Squad builds - Mass Effect: Andromeda (MEA)

In this post, I would like to cover how you should build your squad companions in Mass Effect Andromeda. Generally, there are no builds per see as you can maximize their skills by reaching a high enough level. However, you can still prioritize certain skills to utilize them the best

General Considerations for Companions

• You cannot change their gear
• Companions will not replace a good Ryder build
• I do not prioritize detonator abilities, as I like to usually control this with Ryder's skills
• As the game progresses, the companions become more of the aggro targets or combo primer sources, not damage dealers
• I prioritize abilities that stun, knock down, or disable enemies.
• I avoid upgrades that activate after the companion kills an enemy because mostly you will be doing the killing. Their damage is lowered compared to Ryder's
• I prioritize upgrades that give max shields and hp rather than regeneration speed

Cora - human biotic

One of the first companions you get in the game. She is extremely versatile and probably the best companion that you can use throughout the game. She comes with a wide array of abilities and can even restore Ryder's HP beyond 50%

Order	Skill	Description
1	Charge Lv 3	We first obtain active abilities as this will allow the companion to have a wide arsenal of options when in combat.
2	Nova Lv 3
3	Shield Boost Lv 3
4	Asari Commando Lv 3
5	Defensive Training Lv 3

Now, as we obtained the abilities, we can start maximizing them

Order	Skill	Description
6	Shield Boost Lv 6	Get Radius, Extended Duration, and Regeneration upgrades.
7	Charge Lv 6	Get Damage & Force, Weapons & Melee, and Bastion upgrades.
8	Asari Commando Lv 6	Get Devastating Melee, Weapon Training, and Cryo Ammo upgrades.
9	Nova Lv 6	Get Damage & Force, Anti-Shield, and Seisimic Nova upgrades.
10	Defensive Training Lv 6	Get Physical Training, Hold the Line, and Barrier Projetion upgrades.

Drack - krogan Warrior

A Krogan warrior that is extremely effective at melee range and is the most sturdy companion. I personally think he is the most effective when close to the enemies and has high survivability. This way he can take a lot of damage and draw away the enemies.

Order	Skill	Description
1	Blood Rage Lv 3	We first obtain active abilities as this will allow the companion to have a wide arsenal of options when in combat. Blood Rage is very valuable as it improves Drack's melee combat capabilities. Incinerate allows priming enemies for Fire Combo.
2	Incinerate Lv 3
3	Flak Cannon Lv 3
4	Grizzled Veteran Lv 3
5	Krogan Warrior Lv 3

Now, as we obtained the abilities, we can start maximizing them

Order	Skill	Description
6	Incinerate Lv 6	Get Impact, Anti-Armor, and Double Incinerate upgrades.
7	Krogan Warrior Lv 6	Get Tempered, Engineer, and Incendiary Ammo upgrades.
8	Blood Rage Lv 6	Get Regeneration, Brutality, and Triggered Rage upgrades.
9	Grizzled Veteran Lv 6	Get Endurance, Damage Reduction, and Defiance upgrades.
10	Flak Cannon Lv 6	Get Damage & Force, Stunning, and Heavy Flak upgrades.

Liam - human infiltrator

He is a former police officer that has joined Andromeda Initiative. His skills allow him to be effective at both long-range and melee combat. He has two abilities that can stun enemies - Havoc Strike and Overload, the latter can also prime enemies for Tech combos (albeit this happens for a few seconds)

Order	Skill	Description
1	Havoc Strike Lv 3	We first obtain active abilities as this will allow the companion to have a wide arsenal of options when in combat.
2	Overload Lv 3
3	Frage Grenade Lv 3
4	Military Training Lv 3
5	Defense Lv 3

Now, as we obtained the abilities, we can start maximizing them

Order	Skill	Description
6	Overload Lv 6	Get Recharge Speed, Anti-Shield, and Neural Shock upgrades.
7	Havoc Strike Lv 6	Get Radius, Weapon & Melee Synergy, and Stunning Strike upgrades.
8	Frage Grenade Lv 6	Get Damage, Concussion, and Anti-Shield upgrades.
9	Military Training Lv 6	Get Piercing Strike, Anti-Shield, and Weapon Focus upgrades.
10	Defense Lv 6	Get Durability, Defensive Positioning, and Momentum upgrades.

