Mass Effect Class Guide VANGUARD

Here's part 3 of my new Mass Effect Lore series to get you ready for The Mass Effect Legendary Edition. In this weeks video I take a deep dive look at the Vanguard class and everything it has to offer, as well as looking at how the class evolved across the trilogy and some tips and advice on some of the best companions that pair nicely with this class.
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[@ClemPrime13]

“Vanguards have no way to take down shields, and must rely on teammates” I’m sorry, I can’t hear you over an excuse to bring Garrus on every mission.

[@N7Kate]

😂😂😂 Like you need an excuse! I chose Garrus for most missions 😉

[@sjsharp2007]

@@N7Kate Yeah he's a great long ranger. Especially useful if you'er not plqaying a san infiltrato ror something yourself.

[@jbar85jb22]

This is the way

[@zedarkenigma]

Me: hmm I really like warp on my biotics though. Flare: Hold my amp.

[@npc5649]

Never played this before but u sold me here

[@devildavin]

"Vanguard can be a tricky class to master" Take minimal weapons to get max cool down speed and spam Nova and Charge

[@joeywild2011]

Yep that’s pretty much my experience in ME3

[@jirkazalabak1514]

Yep, it makes Insanity feel like Casual.

[@devildavin]

@@jirkazalabak1514 exactly, every time you get to "on no im losing health" your charge is always available to get shields back

[@mrrodgers0]

@@jirkazalabak1514 You still have to be smart about your target acquisition and positioning though. Very easy to get cut down by ranged enemies if you charge into the middle of a combat area or trigger the OHKO attacks of the big reaper elites if you aren't careful. The answer is usually to never be in the same place longer than it takes to double nova for the former, and to just chain fire combos off incendiary ammo and charge for the latter.

[@jirkazalabak1514]

@@mrrodgers0 To clarify, I was talking about ME3 Vanguard here. It´s an RNG class, for sure. It´s not as unkillable as say, an Infiltrator, who can kill most enemies before they even see them. However, when you develop some decent situational awareness, and get used to your cooldown timers, you basically never die. Charging right into a group of enemies is basically the only thing you have to worry about. And even if you do charge a big group by mistake, your Nova makes you invulnerable while casting it, and doesn´t share cooldowns with your Charge. As for elites, I would usually charge them to recharge my barrier, and then immediately roll backwards to avoid their instant kills. It takes a bit of getting used to, but once you do, you can solo pretty much any enemy in the game, except those outside the map, like Harvesters.

[@Atte093]

I'm commander Shepard and vanguard is my favourite cla... Oh, you get the point.

[@commandershepard9312]

Im Commander Shepard and you right my guy

[@tomgroot7039]

My one criticism of the Vanguard would be that it’s almost too easy in ME3. But it’s so incredibly fun.

[@commandershepard9312]

@@tomgroot7039 who cares if its easy or not. all that matters is how many alien cheeks we can clap

[@KageNoTenshi]

@@tomgroot7039 it was in fact the most broken class in me3, and if you were smart and kept Ashley alive so she gets you a grenade power, you shouldn’t die to anything even in the hardest difficulty except anything with an execute

[@tomgroot7039]

@@KageNoTenshi and Marauder Shields, don’t forget him.😉

[@Astrosimi]

Vanguard is the ultimate Mass Effect experience. You go from a tank on two legs in ME1, to The Flash with a Shotgun in ME2, to just fucking ripping everything apart without needing to fire a single shot in ME3. Make Shepard the superhero they deserve to be!

[@GRyder261]

ME3 Vanguard Shepard is like the ME2 Cutszene-Jack escaping from prison.

[@lendogaming4304]

tbh first time playing mae trilogy i said i will never be a vanguard bcs is too much buttons pushing and wasnt fun...boi i was wrong...

[@Mr_Failure-101]

ME3 vanguard is the the best. If you combine Nova with charge you r virtually unstoppable

[@ridesq]

In my head, vanguard is the canon class.

[@cjvaye99]

I always just play as soldier in ME1 before switching to vanguard for 2 and 3. In my head cannon cerberus gave Shepard biotic abilities and thats what Shepard meant when he said "I noticed a few upgrades"

[@N7Dante]

When asked what class they're playing, only the Vanguard can reply with; "Leeeeeerrrooooyyyyy Jeeeeeennnnkins!"

[@Raziel1030]

When she said I should plan my next move after charge: "Do I look like a Shepard with a plan?"

[@allanon3031]

RIP Jenkins

[@darkwarlord]

RIP Corporal Richard Leeroy Jenkins

[@GoodOldGamer]

Jenkins needed Charge.

[@N7Dante]

@@GoodOldGamer if Jenkins did have charge he... *sniff * he might still be with us today.

[@TheHulk1850]

Just recently went from a Sentinel Paragon MaleShep, to a Vanguard Renegade FemShep, still playing through 2, but playing ME1 as a Vanguard is some of the most fun I have had in a while!! Really looking forward to playing a Vanguard again, this time in 4K!!

