Infiltrators are Tech and combat specialists with the unique ability to cloak themselves from visual and technological detection.
Their inventory is stacked with a wide variety of weapons, equipment, and powers.
Infiltrators are deadly at any range, but particularly so with a sniper rifle.
When scoping a target, superior reflexes take over, time momentarily slows down, and enemies are easy pickings.
Depending on your play style, you can build an Infiltrator to stay as far away from the action as possible, picking off enemies with sniper tactics before your squad leads the charge into battle.
Alternatively, Infiltrators can also specialize in close-range combat, dealing major damage with shotguns and augmented melee attacks.
The key to both types of attacks, however, is expert use of the Tactical Cloak. This should be the base of every Infiltrator build.
An Infiltrator has an inherent talent when scoping in on enemies with a sniper rifle, so pair a sniper rifle with another light weapon, such as an SMG, so as to maximize the recharge speed for all powers.
However, should you select a different approach for your Infiltrator, consider pairing a shotgun with a pistol. The weight won’t be too heavy, but you’ll have a decent balance of accuracy, damage, and range.
POWERS
Disruptor Ammo
Bring down your enemy’s barriers and shields. Chance to stun. More weapon damage. More damage to shields and barriers.
Ranks 1 through 3 Analysis
Disruptor Ammo is a great power for a damage-dealer because it makes all weapon fire even more lethal. With Disruptor Ammo (or any Ammo power, in fact), it’s best to activate it before every mission and make sure you keep it active at all times.
When active, it adds the ability to stun foes and incapacitate them before they can attack. It also functions as a “source” power that can be detonated using other powers like Incinerate.
For an Infiltrator, Disruptor ammo can prove to be very effective in softening up foes before switching to Tactical Cloak and taking down the stunned foe stealthily.
Rank 4 Analysis
At Rank 4, Disruptor Ammo can either increase damage to health and shield/barriers (4a), or you can gain the ability to automatically grant it to all squadmates when active (4b).
The choice really breaks down to whether you want to dish out as much damage as you can or whether you want to stalk stunned enemies on the battlefield.
By granting your squadmates the use of your Disruptor Ammo, you’ll increase the number of enemies that are stunned on the battlefield. This will make it easier to sneak up behind them and finish them off.
Rank 5 Analysis
At Rank 5 you can select to either carry 30 percent more ammunition or to increase headshot damage by 25 percent. To make the best use of this selection, take into account what type of Infiltrator you’re building.
Infiltrators excel at using sniper rifles, so Rank 5b should be an obvious choice if you plan on taking advantage of that trait.
However, if you plan on being a close-quarters assassin who prefers a shotgun and melee to the sniper rifle, then select Rank 5a. The added ammunition count will help, especially with shotguns that tend to carry low ammo.
Rank 6 Analysis
Both options in Rank 6 increase Disruptor Ammo’s damage output. However, Rank 6a increases damage to health, barriers, and shields, depending on the enemy.
This makes all shots with Disruptor Ammo all the more powerful since it’s a good general increase to overall damage. Rank 6b adds an entirely new effect to shots taken using Disruptor Ammo.
Instead of simply dealing more damage to health, shields, and barriers, it stuns enemies and incapacitates them, allowing your team to take out vulnerable, stunned foes.
Your Rank 6 option should depend on whether you want to take down enemies one at a time, or if you want to incapacitate enemies before activating Tactical Cloak and sneaking up to kill them.
Cryo Ammo
Flash-freeze and shatter unprotected enemies. Slow down the rest. Weaken armor. Frozen targets won’t regenerate health.
Ranks 1 through 3 Analysis
Cryo Ammo is a perfect tool for Infiltrator snipers. Its freezing abilities can slow targets or even instantly shatter them if you get a headshot.
However, even if you don’t plan on sniping and instead use it with pistols, SMGs, or shotguns, the slowing effects of Cryo Ammo can give an Infiltrator enough time to sneak up on a frozen enemy and put them out of their misery.
Rank 4 Analysis
At Rank 4, Cryo Ammo can either increase duration (Rank 4a), or you can gain the ability to automatically grant it to all squadmates when active (Rank 4b).
