Mass Effect

Who else is getting it? im so excited. this shits gonna be dope.


yes i said dope.

word

# Character classes

Adepts

Adepts are biotic specialists. Starting out equipped with pistols and light armor, the true strength of the adept is through the upgradeable implants that give them their biotic powers. These powers can be used to lift or throw objects, shield the party, and disable or destroy enemies.

Engineers

Engineers are tech specialists. Using the holographic OmniTool, they can decrypt security systems, repair and/or modify technical equipment, disrupt enemy weapons or shields, and heal their party. Even though they begin the game with only pistols and the OmniTool, engineers can unlock the ability to wear light armor and reverse engineer enemy technology. They can also learn to put up protective shields and heal the party.

Infiltrators

Infiltrators combine combat and tech abilities, and specialize in killing or disabling enemies at long range. Infiltrators are trained to use OmniTools, but the focus is on decryption and offensive abilities rather than healing. They can train with pistols or sniper rifles, and can learn to wear medium armor.

Sentinels

Sentinels combine biotic and tech abilities. Typically they use biotic abilities and advanced healing skills to defend allies, though they can also disrupt opponents with biotic or Tech attacks. They are more efficient at tech and biotics than other classes, but at the expense of combat. Sentinels can only use light armor, and receive no advanced weapon training.

Soldiers

Soldiers are combat specialists ideal for the front lines of a firefight. Soldiers begin the game trained with skills in both pistols and assault rifles, they have improved health and the ability to wear medium combat armor. As you progress through the game, you can unlock assault training, skills with shotguns and sniper rifles, become able to perform first aid on yourself and party members, and wear heavy combat armor.

Vanguards

Vanguards are biotic warriors. They combine offensive biotic abilities and weapons training to quickly take down opponents, and are especially deadly at short range. They can train with pistols and shotguns, and can learn to wear medium armor.

# Achievements

Accomplish the indicated achievement to get the corresponding number of Gamerscore points:

Medal of Honor (100 points): Complete 1 Mass Effect Playthrough on any setting.
Medal of Heroism (25 points): Complete Feros.
Distinguished Service Medal (25 points): Complete Eden Prime.
Council Legion of Merit (25 points): Complete Virmire.
Honorarium of Corporate Service (25 points): Complete Noveria.
Long Service Medal (25 points): Complete 2 Mass Effect Playthroughs on any setting.
Distinguished Combat Medal (25 points): Complete 1 Mass Effect playthrough on the Hardcore difficulty setting. Do not change the setting..
Medal of Valor (50 points): Complete 1 Mass Effect playthrough on the Insanity difficulty setting. Do not change the setting..
Pistol Expert (10 points): Register 150 Pistol Kills.
Shotgun Expert (15 points): Register 150 Shotgun Kills.
Assault Rifle Expert (15 points): Register 150 Assault Rifle Kills.
Sniper Expert (15 points): Register 150 Sniper Rifle Kills.
Lift Mastery (15 points): Use biotic Lift 75 times.
Throw Mastery (15 points): Use biotic Throw 75 times.
Warp Mastery (15 points): Use biotic Warp 75 times.
Singularity Mastery (15 points): Use biotic Singularity 75 times.
Barrier Mastery (15 points): Use biotic Barrier 75 times.
Stasis Mastery (15 points): Use biotic Stasis 75 times.
Damping Specialist (15 points): Use Damping Field 75 times.
AI Hacking Specialist (15 points): Use AI Hacking 75 times.
Overlord Specialist (15 points): Use Shield Overload 75 times.
Sabotage Specialist (15 points): Use Sabotage 75 times.
First Aid Specialist (15 points): Use medi-gel 150 times.
Neural Shock Specialist (15 points): Use Neural Shock 75 times.
Scholar (25 points): Find all primary Alien: Council Races, Extinct Races and Non-Council Races codex entries.
Completionist (25 points): Complete the majority of the game.
Tactician (25 points): Complete playthrough with shield damage greater than health damage.
Medal of Exploration (50 points): Land on an uncharted world.
Rich (25 points): Exceed 1,000,000 Credits.
Dog of War (25 points): Register 150 organic enemy kills.
Geth Hunter (25 points): Register 250 Synthetic enemy kills.
Soldier Ally (20 points): Complete the majority of the game with the Alliance soldier squad member.
Sentinal Ally (20 points): Complete the majority of the game with the Alliance sentinel squad member.
Krogan Ally (20 points): Complete the majority of the game with the Krogan squad member.
Turian Ally (20 points): Complete the majority of the game with the turian squad member.
Quarian Ally (20 points): Complete the majority of the game with the querian squad member.
Asari Ally (20 points): Complete the majority of the game with the asari squad member.
Power Gamer (20 points): Reach 50th level with one character.
Extreme Power Gamer (50 points): Reach 60th level with one character.
Renegade (15 points): Accumulate 75% of total Renegade points.
Paragon (15 points): Accumulate 75% of total Paragon points.
Paramour (10 points): Complete any romance subplot.
Spectre Inductee (15 points): Become a Spectre.
Charismatic (10 points): Use Charm or Intimidate to resolve an impossible situation.
Search and Rescue (10 points): Locate Dr. T’Soni in the Artemis Tau cluster.

