.1B.06. Gaining Morality

Learn how to gain Paragon and Renegade points in Mass Effect 2. Master dialogue choices, interrupts, and major decisions to boost your Morality and unlock powerful Persuasion skills.

Hey there! So, you're diving into Mass Effect 2 and want to know how to play nice (or not so nice)? It all comes down to your Morality, which is basically your Paragon or Renegade score. Think of it like this: Machiavelli, a historical dude, believed it's better to be feared than loved. In Mass Effect 2, your choices dictate whether you're more like the 'loved' Paragon type or the 'feared' Renegade type.

Generally, when you're chatting with folks, the dialogue options you see on the right side of the wheel are your main way to earn points. The top-right options usually lead to Paragon conversations, giving you Paragon points. The bottom-right options are your Renegade lines, earning you Renegade points. Sometimes, the options on the left side of the wheel also continue conversations. These are often questions, and they're a great way to dig deeper into situations and get more information. The top-left options tend to be Paragon-leaning, while the bottom-left ones lean Renegade.

So, how many points do you get? Most of the time, a regular choice will net you +2 points. If you get a chance to use your Persuasion skill, or hit one of those dramatic 'Morality Interrupts' that pop up during intense moments, you'll score a sweet +5 points. And for the really big decisions you make throughout the game? Those can give you a hefty +10 to +20 points!

You'll see a bar in your squad/level-up screen that tracks your Morality. It takes 1,000 points to fill it up normally. However, if you've got a bonus, like the 70% boost from your class's passive power, you only need 600 points! Keep in mind that the bar you see already shows these adjusted values, so the percentage displayed is your actual standing. To reach the absolute maximum Morality score, you've got to be consistent with your choices throughout your entire playthrough. Every decision counts!

Why does all this matter? Your Morality score directly impacts your Negotiation and Persuasion skills. You might see it called Negotiation on some gear, like the Death Mask or certain DLC armors, but it's all the same thing. Having a high Morality score means you can use Persuasion more often. This can help you avoid unnecessary fights, get better prices at shops, and even convince your squadmates and other characters to see things your way. If your Persuasion isn't high enough, you'll see the option appear, but it'll be greyed out, meaning you can't use it. But if you can select it? You're guaranteed to succeed!