Mass Effect

[Slade]

Awesome, I'll add you tomorrow.

Btw I can't stand Origin.  It's almost as bad as uPlay.

[JakeDuck]

I agree, I only use it for Origin exclusive games. Anyway, Mass Effect 3 has been pretty good so far. I am liking the multiplayer quite a bit too!

[Undead]

Haven't gotten around to multiplayer yet, by the time I'm about halfway done with ME 3, I start planning out what to do on the next playthrough XD

[JakeDuck]

Haven't gotten around to multiplayer yet, by the time I'm about halfway done with ME 3, I start planning out what to do on the next playthrough XD

 

I started playing the multiplayer because apparently your Galactic Readiness Rating affects your ending. I don't know for sure, but that's what I've heard.

[MegaAfroMan]

it does. You can still get the "best" ending without it, but it would require doing practically everything, and even making a few key choices the "right" way in order to maximize military strength.

[Undead]

Yeah, that's one thing I've been curious about because apparently there's even an app specifically for increasing your Effective Readiness that's imported into you game. Seems pretty silly that you can't just get high enough for a good or even perfect ending without playing Multiplayer or using this app. But yeah.

[Slade]

Also, if you play a lot of MP, you'll eventually lock yourself out of the endings that require low galatic readiness.

[Undead]

Frankly I haven't even touched MP. How does it effect your readiness anyways?

[Slade]

Undead, after successfully completing a MP match, your overall Galatic Readiness will increase.

The higher the difficulty, the more it'll increase.

In addition, after one of your MP characters (like an Asari Vanguard for example) reaches level 20, you can choose to 'Promote' that character, sending him or her to the front lines of the singleplayer war.

This will reset that character to lvl 1, and add a bunch of points to your galactic readiness.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Undead]

No shit huh? So will I actually see my character in game? Or will it just show them on my list of Allies/Assets?

[thedinobot]

No shit huh? So will I actually see my character in game? Or will it just show them on my list of Allies/Assets?

 

Nope, you won't see your multiplayer character in game unfortunately. You see them as your War Assets I believe.

[Undead]

Ah, figured as much. Still, that would have been pretty damn cool. Well, either way, sounds like I'd better try out some MP then!

 

Oh and P.S. I had my Renegade Shepard knock the boots with Miranda given both their stubborn personalities. It's a "cute" relationship to say the least. Not as involved though, given you're really only with her in ME 2. In ME 3, you have several opportunities to further romance her, given you help her out with her daddy issues, and have the Citadel DLC. Incase anyone was curious and hasn't yet.

 

And I guess speaking of which, you could say my Shepard this time around is more of a "Renegon" Shepard. Stubborn, direct and Ruthless. He'll do whatever it takes to complete the mission. However, he occasionally shows a softer side for those he cares for. (Aka Miranda, Garrus, Wrex).

 

Also also, I'd highly recommend going full Paragon or Renegade. Probably a no-brainer, but some of those big plot changing decisions throughout the series are only available with certain amounts of either or. And example being I managed to not only prevent Tali's father from being considered a war criminal, but Tali from Exile. So Win-Win.

 

Also also also, Did you know that if you were to purchase a Space Hamster, in ME 2, you can recover it in ME 3 by going to the Engineering level, and down to the area where Jack would hangout? Along with several ship models you also purchased from ME 2. However, you have to catch your space hamster, if you don't, it's gone forever. Furthermore, as an added "easter egg", if you have the Citadel DLC, the part of the mission where you have to reclaim the Normandy from thugs, your stuff will be stacked in a bin right next to the elevator, including your hamster. You can talk to your hamster, and there's some pretty funny dialog from Shepard in regards to the thugs messing with your hamster. You're welcome.

[thedinobot]

Ah, figured as much. Still, that would have been pretty damn cool. Well, either way, sounds like I'd better try out some MP then!

 

Oh and P.S. I had my Renegade Shepard knock the boots with Miranda given both their stubborn personalities. It's a "cute" relationship to say the least. Not as involved though, given you're really only with her in ME 2. In ME 3, you have several opportunities to further romance her, given you help her out with her daddy issues, and have the Citadel DLC. Incase anyone was curious and hasn't yet.

 

And I guess speaking of which, you could say my Shepard this time around is more of a "Renegon" Shepard. Stubborn, direct and Ruthless. He'll do whatever it takes to complete the mission. However, he occasionally shows a softer side for those he cares for. (Aka Miranda, Garrus, Wrex).

 

Also also, I'd highly recommend going full Paragon or Renegade. Probably a no-brainer, but some of those big plot changing decisions throughout the series are only available with certain amounts of either or. And example being I managed to not only prevent Tali's father from being considered a war criminal, but Tali from Exile. So Win-Win.

 

Also also also, Did you know that if you were to purchase a Space Hamster, in ME 2, you can recover it in ME 3 by going to the Engineering level, and down to the area where Jack would hangout? Along with several ship models you also purchased from ME 2. However, you have to catch your space hamster, if you don't, it's gone forever. Furthermore, as an added "easter egg", if you have the Citadel DLC, the part of the mission where you have to reclaim the Normandy from thugs, your stuff will be stacked in a bin right next to the elevator, including your hamster. You can talk to your hamster, and there's some pretty funny dialog from Shepard in regards to the thugs messing with your hamster. You're welcome.

 

haha, glad to finally meet someone that loves this game as much as I do!

