I'm at work, so I don't have the time to give it the response it deserves, but I'll try to answer your initial question and provide a few thoughts.
Class & Strategy
Firstly, I'm a soldier. This seemed the best choice to me, because you can take teammates with you to have access to whatever powers you want, largely negating the advantages of other classes. The soldier's powers all have very low cooldowns, so you can use them often, rather than saving them for the perfect moment. Plus, they're VERY powerful. When combined with a sniper rifle, the time slow ability (I don't know why I'm drawing a blank on its name right now) is almost too good. Walk into room, direct two teammates into cover, sit in cover myself. Watch for a guy who's about to pop his head up, hit time-slow, pop him in the head.
Even with no damage upgrades (I'm not far yet), regular troopers go down in one shot. It's worth noting that this is true for the vast majority of heavy troopers, who fire the explosive things. This is particularly important for team survivability. My guys seem fairly good at ducking into cover before they get shot to pieces, but getting caught in an explosion (which also stuns them for a bit, allowing the other dudes to shoot 'em up) tends to get them killed. Even for the guys that the sniper rifle doesn't take down in one hit though, it usually takes down all their defenses in one hit, which allows for a quick incinerate or whatever.
Generally, I just sit at range, and pick them off. Because of time being slowed I don't hardly get hit when I pop out of cover, and all I have to wait for is the recharge time on the ability, which is just a couple seconds. When a melee critter comes loping along, I just direct my mates to concentrate fire on it. They're pretty much able to handle any single enemy. When I get to a lot of husks and whatnot I'll change my playstyle some, but 95% of battles are ranged firefights, and I can't really imagine anything more effective than what I'm doing. I especially like how easy it is to take out bosses. It's pretty common for bosses to sit at the back of a room and direct their minions at you. I just follow their lead and sit at the back of MY room, and take them out in five or six shots, ignoring the minions entirely.
Teammates
I'm trying to give everyone a chance this time around. I'm mainly interested in hearing new dialog and responses and whatnot, rather than having the very most effective team possible. Given that, I've tried everyone I have (Miranda, Jacob, Mordin, Grunt, Garrus, and Jack, currently), and find that I'm most effective with Garrus and Mordin. I also like their responses best, too, which is nice. I agree that Miranda would probably be a better choice than Garrus, but I used her for my entire first playthrough, so she's benched this time around.
Weapons
I absolutely agree that the battle rifle is awesome, and I definitely use that a lot. Like I said before, though, the sniper rifle is also amazing. I usually try to get a hit on every enemy with the sniper rifle, and then pop out of cover with single battle-rifle bursts to clean up those with the gall to retain health. I think the upgrades thing you were talking about must just depend on where you go, though. My first playthrough, I had every other weapon at 3/5 or 4/5 before I found my first (maybe second) assault rifle upgrade. It was awful. heh. So yeah, I think it just depends on what areas you visit.
Anyway, all I have time for for now.
Class & Strategy
Firstly, I'm a soldier. This seemed the best choice to me, because you can take teammates with you to have access to whatever powers you want, largely negating the advantages of other classes. The soldier's powers all have very low cooldowns, so you can use them often, rather than saving them for the perfect moment. Plus, they're VERY powerful. When combined with a sniper rifle, the time slow ability (I don't know why I'm drawing a blank on its name right now) is almost too good. Walk into room, direct two teammates into cover, sit in cover myself. Watch for a guy who's about to pop his head up, hit time-slow, pop him in the head.
Even with no damage upgrades (I'm not far yet), regular troopers go down in one shot. It's worth noting that this is true for the vast majority of heavy troopers, who fire the explosive things. This is particularly important for team survivability. My guys seem fairly good at ducking into cover before they get shot to pieces, but getting caught in an explosion (which also stuns them for a bit, allowing the other dudes to shoot 'em up) tends to get them killed. Even for the guys that the sniper rifle doesn't take down in one hit though, it usually takes down all their defenses in one hit, which allows for a quick incinerate or whatever.
Generally, I just sit at range, and pick them off. Because of time being slowed I don't hardly get hit when I pop out of cover, and all I have to wait for is the recharge time on the ability, which is just a couple seconds. When a melee critter comes loping along, I just direct my mates to concentrate fire on it. They're pretty much able to handle any single enemy. When I get to a lot of husks and whatnot I'll change my playstyle some, but 95% of battles are ranged firefights, and I can't really imagine anything more effective than what I'm doing. I especially like how easy it is to take out bosses. It's pretty common for bosses to sit at the back of a room and direct their minions at you. I just follow their lead and sit at the back of MY room, and take them out in five or six shots, ignoring the minions entirely.
Teammates
I'm trying to give everyone a chance this time around. I'm mainly interested in hearing new dialog and responses and whatnot, rather than having the very most effective team possible. Given that, I've tried everyone I have (Miranda, Jacob, Mordin, Grunt, Garrus, and Jack, currently), and find that I'm most effective with Garrus and Mordin. I also like their responses best, too, which is nice. I agree that Miranda would probably be a better choice than Garrus, but I used her for my entire first playthrough, so she's benched this time around.
