Mass Effect 3's Adjutants are a new and dangerous enemy class introduced in the Mass Effect 3: Omega DLC. Adjutants have a relatively complex origin: they're part Reaper virus, thought to originate from before the Protheans, and part Cerberus-manipulated shock troopers. The Illusive Man had contained a colony of Adjutants in a Cerberus research facility beyond the Omega-4 relay, but they inevitably escaped. Those Adjutants descended on Omega, and now introduce tough new combat situations for Mass Effect players.
Adjutants aren't quite like Mass Effect 3's other Reaper enemies. They lack an insta-kill ability, unlike Banshees or Brutes, and instead rely on disorienting biotic projectiles and strong melee attacks. A single Adjutant is manageable, but several at once can be tough. They'll try to get in close, and can leap at Shepard to deal big damage, while others might be firing singularities which linger on the field. Adjutants also have both barriers and armor, so players should combine biotics and incendiary weapons to take them down.
Effectively fighting Adjutants in Mass Effect 3 comes down to learning their attack patterns and equipping Shepard and the squad with a well-rounded set of biotics and anti-armor capabilities. Generally, players should keep their distance from Adjutants whenever possible, and take them out at range - prioritize them over weaker enemies, like Husks. If they do get in close, try to roll out of range and run to regain some space.
Fighting Adjutants in Mass Effect 3
Adjutants use both singularity projectiles and close-range melee attacks. The projectile is somewhat slow but seeks its targets - players should listen for its sound and dodge whenever possible. The singularity will stagger Shepard on impact and drain shields, making it easier for Adjutants to close in. Their lunge attack is telegraphed by a loud scream, and their leap comes after a low crouch, so players should dodge roll out of range when they see these coming, similar to fighting Mass Effect 3's Brutes.
Adjutants move slowly when not close to Shepard, so they can be dispatched at range to prevent any difficult close-range combat situations. Fortunately, Mass Effect 3 gives players plenty of weapon mods and powers for combating even the toughest enemies. Warp Ammo and the Warp ability are both very effective for taking down Adjutant's barriers. Players can combo this with Throw to deal more biotic damage and push an Adjutant farther away. With their barriers down, switch to incendiary ammo if possible and prioritize abilities like Carnage and Incinerate. If players earlier used Warp, that can also reduce the effectiveness of an Adjutant's armor.
Adjutants are also especially vulnerable when shot in the large sacks on their backs. Players can achieve this with Mass Effect 3's piercing weapons like the Javelin, M-98 Widow, and the N7 Crusader. A bonus from using these is that piercing weapons are also strong against armor. With these tips and tricks, players should be well-prepared to effectively take on any Adjutants with ease.
Mass Effect Legendary Edition is available for PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One, with backward compatibility for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S.