EDI build - Mass Effect 3 (ME3)

This post covers the best EDI build in Mass Effect 3 and Mass Effect 3 Legendary Edition.

EDI Build

This build will rely on tearing down enemy protection and setting up Fire Explosion and Tech Burst. So we will maximize our tech damage and cooldown rates, so that EDI could use her abilities as soon as possible.

Squad Point Allocation

This section covers how Squad points should be allocated for the end game on the EDI Build

Power name	Upgrades Order	Level (Points)
Incinerate	Damage Recharge Speed Armor Damage/Freeze Combo	6 (21)
Overload	Damage Neural Shock Shield Damage	6 (21)
Defense Matrix	-	-
Decoy	-	-
Unshackled AI	Power Damage Tech Damage Squad Bonus	6 (21)

As you can see I offer some strange things with the build. Unfortunately, I see no purpose to use Defense Matrix with EDI. Moreover, Decoy also does not bring major benefits and rather interrupts the flow of combat. This happens when you use squad command to attack an enemy and they use an ability based on enemy protection. Sometimes EDI will use it, without bringing any benefit to the battlefield

Ability Progression

This section covers detailed ability progression for EDI Build. This is just a suggested progression, feel free to adjust it based on your needs.

Order	Skill	Description
1	Overload Lv 3	One of the main abilities of EDI. It allows for the tearing down of enemy shields and barriers. We take the first three levels for bonus recharge time and increased damage.
2	Incinerate Lv 3	This ability is very important for the EDI build as it allows one to shred enemy armor in a matter of seconds. Moreover, it primes targets for Fire Explosion even if they have protection.
3	Unshackled AI Lv 3	The third level increases the Power Damage bonus by 60%. This should allow EDI to instantly take out enemy protection and reveal their HP for biotic abilities or combos.
4	Overload Lv 5	Take Damage and Neural Shock upgrades. These upgrades will greatly improve EDI's Overload damage against organic targets.
5	Incinerate Lv 5	Get Damage and Recharge Speed upgrades. We need to decrease EDI ability cooldown as much as possible. She plays an important role in setting up Tech Bursts and Fire Explosions. Due to this, we want her to use her abilities as much as possible.
6	Unshackled AI Lv 5	Take Power Damage and Tech Damage upgrades. These upgrades play a major role in further improving EDI's damage output against enemy protections.
7	Overload Lv 6	Get Shield Damage upgrade. It will double Overload damage against shields and barriers. Chain Overload can also be an option if you use another character with Tech abilities.
8	Incinerate Lv 6	Take Armor Damage upgrade. This is very useful in the late game when you will be fighting many Banshees, Brutes, etc. They all have a large amount of armor and Incinerate can deal with that.
9	Unshackled AI Lv 6	Take Squad Bonus upgrade. Unfortunately, EDI will not be playing a defensive role and for this case we want her to maximize her ability damage. It will also boost companion Tech power damage.

With this, the build is done. Of course, you will have plenty of squad points left. If you wish you can allocate the rest of the points to Defense Matrix and try it out

Order	Skill	Description
10	Defense Matrix Lv 6	Take Durability, Power Synergy, and Power Recharge upgrades. With them, EDI will be able to minimize the negative effect of an increased cooldown rate. Moreover, she will have her tech power damage increased by 25% while the ability is active.

Tactics and Squad

To make the most of this EDI build here are some tips that I would like to share. Overall she is a very versatile companion that I think is best used to set up combos and tear enemy protections.

Use Overload and Incinerate

These are the key abilities that I think bring a lot of benefit to the squad. Overload can tear down enemy barriers and shields. Incinerate takes care of armor protection. Both of these skills set up Tech Burst and Fire Explosion respectively.

Moreover, as EDI improves the Unshackled AI ability, her damage output greatly improves. With these allocations, Overload and Incinerate should be able to strip defenses from the single use.

Companions

EDI is very versatile and she works in every squad. Here are some suggestions:

• Adept, Vanguard, Sentinel - she pairs well with these classes because once she strips defenses. Then, Adept can use biotic abilities to immobilize enemies. Moreover, these classes can also detonate both Overload and Incinerate for explosions.
• If you will fight armored units, I recommend taking James or Soldier. These classes can use Incendiary Ammo, to setup Fire Explosions
• For enemies with Shields and Barriers, take Garrus, Kaidan, or Engineer Shepard. They can use Overload, which can both be a primer and detonator for Tech Burst

Equipment

This section will cover what equipment you should be using with EDI Build.

Submachine Gun

Generally, we want to increase the damage of SMG. However, they also have modifications that boost Tech power damage.

Name	Upgrades	Description
N7 Hurricane	High Caliber Barrel Power Magnifier	This is the best option for companions as they are very accurate with these types of weapons.
Blood Pack Punisher	High Caliber Barrel Power Magnifier	This gun has the highest damage for SMG and adequate fire rate. It is also accessible early in the game

Heavy Pistol

Name	Upgrades	Description
M-77 Paladin	High-Caliber Barrel Pistol Power Magnifier	This is a popular choice amongst most players. It is a Spectre-level weapon that gives very good stats and ensures high damage.
Acolyte	High-Caliber Barrel Pistol Power Magnifier	I really enjoy giving this weapon to companions. It allows one to stagger them with charged shots that explode after some time.

Armors

In mass Effect 3 different companion armors provide some different stat boosts. So it is a good idea to see what you pick. Here is what I recommend for EDI build:

Name	Effects
	Power Recharge Speed +25%

Conclusion

Thank you for reading this post on the best EDI build in Mass Effect 3. I covered recommended abilities and their progression, best equipment, and tactics.

Feel free to leave a comment below!