What Did You Do Today in Andromeda

Tatiana Ryder:
1. Went to Aya to help Liam with something, but an Angaran merchant got suspicious and Liam called it off. Back on the Tempest, Liam mentioned he screwed up by giving Nexus data to an Angaran contact, who was then captured by pirates.

2. Following Liam's plan, we managed to sneak aboard the pirate's vessel and rescue the captives.

3. Went to Kadara. Spoke with Reyes, then with Sloane. Broke the traitor out of prison. Accepted a bunch of assignments.

4. Went back to the Tempest so I could retrieve some AVP rewards before stopping for the night, but it also triggered a cutscene. Eladaan and the other location (forget the name) are now unlocked for travel. Spoke to several squadmates.

I felt like my last post was long enough that it needed to end, but I still have thoughts. 😄

Why did they include that annoying scene in the Prologue, just outside of Cryo? "Ryder has a scanner. Quick, Ryder, use your scanner." Sigh. Awkward. Why not teach us about the scanner after we crash and regroup with Liam? Liam might say, "What isn't broken? Ryder, is your scanner working?" That would be better than the awkward scene with Cora, those ill equipped engineers, and all that smoke.

After we first get eyes on Habitat-7, and Alec leaves Hyperion's bridge, Captain Dunn and our protagonist get a chance to discuss Alec. Sara's version is fine. Scott's is so strange. If he doesn't diss his dad, the other option is, "He cares in his own way, enough to give him a chance." Huh? What a weird thing to say. Sara simply acknowledges that Alec isn't a people person, which fits much better.

Before descending to Habitat-7, why did the Pathfinder require only sidearms? Wut? Why wouldn't the protagonist bring a battle rifle? This was seemingly some strange way to introduce us to the Predator, before introducing us to Kirkland's Avenger soon after. I think it's odd.

I already griped about Hayes entering our Shuttle 2 before very, very swiftly darting to Shuttle One off-screen. I don't think many notice this, but it annoys me.

There are just so many little things in the beginning that didn't need to be so awkward. Cora has a few poor lines, too. The "feels like it's been centuries" joke and the "He was an N7" line. Ugh. I feel like they were a bit of improved dialogue and better animations away from a much better reception. We might've already played MEA2 and be awaiting Mass Effect 6.

I really like SAM's brainy image. 😄 Of course, I liked EDI's holgraphic, talking lady-parts avatar, as well. I don't think I'd ever even noticed that resemblance until I heard Jack's joke in ME3.

Oh, brainy image reminds me of grainy image. Does anyone play with Film Grain active? I thought it cool the first time or two that I played Mass Effect in 2007, but quickly ditched it and never missed it. I'd completely forgotten that it's still a thing in MEA until adjusting my settings a month ago on my first PS5 playthrough.

I just can't quite figure out exactly what it is supposed to be. I guessed it was meant to be a brain but the gangly had like things at the bottom it almost looks like the arms of an Observer.

I kept staring at it yesterday and Un focusing my eyes a bit and hoping to see the Mysterious Benefactor in there somewhere. 

EDIT: being crass maybe it is a scrotum, seed of a new life form and all that. 

I'd settle for EDI's little pop-up globe thing over the swirly waterfall thing.

Film Grain and Motion Blur are the first two things I turn off.

Only through concerted effort did I avoid laughing aloud and waking my wife and pup. 🤣

I squeezed in a short session this morning. Scott activated the Vault on Eos and established Prodromos. I saved on the irradiated cliff after talking to Addison.

It's been quite a while since I've played such a low-level Insanity Soldier/Operative. I died three times at the second Monolith, the one with Kett fortifications. An Anointed, with his big ole Soned, kept attacking from behind. Liam and Vetra are nearly useless at level 5. I was laughing at my failure and griping about their performances. 😄

My tactics would've been fine with a better weapon, but we're level 5. The Avenger sprays as many rounds as it lands. If we could see a graph, the enemies would probably have impressive halos around their heads. In the end, I just aggressively pushed around the right perimeter, correctly guessing that the Anointed wouldn't flank if I did this. I was also careful to use as many of the explosive coolant cannisters as possible.

I reached level 6 at the end of the fight, unlocking the Soldier Profile while putting a point into Turbocharge. I could've used both during my failed attempts.

After activating the second Monolith, I drove around the lake to grab the final Site 2 Special Project component, whatever it's supposed to be, and to investigate Chief Reynolds' body. I stopped at Site 1 and built an Avenger II with Beam Emitter. It might still be a pea shooter, but now those peas stay on target. I'll have an Autofire Valkyrie soon enough.

It's sort of wild how quickly the levels accrue on Eos. I hit level 6 at that Monolith, and definitely earned it. Then, I got level 7 when I crafted that Avenger-BE. (I'd hoped that would happen.) Then, after activating the Vault and establishing Prodromos, Ryder is either level 9 or just a hair away from it.

