User blog:Mictlantecuhtli/Melee Guide (Mass Effect 2)

With the addition of the Aegis Pack melee has become more viable as an alternative to firearms in the game, allowing one to break-up the monotony of firefights with brutal melee beatdowns. Coupled with a shotgun this tactic can prove very powerful, producing an immense amount of damage in a short time.

The primary benefits of melee attacks include consistent damage as they deal the same damage against defenses as they do health, a brief stun effect against enemies showing only a health bar, they require no ammunition and have a quick attack speed. The obvious drawbacks are situational useage (unless forcing such close-up encounters), and lack of range. The total attainable bonus damage to melee attacks is +210%.

Heavy Muscle Weave, Heightened Adrenaline Rush, Kestrel Torso Sheath, Strength Boost Pads and Kestrel Arm Sheathing.

Most Effective Brawlers
These are the most effective classes for melee versions of Shepard. In terms of pure melee damage output the soldier is at the top of the class list. However this doesn't mean that in conjunction with other abilities or those of squadmates some players may not find the other classes to be more effective.


 * Soldier
 * Example: Hardened Adrenaline Rush, Heavy Bone Weave, Heavy Muscle Weave, Heavy Skin Weave, Shock Trooper, N7 Breather Helmet, Kestrel Torso Sheath, Strength Boost Pads, Kestrel Arm Sheathing, Life Support Webbing, Reave, Biotic Upgrades, Shield Upgrades and Shotgun Upgrades. In total this equals -50% melee health damage taken, -50% health damage in general (when adrenaline rush is active), +105% health bonus, +50% time dilation, +170% melee damage bonus (when adrenaline rush is active, permanent +70% all other times), +58% shotgun damage, +50% shotgun shield damage (before any weapon bonuses themselves), +40% storm speed, +56% shield strength, -20% damage taken to shields, +35% biotic power duration (area reave lasts 5.4 seconds, heavy reave for 7.4), +15% power duration (adrenaline rush lasts for 5.75 seconds), -20% from reave recharge time (4.8 seconds), +50% reave damage (60 damage every second for 5.4 or 7.4 seconds) and a chance to fully restore shields when lost.


 * Infiltrator


 * Vanguard

Close-Quarters Combat
There is an achievement for your typical melee and shotgun combination, increasing your melee damage will significantly increase the total damage generated by repeated blows or following 1-2 attacks up with a point blank shotgun blast. On lower difficulties excessive melee damage bonuses can actually cause this achievement to become harder to successfully attain (as you will often kill the enemy in one or two quick punches). Beyond these the melee attacks are self explantory.

Tips For Closing On An Enemy
Storm speed is your friend, as are biotic powers such as Pull, Concussive Shot or others which can stun, knock down or bring multiple enemies closer.