Mass Effect 3 Multiplayer

Cooperative multiplayer is a game mode that is featured in Mass Effect 3, and marks the debut of multiplayer in the Mass Effect series. In this mode, up to four players can join together online and customize characters to fight on the front lines of the galaxy-wide war against the Reapers, as well as Cerberus and Geth forces. Progress in co-op earns the player rewards in Mass Effect 3: Galaxy at War that can be used to influence the outcome of Mass Effect 3's single-player mode.

Playing the Mass Effect 3 multiplayer mode requires an Online Pass.

Missions
Missions in cooperative multiplayer consist of pitting the player and up to three other allies against eleven waves of enemies, including Cerberus, Reaper, or geth troops on various battlefields throughout the galaxy that can also be seen in the single-player. Players must survive these waves by eliminating the enemy forces, and also accomplish secondary objectives such as retrieving data packets from around the map or defending an ally while they perform a hack on a beacon. On the eleventh wave, all players must retreat to the initial landing site of a map and defend against the enemy for a set time period until an evacuation shuttle arrives. Succeeding will win the match.

Missions have three challenge difficulties: Bronze, Silver, and Gold. Bronze is the easiest difficulty, and Gold is the hardest. Playing on harder difficulties rewards more credits to spend in the Store.

Completing a multiplayer mission while having a readiness rating of 100% grants a 5% boost in experience earned, shortening the amount of time it would take to promote a multiplayer character to the Galaxy at War.

Mass Effect 3: Galaxy at War
Playing cooperative multiplayer ties into the Mass Effect 3: Galaxy at War system. Participating in matches can quickly increase the player's Galaxy at War Readiness rating, and multiplayer characters who reach the maximum level can be "promoted" into valuable War Assets for the single-player campaign. Co-op and the Galaxy at War system are entirely optional, however, and are not necessary to achieve the optimal endings in single-player, although the process could be considered significantly more difficult.

Class and Race
When creating a multiplayer character, players can choose from six classes and seven races. Certain races are only available to choose with certain classes. For example, human characters are available for all classes, but the asari are restricted to Adepts and Vanguards because of their biotic strengths.

Each race except for krogan and turians possesses a unique evasion maneuver: humans, salarians, and quarians can perform a combat roll; salarians and quarians also jump to the side; asari can quickly slide using biotic energy; drell can perform acrobatic flips.

Krogan and asari are the only races possessing unique heavy melee attacks; a krogan can charge forward a short distance before swinging its weapon, sending the target flying if the attack connects; asari can unleash a biotic pulse to deal massive damage to all enemies within a certain radius of the asari.

It should also be noted that some races have more or less shielding or health than other classes. For example, a standard human (with no upgrades) has 500 health and shielding; a standard Turian has 500 health and 750 shielding, but no means of rolling; a drell has 250 barrier and 500 health, but is both quick and nimble, and can get away from enemy gunfire fairly rapidly.

Players can also create unique names for their multiplayer characters and customize armor coloration. The armor of the Battlefield 3 soldier cannot be customized.

Powers
During gameplay, players can increase the level of their characters to unlock new powers. Cooperative multiplayer character leveling is capped at level 20. All classes start with 1 skill point automatically allocated, and receive 83 additional skill points to distribute as desired by level 20.


 * Adept
 * Human: Warp, Singularity, Shockwave, Alliance Training, Fitness (Adept)
 * Asari: Stasis, Warp, Throw, Asari Justicar, Fitness (Adept)
 * Drell: Reave, Pull, Cluster Grenade, Drell Assassin, Fitness (Adept)


 * Soldier
 * Human: Adrenaline Rush, Concussive Shot, Frag Grenade, Alliance Training, Fitness (Soldier)
 * Krogan: Carnage, Fortification, Inferno Grenade, Krogan Berserker, Rage
 * Turian: Marksman, Concussive Shot, Proximity Mine, Turian Veteran, Fitness (Soldier)
 * Battlefield 3:1 Adrenaline Rush, Carnage, Frag Grenade, Alliance Training, Fitness (Soldier)


 * Engineer
 * Human: Incinerate, Overload, Combat Drone, Alliance Training, Fitness (Engineer)
 * Quarian: Incinerate, Cryo Blast, Sentry Turret, Quarian Defender, Fitness (Engineer)
 * Salarian: Incinerate, Energy Drain, Decoy, Salarian Operative, Fitness (Engineer)


 * Sentinel
 * Human: Throw, Warp, Tech Armor, Alliance Training, Fitness (Sentinel)
 * Turian: Warp, Overload, Tech Armor, Turian Veteran, Fitness (Sentinel)
 * Krogan: Incinerate, Lift Grenade, Tech Armor, Krogan Berserker, Rage


 * Infiltrator
 * Human: Sticky Grenade, Tactical Cloak, Cryo Blast, Alliance Training, Fitness (Infiltrator)
 * Salarian: Energy Drain, Tactical Cloak, Proximity Mine, Salarian Operative, Fitness (Infiltrator)
 * Quarian: Sticky Grenade, Tactical Cloak, Sabotage, Quarian Defender, Fitness (Infiltrator)


