Mass Effect series discussion

[Pluvia]

Cerberus continues to put pressure on our troops, hindering our fight against the Reapers. Our allies have committed their top military units to target Cerberus’ most valuable assets: their Atlas Mechs.

Squad Goal: Full extraction on any difficulty with all squad members as the same non-human race. Requires 2 or more players in squad.
Allied Goal: Kill 600,000 Atlas Mechs on any map at any difficulty.

Special Circumstances: Escort Drones travel speed reduced.

Squad Goal Success: All squad members awarded a Commendation Pack.
Allied Goal Success: All players awarded a Victory Pack.

EDIT: Male & Female quarians BOTH count as quarians. They are the same race so teams of male & female quarians are allowed.

 

[Master Xanthan]

I find it kind of annoying that you can't solo to get the commendation pack.

 

[Pluvia]

An insane amount of balance changes this week:

Spoiler

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
September 25, 2012
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Battlefield 3 soldier kit now available as a new Rare card

Typhoon Assault Rifle
- Recoil no longer gets worse as the weapon levels up.

Striker Assault Rifle
- Max spare ammo increased from [48-60] to [60-72]

Eagle Pistol
- Damage increased from [74.9-93.7] to [86.1-107.7]
- Encumbrance decreased from [0.6-0.25] to [0.45-0.25]

Paladin Pistol
- Encumbrance decreased from [1.25-0.7] to [1.0-0.7]

Talon Pistol
- Encumbrance decreased from [1.1-0.6] to [0.9-0.6]

Carnifex Pistol
- Encumbrance increased from [1.0-0.5] to [1.2-0.7]

Piranha Shotgun
- Clip size decreased from 8 to 6

Frag Grenade Power
- Base damage increased from 750 to 900
- Evolution 4 bleed duration reduced from 10 to 5 seconds. The total damage applied remains the same.

Lift Grenade Power
- Base damage increased from 750 to 900
- Evolution 3 increase to max grenades increased from 1 to 2

Sticky Grenade Power
- Base damage increased from 900 to 1100
- Evolution 3 increase to max grenades increased from 1 to 2

Cluster Grenade Power
- Evolution 3 increase to max grenades increased from 1 to 2

Inferno Grenade Power
- Base damage increased from 125 to 150 per second
- Evolution 6 impact radius bonus increased from 40% to 50%

The Asari Vanguard is going to be absolutely insane now.

 

[Master Xanthan]

The Typhoon used to get more recoil as it leveled up? Was that a glitch or something?

 

[Pluvia]

Aparently not.

 

[Master Xanthan]

Aparently not.

Wow, it seems like idiots are running this game. Guns are supposed to be better when they level up.

 

[LivewiresXe]

Those grenade buffs are niiice. Would be more nice if they threw some of those buffs the Homing and Arc Grenade's way, lol. Grenade Capacity increase too, methinks?

Also, does anybody know if we passed the Objective this week?

 

[Pluvia]

Not yet we usually learn on Thursday, and I doubt it with Borderlands 2 out, give it a few weeks when the Borderlands hype dies down. Placing DLC between RE6 and Black Ops 2 will be a good idea for Bioware to do.

 

[LivewiresXe]

Not yet we usually learn on Thursday, and I doubt it with Borderlands 2 out, give it a few weeks when the Borderlands hype dies down. Placing DLC between RE6 and Black Ops 2 will be a good idea for Bioware to do.

Looks like we passed it since I found a post by Chris...Prestley? Presley? Preasly? Whatever his name is, saying it was successful. And plus, I got my Victory and Commendation Packs a couple hours ago, too.

 

[Pluvia]

Livewire, Mass Effect 1 is coming to Playstation this year. The trilogy of games were announced, and they also announced that you'll be able to download the first game as a standalone title sometime after November.

 

[LivewiresXe]

Livewire, Mass Effect 1 is coming to Playstation this year. The trilogy of games were announced, and they also announced that you'll be able to download the first game as a standalone title sometime after November.

What? You serious? Oh *censored* yeah! I wonder if they'll go back and have toggles so we can get Conrad Verner in the PS3 version of ME3?

