Board 8 > First time playing Mass Effect

(+) Yeah! (+)

Yeah, you get to carry over some stuff into ME2, and it depends on your final level in ME1.

Good to know.

We are like half way up the renegade bar and just passed the first section of Paragon.

I think it's still actually impossible to get to max level in one playthrough even in LE unless you abuse glitches. OG had a literal level cap for the initial playthrough but even without that there just isn't enough XP in one playthrough.

Also if you're playing on the LE level scaling (which you can switch off of any time), you might get really confused when you go to import and ME2 says you reached level 40 or 50 something in ME1. But that's normal.

I am in fact doing LE leveling. I think we are level 18 or something like that currently. Definitely past 15.

I didn't get the max level achievement in ME1 360 until my third run. First playthrough capped at 50, then second left me at 59 after the final mission.

We did the cerberos missions then Garrus's mission. Killed the scientist and spared the soldier. Didn't help the scientist that Cerberos recently tried to blow me up with a nuke.

Then did a few missions related to rachni showing up in different worlds from the Novaria experiment.

Also getting close to finishing all the exploration stuff.

Oh and we got robbed by a weird alien wolf/cow thing. Not that it was upsetting given that we have like 8 million credits.

Level 23 btw. Just triggered some geth missions. That will be for next time. Then the dlc mission and feros.

Oh and we flirted more with Ashley who basically said we should wait until we have dealt with Saren to start anything, but also that we should know she is a "wildcat" in bed. Their flirting is pretty fun banter honestly and I like th le story stuff with her family. Too bad about being xenophobic, still kills any long term chances (if only this game did the Dragon Age 2 rivalry romances).

Maniac64 posted...

We did the cerberos missions then Garrus's mission. Killed the scientist and spared the soldier. Didn't help the scientist that Cerberos recently tried to blow me up with a nuke.

First, it's Cerberus. Second, they didn't have anything to do with the nuke. That was just some pirate dude. Unless I'm mixing that up with something else.

It seemed like it was some black market criminal dude but then that mission triggered the hell hounds mission where we took out cerberus groups and stole cerberus Intel so I just figured he was actually Cerberus connected.

Maniac64 posted...

(if only this game did the Dragon Age 2 rivalry romances).

Yeah, that was a pretty neat concept.

I loved it. I wish more games did the friend/rival scale for party members rather than basic affection.

Yeah that was great, made the Role-playing elements feel very strong.

My wife met Keith David today.

Apparently his cousin works in her district.

Hopefully we get back to this over the weekend.

Is there a benefit to collecting all the stiff from planets other than an achievement? Is it worth doing? resources, asari writings, id tags?

Not really aside from XP and money.

Although for import purposes have a 1 million credits on hand. You carry over 10% up to 100,000 and money is actually tight in ME2.

Less important: The level breakpoints for what you carry over are 50 (classic scaling) and max level. I have no idea what the Legendary scaling number is but it's not linear so 50 classic is probably less than 25. You can always change the scaling to see where you're at. But XP is not nearly as scarce in ME2. You hit max level pretty easily.

Maniac64 posted...

Hopefully we get back to this over the weekend.

Is there a benefit to collecting all the stiff from planets other than an achievement? Is it worth doing? resources, asari writings, id tags?

Like 100%ing every explorable planet? No. Completing the asari writings side quest does give a benefit in the future. There's also a bonus non quest related thing to find on Eletania that gives something as well

Pirateking2000 posted...

Completing the asari writings side quest does give a benefit in the future.

Oh yeah. Also buy the licenses if you haven't.

kevwaffles posted...

Although for import purposes have a 1 million credits on hand. You carry over 10% up to 100,000 and money is actually tight in ME2.

Shouldn't be an issue but good to know.

I will make sure we get the asari writings.

I've bought the licenses I've found, I will keep an eye out for more.

Money and resources are tight early, but you'll eventually have enough to get whatever you need.

We spent the weekend playing separate games so no progress.

Completed the geth incursion side missions and gave Tali the data for her mission.

One of those planets was a huge pain to drive around.

We also completed all the side missions where you have to search planets for stuff!

Next stop either Feros or the DLC mission.

Started Feros. I'll update more tomorrow

I like the structure of Feros and Noveria and the way you can go through them in slightly different ways

So we got to the system and were given a quest to find some lost probe on a different planet. Decided to do that first.

