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[Vazgen]

Cryo Vanguard

 
Aggressive and devastating. These two words apply to pretty much all Vanguards but this build adds words "crowd control" to the mix. Combining biotics and high rate of fire, Cryo Vanguards are able to destroy entire groups of enemies in a matter of seconds!
 

Gameplay

 
Cryo Vanguards excel when dealing with groups. The more enemies there are, the easier it is for Cryo Vanguards do defeat them. The gameplay revolves around rapid assault rifle fire, augmented with Squad Cryo Ammo which allows the squad to freeze entire groups of enemies. When enemies are frozen Cryo Vanguards release devastating Shockwaves shattering frozen enemies and lifting survivors priming them for biotic explosions. They can also steal enemy shields, gaining another layer of protection and exposing hostiles.
 
Cryo Vanguards form a brilliant synergy with their squadmates, supporting their abilities and benefiting from them at the same time. Basic strategy is to constantly push enemies back with concentrated weapon fire while culling the herd with tech bursts, cryo and biotic explosions. As a result, Cryo Vanguards are rarely held in one place, even when facing entrenched and numerous foes.
 

The Build

 
Cryo Ammo: Squad Bonus, Headshots, Damage Combo
 
Squad Cryo Ammo allows for squadmates to freeze targets themselves, which is especially effective when they are using Scorpions (freeze chance is tied to the rate of fire - the slower the fire rate is, the higher is the freeze chance). Headshots and Damage Combo allow for some nice debuff on boss-level foes.
 
Shockwave: Force & Damage, Reach, Lifting Shockwave
 
Cryo Vanguard's main detonator power which also acts as a primer in certain circumstances. Slight delay before being completely frozen synergizes perfectly with the delay before Shockwave cascades reach the target. Reach is a must-have here, it allows to deal with enemies from longer distances. If targets survive resulting cryo explosions, Lifting Shockwave primes them for biotic explosions. I went for Force&Damage for Rank 4 but Radius will work just as well. I suggest Force&Damage for level 1 characters and Radius for save imports. 
 
Assault Mastery: Damage, Squad Bonus, Power Intensity
 
The main focus here is to increase weapon and power damage. Due to Phaeston's low weight it is possible to boost squadmate power and weapon damage without impacting 200% cooldown bonus.  Damage at Rank 4 boosts its damage, while Power Intensity boosts Shockwave and Energy Drain.
 
Fitness: Durability, Barrier Recharge, Durability
 
Survivability. The nature of Phaeston requires the player to spend long time exposed and extra shields work perfectly with that aspect of playstyle. Bonus to shield recharge allows to spend less time recharging shields and unleash almost constant stream of hyper-accelerated slugs at the enemies.
 
Energy Drain: Damage, Drain, Damage
 
Cryo Vanguard's anti-shield weapon. With power damage evolutions it allows to steal shields of lieutenant-rank enemies in one cast exposing them to the squad's weapon fire. It also primes tech bursts which stagger and damage shields of everyone nearby. And it can be a life-saver in a pinch, giving a much needed shield boost when facing overwhelming odds. 
 

Squadmates

EDI
 
Incinerate: Damage, Recharge Speed, Freeze Combo
Overload: Damage, Recharge Speed, Shield Damage
Unshackled AI: Power Damage, Tech Damage, Squad Bonus
 
An invaluable squadmate for Cryo Vanguards and the main armor damager of the team. EDI's Incinerate synergizes perfectly with Cryo Vanguards. Not only Freeze Combo evolution allows it to deal a lot more damage to frozen targets but it can also detonate tech bursts AND prime targets for fire explosions. Overload was used very rarily, primarily against elite bosses like Banshees and Atlas mechs. Class power is evolved for maximum power damage for EDI and the team.

Liara
 
Stasis: Stasis Strength, Recharge Speed, Bubble
Warp: Detonate, Expose, Pierce
Pure Biotic: Recharge Speed, Duration & Force, Squad Bonus

The second ideal sidekick to Shepard. Warp is the name of the game for Liara here. Not only it detonates biotic explosions primed by Shepard's Lifting Shockwave but it can also prime targets for aforementioned Shockwave. And let's not forget about detonating fire explosions primed by EDI's Incinerate! Stasis Bubble was used primarily (and very rarely) against Phantoms. Class power is evolved for fastest power recharge and highest power damage - all boosting Warp.
These two stayed with me for 99% of the game, synergy between their powers is simply too awesome not to explore.
 

