Discover which Mass Effect 2 abilities are best against Armor, Barrier, and Shields. Learn which powers to use anytime and which ones to avoid against certain defenses.
Alright, let's break down your abilities in Mass Effect 2, specifically focusing on which ones pack the biggest punch against different enemy defenses. Think of it like knowing which tool to use for which job – you wouldn't use a hammer on a screw, right? This guide sorts abilities by their damage strength and general usefulness, helping you pick the right power at the right time. We'll cover what you can use anytime, what's useless against certain defenses, and what's super effective against Armor, Barrier, and Shields.
Abilities You Can Use Anytime:
- Combat Drone
- Barrier
- Fortification
- Shield Boost
These are your go-to powers that you can deploy regardless of the situation, offering consistent utility.
Abilities That Don't Penetrate Defenses:
- Throw
- Dominate
- AI Hacking
- Pull
- Neural Shock
- Cryo Blast
- Slam
- Shockwave
- Shredder Ammo
- Cryo Ammo
Be careful with these! They're generally ineffective if your target has Shields or Barrier up, so save them for when those defenses are down or for enemies without them.
Abilities Strong Versus Armor:
- Reave
- Incinerate
- Warp
- Armor Piercing Ammo
- Incendiary Ammo
- Warp Ammo
- Inferno Blast Grenade
When you see those heavily armored Krogan or Vorcha, these are your best friends. They'll chew through armor like it's nothing.
Abilities Strong Versus Barrier:
- Reave
- Warp
- Warp Ammo
- Concussive Shot
Barriers are tricky, often found on powerful biotic enemies. These abilities will help you break through them efficiently.
Abilities Strong Versus Shield:
- Energy Drain
- Overload
- Combat Drone
- Disruptor Ammo
Shields are common, especially on Cerberus troops and mechs. These powers are your bread and butter for stripping them away quickly.
A Note on Difficulty:
Just a heads-up, the effectiveness of enemies' defenses can change based on your difficulty setting. On Normal, you'll mostly face defenses on bosses. Hardcore and Veteran difficulties will throw more enemies with defenses at you. If you're playing on Insanity, expect *all* enemies to have defenses, and some might even have multiple layers. This guide assumes you're playing on Hardcore, so if things seem easier or harder, that's likely why!
100% Human-Written. AI Fact-Checked. Community Verified. Learn how AntMag verifies content