How to Recruit Legion Early in Mass Effect 2: A Comprehensive Guide
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So, you’re itching to get your hands on Legion, the enigmatic Geth platform in Mass Effect 2, as early as possible? I get it. He’s a fascinating character, and having him around sooner rather than later opens up intriguing strategic options and dialogue. The short answer is this: you can’t significantly recruit Legion earlier than intended in the game’s narrative flow. However, you can optimize your playthrough to minimize the time between the Collector Ship mission and acquiring him. This guide details the exact steps and considerations to achieve that goal, along with key FAQs for a comprehensive understanding.
Understanding the Recruitment Timeline
The fundamental constraint is that Legion is locked behind the Reaper IFF mission, which only becomes available after you complete the Collector Ship mission. This is hardcoded into the game’s structure, so there’s no glitching or bypassing this requirement. The “early” recruitment hinges on minimizing the time between the Collector Ship and the Reaper IFF.
Here’s the breakdown:
- Complete the initial story missions that lead up to the Collector Ship.
- Undertake the Collector Ship mission. This is a major story beat and triggers the next phase.
- Immediately after the Collector Ship, Admiral Hackett will contact you regarding the Reaper IFF. Accept this mission promptly.
- Complete the Reaper IFF mission. At the end, you’ll encounter the deactivated Legion.
- Upon returning to the Normandy, activate Legion. Go to the AI core located behind Dr. Chakwas and interact with the Geth platform. Miranda will express concerns, but you can override her.
Important Consideration: The Reaper IFF mission triggers a timer. A few missions after completing it, your crew will be abducted by the Collectors. The number of missions you can complete before the abduction depends on the number of recruited squadmates at the time you completed the collector ship mission. Every two recruited squadmates grant an additional story mission after the completion of the collector ship mission. If you do more than 3 missions after the abduction, you’ll start losing crew members. If you delay long enough, everyone dies except Dr. Chakwas.
Optimizing for “Early” Recruitment
While you can’t circumvent the main story beats, you can optimize your game progression:
- Minimize Side Missions: After the Collector Ship mission, resist the urge to complete every available side quest. Focus solely on the Reaper IFF mission. This means skipping N7 missions, minor side quests, and even companion recruitment missions (unless absolutely necessary for unlocking the Reaper IFF).
- Recruitment Order Matters: Certain recruitment missions may be quicker to complete than others. If you must do a recruitment mission before the Reaper IFF (perhaps for squad power reasons), prioritize the shortest ones.
- Efficient Travel: Use the Normandy’s galaxy map efficiently to minimize travel time between missions.
- Squad Power Considerations: The Reaper IFF mission can be challenging. Ensure you have a squad capable of handling it. This may necessitate recruiting one or two additional squadmates before undertaking the Collector Ship.
The Aftermath and the Loyalty Dilemma
Once you activate Legion, the clock is ticking. The crew abduction event is imminent. This presents a crucial choice:
- Immediate Suicide Mission: Launch the Suicide Mission as soon as possible after the abduction to save your entire crew. This means foregoing Legion’s loyalty mission and potentially other squadmate loyalty missions.
- Risk Crew Loss: Delay the Suicide Mission to complete loyalty missions (including Legion’s) but risk losing crew members. You have approximately 1-3 missions (depending on previous activities) after the abduction before the losses begin.
There’s no easy answer. Sacrificing the crew is a heavy price, but a disloyal Legion significantly reduces his effectiveness in the Suicide Mission. Choose wisely based on your priorities and overall game strategy.
FAQ: Recruiting Legion Early
Q1: Can I get Legion before Tali?
Yes, you can get Legion before Tali. Tali’s recruitment mission is optional, whereas Legion’s acquisition is tied to the critical path Reaper IFF mission, triggered after the Collector Ship. Therefore, if you beeline for the Reaper IFF after the Collector Ship, you will encounter Legion before encountering Tali.
Q2: What happens if I wait too long to activate Legion?
Nothing happens. You can wait indefinitely before activating him. However, delaying his activation means missing out on his unique dialogue, squad abilities, and eventual loyalty mission. There is no penalty for waiting, however.