Like Disruptor Ammo’s Rank 4 upgrade options, you can select Rank 4b to give your teammates a chance at freezing foes as well.
This will benefit Infiltrators by allowing them to zoom in on frozen enemies or sneak up on them. By selecting Rank 4a, you can ensure that enemies will stay frozen longer after sustaining a shot with Cryo Ammo.
Rank 5 Analysis
This Rank upgrade is no different than Disruptor Ammo’s Rank 5 upgrade. You can select to either carry 30 percent more ammunition or to increase headshot damage by 25 percent.
To make the best use of this selection, take into account what type of Infiltrator you’re building.
Infiltrators excel at using sniper rifles, so Rank 5b should be an obvious choice if you plan on taking advantage of that trait.
However, if you plan on being a close-quarters assassin who prefers a shotgun and melee to the sniper rifle, then select Rank 5a. The added ammunition count will help, especially with shotguns that tend to carry low ammo.
Rank 6 Analysis
At Rank 6, you can either increase how effective Cryo Ammo is as a stand-alone damage-dealing power (Rank 6a) or increase damage to frozen enemies with all other attacks (Rank 6b).
If you want to obliterate enemies with one shot, such as with a sniper-proficient Infiltrator, then select Rank 6a. Infiltrators who want to weaken foes for the rest of the group should invest in Rank 6b.
Incinerate
Burn your opponents and incinerate their armor. Heavy damage to health and armor. Make an enemy panic, stopping health regeneration.
Ranks 1 through 3 Analysis
Incinerate is a most destructive power. Because it can function as both a source and detonator power, it is always a good idea to upgrade this to at least Rank 3. That way, you can create explosive combinations with other team members.
Of course, it can also be used as a destructive, stand-alone power. If that’s your goal, don’t stop upgrading at Rank 3.
Infiltrators can use this power as a great substitute for weapon fire, since it is just as destructive and doesn’t increase your weight load at all.
Rank 4 Analysis
To increase the damage output of Incinerate up to 450 points of damage, select Rank 4a. The 30 percent increase is substantial enough to take down lesser enemies while inflicting large amounts of damage on tougher foes.
Your other option is to increase the impact radius of Incinerate to scorch more enemies with every blast. Make your choice for this rank based on your overall plan of attack.
If you plan on using Incinerate as a supplementary attack in place of extra weapons, then select Rank 4a. If you want to use it as a support power for your teammates to benefit as well, then select Rank 4b.
Rank 5 Analysis
Players hoping to maximize Incinerate’s damage potential should invest in Rank 5a, Burning Damage. This upgrade increases the damage over time and burns enemies past the initial impact of the shot.
When coupled with other detonator powers, this power can lead to dazzling explosive results. Your other option at Rank 5 is to increase the recharge speed of Incinerate.
This will allow you to use Incinerate more often in battle and become a deadly weapon, especially in squads with Biotic specialists. Any Infiltrator build will benefit a great deal from Incinerate, so either option will be worthwhile.
However, Rank 5b’s increased recharge speed will benefit Infiltrator snipers the most since you could use Incinerate in between rifle shots while you reload.
Rank 6 Analysis
Rank 6a increases damage to frozen and chilled targets by an additional 100 percent. So if you plan on using another elemental power, such as your Cryo Ammo, select this rank upgrade to benefit from cross-power upgrade bonuses.
If you don’t plan on using Cryo Ammo or grouping with members who have freezing powers, then don’t waste precious upgrade points on Rank 6a.
Instead, use those points on Rank 6b and gain a very useful damage increase to armored targets.
Tactical Cloak (Unique)
Become invisible. Gain a massive damage bonus when breaking cloak to attack.
Ranks 1 through 3 Analysis
Tactical Cloak is an Infiltrator’s most valuable and unique ability.
Regardless of which type of build you create, every Infiltrator should invest heavily in this power, as it allows you to move about the battlefield freely and increase damage before decloaking.
At Rank 3, you can activate Tactical Cloak and stay hidden for up to 10.4 seconds. That’s more than enough time to traverse across a battlefield and get the drop on a specific enemy.
Rank 4 Analysis
At this rank, you must select whether you will be focusing more on duration (Rank 4a) or how much damage you will inflict while cloaked (Rank 4b).
