Liam Kosta

Species: Human

Origin: Born: London, England, Earth. Split residence: Citadel, Earth

Height: 183cm

Weight: 88kg

Known Affiliations: HUS-T1, Earth’s contribution to a multispecies civilian crisis-response effort.

Nicknames: None

Combat Roles/Strengths: Close-range fighter. Uses his jump-jet to move quickly, usually toward the threat.

Favorite Weapon: Overclocked dual omni-blades

Favorite Biotic/Tech/Other Ability: Havoc Strike. Liam leaps forward with his omni-blades to stun enemies and prime them for combo detonations.

Famous Quote(s): “I believed in a new beginning. Still do. I have to. We’re in it.”

Brief Biography: A crisis-response specialist with civilian tactical training, Liam learned of the Andromeda Initiative after meeting former Alliance personnel at a “post-hostility relief action.” His multi-disciplinary skills set him apart, and Liam was handpicked to support the Pathfinder team. He’s an idealist, willing to take risks for the good of the Initiative.

Role on the Tempest

Colonial Security

Liam provides risk-assessment and emergency assistance during a crisis. He is responsible for integrating new personnel weaponry and also liases with the Pathfinder and the Initiative’s director of Colonial Affairs.

Personality Traits

• Upbeat and positive; “glass half full” type
• Outgoing and genuinely curious about technology and species
• Admirable conviction in his choices, especially regarding joining the Initiative

Personal Background

Liam isn’t running from anything. In the Milky Way, he had a caring family and a good life, but he wasn’t certain of his purpose. His passion for engineering served him well in school, but he lost focus when things got theoretical. He tried law enforcement because his parents were both lawyers and it seemed like a natural fit, but Liam was frustrated there too. He felt like there was more he could be doing, more he could do to help directly, and after two years of butting heads with superiors he saw an opportunity and took it.

Liam lobbied to join a multi-species Heavy Urban Search and Crisis Response group, the human (or “terran”) branch known as HUS-T1 (colloquially HUSTL). He’d always kept a clear head in extreme circumstances, and he trained for deployment into natural disasters, war zones, and industrial accidents. His “lack of focus” developed into adaptability and he excelled.

But, consistently the real danger of these situations came from people taking advantage of other people. Liam was in a balancing act. He didn’t want to be as jaded as the system seemed to demand. He wanted a blank slate. That’s when he learned about the Andromeda Initiative—the blankest of slates and a chance to start everything over and let people do it right. Liam essentially threw himself a wake, said an extended goodbye to friends and family, and took the second star to the right and straight on ’til morning. Not the most intellectual leap, but it seemed far more likely to appease his ideals than trying to change the far more complicated present.

He’s had it lucky, and an alternative has always presented itself. That won’t happen in the Heleus Cluster.

Recruitment Details

When: Prologue

Where: Hyperion Cryobay

Details: Ryder’s first squadmate. Together, they search for the remainder of the Pathfinder team on a supposed “golden world,” Habitat 7.

Fighting Style and Combat Tips

Summary: Liam is a crisis specialist and his combat style reflects that accurately. He has access to powers that are effective in most situations, especially when dealing with humanoid-type troops (such as kett infantry and Kadaran Outlaws), thanks to his enforcement training and experience. While most combatants prefer to use a single omni-blade for close-quarters combat, Liam can wield two at once—an ability he shows off when executing his signature Havoc Strike attack.

Synergies: Liam Kosta can adapt to most situations and synergizes with a majority of Ryder’s profile types and powers. He doesn’t excel in dishing out or soaking damage, but his utility-based powers are always handy. You rarely regret having Liam by your side. His all-purpose stunning power, Havoc Strike, his cover-flushing Frag Grenade, and his shield-destroying Overload powers make him one of the most balanced squadmates. Most of the notoriously frustrating encounters revolve around heavily shielded enemies (such as the kett’s Anointed), so it’s recommended that you invest a skill point into Liam’s Overload skill as soon as you can.

Notable Power Spikes: Overload, Rank 1 (requires spending at least 18 skill points in Liam’s other skills and powers): This is a no-brainer if you’re going vault-spelunking. Overload deals extra damage to synthetic enemies like the Remnant, and several Remnant are equipped with shields. Even if you’re fighting the kett, having Overload to sap an Anointed’s shields can save you from a frustratingly difficult encounter.

Shock (Overload, Rank 6) turns Liam’s powerful Overload into an incredible all-purpose incapacitating ability with the bonus of detonating primers. This grants Liam the ability to perform his own solo detonator combo (Havoc Strike into Overload).

Weaknesses: Liam doesn’t have any glaring weaknesses. He’s great at any range and can put all of his powers to use in most scenarios. However, he doesn’t excel at any one aspect as the other squadmates do. Watch out for his propensity to dive into the back line of foes with Havoc Strike. If he gets caught out in a compromising position, he doesn’t have exceptionally high survivability options like Drack, Vetra, and Cora.