The best Anthem builds are those that allow you to enter Grandmaster difficulties and lay waste to entire waves of enemies. Without the optimal build, you can really struggle on the more difficult levels. Getting the perfect build — whether that be for Ranger, Colossus, Storm, or Interceptor — can make the difference between your squad wiping out, and you coming out victorious. Equipping the perfect items to maximize combo potential is key to efficient synergy, especially when working with like-minded squadmates. At the time of writing and within the current build of the game, these are the best Anthem builds.
Anthem Best Ranger Build
Grenade Gear
Frost Grenade (Ice Primer)
Ice is the best elemental effect right now, freezing enemies in place and allowing for an easy follow-up attack. Combining this will Pulse Blast allows the Ranger to be a threat when alone, and a great asset in co-operative combat.
Assault Launcher Gear
Pulse Blast (Impact Detonator)
This allows you to penetrate enemy shields, which is a unique strength of the Ranger.
Melee
Shock Mace (Electric Primer)
Do note how the Ranger’s melee is a Primer. Getting up close and personal can be very risky, so only do it when you can ensure you’ll get back out alive. You don’t want to be downed next to a tough enemy where teammates are unlikely to be able to revive you.
Ultimate
Multi-Target Missile Battery (Blast Detonator)
At the time of writing, this does not appear to detonate properly. Be wary of trying to combo primed enemies with this move, as it may not work!
Combo Effect
Critical Target Damage – Large damage to detonated enemy.
Heavy damage against a single target is great for Legendary enemy variants and bosses. The Ranger build is therefore a great detonating class when going up against a lot of bulky enemies.
Support Gear
Muster Point
This is the only viable option right now, as Bulwark Point is so weak. Choose Muster Point until the other Support Gear gets a buff!
Anthem Best Colossus Build
Ordinance Launcher
Firewall Mortar (Fire Primer)
With no Ice elemental damage at this Javelin’s disposal, we instead turn to Fire. The Firewall Mortar is a fantastic Primer that combos excellently with the Railgun. Whether alone or with a squad, this combination can handle Grandmaster like a champ.
Heavy Assault Launcher
Railgun (Impact Detonator)
The Railgun is an incredibly satisfying Detonator. Pair with this with the Firewall Mortar Primer and you have one hell of a combo.
Melee
Heavy Smash (Impact Detonator)
If you’re in need on a Detonator that hits hard, perhaps to finish off a big enemy or group of enemies, go in hard with the Colossus’ melee. Jump before attacking for a more stylish finish.
Ultimate
Siege Cannon (Blast Detonator)
The Siege Cannon fires three powerful cannon blasts. These hit very hard. Ensure you combine this with a good Primer to achieve the maximum damage.
Combo Effect
AoE Explosion – Explosion which damages nearby enemies.
If you can trigger your combos when enemies are close together, you’ll earn some additional bonus damage.
Support Gear
Shield Pulse
On easier difficulties, Battle Cry is a nice option to try out. But ultimately, Shield Pulse is the way to go for Grandmaster 1 and above.
Anthem Best Storm Build
Blast Seals
Ice Blast (Ice Primer)
As Storm, ice is your best friend. The Ice Blast Primer is our choice here, but Ice Storm is also a good option. (If you have the Masterwork/Legendary variants of either of these choices, go with that!)
Focus Seals
Glacial Spear (Ice Detonator)
Comboing an ice Primer with an ice Detonator is currently incredibloy devastating. Fill your loadout with ice and freeze the enemy to allow for massive follow-up damage from you and your co-op friends.
Melee
Fiery Strike (Fire Detonator)
Though Storm is essentially a multi-elemental god, its melee attack is strictly Fire. As Storm Javelins will mostly be keeping their distance, it will be rare to see the melee attack used. However, if you do find yourself going in close for the kill, do note that this attack is a Detonator and not a Primer. Therefore, it can be good for a last-minute combo.
Ultimate
Elemental Storm (Multi-element Primer and Detonator)
The Storm Javelin has a unique Ultimate which covers Ice, Fire, and Electric damage, which includes both Primers and Detonators. This is a crazy move that will lead to combos popping off in every direction.
Combo Effect
AoE Spread – Spreads the elemental effect to nearby enemies.
Being able to spread elemental effects to multiple enemies is another huge advantage of the Storm Javelin. This will help deal with crowds and is particularly nice when focusing on a boss that is surrounding by smaller minions.
Support Seals
Quickening Field
Until buffs make Wind Wall viable at Grandmaster difficulties, Quickening Field is really the only way to go.
