Mass Effect 3: Rannoch, Admiral Koris - walkthrough Mass Effect 3 guide, walkthrough

Last update: 13 October 2022

On this page of the Mass Effect 3 game guide you will find the walkthrough for the main quest Rannoch - Admiral Koris. This guide contains tips such as how to get to the crash site, how to fight the pyro geths, how to sabotage the AA guns, how to use the stationary guns and how to behave during the meeting with Admiral Koris.

• Landing near the Rannoch crash site
• Journey towards the Geth Tower
• Deactivating the AA guns
• Using stationary turrets
• Meeting with Admiral Koris - important choice
• Final battle and return to Normandy

Landing near the Rannoch crash site

Received from: Quarian admirals [Normandy SR-2: Combat Information Center]

Unlocked by: Received automatically after completing Priority: Geth Dreadnought.

Notice! It's worth knowing that the game simultaneously unlocks the quest named Rannoch: Geth Fighter Squadrons. Completing either one of these missions allows to proceed with the Priority: Rannoch mission.

If you have already taken care of the geth fighter squadrons and therefore moved on to the next part of the campaign, you still shouldn't ignore the chance of completing this mission. Saving admiral Koris can result in gaining experience points, new weapons/weapon mods and precious war assets.

Open the galaxy map and travel to the Perseus Veil. Once you're there (Tikkun system), fly to the planet Rannoch.

Wait until you're transported to [Rannoch: Crash site], listening to a conversation and watching a cut-scene which will show the shuttle getting almost shot down by the geth anti-aircraft cannons.

Journey towards the Geth Tower

Start moving towards a large geth tower seen on the horizon. You will encounter the first group of enemies once you've reached a small campsite and it's a good idea to take the geth by surprise. This battle is probably going to be your first encounter with pyro geths and since they're armed with flamethrowers the most obvious style of play is to keep them at a safe distance, because they can hurt you only in close combat. Once all the geth have been eliminated take some time to explore the campsite and you'll find geth parts [2500 credits], a wreckage [2500 credits] and a dead quarian.

You may resume your journey, however watch out for landmines found along the way. The solution to the mine problem is identical to one of the previous missions, so you can either avoid them or detonate them from a safe distance.

Make sure to pick up a sniper rifle [Javelin] before proceeding to the next area and you should also consider choosing this weapon from your inventory, because it may come in handy very soon. Get closer to a burning wreckage and notice that its surrounded by geth forces. A sniper rifle is an ideal choice here (screen above), but even if you don't have it you should be able to win relatively easy (as long as you use the height difference to your advantage).

Make sure you've destroyed all the geth before moving closer to the burning wreckage. You can't let your guard down here, because a second group will arrive rather unexpectedly.

Deal with the geth units and then continue your trip towards the tower. Once you're close enough to your destination order your squad members to take cover. One team member for left and one for right passageway is my recommendation. It's also wise to take the geth by surprise, so that you'll destroy at least 1-2 of them before the main battle starts. Prevent the geth from overwhelming you from the right side and you shouldn't have any major problems winning here.

Deactivating the AA guns

It's a good idea to look around before focusing on the current objective (ignore the path leading to the next area of the map, because you'll explore it later during this mission). You can find geth technology [3750 credits] and a unique geth weapon [Geth Spitfire]. It's a good idea to leave this weapon as an active one (you can't hide it in your backpack), because it will be helpful in the upcoming battle.

Once you're done exploring approach a large console which controls the first anti-aircraft cannon. I wouldn't recommend choosing Tali for the job of disabling the cannon, because she'll be a useful ally during the next battle with the geth.

Turn around, find a good cover and start attacking the geth approaching from your right. Prevent the machines from moving too close to the console one of your teammates is trying to hack, however your main concern should be the geth prime. Thankfully Geth Spitfire is a very powerful weapon and if you focus your attacks on the prime it should be destroyed relatively quickly.

Eliminating the main group of the geth will also result in disabling the first AA cannon [600 EXP]. Don't leave this area right away, because additional machines may be stationed nearby, including hunters.

