I got the Mass Efect games yesterday and I will be playing them in order. I have next to no idea what to excpect or what to do. Any advice on builds, gameplay, or combat?
Newbie needs help
Débuté par
vortex216
, févr. 14 2013 09:22
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#2
Posté 14 février 2013 - 11:38
brad2240
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If you haven't already, have a look through the guides in this thread for ME1 & 2:
http://social.biowar...1/index/2749272
Then when you're ready for #3 look here:
http://social.biowar.../index/15804863
Lots of good info.
I usually tell first timers to start with the Soldier in ME1. This will let you get accustomed to the combat without overwhelming you with powers and what to do when. It's pretty straight forward, all guns all the time. Even if you don't care for the class and start over with another one, it's a good jumping off point. It will also let you unlock the weapons as bonus talents to be used for other characters you make. For this, you need to kill 150 enemies with each weapon type (Assault Rifle, Shotgun, Pistol, Sniper Rifle).
Most other powers can be learned as bonus talents as well, To unlock them you will need to use a given power 75 times. Using it on teammates doesn't count, it has to be Shepard, so it will take multiple playthroughs to unlock them all. It's worth it.
I highly recommend you take a balanced squad with you in ME1. That means sombody who is good at combat, sombody who has tech abilities and somebody who has biotic abilities. In particular, make sure you have a tech person with Electronics and Decryption in your team at all times, so you will be able to open all locked crates you come across. I invest in those skills early, taking them to Master level.
It's pretty hard to screw up a build, Shepard will always become godlike around level 20-30. So spend points on what sounds like fun and don't worry about min/maxing on your first character.
I do highly recommend you spend some points in Charm or Intimidate (not both, just decide if you want to be a goody two shoes or a jerk) for your first time through. You will get so much more out of the game by opening up more conversation options. You will, however, earn 4 free points over the course of the game, so don't spend more than 8 of your level up points in your chosen social skill.
The pistol, when used with Master-level Marksman talent, is the highest DPS weapon in the game, so don't ignore it as an inconsequential sidearm. It's also very good at the beginning or the game, when other weapons are actually pretty bad. Assault rifles and (I think) shotguns start to get decent when you're picking up level IV+ versions. Sniper rifles have a lot of shake in the scope until you get about 8 or so points invested in the skill. So you'll probably be spending a lot of time with the pistol through Eden Prime and your first visit to the Citadel.
You will be overwhelmed by the inventory system. Its clunky and takes some getting used to. Don't sweat it too much.
Most gear and ammo types come in level I-X versions and it's usually safe to get rid of lower level versions when you get better. You will be swimming in equipment before you know it However, the best ammos in the game, Tungsten and Shredder, only go up to level VII, so don't get rid of those. They will stop dropping when you get high enough to get level VIII+ gear. These give you the best damage vs synthetic and organic targets, respectively.
I'm sure there's more, but that's off the top of my head. Hopefully some of the experts around here can cover what I missed but I hope this helps you get started. If you have any more questions, feel free to ask.
http://social.biowar...1/index/2749272
Then when you're ready for #3 look here:
http://social.biowar.../index/15804863
Lots of good info.
I usually tell first timers to start with the Soldier in ME1. This will let you get accustomed to the combat without overwhelming you with powers and what to do when. It's pretty straight forward, all guns all the time. Even if you don't care for the class and start over with another one, it's a good jumping off point. It will also let you unlock the weapons as bonus talents to be used for other characters you make. For this, you need to kill 150 enemies with each weapon type (Assault Rifle, Shotgun, Pistol, Sniper Rifle).
Most other powers can be learned as bonus talents as well, To unlock them you will need to use a given power 75 times. Using it on teammates doesn't count, it has to be Shepard, so it will take multiple playthroughs to unlock them all. It's worth it.
I highly recommend you take a balanced squad with you in ME1. That means sombody who is good at combat, sombody who has tech abilities and somebody who has biotic abilities. In particular, make sure you have a tech person with Electronics and Decryption in your team at all times, so you will be able to open all locked crates you come across. I invest in those skills early, taking them to Master level.
It's pretty hard to screw up a build, Shepard will always become godlike around level 20-30. So spend points on what sounds like fun and don't worry about min/maxing on your first character.