 * Vanguard
 * Human: Biotic Charge, Shockwave, Nova, Alliance Training, Fitness (Vanguard)
 * Drell: Biotic Charge, Pull, Cluster Grenade, Drell Assassin, Fitness (Vanguard)
 * Asari: Biotic Charge, Stasis, Lift Grenade, Asari Justicar, Fitness (Vanguard)

1 Bonus multiplayer character unlocked by the Battlefield 3 Pack.

Promote
After obtaining level 20 with a class in multiplayer, you can promote them to the single player galaxy at war. Doing this will reset the promoted class characters to level 1. It will however increase war assets in single player by 75 and add 10 levels to your N7 ranking for multiplayer. Used character slots for that class will be reset to default and have to be remade, but any unlocked characters and any additional appearance customization options for the characters are kept.

Weapons
During gameplay, players can unlock weapons and weapon modifications for use on the battlefield. Additional weapons and mods can be obtained through the Store. Only two weapons can be equipped at a time.

All players begin with the following five weapons to choose from:
 * M-3 Predator
 * M-4 Shuriken
 * M-8 Avenger
 * M-23 Katana
 * M-92 Mantis

Weapons that can be unlocked through the Store include:


 * Heavy Pistols:
 * M-5 Phalanx
 * M-6 Carnifex
 * M-77 Paladin
 * M-358 Talon
 * Arc Pistol
 * Scorpion
 * N7 Eagle


 * Sniper Rifles:
 * M-13 Raptor
 * M-29 Incisor
 * M-97 Viper
 * M-98 Widow
 * Black Widow
 * Javelin
 * N7 Valiant


 * Assault Rifles:
 * M-15 Vindicator
 * M-37 Falcon
 * M-76 Revenant
 * M-96 Mattock
 * M-99 Saber
 * Geth Pulse Rifle
 * Phaeston
 * Particle Rifle


 * Submachine Guns:
 * M-9 Tempest
 * M-12 Locust
 * M-25 Hornet
 * N7 Hurricane


 * Shotguns:
 * N7 Crusader
 * M-11 Wraith
 * M-22 Eviscerator
 * M-27 Scimitar
 * M-300 Claymore
 * Disciple
 * Geth Plasma Shotgun
 * Graal Spike Thrower

Equipment
Equipment in multiplayer consists of single-use items that can be utilized during gameplay. Additional equipment can be obtained through the Store.

Each of the Ammo, Weapon, and Armor Bonuses have five levels of strength, distributed at random.


 * Ammo Bonuses:
 * Armor-Piercing Rounds - Applies Armor-Piercing Ammo for one mission.
 * Cryo Rounds - Applies Cryo Ammo for one mission.
 * Disruptor Rounds - Applies Disruptor Ammo for one mission.
 * Incendiary Rounds - Applies Incendiary Ammo for one mission.
 * Warp Rounds - Applies Warp Ammo for one mission.


 * Weapon Bonuses:
 * Assault Rifle Rail Amp - Applies an Assault Rifle Damage Bonus for one mission.
 * Pistol Rail Amp - Applies a Pistol Damage Bonus for one mission.
 * SMG Rail Amp - Applies a SMG Damage Bonus for one mission.
 * Sniper Rifle Rail Amp - Applies a Sniper Rifle Damage Bonus for one mission.
 * Shotgun Rail Amp - Applies a Shotgun Damage Bonus for one mission.


 * Armor Bonuses:
 * Cyclonic Modulator - Applies a Shield Bonus for one mission.
 * Power Amplifier Module - Applies a Power Damage Bonus for one mission.
 * Power Efficiency Module - Applies a Power Recharge Speed Bonus for one mission.
 * Adrenaline Module - Applies a Movement Speed Bonus for one mission.


 * Supplies:
 * Cobra Missile Launcher - A one-shot missile launcher useful for taking out hardened targets.
 * Thermal Clip Pack - Refills your thermal clips and grenade supply during a mission.
 * Ops Survival Pack - Emergency pack fully restores health and shields during a mission.
 * Medi-Gel - Revive yourself when incapacitated in combat.

Store
The Store sells multiplayer item packs for a certain number of credits, BioWare points, or Microsoft Points. Contents of these packs include new weapons, multiplayer characters, experience points, weapon mods, and pieces of Equipment, all of which are of varying quality. Credits to purchase packs from the Store are earned through gameplay. Packs listed with prices can be purchased multiple times.


 * Available Packs:
 * Starter Pack (Free, single-use) - Redeem your free starter pack to unlock new weapons and characters!
 * Recruit Pack (5,000 Credits) - A great way to upgrade and unlock your basic weapons, mods and characters. Includes 5 random items or characters, with a small chance for an Uncommon.
 * Veteran Pack (20,000 Credits or 80 MS/BioWare Points, $0.99 USD) - Advanced hardware and training for experienced operatives. Includes 5 random items or characters, with at least 1 Uncommon or better.
 * Premium Veteran Pack (33,000 Credits or 120 MS/BioWare Points, $1.49 USD) - Advanced hardware and training for experienced operatives looking for an edge. Includes 5 random items or characters, with at least 2 Uncommons or better and a higher chance for Rares.
 * Spectre Pack (60,000 Credits or 160 MS/BioWare Points, $1.99 USD) - The best equipment for the galaxy's best operatives. Includes 5 random items or characters, with at least 1 Rare or better.


