So how can BioWare improve/innovate upon the core combat experience of the game?

I agree there should be a return to biotics as a more kinematic playstyle, meaning making only Warp + maybe one other power a detonator. More enemy-type and protective variation ala ME2, also.

ME3's core gameplay generally is the best and hopefully the next ME's gameplay is close to ME3's but with some of those elements from ME2.

Just keep the combat system from MEA, it is the best, most fun and fluid of the series.

Maybe this is a bit of a tangent but I would really like some more dynamic environments.

Should it not be possible to design a level with some moving parts in this day and age? I'm tired of conveniently placed waist-high cover. How about some obstacles behaving at random, either creating a benefit or hazard for the player. Maybe they can be activated. Those familiar with ME3MP knows which hazard map I'm talking about.

There have been some half baked attempts at this but I would like to see a better implemetation. At least better than "wooden" crates bad cover, "metal" crates good cover in ME2. The barrels falling from the factory ceiling during Saeed's loyalty mission was a step in the right direction. Navigating the Reaper legs on Tuchanka in ME3 felt a bit gimmicky imho, a regression from the Thresher Maw level during Grunt's loyalty mission.

Last but not least, make sure every skill/power is applicable. What do I mean by this? Example: If you choose the Vanguard class in ME2, I'm guessing you want to use that cool charge mechanic. However, several enemies are placed out of reach and/or on different elevation. Once again, you're forced to sit behind waist-high cover shooting with a gun. The option simply isn't there with no option to play conservative/aggressive etc. 

I think I have a few ideas. Some may be considered "a step back" but I think they add value. I'm interested in gameplay that is challenging and fits into lore.

1. Get rid of Nova or nerf it by actually giving it a cool down. Or give it to another class, give vanguard Annihilation field from Andromeda instead.

2. Bring back both shields and armor, but give them to enemies where it makes sense. If an enemy is wearing a hardsuit, I'm sorry they should have both shields and armor. It just makes sense. But if I'm fighting a husk, they should have neither given they are only flesh. Also enemy shields should regenerate like the player's.

3. Enemies should be able to use the same skills the player has access to. If they are a biotic they should be able to use devastating biotics. The only fun fights in the entire ME series, that I enjoyed, was Tela Vasir and Shep's clone. Everyone else were just trash mobs. Seeing Vasir use charge for the first time was the greatest moment in ME for me. It took me by surprise.

4. Bring back weapon weight from ME3. I think it's the best way to balance how many guns the protag can use VS how fast your cool downs for abilities will be. Personally, I did prefer ME2 approach. But I understand others may want to be able to play a assualt rifle wielding vanguard. Weapon weight is a good compromise which should make a return.

5. Bring back heavy weapons i.e the Arc projector nuff said on that.

6. Bring back classes. Andromeda killed classes and ignored the lore that gave reasons why there were classes, especially for biotics. SAM was stupid don't bring the thing back. Singularity was exclusive to adepts who used the L5X and Charge was exclusive to Vanguards who use L5n. It made sense

7. Sentinel should play how it did in ME2, They nerfed tech armor to the ground in ME3. 

These are just a few things, but I'm sure I could think of more. Combat was just much more challenging in ME2 than any of the others. Primarily I just want the challenge back.

I have been thinking about this for a while, Andromeda combat was Andromeda but the combat ME1-ME3 was not consistent all threes combat was totally different in each game, pick a combat style that carries over through all games.

Then try to play it in MP mode - one of the reasons that made me drop the game after 12 hours.

First i thought the MEA combat was an improvement and one of the only good thingy abour MEA. But after a while jumping around like a Flummi, really annoyed me

I play on console, so that might make a difference; I've also never played 3's MP. Having watched a number of Youtubers play ME3, I noticed many seem to walk in scenarios where I would sprint, or seem to even have trouble switching seamlessly. Maybe it's easier on console or just easier in general for some people. The only time 3 has felt clunky to me was with triggering animations like heavy melee in certain circumstances. Still, 3's combat isn't perfect by any means.

I agree re: Andromeda's combat.

I agree. Though it didn't feel as smooth as gears. I think they should go back and use ME3 combat, But they need to tweak it a lot. Like I said it did feel clunky, but every thing like powers and guns felt more "weighted" than Andromeda. Which was a good thing.