Mass Effect 3continues to be one of the best games in the series concerning combat. As with its previous two games, there are six classes inMass Effect 3. These classes are comprised of three pure classes, which specialize in combat (Soldier), biotics, (Adept), and tech (Engineer). The three hybrid classes are Vanguard, Infiltrator, and Sentinel.
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The Adept is one of the pure classes and focuses on biotics. This makes the Adept a powerhouse on the battlefield who deals out destruction andleaves enemy squads shattered. Their core power, Singularity, is one of the most versatile and powerful in the game, while their other biotics such as Throw, Shockwave, and Warp provide crowd control and trigger cross-class explosions.
Updated June 14, 2025, by Mark Hospodar:Mass Effect 3 represents the thrilling conclusion to the beloved sci-fi epic. With the Reaper invasion in full force, players certainly don’t lack options regarding offensive abilities.
Opting for a pure class like an Adept can be highly rewarding, not to mention visually impressive. Throwing enemies across the room and detonating black holes is, in fact, as cool as it sounds. Of course, there are shortcomings to playing as a pure build. Knowing how to play to an Adept’s strengths is crucial for getting the most out of this fun (and powerful) class.
Unleashing Singularity
Singularity is a biotic power only usable by the most powerful biotics,usually asari, and rarely humans. It is the signature power of the Adept and is a powerful crowd control tool in the Adept’s arsenal. Singularity does the work of a tiny black hole, using gravity to pull all enemies who fall into its range towards it. Singularity also sets upBiotic Explosionsfor the Adept and other team members.
Singularity is best used to trap foes that cross its path, suspending unprotected enemies and staggering those with armor or shields. The upgradeDetonatefurther evolves Singularity into a weapon, whereupon it explodes and damages enemies when it discharges.
Key Upgrades For Singularity
Since Singularity is one of the most important powersin the Adept’s arsenal, it’s beneficial for the player to make key upgrades for it throughout their playthrough. Capitalizing on a class’s inherent strengths is a surefire way to maintain dominance on the battlefield. Definitely grab these upgrades when available:
Essential Biotic Powers
As a pure class, Adepts are masters and specialists in biotics. This is reflected in their core skillset, which consists almost exclusively of biotic powers. These abilities areSingularity,Pull,Throw,Shockwave, andWarp. Employing these abilities in the right circumstances can make difficult combat encounters a lot easier.
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Tips & Tricks For Utilizing Biotic Powers
Singularityis helpful as it sets upBiotic ExplosionsforWarp,Throw, andShockwave. Nearly all of these abilities can throw or stagger enemies out of cover.Warpis the primary damage dealer of this group, and itsExposeandPierceupgrades make it all the more lethal to enemies regardless of armor. Stats for these upgrades include:
Bonus Powers For The Adept
Out ofthe biotic Bonus Powers,Flareis the best option for an Adept due to its detonations and high damage output. As Adepts would have a light weapons loadout, the long recharge time that would stumble other classes is mitigated for Adepts.
Another good biotic bonus power isDark Channelas it moves from one enemy to another, meaning the potential for Biotic Explosions across the battlefield is only limited by recharge times of the Adept and their team. Alternatively,Warp Ammois the best ammo power to get if an ammo power is needed. Other good options are ones that increase the Adept’s staying power, such asBarrier,Fortification, orDefense Matrix.
The Adept’s Passive Skill – Biotic Mastery
Biotic Masteryis the Passive Class Skill of the Adept. As the class skill, it focuses on improvingweight capacity,strength,duration of biotic powers, andimproving reputation scores. Upgrading this skill tree is largely dependent on player interest inthe story ofMass Effect 3.
