Mass Effect 3 Guide Essentials The Squad

Commander Shepard

Commander Shepard was born on April 11, 2154, and has been a lifelong Alliance soldier. After serving on the SSV Normandy under Captain Anderson, Shepard later became the first human to join the Spectres.

While working as a Spectre, Shepard foiled another Spectre, Saren, as he attempted to betray the Alliance Systems to the Reapers.

Shortly thereafter, Commander Shepard was killed in action, only to be revived by Cerberus under the Lazarus Project.

Shepard once again took control of the Normandy, recreated as the Normandy SR-2, and foiled the Collectors as they worked in conjunction with the Reapers.

Now, the Reapers have brought the fight to Shepard. Having fallen out of grace with the Alliance, Shepard now serves in the Alliance but has been stripped of his Commander rank.

POWERS

Fitness

Put on some muscle and become fearless in close-quarter combat. More melee damage. More health and shields.

	Rank 1—Health and Shield Bonus: 15%; Melee Damage Bonus: 15%
	Rank 2—Durability: Increase health and shield bonuses by 10%
	Rank 3—Melee Damage: Increase melee damage by 20%
	Rank 4a—Melee Damage: Increase melee damage by 30%
	Rank 4b—Durability: Increase health and shield bonuses by 15%
	Rank 5a—Melee (Increase): Increase melee damage by 75% for 30 seconds when an enemy is killed by heavy melee
	Rank 5b—Shield/Barrier Recharge: Decrease shield-recharge delay by 15%
	Rank 6a—Melee Synergy: Increase melee damage bonus by 30%; increase power damage by 30% for 20 seconds after an enemy is killed by heavy melee
	Rank 6b—Fitness Expert: Increase health and shield bonuses by 25%

Analysis

Since all six classes for Commander Shepard share similar passive Fitness power, we’re including an overview of this power here, rather than in every class section.

The Fitness power grants all versions of Shepard a general health and shield/barrier increase.

Additionally, at upgrade ranks (Ranks 4 through 6), you can add melee increases.

While these upgrades may only appeal to players who will use Commander Shepard in close-quarter combat, consider selecting at least one of the three melee upgrades for added melee damage potential.

However, the bonuses for Fitness are not the same for each class. For Rank 6a, some classes get weapon damage, some get power damage, the Sentinel gets increased damage reduction, and the Vanguard gets a bonus to Biotic Charge.

The sentinel has a unique bonus for Rank 5a. The Engineer gets a unique bonus for Rank 6b. In the end, make your rank upgrade choices based on the type of build you’d like to create.