Game Tips - Mass Effect 2

Game Tips for Mass Effect 2

This guide compiles essential tips for Mass Effect 2, organized by category to help players of all skill levels. From combat fundamentals to advanced build optimizations, each tip includes a clear explanation of why it works and when to apply it. Whether you're a newcomer stepping into Commander Shepard's boots or a veteran aiming for a perfect Insanity run, these insights will sharpen your strategy.

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Combat Tips

Master Cover Switching – Always use the cover system (tap A/X or spacebar to snap into cover, then hold to move along walls). Never stand still in open fire; enemies flank and grenade frequently. Use the tactical pause (left bumper/L1 or Q) to assess positions and queue powers.

Use Powers to Strip Shields and Armor – Enemies have three defense layers: shields (blue), armor (yellow/red), and barriers (purple/white). Each is weak to specific power types. For example, Overload (engineer/Tali/Legion) shreds shields and damages synthetics. Incinerate (Mordin, Garrus) destroys armor and is strong against organics. Warp (Liara, Samara, Jack) rips barriers and armor. Combine powers for massive combos: Warp + Throw creates a biotic explosion; Incinerate + Overload can strip both armor and shields on a single hardened enemy.

Heavy Weapon Efficiency – The M-920 Cain is devastating but uses one heavy weapon ammo per shot and has a long recharge. Save it for bosses like the Human-Reaper or the Reaper Core on the Collector Base. The M-100 Grenade Launcher is better for clustered groups. The M-622 Avalanche freezes multiple enemies. Use heavy weapons sparingly and only when outnumbered or facing a tough enemy type (e.g., Scions, Praetorians).

Squad Power Synergy – On Insanity, enemies have stronger defenses and regenerate shields. Bring squadmates that complement your class. For a Soldier: Miranda (Warp + Overload) for biotic/tech coverage. For an Adept: Garrus (Overload) for shields and Thane (Throw + Warp) for biotic combos. Always level squad passive skills (like Tech Armor for Sentinel, Adrenaline Rush for Soldier) early – they improve survivability.

Control the Battlefield with Concussive Shot and Pull – Soldier's Concussive Shot and Adept's Pull can stagger enemies and set up follow-up shots. Concussive Shot works on all defenses. Pull only works on unprotected organics, but if you combine it with Warp, you can throw pulled enemies into objects or other foes for area damage (a biotic combo).

Learn the Enemy Stagger Pattern – Most enemies flinch for a half-second when hit by any bullet. Use a rapid-fire weapon (Tempest SMG, Mattock heavy rifle) to keep them staggered and prevent them from firing back. On higher difficulties, this is crucial to avoid taking chip damage.

Exploration & Scanning Tips

Thoroughly Scan Every Planet – Scanning is time-consuming but the only way to get Element Zero (Eezo), Iridium, Platinum, and Palladium. These resources are used for all upgrades (weapons, armor, ship). Spend your fuel credits on the best upgrades for the Normandy SR-2's scan range and fuel efficiency first (from the Turian at the Citadel, Haron).

Prioritize Rich Planets – When scanning, look for planets with high resource percentages (e.g., 9+ bars in any resource). Rich planets yield more per probe. Planets with low percentages (1-3 bars) give very little and are not worth the probes unless you're desperate. Use the system map's planet info (press Y/triangle) to see the resource breakdown before scanning.

Don't Waste Probes on Anomalies – Anomalies (N7 missions) can be found without probes by scanning a planet until a spike appears. Probe only when the spike hits the center of the planet to trigger the anomaly mission. Doing this saves probes for actual resource gathering.

Visit the Citadel and Omega Often – Between major missions, check your journal for new side quests and talk to NPCs. The Citadel (Presidium and Wards) has multiple side quests that award credits, experience, and sometimes unique weapons. Omega has recruitment missions and the Afterlife club with valuable conversations with Aria T’Loak (she gives info on hidden weapons and resources).

Use the Mako on the Normandy? – The Mako is not available in Mass Effect 2 (only in ME1 and ME3). For exploration, you control the Normandy's planet scanning and a hovercraft on some DLC planets (like Firewalker). The Firewalker missions are short but give substantial credit boosts.

Breakable Objects in Levels – Many crates, lockers, and computers are breakable or hackable. They yield credits, medigel, heavy weapon ammo, or weapon mods. Always check corners and destructible walls (red explosive barrels often hide loot).

Resources & Upgrades Tips

Max Out Your Ship Upgrades Early – The Normandy SR-2 has upgrades for armor, weapons, shields, and kinetic barriers. These are built from the Tech Lab (accessed from the CIC Deck). Prioritize: Silaris Armor (reduces hull damage from enemy fire), Cyclone Barrier (improves kinetic barrier regeneration), Multicore Shielding (increases shield strength), and Thanix Cannon (side weapon, increases ship firepower – required for the Suicide Mission). Upgrading the ship drastically increases squad survival during the final mission.

