MMMMM MMMMM AAAA SSSSSSSSSSS SSSSSSSSSSS MMMMMM MMMMMM AAAAAA SSSSSSSSSSSS SSSSSSSSSSSS MMMMMMM MMMMMMM AAAAAAAA SSSS SSSS MMMMMMMM MMMMMMMM AAAA AAAA SSSSSSSSSSS SSSSSSSSSSS MMMM MMMM MMMM MMMM AAAA AAAA SSSSSSSSSSS SSSSSSSSSSS MMMM MMMMMMMM MMMM AAAAAAAAAAAAAA SSSS SSSS MMMM MMMMMM MMMM AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA SSSSSSSSSSSS SSSSSSSSSSSS MMMM MMMM MMMMAAAA AAAASSSSSSSSSSS SSSSSSSSSSS EEEEE FFFFF FFFFF EEEEE CCCCC TTTTTT EE FF FF EE CC TT EEEEEE FFFFFF FFFFFF EEEEEE CC TT EE FF FF EE CC TT EEEEE FF FF EEEEE CCCCC TT 222222222222222222 222222222222222222222 222222222222222222222 222222 222222 22222222222222222222 222222222222222222222 22222222222222222222 22222 222222222222222222222 222222222222222222222 222222222222222222222 ***************************************** * Game: Mass Effect 2 * * Type: Walkthrough/FAQ * * For: XBox 360, PC, PS3 * * Author: Brad Russell "TheGum" * * Email: lunatic_252000@yahoo.com * * Web: www.herostrike.com * * Twitter: TheGum25 * ***************************************** Version 1.0 - At least one version of the game completed. Yeah, very not complete at this time in terms of presentation, but will do soon. (2/10/10) Version 1.5 - Fixed things up a lot, added a bunch of extra sections, but have not included progress in them all. (2/15/10) Version 1.75 - Further cleaned up things, and have added more meat to the 5-9 sections, but they still aren't finished. (2/16/10) Version 1.8 - Added a few changes, including tying off the love section after about a year of silence... will add Shadow Broker content at some point. (1/30/11) ***************** Table Of Contents ***************** Use quick find (Ctrl + F) and type in the code or level. Section: Code: 1. A Brief Foreword 2. Controls ( CON2222 ) 3. Starter Tips ( TIPS333 ) 4. The Guide ( FAQ4444 ) Mission 1: The Return Mission 2: The Hunt Begins, Again Mission 3: The Archangel Mission 4: The Plague Mission 5: The Convict Mission 6: Faryar System Mission 7: Search and Rescue Mission 8: The Krogan Mission 9: Horizon Mission 10: The Council Mission 11: The Assassin Mission 12: Miranda's Mission Mission 13: CSI: Nos Astra Mission 14: The Quarian Mission 15: The Rosetta Nebula Mission 16: Jacob's Heart Mission 17: Fade to Black Mission 18: Cat and Mouse Mission 19: The Cure Mission 20: The Rite Mission 21: Revenge Mission 22: Mother Dearest Mission 23: Tali's Trust Mission 24: Side Missions Mission 25: The Cerberus Network Connecting Zaeed, the mercenary Old Normandy Mission 26: Acquire Reaper IFF Mission 27: Legion's Loyalty Mission 28: Love and Loss Mission 29: Suicide Mission Love Sick Round 2 5. The Love 6. Classes 7. Squad Breakdown 8. Exploration, shops, etc. Shops ( SHO1234 ) Exploration ( EXPO123 ) 9. Author Info / Copyright ***************************************************************************** * 1. A Brief Foreword * ***************************************************************************** After my brief hiatus, and an icy blizzard here in Oklahoma, I have returned to the craft and have played the thus far game of the decade! Okay, it's not the greatest game of all time, too many quirks and awkward bits here and there to say it's perfection. And the combat is still a little jerky, and the "free roam" exploration aspect looks a little tired now. But all that in mind, this is still the one of the only games to lose many weeks on many playthroughs. I gotta be honest, with my experience in Warcraft, this will be a most interesting series of playthroughs, and should be a solid guide. TheGum. ***************************************************************************** * 2. Controls ( CON2222 ) * ***************************************************************************** XBox 360 -------- A - sprint, cover, vault, use B - melee, exit X - skip chat, reload, hold to switch to last gun Y - mapped power RB - hold for power wheel RT - fire LB - hold for weapon whell LT - aim, zoom RS - look, click for map or tracker LS - move, click for map or tracker D-PAD - command squad BACK - exit combat stance START - pause menu Don't forget to map powers to RB, LB, and Y. ***************************************************************************** * 3. Starter Tips ( TIPS333 ) * ***************************************************************************** #1. Investigate and left side of conversation wheel are usually reserved for the items that do not end the chat line. They are usually just FYI pieces, but sometimes they do lead to a better resolution if you dig a little. And of course the left is for all reputation options, if you can. #2. There are three basic class mechanics to this game: guns, biotics, and tech. All have abilities within that not only take care of each other, they also counter the following types of protection: shield/barrer, armor, health. #3. Health is the last bar on all enemies, and it means they are free for biotics. Shields are countered by the Overload power. Barriers are countered by guns. And armor is beaten by several types of attacks. Basically, you should have a way to get that enemy's protection down. #4. For the 360, you click the LS to bring up either a map or an objective tracking radar. Helpful if you are lost. #5. You can take full command of you allies. For 360, the left and right on the D-Pad correspond to the icons of your teammates at the bottom of the screen. If your cursor is over an enemy, they will attack; if not they will go to that place. Pressing Down returns your pals to you. You can even change their default mapped powers for when you press their d-pad control. #6. Also, don't forget to know if you have your teammates' powers on auto, because if you don't mind micro-managing, you should disable it. They will use their best powers if you command them to attack. #7. Speaking of which, you can map your own powers to several buttons on the 360 (open the power wheel and follow the prompts to map). #8. Armor upgrades must be equipped in your cabin on the ship. #9. Be sure to always change your and your squad's ammo and guns for the needed enemies, or just keep a good mix and go for it. #10. If you don't save often, which may not be needed, you may find your "Resume" option after death taking you to your last physical save. You should have three options: last save, restart the whole mission, or load up your last auto-save (this is the best option always). #11. You can melee (B) crates and such. #12. The scarring is in regards to if you go renegade. If you do, your face will get red. If you go paragon, you'll never see this effect. There is a ship upgrade for a ton of platinum to fix this, but for some reason it kept getting less expensive as the game went on. #13. Take your time with hacks, especially ones without credit rewards, those are usually access to areas or upgrades. #14. Should be higher, but be sure to invest in your "special" talent early for the rep bonus and overall boost to stats. Some powers and abilities are stronger than allies' "special" talents usually - their specials are most likely a boost in 2-3 stats, where they can be revived and their powers are more valuable than their health. #15. If you want to get someone in the sack, agreeing with them and choosing all paragon options is usually best. #16. As well as giving an achievement, viewing the combat vids in your computer log can help clear up anything about combat you may not fully grasp. #17. Paragon or renegade? Nice people save others and usually get to see more, while tough people tend to miss some things but do have a bit more fun. Obviously there is a perfect balance you can meet, but that's entirely up to you. It is wise to try and stick to one as best you can. ***************************************************************************** * 4. The FAQ ( FAQ4444 ) * ***************************************************************************** If you played Mass Effect, you may load the GAME COMPLETE data on your memory source. There are 4 things to account for if you do this: (slight spoilers if you plan to play these games in reverse, but you'll find these out anyway) Status of Wrex, the big lizard guy Status of Ashley or Kaiden Status of the Council from the end of the game And your Shepard's actions and background (both of which you made before and during the game), and your class/spec is not accounted for either, or your appearence. Side quests from ME1 do further just a hair on this game, either with a few micro quests or emails I believe a fresh toon here generates the following: Council alive Anderson a member Opposite gender member dead No love interests Wrex not alive (I believe) A new character may be random, and if so it doesn't matter. Of course turn on subtitles too. One thing to keep in mind is whether you want your allies using their best stuff in combat or you want to tell them when to use it. Gameplay may vary slightly depending on which choice you make, but you can change this option at any time in the pause menu, you just may not realize there is a problem with your choice later. ===================== Mission 1: The Return ===================== The Escape ---------- Two choices to make here, then you're in control of the thus-far faceless Shepard. Just head forward and then up the right stairs. Then across the ol' stompin' grounds to save Chris, I mean Joker. One choice and that's it. Without giving much away, you can now choose your face and specialization. No, you do not have to keep either from your ME1 game, you can start both from scratch right here (especially if you don't remember an imported character's spec); feel free to "tweak" a face, the options are a big more refined in this game as far as I can tell, but not by much. As far as specs, here is the breakdown: Soldier - gun specialist (best choice for new players) Infiltrator - stealth, long range, and tech (probably the best choice) Vanguard - biotics and close range (hard to play to its fullest) Sentinel - the combo of biotic and tech abilities Adept - pure biotics (you own un-protected enemies) Engineer - pure tech (drone) Clearly, if you never played this game before, you may want to stick to Soldier - everything else requires a little more effort. My money is on Infiltrator being OP (overpowered). What you do not get to change is your history from the first game if you have imported. I think it's a safe bet to say you get to select that here if starting fresh. Yet Another Escape ------------------ Pick up the gun, then take the cover by the door. Grab the ammo through the door, vault over the barrier ahead, and then either use cover or just blast the enemy up the steps. The little redish things on the ground are ammo, so walk over them to pick them up and don't forget to reload often. *NOTE: You can zoom with a gun for better aim.* Through the next door, take cover and quickly dispatch the first bot, but stay in cover as three more pop out from the left. Just bursts of fire to take them out, but probably more than safe to just stand and kill everything. Grab ammo, also in the left room, then go forward. Quick little bit in the hall, then pick up the grenade launcher in the next room. Use the weapon selection button, and you are pausing the game in case some fire moving tricks you, so highlight and select the launcher, then use it as the door opens below. Take the nearby lift down, and finally, run through the fire - don't walk. Head into the forward room for a data log (only need to listen to once). Then use the safe on the wall. It's just a game of match. Mouse over the nodes to reveal their symbols, and before the tallies in the upper right are gone just find the four matches to advance (select the first and then the second, and of course the second selection does not reveal the symbols). One more log in here before you exit. Another log up the steps by a window, then go through the door and help the dude out. You get a brief ally controlling direction. It's basically the same as selecting a weapon, except you can move the camera to select targets to execute the orders. In this case, just practice telling Jacob to Pull all three bots. And I guess you can "ask some questions" like a dork while the ship is under attack, if you must. *NOTE: Remember for the chat options, the left side is usually reserved for choices that don't end the current chat thread, it's usually just some side bit. It's the right side choices that are: Good, neutral, and Bad from top to bottom. These choices do affect your personality and unlock future choices and things like that. Basically, you want to select one line of choices and stick to them, and progress in Paragon and Renegade carry-over slightly from ME1.* One data log on the bench before you head out. Three bots in the next room, then there is time to go left up ahead before using the door so you can pick up a data log. *NOTE: I won't be very in detail about the conversations from here on out, I'll let you enjoy the choices you make and leave it up to you if you want to hear about non-crucial stuff or not.* Through the door, go ahead and act like you "remember" this guy, then pick up the health on the wall. Then use the "unity" option in the group wheel. A group of robots to fry, then stand far from the crates and have the new guy's Overload option blow the boxes out of your path. In the next hall you find a data pad to hack. This game is a bit confusing to understand. At the top it will display lines of code, and in the scrolling boxes you need to find that code and select it. Skimming over the X's is bad, and so is choosing the wrong code - you have three "strikes" tallied at the bottom. All I know is you can just wait until you have found the right box, don't assume that one is "close enough" to the displayed code. A few bots in the next room, and in this big room you can advance up either side. I say up the left side, where at the top of the ramp you run into two squads of droids to the left and right, and then a big group through the door to the right (use the GL on your back). In the left room you have a log, safe, and data pad to access and test your hacking skills. Collect ammo and head through the right door for a scene. Feel free to ask some questions now, since she asked of course, and feel free to move on when ready. The Illusive Man ---------------- The questions continue, and I believe the third one is an actual test question, meaning one choice is not correct. If you don't recall or didn't play the first game, 50/50 chance it's A. On the next ship, visit the locker on the wall to change colors on your suit and the occassional "casual" look; it's pretty much for cutscenes only. Then further down to meet the dude. Next, open your Squad option and start spending points. For you, just get that bottom choice up (which should be to also improve your Paragon/Renegade scores in chat). And feel free to read up on all the stuff, even the gray options you can unlock, before selecting anything. You can always undo your choices until you exit the screen. You can now go and have more personal chats with Miranda and Jacob (through the investigate option), for maybe a little more than just their histories (that alien, lesbian love angle from the last game didn't just happen, it took some effort!). Head out through the door for a report on what just happened. You'll notice there is an experience report, extremely brief story summary, weapons found, credits found, and import bonuses. The import bonuses are if you imported a ME1 toon (character). From my rich level 50, I got the following: Start at level 3 30,000 Credits 5000 Element Zero (whatever that is) 5000 Iridium 5000 Palladium 5000 Platinum (clearly this is my "bling" total) And a sizable start in whatever rep path I chose for this toon And then they also threw in 100,000 extra credits for being rich (and no, I don't know exactly how rich I was in the last game, nor if I even made an effort to get so much money, nor what the money was used for!). So if I don't connect with you poor saps out there, you can kiss my 5000 Platinum! *NOTE: Yeah, these are not game-changing perks, but they are a nice way to reward those of us that did endure some of the "bogginess" of the first game. Yes, Mako, I mean you.* ================================= Mission 2: The Hunt Begins, Again ================================= Starting From Scratch --------------------- *NOTE: There are three types of enemies: armor, shields, and open enemies. You have a few extra guns, and just know that you've been up against armor thus far and will be. Your pistol from the first mission is still good to use, unless you don't spec in guns or have a better option. Don't be using a shotgun on robots, it doesn't work (that's just one example of something you need to be aware of as the game goes on).* *NOTE: Now that your guys are in your team, remember to spend their combat points in the pause menu.* Head through the first building and before you hit the next door, salvage some parts to the left of it (like I need scraps, I'm loaded! okay, I'll stop). There are two bots in front, two the right, two small bots incoming, and I believe more bots across the gap. Just take out the right ones first, then worry about the small bots, and then the ones on the other side. Head into the building to the right for a safe and gel. Be ready for two enemies when you exit, then go meet an old friend. In the next room is a bot hiding behind the counter, then a safe to crack. Head out for a battle with some turrets and flying drones. They aren't very durable, so don't waste your GL on them, or a ton of ammo. Gel in the first room, then another fight with the turret things down the ramp. Set up your team using the displayed controls, then take cover yourself. The big mech is not hard, just use Miranda's overload to take out it's shields, then unload on it and take cover. You can't stay in the starting spot for long, so take refuge to the left building where you will find ammo for your GL. Then you can either unload on it more with your gun or the GL. *NOTE: Only when an enemy's health bar (top of screen) is red are you taking out its health. If it's not red then you need to take away its immunity.* The left building also has a safe, there is a suit at the back of the area to salvage, and then the friend is in the right building. Take the forward door to meet the target. It may be worth choosing the "I had a good team" option for FYI stuff, although you really don't learn a lot about the old gang. ======================== Mission 3: The Archangel ======================== That New Ship Smell ------------------- Basically a long-ass intro to your new ship... the Normandy. But things get interesting with Kelly Chambers, who is nearby after the scene. Again, the alien, lesbian love scene didn't happen overnight! Rome wasn't built in a day! You can find Joker up front, Jacob in the back room, and EDI everywhere who can offer info on the areas of the ship. There isn't much to do though, as the weapon upgrades and lab are no working at the moment. The elevator can take you to any of these areas: Captain's Cabin (that's you) - fish tank, achievements, cheesy music, all the stuff you were expecting. Crew's Quarters - chef Gardner to pick up a list, ol' Chakwas and her booze, and Miranda, who I think you would need to investigate before learning about her. Dock - Gabby and Ken who need couplings, and an EDI by the mass effect core. Once your tour is over, head to level 2 and get on the map. Fly into the sun and do donuts in space - "how's meh drivin' bro!" - and then land in Omega. The Omega Connections --------------------- *NOTE: If you did the Cerberus Network code thing already, then you will have the chance to pick up Zaeed and he'll be a part of the team and ready to help in these missions. I don't cover his mission until near the end, but do as you wish.* Go out and look out left for a quick view. Then into Afterlife. Before you meet Aria, go right and pick up the Brandy by the bar. Feel free to order up a few rounds, then go meet Aria up the stairs at the back. Ask her about both of your targets. Before you sign up with the nearby mercs, head below Aria and down the steps. Helen Blake is behind the door, the lady who you killed two warlords for in the first game. Then head down to the lower bar and break the first rule of Omega: don't order a drink at AfterLife. Once you do, you'll be in the back alley. There is a Shisk and friend to speak to, then feel free to stop by Kenn's Salvage. Speak to him first, and tell him to lower his prices, and he does. Now ask about him and he'll tell you that Harrot is running the show. Harrot is up the steps at the side and in the corner. Speak to him and tell him either line to get him to resolve the kid's problem. It's either that or buy the kid out (which was a mistake I made), but either way Kenn will leave and you should have discounts at both shops. *NOTE: For all shops, I assume you speak to the owner first and get each discount.