Jaal - Angaran Infiltrator

He joins your group once you find Aya planet, to follow your actions for the Resistance. He has skills that allow him to get behind enemies and deal large damage. Moreover, he can restore his shields and prime nemesis for Tech combos.

Order	Skill	Description
1	Energy Drain Lv 3	We first obtain active abilities as this will allow the companion to have a wide arsenal of options when in combat.
2	Sticky Grenade Lv 3
3	Avenger Strike Lv 3
4	Rebel Soldier Lv 3
5	Resilience Lv 3

Now, as we obtained the abilities, we can start maximizing them

Order	Skill	Description
6	Avenger Strike Lv 6	Get Recharge Speed, Damage, and Disrupting Strike upgrades.
7	Energy Drain Lv 6	Get Recharge Speed, Persistent Drain, and Damage upgrades.
8	Sticky Grenade Lv 6	Get Damage, Concussion, and Anti-Shield upgrades.
9	Rebel Soldier Lv 6	Get Shredding Rounds, Precision, and Destabilization upgrades.
10	Resilience Lv 6	Get Strong Defense, Deflection, and Obscuration upgrades.

Peebee - Asari Biotic

She is a young Asari (100 years old) who is trying to unravel the Remnant secrets. Her abilities make her proficient with Biotic skills and allow her to prime biotic combos.

Order	Skill	Description
1	Pull Lv 3	We first obtain active abilities as this will allow the companion to have a wide arsenal of options when in combat.
2	Shockwave Lv 3
3	Invasion Lv 3
4	Duelist Lv 3
5	Survivalist Lv 3

Now, as we obtained the abilities, we can start maximizing them

Order	Skill	Description
6	Pull Lv 6	Get Duration, Expose, and Anti-Shields upgrades.
7	Shockwave Lv 6	Get Damage & Force, Recharge Speed, and Lifting Shockwave upgrades.
8	Invasion Lv 6	Get Outbreak, Weaken, and Virulence upgrades.
9	Duelist Lv 6	Get Efficiency, Advanced Amplitude, and Biotic Synergy upgrades.
10	Survivalist Lv 6	Get Resilience, Barrier Detonation, and Advanced Resilience upgrades.

Vetra - soldier sentinel

She is a Turian broker that would make various cargo deals with various groups in Nexus. She has good soldier-like skills, making her an effective weapon user. Unfortunately, she can only prime enemies with level 6 Turian Smuggler skill for Tech combos. It becomes available once you do her loyalty mission.

Order	Skill	Description
1	Concussive Shot Lv 3	We first obtain active abilities as this will allow the companion to have a wide arsenal of options when in combat.
2	Turbocharge Lv 3
3	Power Armor Lv 3
4	Turian Smuggler Lv 3
5	Defensive Expert Lv 3

Now, as we obtained the abilities, we can start maximizing them

Order	Skill	Description
6	Concussive Shot Lv 6	Get Damage & Force, Target-Marking, and Anti-Shield upgrades.
7	Turian Smuggler Lv 6	Get Efficiency, Advanced Weapon Training, and Disruptor Ammo upgrades.
8	Turbocharge Lv 6	Get Duration, Damage & Force, and Supercharge upgrades.
9	Power Armor Lv 6	Get Hardened Shields, Reinforced Shields, and Turbo Armor upgrades.
10	Defensive Expert Lv 6	Get Defensive Systems, Defensive Positioning, and Emergency Power upgrades.

Conclusion

If you have read this much, I will be honest about the Mass Effect Andromeda Squad builds. Overall, I used whatever companion I felt like using for most of the game. They do not change much, and all the builds I recommend are mostly self-sufficient on Insanity.

Of course, early in the game, they are invaluable, but as you reach level 25+, their importance goes down.