We chased around some space monkeys and found out about a glitch to max paragon.

We just like to be able to roleplay without worrying about those points so we happily took the opportunity. I think we were about 65-75% along the renegade path and like 20-30% along the paragon path before this. Though the big choices we usually went paragon cause renegade was just being an unnecessarily violent asshole.

Then went down to Feros. Was not expecting the immediate fighting lol. We fought our way to the settlement which has something going on. Nobody will tell us details and just direct us to the guy in charge, also noone will leave. We meet a dude in a hallway who gets migraines when he tries to talk. Seems like the Corp put chips in people's heads so they can't share details or leave. I really hope we get to deal with that after the geth.

We completed all the little quests to help the settlement and that is where we stopped.

Correction, I was only at like 55 renegade, because now I'm passed the 3rd bar. Level 27 btw.

Finished Feros. Was not expecting giant mind controlling plant.

We saved everyone so the colony will continue. Well everyone accept the ancient plant, though im not convinced that thing is fully dead. Also saved an Asari who gave us some good info and seems to have somehow escaped Sarens mind control. That seems important to study but apparently no one in game thinks so.

This was a fun mission. I liked it more than Noveria.

And since we used a bunch of grenades fighting the plant husks, next up is the DLC mission.

Yeah, Feros is good. I also liked it better than Noveria.

I liked the dumb corporate bullshit of Noveria more than what the mission actually becomes. Feros is much better realized.

Did the DLC quest, based on our dudes background we did not hesitate to slaughter some Batarian slaver/terrorists.

The dudes that wanted to betray their boss? Dead.

The boss? Dead. His claim that it's all humans fault and him trying to slaughter millions is no worse than my ruthless background was not convincing to our Shephard. Felt bad sacrificing the engineer but she clearly understood that sacrifice is necessary with her brother and this dude was clearly going to try again.

We are now up over 80 renegade.

Then did the Paragon quest and exogen base quest (that lady also died when she refused to be arrested for sacrificing her employees to the mind control plants).

All side quests are done. We went back to Citadel and I scared my fan into giving up his insane idea to be a Spectre.

Now it's time for Virmire.

Hype

Also glad you did all the Conrad interactions

So I've been enjoying soldier as a class but will probably switch it up next game.

Pros and cons of different classes? I lean a tech class so I can hack/unluck stuff but worry about having to spend points in those and persuade & intimidate so I don't have enough for the combat side.

Well, the Paragon/Renegade system changes up next game where you don't have to put points in them, so you won't have to worry about that. Paragon/Renegade gets decided by your actions and dialogue choices in ME2 and 3.

Oh cool.

I did enjoy what I saw of the psionics powers, they seem more fun then tech. But tech has the utility and gun classes are good for basic combat.

Yeah it should be noted the entire combat system changes a good deal in ME2 and 3 including how a lot of tech and biotic powers work (and new ones get introduced) so how they feel in ME1 shouldn't be a huge weight in your decision.

ME2 > ME3 is much less of a big jump (though there are some updates).

For ME2 I loved Infiltrator. I played it as a sniper class and it has a class ability of an invisibility cloak. I'm not too versed on the other classes.

Vanguard is probably my favorite class, especially in ME3. They can all be fun in their own ways though.

Infiltrator and Vanguard are the best classes for 2/3. Although honorable mention to Sentinel.

I can give a quick breakdown, feel free to skip my post if you don't wanna know too much. Though it is just gameplay mechanics.

Infiltrator - If you enjoy sniping then this is the way to go. You get a Tactical Cloak as your main class power that allows you to completely vanish from enemy sight for a good amount of time. This can allow you to reposition yourself safely in a hectic situation and get a better vantage point, and it gives a nice damage increase for one shot (which breaks the cloak).

Vanguard - The complete opposite. Close range shotgun fights all day baby! You get an amazingly fun power in Biotic Charge, with the press of a button you full force ram into your target from across the room. Instantly closing the distance and stunning the enemy, allowing you to finish them off with a shotgun to the face. This is the most challenging class to use, but also the most fun.

Sentinel - This is the middle ground, Tech Armor gives you some incredible durability, basically making you a tank. So you can choose to fight from either long or short range. Jack of all trades here.

Adept is also kinda interesting, more so in ME3 where biotic explosions take the stage (they're introduced in the second game but can only be activated by one power making it much less useful).

