Decoding Simon’s Offer: Choosing the Best Reward in Mass Effect’s Bring Down the Sky DLC
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Choosing the right reward from Simon Atwell in the “Bring Down the Sky” DLC for Mass Effect 1 can significantly impact your early gameplay. The best choice depends on your class, playstyle, and current equipment. However, in most cases, the Advanced Omni-Tool is generally the best option, provided you meet the Charm or Intimidate skill requirements. This article will delve deeper into each reward option, helping you make an informed decision.
Assessing Your Options
Simon Atwell, the administrator of the Terra Nova colony, offers you a reward for saving the asteroid X57 from crashing into the planet. He presents you with the following choices:
- Light, Medium, or Heavy Human Armor: The specific tier of armor you receive depends on your level.
- Rare Quarian Armor: A unique piece of armor left behind by Simon’s former Quarian colleagues.
- Advanced Omni-Tool: Only available if you have at least 4 points in either Charm or Intimidate.
Why the Advanced Omni-Tool is Usually the Best Choice
The Advanced Omni-Tool offers a significant advantage, especially early in the game. Omni-tools enhance your character’s tech abilities, cooldown times, and decryption skills. Here’s why it often outperforms the armor options:
- Tech Class Advantage: If you’re playing as an Engineer or Sentinel, the Omni-Tool directly boosts your core abilities. Faster cooldowns and improved decryption are invaluable.
- Versatility: Even for non-tech classes, the improved decryption skills open up more opportunities to loot containers and bypass security measures.
- Early Game Power Spike: Obtaining a high-quality Omni-Tool early gives you a power advantage that lasts until you find superior replacements later.
When to Consider Armor Instead
While the Omni-Tool is generally the better choice, there are situations where choosing armor makes sense:
- Low Charm/Intimidate: If you haven’t invested enough points in Charm or Intimidate, the Omni-Tool won’t be available.
- Need for Durability: If you’re consistently struggling with survivability and taking too much damage, upgrading your armor might be the priority.
- Class Weaknesses: If you’re playing a class with low starting armor, the armor boost could be very helpful early on.
- Lack of Good Armor: If you are playing in the original edition of the game and have been particularly unlucky with loot drops, the reward armor could represent an upgrade.
Human Armor Variations: Light, Medium, Heavy
The type of human armor offered depends on your class and level. The higher your level, the better the stats and protection.
- Light Armor: Best for Soldiers or infiltrators who prioritize mobility and quick cooldowns.
- Medium Armor: A balanced choice suitable for most classes, offering a good mix of protection and cooldown reduction.
- Heavy Armor: Ideal for Soldiers or Krogan squadmates who want maximum damage resistance and don’t rely heavily on biotic or tech powers.
The Rare Quarian Armor
While seemingly appealing due to its rarity, the Quarian Armor is often not the best choice due to its stats being generally weaker than other armors available at that point in the game. The armor does not have any unique resistance or buffs, making it less desirable than the Omni-tool or the Colossus armor.
Considering Your Level and Future Gear
Keep in mind your current level. Around levels 25-30, the armor might not be as impactful compared to late-game gear. The Advanced Omni-Tool, however, provides continuous benefits throughout the game. Also, you can acquire far better armor (like the Colossus X armor) later in the game from vendors and loot drops. Focus on items that enhance unique abilities and strategic gameplay.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What are Charm and Intimidate skills?
Charm and Intimidate are dialogue options that allow you to persuade or influence characters during conversations. Investing points in these skills unlocks new dialogue choices and allows you to resolve situations in specific ways, often leading to Paragon (Charm) or Renegade (Intimidate) points.
2. How do I increase my Charm and Intimidate skills?
You increase your Charm and Intimidate skills by allocating skill points when leveling up. These skills are tied to your character’s class.
3. Can I return to Asteroid X57 after completing the DLC?
Yes, you can leave and return to Asteroid X57 at any time after completing the DLC.
4. What level should I be to play “Bring Down the Sky”?
It is suggested you start this DLC around level 25-30. It will be more challenging at lower levels.
5. Where can I find the best armor in Mass Effect 1?
The best armor in Mass Effect 1 is often considered to be the Colossus X Armor. You can find it at merchants on the Citadel, such as the C-Sec Requisition Officer (for human armor) and Morlan in the Lower Markets (for non-human armor).
6. What’s the best armor for Wrex?
For Wrex, some of the best heavy armor pieces come from the Geth, including the Battlemaster, Berserker, and Rage suits. They all possess 75 Damage Protection.
7. Which squadmates should I bring on “Bring Down the Sky”?
For “Bring Down the Sky”, consider bringing Garrus and Wrex for their heavy-hitting abilities. Because you’ll be facing organic opponents with many talents, you’ll want to bring Garrus and Wrex for their heavy-hitting abilities. Ashley + Wrex isn’t recommended unless Shepard is capable of Hard Decryption.
8. Should I let Balak live or die?
There are more perks associated with letting Balak live than with finishing him off, as he may reappear in later games depending on your choice.
9. Can you save the hostages and stop Balak at the same time?
If you decide to let the terrorist go to save the hostages, you gain 24 Paragon points.
10. What happens if I save the Council?
If you Save the Council in Mass Effect, the Council will grant you an audience and reinstate you as a Spectre in Mass Effect 2. The Alliance fleet will be weaker War Assets in Mass Effect 3, however, you will gain the Ascension as a War Asset as well.
11. What is the Tunic of the Sky, and how does it relate to Mass Effect?
The Tunic of the Sky is a piece of armor from The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, unrelated to the armor in Mass Effect. It has a base defense of 3 and can be upgraded.
12. Where can I get Kestrel Armor in Mass Effect 2?
In Mass Effect 2 Legendary Edition, the full Kestrel Armor set is available for purchase at Serrice Technology on Illium.
13. What are the consequences of choosing Renegade or Paragon options?
Choosing Renegade options generally earns you Renegade points, while choosing Paragon options earns you Paragon points. These points influence Shepard’s morality score and unlock new dialogue choices and story outcomes. It’s all a part of the unique learning experience that games like Mass Effect offer, where players can explore complex moral dilemmas and see the consequences of their choices unfold. If you’re interested in the educational aspects of gaming, check out the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org. They explore how games can be used as tools for learning and development.
14. What is the best assault rifle in Mass Effect 1?
For assault rifles, the HMWA Master X is one of the best in Mass Effect 1. The top-tier version inflicts a staggering amount of damage with decent accuracy, making it a potent weapon.
15. Why is Quarian armor considered rare in Mass Effect?
Quarian armor is rare because quarians rarely leave the Flotilla. The Light Spectre Armor can only be acquired through console commands.
Making the Final Decision
Ultimately, the choice is yours. Weigh your options, consider your playstyle, and make the decision that best aligns with your character’s development and your overall enjoyment of Mass Effect. Consider the long-term value that the reward will provide. A powerful Omni-Tool early on can streamline the rest of your experience, whereas armor can be useful when you feel that you are dying too much.
By analyzing your character’s strengths, weaknesses, and goals, you can maximize the benefits of Simon’s offer and enhance your Mass Effect experience.