How can I play Vanguard effectively in Mass Effect 3?

Question

In Mass Effect 2, I read the Vanguard - with the right specs and player skill - could completely dominate close quarters battle with the charge and shotgun/melee.

Is this still an effective strategy in ME3? Are there any disadvantages, especially on insane difficulty?

Asked by tiddy

Answer

A vanguard can be absolutely OP

My first character was a vanguard (imported Shep though, so I started at level 30). After using the advice of some answers in this question, I quickly became an unstoppable killing machine while playing hardcore difficulty. Here's what I did:

1. I maxed out my biotic charge for the most single target damage I can get.
2. I maxed out nova for the boost to power cooldown and increased radius/chance of not expending shields.
3. I carry around a single pistol with a melee and scope mod and no other weapons. This keeps my weight at a minimum so I receive a 200% power recharge bonus.
4. For the rest of my skills, it went into assault mastery and fitness, primarily focused on boosting power damage where I could and increasing barrier strength where I couldn't.
5. For my armor, I wear the -30% charge cooldown +30% charge power armor.

With this setup, I can literally none stop charge + nova until everything on the battlefield is dead. Balled up enemies don't even have time to blink before they are completely destroyed.

Against the special enemies, I tend to be a bit more careful and rely more on my allies for ranged damage, but generally for enemies such as a brute, instead of doing a Nova right after the charge (and thus leaving yourself vulnerable), I prefer to do a quick dodge to the left/right first.

Answered by yx.

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