I do highly recommend you spend some points in Charm or Intimidate (not both, just decide if you want to be a goody two shoes or a jerk) for your first time through. You will get so much more out of the game by opening up more conversation options. You will, however, earn 4 free points over the course of the game, so don't spend more than 8 of your level up points in your chosen social skill.
The pistol, when used with Master-level Marksman talent, is the highest DPS weapon in the game, so don't ignore it as an inconsequential sidearm. It's also very good at the beginning or the game, when other weapons are actually pretty bad. Assault rifles and (I think) shotguns start to get decent when you're picking up level IV+ versions. Sniper rifles have a lot of shake in the scope until you get about 8 or so points invested in the skill. So you'll probably be spending a lot of time with the pistol through Eden Prime and your first visit to the Citadel.
You will be overwhelmed by the inventory system. Its clunky and takes some getting used to. Don't sweat it too much.
Most gear and ammo types come in level I-X versions and it's usually safe to get rid of lower level versions when you get better. You will be swimming in equipment before you know it However, the best ammos in the game, Tungsten and Shredder, only go up to level VII, so don't get rid of those. They will stop dropping when you get high enough to get level VIII+ gear. These give you the best damage vs synthetic and organic targets, respectively.
I'm sure there's more, but that's off the top of my head. Hopefully some of the experts around here can cover what I missed but I hope this helps you get started. If you have any more questions, feel free to ask.
#3
Posté 14 février 2013 - 11:59
capn233
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I would recommend starting with Soldier as well. You will need weapons' fire with any class, but you don't need to rely quite as much on powers as the Soldier. Plus it will almost certainly unlock all four weapon talents as a bonus for when you start the next class.
Although that is something of a simplification since Soldier also has powers, it is just that they boost weapons, or provide more defense. But they are simpler than what the other classes have. And ordering your squad around is a good way to learn how the biotics and tech work without using them on Shepard.
Although that is something of a simplification since Soldier also has powers, it is just that they boost weapons, or provide more defense. But they are simpler than what the other classes have. And ordering your squad around is a good way to learn how the biotics and tech work without using them on Shepard.
#4
Posté 15 février 2013 - 05:27
BronzTrooper
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Just remember that you are limited to level 30 in ME2 (only game in the series that limits you like that) and that your level in ME1 doesn't carry over to ME2. It does give you an xp bonus which allows you to start at level two. You don't get any bonus weapon training in ME2 (at least not until later in the game) just bonus powers (if you already played through and beaten the game with everyone's loyalty). Soldier is a great starting class if you aren't used to ME1 simply because it is the only class that can equip heavy armor, meaning you can tank more effectively. I remember playing as a Soldier and wiping out rooms of enemies in seconds. I love playing as a Soldier in ME1. 
Modifié par Gamer072196, 15 février 2013 - 05:29 .
#5
Posté 15 février 2013 - 05:30
thisisme8
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No matter what class, you can't go wrong with Wrex and Garrus as your squaddies in ME1. Seriously, you barely even need to show up to the fights with them around. And they s***-talk each other the whole time, so it's fun all around.
#6
Posté 19 mars 2013 - 07:07
Hrothgar969
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Play through blind the 1st time on each for surprise. Then come back for tips: it makes me the game more fun to learn than playing through with a strategy guide the 1st time.
#7
Posté 21 mars 2013 - 08:29
ScorLibran
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Lots of great tips in this thread for getting you started in the first Mass Effect game. I'd like to add just one thing :
On your first playthrough, regardless of your character class, once you're around level 35, start using Wrex and Tali as your squad. Max out their shotgun skills, give them the highest level Spectre Gear shotguns available to you (VII or X), upgrade each weapon with two of the highest level Rail Extensions you can find (VII is the highest level for Rail Extensions), and then with High Explosive Rounds (X is the highest level for HE Rounds).
Squadmates suffer from weapon overheating the same way the player does, so of course they will pause a few seconds between every shot. But we're talking artillery, here. Giving Wrex and Tali the most powerful single-shot, Carnage-wreaking, wrecking-ball, artillery cannons in the game makes for outstanding fire support on most of the game's battlefields (especially the indoor ones), and it allows you to run around executing pretty much any strategy you want, or hang back and cast your powers if you prefer to play a biotic- or tech-heavy character type. Yes, shotguns don't do as well at longer ranges, but (1) when Carnage is used, it makes up for this by having perfect accuracy regardless of range, and (2) most battles in ME1 are indoors and occur at short- to mid-ranges, anyway.
