The latest installment in BioWare’s Mass Effect, their sci-fi action RPG series, was Mass Effect: Andromeda, a game with rushed development that released to heavy criticism. The uproar online over the bugs and glitches, whether just goofy or entirely game-breaking, is a memory that will be stuck in the gaming community’s subconscious for years.
Thankfully, Mass Effect: Andromeda has gone through several updates and DLC releases; it’s much more playable and enjoyable now. This involved changing some mechanics, adding a few armor sets, and more! For players who are new to the game, perhaps intrigued by the Mass Effect: Legendary Edition, or for those who are on a repeat playthrough, this list is a reference for the best and worst armor sets available.
11 Scavenger - Ultra Rare
The Scavenger armor set can only be obtained by purchasing the Deluxe (or Super Deluxe) Edition of Mass Effect: Andromeda. It’s pretty low on this list because — as is often the case with preorder or deluxe game equipment — the developers can’t give the player something that will overpower them from the start.
The Scavenger armor set can’t be improved, and its only bonuses are a small decrease in weapon weight and a small increase in maximum ammo capacity. It looks cool, though.
10 Initiative - Common
The Initiative armor set is as ordinary as ordinary gets — Ryder starts the game fully equipped with a set of Initiative armor. It’s classified as Common and gives players a little boost to shields and XP gain in order to help them progress through the first parts of the game.
When the Andromeda Initiative kicked off, they needed to have armor available, as it was needed to explore the various potential new homes in the Heleus cluster; they could get an impression of the various planets, suns, and other things from their galaxy, but they needed to be ready for the worst.
9 Deep Space Explorer - Ultra Rare
The Deep Space Explorer armor set was given to players who bought the Pre-Order, Deluxe Edition, or Super Deluxe Edition of Mass Effect: Andromeda. As a result, it suffers from a lot of the same problems as the Scavenger armor set; it can’t be improved through crafting and has limited stat bonuses.
It’s slightly better than, or perhaps equivalent to (depending on your preferences) the Initiative armor since it grants bonus XP as well as improving weapon damage slightly.
8 Pathfinder - Uncommon
The Pathfinder set is a small hop up from the Initiative armor. It’s more impressive if the player is willing to pour the resources in to improve it. The bonuses it gives are pretty diverse among offensive and defensive stats.
As a result, it’s great for the early game when the player may not have settled on their playstyle yet. Of course, if they prefer to be a jack of all trades, instead of an expert in one area, this armor set might last Ryder a lot longer.
7 Maverick - Uncommon
A Ryder who wants their thug personality to come off at first glance will love the Maverick armor. It has a patched-together look and its stat boosts are all about practicality.
Maverick set items will give the player a bonus when making headshots (or hitting other weaknesses), increase how much ammo they have, and increase the general damage they deal. Snipers, especially, will appreciate it, so if that’s your favorite way to play, it is absolutely worth the resources to upgrade these pieces.
6 HyperGuardian - Uncommon
HyperGuardian armor is the best set available to the player in the early game, no questions asked. No matter what build Ryder has set up, the HyperGuardian will support them with boosts to the shields or barrier and the health bar.
It also improves melee damage, which is essential as a last-ditch effort to take out your attacker (or just if you want to live out a fantasy of being an outer-space boxer). The in-game flavor text notes that the Initiative chose this armor to give to newly established colonies who didn’t have the skills, weapons, or training to protect themselves yet.
5 Heleus - Ultra Rare
The Heleus armor set is Ultra Rare, but definitely worth the time dedicated to tracking it down. This set is good for players who prefer to go on the offensive.
Its general stats are well rounded, so it’s also great for players who like to augment their gear because they won’t have to make up for something the armor is lacking — and it comes with a lot of slots. Heleus armor improves power damage, weapon damage, and damage resistance to a significant degree — especially when upgraded.
4 N7 - Uncommon
Fans of the Mass Effect trilogy who want to wear this armor just for nostalgia purposes will be happy to hear that it’s actually a pretty viable set, so long as Ryder’s build is developed around biotics.
Biotics in Mass Effect are BioWare’s science fiction version of magic, essentially, but the powers have to be created in a slightly horrific way sometimes. The N7 gear is Uncommon and gives a boost to the player’s maximum shields, biotic power damage, and biotic recharge speed.
3 Kett - Rare
The Kett armor set is ideal for players that want to maximize their damage output. It’s Rare gear that looks pretty awesome (or freaky…) on the player. It might not let Ryder go undetected among Kett soldiers, but it’s a good try anyway.
This armor will improve the gamer’s combat power damage, weapon damage, and combat power cell capacities; it’s any soldier’s dream. As rare gear, it also comes with plenty of augmentation slots to customize the pieces.
2 Angaran - Rare
The Angaran gear was actually created, flavor text tells the player, by combining Angaran and Initiative equipment. The resulting armor is excellent for players who focus on tech abilities when creating their best build in Mass Effect: Andromeda.
It will boost their tech power damage, tech effect duration, tech construct damage, and max shields (since the techy squadmates are always looking at a screen to set something up instead of looking at the battlefield). Since it lacks defensive bonuses, players should consider adding augmentations or building their favorite squad with that fact in mind.
1 Remnant - Rare
The Remnant might be terrible at Sudoku, but they sure know how to build some armor. Remnant armor pieces boost stats that every player needs, regardless of how their Ryder is built: damage resistance, health regeneration, shield regeneration, and health & shield regeneration delay reduction.
Additionally, this Rare set of armor looks sick on the player. If you’re comfortable with settling for slightly less than your profile could possibly give you with biotics or tech or what have you, the Remnant armor is the best choice.
NEXT: Mass Effect Andromeda: Everything You Need To Know About The Kett
