Is the Med-Bay Upgrade useful in something?

Question

According to the Normandy SR-2 Upgrades on the Mass effect Wiki, the Med-Bay Upgrade only do this :

Using this unit will immediately and completely heal your scars. Further scarring will not occur regardless of the actions you take.

Apart form the cosmetic improvement, nonexistent is you choose the paragon path, is there any reason to throw 50,000 Platinum into the research of this upgrade?

Asked by DavRob60

Answer

It makes no difference to the ending, and does really appear to be a purely cosmetic upgrade.

You can save all your crew members without it, unlike some of the other upgrades.

Answered by Richard Benson

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Is the Med-Bay Upgrade usefull in something?

Question

According to the Normandy SR-2 Upgrades on the Mass effect Wiki, the Med-Bay Upgrade only do this :

Using this unit will immediately and completely heal your scars. Further scarring will not occur regardless of the actions you take.

Apart form the cosmetic improvement, nonexistent is you choose the paragon path, is there any reason to throw 50,000 Platinum into the research of this upgrade?

Asked by DavRob60

Answer

It makes no difference to the ending, and does really appear to be a purely cosmetic upgrade.

You can save all your crew members without it, unlike some of the other upgrades.

Answered by Richard Benson

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Where to look for the current patch version installed?

Question

I was reading the Masseffect.wikia Planet Scanning article and found this tip:

Patch your game. Before you begin mining, make sure that you have patch 1.02 or higher as it reduces the time required for mining by providing a larger scan area.

I did not find the current version number anywhere in the game setting, where should I look? By the way, I bought the game on Steam, I thought it is supposed to be patched automatically, isn't it?

Asked by DavRob60

Answer

Each installed Game in your Steam library has an individual setting for whether or not it should be kept up to date. You can verify that this option is selected for Mass Effect by right-clicking on the entry in your Library, then choosing Properties. On the Updates tab there is a check box entitled "Always keep this game up to date".

To answer the actual question: this Technical FAQ http://social.bioware.com/forum/1/topic/106/index/6861142/1 says to run the ME2 Launcher, select Configure and choose the Game tab. The number next to MassEffect2.exe is your patch level.

Check this to see if the Launcher behaviour is different in the Steam version (which I don't have) and let me know, at which point I'll edit out this caveat.

Answered by JamesCW

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Which NPC's romance each other?

Question

I didn't romance any character in the first two parts but romanced Liara in the last part.

Now, I found Garrus and Tali kissing in the main gun calibration room and I was wondering, are there any other romancing scenes between teammates? For example, if I had romanced Tali instead, would Garrus be with Liara or if I would have been a femshep and romance Garrus, would Tali be with Liara.

I'm not interested only in this trio, but curious in general: which teammates romance each other in Mass Effect?

Asked by mindnoise

Answer

No, this is one of only two visible romances on board, other than your own. The other is Ken and Gabby, as per @ERazER's comment. I personally haven't seen that one. While it may be implied that other relationships may happen, there isn't a scene to walk in on for them. In any case, they don't involve your squad mates, except Joker and EDI. Can't see them making out either.

Answered by MBraedley

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Which teams romance each other?

Question

I didn't romance any character in the first two parts but romanced Liara in the last part.

Now, I found Garrus and Tali kissing in the main gun calibration room and I was wondering, are there any other romancing scenes between teammates? For example, if I had romanced Tali instead, would Garrus be with Liara or if I would have been a femshep and romance Garrus, would Tali be with Liara.

I'm not interested only in this trio, but curious in general: which teammates romance each other in Mass Effect?

Asked by mindnoise

Answer

No, this is one of only two visible romances on board, other than your own. The other is Ken and Gabby, as per @ERazER's comment. I personally haven't seen that one. While it may be implied that other relationships may happen, there isn't a scene to walk in on for them. In any case, they don't involve your squad mates, except Joker and EDI. Can't see them making out either.

Answered by MBraedley

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Changing Party Member Outfits in Mass Effect 2

Question

So I just completed the mission: Stealing Memory as part of the Kasumi DLC. I was told that I had unlocked an alternate costume.

Where can I see the costumes and/or change it for my squadmates?

Asked by Raven Dreamer

Answer

They can be seen at your private terminal, under the squad info section.

Answered by Quantumgeek

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Where can I find more Element Zero?

Question

While my probes have netted me more palladium than I'll ever be able to use, I have played through the entire game finding almost no Element Zero.

Is there a secret to finding planets which contain Eezo, or is there just not much of it out there?

Asked by Steve V.