There shouldn't be anymore repeated deaths going forward. With Soldier's perks, level 3 gear unlocking, and skills rapidly evolving, things will get much better. I'll be collecting the FMoA on Havarl in no time. 😁

If I recall correctly, Ryder's current build is Soldier (Invasion 1/Tactical Cloak 4b/Turbocharge1) with Assault Rifles 4a5b. He's packing the Avenger-BE and a decorative Predator Pistol.

I played a bit more this afternoon, but got so drowsy that I had to stop. I need to log off earlier at night.

Much like dazk, I had a mostly chatty session. The team toured Prodromos, and did see some brief action while saving Axl Jennings' crew. That encounter got Scott to level 9. Then, it was back to the Nexus. There were resolved the Nilken Rensus case with murder acquittal and community service. We got our first taste of AVP and started with Research Points, of course. I'll be needing lots of those. There were other quests, too, like the beginning of "Firefighters". Scott reached levels 10 and 11 while completing all those little Nexus activities.

Next, we'll head for the networked Vault we noted in the display in the Eos Vault.

I deconstructed my Avenger, appreciating its brief service. I constructed a Valkyrie III with Autofire, Dual Mod Extension, and two Kinetic Coils. I was also able to construct a Metamaterial Blade II (Asari Sword) with a medley of augments, all useful, but not as optimized as they'll eventually be.

I also maxed the Assault Rifles skill. I'll finished Tactical Cloak next, and then maybe add Assault Turret as an alternative to Invasion. From there, Turbocharge and lots of important passives await.

Cora is the best companion. I'm not even surprised that she survived tanking the Progenitor. Shield Boost is strong, and I love Cryo Ammo. I rotate my squaddies, but Cora and Drak is my favorite pairing for non-Architect situations. They're so durable and aggressive, and they prime everything.

Today Scott took the team to Aya, meeting the Angara and coming to an arrangement. We then headed to Havarl, where Scott reset their failing Vault and saved their world from biological collapse. That engendered a lot of good will, and the Initiative now has scientists working alongside the Angara at Dar Pelaav.

Next, we headed back to Eos. We did quite a bit there, but still had a lot to do when I saved for the day. We found Site 2 survivors in stasis aboard a disabled shuttle in Ericsson System. Imagine how happy they'd be to awaken. We saved Danny Messier from bugs, and then Kett. We found Ana Carrell's research and final resting place in a lesser vault. Then, we headed toward Outland Spire, up to Sawtooth Plateau, and all around the Sheartop. Everywhere we went, we found Remnant and killed Kett.

We placed the HNS Receiver and all of Eric Cambers' survey beacons. We also found an Ark Paarchero escape pod in Kett hands. Tomorrow it's on to the serious business of uprooting the Kett and exploring further west and north.


I just couldn't stick with my Guns-primary build. I wasn't having as much fun as usual. As I left Havarl, around level 16, I respec'd into my favorite Sentinel build. I can't go back and alter my Research investments, but that will work itself out, in time. It's been so much more fun dropping biotic and tech explosions on everyone. I do really like that Tactical Soldier build, but it's time is later. For the bulk of the game, I prefer combo damage builds.

I saved on the Sheartop, just reaching level 19. I'm really looking forward to level 20, since I'll be constructing new weapons. I'll put a bioconverter in my next Valkyrie, so I can finally start shredding foes with it like I'm used to doing. I'll also install Reaction Optimizers in my sword and Valkyrie. I've been fortunate to loot a bunch and buy a few more. I think I may have the 7 I need to fill both weapons. If so, that will be +35% combo damage. 😈

I'd be remiss if I didn't praise the N7 Eagle pistol that I've been carrying. I got it as an Apex reward, and it became my primary weapon, due to its stability, accuracy, and respectable damage. (Valkyrie was my heavy-hitter when its range or power were needed.) It's a great weapon that sadly gets completely outclassed by the monsters we can craft. I salute you, Eagle. You've been awesome.

I made a small but consequential change to this Sentinel. Everyone knows I love Annihilation. On my previous batch of Ryders (4 of them), I used evolution 5b-Biotic Wind. It increases your speed, and that of your squaddies, within the radius of Annihilation. It's fun, but not as powerful as 5a-Damage Attractor. That one simply increases ALL damage received by enemies within Annihilation by +20%. That only gets more ridiculous as levels climb, the radius increases, damage output increases, etc... I love the extra speed of Biotic Wind, but I've missed the absurd destruction enabled by Damage Attractor.

Annihilation field with Vortex is where it is for me, but one needs to build either Vanguard or then go via the covers next to enemies which is a bit more time taking but yeah. Its nice. Combo it with lance/throw/warp and its a boom they're dead -city.

Man I wish you could just tweak your skills, I think I'd have to do a complete reset and build.

Will have a look tomorrow.

Thanks.