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[Woorloog]

I need to go back and do an insanity run. Any tips to breeze through it?

Soldier. Adrenaline Rush should be the one that increases damage dealt, not the one that reduces damage taken. Spec for maximal health. Spec for Tungest Ammo. Use Revenant.
Miranda for squad stat bonuses. Have her use Tempest (for the AI cheats and is super accurate). Garrus or Thane is a good secondary friend, Garrus specced to Tungsten ammo and extra damage (Turian... Rebel? Can't remember). Thane should have extra damage and Warp maxed out.
A note on Warp: Always pick "Unstable Warp" for friendlies as that has lower cooldown (6 second instead of 9).

 

[Subitai]

Soldier. Adrenaline Rush should be the one that increases damage dealt, not the one that reduces damage taken. Spec for maximal health. Spec for Tungest Ammo. Use Revenant.
Miranda for squad stat bonuses. Have her use Tempest (for the AI cheats and is super accurate). Garrus or Thane is a good secondary friend, Garrus specced to Tungsten ammo and extra damage (Turian... Rebel? Can't remember). Thane should have extra damage and Warp maxed out.
A note on Warp: Always pick "Unstable Warp" for friendlies as that has lower cooldown (6 second instead of 9).

Don't forget Zaheed and Legion if you get them early.

 

[Woorloog]

Don't forget Zaheed and Legion if you get them early.

Ah, Zaheed is certainly good. Garrus is better though (IMO), Garrus gets +power damage which applies to his own Tungsten ammo... Plus he is way cooler.
But Legion? He ain't good. Hacking is nearly useless and on higher difficulties more so. The shield power is useless on Insanity, it doesn't last but a second under fire. 10% damage bonus while the shield is UP... no. Widow suffers from damage reduction (well, so does Mantis), Garrus with Mantis and Tungsten ammo deals as much damage.

 

[rozay]

Use 2 characters with incisor rifles, they're bugged to do as much damage per shot as shepard would do with the gun.

 

[Woorloog]

Use 2 characters with incisor rifles, they're bugged to do as much damage per shot as shepard would do with the gun.

Ah yes, forgot to mention this. It should be noted that they're also exceptionally accurate with them... And it should be noted that Mantis is quite strong however, squad mates deal some 130 damage it and Incisor's base damage is 50something, but since it fires in bursts i assume it deals up to 150something damage. Tell me burst doesn't split the damage across the shots...
BTW, why does Vindicator AR feel so shitty? I use either Avenger or Mattock (or Revenant), both seem to be dealing damage far better than Vindicator, even Avenger.

 

[Subitai]

Ah, Zaheed is certainly good. Garrus is better though (IMO), Garrus gets +power damage which applies to his own Tungsten ammo... Plus he is way cooler.
But Legion? He ain't good. Hacking is nearly useless and on higher difficulties more so. The shield power is useless on Insanity, it doesn't last but a second under fire. 10% damage bonus while the shield is UP... no. Widow suffers from damage reduction (well, so does Mantis), Garrus with Mantis and Tungsten ammo deals as much damage.

For me Legion seemed to last longer w/ shield than the other guys who could snipe it up. Rolling with him and Grunt was easy mode for me no matter the class. The drone was especially handy trolling anything attacking me, although that isn't as important if you're a soldier.

/2 cents =)

 

[Woorloog]

For me Legion seemed to last longer w/ shield than the other guys who could snipe it up. Rolling with him and Grunt was easy mode for me no matter the class. The drone was especially handy trolling anything attacking me, although that isn't as important if you're a soldier.

/2 cents =)

The drone is good for an Engineer, useless for squad mates due to its ridiculous CD. IMO. I find CC in this game to be useless in general, i prefer obliterating my enemies in second instead of maneuvering around and using CC. But i'm not saying CC doesn't work (Stasis especially is effective, stun locking the first boss in LotSB with stasis (Me and Liara both had it last time i played) is a lot of fun).
And Grunt? Why? All shotgun wielders suck in this game, they get stuck on places, fire 50 meters away or some other shit. At least that's for me. Grunt particularly is horrible... He seems to be meant to be a squad mate who can really suck up damage, act as a tank for you... if only the enemies didn't nearly instagib him and concentrate on me so much anyway.
EDIT play as you wish, i just have bad experiences with most things in this game that do not include obliterating enemies with superior firepower.

