Can Tali and Legion Both Live? A Mass Effect Trilogy Survival Guide

The question on every Mass Effect fan’s mind: Can Tali and Legion both live? The short answer is yes, but it requires careful planning and execution throughout Mass Effect 2 and Mass Effect 3. Securing the survival of both these beloved characters is one of the most rewarding, yet challenging, feats in the trilogy, requiring you to navigate complex loyalty missions, moral choices, and galactic politics. The key lies in maintaining loyalty, resolving conflicts peacefully, and strategically acquiring reputation points. Let’s dive into the specifics of keeping Tali and Legion alive and well.

Achieving the Impossible: Saving Tali and Legion

Saving both Tali’Zorah and Legion requires fulfilling a specific set of conditions across both Mass Effect 2 and Mass Effect 3. Let’s break down the requirements:

Mass Effect 2: Foundation for Survival

1. Recruit Both Tali and Legion: This sounds obvious, but you need to ensure you recruit both squadmates.
2. Complete Loyalty Missions: Complete both Tali’s (Tali: Treason) and Legion’s (Legion: A House Divided) loyalty missions. This is crucial for their survival in the Suicide Mission.
3. Resolve the Tali/Legion Conflict: After completing both loyalty missions, a conflict will erupt between Tali and Legion. You must resolve this conflict using either high Paragon or Renegade scores to pass a Charm or Intimidate check. Failing this check forces you to side with one character, resulting in the other losing their loyalty. While you can regain loyalty, it adds unnecessary complexity.
4. Suicide Mission Survival: Ensure both Tali and Legion survive the Suicide Mission at the end of Mass Effect 2. This means assigning them roles they are suited for and ensuring your squad is upgraded with the necessary armor and weapons.

Mass Effect 3: The Ultimate Test

1. Geth Fighter Squadrons: Prioritize completing the Geth Fighter Squadrons mission. This is a critical step towards achieving peace between the Quarians and the Geth.
2. Acquire Sufficient Reputation Points: This is the most complex aspect. You need to accumulate at least five points before the pivotal decision on Rannoch (Priority: Rannoch). These points are earned through various actions, including:
   • Completing Admiral Koris’s mission (+1 point)
   • Saving Admiral Koris during the mission (+1 point)
   • Importing a Mass Effect 2 save where Tali was not exiled (+1 point)
   • Having completed Legion’s loyalty mission by choosing to rewrite the Heretics (+1 point)
   • Completing the Geth Fighter Squadrons mission (+1 point)
   • Having high reputation from previous paragon/renegade choices (+1 or more points).
3. Choose the Correct Dialogue Options on Rannoch: During Priority: Rannoch, when the Quarians attack the Geth, you will be presented with a crucial choice. With enough reputation points, you can select the dialogue options that allow you to broker peace between the Quarians and the Geth.
4. Prioritize Peace Over Destruction: The final dialogue choices are critical. With enough reputation, you can convince both the Quarians and the Geth to stand down, achieving peace.

The Sacrifice

Even with peace achieved, Legion’s fate is sealed. Legion will sacrifice himself to upload the Reaper code to all Geth, granting them true sentience and freeing them from Reaper control. This is a scripted event and cannot be avoided. However, Tali will survive, relieved that peace has been achieved between her people and the Geth.

By meticulously following these steps, you can witness the bittersweet ending where Tali lives and peace is achieved, although Legion sacrifices himself for the greater good.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions regarding the survival of Tali and Legion in the Mass Effect trilogy:

1. Can I romance Tali and still save the Geth?

Yes. Romancing Tali doesn’t affect your ability to save the Geth. Focus on completing her loyalty mission in Mass Effect 2, resolving the Tali/Legion conflict, and accumulating enough reputation points in Mass Effect 3. Maintaining Tali’s loyalty is key to her survival, and doesn’t impact the overall Geth/Quarian conflict.

2. What happens if Tali is exiled in Mass Effect 2?

If Tali is exiled during her loyalty mission, it makes it significantly harder to achieve peace in Mass Effect 3. Tali being an Admiral is often a contributing factor towards achieving peace. Having her exiled reduces the number of reputation points you can earn, potentially preventing you from having enough points to broker peace on Rannoch.

3. Can I lose Tali’s loyalty?

Yes. Siding with Legion during their conflict will cause Tali to lose her loyalty. You can regain it by passing a high Paragon/Renegade check, but it’s best to avoid this situation by successfully resolving the conflict peacefully the first time.

4. Is it possible to complete both Tali and Legion’s loyalty missions?

Absolutely. It’s essential for their survival. Recruit Legion after completing most other loyalty missions, then complete Tali’s. The Tali/Legion conflict will trigger after both missions are done.

5. Does selling Legion to Cerberus affect the outcome?

Yes. Do not sell Legion to Cerberus. Keeping Legion is vital for achieving peace between the Quarians and the Geth in Mass Effect 3. Selling him eliminates any possibility of brokering peace.

6. What are the most important factors in achieving peace?

• Completing both Tali and Legion’s loyalty missions.
• Resolving the Tali/Legion conflict peacefully.
• Completing the Geth Fighter Squadrons mission.
• Accumulating sufficient reputation points before Priority: Rannoch.

7. What happens if Tali dies in Mass Effect 2?

If Tali dies during the Suicide Mission, her role in Mass Effect 3 is replaced by Admiral Shala’Raan vas Tonbay. You lose the emotional connection and cannot romance Tali. Plus, having Shala’Raan in her place can make achieving peace more difficult as you lose the additional dialogue and options Tali provides.

8. Can I still romance Tali in Mass Effect 3 if I didn’t in Mass Effect 2?

No. You must start a romance with Tali in Mass Effect 2 to continue it in Mass Effect 3. The romance option doesn’t carry over if it wasn’t initiated in the previous game.

9. What happens if I side with the Quarians and destroy the Geth?

Siding with the Quarians results in the destruction of the Geth. Tali will be relieved that her people are safe, but she will mourn the loss of Legion and the Geth. Legion will die, and you will lose a valuable asset in the war against the Reapers.

10. How does my Paragon/Renegade score affect the outcome?

High Paragon/Renegade scores are crucial for resolving the Tali/Legion conflict and for making the correct dialogue choices during Priority: Rannoch. These checks require you to have a high enough morality score to successfully persuade both parties.

11. Can I see Tali’s face?

Yes. After completing Tali’s loyalty mission, speak to her on the Normandy. She will mention leaving something in your cabin. Go to your cabin, and you will find a picture of her without her mask.

12. How old is Tali?

Tali is 22 years old in Mass Effect 1. Quarians and Humans age similarly.

13. Why does Tali’s name change in Mass Effect 2?

At the start of Mass Effect 2, she is called “Tali’Zorah vas Neema”, showing that she has become part of the crew of the Neema after completing her Pilgrimage. During her loyalty mission, her name changes to “Tali’Zorah vas Normandy” as she officially joins Commander Shepard’s Normandy SR-2 crew.

14. Can Tali and Shepard have children?

No. While Tali and Shepard can engage in a romantic relationship, they are biologically incompatible and cannot have children together.

15. Where can I learn more about the Mass Effect universe?

Explore resources like the Mass Effect Wiki, forums dedicated to Mass Effect lore, and academic discussions related to the themes and narratives within the game. Consider exploring the connection between gaming and learning, as highlighted by organizations like the Games Learning Society (GamesLearningSociety.org). Understanding the deeper implications of the game’s choices can enhance your gameplay experience. You might also find relevant research on how games promote strategic thinking and decision-making skills on websites like Games Learning Society.