[@cjdziesiuta1995]

What romanc3 are you going for?

[@sjsharp2007]

Yeah I recently did a Vanguard playthrough on Andromeda. Was planning on doing one again on th etrilogy as well again at some point though it'll be on the originals as I don' tplan on getting the remaster until later. I suspec tm firs tplaythrough on th eremaster will be either an adept or Sentinel. As the only plan I have for my firs trun of the LE is a biotic femshep atm. I haven' tdecided which class yet but I'll leave that chioce until I'm read yto pick i tup and play. After all I hav eplayed all 6 so I know what they're all about.

[@cacuinwildstar]

This was my favorite class in all three games. That risk reward of their charge ability is so good!

[@tlotpwist3417]

Playing a vanguard in me 3 with the face of Schwarzenneger was pure fun

[@skyhawkslcb18]

thank you for putting the galaxy map music in the background. never gets old.

[@violetbliss4399]

I always felt like the hybrid roles fit Shepard best (Vanguard, Infiltrator & Sentinel) because of the broader training, although you could make a case for being a specialist too... anyway, I think what I love most about Vanguard isn't actually the class itself but how you fit into the squad. You take point, you have an overwatch with you and a third crowd control & utility specialist and that just works so well both in the game and the image of it. :)

[@csgptg]

Coming from a veteran Mass Effect player, its hard to choose what class to play for the first playthrough when Legendary comes out. They're all so good! After watching this.....might as well charge back into the fold with a biotic field of death!

[@jonyjonas]

I've always enjoyed mage type classes. However, after Skyrim taught me that I could be a battle mage or a spellsword, I've been super attracted to melee-fighting classes with good amount of magic. The vanguard is precisely that, it's raw biotic power with the ability to sustain close-ranged combat makes me super happy, especially when you instantly teleport to the enemy location and deal massive amount of power with your nova. This is what true ecstasy means.

[@josephflanigan3649]

There are few things more fun than playing as a Krogan Vanguard on ME3’s old multiplayer. You have biotic charge as well the heavy melee Krogan charge. No guns needed.

[@joenesvick7043]

Infiltrator is my favorite, but I'll admit Vanguard is fun especially once the Lazarus Project added in Space Boost. Space Boost. I want to Space Boost. Boodily Boost Boodily Boost

[@jasonnottheargonaut4757]

The space boost combination! Space boost and the space smash

[@sjsharp2007]

Yeah I find I prefe rattacking at range. I like and have beaten th egam with al 6 classes but I'll admit Vanguard is my least favourite one. I do like wielding the charge power though when playing a vanguard and it's probabl ym yfavouriet part o fbeing a vanguard when I play one. She is right though in that you do have to choose the right moments to use it especially in ME2 as otherwise you'll end up a sitting duck thatcan be picked off fast despite the initial shield boost. In ME3 you can go to town a bit more thanks to the fact you can use Nova to unbalance anyone near the charge's endpoint. I used Charge and Nova a lot in my last playthrough of Andromeda as I was playing a Vanguard style Ryder an dboth aer a lot of fun to use in the trilogy as well.

[@j.vinton4039]

Infiltrator in ME3 with a shotgun is fun as hell. Cloak behind enemies and blast um’!

[@virgilthetraitor493]

I usually play a sentinel myself, but vanguard is always my second choice.

[@burningbronze7555]

Same man

[@clintbrew]

I played vanguard in mass effect 2 but now im playing sentinel in me3

[@thisbeyful]

I've always been too scared to play vanguard and always just stayed with Soldier but this video helps a lot!! I think I'm going to try it this time :3

[@N7Kate]

That's awesome, glad I could help 😁

[@sjsharp2007]

Yo udo need to b ecareful with the charge but other than tha tit's not a bad class but if you do us echarg eright it really is a powerful ability

[@luminatrixfanfiction]

