Mass Effect 3 continues to be one of the best games in the series concerning combat. As with its previous two games, there are six classes in Mass Effect 3. These classes are comprised of three pure classes, which specialize in combat (Soldier), biotics, (Adept), and tech (Engineer). The three hybrid classes are Vanguard, Infiltrator, and Sentinel.
The Adept is one of the pure classes and focuses on biotics. This makes the Adept a powerhouse on the battlefield who deals out destruction and leaves enemy squads shattered. Their core power, Singularity, is one of the most versatile and powerful in the game, while their other biotics such as Throw, Shockwave, and Warp provide crowd control and trigger cross-class explosions.
Updated September 22, 2021, by Mark Hospodar: Mass Effect 3 represents the thrilling conclusion to the beloved sci-fi epic. With the Reaper invasion in full force, players certainly don't lack options regarding offensive abilities.
Opting for a pure class like an Adept can be highly rewarding, not to mention visually impressive. Throwing enemies across the room and detonating black holes is, in fact, as cool as it sounds. Of course, there are shortcomings to playing as a pure build. Knowing how to play to an Adept's strengths is crucial for getting the most out of this fun (and powerful) class.
Unleashing Singularity
Singularity is a biotic power only usable by the most powerful biotics, usually asari, and rarely humans. It is the signature power of the Adept and is a powerful crowd control tool in the Adept's arsenal. Singularity does the work of a tiny black hole, using gravity to pull all enemies who fall into its range towards it. Singularity also sets up Biotic Explosions for the Adept and other team members.
Singularity is best used to trap foes that cross its path, suspending unprotected enemies and staggering those with armor or shields. The upgrade Detonate further evolves Singularity into a weapon, whereupon it explodes and damages enemies when it discharges.
Key Upgrades For Singularity
Since Singularity is one of the most important powers in the Adept's arsenal, it's beneficial for the player to make key upgrades for it throughout their playthrough. Capitalizing on a class's inherent strengths is a surefire way to maintain dominance on the battlefield. Definitely grab these upgrades when available:
- Rank 4: Duration – Increases Singularity's hold duration by 30% AND Increases the number of enemies that can be lifted
- Rank 5: Recharge Speed – Increases recharge speed by 30%
- Rank 6: Detonation – Detonates Singularity and inflicts 300 damage across 5 meters
Essential Biotic Powers
As a pure class, Adepts are masters and specialists in biotics. This is reflected in their core skillset, which consists almost exclusively of biotic powers. These abilities are Singularity, Pull, Throw, Shockwave, and Warp. Employing these abilities in the right circumstances can make difficult combat encounters a lot easier.
Tips & Tricks For Utilizing Biotic Powers
Singularity is helpful as it sets up Biotic Explosions for Warp, Throw, and Shockwave. Nearly all of these abilities can throw or stagger enemies out of cover. Warp is the primary damage dealer of this group, and its Expose and Pierce upgrades make it all the more lethal to enemies regardless of armor. Stats for these upgrades include:
- Rank 5: Expose – Increases weapon damage taken by a target by 15% AND Increases power damage taken by a target by 15% for 10 seconds
- Rank 6: Pierce – Increases weapon damage to barriers and armor by 50% AND Weakens armored targets by an additional 25%
Bonus Powers For The Adept
Out of the biotic Bonus Powers, Flare is the best option for an Adept due to its detonations and high damage output. As Adepts would have a light weapons loadout, the long recharge time that would stumble other classes is mitigated for Adepts.
Another good biotic bonus power is Dark Channel as it moves from one enemy to another, meaning the potential for Biotic Explosions across the battlefield is only limited by recharge times of the Adept and their team. Alternatively, Warp Ammo is the best ammo power to get if an ammo power is needed. Other good options are ones that increase the Adept's staying power, such as Barrier, Fortification, or Defense Matrix.
The Adept's Passive Skill – Biotic Mastery
Biotic Mastery is the Passive Class Skill of the Adept. As the class skill, it focuses on improving weight capacity, strength, duration of biotic powers, and improving reputation scores. Upgrading this skill tree is largely dependent on player interest in the story of Mass Effect 3.