Answer

Like the other answer, there are lists you can use to find planets for any particular mineral.

If you don't want to use a list, there are a couple of tips:

• Asteroids generally have Eezo.
• Wave your scanner over the planet, if there's any Eezo there, there'll be a lot, and it'll show up immediately.
• You only need ~50k (I think, forgot) to research every single upgrade which needs it, so don't keep mining afterwards (unless you need to respec a lot).
• Game completion bonuses should give you more than the above amount, so you won't need to mine Eezo at all.

Answered by sykora

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Crew at the end of Mass Effect 2

Question

I know that the Mass Effect 2 ending varies depending on the choices you make. I have a few questions about a specific aspect of the ending:

The survival of your crew depends on whom you choose for certain parts of the suicide mission.

1. Only the doctor was saved from the Collector base. Was it possible to save the rest of the crew if I had reached there earlier? Like, not trying to complete the squad and heading there the moment the Omega 4 relay was open?

2. At the last bit of the suicide mission, where you go in to blow up the place, you can choose only two members to accompany you (as usual). The rest stay back to keep the bad guys out. For me, at the end of the game, Miranda and Thane hits the bucket. But who dies is different for different people. But what affects that? We dont get to choose who stays behind to provide cover. So why is it different for different people?

Asked by Bobby Alexander

Answer

Here's a useful flowchart that shows what ending you'll get based on your choices in the game. (Click for full-sized version)

Answered by Alex Bliskovsky

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Teammates romancing each other

Question

I didn't romance any character in the first two parts but romanced Liara in the last part. Now, I found Garrus and Tali kissing in the main gun calibration room and I was wondering, are there any other romancing scenes between teammates? For example, if I had romanced Tali instead, would Garrus be with Liara or if I would have been a femshep and romance Garrus, would Tali be with Liara. I'm not interested only in this trio, but curious in general, which teammates romance each other in Mass Effect?

Asked by mindnoise

Answer

No, this is the only visible romance on board, other than your own. It's implied that others may happen, but there isn't a scene to walk in on for them. In any case, they don't involve your squad mates, except Joker and EDI. Can't see them making out either.

Answered by MBraedley

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Starting a love interest in Mass Effect 2 from a Mass Effect 1 save file

Question

I may have skipped a point or convo or something. But I currently have a (female) Shepard file from Mass Effect 1 and I'm playing Mass Effect 2. In the original Mass Effect, the Shepard's love interest was Liara T'Soni.

However, I'd like to move on to another possible love interest in Kelly Chambers. (Wanted to see the dance scene.) But something is, wrong, I think.

I talked with Kelly and told her she can feed my fish when I'm away and even had the dinner scene. But, I can't go further than that. I know I'm supposed to be able to call her to the loft. but that's not showing up in the file.

Did I skip a dialogue somewhere?

Asked by Paul Williams

Answer

You cannot call Kelly up to your cabin until after you travel through the Omega 4 relay.

SPOILERS

Even then, you can only call her up if you manage to save her from the Collectors by doing only one mission after you get the Reaper IFF (which will likely be Legion's loyalty mission), otherwise she will die.

Answered by Mr Smooth

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Mass Effect 2 Heavy Weapon Choice

Question

What is the best Heavy Weapon to use in general in Mass Effect 2? The Cain nuke launcher is pretty funny, but it's not worth using because of how much ammo it requires. In general, I use the Collector Particle Beam or the Grenade launcher. I find the Avalanche and Missile Launcher to not be as effective.

What's the best to use overall without switching?

Asked by mouche

Answer

The Collector Particle Beam has many advantages over other heavy weapons:

• No reload time
• No projectile travel time
• No delay before firing
• No self-damage
• Continuous, visible fire for adjusting aim and tracking moving targets
• Zero recoil

It also has a +50% bonus against both armor and shields.

The main downside is you're out in the open while firing, but most of the time I feel the advantages outweigh the risks.

Answered by ZoogieZork

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Do I need to have played Mass Effect to enjoy Mass Effect 2?

Question

I have never played Mass Effect, but I hear that Mass Effect 2 is great.

Do I need to play the first to understand the second? Will I be lost?

Asked by Vaccano

Answer

They do a pretty good job of introducing the world and story in ME2, if you have not played ME1. That being said, I feel that picking up ME1 for $20 is well worth it and will definitely enhance your ME2 experience.

For example. certain characters will not appear in ME2 if you did not play ME1. Make sure you get ME1 and ME2 on the same platform too. You can't transfer saves from different platforms.

Answered by Elpezmuerto

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At what point is the “Final Save” created for import to Mass Effect 3?