 

[Slackbladder]

So, it seems I have this "physx - cpu" message permanently showing up on the top left of the display in ME2, Dragon Age Origins and Dragon Age 2 (these are all Steam games and doesn't show up on any other Steam game). Now either the driver I'm using doesn't play nice with Bioware games or someone has sabotaged these games so you can't play them on Steam without this message showing up? Really, what the fuck is going on?
I can't use Fraps to take a pic of it either! It doesn't show up.
I really wanted to play through one more time before ME3 came out but this is pissing me off!

 

[X-Frame]

Soldier. Adrenaline Rush should be the one that increases damage dealt, not the one that reduces damage taken. Spec for maximal health. Spec for Tungest Ammo. Use Revenant.
Miranda for squad stat bonuses. Have her use Tempest (for the AI cheats and is super accurate). Garrus or Thane is a good secondary friend, Garrus specced to Tungsten ammo and extra damage (Turian... Rebel? Can't remember). Thane should have extra damage and Warp maxed out.
A note on Warp: Always pick "Unstable Warp" for friendlies as that has lower cooldown (6 second instead of 9).

So the Tempest is better for squaddies compared to the Locust?

 

[Woorloog]

So the Tempest is better for squaddies compared to the Locust?

Absolutely. Faster rate of fire, Tempest always fires a burst of 5 bullets at least (Tempest does 11 dmg IIRC, ie burst does 55 and the AI has tendency to hit with full burst, Shuriken is pretty good for them as well) and the AI usually ducks after a burst so they last longer as well. However, squad fire or AP ammo is recommended to make them more effective against armor.
Or just have them use pistols... Carnifex specifically as the AI shoots it far faster than the laser-sighted pistol (name?), ending up with higher DPS.

As for Shotguns, the squad should use Eviscrator or the geth shotgun as those are more effective at range since the squad AI is stupid and fires shotguns far away anyway. Yeah, even Grunt can be more effective with Eviscrator than Claymore.

As for Assault Rifles, while i do not like Vindicator one bit, it is better choice for the AI than Avenger. Mattock is good too of course.

I usually have sniper AIs use Mantis or Incisor... but does anyone here have them use Viper? Is it effective?

 

[X-Frame]

Absolutely. Faster rate of fire, Tempest always fires a burst of 5 bullets at least (Tempest does 11 dmg IIRC, ie burst does 55 and the AI has tendency to hit with full burst, Shuriken is pretty good for them as well) and the AI usually ducks after a burst so they last longer as well. However, squad fire or AP ammo is recommended to make them more effective against armor.
Or just have them use pistols... Carnifex specifically as the AI shoots it far faster than the laser-sighted pistol (name?), ending up with higher DPS.

As for Shotguns, the squad should use Eviscrator or the geth shotgun as those are more effective at range since the squad AI is stupid and fires shotguns far away anyway. Yeah, even Grunt can be more effective with Eviscrator than Claymore.

As for Assault Rifles, while i do not like Vindicator one bit, it is better choice for the AI than Avenger. Mattock is good too of course.

I usually have sniper AIs use Mantis or Incisor... but does anyone here have them use Viper? Is it effective?

Ahhh, damnit. I've had my squaddies using the Locust and the laser-guided DLC pistol this whole time. I have been giving them the Geth Plasma Shotgun, Mattock, and the Incisor though.

 

[EatChildren]

The thumb rule with the AI is as you put it; they cheat and are super accurate, so focus on that. Because I wrestle with recoil and what have you I always go for hard hitting accurate weapons. The AI doesn't need these. I'm pretty sure, for example, the AI ignores the Incisor's recoil and lands three accurate shots. I prefer the Widowmaker, but they're better with the Incisor simply for how stupidly accurate they are.

 

[The_Monk]

My fellow GAFfers I was wondering if you could answer me this:

- Is there info or is it possible to start Mass Effect 3 with a save file from Mass Effect 1?

I played ME2 with a friend. Then I got ME1 for myself on the 360 and I was thinking about replaying (I do not own ME2) to get a decent ending, start with the save file from ME1 and then do the same on ME3.

The only thing putting me back is the loadings that can be boring after a while. And the planet scans.

- Other question is, how's the PS3 version? Bigger loadings? I ask because I can have the game + DLC for the same price as the 360 version.

- Any news/hope for ME2 on Games on Demand?

Thanks in advance for answering I would love to have all story on one system with a save file progression but it may not be the most important thing.

 

[Tizoc]

Could someone provide tips on completing the 'protect 20 crates' mission? Blasted mechs are always killing me.

 

[DigitalDevil]

Wow, this game seems pretty complicated... Looking forward to playing it!

