Mass Effect: Andromeda‘s multiplayer mode can be an overwhelming experience for newcomers, but it’s a rewarding and replayable system that favors players who stick with it. With progression tied to gear unlocks, difficulty tiers, and character development, it helps to have a solid foundation. Whether you’re jumping in for the first time or aiming to improve early performance, this guide walks you through over ten crucial tips and strategies for a smoother multiplayer journey.

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1. Start on Bronze Difficulty

It might be tempting to dive into Silver or Gold to earn better rewards sooner, but starting on Bronze is vital. Every player begins with basic gear and level 1 characters. Bronze offers:

• Lower enemy health
• Less aggressive enemy behavior
• Delayed appearance of bosses

Even full teams of new players may struggle to complete Bronze missions early on. Use this difficulty tier to build skill, earn early rewards, and unlock essential tools.

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2. Buy Basic Packs First

Ignore the temptation to save for expensive packs. Use your early credits to purchase Basic Packs (10,000 credits each). These will:

• Upgrade existing Uncommon weapons and characters by increasing their grades
• Unlock additional Uncommon gear and appearance options
• Expand your consumables stockpile

For example, unlocking a character to Grade 10 increases the skill points available, even at level 1. Basic Packs also improve your capacity to carry consumables into missions.

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3. Use Strike Teams to Earn Mission Funds

Many players overlook the Strike Team feature, which is accessible from both single-player terminals (Tempest, Nexus) and via the Apex HQ mobile app. These teams complete real-time missions and earn Mission Funds, which are used in multiplayer to:

• Purchase permanent Equipment from the Item Store
• Unlock new Strike Teams

Unlike one-time-use boosters, Equipment provides lasting benefits across all multiplayer matches.

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4. Buy a Second and Third Strike Team ASAP

You start with one Strike Team, but buying more dramatically boosts Mission Fund generation:

• Second team = 40 Mission Funds
• Third team = 80 Mission Funds

Use your first rewards to unlock the second team. Sending out multiple Strike Teams at once increases your ability to farm funds for powerful gear and upgrades.

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5. Always Keep Moving

Mobility is key. Enemies will flank, rush, and overwhelm static positions. With limited coordination among random teams, your best defense is motion:

• Use vertical levels to your advantage
• Jump up to escape or drop down to disengage
• Isolate enemies by repositioning frequently

Staying in one place makes you an easy target. Keep moving to survive and support your team.

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6. Help with Objectives

This seems obvious, yet too many players camp or ignore objectives. Always assist your team:

• Hacks and uploads finish faster with more players in the zone
• For devices, draw aggro or provide support rather than crowding the objective
• Use powers to defend allies (e.g., barriers, healing drains)

Team cooperation dramatically improves success rates and makes matches more efficient.

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7. Don’t Rush the Extraction Zone

The extraction wave lasts two minutes. Instead of rushing the zone at the start:

• Spend 1:45 luring enemies away from the extraction point
• Circle the map and stay mobile
• Rush the extraction circle only in the final 5 seconds

This keeps enemy pressure off the zone and increases the likelihood of a successful full-team extraction.

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8. Switch Camera Stance (Cover Swap)

Press Right Stick (console) or ALT (PC) to switch your camera stance. This flips your character’s weapon side:

• Use right-hand or left-hand advantage when peeking around corners
• Avoid exposing your full body to incoming fire

This small trick makes cover use dramatically more effective.

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9. Use Right/Left Hand Advantage

Instead of attaching to cover, stand slightly back and peek around the side:

• You can shoot enemies while being mostly protected
• Switch stance to match the cover side

This tactic, inherited from Mass Effect 3, reduces how often enemies can land shots.

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10. Use Consumables Strategically

Consumables like Medigels, Cobra RPGs, and boosters are there to be used:

• Use Medigel if surrounded when downed
• Use RPGs to clear bosses or protect objectives

Basic Packs supply plenty of consumables and also increase your carry capacity (up to 5 max). Don’t hoard—use them when the situation demands it.

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Bonus Tip: Claim Your Reward Packs

Check the Rewards Tab under the multiplayer store. This is where:

• Loyalty rewards (for Mass Effect 3 players)
• Pre-order bonuses
• Deluxe edition gear

…are all stored. These packs may contain advanced gear or rare characters early in your multiplayer progression. Claim them as soon as you start.

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Closing Advice

Mass Effect: Andromeda’s multiplayer builds on the solid foundation of its predecessor while introducing new mobility, gear systems, and challenge levels. By starting smart, building up your arsenal through efficient farming and smart play, and working together with your team—even in random matchmaking—you’ll be well on your way to mastering the Apex battlefield.

Good luck out there, Agents.