OH

My


GOD

# Completion bonuses

Successfully complete the game on the Normal difficulty setting to unlock the Hardcore difficulty setting, Increased Level Cap (51 - 60), and New Game +. The New Game + allows you to play your existing Career with all your items and skills.

i will shower anyone with praise who finds me maps or scans in maps for this game with codex locations and whatnot of each planet and such like i did for assassin's creed.

yes i have it , but i have 5 other new games to play and not enough time to play it, i find i am not enjoying assasins creed as much as i enjoy mass effect, also still playing the crap out of call of duty 4.

i played mass effect. i still play mass effect. and i will continue to play over and over till all 1000 pts are mine and then will play on when Downloadable Content is released or Mass Effect 2 hits store shelves because i love this game. I've logged 147 hours and some minutes since its release, completed it twice, found EVERYTHING there is to be found, including things not mentioned in my friends Strategy Guide, and things other people havent found, like the Alpha Vari system and the batarian home plant - well ex-home planet since they were pushed beyond the veil. i have made level 60 with two characters, John Shepherd - Soldier and Hunter Shepherd - Infiltrator and am currently level 26 with Grm Shepherd - Adept. i only have biotic achievements left and beating it on Insanity mode. If you have NOT picked this game up, then do so, and i you have any questions, feel free to ask me. I will provide guidance, but limited, unless you want to know how to have sex with Liara, Ashley, Kaidan or Garrus because i have managed to complete all tasks.

by the way, heres a clue/tip/spoiler - The Alpha Vari can be found in the local cluster, along with two other Systems. One which is on your map, Sol - our solar system, and the other which i wont mention here. you'll just have to find it yourself.

Defeating Thresher Maw in Edolus
The easiest way to defeat the Thresher Maw is after it has initially launched out of the ground to drive off, stay at a relative distance, and drive circles around it while firing. Because of your distance, it will not use its long-ranged attack or be able to cause melee damage. It will go back underground after a time or certain amount of damage is inflicted and will change the location it pops up. Repeat the circular attack to get away undamaged.

Defeating Saren (before resurrection)
Use your rifle and strafe to avoid his rocket fire.

Defeating Saren (after resurrection)
Have your crew and yourself use biotic powers everytime Saren stops to shoot (usually when he is hanging on the wall). Only do it once when he stops, otherwise you will be wasting abilities.

"Scholar" achievement codex locations
This achievement requires that you locate information on all primary Alien: Council Races, Extinct Races, and Non-Council Races.

Aliens: Council Races

Asari: Speak with Captain Anderson after the first meeting with the council.

Salarians: Speak with Captain Anderson after the first meeting with the council.

Turians: If you miss it at the beginning of the game, you can get it by speaking to people about Specters and Saran. Otherwise, it should appear after your first encounter with Ashley.

Aliens: Extinct Races

Rachni: Speak with the VI Avina near the Consort Chambers/Krogran Statue about the Rachni wars.

Protheans: Speak with Captain Anderson and Nihlus on the Normandy at the beginning of the game in the Communications Room. This is your only chance in the game to get this codex. If you miss it, you will not be able to recover it later in the game.

Aliens: Non-Council Races

Batarians: After you become a Spectre, speak with Captain Anderson about his Spectre activities at the Docking Bay.

Elcor: Speak with the diplomat Calyn in the embassy. He is located at the end of the hallway to the right of the Embassy Clerk next to Udina's office.

Geth: While on the mission Eden Prime you will receive this codex automatically.

Hanar: Speak with the Hanar Shopkeeper at the Emporium.

Keepers: Speak with the VI Avina in the northwest part of the Presidium. She is very close to the Preaching Hanar and C-Sec Turian whom are arguing.

Krogan: You get this automatically by entering Choras Den. A scene will play showing the Krogran Wrex.

Quarians: Speak with Garrus in the medical center after fighting the thugs.

Volus: Talk to the VI Avina closest to the Embassy Clerk. You will get this by asking the VI why the Volus were the first race to get an embassy.