 

[Phonomezer]

Wow, this game seems pretty complicated... Looking forward to playing it!

Mass Effect 2 is anything but.

 

[Typographenia]

My fellow GAFfers I was wondering if you could answer me this:

- Is there info or is it possible to start Mass Effect 3 with a save file from Mass Effect 1?

I played ME2 with a friend. Then I got ME1 for myself on the 360 and I was thinking about replaying (I do not own ME2) to get a decent ending, start with the save file from ME1 and then do the same on ME3.

The only thing putting me back is the loadings that can be boring after a while. And the planet scans.

- Other question is, how's the PS3 version? Bigger loadings? I ask because I can have the game + DLC for the same price as the 360 version.

- Any news/hope for ME2 on Games on Demand?

Thanks in advance for answering I would love to have all story on one system with a save file progression but it may not be the most important thing.

1. I highly, highly doubt you can import an ME1 save straight to ME3. Maybe I'm wrong, but it would be extremely surprising if they built it that way.


2. I think the PS3 version has had some odd technical issues, but it's running on the more recent build of the engine. Plus, I think it's been patched to where they're about the same. It's really going to come down to "what platform do I want to play this on?" and whether or not you want to visit all of the DLC/carry your character over.

Personally, I would recommend getting it on 360 since you already have your character going, and then you can just buy the few decent DLC things if you wanted more afterwards. However, if it's an issue of money, PS3 will get you more for your money, and you can just do the "What happened in ME1" thing at the start to reflect how you played ME1 on the 360.


3. Don't recall hearing anything about ME2 heading to Games on Demand. This far in, I wouldn't think it's likely going to show up there either. It's probably issues with EA's pass system for accessing the cerberus network (DLC).

 

[The_Monk]

Awesome, thanks for your great reply Typo.

The prices are almost the same, it was that on PS3 (which is my main system) I would be playing more because I would get the DLC too.

I'll keep on cleaning my backlog, then I might replay this one just so I can grab the save file to start with ME3.

It's a shame it won't be on Games on Demand, probably. I would really love to be there.

Again, thank you.

 

[Tizoc]

Any benefits to healing my scars in the Normandy? Do I lose any of my abilities or such?
BTW, what exactly happens when I level up? Does my health actually increase?

 

[EatChildren]

Any benefits to healing my scars in the Normandy? Do I lose any of my abilities or such?
BTW, what exactly happens when I level up? Does my health actually increase?

No benefit. Playing renegade, for some reason, makes you all scarred and terminatory in the face. The scar removal option is there for people who want to play renegade but don't like the character alteration. Stats remain the same regardless. It's purely cosmetic.

From memory I'm pretty sure your health goes up with each level. When you level up you get a point, or whatever, and can spend that point on skills. Upgrading skills beyond the first level require multiple points.

 

[Typographenia]

Any benefits to healing my scars in the Normandy? Do I lose any of my abilities or such?
BTW, what exactly happens when I level up? Does my health actually increase?

It's purely for two possible reasons-
1. Heal your scars quicker if you're playing a good guy (they'll heal the more you move paragon)
2. If you want to play renegade sans scars.


I think your HP does increase as you level. You might just check you stat screen before you level next time to be sure, but I think it levels independent of your stat trees. I can't really remember for certain.

The main thing with levelling is that you're building stat points to distribute into the skills on your character class. When you reach a certain point in them, it will prompt you to specialize between two types.

edit: that's what I get for leaving pages open too long, haha

 

[whatevermort]

In the middle of my second (optimum) run. What do I have to upgrade on the ship etc to save all the crew? Anything I can just ignore? I'm trying to do as little planet scanning as possible...

 

[X-Frame]

In the middle of my second (optimum) run. What do I have to upgrade on the ship etc to save all the crew? Anything I can just ignore? I'm trying to do as little planet scanning as possible...

Pretty sure just Jacob, Tali, and Garrus's ship upgrades are all you need which are armor, shields, and cannons respectively.

 

[Twinduct]

Hey, so finished ME2 vanilla on X360 sometime ago.
Bought it on Steam during the holiday sale, so wanted get ready for ME3.
What DLC is important for the story?

 

[Acidote]

Get Lair of the Shadow Broker, you can read about the others

 

[Relaxed Muscle]

Hey, so finished ME2 vanilla on X360 sometime ago.
Bought it on Steam during the holiday sale, so wanted get ready for ME3.
What DLC is important for the story?