Q3: Is Legion a good squadmate?
Absolutely! Legion is a powerful squadmate, particularly effective against Geth and synthetic enemies. His Geth Pulse Rifle is a formidable weapon, and his abilities make him a valuable asset in combat. But his effectiveness significantly depends on whether he is loyal or not.
Q4: Can I complete Legion’s loyalty mission after the crew abduction?
Yes, you can complete it, but at the cost of your Normandy crew. After the crew is abducted, you can only do three missions before they start dying off. If you complete Legion’s loyalty mission after the crew abduction, you will lose at least half your crew.
Q5: Does Legion appear in Mass Effect 3 if he dies in Mass Effect 2?
If Legion dies in Mass Effect 2, he will be replaced by a Geth VI in Mass Effect 3. This significantly alters the storyline involving the Geth and Quarians, impacting potential outcomes and war assets.
Q6: How do I ensure Legion survives the Suicide Mission?
- Loyalty: Make sure Legion is loyal by completing his loyalty mission, A House Divided.
- Specialist Role: Assign loyal and specialized crewmates to tasks during the Suicide Mission. If you are sending someone through the vents, choose Tali. If you are holding the line, choose Zaeed or Garrus.
- Squad Composition: Choose your squad carefully for the final battle. Leave weak characters behind.
- Take Legion in Final Battle Do not take Legion into the final battle unless you need him.
Q7: What is Legion’s loyalty mission about?
Legion’s loyalty mission, “A House Divided,” involves stopping a rogue faction of Geth heretics from transmitting code to the rest of the Geth collective. It is an interesting insight to the Geth.
Q8: Is it worth sacrificing crew members to gain Legion’s loyalty?
This is a complex decision with no right or wrong answer. Some players prioritize saving the crew at all costs, while others value the strategic advantage of a loyal Legion. Weigh the pros and cons based on your playstyle and roleplaying preferences. You also need to complete Legion’s loyalty mission to achieve the perfect ending of the war of the Geth and Quarians, in Mass Effect 3.
Q9: What are the consequences of selling Legion to Cerberus?
Selling Legion to Cerberus is not recommended. It negatively impacts your Paragon/Renegade score, prevents you from gaining him as a squadmate, and locks you out of his loyalty mission and subsequent role in Mass Effect 3.
Q10: How does Legion’s armor work?
Legion’s armor, known as the “Heretic Armor,” is uniquely designed to accommodate his Geth platform. It provides strong defenses and enhances his combat abilities. It also has a unique design and visual appearance when compared to other armors.
Q11: Can I romance Legion?
No, you cannot romance Legion. He is a Geth platform and lacks the biological characteristics necessary for romance.
Q12: What is the best weapon for Legion?
Legion excels with the Geth Pulse Rifle, his signature weapon. He is also effective with sniper rifles, such as the Widow.
Q13: Does Legion’s loyalty affect the Geth/Quarian conflict in Mass Effect 3?
Yes, absolutely! Legion’s loyalty is crucial for brokering peace between the Geth and Quarians in Mass Effect 3. If he is not loyal, achieving a peaceful resolution becomes significantly more difficult, and in some cases, impossible.
Q14: How important is Legion’s loyalty in the final Suicide Mission?
Legion’s loyalty significantly impacts his ability to survive the Suicide Mission. A loyal Legion is much more resilient and effective in various roles throughout the mission. It impacts the success of holding the line.
Q15: What are the best squadmates to bring with Legion on missions?
Legion synergizes well with squadmates who can exploit enemy weaknesses or provide complementary support. Good choices include Tali (for tech synergy), Garrus (for tactical support and damage), and Miranda (for squad buffs).
In conclusion, while you can’t dramatically alter the timing of Legion’s recruitment, you can optimize your playthrough to minimize the delay. Remember to balance the desire for an early Legion with the need to save your crew and ensure his loyalty. Good luck, Commander! To better learn more about the educational aspects of gaming, visit the Games Learning Society website: GamesLearningSociety.org.