Question

I'm assuming that the endgame save or final save or whatever you want to call it for Mass Effect 2 is created after your decision regarding the Collector Base.

What I wish to know, is: will it re-save with new information based on any DLC I complete?

For example, if I finish the main mission, and then proceed to finish the Arrival DLC, will my final save be updated so that in ME3 it knows I finished the Arrival DLC?

The reason I ask is because I know there could be some effect in ME3 based on what you did in DLC, so if my final save (I'm almost there) doesn't update, then that means that I'll want to complete all of the DLC before taking the fight to the collectors.

Asked by Mr Smooth

Answer

Every Mass Effect 2 save file has a "QuestCompletion" variable that can be one of three values. Gibbed's save editor has dubbed these, "Quest Incomplete", "Lived To Fight Again", and "Went Out in a Blaze of Glory".

There is no "mission complete" save generated by ME2 like there is in ME1. Instead, every save file has this variable in one of the three states. Presumably, only saves where Shepard "Lived to Fight Again" will be viable to import, as Bioware has previously stated dead Commander Shephards won't be importable into ME3. (And obviously, you can't import without beating the game).

(Related: http://gaming.stackexchange.com/a/52493/336)

When importing into Mass Effect 3, you get to pick the actual save to import (i.e., quick, auto, or manual). Your save is always current, so there should be no worry about keeping your save "updated", other than simply saving normally from playing the game.

Answered by Raven Dreamer

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What effect does the ending of Mass Effect 2 have on Mass Effect 3?

Question

At the end of Mass Effect 2 you have the option of either

destroying the Collector base or preserving the base to allow Cerberus to study it.

What effect on Mass Effect 3 (if any) does this decision have?

Asked by Thrillho

Answer

Saving the base gives you 110 points towards your Galaxy at War score compared to 100 for destroying it.

There is a rumour that the Illusive Man will be friendlier towards you in ME3 if you went his way in ME2 (saving the base) but that's unsubstantiated.

Since he's (confirmed) trying to kill you in ME3, I don't know how much weight this carries.

The endings below 1750 or above 2800 effective military strength are the same, regardless of what you chose to do in ME2.

The endings, organized by rating required are different depending on what path you chose:

Low EMS Option

Saved the base:

1750-2049 EMS Choose to Save the Reapers and the Earth will be saved.

Destroyed the base:

1750-1899 EMS Choose to become a Reaper and the Earth will be destroyed.

Mid range EMS Option

Saved the base:

2050-2349 EMS Choose to become a Reaper and the Earth will be saved.

Destroyed the base:

1900-2349 EMS Choose to destroy the Repears and the Earth will be devastated

Saved the base only option

2350-2649 EMS Choose to destroy the Reapers and Earth is destroyed.

High EMS Option

Saved the Base:

2650-2799 EMS Choose to destroy the Repears and the Earth will be devastated

Destroyed the Base:

2350 - 2799 EMS Choose to become a Reaper and the Earth will be saved.

Answered by Stephen

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How do I know who I slept with?

Question

I have an ME1 save, but no longer have access to the game itself. I wish to start a new game in ME2 based on this save in preparation for ME3.

I haven't started the playthrough yet and am wondering how I can tell who I had a romance with in ME1? This will determine how I will make my romantic decisions in both ME2 and ME3.

Asked by James Jiao

Answer

Once you gain access to the Normandy SR-2, take a peek around Shepard's personal quarters.

If you had a love interest in Mass Effect 1, Shep will have a framed picture of them on his desk.

If you then go on to romance someone else, Shep will tactfully... place the picture face down.

Answered by Raven Dreamer

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Keeping the loyalty of both Miranda and Jack

Question

According to the Mass Effect Wiki it is possible to keep the Loyalty of both Miranda and Jack "if your Paragon or Renegade scores are high enough, you can choose an option favoring neither person and keep the loyalty of both."

How can I determine if my Paragon/Renegade score is sufficient to keep the Loyalty of both characters?

Asked by FishOfPrey

Answer

Your Paragon/Renegade score has to be at the level just below Max, however if you alienate one of them you do get another chance to get their loyalty back (anytime before you head through the "main" portal), but then your chosen alignment has to be maxed out.

Answered by Josefvz

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Meaning of the Shadow Broker recordings?

Question

At the end of the Lair of the Shadow Broker DLC (which was awesome!), you are shown various security camera recordings. They are short, silent, and provide little context.

I couldn't recognize any of the characters or events. Do any of these show past events we are supposed to remember, or events from any other media like the novels? Or do they all foreshadow Mass Effect 3?

