mass effect missions and assignments list

Mass Effect Mission Order: the best sequence to tackle story missions in

Mass Effect has a fairly open-ended structure where once you get your hands on your ship, the Normandy, you can tackle most of the game’s core story locations and missions in any order you like. However, we do think there is a best mission order in which to tackle things.

This is, of course, all suggested. The nature of Mass Effect’s story means that you can and should think about what sort of order you’d like to approach everything in and then go with your own gut.

With all that said, we do have our own favored mission order for Mass Effect 1 which is based on a few factors - primarily an even-handed difficulty ramp-up, and the best possible pacing for the story, especially in the later parts of the game. We’ll explain our optimum order below.

Mass Effect Mission Order: the optimal mission sequence, according to us

The game begins with a string of missions starting with Prologue: On the Normandy and Prologue: Find the Beacon. This is followed by Citadel: Expose Saren.

On the Citadel you’ll have the opportunity to recruit Urdnot Wrex (Citadel: Shadow Broker & Citadel: Wrex) and Garrus Vakarian (Citadel: Garrus) - and we recommend you do these, as these are two squad mates, great characters, useful in battle, and key players throughout the entire Mass Effect Trilogy - though you can opt not to recruit one of them at all if you wish. 

Also on the Citadel, there’s a wide range of side quest assignments you can pick up and play at your discretion. They’re covered in our full Mass Effect 1 side quest assignments list .

Once you get control of the Normandy, you’ll be able to fly to the other core story mission planets in any order you like. We recommend the following order:

• Find Liara T’Soni: head to Therum in the Knossos System, Artemis Tau Cluster. You want to do this first as Liara is a squad member, and rounds out your team with an expert Biotic user (which is Mass Effect's mage-style class). 
• Citadel: side quests mop-up. All quests from your previous visit remain open, but some new ones are available after finishing your first story planet, including the side quest exclusive to your Shepard's pre-service history background . We recommend you complete Citadel: Scan the Keepers using our Keeper Locations guide at this time, in particular.
• Asteroid X57: Bring Down the Sky: this is DLC, but it slots better into the earlier part of the story. It’s included in the remastered legendary edition of the game.
• Noveria: Geth Interest & Matriarch Benezia: you should take Liara on this mission if you can. Completing this story world unlocks more side content throughout the galaxy.
• Citadel & Uncharted World Exploration: more side quests mop up
• Feros: Geth Attack & The Thorian: Tali is a killer squadmate on this mission, where you’ll be fighting a lot of Geth.
• Pinnacle Station: this is DLC, and isn’t available at all in the new legendary edition remaster; so skip this if you’re on that version.
• Point of No Return: Complete any remaining side quests and assignments here, as the story becomes a rollercoaster from here on out. Remember, completing many side quests is key to a great many things, including amassing enough cash to unlock the best weapons in Mass Effect .
• Virmire: Saren’s Plan / Assault: we’ve got a separate guide on the big choices on Virmire if you need help.
• Ilos: Find the Conduit / Trench Run / Race Against Time: be aware that once you travel to Ilos, it truly is the point of no return aside from starting over in a new game plus. When you trigger the visit to Ilos, your Mass Effect romance option will be locked in and the romance scene will take place.

Obviously this is a suggested order, but we feel this is an optimum order for a well-paced, well-balanced    play-through of Mass Effect, even on Insanity difficulty. 

As a general suggestion, try not to use the same pair of squad members for all story missions and side missions. All have interesting things to say, and you’ll benefit from taking people with a vested interest - missions involving the Krogan, for instance, are Wrex’s deal. Tali will always have more to say when the Geth are involved. Additionally, you’ll want to think about how useful their powers are. Tali isn’t very good against biotic opponents, but her tech powers can tear Geth to pieces easily. 

This article is part of a series. As you move on to the next games, check out our Mass Effect 2 Mission Order and Mass Effect 3 Mission Order pages for the same advice in those games - which are longer and more complicated.

Get the Reddit app

This subreddit is the unofficial forum for those who love the Mass Effect universe including the games, comics, and books!

ME 1: Mission and Assignments order

I’ve just got the Legendary Edition for my birthday and I’m replaying ME 1 but it’s been a while since I’ve played is there a complete list of all missions and assignments in the right order so I can make sure I don’t miss anything??

