Can You Get Tali as a Companion in Mass Effect 2? A Comprehensive Guide
Yes, absolutely! Tali’Zorah vas Neema (later vas Normandy) is not only available as a companion in Mass Effect 2, but she is also a crucial squad member and a potential romantic interest for male Commander Shepard. Securing her loyalty and ensuring her survival is paramount to a satisfying and complete Mass Effect trilogy experience. Let’s delve into the specifics of recruiting her and keeping her around.
Recruiting Tali in Mass Effect 2: A Step-by-Step Guide
Getting Tali on your team involves a specific sequence of events. Skipping any step can lead to dire consequences, so pay close attention!
The “Horizon” Mission: A Critical Turning Point
Before you can even think about recruiting Tali, you must complete a few initial recruitment missions (2 or 3 is generally sufficient) and then tackle the pivotal mission called “Horizon.” This mission is triggered automatically after you’ve recruited a certain number of squadmates for Cerberus. Think of Horizon as the checkpoint that unlocks Tali’s dossier.
Dossier: Tali – Haestrom Awaits
Once Horizon is in your rearview mirror, a new dossier will become available on the galaxy map: Dossier: Tali. This sends you to the planet Haestrom, located in the Far Rim cluster, in the North-East edge of the galaxy.
Navigating Haestrom’s Perils
Haestrom is a harsh environment, bathed in intense solar radiation that constantly damages your shields. This makes it essential to utilize cover effectively and bring squadmates who can provide support, either through heavy armor or tech abilities that can quickly regenerate shields. Look for sources of shade to temporarily recover your shields.
Rescuing Tali
During the mission, you’ll encounter a stranded quarian team under attack by geth. This is where you’ll find Tali, who’s investigating strange geth activity on Haestrom. You will have to defend her and her team from waves of geth enemies.
Making the Right Choices
At the end of the mission, a quarian named Kal’Reegar will offer to escort Tali back to the quarian fleet. You’ll have a dialogue option here:
- “Do you need transportation?” – This grants you +2 Paragon Points.
- “Tali’s with me now” – This nets you +2 Renegade Points.
Regardless of your choice, Tali will ultimately join your squad, and Kal’Reegar will return to the fleet alone. You’ll also receive +5 Paragon Points and +5 Renegade Points upon completing the mission.
Securing Tali’s Loyalty
Recruiting Tali is only the first step. To truly solidify her place on your team and unlock her full potential, you must complete her Loyalty Mission: Tali: Treason. This mission becomes available after you’ve completed a few more assignments.
Tali: Treason
During this mission, Tali is accused of treason by the Admiralty Board. You’ll need to defend her honor in a quarian court. This mission is arguably one of the trickiest in the game because its outcome affects Tali’s loyalty and her future in Mass Effect 3.
Achieving the Best Outcome
To achieve the optimal result – Tali retains her loyalty and is not exiled – you need a high enough Paragon or Renegade score to use the Charm or Intimidate options. These options allow you to either convince the Admiralty Board of Tali’s innocence (Paragon) or expose their flaws and inconsistencies (Renegade). If your morality scores aren’t high enough, presenting evidence against Tali’s father will result in Tali remaining on the Normandy but unable to be romanced.
A Romance Option for Male Shepards
For male Commanders, Tali is a romanceable character. The romance can only begin after Tali has been recruited and her loyalty mission has been successfully completed. You will need to talk to her frequently and initiate the romance with her.
Her Fate Depends on You
Ultimately, Tali’s fate in the Mass Effect trilogy lies in your hands. Recruit her, earn her loyalty, and treat her with respect, and she will become an invaluable asset and a cherished friend. Fail to do so, and you risk losing her forever.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Tali in Mass Effect 2
1. How early can I recruit Tali in Mass Effect 2?
You can pick up Tali right after completing the mandatory mission on Horizon. You cannot take her on Archangel’s, Jack’s, Mordin’s, and Grunt’s recruitment missions, plus Horizon.
2. What happens if I never recruit Tali in Mass Effect 2?
If you don’t recruit Tali on Haestrom, she will die there. Admiral Xen will replace her in dialogue sequences involving the quarian fleet, but Xen is never a squad member.
3. Where exactly is Tali located on Haestrom?
Tali is located at the end of the Dossier: Tali mission on the planet Haestrom. You need to fight through geth forces to reach her and her team.
4. Can I romance both Liara and Tali in Mass Effect 2?
The Lair of the Shadow Broker DLC romance with Liara does not affect regular romance options in ME2. Meaning, you can romance Liara and Tali at the same time with no problem.
5. How do I ensure Tali’s loyalty after her mission?
Use the Charm Dialogue Option if you have a high enough Paragon score. If not, you must provide solid evidence from her father’s research. Otherwise, Tali will be exiled.
6. What if I accidentally lose Tali’s loyalty? How do I regain it?
If Tali becomes disloyal, you will need a high Paragon or Renegade score to pass a Charm or Intimidate check during a conversation with her. This will convince her to see your side and restore her loyalty.
7. Is it true that you see Tali’s face in Mass Effect 3?
No, you never see Tali’s actual face. However, if you romance her in Mass Effect 3, she will leave a picture of herself without her mask in your cabin.
8. Can I recruit Tali in Mass Effect 3?
Yes, Tali can be recruited in Mass Effect 3, but only after completing specific story missions related to the quarian-geth conflict.
9. What happens if Tali dies in Mass Effect 2’s suicide mission?
If Tali dies during the suicide mission in Mass Effect 2, her role in Mass Effect 3 is replaced by Admiral Shala’Raan vas Tonbay.
10. Is there a limit to the number of missions I can do before Horizon?
While there isn’t a strict limit, completing too many side missions before Horizon can lead to unexpected narrative consequences. It’s generally recommended to do 2-3 recruitment missions before Horizon.
11. Can I bring Tali on every mission after I recruit her?
No, you cannot take her on Archangel’s, Jack’s, Mordin’s, and Grunt’s recruitment missions, plus Horizon.
12. Can I romance Tali if she gets exiled during her loyalty mission?
You can pick an option that results in her being exiled and still have her available, but if you presented the evidence, a Romance with her will NOT be possible.
13. What are the Paragon/Renegade point requirements for Tali’s loyalty mission?
The specific amount of Paragon or Renegade points required will vary depending on your playthrough, but having a substantial amount of either is generally necessary to pass the Charm/Intimidate check.
14. Can Legion and Tali both survive if I recruit them both?
Persuasion: Genesis 2 First, when debating how many Squad Mates to recruit, you need to choose “Take your time. Recruit all”, which means that both Tali and Legion join the squad and survive the Suicide Mission, helping you pass the first check. However, Legion will still die.
15. How do I get rich quickly to buy Tali equipment?
Credits aren’t difficult to come by. You’ll find some by searching various environments, but your best bet is to undertake quests and side quests to earn money.
Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or a newcomer to the Mass Effect universe, understanding the nuances of recruiting and maintaining Tali’s loyalty is crucial for experiencing the full depth and richness of the story. Remember to think strategically, act decisively, and always have her back. You will gain a valuable ally and perhaps even a love interest. And for those interested in exploring the educational potential of gaming, be sure to check out the work being done at the Games Learning Society: https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/, where they’re uncovering the power of games for learning and engagement.