@@N7Kate I used to play vanguard all the time. It's a fun class and under the right circumstances, the most powerful class in the game. I have to point out there, it seems you weren't utilizing vanguard properly. Contrary to popular belief, shotguns aren't all that great for this class. You best weapon in this case is a heavy pistol like the Arc Pistol which can ramp up a charge to the equivalent damage level of a shockgun if the trigger is held until you come out of your charge, one-shotting anything if aimed at the head. Secondly, Fortification is an absolute must. The damage protection stacks with the biotic charge's damage reduction buff(up to 90% total protection) along with a a melee damage bonus when purged. Reave and Nova or Shockwave works best together with Biotic Charge although I tend to prefer Nova. Reave is a primer for biotic detonations which means if you Reave an enemy followed by a biotic charge that sacrifices range area of affect biotic charge affecting nearby enemies for increased damage against a singlular target, the biotic charge will detonate against the main target and the subsequent shockwave ability will be the aoe that detonates all enemies nearby, creating one devastating WMD one-man army. And since Shockwave is a detonator for Reave primer, you can demolish a dozen targets in an instant. However Biotic Charge followed by Nova is handsdown the best usage of the vanguard class. This is pretty much my build minus the lack of the Arc Pistol: kzbin.info/www/bejne/i5fPhGCYpc6SeZo I usually charge my Arc Pistol to max charge first before using Biotic Charge so even if a heavily armored target survives Charge detonator + Nova, the Arc Pistol still holding a charge will blow their head off after coming out of a biotic charge. That's what makes Vanguards the most powerful class in the game. The best part about using a heavy pistol instead of shotgun, is the recharge times for powers is shorter so you can zip around the map nearly non-stop, with a permanent 90% damage reduction defense buff from Fortification and biotic charge which also heals your shields everytime you charge. Basically, an unkillable tank.

[@MantraHerbInchSin]

If you spec correctly than you would never die as long as you can charge an enemy^^

[@sjsharp2007]

@@MantraHerbInchSin that depensd really on your reaction times too though as as I'v eoften used the charge befoer a ddied within 2 seconsd of using it. It's OK i fyou hav eNova backing you up like in ME3 but in ME2 it can be tricky

[@loC2ol]

The hype folks! We are so close!

[@N7Kate]

I know right! I can't wait to jump back in!

[@jmarx3943]

I want to be excited for the remaster, but I'm worried that EA is going to EA and find some way to screw it up.

[@h3o208]

Yes

[@quentindaugherty4926]

@@jmarx3943 same here but I don't see many avenues for them to fuck up a remaster

[@theomega311]

Don’t you mean an ADEPT look into the classes? 🤣🤣🤣🤣 I will show myself out

[@joeywild2011]

No it’s ok stay. Puns should be celebrated

[@Koji44-]

Wow you really ENGINEERED that pun😭

[@aidanthornton173]

*Geth:* Noooo, using Biotics to throw yourself at your enemies is a strategically ineffective tactic!!! *Shepard:* Haha, Biotic charge goes *Brrrrrrr!*

[@rogue-og]

25 minutes of Mass Effect content? Count me in. I'll take all I can get to hold me over until the 14th.

[@ZeroOmega-vg8nq]

Heres hoping they break street date cuz the waiting is annoying

[@barbiana1802]

Your class guide videos are so amazing and helpful for someone who hasn’t played in years and even then only in easy mode, thanks so much for your time and effort 😭💓🌸

[@judostar11]

While Sentinel is my all time favourite class, Vanguard isn't too far behind it. Gotta be smart with those charges sometimes but it's so fun zipping around and wrecking everything,

[@docproc144]

Playing Vanguard in Mass Effect 3 is some of the most fun I’ve ever had in a video game. That charge/nova combo is just unstoppable. It makes you feel like a superhero, going around and just obliterating everyone like a biotic battering ram. You really feel powerful, and it’s a feeling that not many games have given me since.

[@N7Kate]

Vanguard is a really fun class, very aggressive, very in your face and I love it. Pairing with a shotgun, charge and nova is a great combo. If you get your companions to prime the target too, you can do so much damage

[@bluesrike]

​@@N7KateThis is what happened when I tried Vanguard: A group of Cerberus Goons appeared! Liara used Singularity! Some Cerberus Goons were lifted! Ashley used Inferno Grenade! Some Cerberus Goons were burned! Shepard used Biotic Charge! Double combo explosion: Biotic + Fire! It's super effective!

[@N7Kate]

@@bluesrike Nice!!

[@BakeryTakery]

These guides are so on point. Can’t wait to see what you have for (my favorites) Infiltrator and Sentinel.

[@N7Kate]

Thanks 😁 will be covering the eventually. Hopefully can get them all done before the release date

[@BakeryTakery]

@@N7Kate we believe in you Kate :)

[@brandonscholl967]

Vanguard has always been my favorite class. Gonna try to go with a different one on the Legendary Edition, but I'm gonna miss the charge!

[@marloaleman9539]

You made a great scream covering the basics of of Vanguard that's making my Vanguard smile with pleasure, description of the class it made my former Fem-Shep ha smile with the description of all the classes I know it was a hard work to make one for all the classes I appreciate your work and time gracias estatus for doing these dreams

[@marloaleman9539]

I passing the game as a Vanguard so fun class to play for me

[@rickfry4442]

These videos are great I'm using them decide what class to play I used to always play soilder wanting to try something new on legendary. Thanks for making these videos

[@N7Kate]

Thanks, it's one of the reasons I decided to make these videos 😁

[@Silmarisi]

Fighting that vanguard boss in the Shadow Broker DLC as a vanguard was absolutely delicious. Kai Leng in ME3 even more so - oh, you wanna run from me? Fuck you, I'm right here. >:D Once a vanguard, always a vanguard. If only ME1 had Charge as well, though ...

