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[Merchant2006]

Note: This thread assumes (dir. cont.) that you have all the armour pieces, including the ones from the Dr Pepper promo (Recon, Sentry, Umbra) and the Aegis DLC pack.

Hello! Once again I find myself returning here and asking for/handing out some handy tips 

So! As of the moment I have started my NG+ Adept run and lo & behold, I have all my beautiful armour sets from the previous game, which is great. But it's on insanity and I have none of my upgrades, which isn't great but... not such a big deal in my opinion. So let's dive into the issue headfirst!

What is a good choice for armour components in ME2 Insanity Adept?

I have the Blood Dragon Armour which hands out a juicy 15% Power Damage & 10% Shield bonus, which I think is great, however I do want to try something else.

I have considered (in order from head to legs):

1 - Umbra Visor, N7 Chestplate, Amplifier Plates, N7 Gauntlets & Life Sup.Webbing for a total of 13% Power Damage & 13% Health, rather orientating on combat and power damage, however I'd rather find that this would be a different choice than the Dragon Age Armour (in comparison with 15% power damage, 10% Shields)

2 - Capacitor Helmet, Capacitor Chestplate, Amplifier Plates, HvyDamp Gauntlets & Kes. PowerPack for a 20% quicker shield recharge rate, 5% Power Damage, 13% Shields & 5% Hev.Wep ammo, rather focusing on faster shield regen with a balanced power damage output and increased shielding. I guess this would be handy as I'd be popping out and casting damage. 

However a blend of no. 1 & 2 with shields + power damage once again reverts back to my choice of Blood Dragon Armour.

3 - Archon Visor, Capacitor Chestplate, Kest. Shoulder Pieces, Kes. Arm Sheathing, Kes. PowerPack which gives us 5% Reduction in power cooldown, 10% Faster shield regen, 19% Shields, 20% Melee Damage & 3% Weapon Damage. Now I was considering whether the Arm Sheathing should be replaced for something else, but I prefer this to be suitable perhaps for a Shotgun Adept with Heavy Warp Ammo, rather being the crazy 'run up to your face and blast things' along with the cooldown which makes a slight difference. Perhaps on Insanity this might not be advisable but with other squaddies being able to take down defences, a singularity to hold enemies and charging at them and after gunning, going for a silly melee attack then this might be suitable for lower difficulties.

Now I'm totally ignoring other upgrades (not including passive adept powers etc) and I know once I have upgraded everything in terms of health etc my stats will look better but may I ask, what did you choose for your adept armour build on insanity?

Incase you're wondering, I'd rather not be a fan of having 'too much' spread out and rather focus on a balanced but still strong armour set, sure, having 3% of everything is nice but if you combine it, you got a pretty weak build sometimes. Nevertheless, there are counterarguments to that but let's not get into it too much

Should I make any changes to mine? Hope to have a good discussion here ^^ Thanks!

Oh! Lastly, a very important question: Is it true that the Archon Visor is broken? I've heard that the 5% reduction in power-recharge time is... not working :|  Edit: Bugger. There I was using it for my Sentinel/Adept... oh well :x

Modifié par Merchant2006, 08 janvier 2011 - 06:21 .

[PrinceLionheart]

Yeah, the archon visor has no effect.

Modifié par PrinceLionheart, 08 janvier 2011 - 03:31 .

[Kronner]

It makes so little (read: none) difference, especially on NG+ Insanity, that you can pick whatever you want. I usually take Blood Dragon Armor as an Adept, because it is awesome looking armor and I use other armors for other classes.

And yes, the Archon Visor does not work.

Modifié par Kronner, 08 janvier 2011 - 03:24 .

[Merchant2006]

Really? I would have thought that atleast on Insanity it would make some difference with the armour choices when combined. I guess the Kestrel Pack would make an impact on the Vanguard but doesn't it change anything on the adept?



I know adept literally gets shredded but you'd have thought the Capacitor Helm/Chest combination would have a significant change on the shield regen time, cripes x.x

[Kronner]

Merchant2006 wrote...

Really? I would have thought that atleast on Insanity it would make some difference with the armour choices when combined. I guess the Kestrel Pack would make an impact on the Vanguard but doesn't it change anything on the adept?

I know adept literally gets shredded but you'd have thought the Capacitor Helm/Chest combination would have a significant change on the shield regen time, cripes x.x

The shields go down so fast you wouldn't be able to tell the difference. Kestrel armor has the most bonuses, but in the end they are negligible. The melee bonus is nice though.

Capacitator Helm/Chest does work and it will save you a second of waiting until your barrier is back up..but it looks hideous IMHO

Modifié par Kronner, 08 janvier 2011 - 03:39 .

[Praetor Knight]

Regarding armor, it feels more cosmetic for ME2 and Melee gets the most significant boost. So Kestrel Torso and Arms with the Strength Boost Shoulders are nice, IMHO.

