ME1 Legendary Edition: Best Insanity Difficulty Tips

As a seasoned spacefarer with more battle scars than I care to count, let me share my hard-earned wisdom for those brave souls embarking on the treacherous journey through Mass Effect 1: Legendary Edition on Insanity difficulty.

Regardless if you’re a longtime fan eager to reexperience the series or a fresh recruit drawn to the renowned franchise, the Mass Effect 1: Legendary Edition serves as the origin point for Commander Shepard and one of the greatest science-fiction tales ever spun.

In Mass Effect 1, opting for an easier level might make progress smoother, but it’s the Insanity setting that truly showcases the game’s brilliance. This mode offers tougher foes, restricted resources, and heightened risks. Each choice you make will significantly impact your crew’s journey, from selecting weapons and ammo types, to choosing the best team members for missions, or allocating skill points wisely. Conquering Mass Effect 1 on Insanity is no trivial task, so it goes without saying that any helpful advice would be most welcome.

In the Legendary Edition, you can enjoy the highest difficulty level (Insanity) right from the start without needing to complete Mass Effect 1 on the Hardcore setting first, as was necessary in the original game.

Hey fellow gamers, if you’re chasing those elusive achievements like me, here’s something to keep in mind: To snag the super rare “Insanity III” trophy in Mass Effect: Legendary Edition, you’ll need to conquer all three games on the Insanity difficulty setting. To help you out, I’ve got some vital strategies to make it through Mass Effect 1 on the toughest setting, even if you’re a newcomer. Good luck and happy gaming!

ME1’s the Easiest Installment in the Trilogy

ME1 Legendary Edition: Best Insanity Difficulty Tips

To start off, let me reassure you that tackling an Insanity playthrough for Mass Effect 1 doesn’t necessitate a flawless build or exceptional skills. In fact, this game is the most approachable when it comes to beating it on Insanity difficulty within the trilogy, largely due to its design and the adjustments made to the overall difficulty curve in the Legendary Edition.

In simpler terms, when facing tougher opponents, they have higher health levels and can inflict more harm on you. However, with some hard work, like grinding through a few planets’ worth of challenges, you’ll eventually learn how to outwit the enemy’s artificial intelligence. Don’t forget to always equip yourself and your team with the finest weapons and armor!

Choose Your Starting Class Carefully

At the outset of a fresh adventure, opt for the character selection interface to pick your class. This decision matters significantly as in “Mass Effect 1,” once you’ve chosen a class, it cannot be altered. The only method to switch classes is by embarking on an entirely new playthrough, which could extend the time required to complete the game more than necessary.

To win the Long Service Medal, you need to complete the entire trilogy using a single character. Yet, it’s permissible to switch your character’s class during character importation. Simply be patient and wait for the scene to conclude before doing so.

To clarify, what’s crucial is that certain character classes outperform others, greatly influencing your progress in Insanity mode. In Mass Effect 1, the Adept class stands out due to a perceived overpoweredness in Biotic abilities, which some argue are too strong. Although Biotics lose effectiveness in Mass Effect 2, there are still strategies to adapt to this shift.

Alternatively, you might opt for the universally preferred Soldier class, equipped to handle any kind of weaponry and the sole choice if you wish to don heavy armor. Remember to include a squad mate with Biotic abilities to disable your foes.

Choose Companions That Matter

For each mission, select two teammates who complement your character’s abilities rather than basing your choice on their looks or personal attachment. This is crucial because no single character possesses all necessary skills. A well-rounded team ensures that essential skills are distributed among the three members.

Example: Wrex possesses impressive biotic abilities, such as Warp and Throw, and is also equipped with heavy armor. In contrast, Tali excels in tech-related skills. Both Tali and Garrus make exceptional squad members, as they can help decipher Decryption/Electronics to unlock every nearby crate.

To ensure balance, it’s usually wise to include a non-Biotic team member when playing as a Soldier class, since this character doesn’t possess Biotic abilities.

Spend Your Skill Points Wisely

In the Mass Effect 1: Legendary Edition, you are unable to reallocate or start over with your skill points. Therefore, it’s advisable not to spend your skill points haphazardly or distribute them across various skills. Instead, concentrate on enhancing your key skills or abilities for optimal progression.

In the game Soldier, focus on upgrading your Assault Rifle to its maximum potential. On the other hand, if you are Adept, prioritize enhancing your Pistol instead. Don’t overlook skills that boost your defense, such as Fitness, and consider them too. Lastly, examine your companions’ key attributes and assist them in improving their performance accordingly.

To prevent the game from automatically spending your skill points, make sure you disable the Auto Level-Up feature located under Options.

Invest in Charm/Intimidate

Speaking of investing skill points wisely, do not be afraid to max out Charm or Intimidate early on. This opens up bonus dialogue options to earn additional experience points, rewards, etc. Paragon/Renegade also sometimes makes it easier to complete missions without jumping through hoops.

Switch Ammo Types for Every Mission

Besides choosing weapons with maximum damage potential, it’s crucial to select the right ammo types (and mods) as well. This is a valuable piece of advice often overlooked by new players embarking on the Mass Effect 1: Legendary Edition. The type of ammo for each weapon significantly impacts your overall damage output. Once you’ve identified the enemy type, simply switch to the appropriate ammo types on your equipment screen for both you and your squad members.

Here are the best ones you should always aim for:

Tungsten: Does bonus damage to Synthetics.
Shredder: Does bonus damage to Organics.

Issue Battlefield Orders for Strategic Advantage

As a gamer, I always aim to wrap up fights swiftly. That’s where giving orders to my squad mates becomes crucial. Before a fight starts, I make sure they’re tucked behind cover. It’s also smart to position them to control key areas, like choke points. Lastly, never forget about their unique abilities – they can turn the tide of battle!

Your companions’ weapons do not heat up.

Assess which skills are available and utilize them strategically to shift the battle in your favor. Manipulate AI bots to conflict with one another. Heat up weapon zones to weaken the enemy. Lift or hurl enemies for a better vantage point. Knock out the strongest adversary first before targeting the more vulnerable ones.

Consider this instead: Imagine that you’re not just commanding Shepard, but also guiding two additional AI teammates, each with unique skills they can use independently.

Always Use Cover

In the heat of Mass Effect’s Insanity mode, it pays off big time to remember this: Staying out in the open is a recipe for disaster. Those environmental elements aren’t just scenery; they’re your lifesavers. Duck behind them whenever possible, and learn to anticipate the enemies’ shooting rhythm before poking your head out to reply with fire of your own. And here’s a lesson I learned the hard way: just because you’ve got a shiny new weapon, don’t let it go to your head and turn you into a one-man army like Rambo. That’s a surefire way to wind up dead.

Since Commander Shepard is right-handed, it’s more likely for you to notice enemies appearing on the right side of the screen due to his natural tendencies.

Given that ME1: Legendary Edition doesn’t enable switching weapon shoulders, here’s a crucial tactical advice: If you’re in concealment, always peek to the left. This is because if you’re exposed and not in cover, adversaries will attack you before you can even detect them due to lack of visibility from that angle.

2024-12-05 14:04