Follow our detailed walkthrough for Virmire: Base Main Level in Mass Effect: Legendary Edition (ME1). Includes strategies for turrets, breeding trenches, AA Tower, Nuke Site, and the boss fight with Saren.
Walkthrough
- 1After defeating Krogan Warriors and passing through a tunnel, loot crates (Secure and Locked) outside. Ascend stairs and a winding ramp.
- 2Engage Geth Stalkers and a Krogan Warrior guarding a distant turret. Use sniper fire on Stalkers, then engage the Krogan.
- 3Deal with three Geth Rocket Drones near the turret; Sabotage and Overload are effective.
- 4After clearing the area, head upstairs, loot a Supply Container, and deactivate the Turret Controls console.
- 5Immediately turn around and prepare for Geth Troopers and Shock Troopers emerging from the north elevator. Use technical abilities or grenades.
- 6Ride the cleared elevator down. Loot an Aid Station and proceed through a door to the "Breeding Trenches".
- 7Fight through the eastern Breeding Trench. The Normandy will arrive with a nuclear payload.
- 8Continue west to a central trench. After dialogue, the Normandy deploys its nuke, and your companion (Ashley or Kaiden) accompanies it.
- 9You'll be contacted by the companion sent with Kirrahe, informing you they are in trouble.
- 10Proceed west to the western Breeding Trench. Engage Geth Stalkers, two Krogan Warriors, and a Krogan Warlord. Snipe Stalkers first, then Krogan. Use biotics against charging Krogan.
- 11Ride an elevator up. Loot a Crate to the east of a ramp.
- 12Ascend the ramp. You'll face a choice: rescue the companion in the AA tower or the one with the nuke. This decision is permanent. Choosing Paragon options grants Paragon +2; Renegade options grant Renegade +2.
- 13If saving the AA Tower companion: Head up the ramp, turn left (west), and go through a door. Find a Hardened Weapon Locker and an Aid Station. Ride another elevator to a firefight against Geth (Destroyers, Shock Troopers) caught between your squad and your companion/salarians. Defeat the Geth.
- 14If saving the Nuke Site companion: Head back down the elevator, cross the Breeding Trench to the bomb site. Fight Geth Snipers, a Geth Destroyer, Geth Prime, and Geth Juggernaut. Counter-snipe and use biotics.
- 15After clearing the Geth at either location, Saren will appear. Engage in dialogue. If you have at least 7 ranks in Charm or Intimidate, you can attempt dialogue for Paragon +2 or Renegade +2, though the fight is inevitable.
Tips
- Sabotage and Overload are effective against Geth Rocket Drones.
- When facing Geth Stalkers and Krogan Warriors/Warlords, prioritize sniping the Stalkers due to their targeting lasers, then deal with the Krogan. Use biotics against charging Krogan.
- The choice between saving Ashley or Kaiden is a critical decision with permanent consequences.
- Dialogue options with Saren can yield Paragon/Renegade points if your Charm or Intimidate skills are sufficiently high.
- Paragon +2 or Renegade +2 (depending on dialogue choices with Saren, if applicable)
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