The difficulty setting only affects combat and primarily tunes enemy properties such as health and damage output. For instance, when an enemy deals damage to you, its damage is multiplied by a greater factor on Insanity than on Normal. Enemy behavior is enhanced on Hardcore and Insanity with an increase in power use and evasive maneuvers.
Playing on Hardcore and Insanity isn’t for the faint of heart. On Insanity, even the most skilled players should expect to die frequently.
Insanity—General Tips
Overcoming the Insanity difficulty requires mastery of all combat-related mechanics. The following is a checklist to keep in mind if you’re up for the challenge:
Optimize effective combat stats through Research and Development . By diligently scanning for Research Data, accruing credits, and gathering blueprint materials, you can craft pieces of equipment to help you get through the most difficult encounters.
Be in cover at almost all times. High enemy damage and accuracy force an extremely safe and methodical play style.
Manage resources carefully. Ammo is sparse since supply crates don’t automatically replenish. Add that to the fact that enemies have much more health, and Insanity becomes extremely taxing in that regard. Consider your weapon and power loadout carefully.
Power combos are essential and should be kept in mind as you upgrade your skills. Tech and heat combos are exceptionally strong.
Give squadmates meticulous orders, particularly to prevent them from being killed off in an encounter early on. While squadmates don’t deal as much damage as you do, keeping them alive is vital because they can take enemy fire for you or disable enemies with their powers (for this reason, Peebee is recommended).
Use consumables liberally. Although constantly restocking consumables can be inconvenient, they can make or break your success in certain encounters. Keeping a stock of disruptor and incendiary ammo is recommended—the Buy/Sell Kiosk on the Tempest should be one of your favorite spots.
Unlock Overload or Energy Drain . This is especially important near the beginning of the game because of the Anointed and other deadly, shielded foes you’re forced to face.
Learn enemy weak points to score critical hits and take out threats quickly. Increase weak point damage using Infiltrator profiles; this is particularly effective against bosses with “persistent” weak points, such as the Ascendant and Architect.
Use the Re-Spec Station . If you run into an exceptionally difficult encounter, you can refund your skill points and reallocate them into powers that directly help with the encounter you’re having trouble with.
The Overload tech power is highly recommended for Hardcore and Insanity difficulties, particularly early on!
