What Did You Do Today in Andromeda

Well, lying in bed, getting drowsy, I pulled up Andromeda's skills page on the ME Wiki. I already plan to respec again, if I decide to continue playing Vanguard. It's mildly tedious, but not too bad.

There were a few compromises that I'd made in the interest of Biotic versatility, particularly Offensive Biotics 5b-Detonation. That's great when you're using combos at range. It's the only biotic skill evolution that universally buffs detonations. However, since I'm using weapons in combination with Annihilation, 5a-Exploitation is optimal. It's a 20% defensive debuff to any enemy experiencing an ongoing effect of your Biotics. That means everyone within the huge radius of Annihilation gets a big debuff. It's way more valuable for a Vanguard that uses weapons at least as much as biotics.

Of course, I could play a Vanguard who Charges, primes with Nova, and detonates with Lance. Hmm. 🤔

Now, having typed that, I'm nice and sleepy! Later, friends. 🥱😴

I had a good laugh at myself, thinking about my drowsy post last night. The Vanguard loadout is already too powerful. I definitely don't need to respec to make it more powerful. There's theoretical optimization, and there's practical. I'll stick with the practical. 😆


Scott completed Havarl, today, beginning to end. I like Havarl. It has some good quests, despite being so small, and even has two Remnant "Vaults", which I enjoy.

I do have one gripe about Havarl. We are told that the Angara consider it their homeworld. Yet, the Angara require sunlight to thrive, and Havarl is in perpetual twilight for cosmological reasons that have nothing to do with Remnant. We already know, as players, that they aren't native to any single world, but were created to inhabit the cluster. Still, I think the Angaran scientists are smart enough to realize that they couldn't have originated on Havarl. The writers make lots of egregious errors with basic science in this game.

Another thing that always bugs me is when Hayes gets onto the same shuttle as Scott/Sara and Liam, in the intro. Then, she's nowhere to be seen, since we actually share the shuttle with Fisher, Kirkland, and Greer. Sure enough, Hayes was on Shuttle 1 with Cora and the Pathfinder. I guess no one ever caught it. It annoys me. 😄

Anyway, back on topic... After Havarl, Scott stopped back at the Nexus. He played poker with Gil, ran into the atrocious "Sleeping Dragons" protester scene (ugh), bought more augments he definitely didn't really need, and headed for Eos. I saved upon arriving, since I had a lot of real life stuff to handle this evening.


The Vanguard loadout is honestly too strong. It's fun, but it wipes encounters even faster than the other broken builds. Being able to zip from target to target, applying instant crowd control and AoE damage, all while doling out incredible single-target damage, is nuts. It might be too good to hold my attention.

Before I abandon Vanguard, though, I'm going to try a purely Biotic Vanguard. Dropping Energy Drain means I won't have infinite healing via Team Support 6b (Life Support). That may add some danger, now and then. In place of Energy Drain, I'm thinking of using Lance. So, my build will be Vanguard (Charge/Annihilation/Lance). It might be just as crazy as the other loadout, but I want to at least try it.

I just acquired the AVP perk that adds the extra augment slot to gear, and I built a new Dhan. Since I'm not using Team Support (Life Support) for infinite healing, this Dhan doesn't use a bioconverter. It's purpose isn't to be a primary weapon, anyway. That's Lance's job. Instead, I added Burst Fire, a Shield Oscillator, a Dual Mod Extension, and Kinetic Coils.

So, I'll regen Shields on a kill, thanks to my armor, and I'll regen shields anytime I expend my heat sink with the Dhan. That should easily offset the shield-draw of spamming Lance. (There's also Annihilation 6a (Draining Field) that would restore 15% shields when killing a target. I'd only respec into that if I really love this build and needed it to survive, since I prefer 6b Vortex. It lifts unprotected enemies, just hanging them up for detonation. It foils those pesky, cloaking AndromeDogs, too.)

When I do use the Dhan, it will fire three-round bursts, at over 1400 damage per round. It's wild. That doesn't even factor in how Annihilation increases all damage within its radius, nor how Melee Synergy does the same for shotguns. Meanwhile, the Asari Sword is pumping out nearly 2000 damage per hit, and only gets stronger as it kills more.

I really look forward to trying this build and loadout. If the Dhan is too powerful, I might swap it for the "lowly" Katana shotgun. With mods, I think I can get its clip size down to three, which would mean one trigger pull with burst fire would regen my shields. Pretty cool.

EDIT: Oh, I forgot one additional thing I can do. There's an augment that, when installed in the arms, adds something crazy like +30% Biotic Damage while hovering. So, I could just hop before Lancing and Charging and get +30% more power damage. Maybe I'm over-optimizing again, but it's there if I want it. 😄

The point of this build would be to become the new Biotic God. It would be a purely biotic Vanguard. My other favorite build, my Sentinel, uses Biotics and Tech not only because it's ideal, but because it's thematic.