Weapon Upgrades Are Class-Specific – Each weapon type (pistol, SMG, shotgun, assault rifle, sniper rifle, heavy weapon) has individual upgrades. Research them in the Tech Lab (requires resources). The Weapon Damage upgrade is the most universally useful. Also, scope and barrel mods (found in missions) can be installed at the weapon bench on the Normandy. Prioritize accuracy mods for long-range weapons, damage mods for close-range.

Squadmate Upgrades Matter – Every squadmate has a personal upgrade (e.g., Garrus's Armor Piercing Ammo upgrade, Grunt's Krogan Warlord upgrade). These are required to keep squadmates alive during the Suicide Mission. To unlock them, complete their loyalty mission (with enough Paragon/Renegade points) and then talk to them on the Normandy to initiate the upgrade. If you lack the resources or reputation, you may have to choose who lives.

Resource Management for Upgrades – The four resources are: Iridium (most common, used for ship and armor upgrades), Platinum (used for weapon damage upgrades), Palladium (used for shield and biotic upgrades), and Element Zero (rarest, used for biotic and heavy weapon upgrades). Save Eezo for critical biotic upgrades and the Thanix Cannon. You can also buy resources from merchants on the Citadel and Omega, but prices are high. Better to scan.

Tech Lab Skill: Damping and Special Project – Some upgrades require you to complete specific missions or obtain a rare component (e.g., Geth shield boosters, Collector ship fragments). Always check the Tech Lab after every major mission to see if new blueprints are available.

Character Builds & Squad Tips

Build for Your Class Strengths –

Soldier

Adept

Engineer

Sentinel

Infiltrator

Vanguard

Squad Composition for Loyalty Missions – Each loyalty mission has a recommended squadmate who has a personal connection (e.g., bring Garrus for his mission, Tali for hers). This increases the chance of successful paragon/renegade checks and may unlock extra dialogue or options. Also, bring squadmates with high tech skills for missions requiring hacking (e.g., Jacob's loyalty mission has a door that needs high electronics).

Save Zaeed and Kasumi for Early Money – Zaeed's Massani's Incursion (Lair of the Shadow Broker DLC) and Kasumi's Stolen Memory (Kasumi DLC) provide significant credits and the powerful Locust SMG (Kasumi's mission) and the M-112 Kassa Locust (a great heavy pistol). Do them as early as possible (after the first few missions) to gear up.

Leveling Squadmates – Every squadmate gains XP separately from Shepard. Use them in missions to level them up. However, their powers unlock at specific levels (e.g., Garrus gets Armor Piercing Ammo at level 5). Always invest in their class passive and their most powerful ability first. For example, Tali's Combat Drone and Jack's Shockwave are high-damage crowd control. Grunt's Fortification gives him massive defense.

Economy & Purchases Tips

Buy the M-95 Mattock Early – This heavy rifle is available at the Citadel's C-Sec Requisitions after completing the “Dossier: Tali” mission. It has high damage and accuracy, making it arguably the best assault rifle in the game. It costs about 30,000 credits, but it's worth every penny for all classes (except Vanguard who prefer shotguns).

Invest in the M-12 Locust SMG – Obtained from Kasumi's loyalty mission, this SMG has impressive damage and accuracy for its class. It outperforms the standard Shuriken. Use it on classes that rely on SMGs (Engineer, Sentinel, Adept).

Credits Are Limited – Choose Wisely – There are a finite number of credits in the game from missions, containers, and side quests. You cannot replay missions for money. Therefore, prioritize purchasing upgrades to the ship (Thanix Cannon, Silaris Armor) and essential weapons over cosmetic items or unnecessary weapon mods (e.g., you only need one good sniper rifle, not every variant).

Medigel and Heavy Ammo – Medigel restores health and can revive fallen squadmates once per battle. Heavy ammo is scarce – only found in specific crates and from downed enemies. Use heavy weapons only when necessary. You can buy medigel from vendors, but it's pricey (500 credits each). Save credits by hacking medigel dispensars (requires Electronics skill) or finding it in levels.

Sell Unused Weapons and Armor – The Normandy's armory has a locker where you can sell duplicate weapons and armor pieces. After completing several missions, you'll accumulate spare gear. Sell anything you don't use (e.g., if you never use pistols, sell all but one). The credits add up quickly.

Gamble for Credits? – On the Citadel, there is a gambling machine (Quasar) where you can win credits. The odds are heavily stacked against you – it's not worth the time or credits. Better to invest in resources or upgrades.

