[Update: Check out the Mass Effect 3: Rebellion trailer!]

Yesterday we shared the details for this weekend's N7 Bounty multiplayer event (Operation Shieldwall), one that's rather easy, but one that highlights how the online community for Mass Effect 3 has dwindled considerably in the last month or so.

In our discussion of the event we expected that it was partially designed to prepare players for the next batch of multiplayer DLC: content that was rumored, then teased by BioWare, then accidentally confirmed by a Sony website. Today, Mass Effect 3: Rebellion is official and what it adds is awesome, but not too surprising.

The Rebellion DLC was reportedly going to add six characters, two maps, three weapons and a few other things and now it's official. It also adds a new objective and a new gear slot for what appears to be a passive ability (one that doesn't expire after on mission like the weapon/armor power-ups). The six new Mass Effect 3 multiplayer characters include a pair of Vorcha in similar roles to the Batarians added with the Resurgence DLC, male versions of the two Quarian classes and more humans in the form of ex-Cerberus agents.

Vorcha Soldier

• Thanks to their unique physiology and their Bloodlust ability, the Vorcha are joining the fight and are perfectly suited for the utilitarian soldier kit.

Vorcha Sentinel

• The innate aggressiveness found within the Vorcha make them shockingly durable combatants, and when coupled with their Flamer skill, the Vorcha sentinel is a force to be reckoned with.

Male Quarian Engineer

• Quarians have spent centuries at perpetual salvage and ship repair; the survival of their species depends on this technical expertise. When bringing the new Arc Grenade to the fray, the Quarians prove their prowess as effective engineers on the battlefield.

Male Quarian Infiltrator

• The Male Quarian Infiltrator must actively rely on stealth while in the heat of battle, and when they make use of their Tactical Scan ability, they quickly prove their mettle while continuously dishing out the pain.

Ex-Cerberus Vanguard

• When the Illusive Man turned to indoctrination in order to ensure the loyalty of his troops, many Cerberus operatives defected and joined the Alliance in order to stop the Reapers. Now that we’re on the same team, Ex-Cerberus Vanguards (along with their new Lash attack) are quickly proving their worth.

Ex-Cerberus Adept

• A result of the Illusive Man’s early experiments in enhanced human physiology, Ex-Cerberus subjects are highly skilled combat and biotics specialists. As a result, Ex-Cerberus Adepts can lay waste to the enemy with their Smash and Singularity powers.

Three new weapons including, one assault rifle, one sniper rifle and one shotgun:

• Cerberus Harrier Assault Rifle — These Cerberus-modified Mattock rifles are fully automatic. Cerberus gunsmiths reined in the recoil issues, resulting in a gun that stay on target, but delivers slightly less punch per round than a standard Mattock. As such, the weapon is typically utilized by Cerberus’ elite troopers, who train constantly to make every burst count.
• Reegar Carbine Shotgun — This electrical weapon improves upon the arc pistol’s design by generating a sustained current on its target. This weapon is named for the Quarian Reegar family, whose marines have served valiantly against the Geth.
• Krysae Sniper Rifle — This Turian antimaterial rifle is modified to kill Reaper enemies. The Krysae’s scope uses a rangefinder that adjusts to keep the target in proper proportion to the shooter, which comes in useful when the sniper is forced into close range. Its specialized ammunition is both armor-piercing and explosive. In a desperate move, the Turians released its specifications over the extranet so that nearly anyone with a fabricator could manufacture this weapon to help the war effort.

Two new maps include Firebase Jade and Firebase Goddess:

• Firebase Jade — Surrounded by huge waterfalls, Firebase Jade overlooks an ancient reservoir built by the salarians centuries ago. Set up strategic chokepoints inside the base’s main buildings to get the jump on your enemy, and work with your team to meticulously clear each room to achieve victory.
• Firebase Goddess — Nestled in the epicenter of a Thessian metropolis, Firebase Goddess is one of the last strongholds of asari resistance against the Reapers. With its circular layout, Firebase Goddess is a tough location to control. This arena combines heavy cover and elevated firing positions, so stay light on your feet.

The best part about the Mass Effect 3: Rebellion DLC is that it's free, just as we predicted, since BioWare makes money off in-game microtransactions for players who wish to quickly unlock content. Like the Resurgence pack, the maps will be available right from the get-go when the DLC releases Tuesday, May 29 for PC, PS3 and Xbox 360, but the characters and weapons will need to be unlocked via reinforcement packs. Which character do you want to unlock first?

With BioWare getting creative in how they add more characters to the existing six classes, we're not sure where they can go from here in terms of multiplayer DLC outside of adding more modes and features like the gear slot and object - something we love and really want to see more of. What do you think BioWare could do to keep players playing Mass Effect 3 online?

Mass Effect 3 is now available for PC, PS3 and Xbox 360.

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Follow Rob on Twitter @rob_keyes.