I played more today than I realized, because I didn't log lots of progress.

I tried the Pure Biotic Vanguard. Meh. I could probably make it work with dedicated optimization, but it still wouldn't be as good as what I already use. It loses out on all the boons of using Tech: Life Support, Technical Rounds, Shield Feedback, etc...

The different Dhan versions sucked compared to my Hesh, and the Katana was so bad that I couldn't even bring myself to use it as a shield regen tool. Weapons really needed rebalancing in this game.


I built a new Valkyrie for Scott. My BioTech Bomber combo specialist often leaves enemies with just a sliver of health after combos. I felt like I was just a tiny percentage short on its already huge Combo Damage bonus. So, I built a Valkyrie for Combo Damage. Since it needed Autofire, Bioconverter, and Dual Mod Extension, it had only two Reaction Optimizers. That's only one more than my Hornet, for an increase of 5% Combo Damage.

The end result was that the Hornet is the better gun for melting most foes, but that additional 5% Combo Damage really did help. Enemies that used to require a swift trigger-tap to finish them are now dying more readily from combo damage alone. The big payoff is that grouped enemies are dying faster. Killing one enemy more easily is good. Since combos are big, though, they're often damaging groups of enemies. Now, instead of a couple of guys lingering with a sliver of health, probably prone and/or levitating, but still alive, entire groups are just dying immediately. The difference is noticeable.

I'll continue to carry both my new Valkyrie and my Hornet. The Hornet is much more affordable to develop during an initial playthrough, since I lean heavily on Milky Way gear. I can't afford an up-to-date Valkyrie, Asari Sword, and Hyperguardian Armor on a new character. The Hornet is also just a better, more damaging gun, unless you're fighting Armor or needing to shoot through cover. I like to have both.


I ended up creating another Sara run and progressing through the establishment of Prodromos. Then, I returned to Scott with little time and energy left. He's further along in the story, revisiting Eos between Havarl and Voeld. (That's when the previously mentioned Valkyrie was constructed.)


Honestly, I think I will need to start a new game from level one if I'm to stay engaged. With this being a NG+++, I find myself skipping dialogue to get back to combat gameplay. I'll probably need to take a break soon, as much as I want to still be engaged. Three consecutive playthroughs, plus some, is a lot. Few games can withstand that level of focused replay.

So, I might start a NG. If I'm truly hitting the wall, that's fine, too. There are many other things I could be doing.

I jumped back into Sara's journey, did not skip dialogue or rush the story, and enjoyed myself.

She started on Havarl, building relationships with the Angara, establishing an Initiative presence at Dar Pelaav, and bringing the planet to 100% Viability.

Then, she returned to Eos, where the radiation threats had abated. She crushed Kett everywhere, granted Exiles amnesty and a fresh start at Prodromos, and brought valuable data home to the Outpost. I saved with all current activities 100% complete, and it will be on to Voeld next time.


It's been fun using the Valkyrie again. I've enjoyed the greater range and ammo penetration. While attacking Invictor's Base, Chosen were firing from the elevated, central platform while I rigged the shield pylons to explode. Normally, I'd get around to them after destroying the shield. This time, I just shot them from that long distance. Shooting them through their cover causes them to pop up their heads. Then their heads go pop.

I switched to Pathfinder Armor briefly. Its bonuses to Combo Damage are the same as my Hyperguardian Armor. It provides bonuses to weapon accuracy and stability, and some damage reduction. Hyperguardian, by contrast, gives huge bonuses to Health and Shields. (The difference is 1118/748 vs 740/600, or something similar.) The nail in the Pathfinder Armor's coffin, so to speak, is that it lacks the +40% melee damage. That was where the difference was felt. I use melee a lot, so... nope. Gotta have my Hyperguardian.

They both look great, though I don't like Hyperguardian Legs, and use N7 legs instead. Also, I don't like the Hyperguardian Fanny Pack right in the middle of Ryder's butt. It looks so uncomfortable. It's part of the Chest, though, so it has to stay. It doesn't really bother me, but I'd ditch it if I could. 😄

I wish the Angaran Assault Rifle had been included in the SP campaign. It's weird to see them exclusively wielding MW Assault Rifles. We do see the Isharay Sniper Rifle and occasionally the Ushior Pistol. I know this was a thing in MET, as well, with everyone using Systems Alliance weapons. It's even weirder on a new galaxy. Plus, having one more rifle option is always good.

EDIT: I looked up the weapon, and it's called the Sovoa. It is new, co-developed by Angara and Turians. With that lore, I guess it wouldn't solve the issue of dissonance.


I considered starting fresh from level one, again, but muh powah! I'm still enjoying having even the smallest pieces in place. Getting a powerful build up and running doesn't take long at all, but it can take a while to assemble your ideal gear and to level-up all the passives that add fun. For example, I like to use aerial melee attacks to strip defenses, attack groups, finish wounded foes, etc... They don't really become awesome until I've finished leveling the Combat Tools passive.

