While you once had to get the perfect ending in Mass Effect 3 through online multiplayer and other unorthodox steps, the process has been made easier in Mass Effect Legendary Edition. The Extended Cut of the game has been included in the collection containing all three games in the series. The updates made to the bundle’s final title simplify the process it takes to reach the best ending possible.
Similar to keeping everyone alive in the Suicide Mission from Mass Effect 2, the “perfect” ending for Mass Effect 3 is when Commander Shepard, every crew member on the Normandy, and those on Earth all survive. The only way to reach the best conclusion is to make some tough decisions and sacrifices. In addition, you’ll need to collect as many War Assets as you can to unlock the best outcome.
How The Best Ending Changed
No More Multiplayer Means More Work
The Perfect Ending in Mass Effect 3 is directly tied to Total Military Strength, which once was the Galactic Readiness system in the original ME3. In the original version, you needed an exceptionally high Galactic Readiness and Effective Military Strength score to unlock the best ending, which required you to use the multiplayer mode and the tie-in applications.
Due to the changes made in Mass Effect Legendary Edition, War Assets and Military Strength have been updated to make them easier to gain without multiplayer in the series collection. Although the process is easier, you still need to collect more War Assets than normal from events throughout the story.
All War Assets that you gain throughout the trilogy can be tracked at the War Table aboard the Normandy as you are between different missions.
The War Assets you need are tied to side content throughout each of the games in the collection, which can also help boost Total Military Strength. By making sure you pursue as many side quests as possible, you have a far better chance to manipulate the odds, giving your team the best possible chance at survival.
Best Ending Requirements
Collect Military Strength And War Assets
To get the Perfect Ending in Mass Effect 3 Legendary Edition, you will need to amass at least 7800 Military Strength. This resource is calculated based on Shepard’s actions throughout every campaign in the collection, from the first Mass Effect up until Mass Effect 3. Choices made throughout the trilogy, both Renegade or Paragon, contribute to your progress to a good ending.
While there is no way to enumerate how every decision might translate to War Assets, some general rules apply across the trilogy to ensure Shepard gets the maximum score possible.
To ensure you get the largest number of War Assets possible, try to follow these guidelines:
- Complete as many side missions as possible in every campaign.
- Save lives more than you take them.
- Spare innocent people you meet whenever you can during missions or other events.
- Scan as many planets as possible in each story.
- Pursue all mineral quests throughout the trilogy.
Apart from the above tasks, Shepard can also gain War Assets by helping allies or inspiring them to join the fight. For example, if Shepard chooses not to kill the Zhu’s Hope colonists on Feros, paralyzes them, and spares Shiala, these outcomes will be converted into War Assets later. Similarly, not using Mass Effect‘s Renegade interrupt to punch reporter Khalisa Bint Sinan al-Jilani across the trilogy gives you extra War Assets for showing her kindness instead.
War Assets can also gain or lose points based on decisions made across the trilogy, especially in Mass Effect 3. For example, if Shepard secures Grunt’s Loyalty in Mass Effect 2 before having him protect the Rachni Queen, he’ll manage to live in the process. While Grunt does lose some of his squad doing this, he’ll also die if you fail to do the companion quest prior to the mission.
Steps & Choices For Reaching The Perfect Ending
Destroy The Crucible To Survive
Once you have gathered 7800 Total Military Strength or above and done every main story and DLC mission, you can get started with the Final mission — “Priority: Cerberus Headquarters.” This will lead you into the final moments of the story and the last chapter, “Priority: Earth.” To get the best ending in Mass Effect 3, you need to choose the Destroy Ending by activating the Crucible.
The Legendary Edition rewards more Military Strength and War Assets for completing content, especially in Mass Effect 3. This means you don’t have to complete the first two games to accumulate the required amount of the resource you need, as you can do it in the third entry alone.
Earth and the Normandy Crew will all survive the blast caused by the Crucible’s destruction. In the epilogue, Shepard’s love interest, if they are a squadmate, will refuse to put the Commander’s name on the Normandy’s Memorial Wall. The final shot before the end credits will show the debris of the Crucible and Shepard taking a breath amid the rubble.
While you could import your previous character into the third title, you can still get 7800 Military Strength with a new character. You still have to be careful, though, as losing too many War Assets through your choices in Mass Effect 3 will keep the perfect ending just out of reach.