[@dragonheart1236]

Well, ME1 has the fastest storm speed, from what I'm aware

[@absollum]

ME1 vanguard also had access to shotguns with explosive rounds, which can two shot most enemies. Add the sith lord powers with the durability of the mako, vanguards are stupidly powerful.

[@Userius1]

I'm doing my first vanguard playthrough with the LE, and lol that Broker fight was easy mode. I was charging into him and shotgunning him in the back before he could face me with his massive shield again.

[@ragnaroksolstice5832]

I usually play Soldier, but Vanguard is looking mighty tempting now so I’ll give it a try when I can....

[@raaaaaaaaaam496]

Do soldiers have no weight rebuff in ME3? I fell like that would make me play soldier more.

[@ragnaroksolstice5832]

Nah all classes have the weight scale available to them, but for the upgrades and mods they do help out alot...

[@N7Kate]

Soldiers have the highest weight capacity of the 6 classes

[@raaaaaaaaaam496]

@@N7Kate honestly would be way cool of classes like soldier, adept, whatever the tech heavy one is would have major upsides but major downsides. Would make replaying mass effect just to play as a different class really worth it.

[@jakesespach1257]

Wow amazing video. I've never played Vanguard before (usually Adept or Sentinel), but I'm planning on using this class for my first MELE playthrough and this video is incredibly detailed and useful. Thanks a bunch!

[@Harrison11106]

My favorite class, the biotic charge never gets old to me.

[@nymasajista9207]

"Catch me, bro!!!" is what I say whenever I charge. :) It's my favorite class and the biggest thing is knowing when to charge and when not too. Don't charge into the full group of enemies at the start of the fight, use your teammates' powers and then charge and pick off enemies as they try to move around and flank. It's even better in Andromeda with the mix-and-match powers and jumping/dashing as I took charge, pull, nades, and then all the passive buffs. See group of enemies, pull one, charge him, BOOM, throw nade, rotate a bit and throw second nade, dash back, BOOM BOOM, and then charge back in and finish off the leftovers. And get the Piranha shotgun too since there's no kill like overkill. :)

[@hitmonkey4726]

Going to play Mass Effect trilogy for the first time and found this guide. I sub.

[@N7Kate]

Oh that's so awesome, your in for a treat! Thanks for subbing :)

[@joeywild2011]

A piece of advice for the trilogy (non-combat advice, it’s story advice but no spoilers): - Stick with either a full Paragon or Renegade playthrough - This is because you need to have enough Paragon/Renegade points to make certain very important decisions in the series. - (Dialogue choices towards the top of the wheel are Paragon, while towards the bottom are Renegade) - (Paragon choices are more ‘heroic’ and kind, like a typical hero in a story. Renegade choices are more ‘tough’, serious, and sometimes brutal)

[@hitmonkey4726]

@@joeywild2011 thanks. Does this also effect romances and companions whether they will like me or not?

[@joeywild2011]

@@hitmonkey4726 Um kind of? Let me explain, with no spoilers. - In the first game, romances are activated by being nice to the companion. You usually have to make Paragon choices when you talk to them on your ship (because these are the ‘nice’ dialogue options) and eventually they will flirt with you. The top, Paragon choices are usually flirting back answers. Do not try to romance two people at the same time because they will confront you and you have to choose. Just don’t risk it and just flirt with one person (guys can romance Ashley, girls can romance Kaidan, and guys or girls can romance Liara). When it comes to non-romance, each of the companions has a small personal mission where you do something for them. Do it and you’ll make them happy and they can become your friend and trust you more. - In the second game, it’s a little more complicated. The whole point of the game is that you recruit people for your team and then do a loyalty mission for them so they trust you (so there are 2 missions per companion: recruitment and loyalty). You can be paragon or renegade with them (remember to only be totally paragon or renegade as much as possible) but again, you need to say mostly paragon things to the person you want to romance. Also, on some companion’s loyalty missions, you can fail them either by making the wrong choices or by just not completing the objective. You will not gain the person’s loyalty then. Now, two times in the game, after you gain the loyalty of certain companions they will have a big argument on the ship, and you have to try to stop the argument without taking one side. I won’t tell you who the companions are (it happens two times, with two different pairs of companions. A and B will argue, and C and D will argue). You NEED to have enough paragon or renegade points to do a special dialogue choice for both arguments that makes them stop without you taking a side and upsetting the other one. If you don’t do this, and you take the side of someone in the argument and you don’t side with the one you want to romance (if they’re part of the argument), you can’t romance them anymore. Even though afterwards you can go to the person you didn’t side with and use a special dialogue to say sorry, they will gain loyalty back but you still can’t romance them. Also I just want to say, loyalty is very important in ME2. I won’t say why but just make sure you get people’s loyalty asap. Also make sure you upgrade your ship as soon as you can. - In ME3, it’s similar to ME2 where you can be paragon or renegade as much as you want, but just be paragon with your romance option when you flirt with them. There are loyalty missions in this game too. There are no arguments that happen between companions though. However, paragon and renegade is very important for this game and make sure you have high enough points from sticking with only paragon or renegade throughout the trilogy, as some very big choices will come where you need high paragon or renegade for the best outcomes. As you progress through each game in the series you will be able to max out paragon/renegade points by the time you approach the end of each game

