Mass Effect: Andromeda Multiplayer

The multiplayer component of Mass Effect: Andromeda is a co-operative game mode similar to Mass Effect 3's multiplayer. Players take on the enemy threats as part of the APEX Force, whose task is to protect the Andromeda Initiative's interests. Completing special missions may earn the player certain single player rewards, but otherwise the multiplayer mode is completely optional and does not affect the story of the single player mode in any fashion.

Missions
Multiplayer missions consist of pitting the player and up to three allies against waves of enemies on various battlefields throughout the Heleus Cluster. The number of waves is seven by default. Some waves are completed by killing all the enemies, whereas objective waves have a time limit. After completing the objective, remaining enemies have to be eliminated to finish the wave. Each objective awards a certain amount of experience (XP) depending on the speed of completion. The mission fails if the timer expires before the objective is completed or all players go down.

On the last wave, all players must defend against the enemy for a set time period, then retreat to the designated extraction zone within the time limit.

Difficulty
All multiplayer missions have four challenge difficulties, in order from easiest to hardest: Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. Higher difficulties feature stronger and more numerous enemies, as well as difficult enemy types in earlier waves and in larger numbers, but also grant better rewards.

Enemy Type
APEX forces may encounter three types of enemy during their missions:
 * Kett
 * Outlaw
 * Remnant

The Platinum difficulty offers a specific challenge by mixing all three types of enemies.

Custom Missions
Regular missions grant credits and XP. Players may customize the map, enemy type, and difficulty.

APEX Missions
APEX Missions are the type of Strike Team Mission that can alternatively be completed as a multiplayer mission. Multiplayer credits and XP can be earned only if the mission is completed as a multiplayer match, whereas Mission Funds and Pathfinder rewards are earned regardless of the manner of completion.

APEX Missions have preset modifiers, typically reducing effectiveness in some areas (such as weak point damage or shields) and increasing it in others. There are two types of APEX Mission: some refresh daily, like other Strike Team Missions, whereas special APEX Missions may be available for a limited period of a few days.

Depending on whether the mission modifier increases or decreases player effectiveness, there is a penalty or bonus to XP and credits compared to the respective regular multiplayer missions. For limited-time missions, the rewards may include a special pack in the store.

Character Customization
Characters' appearance, weapons, and equipment can be customized between matches, and additional equipment can be obtained by purchasing packs and items from the store. Characters can be assigned custom names in the APEX HQ app or in-game. These custom names are not visible to other players.

List of Characters
Players can choose from different character classes and seven different races to play 36 individual unique multiplayer characters. Individual character weapons and equipment can be customized between matches with additional weapons and equipment obtained by purchasing packs from the Store.

26 of the multiplayer characters were initially available while 10 additional characters (*) were gradually phased in with the advancement of APEX Missions.

Multiplayer Skills
Mass Effect: Andromeda's Multiplayer mode uses the class system of previous Mass Effect games.

Skill sets are fixed, character-specific, and consist of 3 active and 2 passive skills using a mix of the standard 36 skills available from single-player gameplay as well as new multiplayer only skills.

The multiplayer Skill types break down into three main color coded categories: Combat (Red ), Tech (Orange ), and Biotics (Violet ). Each category type has its own set of active and passive  skills. †A few skills listed above are used by single-player squadmates but are unable to be used by Pathfinder Ryder. (Refer to individual skill pages for details on availability.)

Prestige
Mass Effect: Andromeda introduces permanent bonuses to characters through a mechanic called Prestige. Each character is associated with a group of bonus stats; progressing a particular stat will, up to a limit, apply the related bonus to all multiplayer characters. Like other types of online progress, these bonuses do not apply to additional accounts or platforms. Any XP gained with a character, regardless of the character's level or rank, counts towards XP for the related Bonus Stat. Each Bonus stat starts from level 0 and can be upgraded to a max level of 10. The Bonus Stats are unlocked for every Character of the account.

Ranking

 * APEX rating: Earn a higher APEX Rating by gaining character levels, unlocking higher weapon levels, defeating challenges, extracting from matches, finishing missions, and resetting a character's level (25 points).
 * Challenge rating: Earn Challenge points by completing tutorial missions, accomplishments, APEX Mastery, Map Mastery, APEX Rating, killing foes of each faction, and weapon mastery which includes; pistols, shotguns, sniper rifles, assault rifles, combatives, biotics, and tech points.

Weapons
With Patch 1.09, new versions of the standard weapons were added that have additional benefits. These new versions have additional text added after the standard definition text, descriptions and stats of the new benefits, the benefit type in (parathensis) is added after the name of the weapon, and the weapon paint coloring scheme changes (based on each specific weapon).

On the patch and update list and weapon cards, these weapons are not referred to by the full name but only by the first letter of the new weapon type. B is Bulwalk, C is Concussive, and S is Siphon. Example: Avenger S is the M-8 Avenger (Siphon).

Bulwark
(Bulwark): This weapon upgrade is based on tech accidentally discovered while creating shield generators. The Bulwark's user takes less damage from all sources when standing near allies - the more allies, the stronger the effect.

Gain Damage Resistance with each nearby ally.

+ Damage Resistance Near One Ally + Damage Resistance Near Two Allies + Damage Resistance Near Three Allies

Paint scheme changes to yellow.

Concussive
(Concussive): Initiative scientists have outdone themselves with this weapon upgrade. Using this upgrade to kill an enemy with a headshot causes a massive explosion, essentially turning the target into a bomb.

Killing an enemy by shooting its weak point causes an explosion.

+ Area Damage + Radius (m)

Paint scheme changes to purple.

Siphon
(Siphon): This weapon upgrade was developed by anagram scientists excited to experiment with biotics for the first time. The Siphon heals the user while shooting enemies and temporarily increases the amount of healing with fatal shots.

This weapon restores your health as it deals damage.

+ % Damage Returned As Health + % Heal Bonus Per Kill + Kill Streak Duration (seconds) + Maximum Kill Bonuses

Paint scheme changes to red.

Store
The store sells multiplayer equipment and item packs, and distributes special rewards earned. Contents of these packs include weapon upgrades, mods, character unlocks, and more. Packs may be purchased with in-game credits earned through gameplay, or alternatively with real currency. Mission Funds, a new currency earned through Strike Team Missions, can be used to purchase particular items in the multiplayer store.

Specialized Maps
Currently only available during APEX weekly missions

Servers
As opposed to having dedicated servers, Mass Effect: Andromeda multiplayer employs a peer-to-peer system like Mass Effect 3. There are currently no plans for supporting cross-platform play. The multiplayer mode is not region-locked, although the matchmaking system prefers towards good connection.