Increasing Reputation Bonuses
If the player is invested in the story and wants the best possible outcomes to be available at key plot points, then investing in branches that improve reputation points is critical. Reputation affects the Paragon/Renegade system, and increasing these points allows some leeway for interrupts without having to compromise on getting the best story resolution. These essential upgrades include:
- Rank 4: Influence/Duration – Reputation increased by 20%
- Rank 5: Damage/Capacity – Reputation increased by 20% (if the previous upgrade was also selected)
- Rank 6: Power Mastery – Reputation increased by 20% (if Influence/Duration was also selected)
Increasing Weight Capacity
Aside from reputation, increasing weight capacity for the Adept, a class that relies on cooldowns, is important, especially if the Combo Mastery upgrade isn't chosen in favor of the reputation bonus. The same upgrades that improve one's reputation also help with improving weight capacity to a maximum of 50.
The Adept's Firepower – Detonations
Detonations are the staple combat method for the Adept. As a biotic class, the Adept is going to specialize in Biotic Explosions. Explosions can be set up using Warp or Singularity. Warp is especially important and flexible as it can be used as both a primer and a detonator.
Multiple enemies can be primed using Singularity, while Throw upgraded with Recharge Combo and Double Throw means you can hit two enemies trapped in Singularity, trigger a Biotic Explosion, then use Throw again immediately because of the no recharge bonus.
Consider Investing In Fitness
Fitness is a Passive Skill that is found across every class. This passive affects the strength of melee attacks and survivability of the Adept. As the Adept is primarily a long-range class that can deliver powerful attacks from a distance, the melee upgrades for Fitness are largely unnecessary.
Increasing durability and shields is a more fruitful endeavor. Adepts very rarely attack with melee, and melee does very little to enemies compared to other classes. Health and shields, including a bonus to shield recharge time, will ensure your Adept is better at surviving in those instances when they get swarmed by husks. Thus, prioritize these Fitness upgrades:
- Rank 4: Durability – Increases health and shield bonuses by 15%
- Rank 5: Barrier Recharge – Decreases shield recharge delay by 15%
- Rank 6: Fitness Expert – Increases health and shields by 25%
Pistols – The Adept's Weapon Of Choice
As a class that relies on fast cooldown times, having a light loadout is incredibly important for the Adept. The weapon of choice, then, would be the heavy pistol. Fortunately, players possess a few worthwhile choices when it comes to a pistol loadout.
The Paladin & The Carnifex
The best pistol is the M-77 Paladin, which can be acquired from Spectre Requisitions. The Paladin is lighter than other heavy pistols found in the game and has a massive punch for such a light weapon.
As it is expensive, a good alternative is the M-6 Carnifex, which can be acquired much earlier when completing "Arrae: Ex-Cerberus Scientists." Helpful mods for these pistols include Lightweight Materials and the Pistol Piercing mod.
Stasis And Shotguns
Adepts have enough powers and abilities to stay out of range of most enemies, but their ability to freeze enemies in place is not to be ignored. Powers like Singularity and Stasis provide the opportunity for a completely alternative way to play, which affects weapon loadout.
If you've gone for this type of gameplay, then a shotgun outfitted with an Ultralight Materials mod is a good choice for the Adept. As the shotgun will be below the weight capacity for the Adept, it will have no significant effect on power recharges. An Adept can trap enemies with Singularity or Stasis, then simply walk up to the enemies and finish them off with the shotgun.
Choosing The Right Squadmates – Garrus & James
As a pure class, the Adept is a specialist in one field. Unfortunately, this means that they're lacking in two areas: combat and tech. This weakness can be overcome by choosing the optimal squadmates to assist the player in combat.
As a tech and combat specialist, Garrus is a great option as he covers both the weaknesses of the Adept. Overload is great for taking down shields and synthetics, while Concussive Shot is great for the sheer damage it deals. James is another good companion for the Adept, as he can draw enemy fire while the Adept deals biotic damage and controls the battlefield.
The Adept's Tactics
As mentioned before, the Adept has two main strategies. The first is the most common, where the Adept has a light loadout, using the heavy pistol while focusing on dealing damage and creating Biotic Explosions from a distance. The alternative is to focus on keeping enemies immobile while finishing them off with a shotgun.
Both these tactics require at least one squadmate with combat or tech experience, either to draw fire or to take down defenses the Adept isn't equipped to beat. With their biotics and a well-balanced team, the Adept is one of the most powerful classes in the game.
Mass Effect Legendary Edition was released on May 14, 2021, and is available on PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One.