Make your choice based on what kind of Infiltrator you will be. If you plan on being a sniper-class Infiltrator, then select Rank 4b.
The damage bonus will increase the chances of a one-shot kill should you miss with a headshot.
If you plan on being a close-quarter combat Infiltrator, select Rank 4a. The increased power duration will grant you extra time to sneak up on foes before unleashing your attack from close-quarters.
Rank 5 Analysis
This rank upgrade should tie in directly with your previous choice. Sniper-class Infiltrators will benefit from Rank 5a’s increased recharge speed.
This will allow you to quickly reload your sniper rifle, reengage your Tactical Cloak, and strike again. If you plan on attacking enemies at close range, select Rank 5b.
The bonus melee damage will make all melee blows coming out of tactical cloak even more powerful, in some cases granting you one-hit kills.
Rank 6 Analysis
Rank 6a’s Bonus Power upgrade is extremely beneficial for Infiltrators that intend on using skills like Incinerate frequently.
While cloaked, use Incinerate to soften foes up close, then put them down with melee or shotgun blasts. Rank 6b’s obvious benefit is to sniper-proficient Infiltrators.
The added damage will all but ensure that any shot you take will kill your foe.
Sticky Grenade
Stick this grenade to your opponent, and the explosion will tear apart the target and the shrapnel will damage other enemies caught in the blast.
Ranks 1 through 3 Analysis
Sticky Grenades are especially useful for Infiltrators who will focus on medium- to close-range combat (or Infiltrators with great throwing aim). Sneaky Infiltrators can use these on unsuspecting foes while in close range.
Engage your tactical cloak and stick one on an enemy or group of enemies before moving on to the next target.
Rank 4 Analysis
At Rank 4 you can choose to either increase the damage output or damage radius. If you want to concentrate on dishing out maximum damage, choose Rank 4a.
However, Rank 4b will increase the impact radius of your grenades, allowing you to damage more enemies.
Rank 5 Analysis
Rank 5 allows you to either increase the amount of grenades you can carry or increase damage to armored units. For players who want to be offensive powerhouses, consider carrying more grenades.
Rank 5a will ensure that you always have plenty of grenades for nearly all combat scenarios. Rank 5b can help soften up tough armored units that may prove initially difficult for Infiltrators.
Since Infiltrators may be at a slight disadvantage against armored foes, consider selecting Rank 5b to weaken them before attacking with the big guns.
Rank 6 Analysis
With Sticky Grenades at maximum rank, players can either increase force and damage (Rank 6b) or turn their sticky grenades into proximity mines (Rank 6a).
Both options are worthwhile upgrades, so decide on whether you want to focus on maximum damage or creating traps for enemies while you’re in stealth mode.
Rank 6b is especially useful for Infiltrators who want to set up intricate traps for tougher enemies like Brutes, Nemesis, and even Phantoms.
Sabotage
Sabotage weapons and hack synthetics. Compromised synthetics fight on your side. Affected weapons overheat.
Ranks 1 through 3 Analysis
Sabotage is a useful skill whenever facing synthetic life-forms like the geth, Cerberus Engineer turrets, and Cerberus Atlas mechs. With it, you can overwrite their programming and turn enemies into allies.
While this is already extremely effective in evening things out, the added explosive backfire can also help dwindle enemy numbers. At Rank 3, Sabotage can impact enemies within a 3.25-meter radius and hack them for 12 seconds.
For Infiltrators, this skill can be extremely useful in dealing with pesky enemy turrets that can pin you down in less-than-desirable vantage points.
Sabotage the turret and wait for it to turn on the enemy. When it does, leave your position and seek better cover to snipe or launch a sneak attack on enemies from close-quarters.
Rank 4 Analysis
At Rank 4, you can choose to either increase how long enemies remain hacked (Rank 4a) or how much damage is caused when their weapons explode (Rank 4b).
Make your selection here based on your eventual role in combat. The longer an enemy or turret is focused away from you, the longer you’ll have to reposition.
By using Sabotage on turrets and enemies first, you won’t have to waste the use of Tactical Cloak to hide and seek a better position. Rank 4b’s Backfire ability can help soften enemies before you deliver the killing blow.
