Legendary Edition bundles Mass Effect, Mass Effect 2 and Mass Effect 3 into one launcher with more than 40 pieces of DLC, and BioWare released it on 14 May 2021. Only Pinnacle Station is missing, because its source data was corrupt, and the Mass Effect 3 multiplayer was left out entirely. Powers, ammunition and weapon rules differ between the three games, so a plan built in the first one does not carry forward unchanged.
Picking the right build determines how your experience plays out. These builds are ranked by overall effectiveness, factoring in damage, survivability, gear requirements, and how well they scale into endgame. New to the game? Start with our beginner's guide first.
Quick Rankings
| Build | Tier | Playstyle | Core Gear |
|---|---|---|---|
| Soldier | A | Balanced | Best available |
| Infiltrator | A | Balanced | Best available |
| Vanguard | A | Balanced | Best available |
| Adept | A | Balanced | Best available |
| Engineer | A | Balanced | Best available |
For detailed meta rankings, see our Mass Effect Legendary Edition tier list.
A-Tier: Soldier
Soldier is a top-performing option in Mass Effect Legendary Edition.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Equipment | Assault rifles | The mid range default, from the M-8 Avenger onward. |
| Core Gear | Best available for your level | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Balanced offensive and defensive stats | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | Six classes across all three games | Soldier, Engineer, Adept, Infiltrator, Sentinel and Vanguard appear in every game, but their kits change between them. |
How to Play Soldier
Soldier focuses on a balanced approach to content.
Why this build works: Assault rifles does the damage and Six classes across all three games keeps it running, which is why this sits at the top of the list. See our weapons guide for detailed equipment breakdowns.
Pros:
- Highest overall performance
- Straightforward gearing path
- Works in all content types
Cons:
- Popular pick, resources may be contested
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
A-Tier: Infiltrator
Infiltrator is a strong option in Mass Effect Legendary Edition.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Equipment | Sniper rifles | The highest per shot damage in the trilogy, headlined by the M-92 Mantis, the M-98 Widow and its Black Widow variant. |
| Core Gear | Best available for your level | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Balanced offensive and defensive stats | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | Power Combos from primer and detonator | Mass Effect 3 formalised the system: a primer such as Warp, Pull, Singularity, Incinerate or Cryo Blast marks the target, then a detonator such as Throw, Shockwave or Overload sets off a Biotic Explosion, Fire Explosion, Cryo Explosion or Tech Burst. |
How to Play Infiltrator
Infiltrator focuses on a balanced approach to content.
Why this build works: Pair Sniper rifles with Power Combos from primer and detonator and the build stops depending on a good start, so it holds up across most content. See our weapons guide for detailed equipment breakdowns.
Pros:
- Most versatile option
- Straightforward gearing path
- Works in all content types
Cons:
- Lower peak damage than S-tier
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
A-Tier: Vanguard
Vanguard is a strong option in Mass Effect Legendary Edition.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Equipment | Shotguns | Close range burst damage, with the M-300 Claymore hitting hardest and reloading slowest. |
| Core Gear | Best available for your level | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Balanced offensive and defensive stats | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | Overheating guns then thermal clips | Mass Effect 1 weapons overheat instead of running dry, and the Legendary Edition also lifts that game's class weapon restrictions so any class can carry any gun. |
How to Play Vanguard
Vanguard focuses on a balanced approach to content.
Why this build works: Overheating guns then thermal clips covers the gap Shotguns leaves open, so the build stays usable even when a fight goes badly. See our weapons guide for detailed equipment breakdowns.
Pros:
- Best survivability
- Straightforward gearing path
- Works in all content types
Cons:
- Slower clear speeds
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
A-Tier: Adept
Adept is a specialized option in Mass Effect Legendary Edition.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Equipment | Heavy pistols | Light sidearms such as the M-6 Carnifex. |
| Core Gear | Best available for your level | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Balanced offensive and defensive stats | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | Paragon and Renegade with imported saves | The two morality bars fill separately, so splitting your choices down the middle leaves neither high enough to pass the biggest dialogue checks. |
How to Play Adept
Adept focuses on a balanced approach to content.
Why this build works: This one leans on Paragon and Renegade with imported saves rather than raw numbers, and Heavy pistols is what makes that trade pay off. See our weapons guide for detailed equipment breakdowns.
Pros:
- Strong in group/team content
- Straightforward gearing path
- Excels in its niche
Cons:
- Weaker solo performance
- Requires deep game knowledge
A-Tier: Engineer
Engineer is a specialized option in Mass Effect Legendary Edition.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Equipment | Submachine guns | Introduced in Mass Effect 2 as a light, high rate of fire option that strips shields quickly and struggles against armour. |
| Core Gear | Best available for your level | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Balanced offensive and defensive stats | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | War Assets and Effective Military Strength | Mass Effect 3's ending is gated on Effective Military Strength, built from War Assets gathered through side missions and scanning. |
How to Play Engineer
Engineer focuses on a balanced approach to content.
Why this build works: Submachine guns and War Assets and Effective Military Strength pull in the same direction here, which separates this from the safer picks above. See our weapons guide for detailed equipment breakdowns.
Pros:
- Unique, rewarding playstyle
- Straightforward gearing path
- Excels in its niche
Cons:
- High skill floor, punishing when misplayed
- Requires deep game knowledge
Build Progression Path
- Start with Infiltrator: the most forgiving option for learning the game
- Transition to Soldier once you understand core mechanics and have access to Assault rifles
- Keep a Vanguard setup for content that keeps killing you
- Try Engineer for a fresh experience once you've mastered the basics
Follow our walkthrough for the optimal progression path through each area.
Gearing Tips
- Invest in your primary equipment first, since it gives the biggest power spike. See our weapons guide for rankings.
- Commit to Paragon or Renegade rather than splitting the difference. The two bars fill independently, and the biggest conversation checks in Mass Effect 2 and 3 need one bar high rather than two bars halfway.
- Play the trilogy in order and import each save. Decisions such as who dies on Virmire, who survives the suicide mission and what happens to the Collector Base all propagate forward, and starting fresh in Mass Effect 3 discards years of consequences.
- Don't spread upgrade resources across multiple builds until endgame
More Mass Effect Legendary Edition Guides
- Mass Effect Legendary Edition Mass Effect Legendary Edition Overview
- Mass Effect Legendary Edition Tier List
- Mass Effect Legendary Edition Walkthrough
- Mass Effect Legendary Edition Beginner's Guide
- Mass Effect Legendary Edition Tips & Tricks
- Mass Effect Legendary Edition Weapons Guide
- Mass Effect Legendary Edition Combat Guide
- Mass Effect Legendary Edition Boss Guide
- Mass Effect Legendary Edition Maps & Locations
- Mass Effect Legendary Edition Crafting Guide
- Mass Effect Legendary Edition Classes & Characters
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