I’ve been looking but all I can find is main missions or assignments no lists of both together

Thanks in advance

Spoiler I’ve just become a spectre so and I think Ive done all the missions so far

By continuing, you agree to our User Agreement and acknowledge that you understand the Privacy Policy .

Enter the 6-digit code from your authenticator app

You’ve set up two-factor authentication for this account.

Enter a 6-digit backup code

Create your username and password.

Reddit is anonymous, so your username is what you’ll go by here. Choose wisely—because once you get a name, you can’t change it.

Reset your password

Enter your email address or username and we’ll send you a link to reset your password

Check your inbox

An email with a link to reset your password was sent to the email address associated with your account

Choose a Reddit account to continue

Mass Effect 3 Guide by gamepressure.com

Mass Effect 3 Guide

Mass Effect 3: All missions and quests - list Mass Effect 3 guide, walkthrough

Last update: 02 November 2022

On this page of our game guide you can find a list of all main and side missions available in Mass Effect 3 that we've included in our walkthrough. You'll also find out how we have divided side quests into unique categories and what they're all about.

Main Missions - Mass Effect 3

Side missions - categories, list of side quests in the citadel, list of side quests outside the citadel, list of mini-tasks / minor side quests, list of n7 side missions, wazne informacje na temat zaliczania questów, how to use the walkthrough, color markings in the guide.

In the following list we have included links to pages with walkthroughs of specific missions, as well as additional pages on how to prepare for the campaign's grand finale. Also, we have prepared information about the available game endings. The hashtag numbers, that is, #2 and #3 in the title of The Citadel quests, indicate your returns to The Citadel as part of the main storyline.

In this guide, side quests have been divided into four main categories:

Note - Some smaller quests do not appear in Shepard's journal (we inform you about it at the beginning of the quest's description). Do not ignore them, but deal with them as well.

Some of the following quests are important, for example, for meeting important NPCs or engaging into a romance. Try to complete 100% of them.

Note - Some small tasks and missions may not appear in Shepard's journal (we inform you about it at the beginning of the quest's description). Do not ignore them, but deal with them as well.

Note - N7 side quests may contain references and links to other optional side missions. For possible references, check the walkthrough of particular mission.

After you complete each main quest, I'd recommend speaking to every member of your team, read messages at Shepard's terminal, head to the Citadel and explore all newly unlocked systems. It will increase the chance of gaining access to all new side quests.

Not all quests are unlocked by speaking to the NPCs. Some are added to Shepard's journal when you find a certain item or overhear a conversation. Exact information about unlocking particular quests can be found in their walkthroughs.

The names of all the missions correspond with the ones in Shepard's journal. If you want to find the description of a given quest, you first have to check its name in the game and afterwards find it in the guide. Small quests that don't appear in the journal (e.g. visiting a wounded friend in the hospital) are an exception.

At the very beginning of each quest description you can find a short info about the quest giver and requirements you need to meet to unlock it. Whereas at the end of the walkthrough you will find a note about the next mission in order (of course only if a given mission belong to a longer series).

The guide contains the following colour symbols:

You are not permitted to copy any image, text or info from this page.

This site is not associated with and/or endorsed by the Electronic Arts Inc. or BioWare Corporation. All logos and images are copyrighted by their respective owners.

Copyright © 2000 - 2024 Webedia Polska SA for gamepressure.com, unofficial game guides, walkthroughs, secrets, game tips, maps & strategies for top games.

Mass Effect Legendary Edition: 15 Assignments In The First Game You Need To Play

Your changes have been saved

Email is sent

Email has already been sent

Please verify your email address.

You’ve reached your account maximum for followed topics.

Mass Effect 4 Should Address a Weird Element of the Series' Romances

Space marine 2: how to unlock new weapons and armor, assassin's creed shadows bringing back feature that's been missing for 9 years.

The first Mass Effect game revolves around Commander Shepard and their quest to hunt down Saren and Sovereign to save the galaxy from destruction. However, the protagonist doesn't spend all of their time on a single quest. Alongside the game's main missions is an abundance of assignments for players to complete, all of which are included in the Mass Effect Legendary Edition .

