Thinking about tackling Mass Effect: Andromeda on Insanity? Whether you’re on a second playthrough or planning your first hardcore run, this guide outlines what you’ll actually need—not a character build, but the general levels, gear, and considerations that make Insanity feel manageable, even enjoyable. Let’s break down how to get yourself into the right shape without overcomplicating things.

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Recommended Level Range

You don’t need to grind endlessly to survive on Insanity. Here’s what matters:

• Level 30–40: Ideal range if you want a solid challenge without being underpowered. This range gives you enough skill points to fully unlock core abilities, leaving you flexible and durable enough to push through the toughest fights.
• Level 60+: Total overkill. The character used in this guide was level 64 and felt completely overpowered—normal and shielded enemies couldn’t do much damage, and even armored threats rarely made a dent.

💡 Even at high levels, don’t expect to be invincible. Mistakes can still kill you—especially in boss fights.

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Recommended Gear Tier

You don’t need maxed-out, level 10 weapons or armor. In fact:

• Level 5 gear is enough for most of the game, including the final missions.
• Anything beyond level 6 is bonus power that might go unused if you play smart.

Weapons used in this run included:

• N7 Valiant Sniper Rifle (Level 5) – Crafted and used from early game; customized with 4 augmentations.
• Carnifex Pistol & Crusader Shotgun – Purchased, no heavy mods needed.
• T-War Assault Rifle (Laser Gun) – Developed at Level 6 and rarely used, but fun to experiment with.
• Omniblade – Standard melee backup.

Augments Tip:

• Focus on damage, recharge speed, and specialty effects. The sniper rifle mentioned had enough output that it never felt necessary to replace it.

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Armor Strategy

Armor doesn’t need to be maxed out either:

• Level 5 armor was sufficient in the insanity run.
• Only the chest piece was developed, featuring augmentations for biotic recharge speed and biotic damage(tailored to the build).

If you’re running tech or combat abilities, spec your chest armor accordingly. Just one heavily optimized piece can make a difference without needing to upgrade the full set.

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Skill Progression and Team Readiness

The benchmark for being “ready” isn’t your total level—it’s whether your characters and squad have:

• All major abilities upgraded to Rank 6
• About 20–25 unused points as overflow (optional)

Once you’ve filled out your favorite power trees, you’re ready to finish the game on Insanity. No need to waste time on every little side quest.

💡 Future playthroughs can easily skip tedious or filler content. You’ll know what to prioritize for fast progression.

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New Game+ on Insanity?

Absolutely recommended:

• You start with a powerful character
• Respec is available from the get-go
• High early power levels let you breeze through early fights

You don’t need a perfect build. The sheer number of skill points available lets you adapt, experiment, or lean into strengths with no penalty.

Recharge speeds are also worth noting. With full investment in Biotic passives, recharge bonuses can hit 37–38%, drastically speeding up power cycling in fights.

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Final Thoughts

Insanity doesn’t demand perfection. What it rewards is preparation and smart play. With Level 30–40 characters, Level 5–6 gear, and a good handle on your favorite power combos, you’ll be more than equipped to finish the campaign.

Just don’t forget—bosses still hit hard, and positioning still matters. But with a powerful sniper, a couple key augments, and fully developed skills, even the toughest fights become manageable.

Good luck, Pathfinder.