 

[Pluvia]

I assume so. You'll get to experience Wrex in your team, as well as Ashley and Kaidan, and Liara when she was still a shy archaeologist. And you'll see Kirrahe and the rest of them.

 

[LivewiresXe]

I assume so. You'll get to experience Wrex in your team, as well as Ashley and Kaidan, and Liara when she was still a shy archaeologist. And you'll see Kirrahe and the rest of them.

Ah yes, the joys of Wrex threatening to eat people, "Enemies everywhere!", BOTH Ashley and Kaidan, Garrus showing up freaking everywhere, the original Normandy, Jenkins, Vanguard pre-Charge, and the experience of holding the line.

 

[Pluvia]

Tbh you don't actually hold the line, it's Kirrahe that does that to distract the Geth from you, but hey at least you're also see Saren.

 

[Pluvia]

So Leviathan was Bioware's largest selling DLC to date, which probably explains why it was high on Xbox Live for ages.

Good to hear anyway, can't wait for Omega in a few weeks, though I think it's gonna end with Omega destroyed in some way.

 

[NatP]

Man, Mass Effect 3 just got a HUGE patch!http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2012/10/02/mass-effect-3-getting-massive-update.aspx

 

[sakuraZaKi]

"- Krogan Vanguard Rage bonuses now work properly"

MOTHA FREAKIN'

"- Players can no longer grab Geth Pyros over cover"

...motha freakin' wtf?!

"- Disruptor Rounds consumable (all ranks) damage multiplier against shields and barriers increased from 100% to 400%"
"- Successfully extracting from a match gives 10% bonus credits. This reward does not depend on your squad members – you must extra personally to get the reward."

:o

... This is way too much shiz. Gimme 30 mins, lol.

 

[Pluvia]

So here's the notes for everyone to lazy to click that:

Spoiler

Mass Effect 3 Patch 4 Patch Notes

A new patch will be coming this week for Mass Effect 3 which will improve your gaming experience!

On X360 and PS3, you will be prompted to update your software, just confirm and wait for it to complete. On PC you will need to install the patch through Origin before you launch Mass Effect 3. Wait for it to complete installation before playing.

We expect the patch to be available Thursday this week, but will update when we have more information.

Issues Fixed:

- Fixed tutorial tip that didn't properly display an unbound command
- Fixed an issue in multiplayer where if a character has DLC weapons equipped, and the DLC associated to the weapons is deleted, the weapon loadout screen displayed no weapons
- Sabotage power evolution 6 increased tech damage bonus no longer stacks
- Fixed a rare crash in the final mission level involving the firing of the Cain at the Hades Cannon.
- Fixed the Encumbrance Bar from not updating correctly for the Earth DLC weapon mods
- Fixed weapons with natural piercing from having their damage reduced with piercing mods equipped
- Incinerate power evolution 5 now gives a damage bonus to frozen and chilled enemies
- Krogan Vanguard Rage bonuses now work properly
- Fixed Shepard's shadow from not appearing after entering and exiting an Atlas
- Fixed quitting/disconnecting while holding Retrieve Object that could cause the Retrieve Object to disappear
- Fixed users logging off or disconnecting during gameplay from not being able to return online until rebooting the game
- Players can no longer grab Geth Pyros over cover
- Fixed issue in which enemies surviving a detonated Stasis blast became invulnerable
- Attempting to equip similar weapon mods will now present a 'Slot Occupied' message
- Asari Justicar passive power evolution 3 power damage and force bonus now works properly
- Disruptor Rounds consumable (all ranks) damage multiplier against shields and barriers increased from 100% to 400%
- Particle Rifle no longer replenishes ammo from ammo boxes and supply pylons
- Fixed an issue when using Biotic Charge before death that caused the match to be unplayable afterwards
- Fixed pathing for Banshees so they don't get stuck in a teleport routine
- Fixed Asari Justicar from not being able to activate Biotic Sphere within range of large enemies
- Fixed dropping Retrieve Objects that could potentially fall under the level
- All Batarian and Krogan kits will now stagger less than other kits
- Ops Survival Packs now grant a one second damage immunity when consumed
- Singularity power re-designed:

Singularity no longer has a maximum number of charges and will only be destroyed when the time runs out

Performing a biotic combo on someone floating in the singularity no longer ends the singularity