RELATED: Mass Effect: All Alien Squad Members In Thea Franchise, Ranked

The side quests focus on other happenings in the galaxy, which Shepard needs to sort out. They offer a nice reprieve from the main quest and add some life to the galaxy, making it feel lived in. Some assignments can be a little repetitive, but plenty of others are worth playing.

Updated on January 16th, 2022 by Talha Bin Rizwan: The first game from the Mass Effect: Legendary Edition trilogy has players take control of Commander Shepard to save the galaxy from the Saren, Sovereign, and the Geth. In addition to the main quest, players can undertake many side quests that are found all over the galaxy. These side missions, or assignments, as the game calls them, add some variety to the gameplay allowing Shepard to help people in a more one-on-one way. While some side-quests can be tedious for players, other side missions can be just as engaging as the main quest, if not more.

15 Garrus: Find Dr. Saleon

Loyalty missions don't exist in the original game, but some assignments relate to specific companions. For instance, the search for Dr. Saleon concerns perhaps the best squadmate , Garrus. Dr. Saleon, aka Dr. Heart, is a cruel Salarian who used to clone organs inside his patients' bodies to sell, often causing complications for the victims. When he was a part of C-Sec, Garrus tried to stop the evil physician, but Saleon slipped away.

If Shepard talks to the Turian enough throughout the game, he'll tell the tale of Dr. Saleon and give the Commander coordinates to find the villain. The action in the assignment is limited, yet the compelling backstory makes up for it. Plus, it's always nice to see great characters like Garrus get some spotlight.

14 Asari Consort

Shepard can find the consort’s chambers in the southeastern part of the Citadel. Inside, they will meet Sha’ira the consort, who’ll task them with getting a Turian General to leave her alone. The general is spreading lies about Sha’ira and all Shepard will need to do is talk to him.

Once done, they can return to Sha’ira where they can get one of two rewards, either a romance scene or a Prothean trinket that leads to an easter egg on the planet Eletania.

13 UNC: Missing Marines

Relatively early in the game, Shepard can speak with Admiral Kahoku, who sends him on an assignment to find his missing marines. At the last known coordinates of Kahoku's team, the player finds only dead bodies and a huge Thresher Maw.

In the original game, fighting the giant monster wasn't too interesting. Yet, the Legendary Edition has made several exciting alterations to Thresher Maw battles. Maws now have sensory tentacles that players must shoot to get it out of hiding, which adds more variety to fights. Furthermore, their aim is incredible as they predict the Mako's movements, making their acid spit much harder to dodge.

12 Noveria: Espionage

Not every assignment in Mass Effect is about violence. In 'Noveria: Espionage,' Shepard has to keep Rafael Vargas talking while a device hacks into his personal network.

RELATED: Every Mass Effect Race & Their Population Size

To please the Asari who gave Shepard the job, the player has to convince Vargas that they're genuinely interested in buying something from Binary Helix. Since this is Mass Effect , there are multiple ways for the quest to play out, partially based on whether Shepard is Paragon or Renegade. It all makes for a unique and compelling assignment that players can find near the Hotel bar on Noveria.

11 Homecoming

The quest is a short one but may have an emotional impact on players. The quest can be acquired after Tali joins Shepard’s party. They will find an NPC in front of the embassy front desk at the Presidium who is trying to get the Alliance to recover his wife’s body from Eden Prime.

Shepard can intervene on his behalf and talk to the clerk responsible who will release the body. It’s a small quest that takes only a few minutes to complete, but it is one of the few which can touch the players emotionally.

10 Citadel: The Fan

Despite featuring sparingly in the trilogy, Conrad Verner is a memorable character. He's a fanatic of Shepard's, desperate to follow in his hero's footsteps. At different points during the first game, he'll be waiting down in the Citadel markets.

As part of 'Citadel: The Fan,' the Commander has several conversations with Verner. During each talk, Verner's enthusiasm and delusion is funny to watch. Shepard's reaction to their number one fan is always entertaining, regardless of the protagonist's moral alignment.

9 UNC: Geth Incursions (aka Geth Activities)

The Geth are among the most powerful races in the Mass Effect universe , so Admiral Hackett is understandably concerned that they have multiple outposts in the Armstrong Nebula. As usual, it's up to Shepard to put an end to the Synthetics' activities. The Commander must go around to each outpost and destroy the Geth forces waiting there.

