In single player the Overload ability seems to ALWAYS completely remove the target's shield. So I ask then, what is the value of leveling up the damage of the ability if I only want to use it to remove shields (using incinerate to do damage after the shield has been destroyed)? Should I take the recharge speed upgrades if shield removal is my only intended use?
Mass-effect – Does the Overload ability actually do damage to or remove shields on cast
mass-effect-3
Related Solutions
Yes, it would appear it works like it did in ME2. It might not be right to say "they do more damage" since it's not clear that they get an actual damage bonus, but rather that they are more effective due to the way the barrier/shield/armor mechanics work.
- Rapid fire weapons are good against shields and barriers.
- Slower-firing weapons that do heavy damage are good against armor.
Armor, Shields, and Barriers are all "Defenses" that protect enemy (or Shepard's) healthbars from harm.
For Shepard personally, its largely irrelevant. Only two of the six possible Shepards have barriers (Vanguard / Adept), and none of the six have armor. For Shepard, Barriers and Shields differ only in color (purple vs. blue), as any armor piece that improves shields will likewise improve barriers.
Shepard cannot get armor at all; the Fortification power, despite claiming to be armor, is really a damage reduction, like Tech Armor (which, despite the name, is actually advanced shield tech).
For enemies, it matters a little more.
Armor
Indicated by a yellow health bar. Vulnerable to fire attacks, like Incinerate, and damaging biotic attacks like Warp and Reave.
Common to Cerberus Robots, Environmental obstacles, and reaper forces.
Slow firing weapons like Sniper Rifles, Heavy Pistols, and Shotguns tend to do better damage to armor.
Finally, Armor can be "weakened" by freeze effects and "penetrated" by weapon mods, or Armor Piercing Ammo. Incendiary Ammo, Warp Ammo or Armor Piercing Ammo, will all do additional damage to armor.
Barriers
Indicated by a purple health bar. Vulnerable to damaging biotic attacks like Warp and Reave, and by Concussive Shot.
Common to biotic users.
Fast firing weapons like SMGs and Assault Rifles do better damage to barriers.
Barriers also take additional damage from Warp or Disruptor ammo.
Shields
Indicated by a cyan health bar. Vulnerable to tech attacks like Overload and Sabotage.
Common to Geth, Cerberus, and certain Reaper forces.
Fast firing weapons like SMGs and Assault Rifles do better damage to Shields.
Shields take additional damage from Disruptor ammo.
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Best Answer
If your main use is to remove the Shield or Barrier, it's indeed best to take the recharge speed upgrade, or the multiple overload bonus.
Don't forget that overload do also damages to the synthetics!