Mass Effect Andromeda: 15 Crucial Tips & Tricks The Game Doesn't Tell You

12. Which Skills To Unlock First

I can't imagine how incredibly overwhelming the sheer amount of powers that are available will be to newcomers - or even to anything less than a hardcore Mass Effect fan. Rather than lock skills behind classes, you're given a good 30+ list of them from the get-go, before ostensibly being told "Go on then, figure it out!"

Such an approach means you'll end up plunging points into whatever sounds good, aimlessly experimenting based on a description and nothing else. To counter that, think of your L1/LB power as a 'defensive', your R1/RB as a quick-fire attack and the combination of the two buttons together as a 'special'.

So, things like Backlash and Barricade fit defensive parameters and will generate a moving deflector shield or dynamic cover, respectively. Cryo beam, Lance, Invasion or Concussive Shot will give you a quick-fire offensive attack, perfect for when you get caught short running out of ammo.

Atop these essentials, grab something more 'flashy' for your L1+R1 special - perhaps Charge (the renamed Biotic Charge from the other games), Tactical Cloak (invisibility) or Singularity (a miniature black hole). Many of these more 'OTT' powers take longer to recharge, and make more sense being used in between your other base offensive and defensive abilities.