[@ghorstbusters6238]

@@joeywild2011 thanks for all thisinfo

[@300SonsofOdin]

Very neat guide. I personally prefer the Soldier class over the vanguard but especially in ME3 I had a lot of fun sending people flying with charge and nova :D

[@elwizschold]

Vanguard is one of my favorite classes. It's a good choice (especially in ME2 & 3) for insanity playthroughs as Charge is great when leveled up. It was the class I chose for my 2nd insanity playthrough (Infiltrator being the 1st)

[@Tirin90]

Oh please do Sentinel next!!! My favorite. I love these guides! Since I’ve played these 3 games more times than I can count on my fingers they don’t teach me anything but they get me really excited for the remaster coming soon nonetheless! Thank you!

[@Cr0sS011]

I've been a vanguard since ME1. I love it.

[@angel8fingers]

Hey there Kate! I’m a collector of builds! I would really enjoy seeing what builds you enjoy. I like all the classes and play them all with equal ease so I’m not limited for suggestions ! Thanks for your time, great content as usual!

[@thecircleoft.e.d2121]

When playing a Vanguard, I can be a pretty reckless example of exercising their powers; ever since ME2 introduced the Biotic Charge ability, I have loads of fun with them; it's such a cool ability and is fitting for dealing sudden damage to enemies. And in ME3, I feel like a biotic God with the Biotic Charge, Nova slam, Heavy melee combo; it's a very fun combat class to play as, if you want to feel like a badass bruiser.

[@Sheogorath2077]

I always play as Vanguard

[@N7Kate]

Yeah, it's a really popular class, and I can see after making this video 😁

[@Sheogorath2077]

@@N7Kate one of the other things i always do is play as a Spacer, War Hero and romance Tali or Garrus

[@Twillow28]

Yeees, this is the one I was waiting for...

[@N7Kate]

Hope it was worth the wait 😁👍

[@BvG_Venom]

I'm usually an Infiltrator but ill give this a playthrough.

[@Bjbarend]

Being a massive ME fan, I must say, this video is EXACTLY what I was looking for! :) I love playing standard male Shepard and felt throughout my playthroughs that he (according to "lore") is either a Soldier or a Vanguard! Constantly in cutscenes and relationships with your crew, it refers to Shepards being a strong gun wielder. I therefore always felt playing Soldier was the way to go, but seeing as the Legendary Edition is NEXT WEEK (YEESSS), I felt the need to review the classes to make a decision that would extend throughout the whole trilogy! Needless to say, this video was SUPER well put together with ample information and made me decide that I'll be doing a full Vanguard playthrough!!! Keep it up and well done! :)

[@stephanshaw6201]

I always paly Adept but I want to try being in the thick of things, I started playing Vanguard & i'm loving it so far I miss all the cool biotics I had though haha

[@antagonisstic]

Well time to replay Mass Effect for the 20th time as a Vanguard this time. Your English is great.

[@dltafrc17]

started doing playthroughs again and chose my comfort zone soldier. my first femshep is a vanguard though. stoked to play as a vanguard! was soldier for life but figured id change it up

[@The0sidewinder]

in me3 charge > melee > nova because nova uses shields or pull/warp/overload/incinerate/cryoblast > charge to make detonation

[@N7Kate]

All good combos 😁

[@DarthTrethon]

In Mass Effect 1 the Vanguard class is by far the best because you can have a bonus skill of your choice....and that bonus skill should be Sniper Rifle training. A Vanguard that can use Sniper Rifles has no weaknesses.

[@mrrodgers0]

ARs are more damage output. Once you max out barrier and medium armor and grab yourself a prodigy amp, (which puts the cooldown of barrier under its duration with the shock trooper specialization, so you now have a better shield boost every ~20ish seconds without adrenaline rush) snipers don't do anything to you.

[@DarthTrethon]

@@mrrodgers0 This isn't PvP....ME1 never had any multiplayer and there is literally ZERO multiplayer in the Legendary Edition and even the MP mode in the original ME3 was just tacked on garbage....that's not what I'm talking about at all. I'm talking about playing the main game.