Base cooldown changed to 8 seconds

Base duration of the singularity changed to 8 seconds

Base power now does 100 points of damage per second to all targets that are in range, even if not floating in the singularity

Base power sets up biotic combos on everyone that comes into range (only 1 combo added per enemy per cast of singularity)

Rank 3 changed to a damage over time bonus (used to be a radius and duration bonus)

Evolve 1 changed to singularity duration bonus (used to be a hold duration bonus and number of charges increase)

Evolve 5 changed to damage over time bonus (used to be a radius increase mechanic)

Evolve 6 now detonates biotic combos when the singularity explodes

- Fixed an issue with the Banshee being able to sync-kill players farther than she should be able to
- Fixed an issue with Firebase Jade giving partial extractions when all players are already inside the extraction zone
- Fixed SMG Ultralight Materials Mod not having impact on power recharge speed
- Fixed Armor Piercing Ammo not applying penetration bonus to secondary weapon
- Fixed player death camera beginning before a sync kill is complete
- Fixed an issue with talent points remaining after a character promotion
- Melee creatures will now completely ignore pets (drones, decoys, etc.) rather than just having a chance to ignore them
- Fixed an issue with Private Lobbies not staying private after the match has begun
- Krysae no longer ignores enemy shield gates
- Fixed various weapon sound-replications for clients
- Concussive Shot changes:

Evolution 3 damage and force bonus now applies to frozen and chilled targets

Evolution 5 changed to increase damage by 50% and radius by 1 meter (used to take on the properties of your ammo power, but this did not work)

Evolution 6 damage bonus to organics increased from 100% to 200% over 10 seconds

- Fixed issue where enemies in Stasis surviving a biotic detonation would become un-synchronized for clients
- Fixed Leviathan DLC Weapon Mods not carrying over to New Game +
- Marksman will instantly reload weapon ammunition when activated
- N7 Shadow Sword Mastery power evolution 5 and 6 now apply to Shadow Strike damage
- Fixed Atlas rocket applying damage over time on N7 Paladins using the Omni-Shield
- Fixed automatic revive at a specific spot in Firebase White
- Fixed an issue with ammo boxes causing players to be unable to fire weapons after attempting to refill grenades
- Fixed an issue with the Krysae Sniper rifle not functioning properly on squad members (Firefight pack)
- Can now headshot Banshees, Geth Primes, and Brutes for an extra 40% weapon damage.
- Can now shoot the Atlas’ exhaust port on his back for an extra 40% weapon damage.
- Fixed the health bar position of Tactical Scan on Swarmers
- Fixed an issue with enemies approaching a downed player to execute, but showing mercy and leaving
- Fixed seeking projectile powers occasionally failing to impact targets even though it appeared to impact
- Successfully extracting from a match gives 10% bonus credits. This reward does not depend on your squad members – you must extra personally to get the reward.
- Fixed an issue that caused the Retrieve Objective wave to not recognize the recovery of the object when it enters the retrieve zone
- Fixed bleedout effect that was disappearing when another player used an Ops Survival Pack
- Fixed Decoy that was blocking the use of ladders to NPCs and squadmates
- Fixed Flamer power of Vorcha from being activated simultaneously with the Reegar Carbine
- Fixed icons of powers disappearing from the Character Screen
- Fixed an issue with Ken/Gabby and Tali/Garrus ambient dialogues not triggering in Normandy engineering
- Fixed an issue in which purchasing multiplayer card pack purchases would not complete

Exploits Fixed:

- Fixed an exploit that allowed players to be invincible and invisible to enemies
- Fixed an exploit where players were able to use rockets from other weapons

PS3 Only:

- Fixed an issue on PS3 where after accepting an invite, a player could get stuck in a multiplayer screen by entering the store from the promo screen and then exiting without purchase
- Fixed a crash when pressing PS button during the game's boot sequence

PC Only:

- Fixed the hint popup to update mouse left click and right click bindings
- Fixed an issue that made Origin users display their game as joinable when their game is full
- Fixed a crash on Firebase Rio caused by heavy melee

Xbox Only

- Fixed a rare crash (black screen) on Xbox 360: Upon booting up the game and attempting to reach the title screen, players will now be able to get to title screen to recover their save games. Progress to locked achievements will be reset. Achievements already unlocked will remain unaffected.

