ME1 Legendary Mode – Vanguard (Close‑Range Paladin) Paragon Build ⚡💪

Paragon Vanguard = aggressive protector who dives into danger first to keep the squad safe. Legendary Mode (1–30) means you focus on tight, efficient close‑range combat and biotic control instead of spreading points everywhere.

Role & Difficulty

Close‑range frontline bruiser with strong crowd control.

Role: Get in close, delete priority targets, and use biotics to stop enemies from reaching your team.

Best for: Players who enjoy high‑risk, high‑reward play. Harder than Soldier, but very fun and powerful once you get used to distance management.

Early Game (Levels 1–10) – Foundation of a Guardian

Goal: Make close‑range safe with enough control and survivability.

Focus your first levels on:

  • Shotguns – 4–6 points

Your main weapon. At this rank, you can already delete most basic enemies if you get close.

  • Throw – 4 points

Your first “save the squad” tool. Use it to knock enemies away from Liara/Tali or interrupt dangerous targets.

  • Barrier – 3–4 points

Your lifeline when you push forward. Activate before closing distance or reviving squadmates.

  • Pistols – 3–4 points

Backup for mid‑range / when you can’t safely get into shotgun range.

  • First Aid – 3–4 points

Fits the Paragon fantasy: stronger heals to keep your team alive through early missions.

Playstyle here: stay near cover, use Barrier, close distance only when it’s safe, and use Throw if anyone rushes your squad.

Mid Game (Levels 11–20) – Aggressive Guardian Core

Goal: Control enemy positions and dominate close‑range fights.

By around level 20, aim for something like:

  • Shotguns – 8–10 points

Extremely reliable damage in close quarters. Most normal enemies should drop in a couple of shots.

  • Throw – 7–8 points

Short cooldown, strong knockback. Use it to peel enemies off allies or kick them out of cover.

  • Lift – 6–8 points

Area crowd control. Great for groups: Lift them, then you and your squad focus fire.

  • Barrier – 6–7 points

Lets you push aggressively, grab attention, and still live through it.

  • First Aid – 6–7 points

Strong squad heals for longer encounters and tougher missions.

Here, your rhythm becomes: Barrier up → move in → Lift or Throw dangerous enemies → shotgun anything that survives.

Late Game (Levels 21–30) – Master Guardian

Goal: Become a fearless frontline protector with full control tools.

From level 21–30, you’ll finish and polish your build:

  • Max Shotguns and Throw

Core of your combat loop: hard hits + reliable knockback to protect the squad.

  • Max Lift

Long suspensions and big area control. Perfect for Ilos and endgame encounters.

  • Barrier – 7–8 points

High survivability so you can safely draw fire when things get messy.

  • Spectre Training – 6–8 points

Passive bonuses to health, damage, and better Paragon dialogue checks for key story choices.

Optional leftover points:

  • Extra Pistols ranks – if you like having a safer ranged option.

  • Biotic passives – for slightly better cooldowns and power effectiveness.

  • Any armor/defense talents available in your setup – to lean even more into “unkillable guardian.”

Specialization:

  • Shock Trooper – ideal for Paragon Vanguard. It boosts your durability and shotgun performance, making you the perfect close‑range protector.

Recommended Paragon Squads 🛡️⚡

You jump in first; they clean up safely behind you.

Biotic Synergy Squad

  • Liara – heavy biotics to combo with your Lift and Throw.

  • Garrus – tech + precise mid‑range fire.

You create openings with pushes and crowd control; they exploit those openings

Tank & Tech Squad

  • Wrex – second frontline bruiser who draws fire with you.

  • Tali – tech specialist who handles synthetics and disables enemy weapons.

You control enemy positions; they cover weaknesses (tech and extra biotics).

Paragon Aggressive Playstyle Tips

  • Lead from the front, but never without Barrier up when you push into shotgun range.

  • Use Throw and Lift reactively:

    • First to save squishy teammates.

    • Second to expose enemies for easy shotgun kills.

  • Don’t over‑chase: step back if Barrier is down, let your squad shoot while powers recharge.

  • Upgrade gear for everyone, not just yourself – very on‑theme for a Paragon protector who puts the squad first.