So, I'm going to finish out this NG+++. Probably my next playthrough will be a NG, whenever that happens.

My dance partner has not been available for Helldivers 2.

So I am seriously tempted to start an MEA PT and make myself give up my Sentinel obsession (Incinerate/Energy Drain/Overload) and go back to my usual first choice in the ME world and play as a Soldier. I usually mix it up but Adrenaline Rush/Concussive Shot are usually two of the main ones I use.

Tempted to play as Scott but the scenery is better with Sarah and I just find it really hard to create a Scott that I like.

RedCaesar97, I've had that weather bug on Voeld. I used to save the Vault as long as possible when it happened, since activating the Vault usually fixes it.

The Voeld Architect seems pretty unpopular, but it's my favorite of the bunch. I assume it's the cold hazard during a fight that makes it so? I'm curious from which positions you guys fight it?

Entering the valley from the quest marker, I drive to the structure on the left side. (We'll call that Structure #1.) I can stay warm between the combat sequences and grab ammo from crates. When it moves, I drive around the left side and go into the next structure (#2). Rinse and repeat. Then, I head over to the large, central structure that is nearly touching #2. Structure #3 is very open inside, but heated. I open the door that faces the Architect and fight it from inside the door. The cold is never a factor.


I finished Voeld, the Exaltation Facility, and some visits to Aya and the Nexus. I like how the Initiative starts to take form as planets are discovered and settled. Eos, Voeld, Kadara and Elaaden are homes. Voeld provides nearly endless water. H-047c provides tons of He-3, particularly with the Tiller active. Kadara provides agricultural fertilizer.

dazk, I can share the links to my current twins. They each look great. It would probably be hard for anyone to even guess which faces served as their starting points. You have to see them in the CC menu, as these little thumbs are ass at showing how characters look. They can't show the details that separate the grain from the chaff.

No worries, of course, if they aren't for you; and obviously anyone is welcome to use them. One small bonus is that they begin the game in distinctive armor colors. They're Initiative color schemes, so nothing wonky. It allows me to avoid the annoying shift to N7 colors in NG+. The colors each originated from schemes I had applied to the Deep Space Explorer Armor and saved while tinkering in Tempest's medbay.

Scott:
masseffectarchives.com/#user/2300391626/playthrough/0/gender/male

Sara:
masseffectarchives.com/#user/2300391626/playthrough/672538816/gender/female

EDIT: Refreshed the link for Sara. The previous link had been compromised, implementing the wrong Complexion. (It should be #3, not #0.)

Here's Eos on Insanity



Kadara



Elaaden



Remnant Tiller

Fighting the Progenitor with the Valkyrie AR modded for auto-fire.
Shows the Progenitor having the bug where it takes nearly no damage after its turrets are destroyed quick time by the Valkyrie. Had to go down and load ammo to make it take damage.



Kett Command Centre

I haven't made any for a while, the Andromeda ones I think I was making them for myself but also someone was having difficulty and I made some to show where I used cover etc.

So last night I was bored so started a new NG++++ game, blitzed through Habitat 7 on Insanity with the gimped weapons and armour.

Not sure how much or how often I'll play but will squeeze in some hours now and then.

Made a new Sara and didn't use my usual MODDED face to make one from scratch and to try something different as apparently due to earlier comments I had a "type" but think my 15+ shots of my different Sara's showed that wasn't the case.

Anyway here she is, not overly happy mainly with the hairstyle.





And maybe I made another Alec/Captain Dunn secret affair baby.



Always love the start of the game cutscenes and arrival and Habitat 7 is a blast.

Sara started her litany of falling



Dad fixed this then died



Sara got a new brain

Tatiana Ryder:
1. Picked some flowers on Havarl, then went back to Eos to complete some tasks.

2. Rescued some workers who were messing around with Remnant.

3. Recovered the (attempted) murder evidence.

4. Scanned minerals. Placed beacons. Placed a pendant. Placed a news receiver. Recovered drones.

5. Investigated site 2. Fought the Kett and a Fiend. Recovered the secret research project.

6. Found reasearcher sites. They led to a Remnant vault. Recovered the researcher's data.

7. Scanned Remnant data cores held by Kett. They led to a Remnant vault. Killed the Kett and recovered the data.

8. Destroyed Kett surveillance devices. They led to a Kett outpost. Killed the Kett, scrambled the data, then destroyed the console.

9. Met Bain Massani, got a location to the Kett Barracks. Killed the Kett at the Barracks.

10. Investigated supply drop sites, found a group of smugglers. Sent them to Podromos.

11. Saved Danny from wildlife. Saved Danny from the Kett. Saved Danny from the Remnant.

12. Finished scanning all the dead bodies, then tracked down and rescued the colonists that escaped in a shuttle.

13. Returned to the Nexus for a few things. Exiled the (attempted) murderer. Discovered that Jien Garson was murdered.