The enjoyment of this assignment depends on players' feelings about the new Mako, as it features heavily in the mission. However, the main reason to do this quest is the important terminal at the final base. Shepard can give the data retrieved from this terminal to Tali, which will strengthen their relationship.

8 Rita's Sister

This side mission can be acquired at Flux where players will overhear a waitress, Rita, talking to her Volus manager about her sister. Upon exploring, Shepard learns that Rita’s sister is working on a dangerous assignment for C-Sec, and she is worried about her sister’s safety.

Shepard is then contacted by a C-Sec officer and can assist him in dealing with the matter themselves. In doing so, Shepard will complete the assignment he gave to Jenna, Rita’s sister, after which she will be free to go.

7 UNC: Rogue VI

'UNC: Rogue VI' is an assignment given to the player by Hackett. The Alliance Admiral asks Shepard to go to Earth's moon and destroy the out-of-control VI that's taken over Luna Base. During the mission, the Commander and their team shoot through an abundance of flying drones.

As players spend most of the story facing Geth or Krogan, the drones are a nice change of pace. The real reason to complete this quest, though, is because it rewards the player with a Class Specialization. If players choose the right Specialization, it can make them significantly stronger.

6 Hostile Takeover:

The mission is available after Shepard completes the main missions on the planets Therum, Noveria, and Feros. They’ll need to hack one of the terminals at the C-Sec Academy to pick this side mission up. C-Sec will be investigating a suspected criminal named Helena Blake who can be found in the Financial District.

She’ll ask Shepard to take out two of her business partners. The quest is short but fun and depending on how players complete the quest, Helena Blake will appear in the second game of the trilogy.

5 UNC: Cerberus

Players might not remember that Cerberus is barely involved in the first game's adventures. However, in the rest of the Legendary Edition , the morally questionable organization plays a significant part in the story. In fact, Mass Effect 2 feels a little weird without knowing why people hate the Illusive Man's crew.

RELATED: Mass Effect: Miranda Lawson's Best Quotes, Ranked

Admiral Kahoku gives players the chance to learn about the group, tasking them with investigating a few of their research facilities as part of the 'UNC: Cerberus' assignment. During the lengthy mission, Shepard finds out some horrifying information, helping flesh out the story.

4 Wrex: Family Armor

If players want to hear Wrex deliver great lines throughout the entire trilogy , they should do his family armor quest. Completing this assignment isn't the only way to keep this Krogan alive, but it is the easiest.

To acquire the mission, Shepard has to regularly talk with Wrex on the Normandy until he reveals that his family armor is in the hands of a Turian pirate. During the assignment, players will storm the base of the trophy hunter and attempt to kill plenty of his people in an entertaining battle.

3 Shepard’s Backstory Missions

During character creation, players select a background for Shepard out of three choices; Earthborn, Colonist, and Spacer. These allow players to determine Shepard’s origins and how they started their journey to become a galactic legend. During the game, Shepard will be prompted to pursue certain missions based on the background selection.

With Earthborn, Shepard helps a former friend help his companion escape. With Colonist, a person from Shepard’s colony needs their help in stopping a suicide. And with Spacer, Shepard will help a man who claims to be their mother’s friend. These missions are small but allow players to flesh out their Shepard as a character.

2 Virmire: Assisting Kirrahe's Team

Shortly after arriving on Virmire, Shepard will meet a Salarian captain named Kirrahe. It doesn't take the leader long to become popular with players, as he's a very likable character.

During the assault on Saren's base, the Commander can help the charismatic Captain stay alive. To do so, players have to complete 'Virmire: Assisting Kirrahe's Team'. The objective to destroy the Geth flyers is the one that really matters, but it's worth completing the entire assignment, as it's enjoyable to help out allies.

1 X57: Bring Down the Sky

Originally, Bring Down the Sky was an expansion for the first game, but now it's included as part of the Legendary Edition . The main quest is a lot longer than a typical assignment, and it sees Shepard attempt to stop a group of Batarians from destroying a colony named Terra Nova.

New enemies, fun action, and a solid story make the Bring Down The Sky assignment one of the best. In fact, if it had more connection to Saren or Sovereign, it would feel more like a main mission as opposed to side content.