* Kenn's Salvage: Couplings are a must, and so is the ammo capacity. Other two are for later. Heavy Weapon Ammo - 25000, +15% heavy weapon capacity (grenade launcher, etc.) Couplings - 416, quest item for engineers on Normandy Heavy Skin Weave - 75000, +10% Shepard health Shotgun Damage - 50000, +10% Harrot's Emporium: Visor is a must, Geth ship is whatever, chest is good, and hack is not needed unless you really suck at hacking (then it's a must). Visor - 1666, +10% headshot damage Model Geth Ship - 1666 Capacitor Chestplate - 3333, -10% shield regen cooldown Hack Module - 25000, x2 time limit for hacking Ordance Packs - 1666, +10% heavy ammo; unlocks later in game Omega Market: As a sniper rifle user and tentacle enthusiast, I bought everything. Stimulator Conduits - 3333, +10% sprint speed Model Turian Cruiser - 416 Sniper Rifle Damage - 50000, +10% SR damage Fornax - 4, in the Publications of your secondary codex items Stabalization Guantlets - 3333, +5% weapon dammage; unlocks later Strength Boost Packs - 3333, +25% melee damage; unlocks later ----- Find your way back into the lower part of Afterlife and confront the bartender. Either rep option does exactly what you want it to do. Of course you can go tip the dancer in the corner, then head up the left side to the room to meet Patriarch. The door nearby his room just leads back to the alley. If you revisit the lower bar, you find a much friendlier bartender. There is also a dancer in the other corner you can just dance with, I dunno. The Plan -------- Head back up to the main floor and talk with the Merc Recruiter. Watch for the "Renegade" symbol in the lower right corner and you should be able to perform the action when talking to the merc. And upon leaving, you talk with a kid and can do a Paragon action. Head to the front of AfterLife and Gavorn is waiting on the right. Further behind him is the transport to Archangel's lair. Chat it up, then head toward the end, up the left wall, and through the door. Speak with Jaroth, then pick up the data pad that Aria will want; this is a mission. Through the door, take the left door for a pad to hack, some ore, and then hack the big mech to "slow down" the mercs later. In the next room is Garm, that's all. Head out into the open and hack a data pad. Then hack a door on the right and go in for lots of stuff. In the upper right corner is a path to the Blue Suns area, Run across to meet Cathka. Get ready for a renegade action toward the end. Traitor ------- When you "attack" starts, you are then against the mercs, so you can either start soon or let them start on Archangel before taking out the mercs, but they are the enemies and will fire back once you start on them. Just clear your way up to the top and meet the wanted man. Watch for that tricky action while looking down the sight. Now it becomes a game of defense. But thanks to two key moves we made, the mech and the aerial craft will not be enemies (if you didn't make those moves then I guess you have additional obstacles). Depending on your class, you can snipe enemies from up here or head down to the bridge, or even let them come up the stairs. Once the mech is dropped, it becomes an ally. It will take out most of the rockettiers, but Jaroth will take it out, and then all four of you must take him down (overload). Regroup, use this time to search the place for stuff, including a locker on this top floor and some guns on the couch. Tangos Incoming --------------- The next phase is you stopping the lower team while the target defends against more tangos on the bridge. You can choose to leave an ally with him, of your choosing, or let him stay alone. I believe letting him stay alone just means you have to work faster, but leaving someone with him makes your job down below that much harder. Head down to the basement and you have three doors, all of which will unlock and allow you to close the shutters. The first one is easy, just walk up and close it. The left one is much more challenging as you must pop and run along all the cover to the shutter, flip it, defend it, and then double back. The right and final one is the toughest. I believe you must fight the one big guy, but after him you can run to the shutter in the back, pull it, defend it, and then clear the room. It's hard because no cover is safe and they are aggressive. There should be two "dogs" running around too, so watch your toes. After the basement part, run back up and fight off Garm's goons, then run up stairs and kill Garm before regrouping again. Last fight is against the gunship, but ONLY attack when it's in the left window or you'll waste ammo on the right. When it's left you have chances to shoot at it through it's machine gun fire, but to the right it will only drop troops and unleash barrages to hide from. Maybe you can attack it on the right, but it's pretty far away, and you need to hide from the missiles anyway, so I just wouldn't. ===================== Mission 4: The Plague ===================== The usual suspects are there with more chat: Kelly, Joker, Chakwas if you got her brandy at the bar, Miranda opens up a little, Jacob is more talkative, and the engineers are glad you bought them their tools - and in the celebration game you should have the options to turn them into tools (you don't actually play, just reap the benefits of victory). On level 3 you can access the battery room down the middle, which has Garrus and two other things to open. You learn of Sidonis, and you realize this is one of your side missions. In your room you can read some mail and view your toy ships if you bought any. Back to level 2 and back to Omega. Aria's Affairs -------------- First, return the data pad you found to her. *NOTE: If you don't have it, then you get in the Archangel quest.* Second, speak with Grizz on the left stairs and he asks you to protect the Patriarch. He is downstairs in the side room. The best option is to agree to kill the thugs for him, and if you do all you have to do is walk through the nearby door to confront the thugs and take them out (hopefully through text). Inform the old man, then report back to Grizz. *NOTE: Choosing the renegade option kills the Patriarch, in case you want his email in the next game which I what I would think saving him will net you.* The Plague District ------------------- *NOTE: For flamethrowers, which should be common sense, but if you hit their packs they are basically done for as they will explode.* Find the passage that leads to the quarantine zone - map or remember where you found the Mad Prophet. Use your skills to convince the guard to let you through. I didn't mention who to bring with you because you can choose again and bring the humans since the plague may be dangerous to Garrus. Move forward and pick up the ore and ammo behind the clutter, then proceed down the path and around the barricade, grab the medigel, then take the door to the sealed off district. Kill the two vorcha inside, then go speak to the plague victim to the right. I believe you get to use a paragon action while leaving him, and from there you can further discuss the situation. To the left, through the doorway is a bank terminal, power cells, and a door that leads to a computer log recounting events that happened in this room. Double back and go past the victim and to another door to unlock on the right. All that is down here is a log and some cash on the wall. Continue back down the path and you'll hit three vorcha in the lobby-like area. Then four more armored enemies will appear - you could run to their positions and use the explosives at their feet, but more trouble than it's worth. There is a gun upgrade behind their position. The superior play is to take the stairs near where you entered this area and from above hit the explosives and snipe them, as well as collect the items up here. Take the locked door on the right to find some gel, cash, and some humans to talk to. After you learn what you want, you basically get to earn more rep points at the end (if the options are there for you). The Scientist ------------- Head back and take the door to continue on. Going through the right doorway leads you up to a sniping point above the firefight below. There will be a lot of enemies poured onto the other side of the area, including a flame- thrower and a heavy thug to avoid. Remember to use any powers you may have recently upgraded to get. On the ground, to left for ore and then through the door to meet some looters. Head back and proceed to the clinic. Few people to talk to, and before you meet him, go into the left room for lots of stuff, more stuff in his room, and then speak to him. Chance for a renegade action at the start, and be sure to mention the victim you helped at the start of this, that is extra XP. Feel free to equip your new gun at the locker before taking the left door to head to the plant. Planting a Cure --------------- Big fight in this lobby. I say just run to the right wall and flank these ground troops. Flamethrowers and a heavy thug among the goons, and once the ground is clear, getting up the stairs is more difficult without ranged attacks. You could let them come down and use the explosives, or just pick them off as best you can. There is a gambling machine and bank terminal to hack, both near the stairs, and then take the first door on the left to find Daniel, the guy Mordin wanted to find. Hopefully you can resolve the matter with your rep options, otherwise I guess you have to kill them. Take the other door and pick off the enemies through the window. Head down the steps and once outside, run far to the right along this balcony and from here pick off the GL enemies up above, either with your GL, using the explosives along their walkway, or with bullets. Then you must clear the yard below of many grunts. Head through the door once it's clear and take out a big Krogan and friend, and don't miss the salvage on the side. Once you reach the control room, kill the first group with relative ease. Intiate the controls, and now you must work the two fan controls on the side paths. First, there are a few covering the door you entered the room. Take the left side first, which will spit out a ton of flamethrowers, but you can just pick off their tanks from a distance and they won't be much trouble. Then just flip the switch through the door. The trouble is getting to the other side from here. You got a group covering you path, more down the middle, and two Krogan incoming. Few enemies down the path to the control, and that's the end of the plague. ====================== Mission 5: The Convict ====================== Research and Prospecting ------------------------ Paragon action as you talk on the Normandy. The lab is now open, also where you can talk with Mordin, and now you can implement the upgrades you've been collecting thus far. I believe only the heavy weapon upgrade is the broadest item of interest at the moment, other than that it's pretty much depending on your class and team make-up. As far as chat, only Mordin and Jacob had much to say, everyone else just blew me off. Chakwas maybe has an interesting email about your facial scars, which you can refer to at the tech lab. I had noticed my Shepard had some unusual- looking scars, and perhaps the game scars your face as you play. I'm not sure, but it's not an upgrade you need anyway. If you walk around the ship you hear of Ferris Fields. You also have Aria's treasure hunt, and there is always the exploration you can do. Urdak - A place where you can play the scanning game. If new to it, you just slowly scan the planet for materials. If you see a peak on the scanner, send in a probe. You got 10 probes, and there should be about 10 spots worth a shot. I believe all spots will turn up something, but you want the best peaks possible. *NOTE: You don't have to slowly scan the entire planet. Just let go of the Scan button, move to a new spot, scan that, let go, move, scan, and do so in the middle, middle of the top half, and middle of the bottom half of each planet. Fuel Depot - These are not places to enter, they just have some options to buy fuel and probes. You can see your credits in the middle and buy away. If you blew all 10 probes on Urdak and want to hit the next scannable planet, you must buy more. Feel free to buy all 30, and some fuel I guess. Imorkan - Dropped about 11 here. Bindur - Dropped 19 here, yep. Fuel up and hit the Mass Relay. Use it to go to the Hourglass Nebula. Olokun - About 10 good drops here. Aganju - About 10 really good readings here. Orunmila - Had a few good spots on the equator, but kinda poor after that. Erinle - Near the objective spot. Feast or famine drops here, I had 15 and probably could have had more if I wanted the minimal amounts. Found Element Zero for the first time. Don't forget to Exit the map and buy upgrades in the lab. Once you're set, land on the Prison Ship Purgatory near Erinle. Purgatory --------- I took Mordin and Miranda, but it's up to you. Chat it up and go see the beating in the first cell and you probably just have one option to resolve this. After that, two prisoners to chat with. From there, just go straight through a room to the other side. Yeah, there's a good reason this little transfer isn't just a cutscene. Take cover and start in on the armored enemies. Cut your way forward and into the hall, then hang a left and take out another group on approach to the supermax wing. There is just one guy through the door. Grab the ore to the side, then push the button. Head down, scan one of the bot bodies, then follow the path to the next area; opening and grabbing stuff along the way. You need to get to the other side, so cross the bridge and then take cover as the mech fires at you. Use your grenade (or missiles if you got the upgrades) and take it out after you overload it's shield. Collect ammo, scan a shotgun upgrade on a body, hack a pda on the left, and then take the door. Three things through the door, and through the next take cover. Kill the two below quickly, then use the explosives to take out the two on the walkway. Getting to the other side of the area is much harder. First, switch Garrus' gun to the sniper rifle. Be sure to have Miranda's overload ready to go at all times. And have your armor gun equipped. Try to move up the right side and flank the enemies in the middle trench, but a mech is here. Hopefully you can engage it on the right and out of view from the trench enemies, that way your team can just focus fire on it; and you should have ammo for your heavy gun from the hallway. Then just move up as much to the other side as you can with the shielded riflemen up ahead. Hopefully Garrus will take them out for you. One body with something in it, then through the door. Ammo, gel, and credits in the hall before the next room. You notice those pilons are powering a shield over the warden. Your objective is to break all three. The one on the ground is easy enough, but you must get into position near the top two to take them out. The enemies keep coming from two points, the far right and way you entered. Going up to the left by the wall is a nice place to work, both hitting the far right pilon and taking cover from the warden after he's free to fire at you. Just overload his shield and focus all your armor damage on him to end the mission. *NOTE: Snipers can tag the third one from the left side cover without moving, and aim for the blue panel on all three, seems to one-shot them.* Recruit Jack in any way and that's it. ======================== Mission 6: Faryar System ======================== Upgrades -------- We picked up shotgun and armor upgrades on the prison ship. Feel free to do some prospecting to get the mats for the shotgun upgrade, if you use them. Mordin has some more interesting info on your previous conversation, may be time to visit with ol' Joker if you haven't in a while, Jacob offers Heavy Ship Armor for 15000 Palladium (should have tons), Miranda offers faster mineral scanning for 15000 Iridium (buy it), Garrus has a cannon for 15000 Platinum (don't need at the moment I think), and Jack is on the bottom of level 4. *NOTE: If she's your thing, perhaps you agree to have the ship go pirate.* On the map, you'll notice that in this Hourglass Nebula, you are in the Osun system, and there is a green ring on the edge. This green ring, and your fuel supply, are how you jump to other systems within a nebula. At the top of Osun is Faryar, which is where a mission is located. When you get to the nebula map you will be using fuel for every move you make. So quickly get to the Faryar system and enter. Now for any scanning you do, you must be more selective since you can't just grab more probes like nothing. The idea is to fill up on minerals, so perhaps it doesn't matter. But if you just stick to the highest peaks in your scans, should have plenty of probes. *NOTE: Exploring each planet is just visiting, them you don't actually have to mine them to explore.* Antictra - Pretty rich peaks here, so only go for those. Alingon - Another very rich planet, but if you want to visit all, you probably should just drop 7 or so here. Wenrum - Yet another rich one. Nephros - Probably safe to drop one and leave. Tunfigel - Very rich in minerals. Quarem - Another rich planet. Daratar - Not much minerals here. Land on Daratar for the next mission. Save the Crates --------------- Mordin and Miranda, and have them with the hand cannons for armor. The mission is simple. There are three mechs destroying crates. You must engage the mechs to stop them and then take them out. Usually only one mech will attack you, so burning one down and them moving on works well, since sometimes you can really tear into other mechs and they won't attack. The catch is you can engage as many as you want, but it gets hard to fight more than one at a time. Fighting all three one at a time probably will leave just 8 or so crates intact. Killing the mechs is not hard. Take out their shields, reduce their armor, and then burn them down. There is a central piece of cover that can be used to kite the enemies, but again, it's how many you fight at once that is the key. It's purely up to you. Don't forget to use your heavy weapon in addition to your anti-armor weapons and powers from everyone. Find the power cells, Ele. Zero, and gel before you leave. ============================ Mission 7: Search and Rescue ============================ Fathar System ------------- Feel free to buy that cannon Garrus offered, because why not? Mordin has a little upgrade if you talk to him. I believe it's his omni-tool, so may as well. The old teammates don't have much to say, but Jack has stuff to talk about. She also has a personal upgrade that you should invest in, and more chat. *NOTE: Third chat or so, she will ask you why you are talking to her, and you can go right into it with her, if you want.* Return your ship to the Osun system and restock at the depot, and take the Mass Relay back to the Omega System. If you read your journal, you'll notice there is a side mission to find someone in the Fathar system. So ride the green ring here a short trip up to it. This tiny system has just a few planets. *NOTE: With Miranda's scan upgrade, all I do now is hold and let go of the scan button and do huge zig zags from top to bottom as I rotate the planet around. Basically, if you think of where I scan, you would see dots on the planet going up and down.