"Mass Effect 2" is one of the finest examples of epic science fiction adventure ever seen in a video game. It features a grand, arching story and interesting emotionally engaging characters. In the game, Commander Shepard must assemble of team of experts to undertake a suicide mission in order to stop a looming evil that threatens the entire galaxy. The final attack is truly a suicide mission, as it is possible for all crew members, even Commander Shepard, to perish. Who survives the mission depends on choices and actions that you take during the entire game.
Instructions
1. Upgrade the Normandy offensive and defensive capabilities. Specifically, the weapons, armor and shielding of the ship must be upgraded; otherwise you will lose several crew members during the opening attack. Speak to Tali, Garrus and Jacob to unlock the three upgrades that effect survival. Explore and mine planets until you have enough resources to build the upgrades before undertaking the reaper IFF mission.
2. Complete all other primary, side and loyalty missions before you undertake the reaper IFF mission. Undertaking the derelict reaper mission sets in motion actions that may force you to act before you are ready. You should have every crew member except for one, and as many as possible must be loyal. You will need very high renegade or paragon points in order to keep every member of the team loyal. Loyal characters have a much higher chance of surviving.
3. Undertake Legion's loyalty mission immediately after the reaper IFF, if you acquired him. The clock is ticking at this point and you may only be able to complete one more mission, so it should be Legion's loyalty mission.
4. Follow the collectors into the Omega-4 relay after the attack. If you undertake any missions after the reaper IFF is installed then captured crew members will die. The more missions, the more that will be dead because you took too much time.
5. Choose the team member with the correct skill set for each job. At points during the attack you will need to choose a tech, biotic and leadership expert. The tech expert should be Tali, Legion or Kasumi. The Biotic must be Jack, Samara or Morinth. The leadership expert must be Miranda, Jacob or Garrus. The expert must be loyal or he will die during the assignment.
6. Assign someone to escort the surviving crew back to the ship. The escort must be loyal or they will perish. If you are not planning to use Jack or Mordin during the final fight, they make a good choice, as they are poor at holding the line.
7. Leave strong defenders to hold the line. Grunt Thane, Legion and Garrus are all strong defenders and can even help protect disloyal crew. Those that are not loyal will fall first followed by weaker characters if there are not strong defenders holding the line. Do not bring disloyal members with you, as they will die after the final battle.
Tags: crew members, loyal will, must loyal, reaper mission, strong defenders, actions that