I played through Mass Effect once around the time it first came out, but I just saw the game on my shelf and I'm thinking of giving it another playthrough. Now, I vaguely remember that there is a feature where you can choose a skill from your previous character class and have it carry over to your new character, even though that class normally would not have been able to use that skill.

Is there anything else I need to know? Which classes are the best to take to level 60? Any general leveling strategies or anything like that? I'm looking to build a fun, overpowered character and I really like using the force powers, uhh I mean biotics. What about the achievements and how they evidently unlock skill trees for use in all future characters, any input on that?

Thanks!

Go with Adapt then. They are full biotics and you can still level up guns to be as deadly, preferably pistol or AR. That was probably the one I had most fun with. Vanguard is also good as it's a mix of soldier and Adapt.

Soldiers are probably the easiest characters to use. With new game plus everythingmoves over, however, you have to re-assign all your characters skill points. 

I think I played an Adept last time, it's been so long I don't remember. What I do remember is my character used pistols and had lift, singularity, and push...that's about all I can recall. I think it was an Adept.

what i did is played as a solider first to get the ability to use assault rifles with any class and then a made a full biotic character  that can used that skill. its really really good 

If you unlocked an achievement say the one for killing ___ many people with the shotgun, when you start a brand new playthrough you will be able to use the shotgun with a class that normally wouldn't be able to. I don't remember if it's one weapon along with one power, or just one ability in general. Overall, if you aren't playing as a soldier, the assault rifle makes everything easier.

Interesting...it sounds like it may be worth playing through the game as a Soldier and then unlocking a weapon skill for a pure biotics/tech character during my next playthrough.

" Interesting...it sounds like it may be worth playing through the game as a Soldier and then unlocking a weapon skill for a pure biotics/tech character during my next playthrough. "

The skills not normally available are unlocked from achievements.  This is stated on the GB Overview page for the game if you want to see which unlockables are tied to each achievement.  It comes right after the "Classes" section.

I started with an Adapt until I unlocked the Singularity ability and then created a Vanguard that had Singularity.

So you have nearly every Adapt power (Only one is missing, IIRC), plus medium armor and shotgun if you like that.

no point to get to 60, your lvl doest carryover to second game

" @MB said:

" @ZombieHunter: Cool, thanks for the input. I started a Soldier. "

its been a while since i played but you definitely  want to get the skill immunity as soon as you can, and when you get the chance to upgrade your class from solider to drop trooper or shock trooper choose the one that makes immunity better and increases you damage resistance, Immunity is by far the best skill in that game making you near unkilliable if you max it out. "

You should play as a Vanguard,later in the game you can choose a new 'skill'.If you pick the 'skill' to use the assault rifle,you're unstoppable!

" @EvilTwin: So you're saying I should just use Soldier long enough to unlock the Assault Rifle achievement, then start over with a new character? "

Speaking as someone with all achievements in the game, Vanguard + Singularity = AWESOME

Is this the thread where I admit that I've never played Mass Effect?    >.>   <.<   O.O

Sorry man, I deleted my post when I realised everyone above me had said the same thing. But yeah, that's the case, did I say anything otherwise?

" @Muttinus_Rump: I was under the impression that as long as I got the Assault Rifle achievement, all subsequent characters would have that skill available to train. Is that not the case? "

Update...I'm playing an Adept with the assault rifle skill. Lots of fun so far! The AR really makes a difference in how fun this class is to play compared to the last time I went through with only a pistol.

Yeah the AR is badass with Adept. I'm probably going to remake my character like that again before ME2 comes out.

Hey, just want to say this thread helped me out, too!  I'm going to start a new game soon, and I wasn't aware that skills would carry over from one game to the next.  I played a Soldier the first time around, I'm thinking about going Adept now so I can actually use some Biotics.  Thanks!  :)

Great info in this thread...makes me want to break out ME and finish my second playthrough(soldier), or start a brand new character as I already have the AR achievement.  Vanguard or Adept would be my quandry.  I played the soldier to 55 so far, and always rolled w/tech and biotic characters instead....did I miss out on some great fun?

Bummer, looks like I can't change the class of my existing character when I start a new game.  Now I have to decide on using the same character and getting the Hardcore and level 50/60 achievements, or make a new one so I can use Biotics for a change of pace, and all those "Use [x] 75 times" achievements."  Lame.  :P

" no point to get to 60, your lvl doest carryover to second game "

" @Brundage said:

" no point to get to 60, your lvl doest carryover to second game "

This is false unless all of my second runthroughs are experiencing a glitch where they start at the level the prior game ended at. "

Ahh, I stand corrected.  I remember reading that.  It kinda sucks, but I don't mind it too much if you can at least keep the perks you earn or your weapons.