For legs I like the Kestrel also or go with the Ordinance Pack / Life Support Webbing. Helmet, I tend to go with Kestrel, but that's cuz I don't have the Recon Hood.

[Merchant2006]

And I agree with the Helmet... giant blue blockhead. I... try my best to avoid it's gaze and persuade myself that it'll help ^^. So I'm assuming that it would be better just to focus on power damage output and shielding? In that case the Blood Dragon Armour would be a suitable choice... bah! I know that 3% extra stuff isn't much of a big deal and is negligable but when combined with the upgrades... BAH! 

@Praetor, Recon Hood offers that extra 5% Weapon Damage, so I guess you're right, the Kestrel Armour Pack is pretty handy. But I'm still surprised at the fact that the Capacitor Duo (20% regen in shields) isn't much of the 'wow' factor. And as for Melee, it may come in handy but for an Adept, wouldn't it be better to go for other areas rather than the face-beating combat style? I'd have thought Melee was better off with the Tank, mainly being my soldier and vanguard. The shielding for the Adept is pretty damn low and gets torn off instantly so running in on insanity without being equipped for something close like a shotgun would be a bit... of a death recipe for me ^^.

Mmmh... judging by the posts so far I'm getting a feeling that shielding isn't the big woo here, and it's rather going for power damage output and health..

Modifié par Merchant2006, 08 janvier 2011 - 03:54 .

[PrinceLionheart]

Merchant2006 wrote...

Mmmh... judging by the posts so far I'm getting a feeling that shielding isn't the big woo here, and it's rather going for power damage output and health..

That's about the gist. You will notice the shielding difference if you're wearing the Kestrel Armor, but it's really a matter of your shields lasting a second or two longer.

As it's already been said, the only armor that I can really tell that makes a difference is the Melee bonuses and Shield Recharge Bonus. But since you're going Adept, I'd go with that first build you posted.

Modifié par PrinceLionheart, 08 janvier 2011 - 04:03 .

[Merchant2006]

Alrighty, well all I needed were a few tips with regards to the armour. It's a shame really that some of the armour isn't having an 'impact' so to speak. The shielding I guess is better off for the sentinel as it compliments the Tech Armour power. I'll go with my 1st build or teh Blood Dragon Armour. Thanks once again but if someone else comes across this, do feel free to throw out tips x.x

[Praetor Knight]

Merchant2006 wrote...

But I'm still surprised at the fact that the Capacitor Duo (20% regen in shields) isn't much of the 'wow' factor. And as for Melee, it may come in handy but for an Adept, wouldn't it be better to go for other areas rather than the face-beating combat style? I'd have thought Melee was better off with the Tank, mainly being my soldier and vanguard. The shielding for the Adept is pretty damn low and gets torn off instantly so running in on insanity without being equipped for something close like a shotgun would be a bit... of a death recipe for me ^^.

On Insanity, shields drop quickly and I've had better luck dealing more damage than receiving damage. 

Although I tend to stay long to mid-range, I still prefer to have Melee be an "I win" button, for those few extreme situations in the game. Off-hand, I can remember having to melee varren on the Garrus RM and against husks on Horizon as I wait for a cooldown or reload.

The Capacitor duo should be good, but doesn't the combined 20% regen only give like one second or two? I need to look around for the thread that first found that.

[SonofMacPhisto]

Personally, I stick with armor pieces that provide health upgrades. That way, when my shields go down, I buy my self that extra moment to get my sorry butt in cover.

[Sailears]

I think the aesthetics of the archon visor more than make up for it not working!

[Merchant2006]

Idd. The melee can come in handy with those situations and I suppose the fact that shields for the adept are always blasted off means that the health/power duo is what matters. I suppose on lower difficulties the same could apply but shielding is more prominent as on Normal you're not that likely to have everything torn off so quickly, then again, depends on the playstyle.

I've gone with my 1st build which hands me 13% Power Damage & 13% Health, when in comparison with the BDA 15% PD / 10% Shields isn't that bad. I guess that's the combo I might be sticking with for now, only shifting a few for the melee bonuses when it's called for (especially that damn mission when you have to save the quarian from the varren...)

[SonofMacPhisto]

Curunen wrote...

I think the aesthetics of the archon visor more than make up for it not working!

'That doesn't do me any good when I'm dead due to equipment failure!'

[Sailears]

^Get a refund!

[lazuli]

I subscribe to the philosophy that "every little bit helps," even if my shields are off like a prom dress on Insanity. I favor the Kestrel Armor for all classes, swapping in the melee damage shoulder armor when it becomes available.

[SonofMacPhisto]

Curunen wrote...

^Get a refund!

I'll make sure to leave a note for my 'little blue' next of kin.

[Merchant2006]

Mmm... Melee damage on insanity can be a life saver at times when used with singularity to hold the enemy in place but I'm not too sure about equipping my Adept with a whopping 40% melee damage when I won't be using it much and just casting powers/blasting at enemies most of the time.

