inherit
5670
0
Apr 13, 2017 17:19:54 GMT
27
peligrad
67
Mar 23, 2017 14:51:07 GMT
March 2017
peligrad
|
Post by peligrad on Mar 23, 2017 19:45:13 GMT
Hi all!
I've always enjoyed the vanguard character. Something about the charge ability and the "up close and personal" play-style that goes along with it.
But I was really getting shredded, especially by the shielded mini-gun mobs, up until I figure out this build.
So I figured I would share.
I've settled one these three abilities:
Charge- Like I said, I love this ability. The amount of durability and mobility it gives your character is amazing. With the tier six ability to full regenerate your shields and give you a 75% damage reduction buff for 5 seconds coupled with the 30% melee damage increase buff for 3 seconds, you can get in a mob and take it out fairly safely even if he has a couple friends.
Singularity- Singularity has always been amazing, but before it was not available to the vanguard. Now it is! Charge is a detonator. Singularity is a primer. You see where this is going right? Additionally it is a very strong and long CC that has solid range. When fully upgraded it also deals a considerable amount of damage. Unlike many of the biotic skills, this one is actually pretty good against shielded and armored targets since it does still prime them.
Backlash- Backlash is the ability that allows me to play vanguard style in hardcore difficulty. Without it I was just getting creamed.
The ability to absorb huge amounts of damage while your other cool downs recharge and meanwhile reflect that incoming damage back at your enemies with a considerable multiplier is pretty amazing.
Weapon of choice: Talon (Pistol) this is a very heavy hitting pistol that offers shotgun-like damage at "A couple dodge back" range where you are too far away for melees. This tends to be a range that I find myself in when I'm waiting for my abilities to recharge if being in melee range is too dangerous. This weapon deals more damage and better staggers most other weapons in the game, but has a fairly low effective range. It does allow me to use charge to execute someone and then gun down a distant ally of his while my damage reduction buffs are active though.
I also recommend any talents that increase biotic damage, skill cooldown rate, shield capacity, and melee damage.
|
|
inherit
4435
0
Sept 22, 2024 17:15:00 GMT
637
acehilator
484
Mar 13, 2017 14:14:28 GMT
March 2017
acehilator
|
Post by acehilator on Mar 23, 2017 21:09:44 GMT
I originally wrote this for another thread, but seeing this topic, I just throw it in here for a different approach... minimalist Charge/Melee I am running Charge/Nova/Overload with a ton of passives (Barrier, some Offensive Biotics, Combat Fitness, some Assault Rifles and Shotguns). Only two points in Overload, I still dont have more skillpoints for the third skill. Might switch to something else, or go full six points. Early on with the option to hold for charge it is really nice. Might switch it with Singularity. Core concept of the build is the Charge six-point ability Shock Trooper, plus melee, and the Vanguard profile passive that replenishes shields when using melee. AR for situations when melee is not an option (personal preference, using a Mattock), and a shotgun for the big armored enemies (using the N7 Piranha, friggin' OP lol). Need at least 4 points in Shotguns for the weight reduction skill to be able to carry both. Another advantage of using the Combat passives is that you can get the Vanguard profile up to level 4, although I don't think I will be going for level 5.
|
|
inherit
5670
0
Apr 13, 2017 17:19:54 GMT
27
peligrad
67
Mar 23, 2017 14:51:07 GMT
March 2017
peligrad
|
Post by peligrad on Mar 24, 2017 9:32:14 GMT
IMO Nova just isn't worth it in this addition of ME.
With the introduction of melee weapons that cause your melee damage to increase substantially and then get multiplied by modifiers, Nova just doesn't deal enough damage to compete. This is only made more true if you do invest into the vanguard spec, as the vanguard spec multiplies your melee damage even more.
If charge was a primer and nova a detonator, then it might be a different story, but that just isn't the case. Even if nova just had some utility to it, maybe it would be worthwhile.
But since you are now open to choosing any biotics that you want rather than choosing from a very limited list, there are just so many better options than nova now.
Even in the multiplayer, I very rarely use nova on the vanguard. Even there where you are forced to take nova, melee spamming is still a lot better than using nova after charge in most cases when built optimally.
Personally, I'm using the adept profile as of right now.