And yes, you can take Ashley - the third squadmate with a Shotgun talent - in the place of one of these. But I recommend Wrex and Tali because it gives you one squaddie who is (1) the game's best combat tank, (2) has some biotic skills and (3) provides the funniest squadmate banter in the game, and the other with all the tech skills you'll ever need on your team. And know that Electronics and Decryption aren't optional abilities to have on your team if you'll want to open any of the myriad locked containers, doors and computer terminals in Mass Effect 1.
Don't worry too much about missing crowd-control abilities if you use this squad. Even if you're not playing an Adept, you'll still have a good bit of crowd-control with the area-of-effect explosions of the High-Explosive Rounds, as well as that of the Carnage ability that comes with your squadmate's Shotgun talents. The radii of HE Rounds and Carnage are low - especially compared to the insanely high radii of most other area-of-effect powers in Mass Effect 1 - but remember that your squadmates will be shooting at enemies all over the room. The HE rounds and Carnage really do make a great mess of enemies, even crowds of them.
I recommend that you try this on your first playthrough just so you can decide whether you like the result. If you don't, then you can change to any other squadmate strategy you wish, of course. Or perhaps have one heavy, shotgun artillery-type alongside a completely different kind of squadmate. I didn't discover the Wrex/Tali dual-artillery strategy until about my 4th or 5th playthrough. I love it. I use it almost every time I do an ME1 playthrough, and with any character class. I recommend it to new players because I wish I had discovered it sooner, myself.
P.S. : How a handheld artillery piece such as a damn-the-heat REx2/HE Rounds shotgun wouldn't knock little Tali'Zorah on her little Quarian butt, I have no idea. Anyone who's ever fired a plain 12-gauge shotgun in real life would know exactly what I mean. A petite person who isn't standing very firmly, holding the butt of the gun tightly against their shoulder and leaning slightly into every shot can quite easily be injured by the thing. Thankfully, the game mechanics don't accommodate recoil in any way other than its effect on aiming.
P.P.S. : Thankfully, there aren't much in the way of blood and guts in Mass Effect. Otherwise, could you imagine a room after such explosion-heavy artillery battles? Yuk!
P.P.P.S. : An alternative to this would be to use the same REx2/HE Rounds setup with Sniper Rifles on Ashley and Garrus for a long-range "heavy gauss cannon" effect. Ash isn't quite the tank Wrex is, but Garrus does have the requisite tech skills for opening stuff, and he has other talents which boost his damage output, as well. It's all a matter of taste. I personally love humor and women with Russian accents, so for me it's Wrex and Tali with the super-shotties.
On your first playthrough, regardless of your character class, once you're around level 35, start using Wrex and Tali as your squad. Max out their shotgun skills, give them the highest level Spectre Gear shotguns available to you (VII or X), upgrade each weapon with two of the highest level Rail Extensions you can find (VII is the highest level for Rail Extensions), and then with High Explosive Rounds (X is the highest level for HE Rounds).
Squadmates suffer from weapon overheating the same way the player does, so of course they will pause a few seconds between every shot. But we're talking artillery, here. Giving Wrex and Tali the most powerful single-shot, Carnage-wreaking, wrecking-ball, artillery cannons in the game makes for outstanding fire support on most of the game's battlefields (especially the indoor ones), and it allows you to run around executing pretty much any strategy you want, or hang back and cast your powers if you prefer to play a biotic- or tech-heavy character type. Yes, shotguns don't do as well at longer ranges, but (1) when Carnage is used, it makes up for this by having perfect accuracy regardless of range, and (2) most battles in ME1 are indoors and occur at short- to mid-ranges, anyway.
And yes, you can take Ashley - the third squadmate with a Shotgun talent - in the place of one of these. But I recommend Wrex and Tali because it gives you one squaddie who is (1) the game's best combat tank, (2) has some biotic skills and (3) provides the funniest squadmate banter in the game, and the other with all the tech skills you'll ever need on your team. And know that Electronics and Decryption aren't optional abilities to have on your team if you'll want to open any of the myriad locked containers, doors and computer terminals in Mass Effect 1.
