ME2 playing impressions

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As for the classes - by now I have played through ME2 with every class but the engineer, which I find boring, and since I have played ME so often I am now playing on hardcore (which forces changes in tactics). My impressions on the respective classes:

Soldier:
Best class for the first run. It allows you to blast your way through the game while familiarising yourself with the various powers of your henchmen.

Infiltrator (currently playing):
Essentially a sniper, This is a stay behind character that fights from a distance. It is a somewhat difficult class to play (on hardcore, that is), largely because you lack any decent weapons in the beginning. It really sucks. The crux for the Infiltrator is limited ammunition, and very slow refill of new ammo when collecting thermal clips (I think that for instance ammo refill with the Incisor Sniper Rifle is bugged; it takes too long). I can't wait for the Dantius towers quest; I'll do it asap.

On the other hand, maxed cloak and maxed infiltrator class (I chose assassination cloak and assassination), in combination with the mighty Widow sniper rifle, allows for instant kill with a headshot even for fully shiellded/barriered enemies. I played Horizon yesterday evening and Collector Assassins went down with one shot. You do need to get yourself a decent SMG asap, probably preferably the Locust (if you have the Kasumi DLC). Assault rifle bonus ability seems like a sound choice to me as well; the Mattock will do just fine as a secondary sniper rifle without the added bonus of time dilution when using the scope.

Sentinel:
IMO the most versatile and probably most durable class that has has it all - abilities against barriers, shields and armour, as well as tech armour (I maxed assault armour). Shines against all enemies. A joy to play, never mind the difficulty setting, when it gets close and personal after enemies blasted your shield go for the high capacity SMG for the kill. I chose as extra abilities warp ammo and assault rifle (to get some distance capability). When I played the Shadowbroker add on I had instances where I killed en entire enemy squad in one team strike without them being able to return a single shot (Liara: Singularity; Me: Overload; Samara: Reave field; another tactic that also works: Mordin: Neural shock field and the rest as before). I took on the husk quests with Thane and Samara in my team (both with throw field) - a breeze (that changes on hardcore, as they are armoured then).

Vanguard:
Once you get a feel for it it's very impressive to play. Charge is very handy; the biotic abilities are very useful. Personally I'd rather had throw instead of shockwave, but that's just me. I chose bonus abilities reave and again assault rifles, but where it shines is melee with a shotgun (I prefer the fast firing one over the slower firing heavier hitters). A joy to play. I specialised as raider, and chose as extra abilities reave and assault rifle. The same crowd control tactics as before work here as well.

Adept (currently playing):
A powerhouse. Once you get a handle on how to use biotic powers this is a(n) (ch)easy class to play. If you want, you can kill your way through the game without firing a shot. Bonus ability is barrier, and I will probably choose sniper rifle as my bonus ability since this class IMO best at staying behind and fighting from a distance.

 

Re: Infiltrator:
For the class the viper rifle is a game changer, almost literally. I changed ammo power to armour piercing as well, and I am happy with the result. If you're good, and the have been softened up a bit, you can kill off three enemies in one assassination cloak attack.

I still find the class comparably vulnerable though. Assassination cloak is nice to change position and to collect new ammo as well. Enemies stop shooting at you when they can't see you, which helps with your vulnerability, at the expense of your squad members.

 

I played through as an adept. It's very easy. Not as easy as ME1 though, as singularity has been nerfed. Still a very powerful class to play though.

 

Haven't tried Adept yet, may do either it or Sentinel for next playthrough.

Last time was with a Vanguard. I'd agree that it is a good, enjoyable class. Got to be somewhat careful with Charge though- powerful, but sends you right into the midst of the enemies if you use it early. There were a couple of times I misjudged how much cover I'd be able to get and ended up taking a rocket to the face after charging.

Has anyone made heavy use of the Cryo ammo? I've been tempted, and have played around with it a bit, but always ended up putting points in other ammos for the obvious damage benefits.

 

Cryo only works when you have striped down shields (and, but I may be wrong, probably armour as well) before. That's why I haven't used it a lot.

My Infiltrator now uses Armor Piercing Ammo against armour and health (i.e. on my assault and sniper rifles and heavy pistol) and Disruptor Ammo vs shields and synthetics (on the SMG, which is better vs shields anyway).