This Guide Contains Spoilers
Mass Effect 2 does a good job of reminding you that you are on a suicide mission. Every member of your crew can die, including you. While it is easy to lose members, it is possible to complete the final mission with your full crew alive. This guide should give you an idea what you need to do in order to survive the final mission.
This isn’t a guarantee on what is required to survive, but more to make you aware of everything. I’ve beaten the game with all surviving and played while losing half the crew. Based on this, I’ve come to some conclusions on possible variables.
Definite:
(These things are spelled out very clearly by the game on numerous occasions)
Collect all crew members – More people means more guns. It also means you have more selection on who to use for each task on the final mission.
Completing Loyalty Missions – Just because you don’t do someone’s loyalty mission doesn’t mean they will die, but it increases the chance of them failing and causing someone to die.
Upgrades to Ship – This specifically refers to the weapons and shields of the Normandy. These become available by asking the crew members if they have any ideas for Normandy upgrades. Here is a list of the upgrades you will definitely need: Heavy Ship Armor, Multicore Shielding, Thanix Cannon
Selection of members on final mission – You will be required to pick which members handle each task on the final mission including: going through the pipe to unlock the door, leading the other squad, protecting the crew against the swarm, and traveling with you. Each of these choices leave the characters vulnerable to death, while I don’t know for sure what the best answers are I will provide the choices I made during the mission I survived at the bottom of this guide.
Likely:
(These are never mentioned specifically as helping the final battle, but it is probable they will increase the chances of survival)
Helping Secondary Characters: There are three characters aboard the Normandy who would like small favors. This includes the ship’s cook, the doctor, and the engineers. It is recommend to talk to them before picking up your first crew members because you will easily come across their items while completing the Definite list and you won’t have to backtrack. I’m not sure if having your crew happy, well feed, and not overworked well help during the battle but it doesn’t hurt to try.
Talking to members of the team: You can talk to each member of the crew and learn about their backstory. This definitely adds a lot of depth to the game, but by showing that Shepard cares about the crew they might be more loyal to him. Mordin is definitely one of my favorite to talk to.
Upgrades to crew: Some members of the crew will offer research projects that upgrade themselves instead of the ship. These upgrades might increase their survival; if it doesn’t it will certainly make them stronger in battle. . Here is a list of the crew upgrades: Geth Sniper Rifle, Krogan Shotgun, Mordin Omnitool, Subject Zero Biotic Boost
Disputes between characters: When you complete loyalty missions some of the crew members may begin fighting with each other. This includes Miranda and Jack as well as Legion and Tali. You will be asked to take one of their sides which will offend the other. I was able to keep everyone happy by using my Paragon/Renegade options.
Choices during loyalty missions: Each member has a specific goal in mind when asking for their loyalty mission, but you end up deciding how it actually ends. Even if they don’t get what they want, you still gain their loyalty. While you can survive without giving them exactly what they want, it may have an effect on their overall loyalty. I sparred everyone I was given the option to during my successful play through.
Unlikely:
(They will affect you play through of Mass Effect 2 but most likely won’t change the odds of survival)
Paragon or Renegade: It is unlikely that choosing to be nice or mean throughout the game has much effect on survival. It is just recommend you have points to solves the disputes without offending anyone though.
Other Upgrades: This refers to all the upgrades to guns, shields, Shepard, etc. They may help with the battles, but won’t increase your survival during the final mission. It is also unlikely that ship upgrades that do not affect the weapons or shields will help. You do not use your probes or fuel during the final mission and even the upgraded medical bay isn’t required (which is nice because that thing is expensive).
If you do everything on the Definite and Likely list, everyone should make it out alive. Considering the ending of Mass Effect 2, you will probably want them in ME3. If I missed anything or you want to know more specific information, leave a comment.
Now here is the list of choices I made for the final mission.
Shepards Team: Legion, Jack
Pipe: Tali
Second Team Leader: Miranda
Sent with Normandy Survivors: Jacob
Shield against Swarm: Samara
Shepards Team: Legion, Jack
Second Team Leader: Miranda
Final Battle Team: Legion, Jack
Held the door: Everyone Else
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