Vanguard rules

In 3 especially it can feel godlike

Thank you for thr class breakdown. Vanguard or Sentinel sound the most fun I think.

How does the hacking/unlocking work? Do I need to worry about spending skill points on those early on like I did in ME1 for my companions?

The equivalents are not stat dependent.

That's all streamlined, you won't have to worry about stat points. Just power upgrades.

Awesome.

Soldier can still be nice in ME 2 because really, nothing beats Assault Rifles, but weapon classes are available to every class again in ME 3, so you really lose out on a good reason to be Soldier in that game.

Infiltrator sniping is great, but it is really just sniping and debuffing enemies.

Vanguard 'should' be close combat, but as someone who played that on his first playthrough with just an SMG: play how you like. The class-based power, Charge, is probably the neatest of 'em all though.

Sentinel is nice to make OP, but you are stuck to just pistols in ME 2 for at least like, half the game, so that can be a drag (not that the pistols are bad it's just they are for sure the dullest weapon type).

Adept is fun because Singularity is just so OP.

Engineer is fun but needs a Sniper Rifle (which again dictates a wait in ME 2). I personally had a lot of fun though, sending out my combat drone, taking down enemy shields/armor/barrier and sniping away...but it's not for everyone.

Yeah gameplay wise 2 and 3 unarguably blow 1 out of the water in every conceivable way. How much 3 improves on 2's gameplay is more up for debate. I will say that only 3 makes me occasionally reload because an enemy got flung out of reach and somehow missed a kill plane.

RyoCaliente posted...

Sentinel is nice to make OP, but you are stuck to just pistols in ME 2 for at least like, half the game, so that can be a drag (not that the pistols are bad it's just they are for sure the dullest weapon type).

Man Pistols are like the only weapon I don't use in ME1.

Assault rifle is my main, switching to sniper or shotgun when they are range appropriate. (I know someone said they hated snipers in ME1, but as someone normally bad at sniping I found it easier than in a lot of games).

This is all very helpful thanks.

Sentinel can use SMGs by default too I thought?

Which isn't a whole lot better, granted, but you also have biotic powers to work with. It's possible to build your character in a way where you don't even need to use guns.

Not that I recommend it, space guns are half the fun. Just pointing out you have other easily accessible offensive options.

Yeah everyone but Soldiers can use SMGs/Machine Pistols. And the Kasumi mission gives a damn good one.

Soldiers in ME2 can use every gun

In ME3, they can't use SMGs though

https://masseffect.fandom.com/wiki/Soldier_Guide_(Mass_Effect_2)

The Soldier is the only class that doesn't have access to submachine guns, but since they have access to every other weapon class, you shouldn't miss them that much.

I'm open to the possibility that this is lying because I've never played Soldier but otherwise no they don't get them.

Edit: Everybody gets everything in ME3. It has an equip weight system to balance that.

Weird, I seem to recall being able to use them in ME2 because the Locust is stupid good in that one and I love that thing

Guess I may have discovered that love after a Soldier run

This week has been 11 hour days at work so I'm exhausted but hopefully we can finish ME1 this weekend.

Based on the info here I think I am leaning Vangaurd for ME2.

Finished Virmire but not the game. We saved the Salarians, and talked down Wrex (man that would have sucked). Learned about Sovereign and the Reapers.

Poor Shepard had to sacrifice his new potential love interest as Ashley is left with the bomb. It was the logical choice unfortunately, and also my wife really likes Kaiden lol. Guess we don't have to worry about ditching that relationship next game.

Though I feel like I would know if there was a guaranteed dead main cast person so I'm not convinced she is totally dead (though she should be from what we know). Also, no body no death.

Then we went back to the citadel and told off the Mass Effect version of a MAGA politician. Wrex was with me which was funny as he was actually supportive of the guy and his rhetoric until the dude told Wrex to stay out of it.

Then we met a sales guy who had reached his allowed limit of space Adderall. He wanted us to get him more so he could get the best deal with the Salarians. We bought him a stress relief downer instead and told him off for being an addict. Definitely the funniest outcome, and probably won't have any in game consequences.

Then we met with Anderson whom had a plan to help us out. That plan was to punch the ambassador in the face and use his computer. God Speed Anderson. You are definitely being arrested but the dude deserved it.

That's where we left off.