Shadow Broker is one of the best missions of the game and it's pretty important for ME3 and for Liara story.


Then there's Arrival, but it has so little real relevance and it's actually the worst DLC that I recommend watch the videos on youtube.

 

[Kurtofan]

I thought Arrival was nice, it's not horrible like people say.

 

[Calisto Glory]

My fellow GAFfers I was wondering if you could answer me this:

- Is there info or is it possible to start Mass Effect 3 with a save file from Mass Effect 1?

I played ME2 with a friend. Then I got ME1 for myself on the 360 and I was thinking about replaying (I do not own ME2) to get a decent ending, start with the save file from ME1 and then do the same on ME3.

The only thing putting me back is the loadings that can be boring after a while. And the planet scans.

- Other question is, how's the PS3 version? Bigger loadings? I ask because I can have the game + DLC for the same price as the 360 version.

- Any news/hope for ME2 on Games on Demand?

Thanks in advance for answering I would love to have all story on one system with a save file progression but it may not be the most important thing.

Do yourself a favor and get the PC Version of Mass Effect 1. Its a lot better in terms of tactics and combat.

 

[Typographenia]

Hey, so finished ME2 vanilla on X360 sometime ago.
Bought it on Steam during the holiday sale, so wanted get ready for ME3.
What DLC is important for the story?

Important to the story is Shadow Broker and The Arrival. However, they have stated that the events of The Arrival will be covered at the beginning of ME3, so it is up to you whether or not you want to buy it.

Honestly, it's hardly worth the money, but get it if you really want to. It's fairly short, doesn't really do anything interesting, and just has a really dumb moment to set up the events of ME3 in it.


Lair of the Shadow Broker, Kasumi, and Overlord are the ones I would recommend. LotSB and Kasumi are two fantastic pieces of DLC.

 

[MrTroubleMaker]

Could someone provide tips on completing the 'protect 20 crates' mission? Blasted mechs are always killing me.

M-920 Cain ! It really helps for that mission, use it near the beginning when they are close to each other

 

[Tizoc]

M-920 Cain ! It really helps for that mission

Thanks, will try and blow those stupid mechs with it later.
Thanks also for the info on leveling up and scars guys.

 

[Nopren]

As a lot of people here, I'm also in the process of doing my canon master race playthrough in anticipation of ME3. A little bit disappointed that Bioware didn't employ Demiurge to do their PC-version again, because it's a pretty shitty UI compared to the brilliant one in ME1. Oh well.

Are there any opinions on in which order you should do the DLC?

 

[EatChildren]

Are there any opinions on in which order you should do the DLC?

Kasumi and Zaeed early so you get their characters/loyalty missions for the main quest. Overlord is a nice side story during the main story arc, as are the Normandy Crash Site and Project Overlord.

Lair of the Shadow Broker was written primarily as post game content but it works either way. Downside of leaving Shadow Broker until the end is you miss out on being able to respec your crew until the main mission is over. Same goes for the investments. If that doesn't bother you though then do it post game.

Arrival works better as post game. Can be played either way but 'makes sense' as a post game mission.

I too am doing my final canon playthrough on PC, first time on my most recent system build. Fucking stupid game didn't give me any of the character import bonuses. All my ME1 decisions carried across, as did my equipment from my first ME2 playthrough (and started at level 30), but I didn't get any of the creds or minerals you're supposed to, and my Paragon/Renegade reset to zero.

What's the best way to add minerals to your save? I wan those bonuses and I'll add them manually if I have to.

 

[Dark Stalkers]

What's the best way to add minerals to your save? I wan those bonuses and I'll add them manually if I have to.

Are you against using save editors? if not...
http://social.bioware.com/project/4373/

 

[spindoctor]

What's the best way to add minerals to your save? I wan those bonuses and I'll add them manually if I have to.

Save editor - http://mod.gib.me/masseffect2/saveedit_rev23.zip

I gave myself half a million of all minerals so that I never have to do that godforsaken planet scanning again.

 

[EatChildren]

Thanks guys, that will do nicely. I wonder if the import character bonus check is tethered to an achievement check, as in the game reads whether or not you've got the game completion achievements and thus knows whether or not to give you the bonus. Since I reinstalled on a new computer I have my character data, but all my achievements reset.

Not that I care about those. I just want my bonuses. Thanks again.

 

[Bisnic]

I was also thinking of replaying ME1 and ME2 before the third game is released.

