Mass Effect Andromeda: The Best Skills for Every Build

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.

Best Biotics Skills in Mass Effect: Andromeda

The Best Skills in Mass Effect: Andromeda

Biotics focus on your ability to control special energies and augments within your body. These powers are often more about controlling the field than dealing massive damage. However, they make perfect setups for solid combos and can really turn the tides of battles. Peebee and Cora make use of this category, so you can supplement their own skills by picking others, although there’s one that is worth grabbing for yourself as well.

Pull – Yes, Peebee already has this and uses it quite often, but you can never have too much of this ability. Simply tapping the button rips an enemy out of cover (you must remove their shield or armor first) and holds them helplessly in the air while also priming them. You can chain this into a powerful combo or just use the opportunity to shoot them down without any retaliation. You can even pull the enemy along with you by holding the button down. Upgrades center on duration and radius, but you can even use it to drain enemies of their energy  or debuff them.

Nova – This is a really good skill to have if you’re the type who likes close to medium combat (pistols, shotguns, melee). It sets off a powerful Biotic explosion all around you. The upgrades focus on damage and radius, we’d personally say go for damage, as the radius is sufficient. Also, do not opt for Shield-Powered unless you have a different skill that helps recharge your shields.

Shockwave – This skill is great for three reasons: it shoots through walls and cover, it knocks enemies back, and it primes targets. Peebee also uses this move, but it’s not a bad idea to have two soldiers with it. You can even add a bit of singularity effect called Lifting Shockwave at Rank 6.

Singularity – Works a lot like pull except it covers a small area rather than a single target. If you want to go for a different skill from what your squadmates have, this is a good option.

Barrier – Even if you’re not planning on using Biotics for you build, this is one skill that you should definitely invest in. It fortifies your shield, making it capable to withstand much more damage and letting you survive for a lot longer.

Outside of these skills you can focus on boosting recharge rates and power strength as you see fit. 

Best Tech Skills in Mass Effect: Andromeda

The Best Skills in Mass Effect: Andromeda

Tech skills in Mass Effect: Andromeda revolve around… well, tech. Using different devices and using enemy technology against them you can keep the pressure on your adversaries. The only member of your team that uses Tech a lot is Jaal, and one of his attacks is unique to just him, so if you want a Tech build for Ryder, you can go all in and not worry about conflicting with your team too much.

Overload – A useful ability that fits in most loadouts. Sends a powerful current of electricity out that stuns enemies. It can help to quickly take out shields and primes targets for combos.

Cryo Beam – To be honest, Incinerate does more damage and is useful against all enemy types. However, in our time with Mass Effect: Andromeda, it became clear that freezing is one of the most useful status effects in the game. It does nothing to an enemy with an active shield, but if you can remove the shield, then you can freeze anyone. They’ll be locked into place giving you a few seconds to deal massive damage. Honestly, anything with freezing capabilities is worth investing in while playing this game.

Tactical Cloak – This may seem like a skill for those who like to get in close, but it’s useful for anyone willing to give it a slot. The cloak is removed once you use an attack of any type, but that attack has its damage increased by quite a bit. Upgrading its recharge time and buffing capabilities means you can bring really powerful periodic attacks.

Remnant VI – This is a hidden skill you have to unlock, but it’s very worth it. It summons a Remnant Observer to fly around with you and shoot all enemies. It stays until it dies and it can last pretty long. Also, you can upgrade it to have a missile launcher on top of its beams. It’s a more powerful, mobile turret.

Team Support – This is a passive branch that adds tons of survival perks to your entire team. There’s really no reason not to invest here especially on higher difficulties.

You can also invest in the Offensive Tech and Auxiliary Systems branches if you want some added damage and lasting power of your abilities. Go for what suits you, and use your points wisely.

For more on Mass Effect: Andromeda check out our wiki.