Puzzle solution in Noveria
On the planet Noveria, you must solve a puzzle after you enter the Core at Mira to restore activity to the compound. The solution is as follows. There are three columns. Four discs are in the left column. You must move all four discs to column two or three for the puzzle to be completed. "1" indicates the upper most ring, "4" is the lowest, etc.

Step 1

Move 1 to the middle.
Move 2 to the right.
Move 1 to the right on top of 2.
Move 3 to the middle.
Step 2

Move 1 to the left.
Move 2 to the middle on top of 3.
Move 1 to the middle on top of 2.
Move 4 to the right.
Step 3

Move 1 to the right.
Move 2 to the left.
Move 1 to the left on top of 2.
Move 3 to the right on top of 4.
Step 4

Move 1 to the middle.
Move 2 to the right.
Move 1 to the right.
These steps will solve the puzzle with all four discs being in the right column.

Recommended career
Play as a War Hero Soldier first. By doing this, during your second play through you will have all of the money, weapons, and armor to use for the other careers.

Ensuring experience points and gamerpoints
After a major plot has been played, make sure to talk to your crew. This will give you experience points for clues and boost your crew's morale. There is also a subplot for romance where you must choose who you want to have a relation with. You may lose the gamerpoints if you do not talk to the crew.

Avoiding lagging game play
Every once in a while you may encounter a slow down on graphics and game play. If you have been playing for less than three hours and see the "Loading" text, release your controller for faster loads. If you have been playing for over three hours and the game play slows down, save and reboot your Xbox 360. This happens because the Xbox 360 does not have an efficient way of clearing its memory for new information. Once the memory is saturated, the "lagging" game play happens. Because Mass Effect is so massive and everything is unique, it uses all of the available memory.

Mako controls
Press RB: Fire rockets.

Press RT: Fire main gun.

Press A: Undercarriage Rockets. This is useful for getting "unstuck", setting the Mako upright if upside down, and stabilizing from falling off a mountain.

Press X: Return to the Nomandy.

Press B: Exit Mako for on-foot exploration.

Hold LT: First person view.

Click Right Analog-stick while pressing LT: Zoom. Click it again for additional zoom. Click it again to exit zoom.

Scan the Keepers in Citadel
After you speak to Chorban in the Citadel Tower, he will request that you scan the Keepers to collect data. There are 21 Keepers total throughout the compound. You will forfeit the chance to do this sidequest if you complete Jahleed's Fears. Here is a list of their locations:

Wards

One is in the hanger bay through C-Sec.
One is in the right-most room in the Presidium Wards Access corridor.
One is in the alleyway next to the market and Choras Den.
One is in the upper market area.
One is in the C-Sec Requisition Office.
One is in the Traffic Control Room in C-Sec.
One is inside Flux, by the quasar machines in the back left.
One is to the right of the Med Clinic entrance.
One is at the C-Sec Academy entrance.
Presidium

Four are inside Citadel Tower.
One is in the back room of the Emporium, left turn.
One is on the balcony of the Embassy lounge.
One is in the rectangular room at the right of the C-Sec HQ at the embassy.
One is outside Citadel Tower to the left of Avina.
One is in the Volus/Elcor office at the Embassy.
One is opposite of Avina, halway between the Consort Chambers and the Emporium.
One is outside the entrance of the Consort Chambers.
One is outside the Wards Access entrance, very close to the arguing Preaching Hana and C-Sec officer.

Signal tracking in Citadel
While in the FLux, you will see a Quasar Machine that has a strange signal coming from it. It traces to the following place in order:

Wards Access Corridor: From the Medical Clinic, go to and up the elevator that takes you toward the Presidium. Take this corridor to a little area where people are talking. Check the terminal on the wall.

Financial District: Check Volus' Office, behind Volus.

Emporium: Turn right coming out of Volus' office, and go past the Emporium Shopkeeper to a back hallway. Then, turn right again. Here you will encounter an A.I. that threatens to blow you and itself up. After the conversation, select the A.I., and input the following code to override: Y, X, Y, A, X, A, A. Finish before it is done Siphoning off credits, and you will get those credits. The amount varies, but you will get more the faster you enter the override code.

ExoGeni PSI puzzle in Feros
In the ExoGeni facility, there are several claws that feed power that must be terminated to continue the mission. You will come across a control panel for the Shuttle Bay Door Controls. This panel has five switches of different pressures:

(5 PSI Valve) (7 PSI Valve) (17 PSI Valve) (11 PSI Valve) (13 PSI Valve)
The objective is to add just enough pressure to fill the gauge between the two arrows. Too much will reset the puzzle and you will have to play with different combinations. Once a correct pressure is reached, the bar will turn yellow and text under it will read "WARNING, HIGH PRESSURE". Enter 7, 11, and 13, then activate. This will create enough pressure to break the claw and deactivate the Geth power being flushed into ExoGeni.

