Soldiers are pure combat specialists: No one is more suited to taking down enemies with barrages of gunfire. Soldiers have thorough weapons training and can use all special ammo types as well as grenades.
High-level operatives are outfitted with ocular synaptic processors that allow them to focus on targets with lethal accuracy.
In combat, few other classes will thrive as much or as quickly as a Soldier. With power proficiencies that benefit all weapons, a Soldier can rush into battle and excel, whether using a sniper rifle or a pistol.
More importantly, a Soldier is better suited to carry all weapon types at once and switch between any of them effectively, creating a disadvantage into an advantage.
While all classes can carry all weapon types, nearly all other classes function best with only one or two. A Soldier functions at a high level even with all weapons equipped.
Since Soldiers are true weapon masters, there really is no limit as to how many weapons you should carry.
If you want to maximize power recharge speed, you should always lessen the load, of course, but even with a high recharge speed, Soldiers can still make valuable use of their Adrenaline Rush in combat.
POWERS
Adrenaline Rush (Unique)
Be the fastest fighter on the battlefield. Slow down combat, allowing time to line up the perfect shot. More weapon damage.
Ranks 1 through 3 Analysis
A Soldier’s most valuable power, Adrenaline Rush allows you to go into a focused state and slow everything down around you.
While everything and everyone moves at a slower rate, you can react at normal speed and get the jump on foes. Even at Rank 3, the increased duration will allow you to stay ahead of your prey up to 5.2 seconds.
In battle, where every second counts, this is a huge advantage.
Rank 4 Analysis
At Rank 4a, you can choose to increase your toughness while Adrenaline Rush is active. Select this upgrade to sustain more damage while out in the open.
If you intend to use Adrenaline Rush infrequently, select this option, as it gives you the most protection, but for a shorter amount of time.
Rank 4b will increase your weapon damage and time dilation, allowing you to gain a greater speed advantage from your foes.
Soldiers who intend on using Adrenaline Rush more frequently should invest in this option.
Rank 5 Analysis
Like Rank 4, the upgrades in Rank 5 depend on whether you intend to use this power frequently in battle. Select Rank 5a, Duration, if you intend on using Adrenaline Rush frequently and need it to last longer.
The longer you have a speed advantage, the better you’ll be at picking off multiple enemies when needed. Otherwise, select Rank 5b.
The increased melee damage will help fend off nearby foes or finish off weakened enemies.
Rank 6 Analysis
If you plan on using Adrenaline Rush to launch massive offensive attacks, then select Rank 6b. The extra power use will allow you to lead your attacks with a powerful Concussive Shot and knock enemies off guard.
For increased toughness on the battlefield, select Rank 6a. The Shield Boost will strengthen your resistance to damage and allow you to stay in the fight much longer.
Concussive Shot
Flatten your enemy with a precise blast at short or long range. Effective against barriers.
Ranks 1 through 3 Analysis
Concussive Shot is a lot more than just another burst from your weapon of choice.
With a single blast of Concussive Shot, you can disrupt an enemy’s progress, knock them down, or deplete their protective barrier.
At Rank 3, Concussive Shot can dish out 100 points of damage and 300 Newtons of force.
When paired with a source power like a Cryo or Incendiary Ammo, Concussive Shot is the perfect detonator.
Rank 4 Analysis
Like most other powers with explosive or concussive abilities, the first upgrade choice given is to either increase the power’s effects, in this case force and damage (Rank 4a), or increase its radius (Rank 4b).
Select your upgrade depending on your eventual build. If you want to become a formidable weapon damage dealer, select Rank 4a. This will inflict more damage per Concussive Shot.
By selecting Rank 4b, you can knock more enemies down per shot but inflict less damage. This option is helpful in squads that favor disrupting enemies before killing them.
Rank 5 Analysis
If you plan on grouping with Cryo-friendly squadmates or frequently using Cryo Ammo, select Rank 5a. Shatter will affect only foes that have been frozen or chilled with Cryo Blast or Cryo Ammo.
If you don’t favor Cryo users in your squad, then select Rank 5b.
The increased recharge speed for Concussive Shot will ensure you’re able to knock down enemies all over the battlefield with less time spent waiting for your power to ready.
