Can You Fail Thane’s Loyalty Mission in Mass Effect 2? A Comprehensive Guide
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Yes, you absolutely can fail Thane Krios’ loyalty mission, “Thane: Sins of the Father,” in Mass Effect 2. Failure results in Thane not becoming loyal, which can have serious repercussions later in the game, specifically during the Suicide Mission. Maintaining vigilance and precision throughout the mission is crucial to securing Thane’s loyalty and ensuring his survival.
Understanding Thane’s Loyalty Mission: High Stakes, High Reward
Thane’s loyalty mission revolves around preventing the assassination of a Turian politician named Joram Talid. The assassin, Kolyat, is Thane’s own son, adding a layer of personal drama and tension to the already challenging task. Unlike some loyalty missions, Thane’s mission is time-sensitive and requires keen observation and swift action from Shepard.
How to Succeed and Secure Thane’s Loyalty
To guarantee Thane’s loyalty, Shepard must effectively guide Thane to Kolyat by providing real-time intelligence on Talid’s movements. Here’s a breakdown of the steps:
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Follow Talid from the Catwalks: Shepard must follow Talid from the elevated walkways above the ward. This vantage point provides the necessary overview to track Talid’s movements effectively.
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Provide Accurate Updates to Thane: The core mechanic involves relaying Talid’s position to Thane as he moves through the area. Each time Talid changes location, Shepard needs to communicate this to Thane immediately.
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Maintain Line of Sight: Losing sight of Talid for too long is the primary cause of failure. If Shepard fails to provide timely updates, Kolyat gets the opportunity to strike, potentially killing Talid and escaping.
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Prevent Kolyat’s Escape: The ultimate goal is to prevent Kolyat from successfully assassinating Talid and escaping. If Kolyat gets away, regardless of whether Talid dies, Thane will not be loyal.
Consequences of Failing Thane’s Loyalty Mission
The immediate consequence of failing Thane’s loyalty mission is that Thane will not be loyal. This has a significant impact on the Suicide Mission at the end of Mass Effect 2. A non-loyal Thane is far more likely to die during the Suicide Mission, particularly if assigned to a critical role. Furthermore, Thane’s lack of loyalty influences his interactions in Mass Effect 3, potentially affecting his storyline and fate in the trilogy.
Key Mistakes to Avoid
- Losing Sight of Talid: This is the most common mistake. Shepard must maintain constant surveillance of Talid’s movements.
- Delaying Updates to Thane: Timely communication is crucial. Do not hesitate in informing Thane about Talid’s changes in position.
- Underestimating Kolyat: Kolyat is a skilled assassin. He will exploit any lapse in Shepard’s vigilance.
Essential Tips for Success
- Focus and Concentration: The mission requires your full attention. Minimize distractions to ensure you don’t lose sight of Talid.
- Strategic Positioning: Utilize the environment to your advantage. Find vantage points that offer a clear view of Talid’s movements.
- Quick Reflexes: Be prepared to react swiftly to Talid’s changes in position.
- Bring Useful Squadmates: While squadmates don’t directly impact the mission’s mechanics, bringing along Tali or Garrus can provide interesting dialogue options and insights into Thane’s character. Ask about Mouse’s crimes, for example.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can you fail other loyalty missions in Mass Effect 2?
Yes, several other loyalty missions can be failed. For example, you can fail Tali’s loyalty mission by presenting fabricated evidence or Samara’s loyalty mission by choosing to side with Morinth.
2. What happens if you fail Samara’s loyalty mission?
If you fail Samara’s loyalty mission by siding with Morinth, you will still complete the mission and gain Morinth as a squad member. However, Samara will not be loyal and will likely die during the Suicide Mission if not properly protected.
3. Does bringing specific squadmates affect Thane’s loyalty mission?
Bringing specific squadmates doesn’t directly affect the success of Thane’s loyalty mission in terms of gameplay mechanics. However, squadmates like Tali or Garrus can trigger unique dialogue during certain parts of the mission, adding flavor and context to the experience.
4. What happens if Thane dies during the Suicide Mission?
If Thane dies during the Suicide Mission, it has significant consequences for Mass Effect 3. His absence impacts the storyline and character interactions, particularly concerning the events involving the Citadel attack.
5. Is Thane a romance option?
Yes, Thane is a romance option for female Shepard in Mass Effect 2. You must complete his loyalty mission before initiating the romance.
6. Can you save Thane in Mass Effect 3?
Unfortunately, there is no way to save Thane in Mass Effect 3. His death is a scripted event integral to the game’s narrative. If Captain Kirrahe survived Mass Effect’s final mission, you’ll meet him during the mission to recover the female Krogan. If you didn’t talk to Thane prior to the attack on the Citadel, Kirrahe will intervene instead of Thane and die in his place.
7. What are the rewards for completing Thane’s loyalty mission?
The primary reward for completing Thane’s loyalty mission is that Thane becomes loyal. This dramatically increases his chances of surviving the Suicide Mission. Furthermore, you unlock his unique power, which can be useful in combat.
8. Can you lose Garrus’s loyalty?
Garrus’s loyalty mission cannot be failed. As long as you complete the mission, Garrus will be loyal, regardless of whether you agree with his methods.
9. Can you have a relationship with Samara besides her loyalty mission?
You can have a semi-serious romance with Samara, but it’s a complex relationship due to her Justicar code. It’s not a full romance in the traditional sense, and it cannot be continued if you romance another character in Mass Effect 3.
10. How do you unlock Thane’s loyalty mission?
To unlock Thane’s loyalty mission, you must first complete the mission on Horizon and then complete other missions, DLCs, or N7 side quests. After completing a few missions, talking to Thane will unlock his loyalty mission.
11. Can Tali survive the Suicide Mission without loyalty?
Yes, any character can survive the Suicide Mission without loyalty, but it significantly increases the risk of them dying. Having as many loyal squadmates as possible is crucial for maximizing survival rates.
12. What is the best strategy for the Suicide Mission to keep everyone alive?
The best strategy involves upgrading the Normandy’s defenses, assigning loyal squadmates to specific tasks (like Tali or Legion in the tech tunnel), and choosing squadmates who have abilities to succeed.
13. What happens if squadmates die during the Suicide Mission?
If squadmates die during the Suicide Mission, they will be absent in Mass Effect 3, impacting the storyline and available resources.
14. How does Paragon/Renegade alignment affect loyalty missions?
While most loyalty missions can be resolved with a high Paragon/Renegade level, you’ll need a high enough score to pass certain dialogue checks.
15. Can you romance Liara in ME3 if you romanced someone else in ME2?
Yes, you can romance Liara in Mass Effect 3 even if you romanced someone else in Mass Effect 2. However, you may need to break up with your previous romance partner, which can have emotional consequences for the characters involved.
Conclusion: Securing Thane’s Loyalty Is Worth the Effort
Failing Thane’s loyalty mission is easily done and can have serious consequences for the overall narrative and survival of your squad. The mission requires focus, vigilance, and timely communication. By understanding the mission mechanics and avoiding common mistakes, you can ensure Thane’s loyalty, increasing his chances of survival and maximizing the emotional impact of his character arc across the Mass Effect trilogy. Video games can offer powerful narratives and teaching moments. You can learn more about the educational side of gaming at the Games Learning Society or GamesLearningSociety.org.