Mission & Dialogue Optimization Tips

Paragon/Renegade Reputation Matters – Your reputation score determines whether you can resolve battles peacefully or intimidate opponents. To max it, consistently choose one path (Paragon or Renegade) and invest in the corresponding passive skill (Paragon Persuade or Renegade Intimidate). Also, complete the majority of side missions to earn reputation. Each major story mission and loyalty mission gives reputation points. If you mix choices, you may fail key reputation checks late in the game (e.g., resolving Tali/Legion conflict, convincing Morinth to spare Samara).

Always Talk to Your Squad Between Missions – After every major mission, walk around the Normandy and talk to each squadmate. This triggers loyalty discussions, upgrades, and sometimes bonus missions. Missing a conversation can lock you out of a loyalty mission or a squadmate upgrade necessary for survival.

The Suicide Mission Just Before the Point of No Return – When you acquire the Reaper IFF (after the Collector Ship mission), the game enters a critical phase. Speak to all squadmates, complete all loyalty missions (if possible), and ensure the Normandy is fully upgraded (shield, armor, cannon). Any uncompleted loyalty missions or missing upgrades will result in squadmate deaths at the end. You cannot change weapons or ship loadouts after starting the final mission.

Use the "Talk to Everyone" rule on Omega and Citadel – NPCs often give quests, hints about hidden weapons, or discounts. For example, the volus merchant on the Citadel (outside C-Sec) gives a quest to find a lost ring that rewards credits. The batarian on Omega sells a unique sniper rifle if you pass a Paragon check.

Know When to Use the Paragon/Renegade Interrupts – During conversations, a prompt (LB+RB on Xbox, L1+R1 on PS3, Q+E on PC) may appear. Using them can change mission outcomes, skip fights, or earn bonus reputation. For example, during the fight with Harkin (Thane's recruitment), a renegade interrupt allows you to kill him immediately. During the Tali loyalty mission, a paragon interrupt saves a quarian admiral. Always watch for these prompts – they often have significant consequences.

Advanced Strategies & Optimizations

Insanity Difficulty Tactics – On Insanity, enemies have triple health, shields are tougher, and squadmates die quickly. Always stay in cover. Use squad powers to detonate combos (e.g., Warp + Throw) for massive area damage. Prioritize killing enemies that can stagger you (Scions' shockwave, Praetorians' laser). Use heavy weapons sparingly but on key threats. Level your class passive early to reduce cooldowns. For Insanity, a Sentinel with Tech Armor is arguably the easiest class due to high survivability.

Speedrunning Tips (for Experience) – If you want to speed through to get certain achievements or see multiple endings quickly, skip side missions except those that give essential upgrades (ship armor, weapon damage). Use the Paragon/Renegade system to avoid fights (e.g., talking down the merc bands on Omega). The quickest path: complete Horizon, Collector Ship, Reaper IFF, then Suicide Mission. This will yield a low-EMS ending with few survivors.

Save Scumming for the Perfect Ending – The Suicide Mission can have multiple squadmate deaths based on choices. The game auto-saves at the start of the mission. If you want to save everyone, you must have:

Maximizing XP Gain – XP is awarded for kills, mission completion, and exploration. To level up faster, do all side missions before the main story. The game's level cap is 30 (with Lair of the Shadow Broker DLC, you can reach 30 by the end). Use bonus powers from DLC (like Inferno Shot for Soldier or Stasis for Adept) to increase combat efficiency and therefore kill more enemies.

New Game+ (Importing ME1 or ME2 save) – Importing a Mass Effect 1 save gives a starting level of 5 and some extra bonuses (Shepard's line of work depends on ME1 choices). New Game+ for ME2 (replaying the same Shepard) carries over level, credits, and some upgrades (though not all). This is ideal for a second run on Insanity with maxed gear.

DLC Specific Tips:

- Lair of the Shadow Broker: Buy the Shadow Broker Heavy Pistol and the upgraded armor (the Terminus Armor is excellent). Complete all side quests on the Shadow Broker's base for additional credits and schematics.
- Arrival: The boss fight with the Reaper can be tough. Use squadmates with Overload (Garrus, Miranda) to strip shields quickly. Bring extra heavy ammo for this mission.
- Kasumi – Stolen Memory: The Hacking sequence requires you to memorize a colored pattern under time pressure. Pause the game (use tactical pause) to examine the pattern without time limit, then execute it.
- Zaeed – The Price of Revenge: You can side with Vido or kill him. The Paragon option (save the factory workers) gives reputation and is easier; the Renegade option gives a bit more credits but loses reputation.

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Final Words

Mass Effect 2 rewards preparation, smart squad composition, and efficient resource management. By following these tips, you'll be well-equipped to tackle any challenge the galaxy throws at you—from the mercs of Omega to the Collectors. Remember: your choices have consequences, so plan ahead, but also enjoy the journey. Good luck, Commander.