* Dorgal - Had just a handful of really rich drops, but that was about it. Korar - Same as Dorgal, a few rich peaks. Whatever you do, save at least two probes for the last planet. Lorek - This is the planet with the anomaly. Scan like normal, but ignore the mineral readings. Instead, look on your circular target and notice the white line on it. That is your compass, so follow it as it moves and the voice will clear up. You'll see a white dot on the planet when you find the hot spot. Send a probe, and you can land. The Anomaly ----------- I brought Jack and Mordin again, to test their upgrades, and since there are not mechs waiting for you. Go in for a pretty heavy battle with goons. Take point where they were as more appear on the other side; all I can say is go to town with all the powers you have. There are two locks to open, a log to read, and some ore down a side path. But you take the left-side path to the next door. Please don't fail this match game. The objective is on the other side and you have three options of where to send it. The choice is yours. ===================== Mission 8: The Krogan ===================== Imir System ----------- Moridn doesn't have much to say if you didn't find it before, so Jack is the only real chatter-box today. Now your quest objectives are down to the Krogan to recruit or the Citadel. First, get out of Fathar and return to the Sahrabarik system; if you didn't scan Lorek much, feel free if you want to (I just want to get moving myself). Restock and take the relay to the Eagle Nebula. You're in the Imir system with four planets. Gregas - Good haul here. Quodis - Found nothing worth probing here! Osalri - One side was pretty much empty, but good everywhere else. The Warlord ----------- Took Miranda and Jack, with Garrus being the third choice. Move forward and around the first turn are some tangos. Take them out and talk with the medic up ahead. Have him lessen the resistance, then move up to another fight. It's just more fighting until you enter a building with a Krogan fighting enemies up above. Kill the enemies and then talk to the Korgan. There is a corpse to search on the other side. Two humans to kill, then you just fight your way through all the Krogan to the other side. The key here is to take out their armor and then pull them so they fall below. There are about 12 of them IF you choose to go slow. IF you choose to rush ahead a bit recklessly, there could be only four in total. Ore on the ground. Go up and bypass the door, then grab the stuff including a sniper rifle upgrade. Through the door you should take cover to the left or right. Use range to bring them down, then go left. Clear a way to the gap cover and take out all the shields on the enemies. There is a pda to hack on their side. Through the door, just be mindful of the shields. The gameplan should be something like take out their shields, then pull them, and take the ones without shields first, they are fastest to kill. Move up to the bridge and clear a way across. Cover is the only protection from these grenade launchers. On the other side, some power cells, a pda to hack by the door, and then go through. Head up and be ready for one long fight. It's a balancing act between taking out shields and making sure your team is alive. The AI hasn't been good at finding cover for them, so just be sure to have Unity ready to heal them. Fight to the stairs, quickly go up as they can shoot you through the stairs, kill the guys across the gap, and then the final group between you and the door. Gel and a computer before talking to someone you may remember. Then go through, hit the terminal in the corner first, then talk. Take the opposite door down and into the cloning bay. The berserkers are top priority as the mech is stuck on the ground, and Jedore is on the other side; both of them can be avoided with cover, the krogan cannot. But as you fight them, work on the shields and armor of both the mech and the boss. Once the krogan are gone, or whenever you can spare some time, pop shots at either the girl or the mech. Both must go down, so either one first, just stay on that one. And you don't need to leave this side of the room during the fight. Afterward, return to the lab and scene. ================== Mission 9: Horizon ================== This mission starts after you grab Grunt. Feel free to free him if you want him for the next mission, but Garrus can do the same job. Contact ------- Bit of running around you could do, but I think all you need to do is use the conference room to speak to the boss. You are then immediately sent to Horizon. Overload is not needed, these enemies will have barriers. Just bring Mordin and Garrus. Move up and fight the first group of Collectors; just fight through their barriers, biotics work well after that. Power cells in the middle, then a data pad, and head around the corner. Drop down and you can take refuge to the right inside the buildging. Watch for the melee enemies that charge at you. There is money in here and an upgrade to grab from a body on the ground. Head up the hill and examine the body. Up ahead is a fight. Best to take the right building to flank them. There is gel in the left building and a hack in the right one. Take the steps along the way up to a room with a computer, then come back down and cross the field for a quick scene. The burning one is the one to target, and you'll need to take him out twice. Do so and take out the rest from a distance. Don't miss the steps on the left, probably behind you, for a computer on the first floor, but nothing up the steps. Power cells in the corner building, and a beam gun on the left side of your way to the next door. Bypass for scene. Ore and a chance to swap your heavy guns. This beam cannon is strong against all but flesh, so keep it. Head through the door and get ready for a pretty tough fight. Cut a path left and hide from the Scion husk that is walking around. Take out the harbinger and then the Scion, using your beam gun. Have your unity ready. After the fight, go left for power cells, head right for an upgrade on a body, take the stairs up for a computer, and then realize this entire area was intended to be used for fighting the Scion - oh well. Bypass the door. In the middle will be two Scions. And if you didn't realize last time, they send out shockwaves. Dance to avoid these, focus beam fire on one (as well as powers), and avoid the smaller husks. I just used the cover near the door as I took out the Scions, it was the husks that kept bugging me, but I just avoided them as I killed each Scion. After the fight, some cells to the left and right, then use the computer in the middle of this field. Save your beam ammo. You got two waves of enemies, from the top and the left I believe, and there are two harbingers in with each. The second wave is tough because you need to dispatch the incoming husks. Finally, a huge mech flies in and you need to get its armor to zero. The beam does this quite well, it's just a matter of staying behind cover as it hovers around. The square blocks toward the entrance doors do this well, but you don't want the thing directly above you, so you'll have to move most likely. The barrier refreshes, so you need to waste its armor between barriers, and if you use two different guns on each that may help. ======================= Mission 10: The Council ======================= The Krogan ---------- Miranda and Jacob have side missions for you if you accept them. Kelly is worth a chat, and let's not forget the old Krogan down in engineering. He's through one of the side doors, and of course you're going to let him out. From there, you should be able to use either rep option to have him join your clan. Then chat him up, and he does offer an upgrade, which is a killer gun for him of course. But that's about it from him, he's now one of the crew. Before you depart, and if you want to take him out for a spin, feel free to buy that krogan health upgrade. The boss also sends an email, and Kelly has a chat about him as well. She seems to be the only one concerned about the new teammate, so back to the map. ----- From here we have some options: The Assassin The Justicar Tali Jacob's mission Miranda's mission The Citadel and any side missions The Citadel has been in your log forever, so let's finally head there now. Horizon was in Iera, part of the Shadow Sea Nebula. Hit the mass relay and go to the Serpent Nebula (though if you want to take a pit stop for a little probing of Uranus in the local cluster, that is fine too). The Citadel ----------- *NOTE: For the 360, clicking RS is your quick map.* Feel free to take Grunt and Garrus. News on the left, a soldier by the door, you can have a chat with Garrus at the counter option, and you can talk with the girl behind the counter. Go through and then meet Bailey. For ALL shops, talk to the person behind the counter first - renegades get to have some fun here, paragons no so much. Middle Level ------------ Citadel Souvenirs Shop: These things really add up, and you'll be back later. So skip. Space Hamster - 7666, pretty expensive for a rat Illium Skald Fish - 416 Thessian Sunfish - 416 Model Normandy SR1 - 416 Model Destiny Ascension - 416 Model Sovereign - 416 Zakera Cafe: the quality ingredients for your chef on the Normandy. Upper Level ----------- Rodam Expeditions: Unless extremely loaded, just get the gun upgrade you use the most, and the two equipment. Sniper Rifle Damage - 50000, +10% SR damage Heavy Pistol Damage - 50000, +10% SR damage SMG Damage - 50000, +10% SR damage Ammo Pack - 1666, +10% ammo capacity Aegis Vest - 1666, +5% health Khalisah al-Jilani - who has a renegade action to cut things short, otherwise you can offer a nice piece of rep input. Dark Star - drink, dance, and ask the Presidium Groundskeeper about the fish (but only once) for a quest for the Krogan downstairs. Return to Kargesh on the lower floor in front of the souvenir shop and tell him the truth; I would guess the lie works just the same too. Lower Level ----------- Lia'Vael - Gather intel on the situation. Sirta Foundation: Medi-Gel Capacity - 25000, more medi-gel is good if you frequently play risky, can't manage your team, or fail at cover, otherwise it's not a big deal Life Supporting Webbing (legs) - 6666, +10% health Saronis Applications: by far the most pleasant renegade option ever Tech Damage - 75000, +10% tech damage Damage Protection - 75000, +20% shields, barriers, and armor Now ask him about the credit chit and he will hand it to you. Take it back to Lia and hit the paragon action for free rep. The Presidium ------------- Now that all is done here, find a nearby rapid transit terminal and go to the Presidium, the only place available you haven't been. *NOTE: I'm aware that depending on what happened in the last game, this could be different. Mainly that there either is or isn't a meeting.* The meeting is very brief, and doesn't go so well either way you resolve it. Chat it up with Anderson a bit, but leaving the room is just like taking a transit, so return to the Normandy, you are done here. And who honestly wanted to run around this place again? Not me, no way. ----- Remember, you buy upgrades but must find another piece in the field before you can spend minerals on them. Stuff like the damage reduction upgrades are put into place once you buy them. Don't forget to equip all your suit pieces as well. And there may or may not be emails for you if you played ME1. ======================== Mission 11: The Assassin ======================== The Second City --------------- The Crescent Nebula has four quest items, three of which are on the same planet. Illium is in the Tasale system, where you land. Any mineral hunting you do is on you from here on out. *NOTE: Have disc 2 ready for landing!* Be sure to bring Miranda with you. *NOTE: Remember you have a quick map of this place, last time I remind you for cities.* Upon landing you learn that an old friend, who may be more friendly with you that the rest, is here and waiting. Should be a viewpoint up ahead for a quick chat, and along the wall you should hit an Asari who reminds you of the little bug incident from the first game. But get your fill of chat from her, it's a one-time shot. *NOTE: The following quick quest is not available if you are not on an imported character.* Then you have another familiar face, who you also probably don't recall, but the chat is cut short. Read the note under the glass and head left to the merchant. You can get the discount first, then resolve the situation the previous girl was asking about. Don't forget to speak with Gianna if applicable. Shop Rundown ------------ Going to outline all the shops on Nos Astra right here. Serrice Tech: Biotic Damage - 75000, +10% biotic damage Bypass Module - 25000, x2 bypass time limit Medi-gel Capacity - 25000, +1 medi gel *NOTE: Feel free to go to the bar and pick up Conrad's quest now for turning into the shop merchant upcoming.* Baria Frontiers: 500 creds for each new nebula map. Hades Nexus Minos Wasteland Pylos Nebula Shrike Abyssal Quick note here, depending on ME1, there may be a few people here, including a green Asari named Shiala, or just a colonist. Speak to the person on the bench and then go confront Erinya who owns the kiosk. Get her to the point of "that sounds personal" and you can resolve the matter. Memories of Illium: First, talk to the nearby Asari who is the owner and resolve her love problem for the discount. Prejek Peddle-Fish - 6666, expensive little fish Model Alliance Cruiser - 416 Model Athebasca Class Freighter - 416 Gateway Personal Database: To get this discount, walk all the way to the Eternity Bar in the first area, speak to Conrad Verner, come to this lady, tell her to back off, and then go turn in the quest to Conrad. However, if you didn't meet Conrad in the first game, no discount is possible. *NOTE: Sorry, only had one import due to DLC corruption, so I had to jot these down at markup price.* Plates and weave are good to grab, but if you need a weapon upgrade get that instead of the weave. Heavy Skin Weave - 90000, +10% Shepard health SMG Damage - 60000, +10% SMG damage Rifle Damage - 60000, +10% rifle damage Amplified Plates - 2000, +5% power Eternity Bar: Bartender to shoot the breeze with. Conrad Verner and the weapons shop discount only if you are importing from ME1, otherwise you'll get the following quest here... Synthetic Insights quest where you speak to the slave broker, get the rep on the side to take the Quarian, and then turn it back into the broker. Liara T'Soni ------------ Above the door that leads to the second market area is Liara's office. Go in to meet your old friend Liara (my very close friend!). She doesn't have a ton to say, but she does fill you in on the two people you are looking for, as well as offer a side quest. Open your map and head south, which is through the door under Liara's office and then past another. There is a terminal to the left once you reach this busy hub. Hack the terminal just like any other hack (X's seem to end it). And once you have the first part hacked, you have a short time to find the next one. It's pretty easy, the number in the lower corner is how far you are from the vulnerable system, so just move until that number is zero if nothing else. From behind the last computer you should find the next, and the third hack is by the second vulnerable system. The last vulnerable system is overlooking the parked vehicles. Liara will call after this and call you back, so go see her to get your rewards and you're told this will continue later. ----- Head out and take the side stairs by the merchant area to head for the Eternity Bar. If you didn't get the weapon shop's discount before, feel free to ask Conrad about it and turn it in to the kiosk in the other shopping area on Nos Astra, but you could also wait. *NOTE: If you don't need a sniper rifle, feel free to do Miranda's mission from the Eternity Bar, otherwise, continue reading in order.* In the Twilight --------------- Speak with Seryna in the middle area of the two shopping centers. Hop on the ride to the tower. Clear the first few enemies, then go up and left for gel and a hack. Go right to find a worker, and you can save him with a paragon action. Beyond that it is pretty much a slow, trench warfare for a long way. About the best and most helpful advice is to stick to the right wall. Be sure to know when you're dealing with mechs and to switch guns. Going with an anti-armor gun and using biotics and such on the fleshies is a good enough strat. After a ramp you'll hit an even longer fight. There is a side passage up the right side, but going all the way up it may get you in too deep; I say just take the first doorway and that's enough flanking. Just fight up the corridor until you reach the elevator, but DO NOT go in yet. First, there are workers to free to the left, along with creds and gel with them. Then go further down to find a hack, power cells, and a new sniper rifle option. When you come back to the elevator, you can try to use that explosive nearby for the three enemies coming down, but either way, take out the two minions first. Zap their shields and burn them down. Then just focus fire on the big guy; watch if anyone on your team is out. *NOTE: Yes, the sniper rifle does equip, in case you didn't realize your ammo supply is much larger.* The renegade option on this guy is nice (kinda lame) but a good place to use it if you've been mostly paragon (obviously there is a renegade action in this chat too). Turn back and take the left door. There are two pairs of mechs and dogs sleeping in this room. Overload the farther one and then burn the other as the dogs are handled. A few minions will follow. On the left is a door to open, and a renegade action if you want to take it (most likely don't have to). Ammo, gel, and a one-shot pda to hack. Around the corner are cells and a terminal to chat with the one in charge. Up the ramp are some mechs and vanguards; warp, concussive shot, and gun fire is the routine I use on them. Ore, gel, and a guns locker up ahead. Keep the beam cannon whatever you do. Up ahead, kill the upper goons and then anyone not the commando, then burn it down last. Further up is a SMG upgrade, pda to hack, ammo, and gel. Get onto the bridge and just stay behind cover at all times. Mechs at first, then it's barrier guys mixed with fleshies, but the most difficult are the missile pods up above the end, those will have to be dealth with before you step onto that side of the bridge. Up the stairs will be a group behind some clutter, and then one last commando guarding the door. Hard to take it out without just going in head first. *NOTE: If you want to burn your beam cannon on the turrets and the shielded enemies here, you may as well.* ============================= Mission 12: Miranda's Mission ============================= Talk to Mordin, he should offer a quest. If not, then very soon. Jacob isn't talking, still, and the viper sniper rifle should already be on Garrus, but you can double-check at the locker. With the addition of Thane, you can tell you're close to getting there with Miss Kelly. Level 4, Grunt talks a little for once. Jack goes on a rant and offers a quest (not sure if you can deny it if you wanted to). Return to Illium. If you didn't resolve Conrad's quest, or didn't visit the shops, or didn't do any of the quests in the shopping areas, do so now. The Observer ------------ Return to Liara T'Soni for the continuation of her quest. Just ask her about her work, and you can do this now or in the next mission. There are 5 terminals near this area that have bits of info on who to kill. Opening each allows you to view all the info you've unlocked. You don't need to call Liara until you've found all five. The first terminal is right downstairs. Two others are at the nearby kiosks. A fourth is across near the stairs to Eternity. The final one is inside Eternity, near the bar. If you don't figure it out, just select the "no one" option after finding all five. This is the correct way to go. Return to Liara to have a recap and a nice reward. Guardian Angel -------------- *NOTE: If a sniper, consider grabbing the Assassin first to get a new sniper rifle.* On the left inside the Eternity Bar, speak to Lanteia and tell her you're ready to move out. Again, Mordin is good, but anyone else is fine. DO NOT miss the renegade action while speaking with the upcoming leader; pretty sure it's one less enemy to face, or he just gets replaced. Either way, just kill the engineers and avoid their drones. Cut up to the corner, kill two more, and then at the elevator you have a brief chat. To the right is a quick hack inside the container. Head up to the conveyor belt and take cover. Be ready to overload any drones and again, take out the engineers. Clear it and then go right and grab the gel and SMG upgrade. At the next area, kill your side of the gap, then keep up the work on the drones and engineers as you clear your way to the left. Scan the dead body for a gel upgrade, and you can hack a machine inside the room. Come back out and go left, may be two guys, then clear your way to the next combat spot. Same deal here. Across the gap is a body to hack and a computer to open to the left at the corner. One more group of badies at the elevator. These guys hit hard, so just work fast or they could overwhelm you. Clear it, grab the power cells on the right, gel by the door, and take it. Brief chat, which continues into the final fight area. There is a paragon action to take, but I think missing it doesn't make a huge impact. Once you are in combat, switch to your beam gun (or whatever heavy gun you have) and take out the boss first; she should be on the left side. The goons are the harder part, but they can be taken out slowly. Gel on the right side, then hit the upper left corner for creds and a trinket for a side quest. At the resolution cutscene, one of the few times it pays to go paragon (at least in some way). *NOTE: With her loyalty, which is the first we've gotten, you can purchase a prototype research on the ship to allow you to learn one of Miranda's moves. Her's is the slam, but for others it's the power that opens up once they are loyal, and with Element Zero you too can have that power - but you can only have one, and if starting a second game, you should already have one.