Mass Effect Legendary Edition is available on PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One.

MORE: Mass Effect: Everything You Need To Know About The Reapers

• Mass Effect
• Mass Effect: Legendary Edition

Mass Effect 2 Guide

• Edit source

This page contains a walkthrough for the main missions of Mass Effect 2 . Major changes in the gameplay from Mass Effect are listed in the main Mass Effect 2 page , while the effects of importing a saved game from Mass Effect are listed in the Save File Transfer page. For a comprehensive introduction to the mechanics of the actual fighting the player must engage in on most missions, see the combat page .

Legendary Edition: If you are playing Mass Effect Legendary Edition , all content that was previously available only from Downloadable Content (DLC) is now included by default, but overall requirements and prerequisites for the missions and characters only available from DLC in the original game remain largely the same. Legendary Edition does feature many changes to the original Mass Effect 2, including changes to how certain equipment is obtained.

• 2.1 Act 1 Dossiers
• 2.2 Act 1 DLC
• 2.3 Act 1 Progression
• 3.1 Act 2 Dossiers
• 3.2 Act 2 Loyalty Missions
• 3.3 Act 2 DLC
• 3.4 Act 2 Progression Missions
• 4.1 Act 3 Progression

Prologue [ ]

Prologue missions take place at the beginning of the game, in mandatory progression. At the end of the prologue Shepard receives command of the Normandy SR-2 and is free to explore both the ship and the galaxy.

Prologue: Save Joker - Story and setting

Prologue: Awakening - Create your Shepard, Tutorial

Freedom's Progress - First mission with Miranda and Jacob

Stop the Collectors - Master mission for the rest of the game

Act 1 begins when Shepard receives the Stop the Collectors master mission along with command of the Normandy SR-2 and continues until the mission to Horizon , which is activated as soon as Shepard has recruited all four of Mordin , Garrus , Jack , and Grunt . Any other missions and assignments not completed during Act 1 can still be completed during Act 2. Note that the order in which squadmates are recruited during Act 1 is entirely up to Shepard and will not affect how events play out in any way.

You will also have the opportunity to perform various assignments —some are available on Omega , some on the Citadel , and others you can discover during the process of Planet Scanning . Assignments described as N7 Assignments usually involve squad deployments and combat—effectively small missions—and provide experience, credits, and other rewards. All assignments are optional, but they help advance the story and provide the opportunity for additional rewards and items.

Act 1 Dossiers [ ]

Perform dossier missions to recruit new squad members for your team. It is recommended that you recruit Mordin first so that you will be able to take advantage of upgrades in the Research Lab on the Normandy. When these four missions have all been completed, the Horizon mission will trigger and Act 2 will begin.

Dossier: The Professor - Mordin

Dossier: Archangel - Garrus

Dossier: The Convict - Jack

Dossier: The Warlord - Grunt

Act 1 DLC [ ]

The following DLC missions and assignments can be performed during Act 1, or saved until Act 2 if desired.

Dossier: The Veteran - Zaeed

Dossier: The Master Thief - Kasumi

Zaeed: The Price of Revenge - Loyalty

Kasumi: Stealing Memory - Loyalty

Firewalker Pack

Normandy Crash Site

Act 1 Progression [ ]

When all four of the original (non-DLC) dossier missions are complete, the Horizon mission will be activated and Act 2 will begin.

Act 2 begins upon successful completion of the Horizon mission. At this point the Normandy is able to travel to Illium and new dossiers and missions become available. New assignments also become available during the course of Act 2: some at Illium, some on Tuchanka , and many new N7 Assignments open up through Planet Scanning in new systems which open up for exploration. New merchants also become available, along with new items at some of the Act 1 merchants; see the Merchants Guide for a complete list of locations and wares.

Act 2 Dossiers [ ]

Four more squadmates can now be recruited, though Legion 's mission works differently in that it does not become available until after the Collector Ship mission, and triggers additional act progression. You will need at least eight total crew members, not counting Legion, to advance the plot.

