In the original Mass Effect trilogy, a player's chosen class dictates what powers and abilities Shepard has at their disposal. For instance, an Adept begins each game with a litany of biotic powers, such as Singularity and Warp.
However, in Mass Effect 3, Shepard is not restricted to the abilities they have from the start, as they can add another one during the game. The Commander can get the extra bonus power by interacting with a bed in the Normandy's Med Bay. Yet, before they can pick the best skills, they need to unlock them, and here is how to do it.
Updated September 23, 2021, by Ben Jessey: Mass Effect 3 is a long game, so a lot of players might find that in the later stages, they're getting tired of using the same abilities. That's why the chance to select an additional skill is such a treat. But the decision of which to pick is oftendifficult, as there is no true best bonus power. Instead, there are a group of strong ones, and any of them can be considered the greatest. A few of them were left off of our list previously, so this article has been updated to add them in, giving players a few more options.
11 Freeze The Opposition With Stasis
With the Stasis ability, Shepard is able to freeze opponents in place. It's a good option when there are a lot of enemies in an area, as it takes one or two of them out of commission for a while. Alternatively, the power can be used to keep a target out in the open. They'll be ready for Shepard's crew to deal some damage, possibly by using a biotic explosion.
How To Unlock it
Liara is one of the best romances in the series, but players don't need to be in a relationship with her to get this ability. All they have to do is speak with the Asari immediately after the Priority: Thessia quest.
10 Protect And Lift With Barrier
Throughout the game, Shepard has to face all sorts of difficult opposition. Thus, the hero could benefit from a little bit more protection at times, and that's what the Barrier provides. Not only does it make players harder to kill, but they can detonate the Barrier to lift up nearby enemies, leaving them vulnerable to attack.
How To Unlock it
It's only possible to get this power if Kaidan is alive in the player's save. If the guy is still standing, Shepard can talk to him after he rejoins the Normandy after Priority: The Citadel II. Once the conversation is over, players will receive perhaps the best bonus power.
9 Proximity Mine, A Surprisingly Long-Ranged Explosive
A Proximity Mine sounds like a pretty boring power compared to all of the unique biotic and tech abilities in the game. But what it lacks in flair, it makes up for in substance. Unlike most powers, there isn't a limit to how many people can be hit by one, so it works a little like grenades — except players get an unlimited supply of mines. They also have great range as players can use a scope to place them at a distance, which is why it's among the best bonus powers for a strong Infiltrator build.
How To Unlock it
The chance to unlock this power comes deep into the story. To do so, players first need to beat the Priority: Thessia mission and then speak to Garrus.
8 Dark Channel Provides Continuous Biotic Damage
Those hit with Dark Channel take consistent biotic damage, and if they die before the power's duration is over, another enemy gets infected with it. However, the best part about the ability is its use in biotic explosions. Anyone suffering from the effects of Dark Channel is already primed for a power combo, so just hit them with a detonator ability to initiate their destruction. Therefore the power is most useful for those with biotic talents.
How To Unlock it
Getting Dark Channel requires one of the best DLCs in the series, From Ashes, which is also a part of the Legendary Edition. Then players have to wait until they complete the mission where Shepard visits a fake Cerberus Sanctuary (Priority: Horizon). Afterward, they can talk to Javik to unlock the power.
7 Inferno Grenade, A Fiery Combo Starter
This grenade is a nice utility power as pretty much any class can make use of it. As its name suggests, when thrown, the Inferno Grenade unleashes an array of fire that covers a big area. Those caught in the flames can be hit with a detonator ability to cause a fire explosion, making the grenade even more devastating.
How To Unlock It
The only way to get this power is to keep Ashley alive throughout the series. After Shepard welcomes the determined Spectre back aboard the Normandy at the end of Priority: The Citadel II, the grenades will become available.
6 Flare, A Large Biotic Blast
As it's named Flare, player would be forgiven for thinking this is a power that blinds people with bright lights, but that's not the case. It's actually a biotic projectile that Shepard can throw at enemies, which explodes on contact. The power causes a lot of damage, plus it can be used to set off biotic explosions to make it even more useful. Its only real downside is its long recharge time, but that shouldn't be a problem for classes that aren't weighed down by many weapons (which lowers recharge speed). In fact, the Flare is among the best choices for anyone with an Adept build.
How To Unlock It
Getting ahold of the power is fairly easy as players only have to complete Omega: Aria T'Loak, which is DLC for the original ME3 and part of the Legendary Edition.
5 Fortification, Heavily Reinforce Armor
Some of the battles in the game are difficult to survive, which is why Fortification is helpful. The power boosts Shepard's armor, making them a lot more durable in firefights. Plus, the ability helps in close quarter fights, as it also increases melee damage.
How To Unlock It
Players can unlock this power from James when they're back on the Normandy after the Mars mission and the trip to the Citadel. Talking to him when he's in the Shuttle Bay leads to a sparring session. After the friendly fight, Fortification becomes available.
4 Reave Helps Shepard While Hurting Others
Reave in Mass Effect 3 drains adversaries' health while providing Shepard with increased damage protection. It's one of the few powers that helps the Commander and hurts others at the same time. And it's extremely useful for biotic explosions, as it can act as either the primer or detonator.
How To Unlock It
To get Reave, Kaidan has to survive Virmire and Priority: The Citadel II. Players must then speak to him directly after the attack on the Citadel when they've returned to the Normandy - he'll be in the Starboard Observation Lounge.
3 Warp Ammo, A Versatile Type Of Bullet
There are some great guns in the series, but they can be improved with some special ammo types. Warp ammo does plenty of damage to barriers, armor, and enemies who are lifted in the air with biotics. It's a good, solid bonus power that's useful for any class.
How To Unlock It
Liara is the character that provides the Warp ammo, but only if Shepard talks to her after the significant Genophage mission on Tuchanka (Priority: Tuchanka). Players should be able to find the Shadow Broker in her quarters.
2 Defense Matrix Keeps Shields Intact
Shields are one of the main things keeping Shepard alive throughout the game. Once those go down, the hero becomes very vulnerable, especially on harder difficulties. Defense Matrix is a very helpful power because it restores shields and gives the user extra protection. It's a good choice of bonus power for most classes.
How To Unlock It
Everyone's favorite AI, EDI, is the one who Shepard needs to speak with to get the ability. So, if players want the Defense Matrix, they must initiate a conversation with her on the Normandy bridge after Priority: The Citadel II.
1 Energy Drain Takes From One Shield To Boost Another
The Energy Drain ability takes away an enemy's shield and restores Shepard's at the same time. Moreover, it's among the most versatile skills when it comes to power combos. Using Energy Drain on someone primes them for a tech burst, plus it can detonate tech, fire, and cryo combos too (but only against organics with shields or barriers). It truly is an ability that any class benefits from having.
How To Unlock It
As Energy Drain is a fantastic power, it's fitting that one of the game's best companions, Tali, provides players with it. To make it available, Shepard needs to complete the Priority: Perseus Veil mission, then invite Tali up to their quarters.
Mass Effect 3 was released in 2012 for PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and the Wii U. The game was also a part of the Mass Effect: Legendary Edition, which was released in 2021 for PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One.