Combat (Mass Effect 3)

Mass Effect 3 Controls
Press start to go to the menu.

Power Wheel
Hold the RB (on Xbox 360), Shift (on PC) or R2 (PS3) to bring up the power wheel. This pauses the game, and allows you to access all the available powers that you and your teammates have at their disposal. Powers capable of usage are orange, powers in cooldown are greyed out, with a visual aid to show how close they are to cooling down, and powers currently ineffective are red with a down arrow on them. From the power wheel you can choose to use up to three powers (one per teammate, and one for you), and when you exit the power wheel, you and your teammates will use the selected powers.

HUD Screen
The Heads Up Display, or HUD, shows all the vital information needed during combat. The HUD shows the targeting reticule, which gun you are using, how much ammunition you have left (in the clip and in reserve), and your quickslots. It also shows which teammates are in your present squad while indicating their status (by means of colors), and the status of Shepard's shields and health. Moreover, when Shepard uses a power, a small pair of faint-red semicircles will begin moving from the left and right toward the center of the screen (see the HUD screenshot). When these semicircles meet at the center, Shepard's powers have cooled down, indicating that the player can use a power again.

If an enemy is within a certain range and in Shepard's present field of vision, a special reticule will appear telling you the type of enemy and indicating the relative strength of this enemy's health, armor, and shields or barrier (if any of these apply).

Melee Combat
Melee Combat is a more important feature than in previous games. Like with Mass Effect 2, pressing a specific button will trigger a melee attack which involves striking an enemy with whatever weapon is being held. This standard attack can be chained together with subsequent presses of the melee button to perform a melee combo. Different weapon classes produce different melee attack animations. Like Mass Effect 2, melee attacks with pistols and SMGs still provide the highest attack speed for regular melee attacks.

Heavy Melee
Mass Effect 3 introduces a new form of melee, called "heavy melee". The attack is accessible by holding down the melee button. Heavy melee is significantly more powerful than a standard melee attack, and the animation shown varies depending on which class the player chose at the game's start. It should be noted that heavy melee attacks vary in the damage they deal, e.g. the Adept's heavy melee is significantly less powerful than the Soldier's (though it does produce a disabling knock-back effect. All classes can not only increase their melee damage permanently, but they can also invest in rank evolutions that increase damage of subsequent melee hits, weapon damage or power uses for several seconds after a heavy melee kill is achieved. If close enough to an enemy, whilst having them in your crosshairs, you will effectively lock on to the target upon pressing the melee button, i.e. your attack will always connect even if the opponent moves. Also, as mentioned above, melee combos can be entered by repeatedly tapping the melee button; however, if a particularly clean rythym is maintained throughout, (i.e., a tap as soon as you start swinging each time) the final 3rd blow in the combo is a heavy melee attack.

]], Death Mask, Shotgun Blade Attachment V or Pistol Melee Stunner V, Fortification (Rank 1, 3 and 4) and Fitness (Rank 1, 3, 4, 5 and 6) ]], Death Mask, Shotgun Blade Attachment V or Pistol Melee Stunner V, Fortification (Rank 1, 3 and 4) and Fitness (Rank 1, 3, 4, 5 and 6)
 * Soldier - Produces an omni-blade from their omni-tool to stab enemies.
 * Capable of attaining a single player bonus of 395% to their melee damage. Ariake Technologies Armor, Death Mask, Shotgun Blade Attachment V or Pistol Melee Stunner V, Adrenaline Rush (Rank 5), Fortification (Rank 1, 3 and 4) and Fitness (Rank 1, 3, 4, 5 and 6).
 * Infiltrator - Produces a "forked" omni-blade with an electrical combat effect.
 * Capable of attaining a single player bonus of 485% to their melee damage. Ariake Technologies Armor, Death Mask, Shotgun Blade Attachment V or Pistol Melee Stunner V, Tactical Cloak (Rank 1, 4 and 5), Fortification (Rank 1, 3 and 4) and Fitness (Rank 1, 3, 4, 5 and 6).
 * Sentinel - Produces dual omni-blades on both hands in an inward-to-outward swiping motion.
 * Capable of attaining a single player bonus of 300% to their melee damage. Ariake Technologies Armor, Death Mask, Pistol Melee Stunner V, Tech Armor (Rank 5), Fortification (Rank 1, 3 and 4) and Fitness (Rank 1, 3, 4 and 6).
 * Vanguard - Utilizes a biotically-charged punch, which is faster to execute than the other classes' equivalent. In addition, the class has a unique sprinting heavy melee attack; this attack is only available in the single-player portion of the game.
 * Capable of attaining a single player bonus of 330% to their melee damage. Ariake Technologies Armor, Death Mask, Shotgun Blade Attachment V or Pistol Melee Stunner V, Fortification (Rank 1, 3 and 4) and Fitness (Rank 1, 3, 4, 5 and 6).
 * Adept - Blasts a wave of biotic energy with a palm strike.
 * Capable of attaining a single player bonus of 295% to their melee damage. [[Armor#Mass Effect 3|Ariake Technologies Armor
 * Engineer - Charges their omni-tool with incendiary powers in a backfist attack.
 * Capable of attaining a single player bonus of 295% to their melee damage. [[Armor#Mass Effect 3|Ariake Technologies Armor