Equipment

Weapon
 
Phaeston was chosen for its low weight, decent accuracy and, weirdly, high rate of fire. While Cryo Ammo freeze chance is low for each shot of the weapon, high rate of fire allows to land multiple shots in a short period of time and it is actually quite effective when freezing targets. Low weight allows to keep 200% cooldown bonus and to use Shockwave and Energy Drain very frequently.
 
Mods: Piercing Mod, Magazine Upgrade
 
Higher magazine size allows to land more shots without needing to pop back into cover thus increasing the chance of freezing the enemies. Piercing mod allows to pierce Guardian shields, cover and Cannibal plating.
 
Armor

Helmet: Recon Hood
Chest: Serrice Council
Shoulders: Hahne-Kedar
Arms: Hahne-Kedar
Legs: Hahne-Kedar

Together this armor set increases weapon damage by 40% and power damage by 10%. This is very noticeable on Phaeston which has low damage otherwise. With full equipment it just tears through enemies with little effort. Power damage adds upon bonuses from class power and Unshackled AI to boost Shockwave and Energy Drain eve more.
 
Gameplay videos (full playthrough of the vanilla game starting from level 1):

Priority: Mars
N7: Cerberus Lab
Priority: Eden Prime
Priority: Palaven
Priority: Sur'Kesh
Tuchanka: Turian Platoon
Tuchanka: Bomb
Grissom Academy: Emergency Evacuation
N7: Cerberus Attack
Attican Traverse: Krogan Team
N7: Cerberus Abductions
Priority: Tuchanka
Priority: Citadel II
N7: Cerberus Fighter Base
Arrae: Ex-Cerberus Scientists
Kallini: Ardat-Yakshi Monastery
Priority: Geth Dreadnought
Rannoch: Admiral Koris
Priority: Rannoch
N7: Fuel Reactors
Priority: Thessia
N7: Communication Hub
Priority: Horizon
Priority: Cerberus Headquarters
Priority: Earth

[RedCaesar97]

I know you are set on using the Phaeston, and we discussed what weapons to use. But have you considered using the Scorpion? It can freeze reliably on each shot. The piercing mods will not do much though so Guardians may be a bit of a pain, although you could still use Shockwave (force their riot shields to the side) > then shoot to freeze. You could use an SMG as a backup.

[Vazgen]

I know you are set on using the Phaeston, and we discussed what weapons to use. But have you considered using the Scorpion? It can freeze reliably on each shot. The piercing mods will not do much though so Guardians may be a bit of a pain, although you could still use Shockwave (force their riot shields to the side) > then shoot to freeze. You could use an SMG as a backup.

I did There are a few reasons why I decided against it.
1. I completely suck at it. Just look at this starting from 05:15

2. Low ammo capacity. There are some locations in the game where I usually end up pinned down, like Grissom Academy and Priority:Earth.
3. Like you mentioned, Guardians. Liara's Stasis bubble should deal with them quite fast but I'll only get to it late in the playthrough - "virtues" of level 1 start.
4. After my brief testing I absolutely adore Phaeston and it'll be a shame not to use it

Regarding freeze chance, I found a formula in one discussion here that only use fire rate variabe. Based on that and test information that Viper freezes at every shot, I tried to use other weapons with the same RoF as the Viper, notably Carnifex and Scimitar. Both however proved unreliable. I wonder if there is a hidden variable tied to the damage done.

[RedCaesar97]

There are a few reasons why I decided against it.

2. Low ammo capacity. There are some locations in the game where I usually end up pinned down, like Grissom Academy and Priority:Earth.
3. Like you mentioned, Guardians. Liara's Stasis bubble should deal with them quite fast but I'll only get to it late in the playthrough - "virtues" of level 1 start.

Regarding freeze chance, I found a formula in one discussion here that only use fire rate variabe. Based on that and test information that Viper freezes at every shot, I tried to use other weapons with the same RoF as the Viper, notably Carnifex and Scimitar. Both however proved unreliable. I wonder if there is a hidden variable tied to the damage done.

 

2. That is why I recommend a second weapon as a backup, such as an SMG. Hornet can be decent if you do not want to use DLC weapons. I think you can even buy it from a store before the Citadel Coup. You could probably even make it work with the Phaeston if you want a backup.

 

3. Why even bother with Stasis bubble on Guardians when her Singularity works just fine at about 1/3 of the cooldown.

 

Pretty sure damage is not calculated in the formula. 

