Mass Effect 2
Mass Effect 2

Mission Flow & Choices

Navigate Mass Effect 2's critical path with this mission flow guide. Learn item locations and make choices impacting Paragon/Renegade points from Prologue to C.

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Mission Flow & Choices

Welcome, Commander. This section will guide you through the critical path of Mass Effect 2, focusing on actionable steps, item locations, and the significant choices that shape your journey and crew. We'll cover the main story from the Prologue through the Dossier missions and into the Collector Ship, highlighting opportunities for Paragon and Renegade points.

Prologue: Awakening

The game begins with a harrowing sequence. Your primary objective here is survival and understanding the new mechanics. There are no significant choices or items to miss in this initial, linear segment.

  • Objective: Escape the Cerberus Facility. Follow Miranda's instructions. This section serves as a tutorial for movement and basic combat.
  • Combat Strategy: Utilize cover extensively. Your shields are fragile early on. Focus fire on enemies to quickly eliminate threats.

Freedom's Progress

This is your first real mission with a squad. Pay attention to dialogue choices as they begin to influence your Paragon/Renegade standing.

  • Squad Selection: You'll be forced to take Jacob and Miranda. Get used to their abilities.
  • Key Items:
    • Med-Gel: Often found in wall safes or medical stations. Always pick these up.
    • Credits: Loot every container, terminal, and fallen enemy. Credits are vital for upgrades and gear.
    • Research Data: Keep an eye out for data pads or terminals that grant research points.
  • Combat Strategy: The Geth will be your primary enemy. Overload is highly effective against their shields. Use Jacob's Pull to expose enemies from cover.
  • Significant Choice: During your conversation with Veetor, you'll have an opportunity to make a Paragon or Renegade choice regarding his fate.
    • Paragon: Convince Tali to let Veetor go with her. (Requires a high Paragon score or a successful blue dialogue option.)
    • Renegade: Insist Veetor come with you. (Requires a high Renegade score or a successful red dialogue option.)

The Normandy SR-2 & Illium

After Freedom's Progress, you'll gain access to the Normandy SR-2. Explore it thoroughly to familiarize yourself with your new ship and crew. Your first stop for recruitment will be Illium.

  • Normandy Exploration:
    • Shepard's Cabin: Customize your armor, access the galaxy map, and check your private terminal for messages.
    • Research Terminal (Mordin's Lab): Begin researching upgrades here. Prioritize weapon damage and shield upgrades.
    • Galaxy Map: Your hub for selecting missions and scanning planets.
  • Illium - Dossier: The Master Thief (Kasumi's Loyalty Mission - DLC) / Dossier: The Justicar (Samara) / Dossier: The Assassin (Thane)
    • Recruitment: You'll typically recruit Thane and Samara here. Kasumi is a DLC character who can be recruited early if you own the pack.
    • Side Quests: Illium is rich with side quests. Speak to everyone!
      • Conrad Verner: A returning fan from ME1. Your choices here will impact his future.
      • Liara T'Soni: Catch up with your old friend and assist her with her information broker duties.
    • Shopping: Visit the various vendors for armor, weapons, and upgrades. check the Baria Frontiers store.

Dossier Missions (Recruitment)

The order in which you tackle these missions can slightly alter the narrative flow, but all are essential for building your team.

Dossier: The Professor (Mordin Solus)

  • Location: Omega.
  • Squad Selection: Bring someone with Tech abilities (Jacob or Miranda) and a Combat specialist.
  • Key Items:
    • M-9 Tempest SMG: Found in a locker in the clinic area. An excellent close-range weapon.
    • Medical Upgrades: Several research upgrades can be found or purchased on Omega.
  • Combat Strategy: You'll face Blood Pack mercenaries and Vorcha. Focus on crowd control and biotic explosions if you have them.
  • Significant Choice: After recruiting Mordin, you'll have a choice regarding the cure for the plague.
    • Paragon: Distribute the cure widely.
    • Renegade: Restrict the cure to those who can pay.

Dossier: The Warlord (Grunt)

  • Location: Korlus.
  • Squad Selection: Bring a strong biotic or combat specialist.
  • Key Items:
    • M-15 Vindicator Assault Rifle: Found near the end of the mission. A solid all-around weapon.
  • Combat Strategy: You'll fight Krogan and Blue Suns mercenaries. Krogan are tough; use biotic powers to lift them or heavy weapons to stagger.
  • Significant Choice: Upon awakening Grunt, you'll have a dialogue choice that can influence his initial disposition towards you.

Dossier: The Convict (Jack)

  • Location: Purgatory (Prison Ship).
  • Squad Selection: Bring a squadmate with good crowd control or biotic abilities.
  • Key Items:
    • M-23 Katana Shotgun: Found early in the mission.
  • Combat Strategy: Expect heavy biotic resistance from other prisoners. Use Overload on shields and Warp on barriers.
  • Significant Choice: During the confrontation with Warden Kuril, you can choose to be Paragon or Renegade in your handling of him.

Dossier: Archangel (Garrus Vakarian)

  • Location: Omega.
  • Squad Selection: Bring a tech specialist (Miranda or Mordin) to deal with enemy shields and synthetics.
  • Key Items:
    • M-92 Mantis Sniper Rifle: Found early in the mission.
  • Combat Strategy: You'll face Blue Suns, Eclipse, and Blood Pack mercenaries. Prioritize taking out heavy weapon users and snipers.
  • Significant Choice: When Garrus is injured, you'll have a timed Paragon/Renegade interrupt to save him from a fatal blow. This is a critical moment for his loyalty.

Collector Ship

This mission triggers after you've recruited a certain number of squadmates (typically 4-5). It's a major plot point and a significant challenge.

  • Preparation: Ensure your weapons are upgraded, and you have purchased any available armor or weapon mods. Bring squadmates with strong offensive abilities.
  • Squad Selection: A balanced team is crucial. Consider bringing a biotic (Jack, Samara) and a tech specialist (Mordin, Miranda, Garrus).
  • Combat Strategy: You'll face Collectors and their Husks. Focus fire on the Praetorian's barrier, then its armor. Use Warp on Collectors with barriers. Husks are vulnerable to area-of-effect powers.
  • Key Items:
    • Heavy Weapon Ammo: Plentiful throughout the ship. Don't be afraid to use your heavy weapon.
    • Collector Ship Data: Crucial for research upgrades.
  • Significant Choice: There are no major Paragon/Renegade choices during the mission itself, but your performance and survival will impact your crew's morale.