Barrier (skill)

This article is about the Barrier skill in Mass Effect: Andromeda. For the biotic power Barrier in Mass Effect, Mass Effect 2, and Mass Effect 3, see Barrier.

Barrier is a passive Biotic skill in Mass Effect: Andromeda.

SP Skill Ranks

Specialized training reinforces ordinary shields with biotically empowered mass effect shields. Note that the bonus description for Saving Barrier in the game are incorrect.

Rank	Label	Icon	Description	Bonus
1	Barrier		Maximum shield strength scales with each skill point invested in the Biotic Skill Group.	+2% Max Shields
2	Barrier Speed		Decreases the delay before shields begin regenerating with each skill point invested in the Biotic Skill Group.	+2% Health & Shield Regeneration Delay Reduction
3	Barrier Regeneration		Increases shield regeneration speed with each skill point invested in the Biotic Skill Group.	+2% Shield Regeneration
4	Unyielding Barrier		-	+10% Max Shields
4	Recuperative Barrier		-	+10% Health & Shield Regeneration Delay Reduction +10% Shield Regeneration
5	Biotic Link		Increases maximum shield strength while a biotic effect is active upon an enemy.	Max Shields With an Active Biotic Effect: 40%
5	Biotic Alacrity		Reduces weapon weight and improves speed while shields are active. For biotic powers that deplete shields to activate, shield cost is reduced.	+10% Weapon Weight Capacity +10% Biotic Power Shield Cost Reduction +10% Movement Speed While Shields Active
6	Active Barrier		Restores shields after an enemy is killed by a biotic power. Also affects squadmates within 6 m.	Shields Restored on Biotic Kill: 10%
6	Saving Barrier		Automatically restores shields upon reaching low health on a cooldown.	Shields Restored at Low Health: 100% Low Health Threshold: 20% * Saving Barrier Cooldown (s): 15

MP Skill Ranks

Specialized training reinforces ordinary shields with biotically empowered mass effect shields.

Rank	Label	Icon	Description	Bonus
1	Barrier		Uses biotic abilities to augment standard kinetic barriers.	+25% Max Shields
2	Barrier Regeneration		-	+25% Shield Regeneration +25% Health & Shield Regeneration Delay Reduction
3	Biotic Melee		-	+30% Melee Damage
4	Unyielding Barrier		-	+30% Max Shields
4	Recuperative Barrier		-	+30% Health & Shield Regeneration Delay Reduction +30% Shield Regeneration
5	Biotic Link		Increases maximum shields while at least one biotic effect is active on an enemy.	Max Shields With an Active Biotic Effect: 40% Biotic Link Cooldown (s): 5
5	Barrier Drain		Partially restores shields with each successful melee attack.	Shields Restored by Melee: 15% +50% Melee Damage
6	Active Barrier		Partially restores shields after taking down an enemy with a biotic power. Also affects all allies within 6m.	Shields Restored on Biotic Kill: 15%
6	Saving Barrier		Automatically restores shields upon reaching low health on a cooldown.	Shields Restored at Low Health: 100% Low Health Threshold: 20% * Saving Barrier Cooldown (s): 15

Player Notes

Mechanics

• Barrier is a passive skill that is always active.
• Rank 6 Saving Barrier for both Ryder and Multiplayer Characters triggers at 25 % health, instead of the stated 20 %, and has a cooldown of 15 seconds for both.

Strategies

• Rank 6 Active Barrier only takes effect if an enemy is killed with a biotic power, whereas Rank 6 Saving Barrier will always take effect when conditions are met.
• If Ryder favors an aggressive Adept profile, or at least specializes in solely biotics, then Rank 6 Active Barrier can help bolster defenses; however, having shields automatically restored at low health is a literal life-saver, and Rank 6 Saving Barrier could be arguably seen as the better option.
• Rank 6 Active Barrier stacks with other shield-restoration on kill effects. By using Rank 6 Draining Field on Annihilation and wearing a Shield Oscillator on Ryder's chest armor, it is possible for Ryder to restore 80% of their shields every time they kill an enemy.

Availability

• Single-player: Pathfinder Ryder - Unlocked With 9 Skill Points in Biotic Skills or Biotic Training
• Multiplayer: Asari Adept, Asari Duelist, Asari Huntress, Human Adept, Human Guardian, Human Kineticist, Human Vanguard