Mass Effect 2: Stop the Collectors - Finale Part 1 - walkthrough Mass Effect 2 guide, walkthrough

Last update: 02 June 2021

Description: After you've confirmed that you want to use the relay you'll find out that the preparations for the flight will take about two hours and if you've started a romance with one of your followers this is the moment when you'll get more intimate. You'll also have a chance to talk to the Illusive Man, however this conversation is going to be much shorter.

As soon as you've used the relay you'll find yourself in something that looks like a space ship graveyard. If you haven't upgraded Normandy properly this is when you'll start losing crew members (on your way to Collector base). To be more specific, you can lose up to three crew members during this part of the mission:

- Jack - if you haven't unlocked the armor

- Tali - if you haven't unlocked the shields

- Thane - if you haven't unlocked the cannon

You will be allowed to keep a "doomed" crew member alive by choosing him or her for the defensive assignments described above, however this will result in someone else taking their place. If you've purchased offensive and defensive upgrades all Normandy crew will survive. Either way, get ready to defend yourself against a large probe called the Oculus.

I wouldn't recommend taking any biotics for this defensive mission, because their powers wouldn't have any real effect on the Oculus. The battle itself will take place inside Normandy's storage area and you should keep changing positions, because the alien probe will also stay on the move. Don't forget to ignore crates which can be destroyed, as well as explosive objects which may inflict additional injuries.

The easiest way to damage the Oculus would be to use a heavy weapon, especially since you'll find power cells nearby. Thankfully you won't have to worry about destroying any shields, although the probe's armor is going to be very resistant. You won't have a chance to destroy the Oculus, because once it's closed about 2/3 of its energy it will leave the ship and you'll see a new cut-scene.

An Oculus will attack the ship for the second time and the rules of this battle won't change - you will still have to use a heavy weapons and hide behind solid objects to avoid laser attacks. The only difference is that this time you will be allowed to destroy the alien probe which will result in a nice explosion.

You'll now watch a series of new cut-scenes. One of the movies will show Normandy attacking the Collector ship and if you've purchased a Thanix cannon you'll destroy the alien vessel.

The final cut-scene will show Normandy crashing into the base.

You'll now have a chance to talk to other survivors and you'll have to make several important choices. The Normandy crew will divide itself into three groups:

1) The first decision requires you to pick a person responsible for opening a door. If you don't want to lose any additional crew members you'll have to pick a tech specialist and basically you're only allowed to choose between Legion and Tali. Make sure that the person you've chosen is loyal towards Shepard (completed personal mission)!

2) The second decision requires you to pick a person responsible for leading an assault team. The rules are the same as before, so you'll have to pick wisely if you don't want to lose a crew member. Your best candidates are Garrus, Jacob and Miranda (she'll volunteer for the job). Don't forget that it has to be a loyal crew member!

3) The final third decision requires you to pick two followers to take with you on the first mission on board of the Collector base and naturally you won't be allowed to choose other team's leaders. I would recommend taking your favorite team depending on your character's class, however it would be a good idea to have at least one biotic (or even two) in your squad.

After you've made all the decisions you'll have a chance to make a speech and the topics you choose will result in receiving small amounts of paragon or renegade points. Next part of the final mission is described in Collector Base: Infiltration section.