[@zedarkenigma]

Me: *plays every class in mass effect 4 times each on every game* Also me: ooh a class guide for mass effect, imma check out the classes. 😂

[@MantraHerbInchSin]

Shepard is always a Vanguard in my head canon

[@superalloywheel]

Hey! Another amazing guide! Thanks for this one vanguard is on my list ✌️🙂

[@N7Kate]

Thanks 😁 I'm enjoying making these and glad they're helpful for people. Next up is Engineer 👍

[@insecdroid]

“At Doom’s Gate Intensifies”

[@James-do4oh]

Charge and well timed shockwaves are so satisfying.

[@gibster9624]

Love this playstyle. Play something similar in every game. Buddy of mine calls me his little Pokémon except I'm more of a psychotic killing machine.

[@MrMightyZ]

Great video and very helpful, you taught me a lot but did you know that once when someone was trying to say “disoriented” they became disoriented and now we have the word “disorientated” with a silly extra syllable!

[@lovestospuge666]

And the wait is over loved it 👍

[@N7Kate]

Hope it was worth the wait 😁 next up is Engineer!

[@lancerd4934]

Far and away the most thrilling class to play. It's important to note that while the video mentions hit-and-run several times, this is wrong. If you're retreating with this class, you f***ed up. Since biotic charge is the fastest way to recharge your shield in the game, the best way to stay alive is to just never stop yeeting yourself face first into fresh enemies.

[@Trattato68]

In me3 vanguard is the most powerful class, but also the most boring. Charge, Nova and repeat

[@ZeroMayhemZX]

I did Infiltrator the first time I played the series but I think it will be Vanguard this time. The shift from sneak/snipe to dash/punch should be a fun contrast and honestly, it just looks fun to Buster Wolf dudes in space.

[@jsross33]

I usually use the vanguard class myself, for ME2 and 3. However, I tend to use it as a biotic soldier. As a primary, I use an SMG until I can make use of a rifle. I pack a venom shotgun, charged, for the big targets and a pistol for backup. Shockwave and Slam are my go to biotic moves. Charge works great on the asari specter, nova is great against your clone and pull to rip shields from Cerberus troops. Sure, I'm not using this class to it's full potential with biotic detonations and all that but I prefer a more mid range combat style.

[@JoaoAntonio-mu4bi]

I'm finishing ME 1 now for the first time, using vanguard, played on insanity, tbh I didn't had any difficulty with this class, just use barrier and run to the enemy face and unload the shotgun, and using melee to knock them down. Shotgun can be use from start to finish, I only used pistol when I was fighting those flying drones. When the enemy is far away, just transform you shotgun to a missile launcher with carnage skill. And the most broken thing is adrenaline skill that resets your CD, with that you can keep barrier 100% of the time. And use liara as a teammate, her CC makes fights a breeze. I loved the class, will play vanguard again on ME2

[@NeedsMoDakka]

Just played through me2 vanguard Partner 1: always grunt, because when the ai is following me or teleporting to me when I'm not looking, I need a tank to shotgun enemies too Partner 2a: Zaeed/Thane(pick based on expected enemy shield/barrier dominance), always using burst sniper.. Partner 2b: Miranda/Kasumi is for Overload support + SMG use [Cyro ammo]. Miranda has Warp while Kasumi has Flashbang and the sneak attack [while finicky] Weapon: Scimitar Inferno ammo plus melee. Scimitard has 1.5 times damage bonus against Shields and barriers, and Inferno ammo takes care of armor and flesh. Shoot until they only have health left and then move to another target, teammates will freeze with Frost ammo Champion, heavy charge, inferno ammo, squad cyro, stasis 1pt, nothing else really matters. Someone suggested Reave - Area reave is a good call Couple of ways to use charge. Defensively: Use charge on an enemy by itself to get your shields back, then go to cover Offensively: Use charge then shotgun+Melee, then move to cover [if you have anything other than a Scimitar] For fun positioning: Charge the farthest enemy away and let your teammates shoot the enemies in the back as the enemies now face you, and just Blast Away. Allies will either teleport to you or will deal with enemies along the way. Pseudo-Shove: Enemies will be knocked back if they're stripped of shields [scimitar] and armor [inferno ammo] and you CHARGE them. Get in close to deal damage, strip their defenses, then CHARGE em to get your shields back and knock them off a cliff or something lul Unless you got a heavy Mech to deal with or more than six people you should be fine. Once you're dealing with seven enemies at once, then you need to slow down and actually think things through. Inferno Ammo Squad Cryo Ammo Charge to your preference Pull 1pt, it's whatever Champion Stasis 1pt -> Area Reave if you want, otherwise, whatever other bonus you want

[@stillwinston3765]

I always suggest the Vanguard to people starting in mass effect, because when u get to 2 you can become a psychic empowered human torpedo that barrels across the battlefield to plow into someone and then point blank shotgunning them. If that isn't awesome idk what is lol

[@Minotaur-ey2lg]

Vanguard, aka ME3: games journalist difficulty.

[@imotekh6110]

I want to be mad, but I know I can't be. Blazing through every encounter with charge and nova. But this also implies games journalists have the ability to actually use their abilities effectively without auto battle.