Infinite Paragon points
Go to your Galaxy Map, and travel to the Attican Beta cluster. You will receive a message from the Alliance Command telling you about a downed recon probe that you must retrieve a data module from. From there, travel to the Hercules system, and continue to the planet Eletania. After you reach the downed probe, you will discover that a monkey-like native has made off with the data module. Get back in the Mako, and go to your map. You will see three native colonies. Go towards the one in the middle of the three. Then, go into the mining shaft, and proceed through the tunnels until you reach the end. Search the two monkeys in that part of the shaft. One of them will have the data module. Save the game immediately after getting the module. Then, reload the saved game, and continue to press A to keep searching the monkey that had the data module. Your Paragon meter over the radar should increase each time you select the monkey. At approximately 300 Paragon, you will get the "Paragon" achievement. Note: If you have already completed this assignment, this glitch cannot be done.

Infinite Paragon and Renegade points
On the Noveria planet, go to the hotel bar, and look for a Turian named Lorik Qui'in. Accept his quest to steal the data from his office. Once you get the data, the receptionist will ask you to get Qui'in to testify. Tell her you will do it, and then talk to Qui'in. Tell Qui'in that he should testify (top left option). When he refuses, select the Charm option (top left) for Paragon points or the Intimidate (bottom left) for Renegade points, and end the conversation. Talk to him again, and ask about the Matriarch. When he gets done talking about her, select the "Other questions" option (bottom right). You should now have the option to ask him to testify again (top left). He will refuse, and you will be able to use the Charm or Intimidate option again to gain another 24 Paragon or Renegade points. Repeat this process as many times as desired. You can also easily get the "Paragon" and "Renegade" achievements with the glitch.

N7 Gamerpic
Successfully complete the game on the Insanity difficulty setting to unlock the N7 Gamerpic.

Saren Gamerpic
Successfully complete the game on the Hardcore difficulty setting to unlock the Saren Gamerpic.

Infinite credits
The following trick only works between the two indicated vendors. You can usually buy items back from Expat at half the price you sold them to Dr. Michel for. First, successfully complete the side quest involving Dr. Michel (from the Med Clinic) and her blackmailer. After the quest is complete, you will get a discount from all the goods she sells. Start selling her all of your expensive equipment. Then, travel to the Wards Markets, and talk to the merchant named Expat. You can buy all of your items back for cheaper than you sold them for. Return to Dr. Michel, and sell her all of your items again. Repeat this process as many times as desired.

Infinite Paragon points
Go to your Galaxy Map, and travel to the Attican Beta cluster. You will receive a message from the Alliance Command telling you about a downed recon probe that you must retrieve a data module from. From there, travel to the Hercules system, and continue to the planet Eletania. After you reach the downed probe, you will discover that a monkey-like native has made off with the data module. Get back in the Mako, and go to your map. You will see three native colonies. Go towards the one in the middle of the three. Then, go into the mining shaft, and proceed through the tunnels until you reach the end. Search the two monkeys in that part of the shaft. One of them will have the data module. Save the game immediately after getting the module. Then, reload the saved game, and continue to press A to keep searching the monkey that had the data module. Your Paragon meter over the radar should increase each time you select the monkey. At approximately 300 Paragon, you will get the "Paragon" achievement. Note: If you have already completed this assignment, this glitch cannot be done.

Infinite Paragon and Renegade points
On the Noveria planet, go to the hotel bar, and look for a Turian named Lorik Qui'in. Accept his quest to steal the data from his office. Once you get the data, the receptionist will ask you to get Qui'in to testify. Tell her you will do it, and then talk to Qui'in. Tell Qui'in that he should testify (top left option). When he refuses, select the Charm option (top left) for Paragon points or the Intimidate (bottom left) for Renegade points, and end the conversation. Talk to him again, and ask about the Matriarch. When he gets done talking about her, select the "Other questions" option (bottom right). You should now have the option to ask him to testify again (top left). He will refuse, and you will be able to use the Charm or Intimidate option again to gain another 24 Paragon or Renegade points. Repeat this process as many times as desired. You can also easily get the "Paragon" and "Renegade" achievements with the glitch.

Easy Mako repairs
If your Mako is badly damaged and you do not want to or cannot spend Omni-gel to repair it, save your game, and reload it. Your Mako should now be totally repaired.