* ========================== Mission 13: CSI: Nos Astra ========================== Loose Ends ---------- Still on Illium. Quickly, turn in the trinket to the Asari near the dock. Approaching the south shopping area, drop off something you grabbed in Thane's mission to the busy salarian in the middle area. The Justicar ------------ Head to the south area and speak with Officer Dara to the right. Learn what you want and hail a cab. If you bring Miranda, she can change outfits now. So will all loyal allies. Talk with the little guy, then enter the police building and talk with Anaya. Get her to let you pass the lines, and then enter the alley. Salvage at the end, and there is just one fight down the adjacent alley and you got your target. Talk to Pitne For again, this time be ready to pull the trigger on a renegade action (I'm sure some paragon chat topic will get you there too). Then take the elevator behind you, and for a moment there it looked like we were going to wait for an entire ride to finish. Toxicity -------- One ambusher to greet you. At the fight, quickly disperse the front enemies, and feel free to take a shower in the cloud of dust nearby, you can take on a good amount of the drug before it becomes lethal to you; it helps you fight in case you haven't been paying attention. Fight into the doorway for a new shotgun. Through a nearby door, don't be fooled, have your renegade action ready to go. Pick up the biotic upgrade on the wall and the power cells. Up the stairs, fight your way across. In the back room is gel and a hack. Go up these stairs and to the right are more mechs and humans to fight through. Head up to the hangar, fight your way left (rockets on enemies here) and the gunship goes away. Getting to the door in the corner is tricky, and you can advance up the right side of the room. Platinum near the front of this area. *NOTE: Hitting the ship in the hangar is pointless.* Grab the power cells and the data in this room. Head out to the open and kill the four mechs. Grab the power cells if you need them now, because the gunship appears across this bridge. Run across the bridge and quickly take cover; try your best to use the pillons at the ends of the bridge as cover when it goes over you. With the beam gun, it melts away in no time, just don't get too many rockets to the face. Two dogs on the ground too. Pick up the previous cells if you saved them, grab the medigel, and take the door. Creds and another interesting piece of info inside. Talk to the guy, and tell him either way. Go in and meet Wasea. She's easy, it's just the toxic clouds that get in your way. Just burn down her barriers and do whatever to her skin. There is a terminal on the wall before you grab the info on the desk. You can return, or look around for nothing some more. You can turn in Pitne For, but you could also get 9000 creds for giving him his manifest. Ironic too, since the next thing you would do is have this pure-of-heart type swear an oath to you. Make sure you also show Anaya the evidence of the murderer. Return to the Normandy; otherwise I guess you have to hoof it back. ======================= Mission 14: The Quarian ======================= First, you can now research into Miranda's new power, since she is loyal. You can do this for anyone that becomes loyal, but you can only have one extra power. And if on a second game you should already have one. Second, if you don't have missions from Mordin and Jack, double-check now and go grab them. Should be a nice biotic upgrade to install. Kelly should pay off big with... diner? And she offers to feed your fish too... I guess we're making progress. Samara on level 3 offers more fuel for nebula exploration and some chat. Miranda has some chat in her, and maybe the blooming of a little more - I just figured she was out of the question, but after a tame diner with Kelly... Anyway, Thane offers more probing pleasure! Seriously, get this now since I'm sure you're running low on some from our last run which was like hours ago. Good time to go into any of his chats that you may have missed earlier. Grunt also needs some Shepard time, which means he offers a quest. Mr. Thax -------- There is one loose end. Return to Illium yet again. And the quest resolves itself once you land. Nothing else to do here. ----- Tali is on the Far Rim, but feel free to go mineral diving all over. I found Element Zero on the planet Gotha in the Far Rim. I got the extra fuel upgrade this way. Whenever you are ready, land on Haestrom in this system. The Ruins --------- *NOTE: Only when the warning sign is on are you in danger. At other times you may notice light on you but no damage.* If you want to take Garrus and Miranda for their overloads, that is fine, though if one of them has a reduced cooldown rate, that may be enough to free up space for a biotic. The light here is bad. Run between shadows up the path to the room on the right. Salvage and then open the gate. Geth are dropped in, so engage and move up the right walkway. It's a hard fight down this narrow passage, and it gets even dicier at the end when rockets come flying, but it's the best way to avoid having to worry about the light. It's really only the rockets that you have to look out for. At the end of the walkway, clear below out and go down the ramp. In front of the ramp is some ore, then clear the guys to the right of the locked gate. Around the corner are a few more to sneak up on. Grab the new SMG which can be useful in taking out shields, then pick up the radio. Cut a path to the left warehouse, and just watch for the tall Geth, they usually charge at you, so focus fire on them first. Get into the building and grab the explosives while taking a listen to the recording. Incoming as you exit, and now you must go left to the very end of this area. Shouldn't be hard getting to the room at the end and collecting all the stuff, it's coming out that's a bit tricky. You'll have rockets on the bridge above and heavy troops below. You can go left to reach the bridge, but the light complicates that. You're better off just pulling down the guys above and burning all the ground troops - the flamethrower for starters. There is a Tali recording on the bridge above. Make your way to the pillar in front of the door and step away as it goes off. Enter for two Geth salvage points, a journal entry, a wall safe, and then speak with the monitor of Tali by the door. Head through and you'll run into three sets of big Geth and a ton drones above them. It's simple, destroy the drones, focus fire on the Geth, and make sure your team is walking. Follow the right wall and fight all three (it may have been two and just a ton of drones). Shadow of the Colossus ---------------------- Go in and on the right is a safe. Use the console, then go left and meet with the dude. There is a paragon action (otherwise this guy probably dies soon), and then you and your team should start clearing out the small Geth first. Tear a path right, or left, and stick to that side. The colossus fires these heat-seeking rounds that head to where you are going, so simply don't be there and the shot will miss. As for the lesser Geth, just standard stuff to take them down, and hopefully you can do that while being plastered to cover the whole time. I say approach it from the right wall because you're above it, and the light only factors in on the walkway. You need to get pretty much directly to the side of the colossus, and there are waves of Geth minions the entire way. Once it's just you and the big mech, use your shield guns to take out its shield first, and once its armor is exposed just lay into it with the beam cannon. There are power cellls on both the left and right walls of the boss, but it shouldn't take you long to take it down. You can't endure it's barrage of fire, but once its life it about to 40% you just need to pull and let it burn. I imagine if you did see it curl up into its healing state, you could just keeping firing and it would not heal; the point is it would no longer be hidden behind cover with you right next to it. Once that is finished, collect the power cells on either side, grab the ore near the left side machine, and then enter the door. Salvage and then grab that woman and git! ======================== Mission 15: The Derelict ======================== You may have a chance to squeeze in a mission, but I believe at a point the Illusive Man will force the main story. You do want to do the main story mission though, expands your arsenal. The following side mission is purely in case the Illusive Man does not ask to see you, which he didn't for me. Otherwise, read ahead. ----- Probably some upgrades to get. Kelly, emails, and you'll note Garrus wants to see you. By now you should have all but Tali and Thane's missions in your pocket. Samara and Thane have continuing chats, and then visit Garrus, also on level 2 (in the front). He will offer you his quest. May have things heat up a bit with Miranda, if you want to swing that way. Finally, hit up Tali on a console near the two humans. Her upgrade is a better shield for hopefully just a small chunk of your Palladium. Then have a quick word in with Tali. Set a course for the Rosetta Nebula. Miranda's quest was in Illium, but Jacob's quest has been on the back burners forever. The Artifact ------------ If you want, here is a little side mission to hold you over if until then, but if you see the Illusive Man, skip ahead a bit. Goliath - Poor minerals. Mizraim - Decent haul of everything but Palladium, which was good. Laban - Handful of Ele. Zero nodes, and a good number of others. Joab - Anomaly. Also rich in element zero. Land on Joab. A big group of goons, but mostly without shields, so tear them apart with powers. To the left should be a few chunks of Ele. Zero. Enter the building for a fight from the right, left, and then high to the right. Once clear, you got gel, a computer, and lockers all around. In the next room you have a fight with three at first, burn the shielded guy, and then a few more on the other side. There is ore and a pda before you enter the door. There is the artifact. That mission was just a pit stop. The Collector Ship ------------------ The Illusive Man should want to talk in the comm room sometime soon. If not, maybe explore a bit more for side missions. I really have no clue what triggers this as of this moment. It's either being in this nebula/system or after however many missions we've done, or it's just timing. Perhaps even by having a complete team now, but I don't know. I say bring whoever kills armor and flesh. Jack and Mordin will do, but I took Mordin and Tali for kicks. Either way, at some point you'll be forced to enter this ship. Inside, there are two points of interest as you approach the key terminal up ahead. But the more important point is that you pick up an additional weapon spec. It's of any type you don't have, so feel free. I didn't have rifles, so I took the sniper rifle. Some ore up ahead and a locker if you want to downgrade; you should have the best rifle on hand. Head up the ramp and grab the salvage, then go left. Hit the upgrade and it's really just a long stroll - as well as an impressive feat of scale up ahead. Once you use the console, get ready for major tangos. Most of them are easy to kill with biotics, but there is so much cover it's almost a non-factor. Scions and harbingers make this tough, and there are at least two of each. It may be worth it to use some beam ammo on the first scion, but know that the blue part of their back is the weak point. However, you can't ignore the harbingers as they inch closer, nor can you let the minions wander around freely. With biotics, hopefully you can burn the little ones fast, then the harbingers, and then unload a lot on the scions. Try to burn the second scion with normal ammo. *NOTE: For this fight and the rest, just know that harbingers appear mostly because you let the little guys live too long. Fast work makes these fights all the easier. It may only apply to a few fights, but if you can kill these things in like 2 seconds, more power to you.* *NOTE: Also, scions send out shockwaves that go through walls. So if it were just you and them, you could dance back and forth and they would not hit you. Kinda the same for harbingers, but they seem to always nail you.* Re-use the console after you collect ammo, and there is no real rush for you. Gel and through the door is a fight, just make sure to burn everyone but the harbinger first, then burn him away. At the next fight you have two harbingers very close to each other in time-span, so work fast - for all harbingers, feel free to use some of the beam cannon, because there are power cells at the back, as well as Ele. Zero and gel in a dark alcove. *NOTE: Maybe try to save now. Not sure if it was just my system not saving or what, but I had to start over after dying here. It worked for me because I didn't like my first choice, the battle rifles. I went with sniping after.* Take the lit path down and get ready for a hard fight. Stay on the right side wall, and the first thing you want to do is take out the two husks coming out of the door way down below, then the handful of collectors on the ground. As for the Praetorian, it will recharge its shield after about six or so seconds of not having it. So you burn down its barrier to near zero, then pull out your beam cannon and almost just hold the trigger. Two things to keep in mind: move in a circle around the room in the direction it is floating, and never stay under it (either it will slam you or it will hit you while it recharges). That's pretty much it, and it's possible the door on the right side wall will open after a time, but just kill the boss. Head through the opened door for salvage and a terminal. There is another big fight, broken into about three phases, all have harbingers. First, be ready to send the husks any powers you got and burn the assassins fast. Second, there will be a scion around the left corner, but you will probably need to fight your way right up the ramp. Third is the final push across this upper ledge and killing the scion. The last obstacle between you and your shuttle is a massive wave of husks. Finally any shotguns are useful, and mucho biotic shockwaves help. Just cut a path down and to your ship. ========================= Mission 16: Jacob's Heart ========================= Going after Miranda continues here... so close! Tali's quest should be open now or soon. Caleston Rift ------------- Get your hug from Kelly, read your emails, buy the armor upgrade from the ship, and then go talk to Samara to pick up her quest. Tali also has a quest for you, which means of all the people you've taken up, only Thane should be without a side quest at the moment. *NOTE: If you know Morinth or want Morinth from Samara's quest, it is easier to get the earlier you go. The rep required to grab Morinth does scale to your progress, though I'm not sure to what degree.* Now as for where we are, I was in the Balor system of the Caleston Rift as a result of the jump from the collector ship in the last mission. I was in the Rosetta Nebula to help Jacob, which is the objective still if we can avoid any distractions. However, while I'm in the Balor system, may as well give you the skinny on it: Partholon - rich Elatha - rich Caleston - lots of Ele. Zero Cernunnos - maybe one drone drop Bres - hard to find in the top of the asteroid belt, but it is rich This system got me lots of everything but Platinum, and by lots for Ele. Zero I mean that relatively with all the low hauls for me thus far. Alpha Draconis -------------- Anyway, return to the Rosetta Nebula. This should have been where we hit that anomaly earlier, but now head for the outer ring and go to Alpha Draconis, and feel free to hit up 2175 AR2 for like one probe drop. Then hit up 2175 Aeia for the anomaly. I found some Ele. Zero by the anomaly, so feel free to look for more. Land when you find the spot. Oasis ----- *NOTE: Lots of mechs with no shields, so feel free to go overload/armor ammo heavy on this mission.* I've seen this before, let's not try to strip mine this place. Head down for a log, salvage, and a beacon with just info. Inside the ship you will only find three logs and a pda to hack. Head along the beach for a survivor and a paragon action as you engage tangos. Biotics win this fight easily. Salvage at the back. Mech to look at, then you hit a village. The women are not much to chat with, but you have some things to look at all over. Heading left hits a mech squad, so take them out with armor rounds. Talk with the doctor and learn all you want about theories of Jacob's dad. Use the mech to blow a path, then head up. Mechs to greet you, mechs further in front, mechs to the right, more deeper to the right, and then two waves of about five in the upper left path. Just keep distance between the two big waves. Grab the heavy pistol upgrade on a crate before moving on. Two moderate waves of mechs defend the upcoming yard. Grab the power cells and head in. Dispatch as many of the human guards as you can, then a big mech drops in. Burn it's three life bars and then clean up anyone else. Ore and a pda to in the middle and by the door. Then go through. I believe you can investigate the options, then pick something to advance, and then you can choose his fate. I believe each option is directly tied to how he will get off of this world, so pick what you want (fyi, the middle option seems to let whatever those guys want to do go through). ========================= Mission 17: Fade to Black ========================= Again with Miranda, she should say "when things are quiet"... interesting. I need SILENCE! But really, no time soon, just know she's in the bag! Citadel, the Return -------------------- Hmm, after all that, unpleasant as it was, Jacob STILL doesn't want to talk to you! I guess because I haven't shown interest in him, I don't know, that or he's the weakest character in this series. Don't forget any upgrades from the last mission and prior. Thane will now be ready to offer his quest. As should Tali. And FYI, with so many crew members, not all of them should have more chat if you have their side quest, it would be a lot of checking between missions if that were the case. So no, no one has any other chatting to do. From Alpha Draconis, return to Enoch, and resupply. From here we have several good options for multi-quest completion, which doesn't really matter a lot, but it's a good basis for us. Let's head to the Serpent Nebula, where now you should have both of your snipers' quests at the Citadel. The Traitor ----------- Garrus asked first, so I took him and Jacob in his new outfit. Go ask Bailey (officer at the desk) about Fade, then feel free to take a transit line to level 26, and enter the warehouse on the side. Be ready to use the renegade option to avoid combat I would think. After you learn what to do next, take a transit to the Factory District. Two poor saps to kill, then go in and grab the gel and creds from the trash. Two mechs behind the big blue container door, and two more among the clutter. Big fight further up, with multiple waves from all sides, but shouldn't be too hard. Safe on the wall. Another safe and gel in the next area. Head down the right side and quickly take cover as six enemies are incoming. I believe this whole corridor is a near-infinite spawn point, so you want to cut your way up ASAP. Just watch for goons hiding on the right alcoves, and you have to quickly hit the hacks on the right walls. At the end, grab the gel, hack, cells, and lower the bridge. Couple of guys to kill, then a big mech drop. Burn it's shields, then lay on your beam cannon for the kill. I believe the explosion kills any enemies in the area. Gel and a hack before the door. Inside are a ton of things, and through the next door is a terminal that coughs up an upgrade. Few bots and you learn the crates above can fall, but that's kinda a problem if you try to use them at bad times. If you don't know how to vault, you have to to move on. Vault right first for a quick hack, then move forward. When you drop down one level two mechs will land, but you can hop back up. Staying on this top level (can't go backward) allows you two points of cover, and it's all you need. Just focus fire on one mech and burn him, then the other. It gets hard when one moves in close, but use these two cover points for protection. And yes, use the beam cannon beyond their shields. Head up the left side, kill two mechs, and you're in. Chance for a paragon action. And yes, you were tracking the info broker of Garrus' target, so there is one last part. I will be interested to find out how this resolves if I had warned the guy, but I didn't. ========================= Mission 18: Cat and Mouse ========================= The Lead -------- Before we continue, just putting it out there the following shops to hit up which you may have passed by earlier: Rodam Expeditions - weapon upgrades Saronis Apps - tech stuff You're still on the Citadel, and will still have whatever team you took. Use the transit to request Thane, put Garrus in his new suit, and go back to Bailey. Bailey only starts this quest if Thane is present, so you must bring him. Go up to the club (right stairs) and hit up Mouse; not literally, you can skip this renegade action if you want. Might make the parting of ways a bit less awkward... The Interrogation ----------------- Return to Bailey after and get him to set up the sting. Choose "Arrest Elias" when ready to go through with it. First, you select good cop or bad cop. It's best to go with what you are strong with (para/ren) but I just went bad cop and chose all three renegade actions for results. I was unable to access the renegade option at the start since I'm mostly paragon, so you will need considerable rep in one or the other to use it. I also believe there is an element of time, such as you must end the thing after so many topics. I imagine without the actions you would take more time to resolve the conflict. I'll be interested to see how the good cop role would work. Either way, it's safe to bet that this gameplan works both ways. The Chase --------- Grab the datapad nearby for an upgrade. The "updates" simply move the target from one spot to another. The timer to update Thane is either a way to not fail or just a way to keep up, could be both. The hardest part is just picking the right side to stay on, but other than that just follow the two, it's not hard and you even have a highlight of him when he stops. Inside the bar, you'll go through a door and run into a distraction, and a good renegade moment will end it quickly. However, I believe it is not necessary at all to rush this so fast; and the rep options may be better to use for your amusement. Then pass through the next door. At the end, you have a paragon action, but I imagine without it you would be offered a chance to let the situation resolve in a very colder way, and maybe without the back-story - maybe, I don't know really. ----- Post-mission, there are a few bits of closure, so feel free to exercise your rep options that apply. Since we haven't left the Citadel yet, may as well turn in that ID from the Harkin fight. You'll find Kalara Tomi on a bench to the left from the C-SEC office. Anyway, return to the Normandy (transit works the same). ==================== Mission 19: The Cure ==================== *NOTE: I'm being totally truthful here, I made this and the last mission's title before seeing the achievements. I should try Family Feud!