Asked by Mufasa

Answer

The videos themselves are pretty meaningless - they're just supposed to be a neat, almost easter-egg snippets of video footage that the Shadow Broker was ostensibly observing / had recorded.

You may not have recognized any of the characters, but the folks over at the Mass Effect wiki have gotten a pretty comprehensive list.

Also, note that not all the videos are available at once -- I have a feeling you'd remember Khalisah al-Jilani, especially when she's getting punched and kicked (and this time, not by you!)

Answered by Raven Dreamer

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Can Mass Effect 2 Saves and DLC be used on multiple Xboxes with the same Live Profile?

Question

I have one XBox 360 in my house, and plan to buy a second console for my office (across the country). I'm playing Mass Effect 2 (using Cloud Storage for Saves). I've bought all of the DLC and thus far have done all of my playing on my primary console.

I'm trying to determine if I will be able to download all of the DLC to the second XBox and continue to play no matter which location I'm in. Basically I want to be able to continue playing/progressing even as I travel from location to location.

I'm fairly confident that my Cloud based saves will work just fine, but it's very hard to pin down the policy on DLC and multiple XBoxes. Obviously I'll be using the same Xbox Live Profile in both locations.

Will I have to buy the Cerberus Network for the second Xbox? Will I have to re-buy all of the DLC?

Note: I also plan to use this same setup when I transition into ME:3.

Asked by bconneen

Answer

You should be fine in re-downloading the DLC to the second console assuming you can sign into Xbox Live with the same profile it's licensed to. The content is licensed to your profile as well as to the original console it was purchased/downloaded on, so if you can sign in on another console, then it will let you use it on that console while signed in.

Also, I confirmed that the Cerberus Network appears to load fine on a second console without having to download anything. I'm assuming it must be tied to the EA Profile which is linked to your Xbox Live profile, and doesn't require any sort of download.

Answered by Doozer Blake

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Are there story elements in Mass Effect 3 which are directly influenced by actions in the first game?

Question

Since ME1 never came out on the PS3, the PS3 version of ME2 made up for the inability to import ME1 saves by including an interactive comic DLC (Mass Effect: Genesis) that makes up for the "missing" game by letting you make decisions that will affect the second game.

I assume an imported save from ME2 which had that DLC will take these key decisions effective in the third game as well, but I was wondering - are there are some actions available in the first game which I'm missing out their direct meaningful influence on the third game because I don't have a save with these actions performed? If so, is there a direct gameplay disadvantage (for example, missing characters, galactic readiness, etc).

Asked by JohnoBoy

Answer

You miss out on a few things, I'd only consider the interactions with Wrex as major:

1. BDTS DLC for the first one allows you to have some war assets if you took the paragon path.
2. Venrad Connor needs to have survived in both the first and second to show up as a war asset in the third.
3. You have to have saved the Rachni queen in the first to gain her as an asset in the third. (The fake rachni queen that's subsituted will betray you).
4. You will miss out on Wrex in general as he's now dead.

There are more but most of them are simply war assets etc.

Answered by yx.

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Is there Mass Effect 2 “ultimate playthrough” in regards to Mass Effect 3 import?

Question

If I start a Mass Effect 2 game from scratch, keeping in mind that the save is ultimately intended for import to Mass Effect 3, where I'd want to have the best available resources (e.g skills, equipment, available crew members), which decisions should I keep in mind? For example, I know I should have as many teammates survive the final mission as possible, but are there other missions I should try to complete one way over the other? Which DLC, if any, should I play/avoid?

Asked by JohnoBoy

Answer

Best available ME3 setup? You'll need to go all the way back to ME1. If you have a PS3, and can't play ME1, I would suggest re-buying the series on PC or XBox. ;) You can't have the ultimate Mass Effect play through without playing ME1.

1. Beat ME 1 on Normal (This unlocks Hardcore and ups the level cap)
2. Beat ME 1 on Hardcore (This unlocks Insanity)
3. Beat ME 1 on Insanity with all DLC getting to max level completing every mission and quest.

Save Wrex too. You'll lose Mordin in ME3, but War Asset wise it's a better deal.

This gives the best setup for ME2.

1. Beat ME2 on any difficulty (This increases the level cap)
2. Beat ME2 on any difficulty again with all DLC getting to max level completing every mission and quest. Keep all squad members and crew members alive.

That should give you the best possible setup.

Here's a short list of ME1 and ME2 decisions that can effect war assets in ME3.

Hope that helps!

Answered by CaulynDarr

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