Weapon that does not overheat
Get a HMWA X assault rifle with Frictionless Materials, Combat Optics X, and Snowblind Rounds X as upgrades.

Saving weapon points
If you are a Soldier, level up weapons so you can use their bonuses and no further. For example, carnage is the shotgun's bonus. By doing this, you will have extra points for a desired weapon and points to level everything else completely out. You do not need the damage and accuracy bonus from the points because when you become a Spectre the best of every weapon becomes unlocked in the Normandy or at the C-SEC requisitions office.

Recommended career
Play as a War Hero Soldier first. By doing this, during your second play through you will have all of the money, weapons, and armor to use for the other careers.

Ensuring experience points and gamerpoints
After a major plot has been played, make sure to talk to your crew. This will give you experience points for clues and boost your crew's morale. There is also a subplot for romance where you must choose who you want to have a relation with. You may lose the gamerpoints if you do not talk to the crew.

Avoiding lagging game play
Every once in a while you may encounter a slow down on graphics and game play. If you have been playing for less than three hours and see the "Loading" text, release your controller for faster loads. If you have been playing for over three hours and the game play slows down, save and reboot your Xbox 360. This happens because the Xbox 360 does not have an efficient way of clearing its memory for new information. Once the memory is saturated, the "lagging" game play happens. Because Mass Effect is so massive and everything is unique, it uses all of the available memory.

Mako controls
Press RB: Fire rockets.

Press RT: Fire main gun.

Press A: Undercarriage Rockets. This is useful for getting "unstuck", setting the Mako upright if upside down, and stabilizing from falling off a mountain.

Press X: Return to the Nomandy.

Press B: Exit Mako for on-foot exploration.

Hold LT: First person view.

Click Right Analog-stick while pressing LT: Zoom. Click it again for additional zoom. Click it again to exit zoom.

Scan the Keepers in Citadel
After you speak to Chorban in the Citadel Tower, he will request that you scan the Keepers to collect data. There are 21 Keepers total throughout the compound. You will forfeit the chance to do this sidequest if you complete Jahleed's Fears. Here is a list of their locations:

Wards

One is in the hanger bay through C-Sec.
One is in the right-most room in the Presidium Wards Access corridor.
One is in the alleyway next to the market and Choras Den.
One is in the upper market area.
One is in the C-Sec Requisition Office.
One is in the Traffic Control Room in C-Sec.
One is inside Flux, by the quasar machines in the back left.
One is to the right of the Med Clinic entrance.
One is at the C-Sec Academy entrance.
Presidium

Four are inside Citadel Tower.
One is in the back room of the Emporium, left turn.
One is on the balcony of the Embassy lounge.
One is in the rectangular room at the right of the C-Sec HQ at the embassy.
One is outside Citadel Tower to the left of Avina.
One is in the Volus/Elcor office at the Embassy.
One is opposite of Avina, halway between the Consort Chambers and the Emporium.
One is outside the entrance of the Consort Chambers.
One is outside the Wards Access entrance, very close to the arguing Preaching Hana and C-Sec officer.

Signal tracking in Citadel
While in the FLux, you will see a Quasar Machine that has a strange signal coming from it. It traces to the following place in order:

Wards Access Corridor: From the Medical Clinic, go to and up the elevator that takes you toward the Presidium. Take this corridor to a little area where people are talking. Check the terminal on the wall.

Financial District: Check Volus' Office, behind Volus.

Emporium: Turn right coming out of Volus' office, and go past the Emporium Shopkeeper to a back hallway. Then, turn right again. Here you will encounter an A.I. that threatens to blow you and itself up. After the conversation, select the A.I., and input the following code to override: Y, X, Y, A, X, A, A. Finish before it is done Siphoning off credits, and you will get those credits. The amount varies, but you will get more the faster you enter the override code.

Easy "First Aid Specialist" achievement
Find a planet that has a Hazard level 1. Stand outside the Mako, and keep pressing Y. Keep track of how many times you pressed [Heal]. If you do not pay attention and run out of Medi-Gel, you could die from the Hazard level.

Colonial Savior (50 points): Complete the Bring Down the Sky mission.

this is going to sound stupid but..... ive been playing 10 around hours doing mission and side quests and now ive gone back to the citidal had a wonder round to unlock some more mission but now i cant get back to the normandy ? am i missing something or just being thick.

depends, did you do feros, noveria and rescue liara already? then you have to talk to council to unlock virmire first. if not, then i dunno why.

was a thick momment but ive finished it now time for a second play through.