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A Guide to the Javelins of Anthem

Whether you like to rush headlong into battle or unleash destruction from a discreet distance, Anthem has the perfect javelin for your preferred playstyle. In this article, we’ll give you an overview of the strengths and weaknesses of each suit, their weapons and abilities, and how to get the most out of them.

What Are Javelins?

Let’s start with the basics: javelins power your experience in the dangerous and volatile world of Anthem. For centuries, the people of this world lived at its mercy, that is until the Legion of Dawn under the leadership of General Tarsis built the first javelins. They give you the mobility and firepower to take on almost any enemy, while also letting you soar high above the scenery or plunge into the darkest depths. Each time you leave the safety of the walls of Fort Tarsis to take on a mission or explore the volatile environment, you’ll choose one of the four suit options: Ranger, Colossus, Interceptor, or Storm.

In Anthem, you’re not restricted to a single javelin, though you’ll need to unlock them as you progress through the game. Here’s when each one unlocks:

  • Level 2
  • Level 8
  • Level 16
  • Level 26

You can customize your javelin with specific gear and weapons to create loadouts that will let you withstand a fiery attack better, or deal more incredible amounts of electrical damage. And you can personalize your suit as well, from armor pieces to materials, vinyls, and colors. Head to the Forge in Fort Tarsis to tweak your suit and create or choose a loadout. You may find yourself spending a lot of time there to get just the look and abilities you want.

Choosing a Javelin

Picking the javelin that’s right for you may depend on the type of challenge you’re about to face or even your mood when you sit down to play. But let’s take a detailed look at each suit to give you a better idea which one you may want to main.

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Ranger

If you’re looking for a javelin that’s a jack-of-all-trades, you can’t do better than this one. It’s a solid all-around soldier that’s a great fit for almost any playstyle. Strong both offensively and defensively, the Ranger’s overall versatility makes it a great addition every squad and profoundly deadly in combat.

This suit comes with two pieces of Assault gear and one Support gear option, giving you the opportunity to fine-tune your abilities to suit your needs. Choose from a variety of enemy-pounding munitions options for your Modifiable Grenades slot, load up your Wrist Launcher with missiles, beams, or darts, then choose your Support option:

  • Bulwark Point: A defensive shield that can protect your squad from incoming firepower
  • Muster Point: An offensive shield that enhances the power of your squad’s guns

The Ranger also comes equipped with an ultimate ability called Multi-rocket Missile Battery. You’ll have to charge this one up, but if you need to clear out a slew of enemies quickly and efficiently, this powerful barrage will do the trick.

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Colossus

Meet the Colossus, a massive, ferocious, hard-hitting beast of a javelin, and the only one capable of using heavy weapons. It comes equipped with a large shield that’ll soak a good deal of damage and can be used to pulverize any enemies in your path.

Of course, being the largest and heaviest of the javelins means it’s also the slowest. But if you choose this one you’re probably not all that interested in avoiding trouble when you can barrel right through it.

The Colossus comes with two Assault gear slots and one Support, and you can choose from a variety of Ordinance Launcher options, Heavy Assault Launchers (including an actual flame thrower), and the following Support gear options:

  • Battle Cry: A taunt that makes sure all enemy eyes (and attacks) are on you
  • Shield Pulse: A defensive shield that’ll give your squad a damage resistance buff and help keep you all in the fight longer

Siege Cannon is this javelin’s devastating ultimate ability. Fire three powerful shells at your enemies, setting off a series of explosions that clears the area in a hurry. And the best part is while you’re using your ultimate, your Colossus will also be completely immune to damage. Just imagine the possibilities…

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Interceptor

If you love to get into and out of combat before the enemies even know what’s hit them, we’d like to introduce you to the Interceptor. Think of it as the sports car of the javelins – sleek, agile, and aerodynamic, this suit is made to hit hard and fast then dodge quickly out of harm’s way. Armed with double-bladed daggers, Interceptors can chain their melee attacks almost indefinitely. Even powerful targets will succumb to their twin-bladed dance of death.

With light armor, the Interceptor needs to stay in motion. Its ability to chain together three consecutive dashes in the air or on the ground, means the Interceptor can always end up in the perfect offensive or defensive position.

It comes equipped with an Assault System (with options like Cluster Mine and Venom Bomb), Strike System (including Plasma Star and Detonating Strike), and Support System. For the latter you can choose from:

  • Target Beacon: Mark your enemies so your squad can do increased damage
  • Rally Cry: Nasty status effects damaging your team? Clear them all with this ability

When you’re charged up and ready to do some severe damage, unleash this javelin’s ultimate ability: Assassins’ Blades. Slice and dice your way through masses of enemies like a hot knife through butter. As long as this ultimate is in effect, you’ll take no damage, so this is one time you won’t have to worry about dodging.

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Storm

Rain down damage from a distance, while hovering effortlessly over the ground, cape billowing in the wind with the Storm. This elegant, long-distance master of the elements can hover mid-air for a longer period than any other javelin, keeping it out of reach of most enemies. Given its light armor, it’s not well-suited to melee, but don’t get the idea that the Storm is helpless on the ground. Between an amazing dodge that’ll get you out of trouble in a hurry and Frost Shards that’ll stop enemies cold, the Storm can hold its own when necessary.

The Storm’s Blast and Focus Seals give it access to some of its most powerful ice, lightning, and fire attacks like. And its Support Seals include:

Wind Wall: A shield that blocks incoming enemy projectiles

Quickening Field: An area of effect reducing ability cooldowns for any of your squad that enters it

When it comes to ultimate abilities, they don’t get much more impressive than the Storm. Its Elemental Storm attack calls down the power of three different elemental storms to absolutely wreck any enemies caught in it. The ultimate not only does burst damage, but also chains damaging status effects to nearby enemies as well. If you need to clear a whole lot of enemies and look great doing it, this is the ultimate for you.

No Wrong Choice

While you may choose a single javelin as your main, you’ll want access to all four as you make your way through missions and expeditions. Understanding what each one can offer will help you and your squad take on even the toughest Strongholds and mightiest enemies. Ready to suit up? Join the adventure today!

Anthem is now available on Xbox One via the Microsoft Store. Click here for purchase details.