Do You Lose Zaeed’s Loyalty Mission in Mass Effect 2? A Comprehensive Guide

Yes, you can lose Zaeed’s loyalty during his loyalty mission, “Zaeed: The Price of Revenge,” in Mass Effect 2. The outcome hinges on the choices you make when confronted with a moral dilemma: prioritize saving trapped workers or focus solely on pursuing his target, Vido Santiago. Opting for the Paragon path (saving the workers) puts Zaeed’s loyalty in jeopardy. You’ll need to pass a Persuasion Check at the end of the mission, using either a high Charm or Intimidate option, to secure his loyalty. Failing this check results in Zaeed becoming Disloyal, which carries significant consequences for the Suicide Mission and your overall playthrough.

Understanding Zaeed’s Loyalty and its Consequences

The Moral Choice: Workers vs. Vido

The crux of Zaeed’s loyalty mission lies in the tension between his unwavering vendetta against Vido Santiago and the lives of innocent workers trapped in a burning refinery. Zaeed is laser-focused on revenge. If you choose to divert from his path to save the workers, you are essentially questioning his priorities.

Paragon vs. Renegade: The Loyalty Spectrum

The game presents you with a clear choice:

• Paragon (Save the Workers): This path aligns with a more compassionate and heroic Shepard, emphasizing the greater good. However, it directly clashes with Zaeed’s personal mission, and his approval will require a successful Persuasion Check.

• Renegade (Pursue Vido): This path allows you to maintain Zaeed’s focus on revenge, securing his loyalty immediately. However, it comes at the cost of sacrificing the trapped workers.

The Importance of Persuasion Checks

If you opt to save the workers (Paragon path), the game throws you a lifeline: a Persuasion Check at the end of the mission. This check utilizes your Charm or Intimidate skill, based on your Shepard’s morality point distribution. To successfully pass the check, you need a high enough score in either of those skills.

• Charm: Relies on diplomatic and persuasive arguments to convince Zaeed that your actions were justified.

• Intimidate: Uses threats and force of will to bend Zaeed to your will.

Consequences of Disloyalty

If you fail the Persuasion Check and Zaeed becomes Disloyal, several key consequences follow:

• Suicide Mission Risk: Disloyal squadmates are far more likely to die during the Suicide Mission. Zaeed becomes a high-priority target for death.

• War Assets in Mass Effect 3: If Zaeed dies in Mass Effect 2, you will not be able to acquire him as a War Asset in Mass Effect 3. Furthermore, he’ll be unable to persuade Din Korlack to divulge essential information, leading to the loss of the colony location and the Volus Bombing Fleet War Asset.

• Narrative Impact: Zaeed’s disloyalty reflects a lack of trust and understanding between him and Shepard. It will impact the relationships and story in later games.

FAQs: Zaeed, Loyalty, and the Suicide Mission

1. How do I maximize my chances of passing the Persuasion Check?

Invest heavily in your Charm or Intimidate skill throughout the game. Completing other missions and making morally aligned choices will contribute to your overall Paragon/Renegade score. Remember, the game factors in your total available points, not just your current ones.

2. What happens if I skip Zaeed’s Loyalty Mission?

Skipping his loyalty mission doesn’t directly make him disloyal, but it leaves him in a neutral state. He contributes fewer points during the Suicide Mission calculations, increasing the risk of squadmate deaths. Additionally, you miss out on his unique combat abilities and personality.

3. Can Zaeed survive the Suicide Mission without loyalty?

Yes, Zaeed can survive the Suicide Mission even without loyalty, but it requires careful planning. Do not assign him to any critical roles, like leading a squad or handling tech duties. Instead, leave him to “hold the line” during the final defense.

4. Is it better to get Zaeed’s loyalty by choosing the Renegade option?

Choosing the Renegade option guarantees Zaeed’s loyalty immediately, but at the expense of innocent lives. It’s a matter of personal preference: do you prioritize squadmate loyalty above moral considerations?

5. Does Zaeed appear in Mass Effect 3 if he’s disloyal but survives Mass Effect 2?

Yes, Zaeed appears in Mass Effect 3 even if he was disloyal in Mass Effect 2, provided he survived the Suicide Mission. However, his role will be affected by his disloyalty and how it influenced prior events.

6. How important is Zaeed as a war asset in Mass Effect 3?

Zaeed is a valuable War Asset, adding to your overall military strength. His presence can make a difference in achieving the best possible ending in Mass Effect 3. Furthermore, being loyal allows him to convince Din Korlack and receive the Volus Bombing Fleet.

7. Does Zaeed’s loyalty affect any other missions besides his own and the Suicide Mission?

Besides his own loyalty mission and the Suicide Mission, his loyalty affects the War Assets he brings in Mass Effect 3. As stated, being loyal allows him to convince Din Korlack and receive the Volus Bombing Fleet.

8. Can I regain Zaeed’s loyalty if I fail the Persuasion Check initially?

No, you cannot regain Zaeed’s loyalty once you fail the Persuasion Check on his loyalty mission. The decision is permanent.

9. Is there a way to tell if I have enough Paragon/Renegade points before attempting the Persuasion Check?

While the game doesn’t explicitly display a numerical value, you can generally gauge your progress by how easily you pass other Persuasion Checks throughout the game. If you consistently succeed, you likely have a high enough score. Also, if you invest in the passive skill as the article states it could help.

10. What are some good squadmate combinations for Zaeed’s loyalty mission?

Consider bringing squadmates with abilities that can handle both close-quarters combat and ranged attacks, as the mission involves both. Garrus, Grunt, or Miranda are all solid choices.

11. Does difficulty level affect the Persuasion Check in Zaeed’s loyalty mission?

No, the difficulty level does not directly affect the Persuasion Check. However, a higher difficulty might make accumulating Paragon/Renegade points more challenging overall, as you may be forced to make tougher decisions.

12. What happens if Zaeed is loyal, but I bring him with me on the final run to the Reaper core?

Bringing anyone to the final Reaper Core run is risky. Even loyal squadmates are not guaranteed to survive this section of the Suicide Mission.

13. How does Zaeed’s personality compare to other squadmates in Mass Effect 2?

Zaeed is portrayed as a gruff, battle-hardened mercenary. This contrasts sharply with more idealistic or diplomatic characters like Liara or Miranda.

14. If I use a save editor to give myself max Paragon/Renegade, can I guarantee Zaeed’s loyalty?

Yes, using a save editor to maximize your Paragon/Renegade score will guarantee success on the Persuasion Check and secure Zaeed’s loyalty. However, this can diminish the organic experience of the game.

15. Is Zaeed a good squadmate overall?

Despite the difficulty in securing his loyalty, Zaeed is indeed a good squadmate overall. He offers unique abilities and can carry his weight in combat. He can also offer some dialogue options to other squadmates during missions that you may find useful, in terms of combat power and in terms of the story.

Mastering Mass Effect 2: Choices and Consequences

Zaeed’s loyalty mission is a prime example of the impactful choices that define the Mass Effect series. Each decision carries weight, influencing not only the present moment but also the future of your playthrough. Understanding the intricacies of loyalty, morality, and the Suicide Mission is crucial for navigating the galaxy and ensuring the survival of your squad. The Games Learning Society offers valuable insights into how games like Mass Effect can be used as tools for learning and exploring complex social issues. You can find out more by visiting GamesLearningSociety.org. Embrace the challenge, make informed choices, and forge your own legend in the Mass Effect universe.