three different categories to provide Ryder some powerful perks and abilities. To help you out, we’ll be taking a look at the best skills available in each of the three categories – Combat, Biotics, and Tech. Hopefully this helps you develop the perfect build for your personal Ryder.
Do note, that if you want to try out different skills sets, you can always respec your character. Now let’s begin, starting with Combat.
Combat skills revolve around more classic warfare – bullets, explosives, fitness training, etc. While they aren’t always as flashy as Biotic and Tech skills, they do tend to be very good at dealing lots of damage. Another major difference is that most don’t work on a charging system, instead requiring power cells. If you’re the type who likes to go guns blazing and loves big explosions, this is definitely a tree you’ll find yourself spending a lot of time in. Of course, not all Combat skills are created equal. While they’re all useful, some are better than others.
Concussive Shot – This is a solid go-to if you’re just looking to keep enemies under control, and is deadly when used against a primed target (burned, shocked, frozen, etc.). It doesn’t do a ton of damage at first, but it tracks the target, meaning if you line it up right you can knock enemies out of cover. Also, it doesn’t use Power Cells, allowing it to recharge (though it can be converted to cells if you want). It’s also great for stunning an enemy who’s being a bit too aggressive. When upgrading, we recommend going for recharge speed, direct damage, and direct force.
Trip Mine – Out of all the explosives available, this is the most powerful and it starts off with a two-cell capacity. It deals 1,350 damage at its base damage. The fact that it works off of proximity is quite useful, allowing you to defend a safe corner during more intense fights. Upgrades centered on radius and force are a good focus.
Weapon Skills – The Combat category has a branch for each firearm type available in Mass Effect: Andromeda. We recommend focusing on one or two types you know you use a lot. For example, I don’t really use pistols and shotguns, so my points went into assault and sniper rifles. You can increase ammo capacity, fire rate, damage, and even decrease weight so you can carry more gear without worrying about power charging.
Combat Fitness – This branch is all about staying alive and bringing more weapons out onto the field. Extra Holsters are must haves for at least one more weapon. You never honestly need four, so going for only the Rank 3 upgrade is sufficient. For Rank 4, 5, and 6, focusing on regeneration, ammo supplies, and damage resistance will make you a serious force during battle that will be difficult for enemies to put down.
Combat Tools – This branch focuses primarily on power damage, melee damage, and how you fare in the air. Increasing melee and combo damage is definitely worthwhile. However, Ranks 4, 5, and 6 are a bit costly if you’re not one to really use the hover ability all that much. Sure, you can upgrade detonators at rank 5, but you can hold out on that while you focus on other trees.