* Should be a healthy amount of upgrades, and a shortage of resources at some point. Then there is Thane, who I believe you can either come onto or put off a little longer, or he wouldn't accept anyway. Regardless, I haven't "been" with any of the dudes in this game, not starting with ol' CRAZY EYES! Same story with ol' Scarface in battery. Follow his line about preparation and I thought about trying the "Not what I meant" option, but with Liara there were all the questions about this and where is that. I'm not too sure about this with Garrus. My girl's not alien-shy, but come on, he looks like a broken tree-limb or something. *NOTE: For anyone actually interested in the two aliens, I am 90% certain coming onto them at this point is either a groundwork for later or they will not really go through with it either. Don't get too excited you.* Aralakh ------- Anyway, let's get back to real work. The Krogan DMZ nebula thing has two quests as well. Mordin came on after Garrus, so let's help him out; it's right next to the Serpent Nebula. In this system, pretty poor mineral showing for the number of planets: Ruam - poor Kruban - it was a Palladium belt around this rock Kanin - poor Vaul - negative minerals! Durak - literally a belt around the star, this was heavy in minerals When ready, land on Tuchanka (no minerals, it so poor, it take minerals from you!). Krogan Metropolis ----------------- I brought Grunt and Mordin, the two that have business here. Looking to missions ahead, I brought the Avalanche, really for no reason, but it does help for Grunt's quest. Should see someone from Illium you remember (no chat). The Overcaptain up ahead will order you inside. Go through to the "commerce" area. There is a pit to lose money betting on the animal fights (nothing you need to see), and a Ratch. Ratch's Wares: For the discount, talk and agree to kill som pyjaks. Use the cannon by the Chief Scout and kill three waves of the monkeys. Aim in front, simple. May as well buy it all. Pyjak Meat - 0, used to recruit Urz for the fighting ring below. He'll win at least once; wouldn't try it more but feel free if you don't care. I do care a lot about a virtual pet! Heavy Weapon Capacity - 25000, +45% heavy weapon ammo Stabilization Gauntlets - 3333, arms, +5% health Death Mask - 6666, head, +10% rep increases Asymmetric Defense Layer - 6666, shoulders?, +5% health Shield Harness - 6666, belt, +5% health Speak with the Chief Scout who is near the turrets as well. He will tell you to take the truck, but DON'T take it yet. Be sure to speak to the mechanic first, but you may not need to. I know there is a Fortack in a tent up the ramp with a shop, but WAIT to get his discount later, then buy. So for now, skip him. Wrex? ----- Depending on your choice from the last game, Wrex may or may not be here. The leader's spot is in front of the entrance to this area. It's there that you can learn of the shaman for Grunt and be pointed to the Chief Scout for Mordin, as well as learn about what is going on around here. There is a new leader here if Wrex is not alive, by your choice or not. For this very moment, since Mordin asked first, go get on the truck to head out. You can first speak to the mechanic who asks for a part you will look for. The Doctor is Out ----------------- *NOTE: As always for flesh, ice powers work nicely.* Two bugs, then a bug and some varren, and then two thugs; all of which are easy to down with biotics. Up the ramp is a long-ish fight with Blood Pact and a few varren. Just burn the krogan from a distance and move up to the depression in the surface, there will be two flamethrowers incoming, so take them out fast. Ore on the side before you head down. A few flame guys, then a few more goons around the corner defending the door. Grab the part for the mechanic, then bypass the door. Head in and look at the body, then pick up the ore down the steps, then through the door. It doesn't sound like this will end peacefully, so feel free to take or leave the renegade action that appears late into his ramblings. If yes to a fight, then take cover on the left side and take out the krogan first, they will move in close. Next room, you got stuff to find and two points for long chats with Mordin. Hack a terminal for an upgrade, and continue. Through the door, go into the right side room for the missing scout and be sure to try and help, offers the chance to use a rep option. Through the next door you are warned of the number of explosive crates ahead. Kill the vorcha, then the krogan and varren as you move down the walkway; don't miss the salvage near the start. Pick up the power cells and go down a level with close-range armor rounds in hand as two krogan meet you. A handful more krogan appear across the gap, then the chief shows up. Burn down the krogan fast so you can just focus beam fire on the chief for the win. On the right is a door for a quick hack, then take the door the chief came from to reach a terminal to hack for an upgrade. Proceed to the final room. Paragon action at the critical moment. Another interesting decision is what to do with the data. This smells of a chain event for later, and hard to see it going smoothly if you don't keep the data. ==================== Mission 20: The Rite ==================== The Shaman ---------- Be sure to grab Grunt if you didn't take him to the last mission. And if you really want to go back and grab the Avalanche heavy that you may have researched, now is a good time to bring it - otherwise don't bother going back. Still on the krogan planet, return the part to the mechanic. And you can close the case of the missing scout with the Chief Scout; but you already have the XP from it. The shaman is to the right of the entrance tunnel door, up some stairs. Few people with small chats, and an FYI talk with an ambassador if you want, then speak to the shaman. *NOTE: I guess the ambassador is only there if Wrex is too. I guess he was part of Wrex's "reforms"." Feel free to exercise your right to butt heads, then get the thing started. *NOTE: Hit a glitch where the bastard guy was all dark and was like a statue. It was funny when I headbutted it though.* Thrive and Adapt ---------------- This is an arena game. You use the keystone and a few waves of enemies will enter from all sides and you must survive. DO NOT pick up all the stuff at the start. Several power cell and medi gels all over, but picking up more than you need just earns credits if you didn't realize. But before you start, loot the 5 corpses, bypass the two turbines on the sides of the key, and find the platinum near the middle. Wave 1 - Varren, post up in the lower left corner of the keystone. From here the beasts should funnel to you from the ground, both from the upper steps and around the corner. Wave 2 - Klixen, this is where the Avalanche helps because one powered up shot will freeze the pairs and you can just melee them while they sit. There are a lot of pairs, and with the freeze you just need to stay away, especially when they blow (which they do after being frozen too). No safe spot other than around the key stone. *NOTE: All loot and the hack can only be obtained before the thresher, and do the hack between rounds.* The third fight is with a Thresher Maw, remember those from the first game? You can stay alive for five minutes, that is an option. But pull out the beam cannon and go to town. Burst of speed when it spits help avoid its deadly goo, or just stay in motion. The pillars provide some cover, but they can be toppled. There are two supplies of power cells, on the right of the middle and down to the left of the keystone. The fourth fight allows you to either kill or not kill the enemy guy, Uvenk I believe. But you must be quick. He is hiding at the back, and you must kill him before killing the final goon. It's not a big deal, I guess, if you don't want to kill him. =================== Mission 21: Revenge =================== Goodbye Ruins ------------- You received an upgrade, and you can now go use a discount at Fortack's shop at the tent. You can also speak to Fortack and Wrex (or whoever may lead) for some more chat; everyone else introduces him to the clan but it's all about the same. Fortack's Database: Again, the discount is for completing Grunt's Rite, and I say get one weapon and the biotic upgrades. You could get all four, never have to come back here if you like. Assault Rifle Damage - 50000, +10% AR damage Biotic Damage - 75000, +10% biotic damage Heavy Pistol Damage - 50000, +10% heavy pistol damage Shotgun Damage - 50000, +10% shotgun damage You should also buy all you need from Fortack now while you're here, if you have the money. One last note, there is a pretty funny bit in the tunnel as you return to the ship. Again, my girl swings that way, but still... Hello Dakka ----------- Couple of nice emails this time, maybe Joker and EDI have an interesting bit for you, and a bunch of upgrades to tinker with. Here is a crew rundown for this point: Mordin - briefly thanks you for your help Jacob - continue with his father and the chat ends (again, things with me and my bro aren't going so well, he's mad at me, I can tell) Thane - confession, perhaps a little more if you took him up earlier, I don't know Grunt - a quick bit Everyone else is rejection city. Anyway, you picked up Jack a long time ago. Let's get hers done with now. The Dakka system is in the Nubian Expanse: Zirnitra - very rich Alkonost - hit two big peaks and that was it Gamayun - poor Bannik - very rich Land on Pragia. The Heart of Darkness --------------------- Enter the facility and there is a hack across from the entrance. Throug the door you can turn off a log, and in the next room there is a hack around the corner. Some dogs up ahead, four of them, then look at the pit for a bit with Jack. Through the door is gel and a log. Down the stairs, open the left door for some ore, then get ready for an ambush in the next room. Krogan first, floor troops second, upper guys last, and get ready for three more from the windows to the left after. Hack around the right wall, then open the door. Two snipers at the top of some steps. Some varren in the cell area, and salvage in an upper right cell. Then head around a walkway and into the bad place. To the left is nothing, but to the right are several logs, a hack for an upgrade, and power cells. Next room is the boss and a few minions. Biotic the vorcha, burn the minions across the way (if they aren't glitched and non-factors) and then burn the boss down (use range guns, even on your teammates). Ammo and a hack at the back, then go right to reach the last room. Pretty sure you can end this with rep options or maybe with an action if you don't. Either way, let Jack stay and feel free to visit the table, bed, window, and blood smear out in the hallway. However, choosing the kill the dude option may not allow you to look around with her. *NOTE: Finally get some clothes on this thing! And yes, that's good. I don't mind tattoos, but walking around an alien ship with no shirt on?!* ========================== Mission 22: Mother Dearest ========================== *SPOILERS: If you haven't played the game already, you may want to skip these next few lines.* By this point in the game, you will most likely need full paragon or renegade to have the choice of recruiting Morinth. The requirement does scale, not sure how, but it does. If you really want Morinth you'll probably want max rep and then come back. Otherwise just go in and see what happens. *END SPOILERS* Omega, the Return ----------------- Break up the cat fight, and it's Grunt and Jack with chat; caution with Grunt's bit (may not want to be in the middle of dinner when you hear it). Don't forget to upgrade accordingly, early warning of Mordin's song, and Jacob has an awkward bit (or maybe I just screwed any chance of furthering our chats). Anyway, return to Omega. There is an Ish to the right as you enter. He offers a quest to visit the other cities, so may as well take it. Also, visit all three shops to see if any have an upgrade for you. All the big upgrades are very costly, so it is probably one for now. Back to business, enter the club and speak to Aria about Samara's daughter. The apartment entrance is near the elevator. In For the Kill --------------- Ask Diana where Nef spent her time, and feel free to use the paragon embrace. Enter Nef's room and read the three items - the diary is the key to moving this forward of course. But still look over all three and every entry, it does pay off in a bit. From the shop area, hit the right side path to the VIP entrance, and name drop to get in. Feel free to review what you've heard thus far before going in. Vij - learn of Expel 10 Horftin - help him and Florit is across at the other tables, and it's terminal and eternity. Though, you won't see anything else happen. Vertin - chance for renegade and they attack you first, so it's fine Waera - dance with her and you should draw out Morinth Once with her, remember to go art, Forta, Vaenia, music, Expel 10, Hallex, travel, danger, reward, and you're off. And dropping "dark" 20 times in one chat means you got the right gal for sure. At the apartment, look at the rifle behind you for the upgrade. Then look at the four things around the room, then talk. You should have two rep options no matter what for the first two, but the third choice should require either 4 levels or 5 levels of either renegade or paragon points. If you don't hit that, then there is no choice in who you will take - it's Samara. But with almost all one rep or the other you can choose. However, they are not all that different, Morinth just has the ability to kill you if you try to romance her, so that's not much to look forward to. *NOTE: Now you know why Samara was absent from the commercials for this game.* ======================== Mission 23: Tali's Trust ======================== The Migrant Fleet ----------------- It may very well be Mordin is joking - either way, I'll pass thank you. Grunt actually has a little more, and yes, Jack does shoot you down. *NOTE: I'm aware not everyone is playing a girl, but it's hard to imagine BioWare actually set up gender rules, especially with a female named Jack. But if she's into guys only, that is possible. And FYI, it's my job to see how far all of these relationships go.* Anyway, head out to the Vallhallan Threshold. Just one place to go, so go. Trial By Fire ------------- All short-range, anti-armor powers and weapons are needed. Overload needs to be taken and be sure to switch to the correct guns inside. Head in and talk with Shala, and get it started. Hopefully you get to use a rep option, another normal option, and then a rep option to cut this short. Oddly, you can take this time to speak to a number of Q's (Quarians) around here. I'm sure you can squeeze out all the chat possible, but stopping to talk to anymore than Shala may be a bit much. Head out the right side hall to the ship guard and you'll appear in the captured ship - last reminder to change to armor guns. First room is full of several incoming Geth, and a few that charge at you. Some credit logs, an audio log, and power cells in the first room. Head out and take the first left door for a clue. The next door on the right has an upgrade to hack. A vid in the hall, and through the next door one hunter among several computers and another vid. Up the steps is a considerable fight. It's easy to lose track of one door and let them get too close. You want enemies dead quickly, and if they gang up on you the stairs offers additional safety. Reload after and pick up the big pile of minerals in the corner. Through the doorway is a safe and a terminal for evidence. Next room is yet another big fight. Be sure to post both your guys on the very top of the ramp, and don't let the enemies to the upper left get you. More cred computers and an audio log. And in the hall is key evidence, and you can do a paragon action. And to the left are two safes, creds, and power cells. The final room is simple, there is a computer with creds and a toy ship. The boss is stuck in the middle, so use the sides of the room to engage and destroy the hunters and un-shielded ones. Then just whip out the beam cannon and burn the boss. Then grab the real evidence. Head on back, you're late. And because changing the subject in a trial is always a good idea, you can resolve this nicely with a rep option. I'm sure it resolves a little smoother without, but using a rep option is a big rep reward. You get a quick upgrade for clearing the ship, and you can chat with these Q's after, or press a button to leave when you wish. ========================= Mission 24: Side Missions ========================= Break from the Action --------------------- This "mission" is a collection of a few side quests that you do not need to complete if you don't want to. There are more than this, but these are the few we will do now. Should have an upgrade or two from the last mission (shields are good to upgrade). Mordin should have a bit to say, as should Samara, and Tali as well. *NOTE: I realize that I mention Samara, but if you have Morinth, then you'll just have to kinda wing it.