Mass Effect 3: Cerberus Fighter Base - N7 quests walkthrough Mass Effect 3 guide, walkthrough

Last update: 29 October 2022

This Mass Effect 3 game guide page offers a walkthrough of the N7 side quest - Cerberus Fighter Base. This guide explains when to go to the Cerberus base on Noveria, how to sabotage it and how to escape from the planet by defeating Atlas mech and Cerberus soldiers.

Received from: Specialist Traynor [Normandy SR-2: Combat Information Center]

Unlocked by: You will be able to start this mission after completing Priority: Tuchanka main quest.

Specialist Traynor will inform you about the possibility of starting this mission some time after completing Priority: Tuchanka main quest and it will occur when you'll approach her station in [Normandy SR-2: Combat Information Center]. Initiate a proper conversation with Traynor to find out the details and she'll tell you about admiral Hackett asking for help in disabling the defences of a Cerberus base located on Noveria.

You can start this mission by opening the galaxy map and planning a trip to Horse Head Nebula. Once you're there (Pax system) fly to the planet Noveria and confirm that you want to land on its surface. Wait until you're transported to the Cerberus outpost in [Noveria: Cerberus fighter base], listening to a new conversation with admiral Hackett during the flight.

You'll start fighting Cerberus soldiers as soon as you've left the shuttle. I recommend that you remain close to the landing site, especially since you'll find an ammo stash here. Guard two main paths leading to your position and watch out for enemies occupying inaccessible upper levels of the base. As for the types of soldiers you'll be fighting, target centurions and engineers in the first place.

There are two ways of securing the main part of the Cerberus base. I wouldn't recommend choosing either one of the lower entrances, because they're heavily guarded. A much better idea is to choose the upper entrance (screen above) which is located near the landing site where you've started this mission. You don't have to travel as an entire team and you can also divide your squad to perform attacks from several sides, but the upcoming battles aren't too difficult and it shouldn't be required.

Get rid of all Cerberus soldiers stationed inside the base. Grenades will come in handy in the sweeping process, because most fights will take part inside narrow corridors and small rooms.

Once you've secured the entire base you should definitely explore it, because it won't be possible later on. Here's a list of things you will be allowed to find: four spare parts [2000 credits] [2000 credits] [2000 credits] [2000 credits] a med-kit [100 EXP], two medical stations [150 EXP] [150 EXP], a weapon mod [Pistol Magazine Upgrade], a computer console, a datapad [2000 credits] and a terminal a with a schematic of a heating unit (it's needed to complete side mission named Citadel: Heating Unit Stabilizers). The last thing you need to do is to interact with a security console (screen above).

The game will force you to pick someone of your team members for the task of disabling the console [150 PD] and obviously your choice should be based on Shepard's class and on your preferred style of play, however it's important to have at least one character with biotic powers ready to engage in the upcoming battle.

As soon as the fights have started take cover along with one of your colleagues behind a nearby console. You must guard an entrance located to your right and the one seen further away. Focus on eliminating the guardians, using biotic abilities to make them vulnerable. Don't worry about ammunition and grenades, because you'll be allowed to resupply later the mission and it's more important to keep enemy units away.

Be ready to leave cover, because you will be asked by one of your team members to interact with a previously inactive left security console [225 EXP]. Listen to a radio transmission from lieutenant Cortez to find out that you may return to the landing site for extraction. I wouldn't recommend using any of the exits on the lower level of the base. Return to the upper exit instead (the one you've used before to enter the base). Order your squad mates to take cover before leaving the Cerberus base and focus mostly on eliminating a single nemesis unit (sniper).

Don't move towards the extraction point too soon, but you also don't have to wait until you've killed all soldiers. Take cover near the landing site and wait for the Cerberus forces to drop an Atlas mech near your location. Start attacking the mech as a team and don't forget that your first task is to destroy the mech's tech shields. Once they're gone you may focus on damaging its armor or killing its operator. After the mech has been destroyed or disabled [375 EXP] wait for a friendly shuttle to arrive and board it. There's one more thing left to do and that is to talk to admiral Hackett.

Prizes for completing the mission:

1. [10000 credits]
2. War asset [Advanced Fighter Squadron]