I'd agree that strictly looking at the vanguard profile vs the adept profile that the vanguard one has a bit of an edge. However, I don't think that edge is enough to compensate for the investment. At least not until late game.
As of right now, getting to rank 6 on all your activated biotics while also grabbing the passives in biotics is the priority.
All the points you are spending in combat are not gaining you stats on your passives. And on top of that your activated abilities are weaker because they aren't leveled up.
I'd say that more than offsets the fact that some of the adept profile stats are less than ideal for a traditional vanguard.
Also, singularity makes use of all the adept profile bonuses. That skill is getting beastly thanks to my profile and the passives in addition to being a primer for charge.
If you think about it, once leveled up singularity serves the same purpose as Nova (dealing AoE damage) but it also has range, tracking, crowd control, and primes while Nova does none of those things and has no real advantage over singularity once both are fully leveled.
|
|
inherit
131
0
Dec 17, 2018 14:01:15 GMT
1,803
Ahriman
1,503
August 2016
ahriman
|
Post by Ahriman on Mar 24, 2017 9:48:09 GMT
I'm having same skill build as OP on Insanity, except I'm full melee. Once you get Kett "vampire sword" (can't remember actual name) melee gets almost overpowered. Charge restores shields, Vanguard profile keeps them above zero long enough under fire and Kett sword allows you to fully restore health indefinitely. Once Backlash tree is complete even Kett mini-gunners become less of a problem. Oh, and AR as a weapon for enemies which can one-shot you at close range.
|
|
inherit
5670
0
Apr 13, 2017 17:19:54 GMT
27
peligrad
67
Mar 23, 2017 14:51:07 GMT
March 2017
peligrad
|
Post by peligrad on Mar 24, 2017 10:00:05 GMT
I used an AR for a long time up until I played the multi-player and unlocked the talon and really liked it there.
I decided to carry it over to my single player game.
There very well may be better options though. There are so many guns in this game that I have tried a very small percent of the total.
That vamp sword sounds amazing.
Being able to replenish your HP would make your health stat a lot more powerful.
That would make the combat fitness perks that increase health pretty enticing.
|
|
inherit
5787
0
249
parnashwind
249
March 2017
parnashwind
|
Post by parnashwind on Mar 24, 2017 10:00:37 GMT
I'm having same skill build as OP on Insanity, except I'm full melee. Once you get Kett "vampire sword" (can't remember actual name) melee gets almost overpowered. Charge restores shields, Vanguard profile keeps them above zero long enough under fire and Kett sword allows you to fully restore health indefinitely. Once Backlash tree is complete even Kett mini-gunners become less of a problem. Oh, and AR as a weapon for enemies which can one-shot you at close range. Ohhh a Vampiric Sword. I would love that - now I just need to go find it. Tried backlash... didnt like it. I am using Charge-Nova-Singularity for my insanity Vanguard run. I do use the electro jump melee to strip shield and then remnent cryo fist to freeze enemies. Kett mini gunners need time to set up.. as long as the stupid game dont tell me "Invalid Target" even if they are standing in the open... I can rip through them... "Invalid Target" killed me so many times ><.... Since Mass Effect 2.
|
|
inherit
131
0
Dec 17, 2018 14:01:15 GMT
1,803
Ahriman
1,503
August 2016
ahriman
|
Post by Ahriman on Mar 24, 2017 10:03:08 GMT
I used an AR for a long time up until I played the multi-player and unlocked the talon and really liked it there. I decided to carry it over to my single player game. There very well may be better options though. There are so many guns in this game that I have tried a very small percent of the total. It's more of personal taste anyway, new weight system is soft, so as long as you carry single weapon, your cd will be at minimum. It's craftable and components are fairly easy to find.
|
|
inherit
5229
0
Jun 28, 2017 20:42:00 GMT
48
godlike13
91
Mar 20, 2017 17:25:57 GMT
March 2017
godlike13
|
Post by godlike13 on Mar 24, 2017 10:36:32 GMT
Im experimenting with a tech vanguard. Not bad so far. Lots of cool combo explosions. Im not interested in Nova, had my fun with it last game, and im sure ill get my fill of it in multiplayer, but now that i don't have to have it and it no longer detonates id rather try something different. One issue though is that nothing primes tech explosions.