* And don't forget, you can spend Element Zero to grab any loyal member's special power. With a full team ready to go, let's now focus on side missions we have mostly ignored unless they've been in our way. Should have three in the open: Omega Nebula - Recapture Freighter Pyros Nebula - Save Crashing Ship Citadel and Illium - pick up packages And we shall do them in that order. Recapture Freighter ------------------- Arinlarkan in the Omega Nebula has the two attractions: Utha with a balance of all but Ele. Zero, and MSV Strontium Mule to board. Long range fight to start, and easy if you use cover. Document by the door, and go through for a terminal. Up the ramp are three more, then use the console on the wall to open the doors. FYI, target the unshielded ones first. The side paths and rooms are nothing much (right side has gel). It's the forward door that heads to the engineering room that you need. Take it and quickly burn the Blue Suns and the engineer in here. Power cells up top. Come back and use the side paths to head up for a few more mercs. Head down the near hall to the locked door. Right side is the hack to open it, but getting in is not easy. You had best try to command your team to head in for cover, and don't use the sides of the door for cover, just peek around. Once, in, turn around and kill the four dog bots incoming. Use the back panel. Back to the upper walkway you will fight a final group of Blue Suns. Take cover and just watch out for the incoming powers and projectiles. If you can use them funneling down the hall at the start, that is great. Before you enter the left door, go right (may be two more mercs) for an interesting sight. Go left for minerals, a docket, then open the payload. And that's it, press B or whatever to end the mission. ----- Mordin should be a dry well now, but Samara is another story. If you've been good to her, the chance to strike should appear here or soon. But that's just the first step, the next point is almost forcing her to take your relationship to the next level. What with The Code and all, I decided not to pull the trigger. I hear it doesn't go there anyway. And Tali may show interest in linking the suits. Save Crashing Ship ------------------ Pylos Nebula, Nariph system. Jonus - poor in anything useful, much like a band of the same name Isale - I literally hit one medium peak and that was it MSV Broken Arrow - land Take anti-armor peeps with you. You are timed, so start bypassing the door, and run in for cover. Use the right console. Head up and clear the upper ledges, then activate the console near the ramp (ore on the other side of ramp). There is a lower path near the ramp as well, so clear the Geth and take the path across to use the other console. Then just ward off the machines as you run up the ramp to bypass the system to save the ship - though, you didn't exactly save many on the ship. An email upcoming clarifies this. ----- Of course after breaking it off with Samara, it's a dry well there too. Same with Tali... for now. Disable Beacon -------------- If you didn't catch it, you grab this mission after completing the freighter mission (probably have to open an email). It's in the Sigurd's Cradel nebula, the Decoris system. Laena - it says Rich, but it's really just a lot of Palladium Sanctum - Ele. Zero and some Platinum, and for initially haveing just Good scan results, this planet was probably the best mineral source yet Anyway, find the anomaly on Sanctum and land. I brought Garrus and Thane, and with my sniping ability we just facerolled this. Good choice too, because the first fight is long-range with three or so waves from the door. Pick up the ore in front and go in. Inside, with you up high, them down low, and three snipers, they have no chance. Right door is a safe and audio log. Left side is about five enemies from the rocky corner. Some ore and you take the tunnel, two more at the back, audio log, and power cells before the door. In the big room, the name of the game is focus fire and speed. First, make sure your guys are not forward, send them to the sides away from the incoming mechs. Secondly, just burn these things down to their health bars, because you can use biotics at that point. The beam cannon is your only real option with so little time and close space. I used the glass railing by the entrance door as final cover, and it worked. After that, quickly snipe out the incoming group of about four Blue Suns. On the left is a crate by the wall blocking you from a gel by a ship (you can melee crates, fyi). Right side top room is just info on a computer; the left has a hack. Bypass the forward door to access the mainframe. ----- Well, we have reached the point when no crew members have anything left to say... oh well. Stop Missile Attack ------------------- Should pick this up in an email. Destination: Skepsis system, Sigurd's Cradel nebula (same as last side quest) Keimowitz - lots of big platinum hauls, but small peaks of everything else Pauling - good luck finding a second probe spot Crick - good haul, just too much iridium for me Watson - under the target vessel, has good peaks for ALL minerals Darwin - I did a whole hemisphere and got nothing, so good luck Wallace - found platinum and left, my eyes thanked me Franklin - a moon of Watson, and has a great haul of minerals Land on Franklin and bring whatever team kills guys fastest. You're timed, so run up, kill the four to the left, and then go right to bypass the door. Kill as many of the guys across as you wish (probably posting up to the left), but your goal is to head downward, which there is a ramp nearby that leads right to the door. Just clear some guys, bypass the door, and kill the guy guarding the computer. Open the safe first, and then use the computer. Then you have a choice of saving target 1, the Industrial District, or target 2, the Capital City. Of course I took the city, but you can choose the other if you want. Packages for Ish ---------------- *NOTE: You pick this up from a guy to the right of the AfterLife bar entrance on Omega, which we did earlier if you followed. Also, he knows Miranda.* It's in the Eternity Bar of Illium. It's just on a bench. So pick it up. And don't think you need to pick up both this and the one on the Citadel; but you can get both and turn them in. Feel free to speak with the bartender if you didn't earlier. And if you found Conrad here before, the Slave Broker and her little quest is here now. Return to Omega and get to Ish to the right. Ask him about the contents of the package and if you follow the line you can eventually persuade him to end his efforts. Otherwise you can just give him both packages. You can even turn in one and then ask him about the second one to get to use the low-requirement paragon option to get even more credits. ================================ Mission 25: The Cerberus Network ================================ This section is added for those who want to include their free online content with their current playthrough. You DO NOT have to do this, these are just "filler" or "pure extra" pieces of content (future content too) that have no great impact on the main game. You may skip this section and play on if you wish. *NOTE: Copied from parts beyond in this guide.* Connecting is Easy ------------------ With all new copies of Mass Effect 2 there is a code for joining the Cerberus Network. You will need: Internet connection XBox LIVE account The CN code An EA Online account (I guess I had one, cuz I didn't enter nor make one :P) Then Download whatever is free Then Restart your game/system (whatever you do on the PC) And then In game you will get those little messages on the side of the screen What you get for FREE --------------------- As of 2/7/10 Normandy Crash Site - The crash site of the original Normandy is found. Zaeed: The Price of Revenge - Zaeed Massani joins your team What to expect, possibly ------------------------ Just speculating what will come out later, may not actually cover them. But you can expect some kind of "mini-episodic" content. A vast step above the content from ME1 but not true episodes that must be played. I would expect these would have minor inclusion in ME3 - like a mini-quest for closure. If they do just release single missions, for a price, I would encourage you to pass. Of course they will release armor and weapons through this system, at a price for a package. I would not expect another team addition. Hiring the Merc --------------- Omega Nebula, Sahrabarik, Omega. He's literally right there when you get off the ship. And yeah, he just jumps on board (again, literally) and even gives you his loyalty quest right off. On the ship, he's down in level 4, has a few toys to look at, controls the cameras and trash controls. But you can tell his chats were last minute; no chat wheel, so talk until he says scram. Zaeed's Other Loyalty --------------------- Get it, he's being paid a lot of money? WTF does he need more loyalty for?! No seriously, this is not a smart idea. Anyway, head for Aquila in the Ismar Frontier nebula. Quick resource stop. Pollino - poor Metaponto - poor Vecchio - rich Lepini - poor Volturno - hanful of drops Now go for the Faia system. Hito - poor, and purple! Vinatel - rich Imaen - rich Land on Zorya. Take a right at the bodies, and up ahead is the fight. Mostly to the right and up above, and when you move right be ready for more to the left around the barrier. After the bridge, head up for some ore, a scene (most likely cut short), and then a few guys after. Grab the ore before the next door. I chose Vido, because I had max paragon :P, plus, I think this is the only way you get the achievement... again :P Few guys up ahead, and more around the corner. Salvage and an upgrade through the door, then fight more on the other side; don't miss the two on the left and right. Head through and up to the room where two enemies will be on the right side. There is a flamethrower on the ground and a weapon locker to switch back to the beam cannon, then pick up the power cells. Head into the boiler room where enemies pour out of all sides. There will be two boxes that swing above the sides that spew fire. Just shoot the tops of them to dislodge one at a time, while fighting off the flamethrower troops and others. After the second falls, get ready for a mech to drop, and burn him down with the beam cannon. Salvage in both of the first side rooms. Then through the last door. ----- FYI, should have some nice upgrades to top off. As for closure chat with Zaeed, you just get to recount a few things with him in normal talk. Welcome to the team! Old Memories ------------ Omega Nebula, Amada system. Eingana - must scan for Ele. Zero Takkan - couple worthy drops Karora - just a few Anjea - a couple Alchera - rich Land on Alchera when you find the anomaly. The Mako is dead, happy day! You can turn around and place the monument near the "Normandy" chunk of the ship. 20 Dog Tags to find: #1. Behind the start #2. In the corner of the "Normandy" chunk, also behind start #3. In front of the shuttle, behind another chunk, also says "Normandy" #4. Right of the start, vault up and pick this up inside #5. Further right, inside a crate (melee), Element Zero nearby #6. On the ground near #5 #7. In what I guess is the upper right corner, near the old galaxy map Data pad: also near the galaxy map N7 Helmet: to the right of the galaxy map, along the wall #8. Along the left wall from the galaxy map #9. Near the dead Mako :) #10. Along the top wall, above the Mako I guess, Ele. Zero nearby #11. Along the icy cliff at the back (don't look down) #12. Inside the sleeping pod chunk, in front of the icy cliff #13. In a crate beside the sleeping pod chunk #14. A crate just a bit to the left, from #13, Ele. Zero nearby #15. From where the shuttle is, in front of it, "behind" the sleeping pod chunk Ele. Zero nearby #16. Crate along the left wall #17. Along the cliff debris approaching the upper left corner #18. Inside the upper left corner piece #19. Head to the sleeping pod chunk from #18 and you'll see it in a little alcove touching the chunk #20. Head to the right of the area, it's on the ground as if you were approaching the #5 spot That's it, load up and head back to business. You should be rewarded with two upgrades for your effort. ============================== Mission 26: Acquire Reaper IFF ============================== Thorne System ------------- Head to the Hawking Eta nebula. In the Chandrasekhar system I didn't find anything on Teshub, while Hebat was slim too. Just quick FYI. Use the green ring to head for the Thorne system. Mnemosyne had one good spot, while it's moon Lethe was rich in all but the rarer minerals. Anyway, land on the Derelict Reaper ship. Haunted Ship ------------ Bring a shockwave (Jack) and incinerate (Mordin). Warps may be okay if you provide either of the other two. *NOTE: Remember, warps and fire burn armor. There will be many scions and many husks ahead. Shockwave the huscks, burn the scions.* Video log, two safes, and a comp in the first area, then another log and gel up ahead. After the scene, another log. Get your close-range stuff ready for the ambush of husks up ahead, and then again down the ramp; both times use the crates as weapons, just stay away. The second time there are two waves, and don't forget to use the log. Ore, power cells, new sniper rifle, and ammo up ahead. Heading up hits another wave of husks, but then be ready for a huge couple of waves and a scion further down the way. Use range on the scion and splash biotics on the incoming husks. Red ones need to die fast, FYI. You can pick up ammo, hack a terminal, look at the altar, and view another log. *NOTE: Go with anti-flesh guns on your squad.* Turn back and bypass a side door. Several husks after the scene, then go down the ramp and come back up as a huge horde of husks and a scion come up. Use the higher ground to mow them down. Terminal, ammo, and gel up the way. Couple down the narrow path, then head down for another case of lure them out and use the high ground; also another scion, but the little ones first. Equip your beam cannon and move up to the next choke point where you are ambushed by two scions and many husks. Focus fire and back up a bit. Hopefully after quickly killing one, your team can handle the husks, you can handle the other scion while out of its range, and then just clean up the husks. Next corner is tricky as you have two scions, enough husks, and your team will most likely try to bail on you. The left scion is closer, so kill him first and try to keep your team near. Burn the last scion with the beam cannon, then kill the remainig waves of husks (pick up power cells now). Bypass the door, pick up the Reaper IFF, and hack the safe. Go into the final room for the core. There are three waves to this fight, and if you have any biotics and/or have taken any interest in upgrading their power, this should be easy. I took the right side husks and my guys took the left. I just pulled each one as they came up, using a SMG on the ones anyone fired at first. After and toward the end of each wave, the core above the computer will open up, and then you dump any bullets and powers into it for damage. You simply do this three times, between each going to the sides for ammo and creds, and that is it. Feel free to bust out the beam cannon at any time. ============================ Mission 27: Legion's Loyalty ============================ End Game -------- Last chance to consider getting Zaeed with your Cerberus Network code, well, for this toon anyway. Not a big deal if you don't, but this is your last chance to get him and do his mission. Anyone else's missions too if you missed those. Actually, you should wrap up anything you need to do. I'm aware that some may not have followed the entire guide thus far, so we'll have a checklist: All squad members are loyal (Legion is now) All squad members' UPGRADES are purchased (Legion's is after this) Everything you need bought from the four cities' shops, even some stuff that unlocks after you first visited them; I believe this is only true of some equipment on Omega and a shield upgrade on Illium Chats/romances advanced as much as you can Any exploration/side quests completed If you feel you are ready to finish the game, proceed. We Are Geth ----------- DO NOT kill the geth. I don't represent a company, so I can safely say you're retarded if you "space" it. You can go find it at the AI Core in the medical bay area. You speak to EDI and then turn Legion on. Once he's on the team, speak to him to earn his loyalty quest. The Phoenix Massing nebula, Tassrah system for quick resources. Ishassara - 1 drop for me Pahhur - just Iridium, and hard to find, lots of it though Sarapai - give it a good probing, doesn't put up much of a fight They Are Sick ------------- Then head for The Sea of Storms. Land on the Heretic Station. Legion offers the advance warning of a choice, which is unusual. Grab the gel and head down the ramp. The green lines on the floors are warnings for nearby Geth - in this case, two. Avoid the lines and shoot the hub to blow it up and then mop up the Geth. Salvage the destroyed hub and speak to Legion. *NOTE: Mind-bending, but when I say "Geth" I mean the enemies, not your friend.* In the hall, there are two turrets that can be hacked and used against the incoming Geth. They are not up for long, and will destruct. The next room has two enemy sets, and hitting one activates the other. With that in mind, it's best to burn down the nearest hub, mop it up quickly, then burn down the incoming hunter as you and your team hide. Salvage both hubs. Two Geth, ammo, and gel in the hall. Two more Geth up a bit more. In the next room, turn on the turrets early because there are only a few that appear, but watch for a hunter to the left and focus on him. Grab the gel and cells, then some ore and ammo before taking the door at the bottom. Turn on the turret in the next room and burn down the hunter quickly. Bypass a terminal, and head through the door. The next room is a big set-piece. Again, two sets at hubs. You have two options here: post up in the corner, or set off the lines early and let them come up the ramp to you. I believe the corner is the safest way to control the fight; just hit the nearby hub, clean up the hunters, and then burn the incoming from the other corner. Salvage both hubs. You can talk to him at a window before the next door. Check the setup of the next room; the catch is that you can only have two up at once, and they do not last a long time (same as earlier). Start it up and try to get this first wave with only your guns. The trick for all of these waves is burn down one side, then finish off the other with your team. The best thing is to post your team near the upper turrets, and behind cover facing one side; you will handle the other side. For the second wave, use two turrets down below that are deep into the lower area. Third wave, use maybe three turrets, all down below and maybe one up. Fourth and last, use any turrets left - don't forget the off-side one up with you. *NOTE: In hindsight, I believe "killing them" results in the escape. Otherwise I guess the mission just ends.* Make the choice, either way, and then make a break for the exit. Two groups at the corner of the hallway, and then pull out your beam cannon for the boss up ahead. It's hard but, send in your team to cover in his area and just burn him from around the corner. Then dash for the exit. ========================= Mission 28: Love and Loss ========================= The Calm -------- Should start off with a "catfight" between Tali and Legion. Hopefully your rep is high enough to resolve it to satisfy both; otherwise you have to choose one or the other, and you can't romance a machine as far as I know (just letting you know). If you do have to side with one, speak to the other after. With a decent amount of either rep, you may be able to personally convince them to remain loyal with you. Otherwise, you risk losing them upcoming. Talk with Legion again and buy his upgrade, and learn more of the Geth if you wish. Upgrades to buy, and don't hold back on them either, because with a full team, everyone loyal, the next time you turn on the map you will start the next phase of the main quest. If you want to "freshen up" by buying the med bay to fix your renegade scarring in anticipation of the upcoming love, feel free. You have to visit the med bay, FYI. The Joker --------- When ready, use the galaxy map. Yep, hobble to the elevator from the left side, but DO NOT go to the elevator because it's a trap. Go into the science lab and use the hatch. Now hobble right around the elevator and go in and activate the console. Head down another hatch, and basically just follow the red lights, or go up the steps and hang a left :P Last Chance ----------- Get your final upgrades in. Don't bother with the crew, now is not the time, well, if you've chatted their ear off thus far. And yes, you could even run around and do some more side missions, explore, get resources for upgrades. But that certainly kills the pace. It also kills certain, non-essential crew members... your fish feeder DOES NOT WANT YOU TO DO ANYTHING BUT GO TO THE OMEGA 4 RELAY! However, I would guess that everyone's UPGRADE to the ship should be purchased. If you didn't do so before, do it now. Just get out of wherever you are and hit up Omega. Whenever ready, hit up the Omega 4 Relay. Confirm to enter the last stage of the game. New checklist for right now: All squad members are loyal All squad members' UPGRADES are purchased (Legion!) Chats/romances advanced as much as you can Please insert disc 1. =========================== Mission 29: Suicide Mission =========================== If anyone likes you, you can choose now. Not sure how "turning someone down" will allow you to choose another, but I believe you can. But when you choose this is the time when it all pays off ;) *HOPE: Did you have diner with Kelly? Well did you? And did you fail to romance anyone else? Well... there is still hope! Keep playing, we'll discuss later.* Welcome to the Oculus --------------------- *NOTE: People will start dying if you didn't buy their upgrades. Hence all the chop in the scene.