.2B.13. Summary of Ability Strengths

Learn which Mass Effect abilities are best against Armor, Shields, and Barriers. Master your combat strengths to dominate every enemy.

Alright, let's break down the abilities you've got in Mass Effect and figure out which ones pack the biggest punch against different enemy defenses. Knowing this will seriously up your game, especially when things get tough.

We're sorting these by how much damage they do, or just how useful they are overall. Keep in mind, Armor is what most enemies wear, while Barriers are rarer. But here's a neat trick: any ability that's great against Barriers is also good against Shields. For weapons though, it's a bit different – they share a weakness against Shields and Barriers, not the Armor-Barrier split you see with abilities.

Abilities You Can Use Anytime

These are your go-to moves that you can deploy whenever the situation calls for it, no need to wait for specific conditions:

• Combat Drone
• Barrier
• Fortification
• Shield Boost

Abilities That Don't Break Through Defenses

These abilities are less about brute force and more about control or specific effects. They won't directly blast through enemy Armor, Shields, or Barriers:

• Throw
• Dominate
• AI Hacking
• Pull
• Neural Shock
• Cryo Blast
• Slam
• Shockwave
• Shredder Ammo
• Cryo Ammo

Abilities Strong Against Armor

When you're facing enemies covered in heavy Armor, these are your best bets:

• Reave
• Incinerate
• Warp
• Armor Piercing Ammo
• Incendiary Ammo
• Warp Ammo
• Inferno Blast Grenade

Abilities Strong Against Barrier

These will cut through enemy Barriers like butter:

• Reave
• Warp
• Warp Ammo
• Concussive Shot

Abilities Strong Against Shield

Need to drop enemy Shields quickly? Use these:

• Energy Drain
• Overload
• Combat Drone
• Disruptor Ammo