Jacob: The Gift of Greatness
Jacob Taylor's Loyalty Mission, "The Gift of Greatness," is a pivotal quest in Mass Effect 2 that explores his past and his complicated relationship with his father. This guide provides a detailed walkthrough, outlining key decisions and their consequences for Jacob's loyalty.
Jacob Taylor, the stoic human operative, has a hidden past that comes to light in his Loyalty Mission, "The Gift of Greatness." This quest is essential for securing Jacob's loyalty, which in turn provides him with powerful combat bonuses and ensures his survival during the Suicide Mission. The mission takes Shepard and Jacob to a remote research station where they confront the consequences of Jacob's father's unethical experiments.
Mission Trigger and Location
"The Gift of Greatness" becomes available after Shepard has completed a significant portion of the main story and recruited Jacob. It is triggered by speaking with Jacob on the Normandy. He will reveal his concerns about his father's activities and ask for Shepard's help. The mission takes place on a Cerberus research station called the "Horizon Labs" located in the Hades Nexus cluster.
Walkthrough and Key Events
Upon arriving at Horizon Labs, Shepard and Jacob will find the station in disarray. They will encounter mutated test subjects, the result of Jacob's father's experiments with a powerful biological agent. The primary objective is to find Jacob's father, Dr. Gavorn Taylor, and uncover the truth behind his research.
As Shepard and Jacob progress through the labs, they will find audio logs and data entries that reveal Dr. Taylor's obsession with creating a "perfect" human, believing he could overcome the limitations of human biology. He was using a dangerous biological agent, derived from an alien source, to achieve this. Jacob is deeply disturbed by his father's actions and the suffering he has caused.
Confrontation and Choices
The climax of the mission involves confronting Dr. Gavorn Taylor. He is found in a containment chamber, seemingly unaffected by the chaos around him. He will attempt to justify his actions, claiming he was on the verge of a breakthrough that would benefit humanity. Jacob is torn between his duty to stop his father and his personal feelings.
Shepard and Jacob will have a critical dialogue choice here:
- Allow Jacob to confront his father: This is the recommended path for securing Jacob's loyalty. Jacob will express his disgust and disappointment, ultimately choosing to leave his father to his fate. This act of decisive action and moral clarity solidifies his loyalty to Shepard.
- Shepard intervenes and stops Jacob: If Shepard chooses to intervene or if Jacob is unable to make the decision himself, Jacob may not become loyal. This can lead to him questioning his place on the Normandy and his commitment to Shepard's cause.
Securing Jacob's Loyalty
To ensure Jacob's loyalty, Shepard must allow Jacob to make the final decision regarding his father. This means letting him confront Dr. Taylor and express his condemnation. Jacob needs to see that Shepard trusts him to handle this personal matter and that Shepard supports his moral stance. If Jacob successfully confronts his father and makes his decision, he will express his gratitude and his loyalty to Shepard.
Consequences of Loyalty
A loyal Jacob will gain the "Barrier" ability, a powerful defensive shield that can absorb significant damage. This makes him a much more valuable squadmate in combat. Furthermore, a loyal Jacob is far more likely to survive the Suicide Mission. If Jacob is not loyal, he is at a much higher risk of perishing during the final mission.
Tips for the Mission
- Squadmates: While Jacob is mandatory, consider bringing a squadmate with strong combat abilities to help deal with the mutated enemies.
- Dialogue: Pay close attention to the dialogue between Jacob and his father. It provides crucial insight into Jacob's character and motivations.
- Combat: The mutated test subjects can be challenging. Use cover effectively and focus fire on the most dangerous threats.