Combat in the Mass Effect universe has plenty of variety. Some warriors use guns, others prefer tech abilities, and several fighters utilize biotic powers. Biotics are small mass effect fields created by special individuals, usually with the help of a bit of Element Zero. The mass effect fields can be used in many different ways, from lifting people into the air to forming a protective shield. However, not everyone’s talents are the same.
The amount of potential a lifeform has is often based on its species. Biotics from certain races are naturally more powerful than others — outside of outstanding individuals. This begs the question, out of all the organic species in the series (synthetics can’t use biotics), which have the most biotic strength in general?
14 Hanar, Elcor, Keepers, Leviathans, And Yahg - No Known Biotic Abilities
Some organic races in the galaxy don’t have biotic capabilities. The Hanar, Elcor, Keepers, Leviathans, and Yahg never display powers of that kind.
Some of the species may be able to use biotics but never prove it in the games or comics. After all, it’s not like all of them are regularly seen in situations where they need mass effect fields. The Hanar and Elcor typically just talk to people on the Citadel. Whereas, The Yahg and Leviathans rarely appear throughout the series. And the Keepers are basically just drones.
13 Vorcha - A Few Sentinels In Their Ranks
The Mass Effect 3: Rebellion Pack added a few new characters to the game’s multiplayer mode, including a Vorcha Sentinel. Typically, Sentinels utilize both tech and biotic powers. Thus, the inclusion of a Vorcha version could mean the race has some ability to create mass effect fields.
Although, the character from Mass Effect 3 seems to have a preference for tech-based combat. And if there are some true Vorcha biotics, they’re not widespread as you don’t fight any of them during the games.
12 Rachni - Brood Warriors, But Not Much Else
As with most enemies in the first game, the best way to take down the Rachni is to use your abilities against them. Although, their Brood Warriors can fight fire with fire as they have a bit of biotic ability too. The creatures can use powers such as Warp, Barrier, and even Stasis on the Normandy crew.
None of the other Rachni forces display any biotic capabilities. Instead, the insect-like monsters stick exclusively to acid-based attacks. Therefore, it’s no surprise that the Brood Warriors are typically known as the Rachni’s best combatants.
11 Quarians - Not A Priority
Something you might not know about Quarians is that there are a few biotics within their numbers. No suit-wearing space magicians appear in any of the games, but Tali does mention them at one point. However, the companion also says that Quarian biotics are very rare.
As Element Zero typically plays a big part in creating biotic individuals, it’s understandable that there wouldn’t be many within the Migrant Fleet. After all, the Quarians need to use all their resources to keep their ships running.
10 Batarians - Their Shock Troopers Are Like Vanguards
People don’t tend to consider Batarians when they think of biotic individuals. However, there are several members of the species who display a bit of space magic.
The most notable biotics are the Shock Troopers from the Bring Down The Sky DLC. These adversaries are similar to Vanguards as they use their powers from range and their shotguns when they’re up close. Their main abilities are Throw and Warp, which can sometimes make life difficult for Shepard.
9 Volus - No Biotic Gods, But Various Others
One of the best Paragon Interrupts in Mass Effect 2 sees Shepard knocking over a Volus who believes he’s a ‘biotic god.’ While there probably isn’t a Volus that can be truly considered deity-like, several of them have powers.
In-game, these biotic-sensitive warriors are a part of a multiplayer DLC for Mass Effect 3. There is both a Volus Vanguard and an Adept. They even have a unique power known as Biotic orbs, which allows the combatants to fire small mass effect fields at their opponents.
8 Protheans - Javik Proves They Have Talented Individuals
As the Protheans were exterminated 50,000 years before the events of the first game, details on the race are minimal. Yet, the unearthed Prothean, Javik, certainly has plenty of biotic prowess - albeit his mass effect fields are green for some reason.
It’s fair to assume that the Mass Effect 3 squadmate wasn’t the only one of his kind to use biotics. Although, it’s unclear how many exactly had abilities, plus how powerful each one was.
7 Drell - Thane Isn’t The Only One
The most famous Drell in the series is clearly Thane Krios. Along with being an excellent sniper, the squadmate is a strong biotic. Not many other Drell feature in the games, so it’s unclear how common these sorts of abilities are in the species.
However, Mass Effect 3’s multiplayer mode shows Thane is not alone as it includes a Drell Adept and a Vanguard. Between the two individuals, they have skills like Pull, Biotic Charge, and Reave.
6 Collectors - Powerful Yet Limited
The Collectors have an interesting relationship with biotics. Each member of the species has latent abilities, but it’s only shown when Harbinger takes over their mind and body.
With the general in control, a drone’s dark biotic attacks are some of the most powerful the series has ever seen. However, Harbinger can’t take over all of his forces’ bodies at once, so the Collectors’ biotics are pretty limited overall. An army of Harbinger-controlled drones would perhaps be unstoppable, though.
5 Turians - Skilled Even If They’re Not Trusted
The Turians are a race of traditionalists, so naturally, they are pretty untrusting of space magic. However, there are still biotic Turians out there, even if they’re not considered the strongest members of the species.
Yet, they aren’t weaklings either as they make up the Cabals, which are a formidable military unit. Shepard actually meets a former Cabal named Nyreen during Mass Effect 3’s Omega DLC. Nyreen proves herself to be a capable warrior when combating Cerberus.
4 Salarians - Celebrated And Protected
While a Salarian biotic is a rare sight in the Mass Effect universe, they do exist. The race’s military tries to avoid putting the special individuals in harm’s way and assigns them to intelligence services instead. Their need to protect them shows how highly Salarians regard their biotics.
Fans have seen what one such Salarian is capable of during the Mass Effect: Discovery comic. Olan Kooth, aka Agent Zeta, is a beast throughout the story with his powerful use of mass effect fields. Most other Salarian biotics can’t match up to Zeta, but they’re strong in their own right.
3 Krogan - As Strong As They Are Rare
A Krogan using mass effect fields is a bit of an overkill as they combine their natural physical prowess with dangerous abilities. The most famous example of a Krogan biotic is the beloved companion, Wrex.
Throughout the games, the battle-hardened mercenary is pretty much unstoppable as he takes down everyone in his way. Wrex is not the only of his kind, but they are rare, especially in the days of the Genophage.
2 Humans - Many Of Them With Varying Degrees Of Power
Humans have invested more into biotics than pretty much every other race. They’ve created all sorts of different implants and facilities in the hopes of truly harnessing the power of mass effect fields. Plenty of lives have been lost in the process, but there have also been some success stories.
At this point, there are many human biotics in the galaxy with varying degrees of power. People like Jack, Cora Harper, and Miranda Lawson are among the best in the universe. But plenty of other humans can’t make the most of the Element Zero in their bodies.
1 Asari - The Naturals
Along with being perhaps the wealthiest race in the Milky Way, the Asari are clearly the masters of space magic. The refined aliens are all born with the potential to create mass effect fields, but some decide not to develop their abilities.
The ones who choose to go through with biotic training end up becoming incredibly mighty. In fact, many of the strongest beings in the universe are Asari with exceptional biotics. For instance, Tela Vasir and Matriarch Benezia are formidable opponents that even Shepard struggles to beat.
NEXT: Mass Effect: The 10 Strongest Asari In The Series