Mass Effect 3 also introduces a new form of melee called the "Grab" which involves pulling an enemy over from another side of cover and stabbing or biotically punching them. While this attack is instantly fatal regardless of difficultly, health, shields, barriers or armor, it requires specific criteria: There must be an enemy close enough to the cover, the cover object must be low and not too long and the player must be crouching on the other side. Opportunities to grab are indicated when a fist symbol appears while crouching, and the attack can be triggered by holding down the melee button, equivalent to executing a heavy melee attack. Keep in mind that this tactic does not work against every enemy: large foes like Brutes or Geth Primes cannot be grabbed. Despite their small stature, Phantoms also cannot be grabbed.

Armor
Represented by a yellow bar, armor is a common form of protection used by enemies. It replaces the health bar on most heavier enemies, making them immune to being fully affected by control-type powers such as Pull or Stasis.

Armor is best countered by weapons that fire single powerful rounds as opposed to numerous weak ones. Therefore, against any armored opponent, it is advisable that selected individuals have either a Shotgun or Sniper Rifle. Heavy Pistols, which are semi automatic and fire large bullets, are less effective at taking down armor than shotguns or sniper rifles but more effective at it than Assault Rifles or Submachine Guns.

Armor can be countered by a variety of powers. Combat powers are probably the least effective with the exception of Adrenaline Rush. The best tech power against armor is Incinerate as fire is one of armor's greatest weaknesses and Cryo Blast reduces the damage protection armor provides. Biotic powers are less useful against armor but Warp still presents an option for degrading the armor of an opponent. Incendiary Ammo and Armor Piercieng Ammo are also effective against armor.

Equipping Shredder or Piercing mods on your weapons reduces the damage reduction provided by armor, thus increasing the damage of every bullet. These mods help rapid firing weapons deal with armored targets.

Shields
Represented by a blue bar, shields are the most common form of protection found on enemies. Shields tend to be strong against biotic powers (most of the time, enemies cannot be affected by biotics until their shields are removed), but weak against fast-firing weaponry like SMGs or Assault Rifles, as well as certain tech attacks.

Shields tend to be strong against slow-firing weapons like heavy pistols, sniper rifles, single-shot assault rifles, and shotguns. Powers like Overload and Disruptor Ammo are very effective at dealing with shields.

Enemy shields will replenish themselves if the enemy equipped with them isn't attacked for a period of time.

Barriers
Represented by a purple bar, barriers are used by biotics as a replacement for shields. Like shields, barriers are vulnerable to fast firing weapons, like SMGs but don't take as much damage from tech powers like Overload and Energy Drain. However, Overload can be upgraded at Rank 6 to do double damage to barriers, increasing its effectiveness against both defenses. However, biotic powers like Warp and Reave can do massive damage to barriers. Concussive Shot can also be effective against barriers.

Barriers tend to be strong against slow-firing weapons like Heavy Pistols, Sniper Rifles, single-shot Assault Rifles, and Shotguns. Ammo powers like Warp Ammo and Disruptor Ammo are very effective at dealing with barriers.

Enemy barriers will replenish themselves if the enemy equipped with them isn't attacked for a period of time.

Armored Plating
One of the less common types of defense, armored plating protects select enemies (such as Brutes, as well as upgraded Husks and Cannibals) with visible slabs of armor. Rather than being represented by a colored bar, armored plating exists on the physical model of the enemy.

Gunfire hitting armored plating will produce a distinct metallic impact sound, but deal no damage whatsoever to the target it is protecting. Instead, delivering enough damage to the piece of armored plating will eventually cause it to be destroyed, exposing that part of the target.

The most obvious way of dealing with an armor plated enemy is to hit it where the plates don't cover. In addition to that, all non-weapon sources of damage (such as melee attacks or powers such as Incinerate) ignore armored plating. Further, some attacks will cause a portion of their damage even when impacting armored plating; specifically:
 * Shots from the Black Widow, M-98 Widow and Javelin
 * Any shots fired under the effect of Warp Ammo, Armor-Piercing Ammo or Cryo Ammo
 * Any shots fired from a weapon equipped with Piercing or Shredder Weapon Mods
 * Any shots that land while the target is under the effect of Warp or Cryo Blast.

Squad
The squad in Mass Effect 3 is made up of, as in the rest of the Mass Effect trilogy, Commander Shepard and two NPCs who the player can select at the beginning of a Mission/Assignment. These NPCs may become available at certain points throughout the game, or may have to be unlocked by downloading DLC. In addition, after certain plot choices, certain members may become unavailable. In some missions, the squad can sometimes be reduced to two members (Shepard and a NPC) or just be Shepard alone. Traditionally, a player will attempt to pick two NPCs whose areas of specialty fill in their own gaps - an Adept (pure Biotic), for example, might choose Ashley (pure Combat) and Tali (pure Tech) in order to fill out their areas of weakness. This allows them to be an all-round squad, able to tackle all foes. However, if it is know that the player is only going to be fighting the geth, a player might choose to have both Tali (pure Tech) and Garrus (Tech/Combat), as Tech powers are most effective against geth enemies and they would therefore have the upper hand when compared to a more 'balanced' team.

