What's a good "build" to start for trilogy?

[=Snappy=]

I played ME1 back in the day. I think I played basically a min-maxed sort of sniper crit guy. I don't remember much other than I was stomping everything, by the end.

So, just looking for some guidance, from the standpoint of fun new things to try and/or trying to foresee what will be important or perhaps critical later in the trilogy.

I'd basically like to ding as many achievements as possible in one playthru and it may be another 15+ years before I run thru it again. :P

Thanks for any input!

[็]

Builds are dependent on the classes you run, so what class are you gravitating towards right now?

If you were playing a sniper crit build in ME1 before, then I'm guessing you were playing as an Infiltrator or Soldier. Is this something you are planning to play as again or do you plan on branching out to other classes?

Vanguard is probably regarded as the most fun class, which I personally agree with so it's the one I'd recommend from a general standpoint. It isn't really special in LE1 (it's basically an Adept-lite class with a shotgun), but once you get to LE2 onwards, it becomes incredibly fun zipping into enemies with a shotgun.

[=Snappy=]

Ok, thanks. I think I played a soldier btw. It's been so long.

And to be clear in my OP I kinda meant "class/build". I didn't even remember what the exact mechanical model was in this game.

I just remember sniping geks from across the map, the cool music, the moon patrol buggy of course, and that by the end of the game i was throwing stuff away cuz i had too much loot. :D

[WhateverWorks]

Sniping in Mass Effect is pretty fun stuff, particularly in the first game where you have a lot of very large open maps to play in. In 2 and 3, the infiltrator has a cloaking ability that makes sniping tons of fun too.

[=Snappy=]

yeah i didn't set out to snipe but it just wound up being optimal in so many situations. i think i used a shotgun for backup some of the time? maybe a pistol? i don't recall too much AR action.

It'll fall into place, I'm sure but mainly, as I understand the 3 games flow together somehow, i just didn't want to pick anything that would be at an unforeseeable disadvantage later.

[countgrey]

You're allowed to completely respec between games, changing class and even your appearance if you want to. Furthermore, in the Legendary Edition the main character is no longer restricted to using specific weapons in ME1, so you can be any class with any weapons you want. That said, in ME1 different classes have weapon-specific boosts/powers (which really doesn't matter that much unless you're playing on Insanity difficulty), in ME2 each class can only use certain weapons (although about halfway through the main quest line you can select an additional weapon type to be proficient in), and in ME3 there are some upgrade trees that boost one weapon or another but you as the main character can use any weapons you want.

This means that the only major distinction is now between classes. Here's an excerpt from a Review of ME:LE I wrote a couple years ago:

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Soldier
Guns are your thing. You can use any weapon throughout the games, have a large health pool, and have specialized training options in all weapons in ME1 (as well as access to Heavy Armor), as well as all weapon-focused skills in ME2 and ME3.

Adept
You can make space bend to your will. While relatively weak with weapons (as in, the only weapons specialization training available for an Adept in ME1 is for Pistols, and in ME2 they can use Heavy Pistols and Submachine Guns), their abilities allow for single-target to large AoE effects, ranging from pure damage to debuffs. With no abilities specifically effective against enemies with shields, it's a good idea to take an ally with Overload with you on missions if you play as an Adept. They have a bonus self-defense Barrier in addition to their basic shields to help offset their low health.

Engineer
Technology is your bread and butter. In ME1 having an Engineer in your party is invaluable, because they can get you access to locked doors and locked chests (they aren't mission critical, but they generally contain extra loot/gear). Similar to the Adept, their abilities range from single-target to large AoE effects, ranging from pure damage to debuffs, and have the same weapon restrictions in ME1 an ME2 as the Adept. They have very powerful shields to help offset their relatively low health.

Vanguard
A mix between the Soldier and Adept, the Vanguard is a master at hit and run tactics. Designed to charge into battle with a biotic blast, they then clean up any surviving enemies with a shotgun. Unfortunately, they don't have a lot of shields or armor, and have the same weakness as Adepts when it comes to removing enemy shields. Lots of exciting combat with this class, but expect to be killed a few times in tough fights if you overextend. In ME1 they can receive advanced training in Pistols and Shotguns, and in ME2 they are restricted to Heavy Pistols, Submachne Guns, and Shotguns.

Sentinel
A mix between the Adept and Engineer, the Sentinel has access to a wide range of single-target to large AoE effects, ranging from pure damage to debuffs. While they're great for stripping defenses from enemies (especially in ME2 and ME3), they aren't quite specialized enough in either field to be truly powerful, and really shine when they're supporting their allies. In ME1 they can only receive advanced training in Pistols, and in ME2 they have the same weapon restrictions as the Adept and Engineer.

Infiltrator
A mix between the Soldier and Engineer, the Infiltrator uses Engineer powers to remove enemy defenses before sniping them. In ME2 and ME3, the Infiltrator also has a powerful stealth-and-melee strike ability, giving it much more viability in close combat. In ME1 they can receive advanced training in Pistols and Sniper Rifles, and in ME2 are restricted to Heavy Pistols, Submachine Guns, and Sniper Rifles.

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With respect to weapon use in ME1, the classes that don't have access to much weapon specialization training can still make very effective use of all types of weapons. In ME2, there's a particular Submachine Gun (the Locust) that functions very much like an accurate Assault Rifle, and can be obtained very early in the game via completing Kasumi's Loyalty Mission Kasumi: Stolen Memory, so if you're playing a class that relies on Submachine Gun usage then it's highly recommended to get it early in your playthrough. In ME3, there's a Sniper Rifle (the Indra) that functions like a full-auto scoped Assault Rifle. While it does weaker damage compared to other Sniper Rifles, it has a very high rate of fire, a quick reload time, a large clip, it's pretty accurate, and can be purchased pretty early in the game, all while being relatively lightweight (weapon weight is a thing in ME3: if you carry less gear then you get a bonus to your ability recharge times, and if you carry lots of gear then you get a penalty to your ability recharge times).

Beyond that, there's all sorts of different play styles. Some people like to have a full biotic party so they can constantly spam biotic combo explosions, others prefer a jack-of-all-trades party, some people like a party of the base trio (Adept, Engineer, Soldier), and then there are people who will change their party composition for every single mission - sometimes for maximum efficiency, sometimes to trigger interesting/unique dialogue.

[Biotic Geth Prime]

I do suggest that first-time players always try Soldier class, specially on ME1.

In ME1, Soldier always seemed like the default class, the "ryu" class, with the others looking more like afterthoughts that gave the game a different flavor during replays.

It is simplistic, but quite effective.

Also, remember to try to balance your team by picking companions that will enhance your abilities. Having a biotic like Kaidan or Liara on one side (specially Liara with SIngularity) is good for crowd control.

Also, you do need someone who is more techninal based, like Tali, or Garrus, so you can access certain items.

If you are the Soldier, you are the muscle in the operation. You dont really need Wrex and Ashley, unless you are seriously looking into heavy hypertrophy.

If you are using a very weak class, like a Biotic, then you must reverse the strategy. Let stronger folks like Ashley and Wrex have a more prominent role in the battlefield, while you provide assistance and coordination. Pay very close attention to the damage you are receiving. You can only take so much.

I have discussed my all impressions of each of the classes here:

https://steamcommunity.com/app/1328670/discussions/0/3419936083021804378/#c3419936083030109983