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Powers (Mass Effect 3)

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Disambiguous This article is about abilities in Mass Effect 3. For abilities in the original Mass Effect, see Talents. For abilities in Mass Effect 2, see Powers. For an alphabetized list of all Powers across both games, see Category:Powers. For abilities in Mass Effect: Andromeda, see Skills.

The abilities used in combat in both single-player and multiplayer Mass Effect 3 are called powers. This article emphasizes single-player mode; more on the various classes and their available powers in multiplayer mode can be found on the Character Customization page. The individual pages for specific powers also have information on single-player versus multiplayer variations of each power where applicable.

Mechanics[]

Each power used by the player or a member of the squad (with the exception of First Aid) follows the same general pattern as Powers from Mass Effect 2, but now two additional ranks are possible up to a maximum rank of 6. As with Mass Effect 2's rank 4, Mass Effect 3's ranks 4-6 give two power choices with the sixth always being passive. Ammo powers also return in Mass Effect 3 though with some differences from how they worked in the previous game; for more information see the Weapons page.

As in the previous game, most powers in Mass Effect 3 automatically lock on to enemies and either hit home instantly or fire seeking projectiles some of which are capable of arcing around cover. In Mass Effect 3, many power projectiles are noticeably faster with faster possible recharge times compared to in the previous game, though on the downside many enemy types are now capable of dodging powers. As in Mass Effect 2, powers utilized by squadmates almost never fire actual projectiles and instead impact targets instantly and thus can't be evaded by enemies the vast majority of the time. Also like in Mass Effect 2, biotic or other powers that can lift or knock enemies around only work fully against enemies unprotected by barriers, shields, or armor, however there are more powers in Mass Effect 3 that are capable of affecting enemies still with some protection.

Shepard's powers and bonus power, plus the powers of all of the major squadmates with the exception of Javik, can be reassigned at two terminals located in the medical bay of the Normandy SR-2. Reassigning powers resets every skill point to be unassigned for Shepard or the desired squadmate. You can immediately reallocate Shepard's points from the Squad screen, but you won't be able to reallocate squadmate points until you take that squadmate on a mission or into a combat situation. The first reassignment is free, but if repeated the cost increases by 5,000 credits with each purchase, up to a maximum of 25,000 credits per reassignment for that individual. Reassigning Shepard's bonus power always costs 5,000 credits, with the pool of available powers expanding by earning achievements mostly relating to the squadmate the power belongs to (see below).

Commander Shepard[]

Shepard can earn up to 181 points to allocate to powers. A new game starts Shepard at level 1 with 3 predetermined points. The following table shows the amount of points earned per level with the total amount at level 60. Levels that are grouped reward the same amount of points per level, with the total amount awarded for that series of levels shown in the far right column.

Level(s) Points Per Level Total
1 3 3
2 - 30 2 58
31 - 60 4 120
Total - 181

This gives you the option of fully maxing out 8 powers with 13 points remaining at level 60, enough to bring one other power up to level 4 with 3 points remaining unspent, though of course other combinations are entirely possible.

Imported ME2 Saves[]

Depending on Shepard's level in a completed save you can have up to 51 points to carry over to ME3. However, imported saves of levels 26 - 30 will give two additional points per level totaling up to 61 points.

With one exception you can decide how your points are allocated before importing ME2 saves. For an easier explanation, let's assume you have a level 30 Shepard.

  • Any class ranks you had in ME2 will be given in ME3 (e.g. Rank 3 Warp).
  • You will start with 61 points between spent and unspent points (55 unspent + 6 spent in Rank 3 Warp).
  • Any points in a Loyal Power (e.g. Miranda's Slam) will be given back as unspent points.
  • If you wish to start ME3 with all 61 points unspent, import a save that has 51 unspent points or choose a different class than your ME2 import during character customization. You may also reset your points in the med bay once aboard the Normandy. This is useful if you use the same class in ME3 as your imported ME2 Shepard, but want to reallocate points.

Base Powers[]

Each player class has access to First Aid, a power that uses medi-gel to revive fallen squadmates and restore a portion of Shepard's health; Fitness, to increase health, shields and melee damage; a passive class power, to increase reputation and other class-specific bonuses; and 6 active powers.

The following is a list of powers available to each class. Powers available from the very beginning are marked with a ✓, while powers that need to be unlocked by leveling up are marked with a •.