[Kronner]

Merchant2006 wrote...

Mmm... Melee damage on insanity can be a life saver at times when used with singularity to hold the enemy in place but I'm not too sure about equipping my Adept with a whopping 40% melee damage when I won't be using it much and just casting powers/blasting at enemies most of the time.

Of course. All that means is that melee upgrade is the only upgrade you will really notice if you melee. If you don't, then obviously wear other parts - whichever you like, because the bonus they provide is not significant

[SonofMacPhisto]

Merchant2006 wrote...

Mmm... Melee damage on insanity can be a life saver at times when used with singularity to hold the enemy in place but I'm not too sure about equipping my Adept with a whopping 40% melee damage when I won't be using it much and just casting powers/blasting at enemies most of the time.

It all comes down to play style, and if you like to sit back and bomb away at enemies, melee boosts make little sense.

Like with my preferences, it's totally tailored to how I play.  I blast away with everything, totally oblivious to shield strength.  Once it goes down, that's my cue to chill out for a second and regroup!

The power damage and health option seems like your best bet.  But, what about the additional ammo upgrades?  I know the Off-Hand Ammo Pack can be finicky, but do you use your guns a lot?  My Mattock Adept loves that extra half a clip.  Do you use the non-Cain Heavy Weapons often?  If so, the extra 10% from that armor piece might be nice.

[Ahglock]

The only real damage an adept does is warp. If you warp bomb a lot power damage helps, if you don't it doesn't. I rarely use warp, and I think the blood dragon armor looks horrible. I like shield regen reduction(because the worst part of the game is waiting in cover for your shields to regen, I'm impatient), but I hate the capacitor helmets look so I go with head shot damage for the head slot. I want extra heavy ammo slots so with 6 heavy weapon upgrades I get 2 shots with the cain. Mainly for the end boss I fraking hate that thing, it is the most boring fight in the game.

[Merchant2006]

@Kronner, that's the point, I guess everyone uses armour according to their playstyle; also something that MacPhisto mentions as well. As of the moment, I want my adepts Warp to seriously pack a punch, therefore the Power Damage increases do affect the Adepts offensive power. With the 15% fron Nemesis and combined with my 1st build or Blood Dragon Armour, I'm looking at a pretty strong +28/30% Power Damage. But uhhh... I'm a tad bit confused here.

Also I wanted to ask another important question:

Does the Power Damage bonus also apply to Ammo Powers?

I'm thinking of going with Warp Ammo as my Adept is mainly the "run around, pew a bit and cast/warp-bomb and I leave the rest of the shield shredding, armour melting antics to my squad. I mainly want to be a damage focusing Adept. Note: lets not get into Bonus Powers, I'm just asking about PDBonus'

The additional ammo would actually help, I find that my Mattock and Vindicator really do rush out of ammo pretty fast, so I suppose the 3% health could be removed for a better stockpile of ammo, and I guess that 3% is negligable idd.

Ahglock, I agree with the fact that I do prefer choosing armour that 'looks good' and miss out on selecting some of the other kits ^^ but I suppose I'm starting to look past that. Sure the CapHelm looks... like a giant blue bucket but hey, I tested out the regen rate and it's pretty fast. It allows the Adept to move swiftly and with the increased shielding you can duck, cover, cast, splosion, repeat, and the shield regen is handy sometimes.

But you know what?

I never really did think about the extra Heavy Weapon Ammo on the finale... 2 nukes would be brilliant. Thanks xD. My god... I'm ashamed to admit that, played this game twice over with nearly every class ('cept Engineer, yet to try that out and gotta do a 2nd run on my vang/adep).

I suppose the words, situational, useful and aesthetics would apply to armour but... yeah... I'll consider all these variations, they seem very helpful and it's great to see how other people play around with their armours.

Modifié par Merchant2006, 08 janvier 2011 - 07:16 .

[Kronner]

Yes, power damage does improve your ammo powers.

[Merchant2006]

Kronner wrote...

Yes, power damage does improve your ammo powers.

Fantabulous. I'd heard that it did work for the soldier but for some reason had silly doubt as to whether it applied to all classes. Thanks.

Modifié par Merchant2006, 08 janvier 2011 - 07:17 .

[SonofMacPhisto]

Having thought about it some more, I suspect the main benefit of the Off-Hand Ammo Pack might be psychological. An extra half clip in the Mattock isn't a huge deal, but just the knowledge it's there calms me when shooting. Only the Soldier and Infiltrators get any kind of significant time slowdown, so in other classes you're mostly shooting in real time. That can be a little nerve wracking for me when my weapon's main drawback is ammo capacity.



I've been playing quite a bit as a Mattock Vanguard, and thinking back, I really did feel different shooting when equipping the Ammo Pack.



Also, to chime in about the final boss, the only thing better than one nuke is two.