Anthem Best Interceptor Build
Assault Systems
Venom Bomb (Acid Primer)
The Interceptor Javelin is a tough class to master for Grandmaster difficulties, but can be incredibly fun for Easy, Normal, and Hard. If you’re playing high-level missions, go with Venom Bomb to set up combos for your allies. This acid Primer has a quick cooldown and has an almost immediate effect on enemies.
Strike Systems
Detonating Strike (Electric Primer)
Detonating Strike is another Primer to help assist your co-op friends. Of course, both of the Interceptors Primers can be detonated with a standard melee attack, as well as the class’ devastating Ultimate.
Melee
Bladed Daggers (Impact Detonator)
With the Interceptor being a bit of a glass cannon, you’ll want to ensure that you dart quickly in and out when going in for a melee combo. Detonate any primed enemies and then get the hell out of there.
Ultimate
Assassin’s Blades (Impact Detonator)
Go wild with the Assassin’s Blades combo and try to time it with teammates unleashing an assault of Primers. Being able to quickly dish out combos while invulnerable is a great way of taking major chunks out of boss characters.
Combo Effect
Aura – Enemies near you gain the elemental effect over time.
With the Interceptor being a fairly chaotic Javelin to play as, you likely won’t notice the effects of Aura working their magic. Rest assured, this combo effect will be working in the background as you lay waste to the opposition.
Support Seals
Rally Cry
Being able to quickly remove any elemental effects from yourself and allies is huge at the Grandmaster difficulties. Be aware of how your co-op buddies are doing and issue a quick Rally Cry if things are looking bad.
Best Anthem Build | Masterwork and Legendary Equipment
In the best Anthem builds above, I’ve not accounted for Masterwork or Legendary components, which have their own unique names and effects. These should be equipped when unlocked, as they offer positive effects that can make your Javelin even more powerful. Play through Grandmaster missions for the best chance of earning these.
As for components, you’ll be wanting to cover your weaknesses, which often means prioritizing components specifically made for your Javelin. Universal components can often be useless by comparison, so pay attention to what you are equipping and ensure they help contribute to your overall build. This goes for weapons and their inscriptions, too.
Anthem's Javelins
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Everything You Need to Know About Anthem's Javelins
So, you're diving into Anthem? Not sure which of the mech suits to climb into first? We've taken them all for a test flight, cooled off under the waterfall, and returned with the lowdown on all four. Here's everything you need to know about Anthem's Javelins. -
Ranger
No matter your preference, you'll be starting your Anthem run in a Ranger. Described as the all around jack of all trades, the Ranger can slot into any situation and round out any team. Rangers can dash across short distances and strike foes with a devastating Shock Mace. -
Lock and Load
As for gear, a Ranger can pack grenades or cannon blasts. These range from elemental bombs to heat-seeking missiles. Rangers can support their team with a bubble shield that protects from foes or enhances damage. Finally, the Ranger's ultimate is a volley of missiles that can hit dozens of enemies at once. -
Colossus
For a mech game, Anthem sure does have some agile suits. If you want a more traditional giant robot experience, may we suggest the Colossus? The biggest of the four Javelins, the Colossus is a tank that blasts into battle with a mounted flamethrower and several ordinances. -
Prepare for Titanfall
The Colossus is all about busting things up. Whether that's with various mortars, a literal firewall or a burst of lightning, you'll be charging through foes and making a lot of noise. There's also a Railgun and a Flak Cannon to strap on if you want to get even more up close and personal. -
Interceptor
You want fast? Pick the Interceptor. With an innate triple jump and three dashes, you'll be moving all around the battlefield as you pepper opponents with shots. Mark enemies with your Target Beacon to single them out and boost damage across your team. Or, just focus in yourself with this mech's range of different systems. -
The Need for Speed
Interceptor players shine in the melee arena. Among their options are an electrifying dash attack, several different elemental ninja stars, and poisonous options for decaying large groups of foes. You can also do the Naruto thing and create duplicates to confuse your opponents before hitting your final strike. -
Storm
Of all the Javelins in Anthem, the Storm is the most unique. It's not every day that your robot suit is slinging magic spells like some kind of wizard from the moon. Storms can hover in mid-air away from danger and pepper the field with damage. -
Bringing the Thunder
You've got everything you'd expect from an elemental warrior. Ice beams, lightning bolts, frost shards, and fireballs, all at your fingertips. When you charge your ultimate, you can combine all the elements into a torrent of energy that can wipe out a whole squadron. -
What's Next for Javelins?
Storm, Colossus, Ranger, and Interceptor. These are the four Javelins that Freelancers can pilot in their Anthem adventures. Will we see more variety in future Javelin designs? New abilities for existing warriors? New chances for combo attacks? Only time and BioWare's roadmap can say for sure.