Power Adept Engineer Infiltrator Sentinel Soldier Vanguard
Combat
ME3 Adrenaline Rush Adrenaline Rush ✓
ME3 Concussive Shot Concussive Shot •
ME3 Fitness Fitness • • • • • ✓
Ammo
ME3 Cryo Ammo Cryo Ammo • • •
ME3 Disruptor Ammo Disruptor Ammo ✓ •
ME3 Incendiary Ammo Incendiary Ammo ✓ ✓
Grenade
ME3 Cluster Grenade Cluster Grenade •
ME3 Frag Grenade Frag Grenade •
ME3 Lift Grenade Lift Grenade •
ME3 Sticky Grenade Sticky Grenade •
Biotic
ME3 Biotic Charge Biotic Charge ✓
ME3 Nova Nova •
ME3 Pull Pull • •
ME3 Shockwave Shockwave • •
ME3 Singularity Singularity ✓
ME3 Throw Throw • ✓
ME3 Warp Warp ✓ •
Tech
ME3 Combat Drone Combat Drone ✓
ME3 Cryo Blast Cryo Blast • •
ME3 Overload Overload • •
ME3 Incinerate Incinerate ✓ •
ME3 Sabotage Sabotage • •
ME3 Sentry Turret Sentry Turret •
ME3 Tactical Cloak Tactical Cloak ✓
ME3 Tech Armor Tech Armor ✓

Class Powers[]

In addition to their active starting powers, each class has a passive class power that grants a bonus to Reputation as well as other unique bonuses, depending on the class.

Class Power
ME3 Mastery Adept Biotic Mastery
ME3 Mastery Engineer Tech Mastery
ME3 Mastery Infiltrator Operational Mastery
ME3 Mastery Sentinel Offensive Mastery
ME3 Mastery Soldier Combat Mastery
ME3 Mastery Vanguard Assault Mastery

Bonus Powers[]

Each player class is able to learn one additional bonus power. These are unlocked through conversations with your squad or through completion of DLC missions (most of which are included in Legendary Edition). Each squad member can unlock two bonus powers. Since Ashley Williams and Kaidan Alenko both can't be present in one playthrough, to unlock both powers from each of them requires playing at least one game of Mass Effect 3 with each of them being the Virmire Survivor to unlock their bonus powers (unless PC Tweaks or save editors are used). Fortunately, it isn't necessary to play through an entire game to unlock the bonus powers, it's only necessary to play until the required event in the story that unlocks them (see below). As in Mass Effect 2, once a bonus power has been unlocked it becomes available for all future characters and games of Mass Effect 3, and one of the available bonus powers must be picked during the character creation process. Any unlocked power can be chosen with the exception of Dominate.

Power Squadmate How to get this power
Combat
ME3 Inferno Grenade Inferno Grenade Ashley Williams This power unlocks immediately after recruiting Ashley after Priority: The Citadel II.
ME3 Marksman Marksman Ashley Williams Talk to Ashley in the Starboard Observation after Priority: The Citadel II. She invites you to the Memorial Wall; talk to her there.
ME3 Proximity Mine Proximity Mine Garrus Vakarian Talk to Garrus after Priority: Thessia.
ME3 Fortification Fortification James Vega Talk to James in the Shuttle Bay after Priority: Mars. He will offer to "dance" (spar); have the fight and you get the power.
ME3 Carnage Carnage James Vega Call James up to your cabin after Priority: The Citadel II
Ammo
ME3 Armor Piercing Ammo Armor-Piercing Ammo Garrus Vakarian Talk to Garrus in the Main Battery after Priority: Palaven.
ME3 Warp Ammo Warp Ammo Liara T'Soni Talk to Liara in her quarters after Priority: Sur'Kesh, when she's sitting by the computer near her bed instead of her Shadow Broker screens.
Tech
ME3 Defense Matrix Defense Matrix EDI Talk to EDI on the Bridge after Priority: The Citadel II.
ME3 Decoy Decoy EDI Talk to EDI on the Bridge after Priority: Horizon.
ME3 Defense Drone Defense Drone Tali'Zorah vas Normandy Talk to Tali in the Presidium Commons after Priority: Rannoch.
ME3 Energy Drain Energy Drain Tali'Zorah vas Normandy Invite Tali to your quarters after Priority: Perseus Veil.
Biotic
ME3 Stasis Stasis Liara T'Soni Speak to Liara after Priority: Thessia. Note: if you do not talk to her immediately after Priority: Thessia, you will miss it.
ME3 Barrier Barrier Kaidan Alenko This power unlocks immediately after recruiting Kaidan after Priority: The Citadel II.
ME3 Reave Reave Kaidan Alenko Talk to Kaidan in the Starboard Observation Lounge after Priority: The Citadel II. Note: if you do not talk to him when you first return to the Normandy, you will miss it.
ME3 Slam Slam Javik1 Talk to Javik after he joins you on the Normandy.
ME3 Dark Channel Dark Channel Javik1 Talk to Javik right after Priority: Horizon.
ME3 Dominate Dominate N/A2 Complete Mass Effect 3: Leviathan.
ME3 Lash Lash Aria T'Loak3 Complete Mass Effect 3: Omega.
ME3 Flare Flare Aria T'Loak3 Complete Mass Effect 3: Omega.

1 Requires Mass Effect 3: From Ashes DLC (Legendary Edition: included by default)
2 Requires Mass Effect 3: Leviathan DLC (Legendary Edition: included by default)
3 Requires Mass Effect 3: Omega DLC (Legendary Edition: included by default)

Squadmates[]

See also: Squad Members Guide (Mass Effect 3)

Powers[]

Each squadmate has 4 active powers and 1 passive class power. They get 90 squad points total by level 60. The bonus squadmates available in Mass Effect 3: Citadel get one point fewer.