Narrative
This difficulty level is intended for players who are more interested in story than combat. Shepard and squadmates are stronger, weapons are easier to handle, and enemies are weaker and less aggressive. This is a nonrepresentative Mass Effect 3 combat experience.

Casual
This difficulty is intended for players inexperienced with shooters. Shepard is stronger and does more damage, weapons are easier to handle, and enemies are slightly weaker and less aggressive.

Normal
This difficulty is intended for players with experience playing shooters and RPGs. This is the baseline Mass Effect 3 combat experience.

Hardcore
This difficulty level is intended for players looking for a challenge. Enemies are powerful and aggressive. Advanced gameplay skills required.

Insanity
This difficulty level is intended for players seeking the ultimate challenge. Enemies are tenacious, react quickly, have heavily upgraded weapons, and use their powers mercilessly.

Game Options
Auto Level-Up
 * Off: Powers must be manually activated and evolved in the Mission Computer's Squad screen each time Shepard or a squadmate gains a level and earns points.
 * Squad Only: Powers are automatically activated and evolved for squadmates as they gain levels and earn points. Shepard's powers must be manually assigned in the Mission Computer's Squad screen.
 * Squad & Player: Powers are automatically activated and evolved for Shepard and squadmates as they gain levels and earn points.

Squadmate Power Use:
 * On: Squadmates will automatically use their most effective powers in combat.
 * Off: Squadmates will only use defensive and ammo powers automatically. All offensive powers must be manually ordered.

Hints:
 * On: In-game instructions and directions are displayed.
 * Off: In-game instructions and directions are not displayed.

Action Icons:
 * On: Displays indicators when an action like exiting cover is possible.
 * Off: Does not display indicators when an action like exiting cover is possible.

Weapons Heat and Thermal Clips
Mass Effect 3 uses the same system as Mass Effect 2, where weapons fire a certain number of shots and then the current Thermal Clip must be ejected and a new one inserted. If you do not have any Thermal Clips for a specific weapon, then you cannot fire that weapon. Unlike in Mass Effect 2, there are more ways to increase reserve clip capacity and even increase the amount of rounds that a weapon can shoot before a replacement clip is needed through weapon mods. There are also ways of increasing reserve ammunition through Rank Evolutions in any ammo type, provided your character class has access to it. If you run out of spare clips, a loud beeping can be heard indicating the weapon has overheated, and cannot fire due to lack of thermal clips.

Like in Mass Effect 2, clips can be replenished by picking them up from downed enemies that use weapons that take clips, and in multiplayer, by visiting ammo boxes scattered around the map.

Weight Capacity
Unlike previous games in the series, any class can carry any weapon in Mass Effect 3 and use it with full effectiveness. Instead of limiting what kinds of weapons each class can carry, the game assigns a weight to each weapon, and imposes a weight capacity on the player. Each class can carry up to their weight capacity without penalty, with Soldiers possessing the highest capacity, and Adepts and Engineers the lowest. Exceeding the weight capacity of the character will incur a penalty to powers' recharge speeds. Staying below the character's weight capacity provides a bonus to powers' recharge speeds of 200%, while vastly exceeding it may result in a penalty of up to -200%. The penalty is proportional to how far the player's weight capacity has been exceeded. Carrying below capacity greatly helps all power-reliant character builds, such as the power-focused Engineers and charge-heavy Vanguards. Another way of decreasing weight is the Rank 6 evolutions in weapon/power mastery skill trees, which when purchased, decrease the weight of a one weapon type, some weapons types, or even all weapons by a certain percentage.

In multiplayer, different races have different default weights, and maximum weight capacities. Some races also benefit more or less from their respective skill trees. For example, humans and asari gain 10 weight capacity from rank 1 of said trees, and 20 extra on rank 4 evolutions, whereas turians have a higher default weight, gain 15 weight capacity with the first rank, and 25 from the rank 4 evolution. These weights have a significant impact on power recharge speeds.

In single player, weight does not affect the power cooldown times of squadmates.

Weapons
Every class now has access to all weapons, but is still limited by weight. They can be upgraded up to the X (10) series. The first five upgrades are available in the Normandy Shuttle Bay on a character's first ME3 playthrough. The last five upgrades must be acquired by using the Import ME3 Character option when creating a New Game. This will carry all weapons, upgrade levels, and mod levels over, and allow you to purchase two additional upgrade levels in the Normandy. Picking up the weapon once more during the second playthrough will automatically upgrade the weapon to three levels. Spectre weapons will have all ten levels available for purchase in the Normandy.