Rank 5 Analysis
Rank 5 has two more upgrades similar to Rank 4. Here, however, choose Rank 5b to increase Sabotage’s recharge speed. By doing so, Sabotage will be ready for use in under 6 seconds.
When the effect lasts 12 seconds, the benefits are clear: You’ll be ready to launch another Sabotage attack before the first one completely wears off. If you choose Rank 5a, then the Sabotage will gain an explosive hack upgrade
. Affected synthetics will explode at the end of the hack and inflict an additional 120 points of damage to enemies within a 3-meter radius. If you want to concentrate on dealing damage, select Rank 5a—the added damage is worthwhile.
Rank 6 Analysis
The final upgrade selection for Sabotage can either bolster your hacked allies (Rank 6a) or increase all Tech damage done to the affected enemy for 10 seconds (Rank 6b).
If you want to use all hacked enemies as long as possible, and turn them on their comrades, then select Berserk (Rank 6a).
This will turn hacked foes into formidable allies. Otherwise, select Rank 6b, Tech Vulnerability, to increase the amount of damage you can inflict.
This is best for players who don’t want to bother with crowd control and instead want to focus on damage-dealing.
Operational Mastery
Be an expert tactician on and off the battlefield. More time to line up the perfect shot. Quicker reflexes. More dexterity. More charisma.
Ranks 1 through 3 Analysis
At Rank 3, Operational Mastery can benefit any kind of Infiltrator build.
The added weapon damage can benefit sniper rifles, shotguns, and even pistols, so don’t hesitate to invest the six points required to upgrade this minimally.
However, if you plan on focusing on sniper rifle damage, consider investing more points in this immensely helpful passive power.
Rank 4 Analysis
At Rank 4a, you can continue to increase weapon damage (Rank 4a) or gain a bonus to power duration and reputation (Rank 4b). All Infiltrator builds can benefit from increased damage.
However, Infiltrators who need increased time in stealth mode (Tactical Cloak) should select Rank 4b. The increased power duration will allow you to stay hidden longer to take care of business.
Rank 5 Analysis
Rank 5a will grant teammates increases in weapon damage, power damage, and power force. This will prove useful for Infiltrators who rely on squad support the most.
If you plan on sniping and need your team to bear the burden of keeping enemy fire off you, select this upgrade. Rank 5b will increase your weight capacity.
Select this upgrade if you want to carry heavier weapons like shotguns and assault rifles. By increasing your weight capacity, you can keep your recharge time low and get more use of your powers.
Rank 6 Analysis
Finally, Rank 6 will force you to decide whether to go sniper-heavy (Rank 6b) or increase the damage and duration of your power (Rank 6a). The choice here is easy.
If you’ve made other sniper-leaning choices for your upgrades, pick Rank 6b. With it, you’ll be a one-hit kill machine. Otherwise, benefit from Rank 6a’s increased damage and duration.
BUILDS
Stealth Assassin: Sniper
This build type requires you to have every sniper- or headshot-related upgrade selected. With it, you can increase the amount of time you spend hidden from foes while using Tactical Cloak, and you can quickly unleash a flurry of headshots on unsuspecting enemies.
Invest heavily in powers like Cryo Ammo, Tactical Cloak, Sabotage (to turn enemies away from you while sniping), and Disruptor Ammo. Stay hidden as much as possible and avoid hand-to-hand combat in favor of a high vantage point.
Stealth Assassin: Shotgun/Melee
Since Tactical Cloak hides you from all enemy detection, consider investing in melee upgrades as well as powers like Sticky Grenade, Incinerate, and Cryo Ammo. Equip a shotgun, activate Cryo Ammo, and then engage your Tactical Cloak.
With those three elements alone, you can roam around the battlefield blasting enemies at close range and often obliterating them in one shot.
For added effectiveness, select Rank 6a for Tactical Cloak and you’ll be able to unleash a devastating Incinerate blast from the cover of your cloak before unloading with the shotgun.
If you still don’t manage to destroy the enemy, then reengage your cloak and attack with a melee blow before the rest of the enemies can get a lock on your position.
Be warned, however: This build is prone to taking more damage, so you’ll have to be fast in taking cover and reengaging your cloak to stay out of enemy detection.