Don't worry too much about missing crowd-control abilities if you use this squad. Even if you're not playing an Adept, you'll still have a good bit of crowd-control with the area-of-effect explosions of the High-Explosive Rounds, as well as that of the Carnage ability that comes with your squadmate's Shotgun talents. The radii of HE Rounds and Carnage are low - especially compared to the insanely high radii of most other area-of-effect powers in Mass Effect 1 - but remember that your squadmates will be shooting at enemies all over the room. The HE rounds and Carnage really do make a great mess of enemies, even crowds of them.
I recommend that you try this on your first playthrough just so you can decide whether you like the result. If you don't, then you can change to any other squadmate strategy you wish, of course. Or perhaps have one heavy, shotgun artillery-type alongside a completely different kind of squadmate. I didn't discover the Wrex/Tali dual-artillery strategy until about my 4th or 5th playthrough. I love it. I use it almost every time I do an ME1 playthrough, and with any character class. I recommend it to new players because I wish I had discovered it sooner, myself.
P.S. : How a handheld artillery piece such as a damn-the-heat REx2/HE Rounds shotgun wouldn't knock little Tali'Zorah on her little Quarian butt, I have no idea. Anyone who's ever fired a plain 12-gauge shotgun in real life would know exactly what I mean. A petite person who isn't standing very firmly, holding the butt of the gun tightly against their shoulder and leaning slightly into every shot can quite easily be injured by the thing. Thankfully, the game mechanics don't accommodate recoil in any way other than its effect on aiming.
P.P.S. : Thankfully, there aren't much in the way of blood and guts in Mass Effect. Otherwise, could you imagine a room after such explosion-heavy artillery battles? Yuk!
P.P.P.S. : An alternative to this would be to use the same REx2/HE Rounds setup with Sniper Rifles on Ashley and Garrus for a long-range "heavy gauss cannon" effect. Ash isn't quite the tank Wrex is, but Garrus does have the requisite tech skills for opening stuff, and he has other talents which boost his damage output, as well. It's all a matter of taste. I personally love humor and women with Russian accents, so for me it's Wrex and Tali with the super-shotties.
Modifié par ScorLibran, 21 mars 2013 - 08:40 .
#8
Posté 15 avril 2013 - 06:13
Hrothgar969
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Okay, I cheated:
I looked up the rules to the puzzle on Noveria, in the 1st game, because I was completely stumped. The guide showed how to solve it on an XBox, but I simply read the rules of the game, returned, and solved it.
Other than that, I'm playing blind and having a great experience. The RPG aspect is so much better, the conversation graphics are every bit as good as the sequel offers, though combat is much more difficult.
I looked up the rules to the puzzle on Noveria, in the 1st game, because I was completely stumped. The guide showed how to solve it on an XBox, but I simply read the rules of the game, returned, and solved it.
Other than that, I'm playing blind and having a great experience. The RPG aspect is so much better, the conversation graphics are every bit as good as the sequel offers, though combat is much more difficult.
#9
Posté 27 avril 2013 - 11:11
BJshepard
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Hey Hrothgar969. Don't worry about that puzzle because FYI you can use 100 omni-gel to get through for next time. I was stumped on it to0.
For newbies, any class in my opinion will do, but it will make things easier if you can pick a class with abilities that can unlock hardware so you aren't as limited as to who you need to bring. In the skill bar menu invest in either paragon or renegade first or you will hate yourself later. Then invest in the Decryption and Electronics skills for the hundreds of lockers and Hardware stuff you'll unlock. Then invest in any way you like. I forget what it is called, it is wither fitness or first aid but those are more preferable because even on the first play through on normal difficulty you can die a lot especially on Noveria, I won't go any further.
For newbies, any class in my opinion will do, but it will make things easier if you can pick a class with abilities that can unlock hardware so you aren't as limited as to who you need to bring. In the skill bar menu invest in either paragon or renegade first or you will hate yourself later. Then invest in the Decryption and Electronics skills for the hundreds of lockers and Hardware stuff you'll unlock. Then invest in any way you like. I forget what it is called, it is wither fitness or first aid but those are more preferable because even on the first play through on normal difficulty you can die a lot especially on Noveria, I won't go any further.
