The Mass Effect trilogy has earned it’s title as being among the greatest roleplaying games of all time. Following Commander Shepherd, players travel with a ragtag group of allies across space in order to destroy the Reaper threat, among other things. The third game, amicably titled Mass Effect 3, gives players a lot more freedom than the previous two, even allowing you to choose the order in which you do missions. Of course, this is a ruse because there is an optimal order to complete missions to ensure you get the best possible ending and outcomes for everyone. Remember, your decisions matter! The following are all of the acts in the game as well as the optimal Mass Effect 3 mission order.
Best Order for Missions in Mass Effect 3
The entirety of Mass Effect 3 has three acts alongside a prologue and an ending. During the prologue, you are required to complete various missions in an order specified by the game. After that, you have free reign of your ship, the Normandy, and where it can go. So, make the most of your newfound freedom!
Act 1
- Priority: Eden Prime
- This is only available in the From the Ashes DLC and gives you Javik.
- N7: Cerberus Lab
- This mission is automatically given to you.
- Priority: Palaven
- Bring along James, Garrus, and Liara to begin gaining Turian support.
- Grisson Academy: Emergency Evacuation
- This should be completed before Priority: Citadel 2, and you should take Garrus and EDI. Say hi to Jack!
- Take a Break and Scan Planets
- Walk through the Citadel and talk to anyone listed on your map. You should also take this time to scan planets for any resources you already need.
- Citadel: Hanar Diplomat
- Since you’re already on the Citadel, you might as well do this to get the Hanar support.
- Aria Missions
- Again, while on the Citadel, complete all three of the missions that Aria gives you.
- Priority: Sur’Kesh
- Complete this mission with Garrus and Liara to unlock the Krogan DMZ.
- N7: Cerberus Attack
- Attican Traverse: Krogan Team
- Wrex gives you this mission if he’s still alive. It’s best to go with Javik and Garrus.
- N7: Cerberus Abductions
- Tuchanka: Turian Platoon
- This must be done before Priority: Tessia, and it is wise to take Garrus.
- Tuchanka: Bomb
- You have to complete it before starting Priority: Tuchanka.
- Trip to the Citadel
- Priority: Tuchanka
- This is the final mission in Act 1. It would be wise for you to consider taking Javik and Liara.
Act 2
The second act focuses primarily on the Geth and Quarians. They’ve been arguing with one another for centuries, debating how much sentience Geth should have alongside other matters. This Act will define you stance for the rest of the game, as well as which ending you’ll be able to choose from once the game comes to a close.
- N7: Cerberus Fighter Base
- Priority: The Citadel 2
- It’s best to take both Javik and Garrus on this mission. After completing it, talk to Miranda about Kai Leng.
- Mesana: Distress Signal
- This mission can be completed at any time, but is best to do so before you get into any of the following. It’s best to have Liara as one of your companions while doing it.
- Citadel: Aria T’Loak
- This mission should also be completed before any of the following. It’s also important to note that you won’t be able to return to the Normandy until the mission is complete.
- Arrae: Ex-Cerberus Scientists
- This mission is only a part of the Omega DLC, but it is another that can be completed anytime. Before you go, it would be best for you to grab Kaiden/Ashely and EDI.
- Priority: Perseus Veil
- Priority: Geth Dreadnought
- This mission should be completed immediately after the previous one. If you haven’t romanced Tali but want to, make sure to do so before starting this mission. Additionally, bring along the character you are currently romancing if it is not Tali.
- Rannoch: Admiral Koris
- Do this mission before heading to Priority: Rannock to have the best chance at achieving the best possible ending for latter’s mission.
- Rannoch: Geth Fighter Squadrons
- Scan Planets and Complete Citadel Missions
- Before finishing up the Act, it would be best for you to scan all the new planets available to you and head to the Citadel to complete any missions some of the citizens there have for you. It would also be best for you to have completed Tali and Legion’s loyalty missions during this time.
- Priority: Rannoch
- To achieve the best ending, Tali must be alive and have her loyalty mission completed, Legion must be alive and have their loyalty mission completed, Tali must not have been exiled, the conversation check between Tali and Legion in Mass Effect 2 must have been passed, Koris must be saved, and you must have four bars of Reputation.
Act 3
- Priority: Citadel 3
- Priority: Thessia
- On this mission, you’ll want to take Javik and Liara with you.
- N7: Communication Hub
- This acts as the very last N7 operation in the game.
- Priority: Horizon
- This mission should be completed just before Citadel: Dr. Bryson. For the best possible outcome, you need to have spoken to Miranda and warned her about Kai Leng three times as well as give her Alliance resources.
- Citadel: Dr. Bryson
- You’ll be learning a lot about the Reapers you’ll be facing off against.
- Mahavid: Leviathan
- This is only part of the Leviathan DLC. You should take whoever your romantic partner is.
- Namakli: Leviathan
- This is only part of the Leviathan DLC. You should take whoever your romantic partner is.
- Desponia: Leviathan
- This is only part of the Leviathan DLC. You should take whoever your romantic partner is.
- Citadel: Shore Leave
- This will be the very last time you’ll be at the Citadel. So, wrap up an missions you have here and scan all the planets that still need scanning.
- Silver Coast Casino: Infiltration
- You can do this just before the end of the game, but it requires the Citadel DLC pack. It’s best for you to take whoever your romantic partner is, Wrex or Javik.
- Citadel Archives: Escape
- You can do this just before the end of the game, but it requires the Citadel DLC pack. It’s best if you take EDI and Wrex with you.
- Citadel Docks: Retake the Normandy
- You can do this just before the end of the game, but it requires the Citadel DLC pack. You should take Wrex and Ashely/Kaiden with you.
- Citadel: Party
- You can do this just before the end of the game, but it requires the Citadel DLC pack.
End
The end of the game revolves around the final two missions. Starting them also mars the point of no return, so make sure you’ve completed al the above before jumping in.
- Priority: Cerberus Headquarters
- You won’t be able to complete any more side missions once this mission is started.
- Priority: Earth
- The mission ends the game and trilogy. Crew members can also die in this mission, so make sure you’ve done everything you can to keep them alive before starting on Priority: Cerberus Headquarters.