|
|
Adhin
N3
Games: Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquistion, KOTOR, Baldur's Gate, Neverwinter Nights, Jade Empire
Posts: 512 Likes: 523
inherit
996
0
Sept 3, 2017 12:01:10 GMT
523
Adhin
512
Aug 15, 2016 13:14:38 GMT
August 2016
adhin
Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquistion, KOTOR, Baldur's Gate, Neverwinter Nights, Jade Empire
|
Post by Adhin on Mar 24, 2017 10:59:54 GMT
The 'vampire sword' isn't really a vampire sword. It acts that way though for Vanguards. It's the Fire dmg Kett sword. Base one does 300 dmg and 110 fire dmg per second. That per second, each tick counts as a melee hit. That's where the 'vampire' bit comes in, as you get the same % of shield each time.
Seriously once you get that sword a lot of irritating bit's become a lot easier. I charge in, get 1 shotgun blast off then hit em with the sword and let em burn to death. That's the normal kett on insanity, stuff with shields need to take that down first.
Either way, awesome melee weapon. Still has the bullshit 'lunge 5 feet' through enemies bullshit all but the Asari sword have. Asari Sword is nice cause it 'locks' onto a target and literally moves you away from them if your to close for the teleport. That and you always teleport to hit them so your always landing 'right' at them.
So yeah either Kett Fire sword for DoT shield restore or Asari Sword for less of a movement headache. I personally use the fire sword and just bitch to my self that the basic melee moves you so much, so irritating. Wish they'd update that to remove the lung, and add in a dodge into melee option for that instead.
|
|
smellycatbutts
N3
Games: Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, KOTOR, Baldur's Gate, Neverwinter Nights, Jade Empire
Posts: 473 Likes: 812
inherit
1819
0
812
smellycatbutts
473
October 2016
smellycatbutts
Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, KOTOR, Baldur's Gate, Neverwinter Nights, Jade Empire
|
Post by smellycatbutts on Mar 24, 2017 11:00:58 GMT
What's the name of the Kett vampire sword?
|
|
inherit
131
0
Dec 17, 2018 14:01:15 GMT
1,803
Ahriman
1,503
August 2016
ahriman
|
Post by Ahriman on Mar 24, 2017 11:06:46 GMT
The 'vampire sword' isn't really a vampire sword. It acts that way though for Vanguards. It's the Fire dmg Kett sword. Base one does 300 dmg and 110 fire dmg per second. That per second, each tick counts as a melee hit. That's where the 'vampire' bit comes in, as you get the same % of shield each time. No, no, it's other one. The one I'm talking restores your health on hit, though it's description is kinda clumsy, making it's hard to guess how it actually works until you try. What's the name of the Kett vampire sword? Cachalot Ozeroth Teflon *googles* Carfalon. Carfalon it is.
|
|
Adhin
N3
Games: Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquistion, KOTOR, Baldur's Gate, Neverwinter Nights, Jade Empire
Posts: 512 Likes: 523
inherit
996
0
Sept 3, 2017 12:01:10 GMT
523
Adhin
512
Aug 15, 2016 13:14:38 GMT
August 2016
adhin
Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquistion, KOTOR, Baldur's Gate, Neverwinter Nights, Jade Empire
|
Post by Adhin on Mar 24, 2017 14:10:01 GMT
The 'vampire sword' isn't really a vampire sword. It acts that way though for Vanguards. It's the Fire dmg Kett sword. Base one does 300 dmg and 110 fire dmg per second. That per second, each tick counts as a melee hit. That's where the 'vampire' bit comes in, as you get the same % of shield each time. No, no, it's other one. The one I'm talking restores your health on hit, though it's description is kinda clumsy, making it's hard to guess how it actually works until you try. What's the name of the Kett vampire sword? Cachalot Ozeroth Teflon *googles* Carfalon. Carfalon it is. Ooohh, yeah that description totally doesn't tell you it heals the user shit. Well I guess both Kett swords are badass for Vanguards. One heals health, one regenerates shields. I definitely think I'd want the health one though, may move over too that... doesn't neeed EZO either for that matter... nice.