[Vazgen]

Stasis bubble is for Phantoms as well Hornet might probably work but I used a burst fire SMG for an entire playthrough recently and don't want to use them here Besides, what's the point of having a weapon if you're going to switch to another?
Phaeston is simple, a ton of ammo and no need to switch

[Abraham_uk]

Some more great ideas from Vazgen!

Consider your thread bookmarked.

[robsonwt]

I've seen your video on YouTube. How do you get Energy Drain in the beginning of the game and not playing a NewGame+? If you start a New Game after finishing the ME3 you can choose a bonus power right from the start?

 

Thanks for your attention.

 

 

This build is focused on freezing entire groups of enemies and detonating Cryo explosions with Shockwave. Those enemies who are still alive are lifted by the Shockwave and are finished with Warp from Liara. Energy Drain helps to deal with shielded enemies.

 

Cryo Ammo: Squad Bonus, Headshots, Damage Combo

Shockwave: Force & Damage, Reach, Lifting Shockwave

Assault Mastery: Damage, Weight Capacity, Power Intensity

Fitness: Durability, Barrier Recharge, Durability

Energy Drain: Damage, Drain, Damage

 

Weapons: Phaeston 

Mods: Piercing Mod, Magazine Upgrade

 

Armor

Helmet: Recon Hood

Chest: Serrice Council

Shoulders: Hahne-Kedar

Arms: Hahne-Kedar

Legs: Hahne-Kedar

 

Squadmates

 

Liara

Stasis: Stasis Strength, Recharge Speed, Bubble

Warp: Detonate, Expose, Pierce

Pure Biotic: Recharge Speed, Duration & Force, Squad Bonus

 

EDI

Incinerate: Damage, Recharge Speed, Freeze Combo

Overload: Damage, Recharge Speed, Shield Damage

Unshackled AI: Power Damage, Tech Damage, Squad Bonus

 

Gameplay videos:

Priority: Mars

N7: Cerberus Lab

Priority: Eden Prime

Priority: Palaven

Priority: Sur'Kesh

Tuchanka: Turian Platoon

Tuchanka: Bomb

Grissom Academy: Emergency Evacuation

N7: Cerberus Attack

Attican Traverse: Krogan Team

N7: Cerberus Abductions

Priority: Tuchanka

Priority: Citadel II

Arrae: Ex-Cerberus Scientists

Kallini: Ardat-Yakshi Monastery

N7: Cerberus Fighter Base

Priority: Geth Dreadnought

Rannoch: Admiral Koris

Priority: Rannoch

N7: Fuel Reactors

Priority: Thessia

N7: Communication Hub

Priority: Horizon

Priority: Cerberus Headquarters

Priority: Earth

 

[Vazgen]

I've seen your video on YouTube. How do you get Energy Drain in the beginning of the game and not playing a NewGame+? If you start a New Game after finishing the ME3 you can choose a bonus power right from the start?

 

Thanks for your attention.

Once you unlock a bonus power you can choose it when you start a new game, be it NG+ or a ME3-only character.

[Kurt M.]

There's no Vanguard like a CryoTalon Vanguard  Due to it's crazy freeze chance, you freeze almost everyone in your first shot.

[Vazgen]

There's no Vanguard like a CryoTalon Vanguard  Due to it's crazy freeze chance, you freeze almost everyone in your first shot.

That's why Liara and EDI are using Talons starting from Ardat-Yakshi Monastery

[Kurt M.]

That's why Liara and EDI are using Talons starting from Ardat-Yakshi Monastery

 

You have Liara as squadmate? Miss Liara "Dropout-after-a-single-enemy-slap" T'Soni?

 

Call me a cheap, but nothing beats James + Garrus + 2 Typhoons. Insanity turns into Narrative difficulty  Plus James rocks

[Vazgen]

You have Liara as squadmate? Miss Liara "Dropout-after-a-single-enemy-slap" T'Soni?

 

Call me a cheap, but nothing beats James + Garrus + 2 Typhoons. Insanity turns into Narrative difficulty  Plus James rocks

She is surprisingly resilient. And I did a comparison between her and Javik in terms of survivability during Combat Adept playthrough. Javik died more. 

[Kurt M.]

She is surprisingly resilient. And I did a comparison between her and Javik in terms of survivability during Combat Adept playthrough. Javik died more. 

 

If...you say so

[Alfonsedode]

Seems original, but charge and nova are awesom detonators, why not use them ?