[Undead]

I'm probably obsessed, I just completed the entire series last night for the third time, back to back, but I don't regret a thing lol. Seriously, everything about this game is absoultely spectacular and leaves me plotting which role to take, who to date, and which reputation to go with the next go-round before I'm even done with the current playthrough, and it still feels fresh to me. I'm over here taking mental notes like "Ok, I'm gonna go full Renegade and see what happens!" Done. Now, I'm like "Ooh, the game mentions bonuses for importing a career again!" So now I'm most likely going to resurrect my first character, and do things right now that I know what to expect on both sides. lol.

[Slade]

Mass Effect 1 stuff here.

Friends, what is your favorite order to do the planet missions?

This playthrough Heather and I started on Feros, then made our way to Liara's Dig Site, and right now half-way through Noveria. Saving Virmire for last. I guess this order makes the most sense story wise.

This never occured to me until now, but you can do 1/2 of Noveria, get the max paragon/renegade points early in the game and come back later with Liara to finish the mission. Same with Feros. 

 

Also - for some reason - we can never get the right grenades to deal with the colonists. Got the upgrade, but couldn't equip it?

Even tried throwing my usual grenades at them, didn't work out so well. 

[nayrcraig]

I'm currently making my first playthrough of ME and after doing every side mission available I've started the main story mission, I done Liara's Dig Site first and am now making my way through Noveria and will then be doing Ferros. I have no idea what is the "Best way" though as this is my first time

[Undead]

That's odd the upgrade doesn't appear for you, always pops up as "Anti-Thorian Gas" for me.

 

For me, I started out this most recent playthrough with Liara's mission, then Noveria, Feros and then Virmire. Virmire seems to make the most sense to be the last one to visit to me. I also tried taking Mega's advice on Feros, still didn't have enough reptuation to pick one of the colored options when talking to the crazy angry doc. Just how significant is that anyways? 

 

Also resurrected my first profile ever again, going full Paragon and already noticing some significant differences, same result in doing so. But, feels good to be femshep again. <3 

 

Also, actually saved the council this time. Those bastards only gave me my Spectre status for "support". But I guess speaking of which, does having your Spectre status in ME 2 have it's perks?

[Slade]

I see.

To be honest, there's no "best" way or order to do the planets, nayrcraig. It ultimately comes down to personal preference.

Some people like to do Liara or Feros first for RP-purposes. 

 

Must've been a glitch, Undad. I must say ME1 is really unstable (playing on PC with ultra high-res texture pack may have something to do with it)

 

Also, we can't open some crates or wallsafes because our "skill is too low", which skill are they talking about?

[Undead]

It took me 3 playthroughs to finally figure that out. It basically depends on how "Techy" your squad is. I've found having Garrus and Kaidan allows me to open up most of those. It's based off your total squad "Decryption" level.

[Slade]

Ah, thanks! I'll keep that in mind.

 

We've been thinking of screwing up some parts of the final mission of ME2 on purpose, to see what happens in 3.

 

 

[JakeDuck]

I was thinking of changing the name of this thread to simply "Mass Effect", but I don't know how to change the name of the topic on the current layout. Someone want to help me out?

[Slade]

Bottom-right of your OP > edit. Then click on Use Full Editor. Topic Title is in the upper-left corner above topic tags.

[JakeDuck]

Gah, I keep forgetting about the Full Editor! Thanks, I appreciate it!

 

I'm getting pretty close to the end of ME3, I've loved my ride through the trilogy and have been taking my sweet time through the end. I have a question about ME3 for my next playthrough. Can I get the Citadel DLC and use my previous squad members in the main game? I feel like six squad members in just not enough. I loved the massive selection in ME2. Is it worth getting "From Ashes" in order to get another squad member?

[Slade]

You're welcome.

Unfortunately, I don't think so. I've heard that the DLC itself is incredible however, so this playthrough I'll be sure to download it once we make it to 3. (Someone correct me if I'm wrong on this)

I agree that the selection of squad members is vastly superior in ME2. 

 

I would say that From Ashes is definitely worth it.  Unlike Citadel, you can bring that squad member with you through the whole game. and he's pretty interesting.

[JakeDuck]

I have finished Mass Effect 3! I was entirely satisfied with my ending, I had the extended cut installed beforehand. I'll put all of my decisions/consequences from every game in a spoiler tab.
 

Mass Effect 1
 
Rachni Queen: Allowed to Live
Balak and Hostages: Killed
Wrex: Alive
Virmire: Ashley lived, Kaiden died
Council: Saved
Romance: None
 
Mass Effect 2
 
Loyalty: All squad members
Ship Upgrades: All
Specialists Chosen: Legion for vents, Garrus for First Fireteam, Samara for Biotic Specialist, Jacob for Second Fireteam, Zaeed for Escort
Crew Survived: All
Collector Base: Destroyed
Romance: None
 
Mass Effect 3
 
Rachni Queen: Left to Die
Kelly Chambers: Dead (I didn't know I could talk to her at the Citadel)
Grunt: Alive
Samara: Alive
Mordin: Dead
Wrex: Alive
Legion: Dead
Tali: Alive
Romance: None
 
Final Ending: Synthesis

Total Playtime: 70 hours (Funny enough, exactly as much as it is advertised)

 
I would have romanced Miranda, but I played as a female Shepard. I didn't really care for the options available, so I just didn't go for anyone. I'll be playing through on the higher difficulties later, so I will likely try more romance partners as I go through. What DLC should I get for the series? I want to have as much content available as I can for when I go through the games again.
 
I absolutely LOVED this entire series, they are now some of my favorite games of all time. Thanks to all of you for helping me start out!