Exploration & The Galaxy Map
Exploring the vast galaxy is a core element of Mass Effect 3, offering opportunities to uncover hidden resources, recruit allies, and discover crucial lore. The Galaxy Map serves as your central hub for navigating between star systems, planets, and mission locations, guiding your journey across the Milky Way.
The Galaxy Map in Mass Effect 3 is more than just a navigation tool; it's a representation of the war effort and Shepard's progress. From the Normandy's CIC, you can access the map to plot courses, initiate FTL jumps, and manage your fleet's movements. Different regions of the galaxy are affected by the Reaper invasion, and your actions in the single-player campaign directly influence the status of various systems, impacting your Galactic Readiness score. The map also highlights available side missions and points of interest.
Navigating the Galaxy Map:
- Accessing the Map: The Galaxy Map is accessible from the CIC (Combat Information Center) on the Normandy SR-2.
- Star Systems and Planets: The map is organized into galactic sectors, each containing multiple star systems. Within each system, you can select planets to scan or land on.
- FTL Jumps: To travel between star systems, you initiate an FTL jump. This consumes fuel, though fuel is generally abundant in Mass Effect 3.
- Mission Markers: Active story missions and side quests are clearly marked on the map, indicating their location and any required actions.
Scanning Planets:
- Resource Scanning: When orbiting a planet, you can initiate a scan to search for resources like Element Zero, fuel, or valuable minerals. This is often done using the ship's long-range scanners.
- Finding Side Missions: Some side missions or points of interest are discovered through scanning planets or by receiving intel from other characters.
- War Asset Discovery: Certain scans may reveal hidden caches or locations that contribute directly to your War Assets.
Galactic Readiness and Map Status:
| Map Element | Sificance | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| System Status | Indicates if a system is under Reaper control, Alliance control, or contested. | Affects available missions and Galactic Readiness. |
| War Asset Icons | Represent fleets or forces that have joined your cause. | Contribute to your total War Asset score. |
| Unexplored Systems | Areas not yet visited or scanned. | May contain hidden missions, resources, or lore. |
Tips for Exploration:
Make it a habit to explore every star system and scan every planet, especially if you are aiming for 100% completion or the best possible ending. Pay attention to any intel received from characters like Admiral Hackett or your squadmates, as it often points to important locations or potential allies. The 'From Ashes' DLC, for example, adds Prothean artifacts that can be discovered through exploration.