* Anyway, for this fight you are dealing with one enemy, a big armor thing. So bring handcannons, Mordin, and Miranda. Round 1 is just burn it down to about half. The second round is tougher if you don't have more beam cannon ammo, otherwise just aim for its top from behind the cover. Not bad. The Gameplan ------------ For the shaft, send in Tali. For the second commander, send Zaeed... NO, just kidding. Send Miranda. Or Garrus. You are dealing with harbingers and flesh enemies, so biotics and armor stuff is needed. In a shock to everyone, I took Mordin and Garrus. I took Mordin on like 2 missions all game, but I needed his utility. His Heavy Inincerate is an instant kill on armored harbingers - you did get that into heavy right? Either way, he's a good pick. Garrus is for the extra range. Knock, Knock ------------ Before you start, equip any special ammo on everyone, not just you. And equip a flesh-heavy arsenal. First fight is not too tough, just a bunch of Collectors in the lower part. Use range to clear them and move left. Hit the first valve and notice there is a green bar. That is Tali's life at each valve point, so you must from now on move quickly to hit each valve before that bar is gone. Up ahead at the ramp is a nasty group of enemies that should drop a harbinger, so burn them all quickly and hit the valve. Up ahead is a quick drop by two normal ones and a harbinger. Blast the normals first, then burn down the harbinger quickly. Two valves up ahead with no resistance. Next area is tricky because the enemies are hidden behind lots of cover. Just splash the first group nearby as best you can (shockwave) and vault up ahead to handle the two flying in and the harbinger across the gap. There may be one more by the valve to the left. Hit it, vault up, and hit the next valve. The last area is a bit hard as the beam cannon guy can give you troubles at the start. Burn him down anyway you can, then hop up and run left to hit the valve. One more up ahead to the left. Burn the harbinger down first, then his friends, and then run up to the final valve. The Light in the Dark --------------------- Yeah, Samara needs a purpose, give her the job of making your shield. As for the meat shield, sounds perfect for Grunt. Which was INCORRECT. It should be Garrus or Miranda. As for the escort, if you so choose, I sent Jacob. I found out Grunt is for this as well... too late though. With those choices in mind, I brought Jack and Mordin. It's not like you are going to fight inside the bubble the whole way, you can bring range. If you want a sniper instead of Jack, feel free. Remember, same adjusting guns and ammo at the start. Your job is to stay close to Samara (whoever you chose). Move up and tell her you are ready to go right. Samara will pause up ahead as you deal with the enemies to the left. Two harbingers are most likely. Moving to that area next, have shockwaves or just blast the husks that crawl up from dead ahead. Then Collectors fly to the right, so follow Samara to cover and take them out; again with the two harbingers. Get the ammo while moving up, then be ready for tons of husks and a scion. Mordin can help burn the scion while shockwaves (Jack) can mow down the husks. Then you got a few husks on the sides as you make it to the top of the ramp for the end. The End ------- Bring whatever team you think is best for scions, harbingers, and an armor boss. Jack and Mordin work for me. Not much to say for the platform fight other than keep up whatever you've done to get here, truly. All I know is the final platform in front has two scions and you can stay out of their range, clear up the minions, and move in when ready to eat their armor up (you can soften them up with range and move in for powers and such). Next fight is just two waves if you work quickly. The tubes above will open when the waves are cleared, and you just have to do it twice, using any kind of gun (SMG). Final fight is against that thing. First off, there are two big weak points, it's left eye (your right) and it's stomach. It has two notable attacks: the beam laser that has like a 10 second cast time, and a smash that destroys the platform it is next to. It raises up before it smashes one, or just take the good advice of not standing next to a Reaper and you'll be fine. Few adds will spawn, but they all need to die. The idea is to clear the adds, then just blow everything you have into the big eyeball or the stomach. There are other spots, but they are not as reliable as these two. The beam cannon won't do this alone, you'll have to bust out other guns, both to handle the adds and finish off the boss. A hand cannon is great for finishing this fight, even if you have to stare down a direct laser hit. ----- And that's it, just time to replay ME1 and this game while we wait for what should be the final entry in this series. ========= Love Sick ========= Kelly Chambers -------------- Fail to romance any of the Mass Effect 2 options? Play a female and didn't like the choices of 2 aliens and a robot (Jacob)? There is still hope my friend. Did you: Have dinner with Kelly? Save Kelly? AKA not dilly around when the Omega 4 Relay was open? If so, speak to her on the Normandy after the end mission. Now go on a mission, fly around, or maybe you can just run around the ship a bit. At some point you'll get a message from who else, Kelly. She asks you to meet in your cabin, so go up. Ironically, next to the possible picture of your ME1 love interest is an intercom with the option "Invite Kelly Up". "I want to see you in my chambers Miss Chambers." Dance, sit, and rest on the bed. *NOTE: Careful, I think I pressed X and my game froze. Clearly this is an easter egg not fleshed out very well.* Yeah, it's not exactly a romance, but you never know... and plus, best option for my Femshep. And it's a nice consolation if in fact it's only for those that flirted with her and failed to romance anyone else. Break It Off ------------ I also hear you can break off your current ME2 romance for option number 2. I of course can't confirm, but many have said this to be true. This is probably something I won't confirm because I, you know, want to choose the one I want first, not plan them for seconds. ======= Round 2 ======= ... and beyond of course. You have plenty of options: Start a new game from ME2 Keep playing this game on this toon New game with this toon with all the stuff you've got Import another toon from ME1 Start up a new toon on ME1, then import it! Also, for starting a new toon, for beating the game, you get to have a free (extra squad) power at the start - warp ammo is great the whole game. I also believe your credits carry-over as well, even for a brand new toon, but I could be mistaken. And heads up, the X button is your friend on your coming rounds - skips chats. ***************************************************************************** * 5. The Love ( LOVE555 ) * ***************************************************************************** This section is to outline the rules and expectations of the romances in Mass Effect 2. ================ The Romance Game ================ It's pretty simple, just talk to the interested party between missions while on the Normandy. When in doubt, ALWAYS choose the paragon (top right) wheel option in chats with them. Although I hear some require some renegade options. When the "let's just talk" option just yeilds blowoff responses, you can stop talking to them for a good while. This happens when they offer their loyalty quest and a few chats after you complete it. And to a lesser extent, choosing their "investigate" options may help in most cases. Corny is good. That means at some point you should see something that may sound awkward, like "He gave me you". But those kind of dumb things are the only ways to further your romance. You'll know if your pursuits worked if you get it done before the Suicide Mission. Male Shepards have: Miranda - the British-y babe of perfection Jack - they say Morinth kills people with sex... Tali - like wanting that hot foreign-exchange gal in calc 1 Female Shepards have: Thane - ol' crazy eyes; nah I'm sure he's hawt and stuff Garrus - I hear his love stuff is quite funny Jacob - I'm sorry, but have not pursued him and never will, he seems like a pretty bad person to get along with Kelly and Morinth are different stories. They are not true romances, but they are something. And the only "swing both ways" interests, if you can even call them that. Loyalty = Love? --------------- No, but it would be nice for them to survive the suicide mission by being loyal. You can lose a few character's loyalty either by failing to suffice them during their quest or by siding with the opposition in key fights (Miranda/ Jack, Tali/Legion). Those are ways to lose their loyalty. I believe with enough paragon and renegade you can coax them to stay loyal after losing them, but no chance at love. Basically, if you are unsure how to go, just side with the desired character and always go paragon. Shadow Broker ------------- I haven't gotten the Shadow Broker DLC, but I hear it throws Liara into the mix, and since I romanced Liara in ME1, I have added incentive now. ============= Mass Effect 1 ============= There were only 3 possible relationships in the first game, and 1 of the 2 humans had to die. Pretty much if you weren't romancing Liara, it's possible your love is dead. One thing to note, is that if you imported from ME1, you'll find a picture of your beau in your cabin. Ashley/Kaiden ------------- Either one will be on Horizon when you finish the mission there. I will only witness what they do if I invest another 20+ hours on another ME1 play because my Ashley-friendly Shepard save file was corrupted. But guessing that my Liara love interest only amounted to an intimate moment, I don't think much will happen. The fact that they are hostile to all other Shepards means this encounter is probably just a little harder on them. Liara ----- She is the information broker of Nos Astra on Illium. Your love of her in the first game will only amount to a kiss here, and that's about it. Faithful Shepard ---------------- This is only possible if you refuse or fail at all the love angles in ME2 and have imported a Shepard who loves one of the three above characters AND they are alive. You simply don't get a visit before the Suicide Mission and look at their picture in your cabin. But yeah, it may turn out to be worth it in ME3, you never know. Don't give up hope! ======= Miranda ======= It's pretty simple, agree with her, side with her instead of Jack, tell her to meet her sister at the end of her loyalty quest, and you can escalate your romance with her two conversations after. The third should almost pay off. The fourth chat should ask you if you are still interested, so choose yes and she will say "when it's quiet". I believe this means before the suicide mission, so things can be on hold for an extended period of time, but at least you know your work is done. Well, perhaps... http://masseffect.wikia.com/wiki/Miranda_Lawson#Romance Rivalry ------- She and Jack do not get along. Picking her over Jack helps win Miranda over. I believe with high enough rep you can keep both loyal, but I would not risk this if you know you want one or the other. It happens after both of their loyalty missions are complete. This is to erase any chance of having three love interests. However, with high enough renegade or paragon, either three or four bars, you can keep both loyal. And any love interests do remain in place. ==== Jack ==== Something tells me you can't be completely paragon with her, but that could be wrong. I do know if you do her quest and talk she will push you away, but it's just temporary. I believe it was just three chats after picking her up that we did it. Yeah, that was it. I am not sure if you need high renegade for this or the entirety of her love line. However, I believe having sex with her early means you cannot romance her later. It sounds right, so maybe that is it. I did do the nasty early and have been nice to her the whole time. *CONFIRMED, early sex is only a one-night stand. http://masseffect.wikia.com/wiki/Jack#Romance Rivalry ------- She and Miranda do not get along. Picking her over Miranda helps win Jack over. I believe with high enough rep you can keep both loyal, but I would not risk this if you know you want one or the other. It happens after both of their loyalty missions are complete. This is to erase any chance of having three love interests. However, with high enough renegade or paragon, either three or four bars, you can keep both loyal. And any love interests do remain in place. ==== Tali ==== It may also tie into her loyalty, of course, but you don't really want to expose her dad during the trial. And of course the standard agree/paragon options until and after. After the trial, it's when she gets sick that she will take her pass at you, so bite if you want. She will say you can't have anyone else, but you haven't chosen yet, and you don't have to with anyone. http://masseffect.wikia.com/wiki/Tali%27Zorah_nar_Rayya#Romance ============== Samara/Morinth ============== Samara ------ She shows interest, even with Femshep, but no, she will not take it all the way. Interesting teasing the idea up to that point though, but it just doesn't happen. Morinth ------- You'll regret killing Samara for this gal if you try to "get close" because yeah, duh, that was WHY you were trying to kill her in the first place. She will kill you. So no, death kinda gets in the way of the romance here. ===== Kelly ===== She will constantly offer her insights on the crew members you add, and about some of the main story missions you complete. It's at these times that her usually upper left wheel, aka flirty, options will be there to choose. It's a messed up flirt because it's not a true romance, just a friends with benefits kinda deal. But what you may not realize is you can do a little more after the game is over. However, you must meet these requirements: No love interests in this game at any time (ME1 is fine) Have dinner with her Save her, aka go straight to Omega 4 Relay when it's open Talk to her after game Get her email Head to your cabin and call her in Then it's just three things to do with her. No big deal, more like an easter egg, but at least it's something. ===== Jacob ===== Sorry, I haven't looked into these. So I'll provide the following link: http://masseffect.wikia.com/wiki/Jacob_Taylor#Romance ===== Thane ===== Sorry, I haven't looked into these. So I'll provide the following link: http://masseffect.wikia.com/wiki/Thane_Krios#Romance ====== Garrus ====== Sorry, I haven't looked into these. So I'll provide the following link: http://masseffect.wikia.com/wiki/Garrus_Vakarian#Romance ====== Mordin ====== He isn't a love interest, just a tease, if you can call it that! lol *NOTE: Wow, I need to get that Shadow Broker dlc.* ***************************************************************************** * 6. Classes ( CLAS666 ) * ***************************************************************************** This will evolve, as all class-oriented stuff does, as time goes on. Right now I have only had experience in two, Vanguard and Infiltrator. But I will make my best stabs at the others. They are listed in ORDER of how I feel they should be viewed. Also note that all classes, even your squad, dip into other classes and abilities more than you may think. =========== Infiltrator =========== Spec: Sniper Rifles and Cloak Clearly the most over-powered. You have a vanish ability that instantly drops you from enemy fire. As well as allow you to enter enemy waters for first blood. And not to mention you use a sniper rifle, and your shots from stealth can be powered up. That's sick and it allows you to be very reckless since you have a safety net. And you have a sniper rifle slowdown effect when you first aim. Priceless. You can also grab Incinerate and some ammo boosts. With incinerate you are a beast. Just don't forget to pop your cloak when entering uncharted areas. ======= Soldier ======= Spec: Guns and Slo-mo You live off the slow-motion, as I understand, and you are just a shooter. Probably an extra biotic, but doubtful. The assault rifles are balanced weapons, and if you can mix in the shotgun and melee with your slow-mo you can do sick things. ======== Sentinel ======== Spec: Biotics and Tech I hear they are very capable of doing a lot against all enemy types and barriers. They must be weak with guns, but that is okay. The utility here is key. ======== Engineer ======== Spec: Tech Tech is a very nice spec I found in my second play by using Legion and Tali a bit more. Drones are excellent decoys, and combined with hacking you can tear up any groups of mechs. Not sure how their higher-up stuff looks. ===== Adept ===== Spec: Biotics I hear they are pretty limited in abilities and lack utility for enemy types. I'm sure you tear up fleshies, but the hardest enemies don't fight naked. ======== Vanguard ======== Spec: Shotguns and Charge To be honest, my first run was this, and it wasn't very fun for my only imported ME1 toon. The idea is you use shotguns and Charge to close distance. Well, this game isn't very forgiving for running into the open, so it's kinda only a viable tactic on single enemies. The shotgun did help against the waves of husks, and charge did help on some of the bigger goons. But this is probably the worst class of them all. Shockwave and the biotics were helpful at times as well. As soon as I got a sniper rifle I was happy. I guess this class would be awesome in some kind of player versus player. ==================== New Ability, New Gun ==================== About mid-way through the game you can choose a new gun type to carry and after getting loyal teammates you can choose one of their specials. Warp ammo and Reave are nice choices. Sniper rifle and an Assault Rifle are also great. Snipers can consider a Window rifle with extreme damage. But no matter what you choose for whatever your spec, just know that you are not pinned down to your class and you can mix things up. And the biggest tip of all: USE YOUR TEAM. ***************************************************************************** * 7. Squad Breakdown ( SQU7777 ) * ***************************************************************************** Just the how and when to deploy certain allies over others. ======= Miranda ======= Spec: Overload, Warp, Biotics Bring for shields and armor enemies, aka bosses. ==== Jack ==== Spec: Shockwave, Biotics Great for waves of fleshies like varren and husks. ==== Tali ==== Spec: Tech Great for decoy drones and killing mechs. ============== Samara/Morinth ============== Spec: Reave and Biotics Strong for flesh and finishing off enemies. ===== Jacob ===== Spec: Biotics and Guns A nice utility, but kinda limited. ===== Thane ===== Spec: Sniper rifle Also has biotics, so bring to anything long ranged. ===== Grunt ===== Spec: Guns and Health A great meat-shield and close range soldier, not much else. His rifle saves him from uselessness. ====== Garrus ====== Spec: Overload and guns Great for shields and range. ====== Mordin ====== Spec: Incinerate My favorite for his ability to burn down armor. ===== Zaeed ===== Spec: Guns and a Grenade At least he doesn't suck on his mission. Guns are good though. ----- What we don't know is your class and abilities. Don't forget how you upgrade these guys. Health is not bad since the AI for them to find cover is bad. But you do want their special talents and all of their powers to some degree, even if it's weak. You must always keep in mind what weapons they have equipped and use their powers and ammo. Getting a squad ammo power on you helps this too. And of course: ALWAYS MIX THINGS UP. Well, maybe three sniper rifles is something to consider. ***************************************************************************** * 8. Exploration, shops, etc. * ***************************************************************************** This section is intended as the "junkpile" of all the extra stuff you may want to know. In the future, like next update, I may divide these into there own sections. I'm debating the need for upgrades, weapons, and equipment. The weapons may be needed, I know some are not common knowledge, but the upgrades seem like a nightmare to figure out. SHOPS ( SHO1234 ) *NOTE: For all shops, I assume you speak to the owner first and get each discount.