The Mog Blog

The addition of Multiplayer in the Mass Effect universe might feel like an odd addition. Going from a Lone Wolf Single Player environment to being thrown into a squad of other players can feel a bit intimidating and even daunting. But, if you choose to step into it and learn the game proper, you will have yourself one hell of a time in perhaps what most would consider the perfect blend of Mass Effect and Team Survival.

To get you on your way, here are a few tips to help you shoot like the best of them.

- Try out different classes and weapon configurations

Now that you have the option to switch classes to whatever you want at any time with Multiplayer, try everything! Use a class that you might have not tried yet from Single Player. Being able to use different classes and even play as different races will give you options and ability combinations that will really make you powerful in the field. You’re also free to use whatever weapon you’ve unlocked in Multiplayer. Not a big fan of SMGs? Me neither, therefore I don’t use them and I opt for a Heavy Pistol. Use weapons that you like and have it try to complement your class choice too.

Also don’t forget about using the one-use equipment items. Unlike Single Player, ammo types are equipped on a per-game basis and will last you for only one full game. You’ll find more in the booster packs that you buy with credits but please take the time to equip some. This goes for armor and weapon bonuses too.

- Don’t be a (stupid) Hero

Even as Shepard, you have your limits. Rushing in blindly may work if you play through the Mass Effect games on casual but it won’t work well online. Even Shepard relies on the help of others in order to end the Reaper threat and this echos well in Multiplayer. With that said, don’t rush in blindly and always have an exit strategy if you’re surrounded. Vanguard is a good class that can charge in and stay self sustainable but even they need to be able to take a breather when it gets too overwhelming.

Being by yourself also means that you’re alone to fend off anything that gets close to you. If you die, there’s a good chance that no one will save you. Most importantly, don’t try to revive someone immediately without making sure it’s clear. This is especially true if there’s a turret around the corner. One downed soldier is already a bad thing, don’t make it two.

- Don’t try to tackle Silver or Gold challenge levels at first

By default, quick match will automatically look for any game without any restrictions. This also means it will put you in any game that might be playing on a difficulty rating that you’re not ready for. If it’s your first time jumping online and you don’t have the right gear or levels, you’re not going to have fun trying to kill things that will simply laugh at your weak attacks. When looking up games on quick match, change the setting for Challenge to Bronze. Once you get a good feel, get some levels and better equipment, consider trying Silver but also consider that it will require some more coordination.

- Get to know the map

Thankfully, all of these levels can be experienced in the Single Player campaign as N7 missions. While the objectives are completely different, at least you can spend sometime walking around them. However, you probably won’t get the chance to understand the map until you dive into it in Multiplayer (you know, where it really matters). At the bare minimum, remember where the ammo box locations are. These boxes are filled with replenishing ammo and are the only way to restock your grenades if your class uses them.

As you keep playing, keep note of where enemies can spawn and familiarize yourself with the area so you know how to get in, stay safe and get out when needed.

- Try to bring some friends in!

What great way to share to your friends your thoughts about how hot Miranda is or how awesome is Garrus by playing with friends who also like Mass Effect? Playing with a group of friends that you’re familiar with can make the experience so much entertaining and even faster because now you have people you can trust to cover your back. Take your friendship further by tackling on Silver and Gold challenges. Success or failure, at least you all will have memories that you can all laugh about!

- Medi-Gel is not like skittles

You’ll be allowed to carry some special on-use equipment. This includes a missile launcher, Medi-Gel, survival packs, and spare ammo packs. The missile launcher will one shot anything that gets hit with the explosion. Medi-Gel will revive yourself if you’re downed. Survival packs will recharge your health and shields instantly if you’re about to go down and ammo packs will refill your ammo if you can’t make it to an ammo box. While you can actually hold a great number of these items, you can only initially carry 2 per item per game. You may as well use them but do so if you really need them.

The missile launcher should only be used during times where you’re overwhelmed and enemies are all closed together. If it means the difference between winning or losing, definitely consider using it. Medi-Gels should only be used if you know your friends can’t make it to you or if you’re about to be executed. If everyone else is dead, you might as well use it. Survival packs should be used if you’re in a situation where you’re stunned, you can’t get to cover and you’re about to die. Finally, ammo packs you can generally be fine without using them unless you know you can’t access the ammo boxes or if you need to maintain supporting fire to kill off something big.

- Know thy enemy

Chances are that if you already beat the Single Player game or have gone a decent amount through it, you would have already encountered all the enemies that you would see in multiplayer. But to give you a quick run down on what every enemy can do:

Cerberus
- Assault Trooper: Weak enemies.
- Centurion: A step above a trooper but has shields. Also throws smoke bombs that obscure vision.
- Nemesis: Snipers. Will aim with a red laser sight. If you see it on you, move! Shields.
- Guardian: Has an impenetrable physical shield and moves really slow. Shoot through the slit or around the shield.
- Combat Engineer: Can build turrets that will mow you down. Make sure this doesn’t happen. Shields.
- Turret: Built by Combat Engineers, never take one head on. Also protected by a shield and has armor.
- Phantom: Stealth sword welders. Can kill you instantly if you’re too close. Yes, this thing got a shield too.
- Atlas: Huge mech that fires rockets, can also grab you and kill you. Unfortunately, you cannot hi-jack an Atlas in multiplayer or snipe out the driver. Shield with armor.

Geth
- Trooper: Weak enemies.
- Hunter: Stealth and shielded.
- Rocket Trooper: Fires rockets and can easily annoy the hell out of your group if you let them pile on. Shields.
- Pyro: Flamethrowing Shielded/Armored bastards that can drop you if you’re too close.
- Prime: Shields, Armor and a portable turret to boot. While not as dangerous as the other higher tier enemies in the other categories, this one man army can kill if you’re not careful. Oh and he explodes before he dies.

Reapers
- Husk: Will claw at you and grab you. Press the melee button rapidly if they do.
- Cannibal: Shoots at you, head is placed a little lower on the body if you’re going for a headshot. Also eats the bodies of their fallen allies.
- Marauder: Converted Turians, have a shield and also can give others a protective shield.
- Ravager: Shoots fast rocket like things at you and has a blue laser sight. Shooting their egg sacks will spawn swarmers. Armor.
- Swarmer: Small insect things that will chip at you. Easy to kill and remove.
- Brute: Huge things that can kill you if you get too close. All armor. Will do a final arm swing before dying.
- Banshee: Teleporting screaming things that is protected by a barrier and armor. Also can one shot you up close. Has slow moving projectiles and a scream that can disable your shields for a long duration.

- Just shoot the damn thing!

Score virtually means nothing other than bragging rights. You won’t get more XP than the other person if you’re top on the scoring list as everything is shared. With this in mind, don’t be afraid to kill. As weird as this piece of advice is, there are people out there that will run past me when I’m dealing with a bunch of enemies. You can go ahead and shoot them and steal my kills. Anyone who has been playing Multiplayer for awhile will know that it doesn’t matter how many you kill but how quickly you can go through each wave.

- Remember your objectives

In Multiplayer, you may have to kill off priority targets or hack a few terminals. While the time limit is very lenient for capturing the four points, hacking is less so and killing off the targets can easily end the game if you’re not pushing for them. With that said, enemies will infinitely spawn until you complete these objectives and this can be a terrible thing if you take too long. Make sure your priorities are straight.

- Looking for Class Builds?

Check out my next post where I’ll go into deeper details about specific class builds, from the fun to the optimal. Happy shooting!