They buffed some things dramatically, balanced some other things, and nerfed the Krysae lol. Also they made Pyro's immune to getting grabbed over cover, but made the Prime's be able to take an extra 40% damage with headshots.

All in all it seems quite balanced though, except the for the Kroguard that has now turned invincible.

 

[sakuraZaKi]

If you would be so kind to give us a build for Kroguard with Rage, that'd be amazing.

 

[LivewiresXe]

That Pyro, Flamer and Krysae things are total BS. Especially the Pyro and Krysae bits. Hell, the Krysae already was what, the same strength or weaker than the Saber, and now it's worse? WTF? Though I can't complain about the credit bonus.

 

[Pluvia]

If you would be so kind to give us a build for Kroguard with Rage, that'd be amazing.

Pretty sure Odin's Mudertrain would do.

Edit:

Or this one.

Switch out Weapon Synergy for Melee Synergy if you want, but I think just plain Reegering them until low health and then heavy meleeing them will be fine, and Weapon Synergy is better for bosses.

 

[LivewiresXe]

The one awesome thing about all this is that not only does it make the Shadow even more amazing, but that I got 2 Re-spec powers packs (though I used one to fix up my Paladin to make sure the shield took like...1500 more damage before breaking) so I can make my Murdertrain insane.

Edit: Also, where the hell do you find those class loadout things, Pluvia?

 

[Master Xanthan]

Looks like Murdertrain melee builds will be insane now O_o

 

[Pluvia]

The one awesome thing about all this is that not only does it make the Shadow even more amazing, but that I got 2 Re-spec powers packs (though I used one to fix up my Paladin to make sure the shield took like...1500 more damage before breaking) so I can make my Murdertrain insane.

Edit: Also, where the hell do you find those class loadout things, Pluvia?

Just look at the website name, you can adjust it yourself and create any class you want.

Also, balance changes:

Spoiler

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
October 2, 2012
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

AT-12 Raider Shotgun now available as a new Rare weapon

Gear Items
- Decreased bonuses from Densified Ammunition to max out at 10% instead of 12%
- For the following items, any bonuses that maxed out at 10% now max out at 12%
- Berserker Package
- Operative Package
- Commando Package
- Warfighter Package
- Expert Package
- Stronghold Package
- Guerrilla Upgrade
- Combatives Upgrade
- Shock Trooper Upgrade
- Juggernaut Shield
- Martial Biotic Amp
- Omni-Capacitors

Singularity Power
- Singularity duration decreased to 8 seconds in preparation for the re-design of the power in the upcoming patch

Shockwave Power
- Rank 3 force bonus increased from 20% to 25% (May 9 balance changes missed this)

Wraith Shotgun
- Damage increased from [102.3-127.8] to [117.6-147.0]

Crusader Shotgun
- Damage increased from [573.4-716.75] to [630.7-788.4]

Argus Assault Rifle
- Damage increased from [131.8-164.8] to [164.8-206.0]

Black Widow Sniper Rifle
- Damage increased from [514.1-642.6] to [591.2-739.0]

 

[LivewiresXe]

Ah, right. Also, I assume you take "Electric Damage" for Rank 5 of Shadow Strike instead of recharge speed with the Shadow?


Oh, and RE the balance changes:

I was going to be pissed and go "stop nerfing the gear to buff freaking Shockwave you morons", but then I saw the Wraith, Crusader, Argus, and Black Widow buffs. Like daaaamn, those Black Widow buffs are nice, and while I don't use the Argus, if it got a weight reduction/capacity buff that thing could be pretty damn nice in the hands of a Turian or Destroyer.

 

[Pluvia]

Well there was another gear that got removed from those balance changes, called Responder Loadout:

Spoiler

Got quickly edited out when someone asked what it is. Basically, DLC leak.

 

[O D I N]

Here's my response to everything so far...

Murdertrain buffs:

The Krysae:

When are they just going to REMOVE the frakking gun now...

The Pyro... buff?:

 

[LivewiresXe]

One thing people are saying is that if they're going to make the Pyro ungrabbable, they should make it's fire have a shorter range, make them move slower, and make it so they can't hop to avoid projectile powers. Which I agree with, but make them weaker too, I'd say. And the tank even easier to make an explosion happen.