Increasing Reputation Bonuses
If the player is invested in the story and wants the best possible outcomes to be available atkey plot points,then investing in branches that improve reputation points is critical. Reputation affects the Paragon/Renegade system, and increasing these points allows some leeway for interrupts without having to compromise ongetting the best story resolution. These essential upgrades include:
Increasing Weight Capacity
Aside from reputation,increasing weight capacityfor the Adept, a class that relies on cooldowns, is important, especially if the Combo Mastery upgrade isn’t chosen in favor of the reputation bonus. The same upgrades that improve one’s reputation also help with improving weight capacity to amaximum of 50.
The Adept’s Firepower – Detonations
Detonationsare the staple combat method for the Adept. As a biotic class, the Adept is going to specialize inBiotic Explosions. Explosions can be set up usingWarporSingularity. Warp is especially important and flexible as it can be used asboth a primer and a detonator.
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Multiple enemies can be primed using Singularity, whileThrowupgraded withRecharge ComboandDouble Throwmeans you’re able to hit two enemies trapped in Singularity, trigger a Biotic Explosion, then use Throw again immediately because of the no recharge bonus.
Consider Investing In Fitness
Fitnessis a Passive Skill that is found across every class. This passive affects the strength of melee attacks andsurvivability of the Adept. As the Adept is primarily a long-range class that can deliver powerful attacks from a distance, themelee upgrades for Fitness are largely unnecessary.
Increasingdurabilityandshieldsis a more fruitful endeavor. Adepts very rarely attack with melee, and melee does very little to enemies compared to other classes. Health and shields, including a bonus toshield recharge time, will ensure your Adept is better at surviving in those instances when they get swarmed by husks. Thus, prioritize these Fitness upgrades:
Pistols – The Adept’s Weapon Of Choice
As a class that relies on fast cooldown times, having alight loadoutis incredibly important for the Adept. The weapon of choice, then, would be theheavy pistol. Fortunately, players possess a few worthwhile choices when it comes to a pistol loadout.
The Paladin & The Carnifex
The best pistol is theM-77 Paladin, which can be acquired fromSpectre Requisitions. The Paladin is lighter than other heavy pistols found in the game and has a massive punch for such a light weapon.
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As it is expensive, a good alternative is theM-6 Carnifex, which can be acquired much earlier when completing"Arrae: Ex-Cerberus Scientists.“Helpful mods for these pistols includeLightweight Materialsand thePistol Piercingmod.
Stasis And Shotguns
Adepts have enough powers and abilities to stay out of range of most enemies, but theirability to freeze enemies in placeis not to be ignored. Powers likeSingularityandStasisprovide the opportunity for a completely alternative way to play, which affects weapon loadout.
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If you’ve gone for this type of gameplay, then ashotgun outfitted with an Ultralight Materials modis a good choice for the Adept. As the shotgun will be below the weight capacity for the Adept, it will have no significant effect on power recharges. An Adept can trap enemies withSingularityorStasis, then simply walk up to the enemies andfinish them off with the shotgun.
Choosing The Right Squadmates – Garrus & James
As a pure class, the Adept is a specialist in one field. Unfortunately, this means that they’re lacking in two areas:combatandtech. This weakness can be overcome bychoosing the optimal squadmatesto assist the player in combat.
As a tech and combat specialist,Garrusis a great optionas he covers both the weaknesses of the Adept.Overloadis great for taking down shields and synthetics, whileConcussive Shotis great for the sheer damage it deals.Jamesis another good companion for the Adept, as he can draw enemy fire while the Adeptdeals biotic damage and controls the battlefield.
The Adept’s Tactics
As mentioned before, the Adept has two main strategies. The first is the most common, where the Adept has alight loadout, using theheavy pistolwhile focusing on dealing damage and creatingBiotic Explosionsfrom a distance. The alternative is to focus onkeeping enemies immobilewhilefinishing them off with a shotgun.
Both these tacticsrequire at least one squadmate with combat or tech experience, either to draw fire or to take down defenses the Adept isn’t equipped to beat. With their biotics and a well-balanced team, the Adept is one of the most powerful classes in the game.
Mass Effect Legendary Editionwas released on June 23, 2025, and is available on PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One.
