Mass Effect (PC) Guide Essentials Spectre Orientation Department
Military Specialization
Are you more of a run-and-gun agent who wants to be in the middle of every battle? If so, you should be a Soldier.
If you prefer hanging back, playing defensively, and managing the squad in a support role, or prefer fighting from a distance, you may want to play an Infiltrator.
The choice is highly personal. Your experience throughout the Mass Effect story isn’t affected by military specialization, but your combat experience is.
Read through the following sections to get a feel for what you can expect from the six character specializations in Mass Effect.
Soldier
|
Soldiers are combat specialists ideal for the front lines of a firefight. Soldiers begin the game with skills in pistols and assault rifles; they have improved health and the ability to wear medium combat armor.
As a soldier progressing through the game, you can unlock assault training, skills with shotguns and sniper rifles, first aid for yourself and party members, and heavy combat armor.
Soldier Talent Summary
Starting Talents
| Talent Name | Unlocked by |
|---|---|
| Pistols | — |
| Assault Rifles | — |
| Combat Armor | — |
| Assault Training | — |
| Soldier | — |
Unlockable Talents
| Talent Name | Unlocked by |
|---|---|
| Shotguns | 4th point in Pistol Talent |
| Sniper Rifles | 7th point in Assault Rifle Talent |
| First Aid | 6th point in Combat Armor Talent |
| Fitness | 5th point in Assault Training Talent |
Engineer
|
Engineers are tech specialists. Using the holographic OmniTool they can decrypt security systems, repair and/or modify technical equipment, disrupt enemy weapons or shields and heal their party.
Although they begin the game wearing light armor and equipped with only pistols and the omni-tool, engineers can eventually unlock the Basic Armor talent to upgrade their armor. They can also learn to heal their party.
Engineer Talent Summary
Starting Talents
| Talent Name | Unlocked by |
|---|---|
| Pistols | — |
| Decryption | — |
| Electronics | — |
| First Aid | — |
| Engineer | — |
Unlockable Talents
| Talent Name | Unlocked by |
|---|---|
| Basic Armor | 6th point in Pistol Talent |
| Hacking | 7th point in Decryption Talent |
| Damping | 4th point in Electronics Talent |
| Medicine | 5th point in First Aid Talent |
Adept
|
Adepts are biotic specialists. They start out equipped with pistols and light armor, but the true strength of the Adept lies in the upgradeable implants that give them their biotic powers.
These powers can be used to lift or throw objects, boost their shields and disable or destroy enemies.
Adept Talent Summary
Starting Talents
| Talent Name | Unlocked by |
|---|---|
| Basic Armor | — |
| Throw | — |
| Warp | — |
| Barrier | — |
| Adept | — |
Unlockable Talents
| Talent Name | Unlocked by |
|---|---|
| Pistols | 5th point in Basic Armor Talent |
| Lift | 6th point in Throw Talent |
| Singularity | 7th point in Warp Talent |
| Stasis | 4th point in Barrier Talent |
Infiltrator
|
Infiltrators combine combat and tech abilities, and specialize in killing or disabling enemies at long range. Infiltrators are trained to use Omni-tools, but their focus is decryption and offensive abilities rather than healing.
They can train with pistols or sniper rifles, and can wear medium armor.
Infiltrator Talent Summary
Starting Talents
| Talent Name | Unlocked by |
|---|---|
| Pistols | — |
| Tactical Armor | — |
| Electronics | — |
| Decryption | — |
| Infiltrator | — |
Unlockable Talents
| Talent Name | Unlocked by |
|---|---|
| Sniper Rifles | 5th point in Pistol Talent |
| Fitness | 6th point in Tactical Armor Talent |
| Damping | 4th point in Electronics Talent |
| First Aid | 7th point in Decryption Talent |
Sentinel
|
Sentinels combine biotic and tech abilities. They use biotic abilities and advanced healing skills to defend allies, though they also can disrupt opponents with biotic or tech attacks.
They are more efficient at tech and biotics than other classes, but these skills come at the expense of combat.
Sentinels can use only light armor and receive less advanced weapon training in pistols, and only through their Sentinel talent.
Sentinel Talent Summary
Starting Talents
| Talent Name | Unlocked by |
|---|---|
| Throw | — |
| Barrier | — |
| Decryption | — |
| First Aid | — |
| Sentinel | — |
Unlockable Talents
| Talent Name | Unlocked by |
|---|---|
| Lift | 7th point in Throw Talent |
| Stasis | 6th point in Barrier Talent |
| Electronics | 4th point in Decryption Talent |
| Medicine | 5th point in First Aid Talent |
Vanguard
|
Vanguards are biotic warriors. They combine offensive biotic abilities and weapons training to quickly take down opponents.
They are especially deadly at short range. They can train with pistols and shotguns, and can learn to wear medium armor.
Vanguard Talent Summary
Starting Talents
| Talent Name | Unlocked by |
|---|---|
| Pistols | — |
| Assault Training | — |
| Throw | — |
| Warp | — |
| Vanguard | — |
Unlockable Talents
| Talent Name | Unlocked by |
|---|---|
| Shotguns | 6th point in Pistol Talent |
| Tactical Armor | 5th point in Assault Training Talent |
| Lift | 7th point in Throw Talent |
| Barrier | 4th point in Warp Talent |
Experience and Leveling Up
When the Level Up icon displays on the HUD during gameplay, it means your squad has earned enough experience points by killing enemies and completing tasks to rise up in stats and can assign new Talent points.
The breakdown for earning Talent points is as follows:
Level 1-5
— Shepard will earn 3 points/level while squad members earn 2 points/level
Level 6-20
— Shepard and squad mates earn 2 points/level
Level 21-35
— Shepard earns 2 points/level while squad members earn 1 point/level
Level 36-60
— Shepard and squad mates earn 1 point/level.
The assignment of Talent points isn’t permanent until you leave the individual squad member’s screen.
For example, if you’ve assigned available Talent Points to Shepard but haven’t yet left the squad screen, you can still undo the point assignment, then you can start over.