Weapons
I absolutely agree that the battle rifle is awesome, and I definitely use that a lot. Like I said before, though, the sniper rifle is also amazing. I usually try to get a hit on every enemy with the sniper rifle, and then pop out of cover with single battle-rifle bursts to clean up those with the gall to retain health. I think the upgrades thing you were talking about must just depend on where you go, though. My first playthrough, I had every other weapon at 3/5 or 4/5 before I found my first (maybe second) assault rifle upgrade. It was awful. heh. So yeah, I think it just depends on what areas you visit.
Anyway, all I have time for for now.
This message last edited by Aemon on 05/02/2010 at 04:00:49 PM
Why not? Let's have a Mass Effect thread.
02/02/2010 05:02:32 PM
- 3608 Views
Character discussion: Mordin Solus
02/02/2010 06:28:41 PM
- 1847 Views
Mordin Solus is great
02/02/2010 08:21:26 PM
- 1272 Views
Actually, that's what happened to me too.
02/02/2010 08:33:22 PM
- 1402 Views
The Illusive man
02/02/2010 08:34:09 PM
- 1473 Views
I didn't even realize that's who he was.
02/02/2010 08:44:07 PM
- 1400 Views
"I'm having trouble hearing you. I'm getting a lot of bullshit on this line." *NM*
02/02/2010 09:34:53 PM
- 687 Views
Who is sharing your bed?
02/02/2010 09:42:09 PM
- 1400 Views
Tali for my male Shepherd
04/02/2010 03:52:03 PM
- 1287 Views
Does she take the helmet off? *NM*
04/02/2010 07:57:18 PM
- 714 Views
I went simple - Miranda.
07/02/2010 06:32:25 AM
- 1204 Views
Which reminds me that I always wondered...
07/02/2010 11:54:14 AM
- 1318 Views
You probably wouldn't be able to woo anyone by being a total dick. *NM*
07/02/2010 03:32:41 PM
- 686 Views
I was lucky enough to meet the game's producer... (No spoilers)
02/02/2010 10:58:59 PM
- 1435 Views
No spoilers here either, as per my rules. Regarding the ammo:
03/02/2010 04:51:54 AM
- 1258 Views
I just want to be part of this....that said, Best Buy is no longer selling ME:1
02/02/2010 11:16:51 PM
- 1398 Views
Could well be.
03/02/2010 04:52:49 AM
- 1152 Views
Glad the PC version was $50, at the risk of sounding like a snob.
03/02/2010 04:01:52 PM
- 1196 Views
Mass Effect 1 vs 2: RPG-shooter vs Shooter-rpg (This is for you, Cymbaline!) (No spoilers)
02/02/2010 11:28:24 PM
- 1368 Views
The "Holy crap that was awesome" moments. SPOILERS
03/02/2010 11:27:55 PM
- 1331 Views
Re: The "Holy crap that was awesome" moments. SPOILERS
04/02/2010 04:59:54 AM
- 1227 Views
Re: The "Holy crap that was awesome" moments. SPOILERS
04/02/2010 06:16:29 AM
- 1331 Views
Well. . .somewhat, I guess.
04/02/2010 06:43:02 AM
- 1353 Views
Re: Well. . .somewhat, I guess.
04/02/2010 03:32:26 PM
- 1290 Views
You know what? I'll actually buy that. I appreciate the explanation.
04/02/2010 06:30:37 PM
- 1109 Views
A couple of more things......
16/02/2010 12:41:19 AM
- 1347 Views
Game was too easy, primary plotline too short
04/02/2010 09:03:52 PM
- 1280 Views
Nice. I'm playing through on Insanity now, and I think it's a good challenge.
05/02/2010 02:17:02 AM
- 1188 Views
Whats your character build?
05/02/2010 02:45:31 PM
- 1447 Views
You put a lot of thought into that.
05/02/2010 03:58:16 PM
- 1388 Views
Re: You put a lot of thought into that.
05/02/2010 04:00:26 PM
- 1349 Views
Ok, so male or female Shepherd?
05/02/2010 01:50:23 AM
- 1211 Views
Hm. This brings up a thought.
05/02/2010 01:52:37 AM
- 1153 Views
Male for my first playthrough, female for my second.
05/02/2010 02:28:24 AM
- 1310 Views
Male so far. I plan on playing the female Shepard next playthrough. *NM*
05/02/2010 03:25:00 AM
- 734 Views
Your Teams, and Your Deaths.
07/02/2010 06:30:25 AM
- 1136 Views
Re: Your Teams, and Your Deaths.
07/02/2010 09:07:17 AM
- 1323 Views
Do you know...
07/02/2010 03:46:59 PM
- 1142 Views
Re: Do you know...
07/02/2010 04:31:29 PM
- 1220 Views
Awesome. Thanks! *NM*
07/02/2010 04:40:59 PM
- 716 Views
Yeah, that's what I did.
07/02/2010 06:37:50 PM
- 1093 Views
Hmmm...
