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Mass Effect 2 Legendary Edition

Best Garrus Build

By
Matt Chard
2 Comments

This page will show you some of the best builds for your squad mate Garrus Vakarian in Mass Effect 2. Here, you’ll find details on the best abilities to pick, and the best weapons to equip.

Garrus Overview

Garrus Vakarian is a Turian who used to be a part of the C-Sec Investigation Division. In Mass Effect 1, he was one of the main people responsible for the Saren investigation, who at the time was the Council’s top Spectre. Fast-forward, and he helps Shepard take down Saren, and stop the Geth. After the unfortunate incident to Shepard on the Normandy, Garrus goes his own way, which you’ll find more about in the Mission Dossier: Archangel.

When do you get Garrus

Garrus becomes available once you complete the Mission Dossier: Archangel which is available after the Prologue.

Overload Sniper Build

This build revolves around maxing out Garrus’ Overload to hit enemy shields as hard as it can with the Heavy evolution. We then take the Turian Renegade evolution to increase his Weapon and Power damage, making Overload more potent whilst increasing your Sniper damage. Finally, we max out his Armor-Piercing Ammo, taking the Tungsten Ammo evolution to increase the damage he does to Armor and Health by an extra 70%. We don’t take Concussive Shot, because on the Insanity difficulty, it leaves a lot to be desired.

Power Evolution Squad Points
Concussive Shot
Overload Heavy Overload 10
Armor-Piercing Ammo Tungsten Ammo 10
Turian Rebel Turian Renegade 10

Powers

This section will go into more detail on why the Powers are chosen for this particular build.

Overload

Overload is the main reason you bring Garrus along, that, and he’s awesome. Overload is the best power to use when you want to take down enemies who have shields, which in Mass Effect 2, there are a lot. We spec for the Heavy evolution to make sure he can take down a shield in one use.

Armor-Piercing Ammo

Armor-Piercing Ammo is Garrus’ Loyalty Power, and can only be unlocked by completing his…Loyalty Mission. This Ammo power will turn all his weapon fire into Armor-Piercing until you deactivate it, and by taking the Tungsten Ammo evolution, he’ll do an additional 70% damage to Armor and Health.

Turian Rebel

Turian Rebel is Garrus’ passive skill line which’ll increase his Health, Weapon Damage, and Power Damage. This will increase all damage across the board for him whilst giving him a little more survivability, By taking the Renegade evolution, you’ll end up with an extra 15% Health, 25% Weapon Damage, and 25% Power Damage making this a must to max out.

Concussive Shot

Concussive Shot is average at higher difficulties, but can still be useful for knocking down enemies, and dispersing enemy barriers. We don’t max this out in this build, due to building for max damage with his Sniper and Overload.

Best Weapons

This section will talk about what weapons are best for this particular build. This build relies on having the strongest Sniper possible to allow for one shot kills.

Sniper Rifle

Weapon Base Damage Accuracy Recoil Fire Mode Fire Rate Clip Size
M-29 Incisor 53.6 High Moderate 3-Round Burst 600 RPM (Per Burst) 15

The M-29 Incisor originally a DLC weapon in the base game can be purchased in the Citadel in the Legendary Edition.

Although it isn’t the best Sniper in the game, it works better for squad mates due to the way they use their weapons in the game. The best Sniper stat wise is the M-98 Widow, and is definitely worth thinking about, but for Garrus, the Incisor seems to do more DPS.

Assault Rifle

Weapon Base Damage Accuracy Recoil Fire Mode Fire Rate Clip Size
M-96 Mattock 50.4 High Low Semi-Automatic 750 RPM 16

Or

Weapon Base Damage Accuracy Recoil Fire Mode Fire Rate Clip Size
M-15 Vindicator 36.8 High Low 3-Round Burst-Fire 900 RPM (Per Burst) 24

Although you’ll mainly be using the Sniper with Garrus, it’s always nice to have a backup plan in the form of an Assault Rifle, and the M-96 Mattock is the choice for that due to its high damage, and Sniper like tendencies. The Vindicator is another solid Assault Rifle if you don’t want to use the Mattock. You can purchase the Mattock in Omega.

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This used to be possible with a respec from Lair of the Shadow Broker on your squadmates. However, in late 2024 you are again forced to take concussive shot unfortunately. Not sure if it was patched, but I wish they would change it back, because sitting with useless unspent points is lame.

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This build is not possible. You have to put points into Concussive Shot to unlock Overload. There is no way to max out the three abilities listed here.

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1
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This used to be possible with a respec from Lair of the Shadow Broker on your squadmates. However, in late 2024 you are again forced to take concussive shot unfortunately. Not sure if it was patched, but I wish they would change it back, because sitting with useless unspent points is lame.

8
User profile pic

This build is not possible. You have to put points into Concussive Shot to unlock Overload. There is no way to max out the three abilities listed here.

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Guide Information
  • Publisher
    Electronic Arts
  • Platforms,
    PC, PS4, XB One
  • Genre
    Action RPG, Third-person shooter
  • Guide Release
    14 May 2021
  • Last Updated
    7 September 2021
    Version History
  • Guide Author
    Paul Williams

Share this free guide:

The guide for Mass Effect 2 Legendary Edition features all there is to see and do including a walkthrough containing coverage of all the main campaign Missions, Assignments, as well as a detailed breakdown of all the important choices, class builds and much more!

  • A complete walkthrough for the entire campaign, including all recruitment and loyalty missions, as well as details on weapons, resources and research projects found during each mission.
  • Every Assignment covered.
  • Updated media and formatting for the Legendary Edition.
  • In-depth look at the major choices in Mass Effect 2 and consequences - both short and long term - of each.
  • Full details on all possible Romances.
  • In-depth Class builds for Shepard with a focus on Insanity difficulty strategies.
  • Details on every Power.
  • Builds for all squadmates.
  • Trophy/Achievement guide, including embeded walkthrough links.

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