* ===== Omega ===== Afterlife --------- Brandy - for Chakwas, on the upper bar counter Kenn's Salvage -------------- Couplings are a must, and so is the ammo capacity. Other two are for later. Heavy Weapon Ammo - 25000, +15% heavy weapon capacity (grenade launcher, etc.) Couplings - 416, quest item for engineers on Normandy Heavy Skin Weave - 75000, +10% Shepard health Shotgun Damage - 50000, +10% Harrot's Emporium ----------------- Visor is a must, Geth ship is whatever, chest is good, and hack is not needed unless you really suck at hacking (then it's a must). Visor - 1666, +10% headshot damage Model Geth Ship - 1666 Capacitor Chestplate - 3333, -10% shield regen cooldown Hack Module - 25000, x2 time limit for hacking Ordance Packs - 1666, +10% heavy ammo; unlocks later in game Omega Market ------------ As a sniper rifle user and tentacle enthusiast, I bought everything. Stimulator Conduits - 3333, +10% sprint speed Model Turian Cruiser - 416 Sniper Rifle Damage - 50000, +10% SR damage Fornax - 4, in the Publications of your secondary codex items Stabalization Guantlets - 3333, +5% weapon dammage; unlocks later Strength Boost Packs - 3333, +25% melee damage; unlocks later ======= Citadel ======= Citadel Souvenirs Shop ---------------------- These things really add up, and you'll be back later. So skip. Space Hamster - 7666, pretty expensive for a rat Illium Skald Fish - 416 Thessian Sunfish - 416 Model Normandy SR1 - 416 Model Destiny Ascension - 416 Model Sovereign - 416 Zakera Cafe ----------- The quality ingredients for your chef on the Normandy. Rodam Expeditions ----------------- Unless extremely loaded, just get the gun upgrade you use the most, and the two equipment. Sniper Rifle Damage - 50000, +10% SR damage Heavy Pistol Damage - 50000, +10% SR damage SMG Damage - 50000, +10% SR damage Ammo Pack - 1666, +10% ammo capacity Aegis Vest - 1666, +5% health Sirta Foundation ---------------- Medi-Gel Capacity - 25000, more medi-gel is good if you frequently play risky, can't manage your team, or fail at cover, otherwise it's not a big deal Life Supporting Webbing (legs) - 6666, +10% health Saronis Applications -------------------- Tech Damage - 75000, +10% tech damage Damage Protection - 75000, +20% shields, barriers, and armor ========= Nos Astra ========= Gateway Personal Database ------------------------- To get this discount, walk all the way to the Eternity Bar in the first area, speak to Conrad Verner, come to this lady, tell her to back off, and then go turn in the quest to Conrad. However, if you didn't meet Conrad in the first game, no discount is possible. *NOTE: Sorry, only had one import due to DLC corruption, so I had to jot these down at markup price.* Plates and weave are good to grab, but if you need a weapon upgrade get that instead of the weave. Heavy Skin Weave - 90000, +10% Shepard health SMG Damage - 60000, +10% SMG damage Rifle Damage - 60000, +10% rifle damage Amplified Plates - 2000, +5% power Shield Bonus - 90000, +10% shield power; unlocks later in game Memories of Illium ------------------ First, talk to the nearby Asari who is the owner and resolve her love problem for the discount. Prejek Peddle-Fish - 6666, expensive little fish Model Alliance Cruiser - 416 Model Athebasca Class Freighter - 416 Serrice Tech ------------ Biotic Damage - 75000, +10% biotic damage Bypass Module - 25000, x2 bypass time limit Medi-gel Capacity - 25000, +1 medi gel I could have sworn there was one more here later in the game. Baria Frontiers --------------- 500 creds for each new nebula map. Hades Nexus Minos Wasteland Pylos Nebula Shrike Abyssal ======== Tuchanka ======== Ratch's Wares ------------- For the discount, talk and agree to kill som pyjaks. Use the cannon by the Chief Scout and kill three waves of the monkeys. Aim in front, simple. May as well buy it all. Pyjak Meat - 0, used to recruit Urz for the fighting ring below. He'll win at least once; wouldn't try it more but feel free if you don't care. I do care a lot about a virtual pet! Heavy Weapon Capacity - 25000, +45% heavy weapon ammo Stabilization Gauntlets - 3333, arms, +5% health Death Mask - 6666, head, +10% rep increases Asymmetric Defense Layer - 6666, shoulders?, +5% health Shield Harness - 6666, belt, +5% health Fortack's Database ------------------ Again, the discount is for completing Grunt's Rite, and I say get one weapon and the biotic upgrades. You could get all four, never have to come back here if you like. Assault Rifle Damage - 50000, +10% AR damage Biotic Damage - 75000, +10% biotic damage Heavy Pistol Damage - 50000, +10% heavy pistol damage Shotgun Damage - 50000, +10% shotgun damage EXPLORATION ( EXPO123 ) =========== Hades Nexus =========== Hekate ------ Triodia - couple of drops Ker - rich Bothros - rich, little bit of Zero Sheol ----- Gei Hinnom - ANOMALY, very rich, and Zero Quarian Crash - Palladium and gel in the camp. Move up to the "ring" and look to the left for the Quarian in danger. You only have to fend off 15 or so Varren from reaching her, it's not hard, especially if you have mucho biotics, shotguns, and stand on top of her. Then board when the shuttle arrives. Pamyat ------ Volkov - hidden in the "southwest" of the asteroid belt, rich, one off the charts haul of iridium Dobrovolski - rich, and Zero Patsyev - rich Komarov - hidden near the star, another off the chart iridium haul ============== Minos Wastland ============== Fortis ------ Vir - handful Pietas - rich Aequitas - ANOMALY, rich Abandoned Mine - Creds to the right, then go in, fight the husks and grab the ore. Down the path, hit both tanks to blow up the mob of husks and grab more ore. Ore, husks, bypass locker, ore, and more husks at an intersection. Power cells to the left, then go up the ramp to learn how to stop this. This is an excellent time to get that brawler achievement for meleeing and then shoot- ing enemies, since this is an infinite stream. You just blow your way down the ramp, head into the forward room, and hit both bombs to end the mission. Caestus ------- Temerarus - rich in iridium Invictus - Matt Damon... I mean rich, and Zero ================== The Shrike Abyssal ================== Xe Cha ------ Vem Osca - moderate Tosal Nym - rich and Zero Aphras - moderate Zada Ban - ANOMALY, rich, and Zero Lost Station - Grab the ore and head down to where you can look down through a hole in the ground. Kill all the vorcha, then take the ramp down there for ore. At the bridge, stay on your side and pick off all enemies before crossing. Head into the room and kill the krogan and pals. Stand by the door as close as you can and pop all four contaminated cells, then run out for end. Urla Rast --------- Bovis Tor - rich Talis Fia - good Doz Atab - moderate ================ Hourglass Nebula ================ Osun ---- Olokun - About 10 good drops here. Aganju - About 10 really good readings here. Orunmila - Had a few good spots on the equator, but kinda poor after that. Erinle - rich, and Zero Faryar ------ Antictra - Pretty rich peaks here, so only go for those. Alingon - Another very rich planet Wenrum - Yet another rich one. Nephros - Probably safe to drop one and leave. Tunfigel - Very rich in minerals. Quarem - Another rich planet. Daratar - ANOMALY, not much minerals here. Save the Crates - Kill three mechs before they kill all 20 crates. Ploitari -------- Thegan - rich Synalus - rich, though hard to tell at first Aigela - rich Zanethu - ANOMALY, good minerals Wreckage - This is a maze. Run around the top a bit until some tiles fall to your right, should be near where you start. Shoot the swinging panel and it falls. Go left and follow the path down to cross that panel to grab some ore. Head up for more ore, then vault onto another beam. Back on top, head all the way toward the blinking light, then cross the beam and come back to go down. Grab more ore and head down the swinging stairs and they will drop. Cross back over the stairs for ore, up the next stairs, and go use the database. ============ Omega Nebula ============ Sahrabarik ---------- Imorkan - Dropped about 11 Bindur - Dropped 19 Urdak - moderate Fathar ------ Dorgal - Had just a handful of really rich drops, but that was about it. Korar - Same as Dorgal, a few rich peaks. Lorek - ANOMALY, good minerals Search and Rescue - Ore, then go in for a big fight, head forward for bypass and a gel. Come back and hack the console for another fight to the left from both doors. Go down the right path for ore, then come back and through the other door for end. The choice is yours. Amada ----- Eingana - must scan for Ele. Zero Takkan - couple worthy drops Karora - just a few Anjea - a couple Alchera - rich Kairavamori ----------- Sehtor - rich, but not for long Vatar - rich Uwan Oche - rich as well for the hat trick Arinlarkan ---------- Utha - rich Batalla ------- Logasiri - moderate Thunawanuro - good, and has Zero Nearog - moderate ============== Rosetta Nebula ============== Enoch ----- Goliath - Poor minerals. Mizraim - Decent haul of everything but Palladium, which was good. Laban - Handful of Ele. Zero nodes, and a good number of others. Joab - ANOMALY, also rich in element zero. The Artifact - Big fight at the start, moderate fight inside, search for stuff, and then five guys in the last room before the objective. Alpha Draconis -------------- 2175 AR2 - poor 2175 Aeia - Zero and decent haul, as well as Jacob's quest Phi Clio -------- Parnassus - rich Cyllene - zilch ============= Caleston Rift ============= Balor ----- Partholon - rich Elatha - rich Caleston - lots of Ele. Zero Cernunnos - maybe one drone drop Bres - hard to find in the top of the asteroid belt, but it is rich Talava ------ Maitrum - rich Kaushus - decent Aitarus - moderate, but low moderate Taitus - ANOMALY, rich, lots of palladium Mech Signal - Start up the mech and then grab the nearby power cells to keep it going. To the right at the next stop. Third stop requires you pick the the cells to the left near two varren. Nearby at the fourth. Then stand back as it opens the path to some platinum. Solveig ------- Thrivaldi - poor Surtur - rich Sinmara - moon of Surtur, ANOMALY, good minerals Magnetic Shield - Salvage and bypass to reach the control area. The trick here is to turn on the side controls, and use the middle button to move power around (you can see the orange light move), and you have to activate the side ones too. Once both the side ones are on, move power up and bypass the console. Simple and quick. Aysur ----- Dranen - moderate Agnin - rich Shasu - rich, and tiny Alformus - moderate, but cool name Shir - rich Tamgauta - decent ============ Eagle Nebula ============ Imir ---- Gregas - Good haul here. Quodis - Found nothing worth probing here! Osalri - One side was pretty much empty, but good everywhere else. Korlus - recruit Grunt here Relic ----- Preying Mouth - sexy, but only moderate minerals Beach Thunder - awesome name, and rich Fitful Current - rich Murky Water - wtf? who named these? rich though First Land - moderate Island Wind - moderate Rough Tide - tiny and near the south of the asteroid belt, rich and worth it for the platinum, was still rich after my sweep, but then was poor after two more drops... Amun ---- Sobek - moderate Sekhmet - moderate, near the star Anhur - rich, and Zero Bast - poor Neith - ANOMALY, rich Shipwreck - Platinum behind start, near center, and left of center; salvage to the right of center. Platinum, power cells, gel, and salvage near the back. There are four info things to find, then hit the transmitter at the back. Now all you do is fight a few small mechs, then a big one, and then more as you race back to the shuttle. Just pummel the big one and keep moving. Malgus ------ Flett - rich Uzin - moderate Wrill - rich Strabo ------ Antigar - moderate Jarrahe Station - part of exploration total, odd Investigate Abandoned Station - Enter the room for iridium and turn on the power. In the next room you have three doors and a middle control you can't open. Lab: Iridium, then restore power to play the beam game. Starting from the right computer - beam goes left, 2nd beam passes through, 3rd controls the corner one and point it so the beam will go right, 4th controls lower corner and have it bounce the beam up. This should open the testing area. Living Quarters: restore power and doors will lock. This is what I did on the controls (from the right): pushed 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 2nd, and that unlocked all five doors. This allows you to loot the bed area, and leave. Engineering: Simple game of avoid the steam. Tell your team to stay at the front (squad controls), then go right for lockers and a log. Just pass through the steam when it goes away and restore power. Return to the middle area, restore power, and go in to shut it down. =============== Crescent Nebula =============== Tasale ------ Thail - moderate Naxell - moderate Beregale - rich Ponolus - rich Zelene ------ Gaelon - moderate Epho - rich Nephyma - rich Helyme - ANOMALY, moderate Eclipse Payback - Head up and through the door is a fight. To the left is palladium, then hack the door to the right. Head up and cut a path to the right. Grab the power cells, then move up to the corner for gel, and move to the left of this area (make sure your team follows you). There is a computer and you open this and press decrypt on the second entry to start the final battle. About three doses of Eclipse mercs pour in from the entrance, and it's your job to take them out. On the left of this area is a bridge control you can lower if you need to cross, otherwise leave it closed and just pick all the enemies off. Return to the computer after and close it to complete, then end the mission. Lusarn ------ Xetic - moderate Doriae - good Euntanta - rich Jontan - good Tarith - ANOMALY, rich, Zero *NOTE: Stick to flat ground, hit a "flying" glitch that didn't let me back down.* Blood Pack Base - Move up and activate the beacon. Then the next, then a bug as you cross the bridge, and then the next beacon. Head left from here for some ore, then go right. From here, best I can say is go left as much as you can, you'll hit a bug, and then find some ore. Follow the path toward the beam and you should see a path leading up the hill to the next beacon. Hit the hilltop beacon, then down and go left for ore. Continue right for a bug fight, then another beacon. Then head forward to the light for some ore, and double back for a slope to the left. Hit the beacon on this second hill. Down the path, a few bugs and follow the beam to the beacon. Behind this beacon is a slope to two vorcha and ore. Follow the path to the next beacon (log on the left) and hit the next beacon. Up the path is a fight with a krogan and friends. Then bypass the final beacon for end. Ondeste ------- Maisuth - good Zesmeri - rich Acaeria - rich =================== Valhallan Threshold =================== Raheel-Leyya ------------ The Migrant Fleet - for Tali's quest of course Paz --- Garvug - good and Zero Micah ----- Farlas - hidden in the "west" side of the first belt, it's rich Israfil - "north" in the second belt, rich for a bit Dumah - moderate Elohi - moderate Kakabel - hidden to the "south" of the first belt, rich ============ Titan Nebula ============ *NOTE: I believe this opens after you complete the Narreha Station quest in the Strabo system of the Eagle Nebula.* Haskins ------- Capek - ANOMALY, rich, Zero Factory Recall - just two dogs and two mechs to greet you. Room ahead has a gel and hack. In the factory floor area, it's just a constant stream of mechs so you must burn a path down as quickly as you can and move up the maze of crates; from the right side. Some zero near the door and on the other side, then go up and end the mission. =========== Hawking Eta =========== Chandrasekhar ------------- Teshub - weak Hebat - also weak Schwarzschild ------------- Atahil - rich Etamis - good and Zero Linossa - moderate Rihali - moderate Thorne ------ Mnemosyne - poor Lethe - moon of the above, rich Derelict Reaper - main mission Century ------- Cantra - rich Tamahera - rich Klendagon - rich Tharopto - moderate ============ Pylos Nebula ============ Nariph ------ Jonus - poor in anything useful, much like a band of the same name Isale - I literally hit one medium peak and that was it Dirada ------ Vioresa - poor Sineus - poor, just like its description Zeth - moderate Siano - rich Thenusi - rich Canalus - ANOMALY, rich Geth in the Mist - Worst mission in the game. Just find the beam of light shooting in the sky and go that way; if you ever want to hunt down all the tiny nodes of ore, be my guest, I didn't. Just fight your way up the hill as best you can, try to tell your pals to stay behind cover. Too many waves of Geth, but it does stop. Heading to the second fight it's easier to grab the ore. This second fight is much the same, keep your team at cover, and it's a much shorter fight. Go up and use the control to end. Satent ------ Nataisa - moderate Anedia - rich Raisaris - rich, Zero, and purple Boro - rich Rescel - next to star, moderate and orange Kriseroi -------- *CAUTION: far away from mass relay, feel free to refuel before going.* Tenoth - moderate Geus - moderate Neidus - moderate Theonax - rich Uzin - moderate to poor =================== The Phoenix Massing =================== Tassrah ------- Ishassara - 1 drop for me Pahhur - just Iridium, and hard to find, lots of it though Sarapai - give it a good probing, doesn't put up much of a fight Salahiel -------- Ekuna - rich, hard to find though The Sea of Storms ----------------- Heretic Station - for Legion's quest ========== Shadow Sea ========== Iera ---- Watchman - moderate, and no boring movies Prospect - poor, duh Venture - rich Horizon - nothing ======= Far Rim ======= Dholen ------ Haestrom - nothing Charoum - moderate Gotha - rich and Zero Ma-at ----- Anmut - moderate ============== Nubian Expanse ============== Dakka ----- Zirnitra - very rich Alkonost - hit two big peaks and that was it Gamayun - poor Bannik - very rich Pragia - nothing Qertassi -------- OMG star Norehsa - moderate Kalabsha -------- Tefnut - poor, nut Yamm - moderate, yam ========== Krogan DMZ ========== Aralakh ------- Ruam - poor Kruban - it was a Palladium belt around this rock Kanin - poor Vaul - negative minerals! Durak - literally a belt around the star, this was heavy in minerals Tuchanka - nothing Nith ---- Oh my god, look at that star! Tula - poor Mantun - rich Vard - moderate ============= Local Cluster ============= Mercury - moderate Venus - good Earth - dead, lol, joking Mars - nope Jupiter - moderate Saturn - good Uranus - depleted, lol, couldn't get enough! Neptune - poor Pluto - moderate, and still not a planet ***************************************************************************** * 9. Author Info / Copyright * ***************************************************************************** ----------- Please contact me if you need any help, if you want to thank me, if you want to talk, or if you want to ask a question. Efforts to get in a guide need to be exceptional as I dislike updates unless it's absolutely necessary, and I don't think I've updated an older guide. The golden rule: keep it short. If I see a wall of text I'm probably moving on. I've gotten real bad with emails lately. And flamers don't even bother, it won't work. My email: lunatic_252000@yahoo.com Title of your email should be: ME2 PS - To GameFAQ's users, if you like the guide, click "recommend" at the top of the guide, but only if you like it. PPS - I cannot fix bugs, glitches, or achievements/trophies not hitting. ----------- ----------- I have other guides floating around too. They are: Resident Evil 4 Dead Rising Gears of War Lost Planet Crackdown GRAW 2 Rainbow Six Vegas TES IV: Oblivion Shivering Isles Knights of the Nine The Darkness BioShock Halo 3 Half-Life 2 HL2: Episode One HL2: Episode Two Call of Duty 4 Assassin's Creed Mass Effect Advance Wars: Days of Ruin Perseus Mandate Sam & Max Episode 203 Devil May Cry 4 God of War: Chains of Olympus Rainbow Six Vegas 2 Okami Grand Theft Auto 4 Condemned 2: Bloodshot Metal Gear Solid 4 Alone in the Dark (360) NCAA Football 09 Madden 09 Dead Space Gears of War 2 Prince of Persia (2008) Call of Duty: World at War FEAR 2 Resident Evil 5 GTA IV: TBOGT Modern Warfare 2 Assassin's Creed 2 World of Warcraft Mass Effect 2 Heavy Rain Splinter Cell: Conviction Crackdown 2 Halo: Reach Dead Rising 2 CoD: Black Ops -------------- --------------- I've also been published in GamePro magazine, June 2007. Pretty cool if you ask me, and all because I write these little guides. Also, I am in the October issue as well, which should be out at the time of this guide's release. At least I ain't a one hit wonder. In a nice surprise, I didn't even know I was in the March 2008 issue of GamePro, but I am. Look to gamerstemple.com for a slew of random reviews. ---------------- ---------------- Here is my list of sites: GameFAQs (main host site) GameSpot IGN GamersTemple (http://www.gamerstemple.com/) OCModShop.com chaptercheats.com TheGameReviews wiredgamingcommunity.com neoseeker SuperCheats GamesRadar CheatCodeCentral (cheatcc.com) My360.com.au gamerevolution.com *NOTE: There are many more with single guides, and then others with a few, and some that I just don't keep track of.* All other sites must ask permission if they want this. All I ask is that the guide be ad-free and in this text format. ------------------- -------------- Here is my website: www.herostrike.com Here is my list of guides on gamefaqs: (copy & paste) http://www.gamefaqs.com/features/recognition/60816.html?type=1 Folow me on Twitter @ TheGum25 You'll find all my other guides here too and perhaps something else you may like. ------------- --------- COPYRIGHT --------- This guide may not be reproduced under any circumstances except for personal, private use. It may not be placed on any web site or otherwise distributed publicly without advance written permission. Use of this guide on any other web site or as a part of any public display is strictly prohibited, and a violation of copyright. All trademarks and copyrights contained in this document are owned by their respective trademark and copyright holders. Copyright 2011 Brad Russell