[@commandershepard9312]

did i hear you say..... "journalist"??????????

[@jmarx3943]

@@commandershepard9312 😆 thanks for the laugh, Commander!...and for, you know, saving the galaxy!

[@commandershepard9312]

@@jmarx3943 would have saved the galaxy sooner if that damned council didnt get in my way. but hey, thanks man

[@majorastorm]

Vanguard is so much fun in Me3, and Andromeda

[@talespinner4515]

Vanguard + Charge + Geth Shotgun is probably the most OP I've ever been in Mass Effect.

[@patriciohernandez977]

I never played ME1, and thought that the class you had to play was soldier, then later realized I just had to press on “custom character” to choose vanguard.

[@Ironmaidenportugal]

I played all the classes and vanguard is definetly my thing!

[@heartless2147]

Ah yes Vanguard, aka the one two punch in ME3. Biotic Charge and Nova combo is so OP that the only difficulty in the game are Banshees, since they can insta kill you when you have no shields by grabbing you.

[@tlotpwist3417]

A fast roll after a charge avoids insta kills from these or Atlas mechas, just before unleashing nova

[@heartless2147]

@@tlotpwist3417 Well now, looks like I'm gonna be even more op in ME3, thanks for the tip.

[@tlotpwist3417]

@@heartless2147 sometimes i got caught because of not rolling away but on a side that doesnt give more space between me and the ennemy but overall it fits the risk/reward playstyle a lot. Vanguard is also pretty op in these trial arenas from the Citadel dlc where you have to beat a time. And the epitome of epic fight was during the Shadow Broker dlc against that other vanguard Asari

[@predetor911]

In ME3 I gave my vanguard Energy Drain as the bonus power. Now I can deal with anything shield/armor/barriers, vanguard is especially useful against Cerberus, on other classes the handheld shields were annoying but with pull you can turn them into a regular enemy.

[@ragingmollusk2640]

Vanguard and Infiltrator baby! Close up magic, and long shot royalty!

[@desmondjones7643]

Awesome!! Can't wait for the next one. 👍

[@N7Kate]

Thanks :) Working on it, script is mostly finished and capture some footage today. Hoping to get it edited tomorrow or Saturday morning

[@desmondjones7643]

@@N7Kate What class did you say it was going to be again?

[@N7Kate]

@@desmondjones7643 Engineer :)

[@Jaromeo1287]

Very well-made video! Thank you!

[@N7Kate]

Thanks 😁

[@gibster9624]

When playing Vanguard crowd control is the main currency. ME1: Liara and Garrus are your best friends ME2: Miranda is our main and Garrus with an incisor peak archangle ME3: Liara and God mode Garrus, nuff said. With the right set up the playstyle isn't so much about taking risks but about a hammer and anvil combat loop.

[@sol_117]

While Infiltrator is my favorite class, Vanguard is so much fun and is one that I really enjoy. 1. Infiltrator 2.Adept 3. Vanguard 4. Sentinel 5. Soldier 6. Engineer

[@griffongaming4474]

This class is especially brutal and almost never has to hide behind cover in me3 if you upgrade charge so that it recharges your shield, upgrade Shockwave so it suspends enemies in the air for several seconds, and going to the Normandy's med bay and adding Lash to your powers, as this will allow to spam the pull and lash abilities on anyone lacking shields/barriers

[@simoncodrington]

Great videos, cheers for the content!

[@N7Kate]

Thanks 😁 glad people are enjoying them and finding them helpful 👍

[@lidular]

I have always played as the infiltrator, so i think my next playthrough will be as a vanguard

[@N7Kate]

Vanguard is a lot of fun and plays completely different to Infiltrator, they are virtually polar opposites in terms of gameplay style

[@lidular]

@@N7Kate thats the hope, seeing the game from a different point of view

[@rickardhellberg9813]

ME is my favorite game ever and I've played through it many times but NEVER (😳) as a vanguard. At least I don't think so... but this video convinced me, vanguard will be my class in my first run!

[@DecimalD_]

I played ME3 as a Vanguard. I remember it feeling like high risk, high reward. I died a lot more as vanguard, but it felt so badass! 😂

[@sjsharp2007]

Yeah Vanguards are more vulnerable if you use charge at the wrong time but when it works it can be powerful. It's not the easiest class to play given it's an in your face kind of class but it is a lot of fun

[@mrrodgers0]

@@sjsharp2007 Part of that is just the optimal playstyle for vanguard breaks the core playstyle conceits of the game. (i.e.- you're supposed to ignore cover in a game designed to be a cover shooter) Once you get used to it and develop the intuition for when/where you should be charging, the charge+nova build makes insanity feel like other classes' normal.