Dossier: The Assassin - Thane

Dossier: The Justicar - Samara

Dossier: Tali - Tali

Reaper IFF - Legion

Act 2 Loyalty Missions [ ]

Starting in Act 2, speaking with squad members on the Normandy will elicit requests for you to perform Loyalty missions. Securing the loyalty of your squad will both unlock new powers for them and increase the likelihood that they, and indeed Shepard, will survive Act 3. All loyalty missions are optional—they increase the power of your team but are not required to be completed for the game to progress.

Miranda's and Jacob's missions can be obtained immediately when Act 2 begins. Additional missions become available one at a time in the order listed; if the character whose loyalty mission would normally unlock is not yet present (e.g. Grunt is still in his tank, or Thane has not been recruited) then the mission of the next character present will unlock instead. Speaking with Kelly Chambers between missions will let you know which squad members you can talk to for new loyalty missions.

Gaining the loyalty of a squad member unlocks their "Bonus Power" for them to use. The first time a Bonus Power is ever unlocked, it is also added to the Advanced Training list for Shepard.

Each squad mate also has one Normandy Upgrade or research project to unlock in the research lab. Once Shepard has access to the research lab, these can be unlocked, even during Act 1, by talking to the squad members before they offer their loyalty missions and selecting the "[NORMANDY UPGRADES]" option under the Investigate heading; otherwise it unlocks automatically as each loyalty mission is complete.

Miranda: The Prodigal

Jacob: The Gift of Greatness

Jack: Subject Zero

Mordin: Old Blood

Grunt: Rite of Passage

Garrus: Eye for an Eye

Samara: The Ardat-Yakshi

Tali: Treason

Thane: Sins of the Father

Legion: A House Divided

Act 2 DLC [ ]

The following DLC becomes available for the first time when Act 2 begins. These are both large, substantial, and challenging undertakings, and offer significant rewards.

Lair of the Shadow Broker

Act 2 Progression Missions [ ]

Several key progression missions take place during the course of Act 2. Only the Reaper IFF mission may be done whenever you're ready; the other two trigger automatically.

Collector Ship - triggered a few missions after the events on Horizon. See the acquisition section on the mission page for specifics.

Reaper IFF - choose anytime after the Collector Ship mission. However , once completed, a mission countdown activates, with the possibility of significant plot consequences if the player delays much before proceeding through the Omega 4 Relay and beginning Act 3.

Await IFF Installation - triggers aboard the Normandy immediately after obtaining the IFF from the Derelict Reaper .

Act 3, also known as the Suicide Mission , begins when the Normandy enters the Omega 4 Relay , which can be done freely any time after Await IFF Installation is complete. At this point the mission sequence is locked, and the game proceeds through to the Epilogue without any intervening break for Shepard to use the Galaxy Map , complete assignments, research upgrades, etc. If Shepard survives the Suicide Mission, however, additional missions and assignments (DLC or left over from Acts 1 and 2) can then be completed.

Before entering the Omega 4 Relay and thus launching Act 3, you will want to upgrade your ship. The important upgrades are the shields, the armor, and the cannon. Tali, Jacob, and Garrus, respectively, provide these upgrades. For each of these you do not upgrade, you will later lose one team member. Upgrades will also increase the Normandy's value as a War Asset in Mass Effect 3 .

The following list shows, in order of preference, which crew member will die if you haven't upgraded a particular part:

• Heavy Ship Armor : Jack
• Multicore Shielding : Kasumi, Legion, Tali, Thane, Garrus, Zaeed, Grunt
• Thanix Cannon : Thane, Garrus, Zaeed, Grunt, Jack, Samara/Morinth

Note: This tier is sorted by the characters' order of dying in descending order. Squad members on the "Multicore Shielding" list will not die if they are in your party when you fight the Oculus . Bringing Jack to fight the Oculus will not protect her if you do not have Heavy Ship Armor, nor will bringing anyone on the "Thanix Cannon" list save them from their fate.

Act 3 Progression [ ]

The Normandy Attacked - Defend the Normandy from the Oculus.

Collector Base: Infiltration - Help your tech specialist through the ventilation shaft.

Collector Base: The Long Walk - Your biotic specialist escorts you through the Seeker Swarms.

Collector Base: Final Battle - Face the truth behind the abductions and make your decisions.

• Mass Effect
• 3 Romance (Mass Effect: Andromeda)