|
|
inherit
5787
0
249
parnashwind
249
March 2017
parnashwind
|
Post by parnashwind on Mar 24, 2017 14:12:29 GMT
Cachalot Ozeroth Teflon *googles* Carfalon. Carfalon it is. Ah, thx so much. Shield is less important, it is the health that is slowing me down cos it gets chipped away. I totally didnt pay attention to this weapon because it looks ugly and the description is a so dodgy on the "vampiric" part
|
|
Jacket
N2
Games: Mass Effect Trilogy
Posts: 154 Likes: 136
inherit
4062
0
Jul 31, 2018 16:36:28 GMT
136
Jacket
154
March 2017
jacket
Mass Effect Trilogy
|
Post by Jacket on Mar 24, 2017 14:32:57 GMT
I'm playing Vanguard at the moment and I forgot you can't go on a rampage on Hardcore, you're a glass cannon. Is there a way to make my guy more tank like?
|
|
Jacket
N2
Games: Mass Effect Trilogy
Posts: 154 Likes: 136
inherit
4062
0
Jul 31, 2018 16:36:28 GMT
136
Jacket
154
March 2017
jacket
Mass Effect Trilogy
|
Post by Jacket on Mar 24, 2017 14:42:56 GMT
What's the name of the Kett vampire sword? There's melee weapons in this game?
|
|
inherit
1039
0
Sept 27, 2024 11:00:26 GMT
4,002
Lebanese Dude
Anti-Gamer Culture
1,761
Aug 17, 2016 14:13:30 GMT
August 2016
lebanesedude
|
Post by Lebanese Dude on Mar 24, 2017 14:49:25 GMT
Playing Vanguard on insanity is fun. I usually just go for vanilla Soldier builds but I'm actually mixing it up with Biotic and Combat abilities this time around.
|
|
inherit
5787
0
249
parnashwind
249
March 2017
parnashwind
|
Post by parnashwind on Mar 24, 2017 14:50:26 GMT
What's the name of the Kett vampire sword? There's melee weapons in this game? Yeah, it is the first column in your load out screen. There is even a War Hammer if you fancy it. if you are playing Vanguard, you will want your melee weapons.
|
|
inherit
5758
0
4
keldaur
8
March 2017
keldaur
|
Post by keldaur on Mar 24, 2017 14:55:10 GMT
I am interested in starting a game as a vanguard, but i only play insanity where probably stealth is the most useful tool to have (drag out combat). Anyone have had any luck in there as a vanguard ?
|
|
inherit
5787
0
249
parnashwind
249
March 2017
parnashwind
|
Post by parnashwind on Mar 24, 2017 15:02:32 GMT
IMO Nova just isn't worth it in this addition of ME. With the introduction of melee weapons that cause your melee damage to increase substantially and then get multiplied by modifiers, Nova just doesn't deal enough damage to compete. This is only made more true if you do invest into the vanguard spec, as the vanguard spec multiplies your melee damage even more. Actually, I never needed Nova in ME3, squad powers + Claymore means only a handful of enemies will not die to a charge and a claymore to the face. In this addition, I find Nova to be useful because if you couple it with Singularity, you can strip enemies of their shields nearly instantly. Singularity - affected by Biotics +20% damage, Nova spec to do 60% more damage on shields and knockdown unprotected enemies in radius. So, Singularity + Charge + Nova and then Remnant Cryo Fist = floating icicle Nova is also faster than melee and it has some invincibility frames. p/s: Why no Claymore and reload cancel in ME:A
|
|
inherit
5787
0
249
parnashwind
249
March 2017
parnashwind
|
Post by parnashwind on Mar 24, 2017 15:07:58 GMT
I am interested in starting a game as a vanguard, but i only play insanity where probably stealth is the most useful tool to have (drag out combat). Anyone have had any luck in there as a vanguard ? Vanguard in insanity is fun, very fast paced . Once you get addicted to the Vanguard play style, you can never go back... other classes just feels... so slow. Vanguards, running amok on the battlefield since ME2 when others are busy playing "wallpaper"
|
|
inherit
5670
0
Apr 13, 2017 17:19:54 GMT
27
peligrad
67
Mar 23, 2017 14:51:07 GMT
March 2017
peligrad
|
Post by peligrad on Mar 24, 2017 16:21:05 GMT
I'm playing Vanguard at the moment and I forgot you can't go on a rampage on Hardcore, you're a glass cannon. Is there a way to make my guy more tank like? Your tankiness is going to come primarily from your activated skills. Most notably, Charge's ability to recharge your shields and at rank 6 the 5 second buff it gives you with 75% damage resist and also Backlash's ability to absorb and reflect bullet damage in large quantities. The Biotic Shield tree also has some nice shield capacity related perks. The Combat tree also has Combat Fitness which increases your health and shield maxes, should you choose to invest in that tree. The vanguard profile also has a perk that gives you shield with each melee hit. All these things combined will make your character able to absorb way more damage than a typical character. Also, one of the posters brought to light a sword that heals your HP with each melee hit. This is keeps your character from being whittled down.