Rank 6 Analysis
Like Rank 5a, Rank 6a takes other powers into account in order to function. At Rank 6a, Amplification will power Concussive Shot with ammo powers like Cryo or Warp Ammo.
Since you have all ammo power types, Rank 6a will automatically imbue Concussive Shot with the abilities of any ammo power you have active.
If you don’t plan on using ammo powers often, then select Rank 6b, Shredder.
This upgrade adds a damage-over-time effect to every shot and increases the force of each Concussive Shot, allowing you to knock down tougher enemies.
Frag Grenade
Lob this grenade at your enemy, and the shrapnel will take care of the rest. Effective against armor.
Ranks 1 through 3 Analysis
Frag Grenades are useful in nearly all combat situations. At Ranks 1 through 3, a well-aimed grenade can serve as a great medium- to long-range weapon.
Hurl it ahead of you and inflict damage on unsuspecting foes.
Rank 4 Analysis
At Rank 4, you can choose to either increase the damage output or its 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 grenade, allowing you to damage more enemies.
Rank 5 Analysis
Rank 5 allows you to either increase the amount of grenades you can carry or add a bleed effect to all organic targets. 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. As a Soldier, the more ammunition and explosives you have, the better.
Rank 5b can help maximize damage on organic (nonsynthetic) targets.
The bleed effect left by grenades can add a significant amount of damage to enemies, especially if you’ve chosen Rank 4b—increase in impact radius.
The drawback to Rank 5b is that it won’t affect synthetic targets such as the geth or turrets.
Rank 6 Analysis
With Frag Grenade at maximum rank, players can either increase armor-piercing abilities or add an EMP pulse to the explosion to affect shields.
Both options help further weaken protected enemies, but once again, you must choose whether you’ll be weakening organic (armored) or synthetic (shielded) enemies.
If you chose Rank 5b—adding a bleed effect—then select Rank 6a to complement your power selection.
Incendiary Ammo
Shoot and your enemy will burst into flames. Increases weapon damage, eats through armor, and can make an enemy panic.
Ranks 1 through 3 Analysis
Incendiary Ammo is a great power for a damage-dealer because it makes all weapon fire even more lethal.
With Incendiary 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 extends damage over time and sets enemies ablaze.
It also functions as a “source” power that can be detonated using other powers like Concussive Shot or Frag Grenades.
Rank 4 Analysis
At Rank 4, Incendiary Ammo can increase damage to health and armor (Rank 4a), or you can gain the ability to automatically grant it to all squadmates when active (Rank 4b).
The choice really breaks down to whether you want to tank and dish out as much damage as you can or whether you will hang back as part of the squad.
If your squadmates don’t have any ammo powers available to them, select Rank 4b to grant them use of yours. Otherwise, select Rank 4a and increase your ability to inflict as much damage as possible.
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 types of weapons you will be using the most. If you plan on using weapons like sniper rifles or assault rifles with high accuracy, select Rank 5b.
If you prefer to serve as the team’s tank, equip yourself with a shotgun and select Rank 4a. You’ll benefit from the increased ammunition count when engaging enemies in close combat—the shotgun’s best range.
Rank 6 Analysis
Both options in Rank 6 increase Incendiary Ammo’s damage output. Rank 6a increases health and armor damage across the board.
This makes all shots with Incendiary Ammo more powerful since it’s a good general increase to overall damage. Rank 6b adds an entirely new effect to shots taken using Incendiary Ammo.
Instead of simply dealing more damage to health and armor, it ignites enemies and explodes, causing more damage in a wider radius and reaching more enemies nearby.
Your Rank 6 option should depend on whether you want to take down enemies one at a time or if you want to soften groups of enemies for the rest of your squad to finish off.
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 weapon master 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 a Soldier, Disruptor Ammo can prove to be very effective in softening up foes before leaving them for the rest of the squad to wipe out.
Rank 4 Analysis
At Rank 4, Disruptor Ammo can either increase damage to health and shield/barriers (Rank 4a), or you can gain the ability to automatically grant it to all squadmates when active (Rank 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 finish them off with shotgun or pistol blasts at any range.
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 Soldier you’re building.