Proceed to your right once you know it's safe. You must choose the path mentioned before (the one the geth used to get here). Watch out for new landmines along the way and you should also be on a look out for a weapon mod [Shotgun Shredder Mod] and geth parts [3750 credits].

You will soon encounter a wounded quarian named Dorn'Hazt and you won't be allowed to influence the outcome of the conversation with him in any major way. Resume your journey, finding one additional weapon mod [SMG Magazine Upgrade] and ending up close to a junction (screen above).

The order in which you'll be shutting down the two remaining anti-aircraft cannons is not relevant, however I recommend that you start by heading towards the left cannon.

Once you're close enough to the cannon order your team members to take cover (they can also remain on the path leading to this area). As for the main character, you should proceed to your left. Jump down or use the ladder and move closer to the cannon. You should be able to find an opening (screen above) from which you'll be allowed to easily surprise the geth that are focused on attacking the rest of your team (securing the stationary turret is the most important thing).

Exit cover after you've defeated all the geth in this area and take some time to explore your surroundings. The most important find is the jamming tower data needed to complete Citadel: Target Jamming Technology side mission.

Finish off by approaching the terminal which controls the AA cannon. Just as before, you will have to decide who should disable the cannon. Make sure not to choose Tali, even though her assistance won't be needed as much as in the previous battle.

Using stationary turrets

As soon as you've made your choice order Tali to take cover somewhere near the console. As for Shepard, it's extremely important that you return to a stationary turret that was occupied by the geth up until not long ago (it's in the middle of this area). Start using the turret to attack the geth appearing close to the passageway you've used yourself to get here. I would recommend firing short bursts, because otherwise you can easily overheat the weapon. A geth prime will join the main group soon enough, however the stationary turret is so powerful that even this machine will be destroyed without any problems.

Once you've dealt with the main group of enemies turn left and attack the geth coming out from a previously unaccessible corridor.

There are two ways how you can get to the second anti-aircraft cannon. The first option is to use the corridor from which the last group of geth came from (screen above) and the second option is to return to the junction in order to check the unexplored right path. In both cases you'll have to be ready to deal with a group of machines (watch out for pyro geths!) after reaching a new area. Destroy the geth and then take some time to explore your surroundings in order to find an armor fragment [Armax Arsenal Chestplate].

You should know by now what has to be done next - interact with the cannon's terminal and choose a team member (not Tali) to start the disabling process.

Order Tali to take cover near the console and quickly move towards a nearby stationary turret. This battle is very similar to the previous one, so you'll have to start attacking the geth heading your way. One new geth prime will be among the enemy troops, but it should be destroyed quickly. Prevent the geth from moving too close, because the turret can't turn in a full 360 degree angle. Keep fighting until you've defeated all the geth and turned off the last third anti-aircraft cannon.

Meeting with Admiral Koris - important choice

The game will now trigger a cut-scene from a radio conversation with admiral Koris who will be under attack by the geth forces. Koris will want you to leave him behind and to rescue the civilians instead. If you don't have anything against that idea, then you may choose one of the standard dialogue options (upper right or lower right), however this will result in admiral Koris getting overwhelmed and being forced to commit suicide.

A much better choice is to try to convince admiral Koris to change his mind. This is possible only if you've sufficiently developed Shepard's reputation, because you must use a special paragon (upper left) or renegade (lower left) dialogue option. If you've made a successful attempt, then Koris will agree to help him escape.

Final battle and return to Normandy

The final part of this mission will be about controlling a stationary turret installed on board of the shuttle in order to eliminate geth forces seen on the planet. If you didn't convince the admiral you'll be defending the civilians and if you've successfully used one of the special dialogue options you will be defending Koris himself.

Either way, there are groups of geth you must dispose of. Focus mostly on the geth rocket troopers, because they'll be using their rocket launchers to damage the shuttle.

Once you've defeated all enemy units you'll witness a new cut-scene, showing the civilians or admiral Koris escaping the planet with the help of Shepard's team. Wait until you're transported back to the Normandy where new conversations will take place.

Prizes for completing the mission:

1. [12500 credits]
2. War asset [Admiral Zaal'Koris] (only if he's been rescued)