User:Blazedspawn/sandbox/new recruits guide

A Guide for New Recruits

Introduction
This guide is meant to explain the essential elements of Mass Effect: Andromeda's multiplayer mode. The main part of the game, of course, is the match. Up to four players team up to fight an enemy (or three) on one of nine firebases. Simple. But to play a match, one needs a character and a weapon. Supplies, particularly First Aid Packs and Revive Packs, are important, but not essential. Likewise, Boosters and Equipment are nice, but not essential.

Overview
Characters are arguably the most important aspect of the multiplayer game.

There are 36 character kits. Character kits all begin at Rank I. Each additional card acquired adds a rank to the kit, up to Rank XX. Additional ranks provide additional skill points, additional customization options, and, with veteran ranks, bonuses to Power Damage, Combo Detonation Damage, and Melee Damage.

Each character has a unique history. Except for the paired Common characters (Human Female/Human Male), each kit has a unique set of skills. Every character begins at Level 1 and tops out at Level 20. Levels are gained by earning experience points.

Character Selection
Available characters are shown on the Character Selection page. Only common characters are available to begin with. Others will be grayed out.

Highlight a character to see basic information on the right side of the screen. The stats view shows the character kit and rank, the character's level, and any custom name. The current maximum health and shield are shown, along with a list of the character's skills, and the name and current level of the related bonus stat.

From the controls at the bottom of the screen, a player can view the character's details, select a character, select and customize a character, or reset the character to level 1.
 * View Details shows the character's class, strengths, and a short bio.
 * Select Character puts a green check mark on the character's thumbnail.
 * Select and Customize takes the player to the character's skills page.
 * Reset Level resets the character to Level 1. All skill points are retained, but must be reallocated in the skills screen.

Character Customization
Character customization is where everything happens. On the Loadout screen, weapons and equipment are chosen, as well as any weapon mods. On the Consumables screen, boosters are chosen and supplies can be checked. On the Skills screen, skills can be developed or reviewed, along with the effects of any veteran ranks. Power points can be reallocated from here, and the character can be returned to Level 1. On the Appearance screen, armor color and pattern can be changed, along with skin tone on some characters. In addition, the character can be renamed.

Loadout
The Loadout screen shows currently equipped weapons and equipment and displays the effect the equipped weapons have on power recharge speed. Weapon mods can adjust that effect for better or worse. The effects of equipment on recharge speed is not shown on the power recharge speed bar.

Change weapons by selecting one of the two weapon slots. Select a group to show a list of available weapons. Highlight a weapon to show its stats on the right side of the screen. Switch to View Details to see a description of the weapon. Equipped weapon mods are shown below the description.

Mod slots can be selected from either view. Selected a slot to show a list of available weapon mods.

There is one equipment slot. Select it to show a list of available equipment. Highlight a piece to see a description and the effects of the piece on the right side of the screen.

Consumables
Boosters are chosen and equipped on the Consumables screen. Current inventory and carrying capacity of Supplies is shown on the right. Booster are chosen by selecting one of the two slots. Select a group to see a list of available boosters. Highlight a booster to see a description and the effect on the right side of the screen.

Skills
Skill points are allocated on the Skills page. The maximum number of skill points available is 85. A character starts with 5 skill points. Three are permanently allocated to the first rank of the active skills. Two are available to be spent on any skill. An additional 57 points come from leveling up, 3 per level up to twenty. Another 23 skill points come from increases in the rank of the character kit. A Rank I character will have a maximum of 62 skill points.

The number of skill points available to spend is shown on the left side of the screen next to the character's name and rank. To spend skill points, select a skill. This opens the skill's rank tree. A brief explanation of the skill is shown when the first rank is highlighted. Highlighting higher ranks gives a description of the effect of learning that rank. Point cost is shown if the lower ranks have been learned.

Ranks 4, 5 and 6 each have two options. They are independent; choosing one at Rank 4 does not affect the options at Rank 5.

To develop the next rank of a skill, highlight it. If there are enough skill points, the cost will be shown in blue. If there aren't enough skill points, the cost will be shown in red. Select Learn to allocate the points. Once the choices are complete, you can select Undo Changes or Back to return to the Skills menu. Here you have another chance to change your mind. Select Undo Changes or Confirm and Exit.

Respec cards can be used to return all but three points to a pool for reallocation. The number of cards available is shown at the bottom of the Skills screen.

Appearance
The color and pattern of armor can be customized on all characters. Customization of skin tone is not available for helmeted characters or any human characters. Characters can also be renamed on the Appearance screen. These names are displayed on the Character Selection screen.

Skin tone may be customized on the following characters:
 * Angara Exemplar, Angara Insurgent (Angara Avenger is helmeted)
 * All Asari characters
 * Both Batarian characters
 * Krogan Engineer, Krogan Gladiator, Krogan Mercenary (Krogan Vanguard is helmeted)
 * Salarian Infiltrator, Salarian Operator (Salarian Architect is helmeted)
 * Turian Agent, Turian Havoc Trooper (Turian Soldier is helmeted)

Matches
Once your character has been customized, you're ready for a match.

This is what a squad looks like:

The lobby status shows how many players are not yet ready to start.

If you enter a lobby and see that all other players already have green check marks, then the match has begun and the others are on the firebase. If you want to join them, prepare your character as quickly as possible and select ready. If you choose not to for any reason, exit the lobby promptly.

The control bar varies depending on which player is highlighted.