Build Title: Staggering Shaman

Class: Krogan Shaman Adept

Map Difficulty Rating: This build has the potential for Gold gameplay, Platinum may be possible as part of a strong team of biotics.

Power Evolutions:

Barrier*: N/A

Warp: (4) Detonate, (5) Expose, (6) Pierce

Shockwave: (4) Radius, (5) Detonate, (6) Recharge Speed

Krogan Berserker: (4) Damage & Capacity, (5) Power Damage, (6) Weapon Damage

Rage*: (4) Durability, (5) Shield Recharge, (6) Fitness Expert

* Refer to the strategy below for an alternative Barrier/Rage spec.

Weapon:

The M-358 Talon is always excellent on biotic classes. It sets up Tech Bursts, Fire Explosions and Cryo Explosions with ease. Use the High Caliber Barrel and Piercing Mod with the Talon. Lightweight Shotguns work just as well, especially the Disciple because it staggers anything it hits. Use the High Caliber Barrel (or High Velocity Barrel if you have the Disciple X) and Smart Choke. A high level Wraith with the same mods is also viable, but only the Disciple has that consistent stagger effect. The Disciple and Wraith are both very accurate with Smart Choke on.

Gear:

Use the Commando Package if you are using the Talon, at V it gives you +12% Pistol Damage and +12% Biotic Damage; otherwise, using the Shotgun Amp to power up the Disciple. For your Armor Bonus, use either Adrenaline Module or Cyclonic Modulator. For your Weapon Bonus, use the weapon amp respective to the one you are using. As for Ammo Bonus, it really depends on the weapon. If you are using the Talon, you’re better off using Cryo, Disruptor or Incendiary Rounds because the Talon is exceptional for priming targets with ammo powers. If you are using the Disciple or Wraith, use Warp Rounds. Enemies affected by Biotics take more damage when hit with Warp Rounds and Warp Rounds also offers the most Weapon Damage Bonus of all Weapons (60% at IV).

Strategy:

The Krogan Shaman plays very differently to other Krogan, it’s even more weight-dependant than the Battlemaster. He may not be able to solo Platinum like his Vanguard cousin, but he is just as valuable to a team. First, I’ll note the reason for the power evolutions and then the enemy strategies.

I didn’t go for Barrier because he’s a little too dependent on his powers and it comes with a 50% Recharge Penalty. Besides, you get more out of full fitness than 40% Damage Reduction. For those of you who think differently and won’t mind the recharge penalty, put 5 ranks in Barrier going for Durability at rank 4 and Power Synergy at rank 5 and leave Fitness at 3. Warp should always have 6 ranks and always evolved in this manner, it makes it the grand debuffer it is. Warp is the best asset to a Gold team, helping against bosses and gives the Shaman the diversity it otherwise lacked. Shockwave is your best tool; your staggering tool. I love to spam Shockwave at enemies before taking the enemy out with my weapon.  Shockwave detonates all explosions (Biotic, Tech, Fire, Cyro) as well, making it more amazing plus it receives a 65% damage and force bonus with Biotic Explosions! The Disciple works well here because if you time your shots correctly, you can constantly stagger an enemy, potential leaving you utterly unharmed.  You need both Damage and Capacity and Power Damage to get the 1000N required to stagger Phantoms on Gold. Rank 6 of Krogan Berseker is just to give the Disciple the extra kick is lacks in certain situations.

This build works excellently against the troopers, that’s everything no bigger than a Dragoon but the Shaman has more trouble dealing with Scions, Praetorians, Atlases, Banshees, Brutes, and Geth Primes. Warp and the use of Warp Rounds somewhat mitigate this disadvantage but on Gold, it will still take time to destroy them.

Having the ability to stagger Phantom and Dragoons consistently is a massive team asset, so the Shaman can guard the group during an Upload/Hack objective for example. The Krogan Shaman synergises well with Shield-Stripping classes, and especially players who use Cerberus Harriers, Black Widows and M-300 Claymores. If playing with snipers, keep your distance from them, no one wants a personal screen-shake buddy (Shockwave shakes the targeting reticule for snipers).

Ravagers are a separate issue. They aren’t difficult to take down, but their Swarmers are irritating even for a class with 1850/1850 Health and Shields. Shockwave can only hit a maximum of 3 enemies, so try as best you can for explosions on this enemy in particular. Biotic Explosion also stagger Atlases and Primes each time the hit them and sometimes with Banshees and Praetorians.

N00b Rating:

2.5 – Although he may not be a Krogan Battlemaster Vanguard, the Krogan Shaman Adept is still a great addition to the team with massive bulk, staggering abilities and the aptitude for boss-weakening. He is a lot of fun to play as and is a fresh breath of difference from the other Krogans. There is the learning curve however, because he cannot regain his barriers like the Vanguard can, but if you are reasonably experienced player (and if you are a long-time fan of this site, I assume you are a fan and play quite a bit) then you should be fine