If you plan on using sniper rifles often, Rank 5b should be an obvious choice. However, if you plan on being a close-quarters combatant 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 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 then take them out.
Your Rank 6 option should depend on whether you want to take down enemies one at a time or if you want to incapacitate them before wiping them out with Frag Grenades or other weapon fire.
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 sniper-proficient Soldiers. 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 a Soldier enough time to move on to the next target and weaken them as well.
When coupled with Adrenaline Rush, Cryo Ammo can render small groups of enemies into frozen, harmless ice sculptures.
Rank 4 Analysis
At Rank 4, Disruptor 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 or Incendiary Ammo Rank 4 upgrade options, you can select Rank 4b in order to give your teammates a chance at freezing foes as well.
This will benefit Soldiers by allowing them to zoom in on frozen enemies or rush them and shatter them with a melee blow.
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 ammo powers’ Rank 5 upgrades. You can select to either carry 30 percent more ammunition or increase headshot damage by 25 percent.
To make the best use of this selection, take into account what type of Soldier you’re building. If you’ve chosen the other headshot upgrades, select this one as well.
Otherwise, stick with the increased ammunition count.
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 plan to obliterate enemies with one shot, such as a sniper rifle shot or a single shotgun blast to the face, then select Rank 6a.
Soldiers who plan to weaken foes for the rest of the group should invest in Rank 6b.
Combat Mastery
Be an expert tactician on and off the battlefield. More speed. More strength. More charisma.
Ranks 1 through 3 Analysis
The increased weight capacity in Combat Mastery will make it easier for you to carry every kind of weapon at once.
As a weapon master, you should be able to carry every kind of weapon and switch between them with ease. Invest in this passive skill early in your career to maximize its potential.
Rank 4 Analysis
At this rank, you can begin to shape your Soldier build into either a full-on weapon master or a Soldier who relies more heavily on Adrenaline Rush (see suggested builds).
To maximize weapon damage, select Rank 4a. The damage increase to both weapon and powers will increase your destructive abilities on the battlefield.
Rank 4b will increase the duration of all other powers like Adrenaline Rush. Select this upgrade if you intend on using it often in battle.
Rank 5 Analysis
Rank 5a will grant teammates increases in weapon damage. This will prove useful for Soldiers who rely on squad support the most.
For example, 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 headshot damage.
If you plan on using sniper or assault rifles, select this upgrade.
Rank 6 Analysis
Both options in Rank 6 will allow you to make the best use of your weapons.
However, Rank 6a will increase your weight capacity in order to carry as many weapons as possible and, as a result, increase your power recharge speed.
If you don’t plan on using powers often, then select Rank 6b, Weapon Master, and increase all weapon and power damage significantly.
BUILDS
Weapon Master
A weapon master Soldier relies on all weapons equally. As the name implies, this build is a master of all weapons, capable of switching back and forth between them to whatever is most useful at the time.
This build relies heavily on weapon damage; as a result, power damage takes a backseat.
Invest in Adrenaline Rush, Concussive Shot (to weaken foes), Frag Grenades, and all upgrades that affect weapon damage.
With more weapons equipped, you’ll have a lower power recharge speed, so you won’t be able to use powers like Concussive Shot or Adrenaline Rush frequently.
Luckily, you won’t have to. Compensate for this by also investing in every ammo power.
You can activate ammo powers once before battle (or switch between them during battle) and not suffer any power recharge penalty.
Adrenaline Junkie
Adrenaline junkies rely heavily on Adrenaline Rush, using it nearly every minute during battle.
To thrive with this build, invest heavily in Adrenaline Rush and any upgrades that increase power duration and weight capacity.
That way, you can minimize your recharge speed penalty and activate Adrenaline Rush as often as you need to.
Keep your assault rifle ready to inflict damage at all ranges, and upgrade Concussive Shot as well as Cryo Ammo to disrupt enemies on the battlefield.
When upgraded to Rank 6b of Adrenaline Rush, you can launch devastating Concussive Shot attacks while time is slowed and follow up with Cryo Ammo–enabled assault rifle fire.
As soon as Adrenaline Shot wears off, activate it again to keep a leg up on the opposition.