Squadmate Power 1 Power 2 Power 3 Power 4
Ashley Williams ME3 Disruptor Ammo Disruptor Ammo ME3 Concussive Shot Concussive Shot ME3 Inferno Grenade Inferno Grenade ME3 Marksman Marksman
James Vega ME3 Incendiary Ammo Incendiary Ammo ME3 Carnage Carnage ME3 Fortification Fortification ME3 Frag Grenade Frag Grenade
Kaidan Alenko ME3 Reave Reave ME3 Barrier Barrier ME3 Overload Overload ME3 Cryo Blast Cryo Blast
Garrus Vakarian ME3 Concussive Shot Concussive Shot ME3 Overload Overload ME3 Armor Piercing Ammo Armor-Piercing Ammo ME3 Proximity Mine Proximity Mine
Liara T'Soni ME3 Singularity Singularity ME3 Warp Warp ME3 Stasis Stasis ME3 Warp Ammo Warp Ammo
Tali'Zorah vas Normandy ME3 Defense Drone Defense Drone ME3 Energy Drain Energy Drain ME3 Combat Drone Combat Drone ME3 Sabotage Sabotage
EDI ME3 Incinerate Incinerate ME3 Overload Overload ME3 Defense Matrix Defense Matrix ME3 Decoy Decoy
Javik1 ME3 Dark Channel Dark Channel ME3 Lift Grenade Lift Grenade ME3 Slam Slam ME3 Pull Pull
David Anderson ME3 Concussive Shot Concussive Shot ME3 Frag Grenade Frag Grenade ME3 Fortification Fortification ME3 Incendiary Ammo Incendiary Ammo
Aria T'Loak2 ME3 Flare Flare ME3 Reave Reave ME3 Carnage Carnage ME3 Lash Lash
Nyreen Kandros2 ME3 Biotic Protector Biotic Protector ME3 Lift Grenade Lift Grenade ME3 Incinerate Incinerate ME3 Overload Overload
Urdnot Wrex3 ME3 Carnage Carnage ME3 Lift Grenade Lift Grenade ME3 Barrier Barrier ME3 Stimulant Pack Stimulant Pack
Miranda Lawson3 ME3 Overload Overload ME3 Warp Warp ME3 Incinerate Incinerate ME3 Reave Reave
Jacob Taylor3 ME3 Incendiary Ammo Incendiary Ammo ME3 Lift Grenade Lift Grenade ME3 Barrier Barrier ME3 Pull Pull
Jack3 ME3 Shockwave Shockwave ME3 Pull Pull ME3 Warp Warp ME3 Warp Ammo Warp Ammo
Grunt3 ME3 Concussive Shot Concussive Shot ME3 Incendiary Ammo Incendiary Ammo ME3 Fortification Fortification ME3 Frag Grenade Frag Grenade
Samara3 ME3 Reave Reave ME3 Warp Warp ME3 Pull Pull ME3 Throw Throw
Zaeed Massani3 ME3 Carnage Carnage ME3 Concussive Shot Concussive Shot ME3 Disruptor Ammo Disruptor Ammo ME3 Inferno Grenade Inferno Grenade
Kasumi Goto3 ME3 Tactical Cloak Tactical Cloak ME3 Overload Overload ME3 Armor Piercing Ammo Armor-Piercing Ammo ME3 Decoy Decoy

Class Powers[]

Each squadmate has their own unique passive class power. All of these powers grant varying bonuses to health and weapon damage, with many offering additional bonuses.

Name Power
ME3 Disruptor Ammo Admiral Anderson Alliance Admiral
ME3 Mastery Ashley Williams Alliance Officer
ME3 Mastery EDI Unshackled AI
ME3 Mastery Garrus Vakarian Turian Rebel
ME3 Mastery James Vega Arms Master
ME3 Mastery Javik1 Vengeful Ancient
ME3 Mastery Kaidan Alenko Alliance Officer
ME3 Mastery Liara T'Soni Pure Biotic
ME3 Mastery Tali'Zorah vas Normandy Quarian Machinist
ME3 Mastery Aria T'Loak2 Biotic Boss
ME3 Mastery Nyreen Kandros2 Turian Huntress
ME3 Mastery Urdnot Wrex3 Krogan Battlemaster
ME3 Mastery Miranda Lawson3 Cerberus Officer
ME3 Mastery Jacob Taylor3 Cerberus Operative
ME3 Mastery Jack3 Subject Zero
ME3 Mastery Grunt3 Krogan Berserker
ME3 Mastery Samara3 Asari Justicar
ME3 Mastery Zaeed Massani3 Mercenary Veteran
ME3 Mastery Kasumi Goto3 Master Thief

1 Requires Mass Effect 3: From Ashes (Legendary Edition: included by default)
2 Requires Mass Effect 3: Omega (Legendary Edition: included by default)
3 Requires Mass Effect 3: Citadel (Legendary Edition: included by default)

Power Combos[]

Main article: Power Combos


See Also[]


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