[@sjsharp2007]

@@mrrodgers0 I tlaqrgel ydepends on your playstyl eand how good you are a tthe game though. For excample m ydisability can make games like this tough so I ten dto be more cautious especially as a Vanguard as I'm not as fast on the buttons

[@LongShen1883]

Think vanguard was one of my favorite classes made getting from point A to point B much faster, not to mention how much damage can be made along the way, shortens the field by miles.

[@griffongaming4474]

Also I've now played the mass effect trilogy twice(once back in 2016 when I got the original trilogy and playing through it now for my youtube channel) I have only played as one class other than vanguard, and it was only for one of the mass effect games(in my very first mass effect playthrough five years ago I made the change in me3 from vanguard to infiltrator, a decision I actually kind of regret doing) it's not that I think I would hate the other classes as I'm sure there is something I would enjoy about each of them, however oddly enough based on how I use my vanguard I think my 2nd favorite class would probably be sentinel with the only drawback being that I wouldn't have charge. Anyways this was basically to talk about how much more I like vanguard than literally any other me class

[@BobBigWheels]

These videos are well done

[@N7Kate]

Thanks 😁

[@DRGIZMO29]

Me in mass effect 3: bring pistol only. Charge > heavy melee > back roll > pistol pistol pistol > repeat

[@jirkazalabak1514]

I have noticed that you tend to move away from your enemies after charging them. This is a mistake. Stay right in their face, so your weapons are more damaging. You can also use a melee attack to stagger them again, assuming they have no more protections.

[@ArthKryst]

Yayyy, Engineer, wanna know more about it

[@jmarx3943]

Vanguard is a fun class, but my least used, especially in ME3 multiplayer due to biotic charge not always firing right away. Watching this class guide makes me want to give it more of a go though. Thanks for the well made video!

[@batmansillo]

Ive played this series since they came out and i always play Vanguard 🤣

[@LazyartistLast]

yes the vanguard class, the class of "i want to headbutt/punch that enemy on the other side of the field."

[@mojom.9221]

Ahh Vanguard. My go to Renegate , aggressive Rambo Class Playthrough. Big Boomstick goes brrrrrrr...

[@ProjSHiNKiROU]

Vanguard is also the class of choice for speedrunners, both the trilogy and Andromeda

[@soarinlightponysnow96]

That good question to ask what class to play in legends edition vision of mass effect

[@xXSilentAgent47Xx]

I think it's really stupid that you don't have wide range of selecting weapons like with soldier. Or at least give the menu to select weapons to carry outside.

[@mrrodgers0]

The best weapon for a vanguard is actually the assault rifle, not the shotgun. Especially in ME2, where on higher difficulties every enemy has shields/armor/barriers you need to remove before any of your powers do anything and the nerfing and loss of barrier as a class power eliminates the run and gun style which was unique to vanguard in ME1. Shotguns are most effective at the ranges where your powers are most effective, while an AR gives you the ability to strip defenses from cover at medium range for lift->charge combo detonations. ME2 is by far the least fun game for the class imo because it doesn't let you break all the rules and ignore the idea that these games are supposed to be cover shooters, which is why I fell in love with it in the first place.

[@microdroid]

Great help! Just started part 3 👍🏾

[@iluvcakes19]

Moving from Infiltrator to Vanguard. Convince me otherwise.

[@N7Kate]

Hahaha hoping to upload my infiltrator video tomorrow night..maybe :P So will see

[@iluvcakes19]

@@N7Kate can't wait.. I'm honestly torn.

[@ezkling4525]

a maxed charge in ME3 is probably the strongest option in the whole series

[@N7Kate]

The ability to recharge your shields instantly and then set up combos and detonate them with charge followed by shotgun, is such a powerful combo

[@AgentofChaos315]

In ME3 I'd love to upgrade charge to make it so charging gave all my shields back and recharged pretty quick, while at the same only using a shotgun to keep my weight down so much charge came back in less than 2 seconds, so I'd just charge in, SHOTGUN! SHOTGUN! SHOTGUN! and when my shields broke just charge any enemy, even if they were right in front of me, so I'd be back at full. So much fun.

[@crazyquirrels]

I recently made the mistake of playing my first Insanity playthrough…as a first time Vanguard. Normally, I play Infiltrator/Soldier. Vanguard is fun. Playing on Insanity has me thinking I really hate myself.

[@michael8763]

I love your guides

[@N7Kate]

Thanks :)

[@robertschwartz6912]

Combine charge with dark channel to have a detonation party

[@N7Kate]

That sounds like a fun combo

[@codyconnor6981]

Vanguards struggle against shielded foes. Me who just stupidly charged a Geth Prime with full shields: 👁👄👁

[@N7Kate]

Charging is so tempting all the time and there is something very satisfying about smashing into a Geth Prime 😂 I always brought Tali with me to strip those shields before charging in

[@bluesrike]

@@N7Kate Geth Prime: *breathes* Vanguard Shep: *Biotic Charge* *uck you, your shields AND your rockets!