I just realized while playing ME1 yesterday how the auto-saving blows in this game. I was on some barren planet where i searched everywhere for stuff before entering the small base with mercenaries, got one shotted by some sniper inside...came back at the point where i started the planet. I was pissed off enough to turn off the game.

Then, later, on the planet where i'm looking for Liara, i got killed on the first base by a rocket coming from some turret while i was out of the mako...came back at the start again.

FUUUUUUU

I'm going to start abusing that damn quick save button now.

Thankfully, its not that bad in ME2 from what i remember.

 

[Typographenia]

Just keep a manual save for every time you are on the Normandy, and a manual save for when you're doing long missions on planets. Save before doing any mission, and let the autosave do whatever it wants, and save after some longer stretches of time on your planet save. That's how I always played it, and it never gave me any issues.

 

[X-Frame]

So I've never done the Firewalker or Overlord DLC and looking for some tips on teammates, powers, etc for my Adept on Insanity before I dive in.

I know Overlord is Geth so I assume I should ReSpec my Stasis with Energy Drain, take Tali and maybe Garrus. Sound okay?

What sort of enemies will I be facing in the Firewalker DLC? Any tips for an Adept?

 

[Bisnic]

So I've never done the Firewalker or Overlord DLC and looking for some tips on teammates, powers, etc for my Adept on Insanity before I dive in.

I know Overlord is Geth so I assume I should ReSpec my Stasis with Energy Drain, take Tali and maybe Garrus. Sound okay?

What sort of enemies will I be facing in the Firewalker DLC? Any tips for an Adept?

Firewalker is mostly in your vehicule, so it doesnt really matter.

 

[Baconbitz]

So, I started ME2 on my PS3 recently and don't remember seeing the comic. Is that something I have to download from the psn store?

 

[RoboPlato]

So, I started ME2 on my PS3 recently and don't remember seeing the comic. Is that something I have to download from the psn store?

You have to download the Cerberus Pack. It's free if you have a new copy.

 

[Baconbitz]

You have to download the Cerberus Pack. It's free if you have a new copy.

And that's the comic?

 

[RoboPlato]

And that's the comic?

The comic is part of it. It also comes with the Firewalker DLC missions and Zaeed and his loyalty mission.

 

[Baconbitz]

The comic is part of it. It also comes with the Firewalker DLC missions and Zaeed and his loyalty mission.

Ah, ok. Thank you. Now, I'm gonna restart the game.

 

[Castor Krieg]

And that's the comic?

It allows you to make key decisions from ME1, which are imported into your ME2 game.

Edit: Nvm, misunderstood.

 

[Lime]

For all the shit that ME2 gets, the most overlooked flaw of the game is the complete removal of the tubes in Shepard's helmet. In ME1 every armour had these tubes on the back of the helmet, but in ME2 it's only every human enemy soldier who have them, except Shepard. Apparently Shepard doesn't need oxygen any more (he/she is after all Space Jesus).

And you just know that the only reason for why they removed the tubes is because the polygons clipped into the new heavy weapons. But instead of redesigning the helmet or even trying to explain it at all, the game is just completely silent on the issue.

It looks like ME3 continues the tradition of just having a nonsense hole in the back of the helmet.

 

[Patryn]

For all the shit that ME2 gets, the most overlooked flaw of the game is the complete removal of the tubes in Shepard's helmet. In ME1 every armour had these tubes on the back of the helmet, but in ME2 it's only every human enemy soldier who have them, except Shepard. Apparently Shepard doesn't need oxygen any more (he/she is after all Space Jesus).

And you just know that the only reason for why they removed the tubes is because the polygons clipped into the new heavy weapons. But instead of redesigning the helmet or even trying to explain it at all, the game is just completely silent on the issue.

It looks like ME3 continues the tradition of just having a nonsense hole in the back of the helmet.

You have Jack, a character who has a strip of cloth as a top, wearing only a light breath mask into basic vacuum situations, and you're worried about Shepard's tubes?

 

[R_thanatos]

You have Jack, a character who has a strip of cloth as a top, wearing only a light breath mask into basic vacuum situations, and you're worried about Shepard's tubes?

let us imagine that she is generating her small personnal shield in those cases ..

 

[Lime]

You have Jack, a character who has a strip of cloth as a top, wearing only a light breath mask into basic vacuum situations, and you're worried about Shepard's tubes?

You're misunderstanding me. The believability or plot reason don't matter. It's just the huge intentional oversight of removing some polygons without adjusting the original model to accomodate the changes. Instead the alteration is lazily left non-explained like nobody would notice.

Also, I don't have Jack in my squad