Squadmate Builds

Squadmate Builds

Maximizing your squadmates' potential is crucial for success in Mass Effect 3. This section provides detailed, actionable builds for each companion, focusing on power allocation, weapon choices, and optimal gear to turn them into formidable assets on the battlefield.

EDI: The Tech Specialist

EDI excels at debilitating enemies with her tech powers and providing crowd control. Her unique ability to strip shields and barriers makes her invaluable against heavily armored foes and synthetics. This build focuses on maximizing her tech burst damage and utility.

Power Allocation

• Incinerate: Max this power first.
  • Rank 4: Radius – Increases the area of effect, hitting multiple targets.
  • Rank 5: Burning Damage – Enhances damage over time, especially effective against armor.
  • Rank 6: Armor Damage – Further boosts damage against armored enemies, making her a tank-buster.
• Overload: Max this power second.
  • Rank 4: Chain Overload – Allows Overload to jump to additional targets, excellent for crowd control and shield stripping.
  • Rank 5: Neural Shock – Stuns organic enemies, providing crucial breathing room.
  • Rank 6: Shield Damage – Significantly increases damage against shields and barriers, her primary role.
• Defense Matrix: Allocate remaining points here.
  • Rank 4: Durability – Increases damage reduction and shield regeneration.
  • Rank 5: Power Recharge – Reduces cooldowns, allowing for more frequent power use.
  • Rank 6: Shield Recharge – Further enhances shield regeneration, improving her survivability.
• Decoy: Avoid investing points here unless you need a specific distraction utility and have spare points after the core build.

Weapon Choices

EDI benefits most from light, accurate weapons that allow her to frequently use her powers. Prioritize weapons with low weight and high accuracy.

• SMG:
  • M-12 Locust: Found during the Priority: Citadel I mission. Excellent accuracy and low weight.
  • M-9 Tempest: Available for purchase from the Elkoss Combine Arsenal Supplies on the Citadel after Priority: Palaven. High rate of fire for close-quarters engagements.
• Pistol:
  • M-5 Phalanx: Acquired during Priority: Mars. Good all-around pistol with decent damage and accuracy.
  • M-3 Predator: Standard starting pistol, but can be upgraded.

Weapon Mods

Focus on mods that enhance accuracy, stability, and magazine capacity for sustained fire.

• SMG Scope: Improves accuracy, especially at range.
• SMG High-Caliber Barrel: Increases damage output.
• Pistol Heavy Barrel: Boosts damage for her sidearm.
• Pistol Magazine Upgrade: Increases ammo capacity, reducing reloads.

Armor and Gear

EDI's gear should complement her tech-focused role, boosting power damage and cooldowns.

• N7 Armor (Default): Provides solid all-around protection.
• Armour Mods:
  • Capacitor Chestplate: Increases shield regeneration speed.
  • Amplifier Plates (Arms): Boosts power damage.
  • Stabilization Gauntlets (Arms): Improves weapon accuracy and stability.
  • Ordnance Packs (Legs): Increases grenade capacity (if applicable) or provides a minor boost to weapon damage.
  • Visor: Consider the Recon Hood (found during Priority: Mars) for increased headshot damage or the Kestrel Helmet (purchased from Elkoss Combine Arsenal Supplies) for power damage.

Combat Strategy

Deploy EDI against shielded and armored targets. Use Overload to strip defenses, then follow up with Incinerate for sustained damage and detonations. Keep her at mid-range, allowing her SMG to be effective while her powers recharge. Utilize her Defense Matrix for personal survivability during intense firefights.