09/02/2010 03:48:48 PM
- 1170 Views
Strange.
09/02/2010 04:19:04 PM
- 1214 Views
me too
13/02/2010 03:01:05 PM
- 1210 Views
Did you do Legion's loyalty mission?
15/02/2010 05:52:36 AM
- 1307 Views
I did, for what it's worth.
15/02/2010 07:26:38 AM
- 1234 Views
Gah. Then I wonder if loyalty of the rest of the crew has something to do with it.
15/02/2010 04:20:13 PM
- 1200 Views
I have come across a big problem.
07/02/2010 06:53:36 PM
- 1249 Views
Want FREE Mass Effect 2 DLC? ME 2! (har, har) Bioware bonus goodies detailed inside.
09/02/2010 07:03:23 PM
- 1364 Views
Now if only the DLC armors didn't have helmets.
09/02/2010 07:26:47 PM
- 1153 Views
Of course, the Shotgun is released AFTER I beat my Vanguard *sigh*
09/02/2010 11:31:13 PM
- 1227 Views
It's nice, but you don't miss much if you already had the Claymore shotty w/ an ammo upgrade. *NM*
10/02/2010 05:16:00 AM
- 666 Views
Anyone find anything interesting about Zaeed Massani?
11/02/2010 09:08:16 PM
- 1244 Views
I enjoy Zaeed.
11/02/2010 09:22:39 PM
- 1198 Views
I'm near your spot in the story and completely agree. One-sided conversations, but worthwhile. *NM*
11/02/2010 10:20:47 PM
- 596 Views
Yeah, I've listened to him alot but it's the same stuff every time.
12/02/2010 03:14:11 PM
- 1155 Views
Who, what, where? *NM*
22/02/2010 08:18:31 PM
- 626 Views
If you bought a new copy of the game, it came with a code for the "Cerberus Network"
22/02/2010 08:22:18 PM
- 1160 Views
Is there a way to install the game on the Xbox, so you don't have to switch discs?
12/02/2010 01:39:07 AM
- 1190 Views
Good ones have two discs, of course. DVDs can only hold so much. *NM*
12/02/2010 02:46:39 AM
- 622 Views
This is the first I've ever seen. *NM*
12/02/2010 02:51:34 AM
- 656 Views
I've never understood why people are unhappy with the multiple discs.
12/02/2010 04:18:42 AM
- 1194 Views
So far, so great!
12/02/2010 08:35:00 AM
- 1166 Views
Re: So far, so great!
12/02/2010 02:31:43 PM
- 1274 Views
Re: So far, so great!
16/02/2010 10:17:12 PM
- 1223 Views
Nope, I was referring to honest-to-goodness cheating. lol
16/02/2010 11:03:53 PM
- 1265 Views
Ahh, I just figured you were on console as I am, so.....the grind will continue I guess *NM*
17/02/2010 06:41:59 PM
- 708 Views
I love the detail put into this game.
12/02/2010 02:58:35 PM
- 1148 Views
"Our amino acids aren't even compatable so there's no risk if we go natural."
12/02/2010 03:15:50 PM
- 1204 Views
Re: "Our amino acids aren't even compatable so there's no risk if we go natural."
12/02/2010 07:16:21 PM
- 1127 Views
"Technically we don't even have sex drives... oh, she is rather flexible...." *NM*
12/02/2010 07:20:53 PM
- 654 Views
Female Turians....
12/02/2010 09:05:39 PM
- 1126 Views
Nope. Don't exist in-game.
14/02/2010 01:47:23 AM
- 1093 Views
I believe a krogan female is shown once.
14/02/2010 02:03:27 AM
- 1180 Views
No I don't think that's right.
14/02/2010 08:54:32 AM
- 1106 Views
Asari
15/02/2010 06:51:10 AM
- 1235 Views
Not really.
15/02/2010 10:41:54 PM
- 1157 Views
Though it is fun seeing the asari coupled with basically every race under the sun.
15/02/2010 10:54:41 PM
- 1183 Views
The final verdict
22/02/2010 08:06:12 PM
- 1197 Views
By the way, my game was surprisingly buggy
23/02/2010 08:49:28 AM
- 1289 Views
A complaint about the Morality system. (Or, how Mass Effect semi-killed roleplaying).
27/02/2010 06:40:35 AM
- 1290 Views
Re: A complaint about the Morality system. (Or, how Mass Effect semi-killed roleplaying).
27/02/2010 12:28:29 PM
- 1124 Views
Re: A complaint about the Morality system. (Or, how Mass Effect semi-killed roleplaying).
27/02/2010 04:57:43 PM
- 1178 Views
Re: A complaint about the Morality system. (Or, how Mass Effect semi-killed roleplaying).
28/02/2010 12:34:31 AM
- 1226 Views
A vital part of role-playing is forcing the player to deal with the consequences of their actions
27/02/2010 11:53:56 PM
- 1458 Views
Admittedly, my post was somewhat stream-of-consciousness.
28/02/2010 03:28:02 AM
- 1151 Views