Maximizing Your Military Strength in Mass Effect: A Commander’s Guide to Victory
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So, you want to know exactly what military strength you need to secure the best possible outcome in Mass Effect? The answer, as with most things in the galaxy, isn’t simple. It depends on the ending you’re aiming for, the choices you’ve made throughout the trilogy, and whether you’re playing the original or Legendary Edition. However, as a general rule of thumb, aim for 7800 Total Military Strength or higher in Mass Effect 3 Legendary Edition to unlock the “perfect” ending where Shepard lives and the galaxy has the best chance of recovery. This number ensures that all possible endings are available and that you have a fighting chance against the Reapers. This Total Military Strength (TMS) is calculated by combining all your War Assets from throughout the trilogy.
Understanding Effective Military Strength (EMS)
Before diving deeper, let’s clarify what Effective Military Strength (EMS) and Total Military Strength (TMS) mean, as the terms are often used interchangeably but are calculated differently.
- Total Military Strength (TMS): This is the raw point value of all the War Assets you’ve accumulated from missions, decisions, and scanning planets. It represents the total potential forces under your command. The maximum TMS you can achieve without DLC is approximately 7500. The highest possible without multiplayer can reach 8,775.
- Effective Military Strength (EMS): In the original Mass Effect 3, the EMS was calculated by dividing your TMS in half. This mechanic was intended to encourage multiplayer participation, as playing multiplayer would raise your readiness rating, which directly impacted your EMS. In the Legendary Edition, this mechanic has been removed, and TMS is now equivalent to EMS.
The Importance of War Assets
War Assets are the key to boosting your military strength. These represent the combined forces, technologies, and alliances you’ve gathered throughout your journey. They are obtained through:
- Completing Main Missions: Each mission contributes to your overall War Asset score.
- Completing Side Missions: These missions often reward you with valuable War Assets, sometimes from unexpected sources.
- Making Critical Choices: Decisions you make throughout the trilogy, particularly in Mass Effect 1 and Mass Effect 2, can have a significant impact on which War Assets are available in Mass Effect 3. Saving the Rachni Queen, for example, will net you a powerful ally.
- Scanning Planets: Scanning planets can uncover hidden War Assets, resources, and artifacts that contribute to your overall strength.
- DLC Content: Mass Effect 3 DLCs such as Leviathan and Omega add significant War Assets to your pool.
- Imported Saves: Choices from ME1 and ME2 affect the War Assets.
EMS Thresholds for Different Endings
The EMS you need for a specific ending varies. Here’s a breakdown:
- Minimum for an Ending: You need at least 3,100 War Assets to achieve any ending at all. Below this threshold, Shepard and the team will fail at the final battle.
- Shepard Lives (Destroy Ending): To ensure Shepard survives the Destroy ending, you need 2800 EMS or more if you shoot the Illusive Man with the Renegade interrupt or avoid him preparing to execute Anderson. In the Legendary Edition, this requirement increases to 3700 EMS. Note that without the Extended Cut DLC, this number was even higher, requiring 4000+ EMS.
- Perfect Ending (Shepard Lives, Best Outcome): To achieve the best possible ending, where Shepard survives and the galaxy is primed for rebuilding, aim for 7800 Total Military Strength or higher. This high score unlocks the “breath” scene at the end, implying Shepard’s survival.
Critical Decisions That Impact War Assets
Some decisions have a more significant impact than others:
- Rachni Queen: Saving the Rachni Queen on Noveria in Mass Effect 1 will grant you valuable War Assets in Mass Effect 3.
- Wrex vs. Wreav: Whether Wrex or Wreav leads the Krogan has a major impact. Wrex is a stronger and more reliable ally. Killing Wrex on Virmire (leaving Wreav in charge) will negatively impact your War Assets, even though Wreav technically provides more initially.
- Council: Saving or sacrificing the Council at the end of Mass Effect 1 affects your War Assets. Saving the Council provides more War Assets (108 compared to 95 if you let them die).