|
|
colejj
N2
Posts: 90 Likes: 141
inherit
2603
0
141
colejj
90
January 2017
colejj
|
Post by colejj on Mar 24, 2017 16:37:16 GMT
The best mid to late game build I've found is Charge (Detonator) Nova (Primer) and Shockwave (Primer AND Detonator). Add the Revenant and Ruzzad, and I'm just melting enemy's faces. Using the Adept profile cause of the extra biotic combo damage and radius... And I do a lot of biotic combos. Also, Nova, Charge, and Shockwave all have fast recharge, unlike Singularity
Add in the +50% Shields, -50% health mod to my chest piece, cause Charge and all the biotic passives are pro shields, then a shield Oscillator on both weapons, and on the chest piece, I'm never losing shields anymore.
It looks like: +25% Shields on empty clip +25% Shields on enemy death +100% Shields on charge
Shockwave Primes Shoot Floating Enemies Charge Detonates Nova Reprimes Shoot Floating Enemies Shockwave Detonates Nova Primes Shoot Floating Enemies Charge Detonates Etc...
Shockwave and Nova still primes for a detonation against armored enemies, though you have to be fast with the detonator...
|
|
inherit
4435
0
Sept 22, 2024 17:15:00 GMT
637
acehilator
484
Mar 13, 2017 14:14:28 GMT
March 2017
acehilator
|
Post by acehilator on Mar 24, 2017 17:13:45 GMT
Shooting regular enemies? Takes too much time and effort Single enemy: Charge - melee ( -if shielded enemy melee again ) - Charge next enemy Cluster of enemies: Singularity - Charge - Nova - melee every survivor once - Charge next enemy Big armored enemies: Unload 1-3 clips of N7 Piranha into them (Mechs and Ancients: use Incendiary Ammo), crafted version with +25% Incendiary damage augment recommended All of you Vanguard players using Bastion as the six-point Charge ability? I could never give up Shock Trooper.
|
|
inherit
5787
0
249
parnashwind
249
March 2017
parnashwind
|
Post by parnashwind on Mar 24, 2017 17:48:35 GMT
Shooting regular enemies? Takes too much time and effort Single enemy: Charge - melee ( -if shielded enemy melee again ) - Charge next enemy Cluster of enemies: Singularity - Charge - Nova - melee every survivor once - Charge next enemy Big armored enemies: Unload 1-3 clips of N7 Piranha into them (Mechs and Ancients: use Incendiary Ammo), crafted version with +25% Incendiary damage augment recommended All of you Vanguard players using Bastion as the six-point Charge ability? I could never give up Shock Trooper. Thing is, I feel that there is a limit to minimal cooldown on Charge... edit: Just tested. With Shock Trooper, it is about 1 melee swing faster... about 1.5 sec maybe? I can live with that difference XD
|
|
vinotintazo
N1
Games: Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquistion, KOTOR, Mass Effect Andromeda
Origin: Maracucho_Ve
XBL Gamertag: MaracuchoVe
PSN: Maracucho_Ve
Prime Posts: a few
Prime Likes: a few more
Posts: 13 Likes: 13
inherit
4681
0
Jan 22, 2019 21:25:24 GMT
13
vinotintazo
13
Mar 16, 2017 19:11:25 GMT
March 2017
vinotintazo
Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquistion, KOTOR, Mass Effect Andromeda
Maracucho_Ve
MaracuchoVe
Maracucho_Ve
a few
a few more
|
Post by vinotintazo on Mar 24, 2017 19:20:06 GMT
This is the Build I'm interested on, Great thread I will check regularly to build my guy upon. I play on Hardcore Difficulty and love using Charge, however I can get blown up pretty quickly after I use it if I dont find cover.
|
|