Edit: this doesnt seem to be a vanguard, or i should look at SP again, lol

[Vazgen]

Seems original, but charge and nova are awesome detonators, why not use them ?

Edit: this doesn't seem to be a vanguard, or i should look at SP again, lol

Because Charge and Nova require getting close to the enemy and will result in a different playstyle. Awesomeness comes in many varieties, I find Shockwave detonations no less awesome than Charge+Nova.

It is certainly a Vanguard No other class has both Shockwave and Cryo Ammo

[Alfonsedode]

 

It is certainly a Vanguard No other class has both Shockwave and Cryo Ammo

was mistaken by EDI incinerate in your quick slots and the guy look a lot like the Human sentinel of MP

[RedCaesar97]

Whenever I get my current (Charge-Nova) Vanguard through enough of the game, I will probably respec and try this out for a few missions. But I want to try different guns. Watching you play it has been fun.

 

If I wanted to do a full playthrough, I would have to start a Vanguard in ME1 and give it a tech bonus power, then follow through with that in ME2. Overload > Energy Drain would make the most sense in ME1 > ME2, although Sabotage > Energy Drain would work better. Or maybe forget the Vanguard part and go Sentinel in ME1 (or possibly Adept with the tech bonus power), then switch to Vanguard in ME2.

[Vazgen]

Whenever I get my current (Charge-Nova) Vanguard through enough of the game, I will probably respec and try this out for a few missions. But I want to try different guns. Watching you play it has been fun.

 

If I wanted to do a full playthrough, I would have to start a Vanguard in ME1 and give it a tech bonus power, then follow through with that in ME2. Overload > Energy Drain would make the most sense in ME1 > ME2, although Sabotage > Energy Drain would work better. Or maybe forget the Vanguard part and go Sentinel in ME1 (or possibly Adept with the tech bonus power), then switch to Vanguard in ME2.

Lack of Shockwave in ME1 might be annoying I'd go for Sentinel with Throw and Decryption -> Electronics and Assault Rifles as bonus talent. It depends on what weapon you'd want to use though, if it's a shotgun or a pistol then Vanguard with Electronics bonus talent will work (even better since you won't have to put points into Decryption). 

Of course in ME2 you'll have to put points in Incendiary Ammo and Charge So glad they got rid of that stupid mechanic in ME3!

[RedCaesar97]

@Vazgen, the biggest problem for me in ME2 would be that Cryo Ammo and Shockwave do not mix well.

 

The best option would be to go Sentinel in ME1, then stick with the Sentinel in ME2 but make it a Cryo+Throw build, then switch it to Vanguard in ME3.

 

But that is assuming I want to go through with an entire trilogy run with this particular build in mind.

[Vazgen]

@Vazgen, the biggest problem for me in ME2 would be that Cryo Ammo and Shockwave do not mix well.

 

The best option would be to go Sentinel in ME1, then stick with the Sentinel in ME2 but make it a Cryo+Throw build, then switch it to Vanguard in ME3.

 

But that is assuming I want to go through with an entire trilogy run with this particular build in mind.

Damn, didn't know that! That sucks Another problem will probably be a lack of anti-armor and anti-barrier powers. It will be possible to play but also quite annoying...

[RedCaesar97]

Another problem will probably be a lack of anti-armor and anti-barrier powers. It will be possible to play but also quite annoying...

 

Not really much of a problem, considering I usually do not bother with anti-protection powers anyway. Nowadays I usually just stick with guns for removing protections and use powers for crowd control.

 

The only exception would be Engineer where I sometimes spec it for anti-shields and anti-armor and then use Mordin. I once had an Engineer that used Area Overload and Area Reave to deal with all three protection layers. I put points into Cryo Blast but never used it. No point when you have Mordin for that.

[Vazgen]

Not really much of a problem, considering I usually do not bother with anti-protection powers anyway. Nowadays I usually just stick with guns for removing protections and use powers for crowd control.

 

The only exception would be Engineer where I sometimes spec it for anti-shields and anti-armor and then use Mordin. I once had an Engineer that used Area Overload and Area Reave to deal with all three protection layers. I put points into Cryo Blast but never used it. No point when you have Mordin for that.

Mordin is awesome Most of the problems in ME2 come from early levels (at least for me) when there are not enough weapon upgrades. On those levels I find powers to be more potent. Also Heavy Weapons. Grenade Launcher saved my hide more than once