- Collector Base: Destroying or preserving the Collector Base in Mass Effect 2 influences the War Assets you receive from Cerberus in Mass Effect 3.
- Geth/Quarian Conflict: Resolving the conflict between the Geth and Quarians peacefully nets you the most War Assets. Choosing one over the other results in the loss of a significant force.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What happens if my EMS is too low?
If your EMS is below the required threshold, Shepard and the Normandy crew will be overwhelmed by the Reapers during the final assault. The galaxy will face a far grimmer future.
2. How can I check my current War Asset score?
You can check your War Asset score at any time from the War Room on the Normandy. The War Assets terminal will display your current TMS and a breakdown of all the forces and resources you’ve gathered.
3. Does difficulty level affect War Asset acquisition?
No, the difficulty level does not affect the War Assets you obtain. You can play on any difficulty and still acquire the same amount of War Assets.
4. Can I still get the best ending if I made mistakes in previous games?
Yes, even if you made suboptimal choices in Mass Effect 1 or Mass Effect 2, you can still achieve a high enough EMS in Mass Effect 3 to get a good ending. Focus on completing all available missions, scanning planets thoroughly, and making strategic alliances.
5. What’s the best strategy for scanning planets?
Use the Normandy’s scanner to locate anomalies on planets. When you detect one, approach the planet slowly to minimize Reaper detection. Extract resources efficiently to avoid triggering Reaper pursuit.
6. How important are the DLC packs for achieving a high EMS?
The DLC packs, particularly Leviathan and Omega, offer significant War Assets and are highly recommended for maximizing your military strength.
7. What is the “Perfect Ending” and how do I get it?
The “Perfect Ending” is achieved when Shepard survives the Destroy ending, and the galaxy is left in the best possible state for rebuilding. To get it, you need 7800 TMS or higher and must make certain choices, such as resolving the Geth/Quarian conflict peacefully.
8. Does Paragon/Renegade alignment affect War Assets?
While some individual choices are influenced by your Paragon/Renegade alignment, there isn’t a direct correlation between your overall alignment and War Asset acquisition. Some situations benefit from a Paragon approach, while others require a Renegade touch. You can maximize War Assets through a combination of Paragon and Renegade decisions throughout the trilogy.
9. What War Assets do you get from Cerberus headquarters?
You will get either 100 or 110 war assets depending on your choices made during Mass Effect 2.
10. What does EMS stand for in Mass Effect?
EMS stands for Effective Military Strength.
11. How do I maximize War Assets?
Major Decisions to make to get the largest amount of War Assets: Choose to save the Rachni Queen, Kill Wrex on Virmire (leaving Wreav in charge), Save the Council at the end. Save the council = 108, Sacrifice the council = 95.
12. What are the best weapons to obtain?
The Spectre – Master Gear weapons are arguably the best in the game. Once unlocked, they can be bought from either the C-Sec Requisitions Officer (C-Sec Academy) or the Alliance Requisitions Officer (Normandy).
13. Does money carry over from Mass Effect 2?
Its a “mostly no”. Credits don’t seem to carry over at all. However, the minerals you acquired in ME2 to carry over in the form of a War Asset for the Alliance Fleet. There’s a console in the Normandy you can use to check up on the status of the factions you’ve recruited to your cause.
14. Can Shepard and Garrus have a child?
No. It’s not like Star Wars where different humanoids can interbreed and have hybrid kids. Mass Effect adheres more to the conventions of real life biology (if such a thing can be applied to fictional aliens, at any rate).
15. Where can I learn more about the educational aspects of gaming?
Explore the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org for insights into the benefits of gaming in education.
Conclusion
Achieving the perfect ending in Mass Effect requires careful planning, strategic decision-making, and a deep understanding of the War Asset system. By prioritizing War Asset acquisition, making smart choices, and striving for a TMS of 7800 or higher, you can ensure that Shepard’s sacrifice is not in vain and that the galaxy has a fighting chance against the Reapers. Good luck, Commander. The fate of the galaxy rests on your shoulders.