Mass Effect 3: Priority, Palaven - walkthrough Mass Effect 3 guide, walkthrough

Last update: 11 October 2022

On this page of the Mass Effect 3 game guide you will find the walkthrough for the main quest Priority - Palaven. Our guide explains, among other things, who you can meet on board the Normandy, where the moon of Menae is located, how to repair the communications tower, where to meet Garrus, how to defend the base, how to defeat the brutes and where General Victus is defending himself.

• Return to Normandy and meetings with important NPCs
• Reaching the Menae moon
• Battles on the moon
• Exploration of the Turian encampment
• Repairing the Comm Tower
• Optional meeting with Garrus
• Defending the base - the first confrontation with a Brute
• Getting to General Victus
• Return to Normandy

Return to Normandy and meetings with important NPCs

Received from: Turian councillor [Citadel: Citadel Embassies]

Unlocked by: Received automatically after completing Priority: Citadel.

This mission will begin in Udina's office at [Citadel: Citadel Embassies]. Head out of the room and check out the previously unavailable Spectre Requisitions, in which you can use the messaging terminal, shop and shooting range. Head to the lift and go to [Citadel: Bay D24]. Return to the starting area and get on the Normandy.

On board the Normandy, you will witness Shepard's nightmare in which you will have to approach the child twice. Apart from that you will also speak to Liara, Specialist Traynor (reminding you of the most important locations on board the Normandy) and Admiral Hackett (giving a report).

Reaching the Menae moon

In order to begin the mission itself, you need to head to the galaxy map room located on board [Normandy SR-2: Combat Information Center]. Interact with the map and head to the Apien Crest. After getting there (Trebia system), fly the Normandy to the Menae moon. Enter its orbit and land on the surface.

Battles on the moon

Watch the cutscene picturing the large battle taking place around Palaven and its moon Menae and listen to the conversation. After approaching the landing zone you will be asked to clear it of enemy forces. Start shooting at the Husks and don't worry if you miss some of them.

More fights await you after you land at [Menae: Command Base], including, among others, the Husks that you weren't able to kill previously. After the battle, head towards the Turian base visible in the distance, finding some spare parts and [1250 credits] on your way.

Exploration of the Turian encampment

You will be let inside the base without any problem and it would be good to start off by looking around the area. The list of items you can find is as follows: two Med Kits [100 EXP] [100 EXP], the [M-97 Viper I] sniper rifle, four Datapads [1875 credits] [2500 credits] [75 EXP] [75 EXP], three weapon upgrades [Assault Rifle Piercing Mod I] [Pistol Piercing Mod] [Pistol Magazine Upgrade I], the [M-27 Scimitar] shotgun and two armour pieces [Hahne-Kedar Greaves] and [Armax Arsenal Shoulder Guard].

After looting everything there is, head to the command post. General Corinthus will tell you that Primarch Fedorian has gone missing. What's more, in order to contact the headquarters and establish his successor, you will have to repair the Comm Tower.

Repairing the Comm Tower

Head towards the marked exit. On your way you will come across a small group of Turians and fight some Husks, who should die pretty easily. You will have to choose who will repair the Tower and Liara seems to be a good choice, as she should be able to do it faster thanks to her skills. In the meantime, together with the other member of your team, you will have to participate in a series of rather easy Husk fights. Remember to keep moving throughout the fight and don't let the monster get near. Continue until you eliminate all of them and receive and order to return to the camp [300 EXP].

Optional meeting with Garrus

Return to the Turian base and head to where General Corinthus is. Garrus Vakarian (if only he didn't die previously) will arrive at the camp and join the party to replace Liara in the further part of the mission.

During the conversation you will learn that the next Primarch is supposed to be General Adrien Victus. The plan of finding him will be brutally stopped by the arrival of the Reapers and as a result you will have to defend the base.

Defending the base - the first confrontation with a Brute

Head towards the landing zone. After getting there, look around for the [Assault Rifle Magazine Upgrade] and place your party behind nearby covers. Not only Husks will take part in this battle, but also Marauders, Turians who have been modified by the Reapers. Just like with Centurions, you have to focus on destroying their shields.

If you don't have any powers of such kind yourself, I'd recommend making use of Garrus, who has access to Overload. Keep fighting until you secure the whole area, though before leaving, search for [2500 credits].

Return to the camp, answering to the call regarding defending the main barricade [450 EXP]. Head towards it and after getting there use the ladder. On the upper balcony, interact with the mounted turret and start attacking the Husks appearing in the area.

Don't worry if some of them manage to reach the base, though you should look around and reload the gun in between waves. Continue shooting until a large creature known as the Brute will appear.

After the second part of the battle behind, focus mainly on attacking the Brute, though you also have to keep an eye on the Husks and eliminate those who get too close to Shepard. I'd recommend using the shotgun to damage the Brute, as well as powers and types of ammo which work well against armoured enemies. Also remember about dodging, especially if the enemy is about to charge at you. After killing the Brute, deal with the Husks who shouldn't pose too much of a threat [600 EXP].

Getting to General Victus

Now you're in for a long travel to where General Victus is, during which you will most of all listen to the conversation between your companions. Don't miss a Datapad [1875 credits] on your way and also be ready to fight a group of Husks, who will appear both in front and behind of your team.

After reaching a small Turian post, look for a Med Kit [100 EXP], Datapad [2500 credits] and the [Sniper Rifle Spare Ammo I]. Continue onwards and you will find one more Med Kit [100 EXP] reach the main camp after a couple of minutes.

After reaching the camp, start attacking the Cannibals and Marauders, remembering to place your team members behind covers. Also keep in mind that you don't have to hurry, so it's better to carefully eliminate the enemies.

After reaching the next part of the camp, another Brute will appear and you should focus mainly on him. Just like before, it's good to use the Shotgun, dodge and help yourself with proper powers and types of ammo.

After eliminating the Brute, continue shooting at the other enemies and be ready to deal with TWO more Brutes. Luckily you don't have to deal with them in a conventional way, as on the right you should find the Reapers' unique weapon, the [Reaper Blackstar]. Pick it up and aim at both of them, trying to eliminate them by creating a black hole. After dealing with them, finish off the other enemies.

Before approaching the area where General Victus is making his stand, you should look around the camp. To the left of the starting point you will find a Med Kit [100 EXP] and [Sniper Rifle Enhanced Scope]. In the further part of the camp you should find another Med Kit [50 EXP]. After exploring the area, head towards General Victus and watch a cutscene with him. A suggestion of working with the Krogan will appear.

Return to Normandy

After returning onto the Normandy, you will speak with the Asari Councillor, after which you will be able to approach another main mission - Priority: Sur'Kesh. Before moving to that, I'd recommend speaking to Admiral Hackett (communicator) and Primarch Victus, who's also on board the Normandy.

Prizes for completing the mission:

1. Mission unlocked: Priority: Sur'Kesh
2. New party member: Garrus Vakarian
3. New Normandy crew member: Primarch Victus
4. [12500 credits]