 

[Pluvia]

They might as well give Geth Troopers Arc Grenades and drop the pretence.

 

[sakuraZaKi]

Yeah, so I guess new event weekend:

OPERATION OVERDRIVE

Based on intel recovered during Operation PATRIOT, we are anticipating a massive strike from the Reapers on multiple fronts. Our information officers and special-ops teams stationed behind enemy lines require immediate extraction.

Squad Goal: Full extraction on any map at any difficulty in 20 minutes or less. Squads can be any size.

Allied Goal: Complete 200,000 extraction waves on any difficulty. Squads can be any size. Full extraction not required.

Special Circumstance: None

Squad Goal Success: All squad members awarded a Commendation Pack
Allied Goal Success: All players awarded a Victory Pack

 

[Master Xanthan]

Sounds like a 4 person Team on Bronze is the best way to go

 

[sakuraZaKi]

With Kroguard, this'll take... Not long.

 

[LivewiresXe]

With Kroguard, this'll take... Not long.

Murdertrains finish Bronze in like 10 minutes, lol.

 

[Pluvia]

The Collectors have returned, in Mass Effect 3: Retaliation! The Retaliation Pack is the newest expansion to Mass Effect 3’s multiplayer experience and the largest upgrade to date. The Collectors have returned and are available as a new enemy in multiplayer matches. Prepare to face off against the Collector Praetorian, Scion, Abomination, Trooper, and Captain. Reports have also come in that Cerberus has enlisted the Dragoon to their ranks and the Geth are deploying new Drones to the battlefield.

A host of new characters have joined the war to fight this new threat, including the Turian Havoc Soldier, Turian Ghost Infiltrator, with many more being added on a regular basis. Wage war across six maps, featuring new environmental hazards and traps. A regular rotation of Firebases will be introduced to different hazards as they come under attack. Survive the onslaught of Acid, Lightening, Meltdowns, Sandstorms, Swarms and Whiteouts! The Collectors have also brought deadly new weapons to the fight: the Collector Assault Rifle, Sub-Machine Gun, and Sniper Rifle. Unlock these weapons and new equipment upgrades to build to your arsenal.

Think you are the best soldier in the Alliance? Make sure to track your progress in the new “Challenges” database in Retaliation. Complete various multiplayer assignments and feats of strength to unlock titles and banners to display in-game, then compare your progress against your friend.

The Retaliation begins on Oct 9th.

Check out the new Retaliation trailer

------------------------------------------------------

Some of the included features:

New Multiplayer kits including:

Turian Havoc Soldier

Turian Ghost Infiltrator

and more



6 maps with new environmental hazards and traps including:

Firebase Ghost

Firebase Dagger

Firebase Giant



Three new weapons

Collector Assault Rifle

Collector Sniper Rifle

Collector SMG

Three new Ammo types

Explosive rounds

Phasic Rounds

Drill Rounds

Five new Gear Items

Medi-Gel Transmitter

Armored Compartments

Responer Loadout

Survivor Loadout

Assault Loadout

 

[LivewiresXe]

Wheeeee! Jetpacks!

That is all.

 

[O D I N]

Yeah, basically Holy **** at all of the new **** they're GIVING us.

Also, on the Bioware Forums, someone said we are getting 16 new Kits. Yes. As in classes.

I will do all I can to find that source. Because Holy CRAP that is amazing sauce.

Also, Turian Boba Fett:

CONFIRMED

EDIT: Okay, so what I'm gathering over on Bioware is that it originally said 16 classes, but was then edited out to what is says now. I guess they will be trickling out the other classes over time?

 

[Pluvia]

You're right:

16 New Multiplayer kits including:

Krogan Shaman Adept

Asari Huntress Infiltrator

Turian Havoc Soldier

Batarian Brawler Vanguard

and more

 

[sakuraZaKi]

Unbelievable.

Props to BW to sticking with the game.

 

[Pluvia]

Despite a lot of people going out of their way to try make it fail.

 

[Master Xanthan]

Despite a lot of people going out of their way to try make it fail.

Are you referring to the nerfers on BSN? If so I agree 100 percent.