 * Promotional Packs:
 * Battlefield 3 Pack (Free, single-use) - Unlock your Battlefield 3 Limited Edition soldier! A kit containing items with an aesthetic inspired by Battlefield 3. Requires that the player signs in to Mass Effect 3 with an Origin account linked to a Battlefield 3 Online Pass. (PC and Xbox 360 only)
 * Premium Collectible Pack (Free, single-use) - A special bonus for dedicated Mass Effect fans. Comes with the purchase of the action figure packs or a Normandy replica.
 * Collector Rifle Pack (Free, single-use) - A special bonus for dedicated Mass Effect fans. Comes with the purchase Razor PC gear or a Mass Effect Art Book preorder.
 * Recruitment Reward Pack (Free, single-use) - A reward for participating in the Mass Effect 3 Recruitment Program.


 * Event Packs:
 * Equipment Pack (20,000 Credits or 80 MS/BioWare Points, $0.99 USD) - Enough bonus equipment to survive any mission. Includes 5 random equipment and supply items. A limited-time offer.
 * Commendation Pack (Free, single-use) - A reward for completing a match on Silver difficulty against the Reaper faction during the Operation: Goliath event. Contains one of the four following weapons: N7 Hurricane, N7 Eagle, N7 Crusader, N7 Valiant. (PC and Xbox 360 only)
 * Victory Pack (Free, single-use) - A reward for the community reaching one million Brute kills during the Operation: Goliath event. (PC and Xbox 360 only)

Cosmetic Customisations
Cosmetic customisations have the same rarity as character they apply to. One option is unlocked for every successive time a character is found in packs, after it has been unlocked by the player. Primary colour and highlight colour are unlocked with the character.

Weapons
*Unlock code required

Consumables - Common

 * Cobra Missile Launcher (more in Veteran/Spectre packs.)
 * Thermal Clip Pack (more in Veteran/Spectre packs.)
 * Ops Survival Pack (more in Veteran/Spectre packs.)
 * Medi-Gel (more in Veteran/Spectre packs.)
 * Ammo Bonus Items (Level 1 in Recruit/Level 2 in Veteran/Level 3 in Spectre)
 * Weapon Bonus Items (Level 1 in Recruit/Level 2 in Veteran/Level 3 in Spectre)
 * Armor Bonus Items (Level 1 in Recruit/Level 2 in Veteran/Level 3 in Spectre)

Miscellaneous - Rare

 * Cobra Missile Launcher Capacity Upgrade +1
 * Thermal Clip Pack Capacity Upgrade +1
 * Ops Survival Pack Capacity Upgrade +1
 * Medi-Gel Capacity Upgrade +1
 * Reset Powers

Awards
Depending on how well individual players or the entire squad does, at certain milestones, they will earn awards. The awards are leveled by Bronze, Silver, and Gold with each having their own individual levels.

Individual Awards
Individual Awards are awards earned by each member of the team. They are specific to each character and is not shared with other members of the squad. Each weapon class in addition to tech and biotic kills has its own award for killing enemies with it. There are also awards for assisting other squadmate with kills, reviving downed squadmates, and getting headshots with any weapon.

Individual awards cannot be earned again in the same match. You can only get one of each individual award per match. The Bronze level of an award gives +500 exp, the Silver level gives +1000 exp, and the Gold level gives one of two bonuses. You get +1500 exp for weapon kills, and +2000 exp for anything else.

Squad Awards
Awards are earned by the squad for killstreaks, the outcome of the extraction (at least one squad member must be extracted and the outcome depends on the size of the squad), surviving multiple waves consecutively without a single squad member going down, completing an unknown map, the level of the completed map, completing the map with unknown enemies.

Awards for survival and killstreaks are earned regardless of map completion.

Maps
Multiplayer matches are playable on a variety of different maps. The available maps are:

Enemies

 * Cerberus
 * Assault Trooper
 * Centurion
 * Combat Engineer
 * Turret
 * Nemesis
 * Phantom
 * Atlas


 * Geth
 * Geth Trooper
 * Geth Hunter
 * Geth Rocket Trooper
 * Geth Pyro
 * Geth Prime
 * Geth Turret


 * Reaper
 * Husk
 * Cannibal
 * Marauder
 * Ravager
 * Swarmer
 * Brute
 * Banshee

Bugs
Issues have been reported with already unlocked kits, characters, and items are being locked again, typically after switching kits. While the problem is currently being investigated, it is advisable that you "unready" yourself before visiting the store in multiplayer.

It's reported that host migrations can cause bugs with locking too.