A Better Beginning | Priority Ops Mass Effect: Andromeda Guide

Here you can find the guide for A Better Beginning quest. It is a very complex and long Priority Op (main storyline quest) in Mass Effect: Andromeda game. In this quest you must get to planet Eos and begin the preparations for colonization. You can do this by investigating the planet, activating the monoliths and visiting the first Remnants crypt.

Warning - When you get to Eos you should focus on finishing the quest first. By doing that the terraforming process happens sooner which leads to establishing the first outpost. This means that you can travel safer and search for secrets and places connected with side quests.

• Arriving at planet Eos
• Getting the Nomad vehicle
• Activating the first monolith of the Remnant
• Activating the second monolith of the Remnant (solving the Remnant riddle)
• Activating the third monolith of the Remnant
• Investigate the Remnant crypt
• Establishing an outpost on Eos

Arriving at planet Eos

Speak with SAM on Hyperion

After the meeting with director Tann go to the tram and travel to Nexus: Habitat Quarters. You must get to the place where you can speak with AI SAM. During this conversation you can choose your first profile that grants you bonuses to some stats of your character (more information on profiles can be found in the chapter dedicated to developing your character). Additionally, you unlock Ryder Family Secrets side quest (Allies and relationships category).

Go to your ship

Go back to the tram and travel to Nexus: Docking Bay. A cut-scene will play during which you get the access to Tempest ship. You also meet Vetra Nyx for the first time. She joins your current team mates (Liam and Cora). You will also unlock Initiated trophy.

Go to Eos in Pytheas system

Find a landing spot and choose it

Go to the bridge in the central deck (you can also decide to explore Tempest) and, after watching a cut-scene, interact with the map of the galaxy. When you are in the map screen go back to cluster view and select Pytheas system. When you get to that system select planet Eos and go to the orbit view. Find the landing spot and select it.

Warning - Before you leave Tempest you can choose your equipment and team members (two max). Use this opportunity to prepare yourself for a new and long mission.

Getting the Nomad vehicle

Bring back the power to Site 1

The console from which you learn about the need to visit the relay station

Your exploration of planet Eos starts in the north-east part of the map, in Site 1 which is surrounded by shield masts which protects your team from radiation. Look around the landing spot and scan the nearby objects. Your attempt to open the door of the main control building will end in failure because of the lack of electricity.

Check out the other buildings. In one of them you can find a datapad with the access code. Go to the new closed door and you learn about the need to check the relay station's status. This information can be obtained from one of the consoles.

Investigate the relay station

Go to the relay station located on a small hill. Try to open the upper door of the station and listen to the dialog with Clanc Arquist who is hiding inside.

Activate the shield masts

Jump or climb to get to each of the generators

Try to activate the lower generator. You learn that you need to scan and activate two shield masts. Both masts require you to scan them and then climb to the upper generator (or use Jump Jets) and activate it.

Defeat the Kett

Activating both shield masts leads to your first confrontation with the Kett. The fight shouldn't be that hard, especially since you can find many supplies chests nearby.

Activate the relay station again

Go back to the main door and open them so you can speak with Clanc Arquist. During the conversation you can order him to go somewhere safe or you can trade with him first (he offers some consumables and weak weapons). Enter the station and use the console that controls the power flow. This brings back the power. You will receive Andromeda Viability Points.

Open the container with Nomad inside

The console that opens the container is on the side

Go back to the main part of the base, take out your scanner and find a big container that holds the Nomad vehicle. After the conversation with SAM you can call the switch yard. Go to the marked place and wait for that to happen. Resupply by getting closer to the switch yard and interact with it. After that, go back to the container with Nomad and use the console to open the door. From now on you can use this new way of transportation to travel on Eos (additionally, you unlock new blueprints connected with Nomad).

Activating the first monolith of the Remnant

Investigate the peculiar signal

The peculiar signal comes from the monolith located west from Site 1. Go outside the base (don't worry - Nomad can protect the team from the level one radiation for a long time) and go to that place. Stay close to the main road and activate the 6x6 drive when you want to ride on steep hills (the default drive is 2x6 which doesn't offer good traction).

Find a glyph to scan

When you get to the first monolith leave the vehicle and examine the alien console. By doing that you learn that you need to find and scan a glyph. You can find it on the top of an enormous slanted construction. To get there you must climb the scaffolding from the picture 1. When you reach the destination find the glyph (picture 2) and scan it.

Use the odd console

You can now return to the console on the bottom and use it once again. The cut-scene where you meet Peebee will play (during that you can use the narrative action to throw her off from you). Remnants hostile bots will also appear in the area. The fight is not that difficult but during it, first, try to destroy the bot that can construct smaller ones. Also, watch out for the bot with shield, you can destroy it by using the proper abilities.

Speak with Peebee again after the battle. You can now go and search for the next two monoliths.

Activating the second monolith of the Remnant (solving the Remnant riddle)

The second monolith

The other two monoliths can be accessed in any order. The second monolith, as described in this guide, is the one farther in the west (they are marked on the planet's map). You can get there by following the main roads, the ones where you can see tire tracks. The monolith is on the top of a rather tall hill, you can choose one of the paths (e.g. going through the cave) to get there. When you reach the destination leave the vehicle and perform a few jumps to get to the area surrounded by shield masts.

Scan the glyphs

Using the smaller consoles allows you to erect blocks from the ground, they are useful in getting to the glyphs

A new group of the Remnant is near the monolith and, just like with the previous group, watch out for the robot with the shield. After the battle check the console. This time you must find two glyphs, you can follow the yellow lines that are visible when using the scanner. Glyphs are in hard to reach places but both of them can be accessed by activating the nearby console and erecting the blocks from the earth so you can jump on them.

After you scan both glyphs you can go back to the console. Here, you must solve the first riddle of the Remnants - you can try to solve it (the solution is below) or to "trick" it and use a key that bypasses the console's security (you should save it for later).

The riddle's goal is to decipher the console and to do that you must make each column and each row have unique glyphs (you can't place two or more symbols in the same row or the same column). The solution can be found on the picture above. Place the blue glyphs from the picture in the correct slots and then press the button to submit your solution to the console. If all steps were done correctly, you activate the monolith and have to face a group of kett (you can also leave the monolith and avoid the battle). If you make a mistake then a group of Remnants bots will appear. After defeating them you must try to solve the riddle again.

Activating the third monolith of the Remnant

Get rid of the Kett

The third monolith

The last, third, monolith is located west from the second described above - it is the south part of the map. This monolith can also be accessed by following the main roads.

When you get to your destination leave the vehicle and go to the monolith on foot. This construction is heavily guarded by the Kett, who must be eliminated. Use the energy covers or sabotage them when you notice that the enemies are hiding behind them. Take into account that the reinforcements can arrive and you would also have to face them. You should watch out for the anointed kett because they are stronger and use shields.

Find and turn off the generator

Turning the generator off is necessary because the force field blocks the access to the monolith. The side entrances to the construction, that hangs above the abyss, are inaccessible but you can solve this problem quickly by using Jump Jets to get on the construction's roof and then go on its opposite end. The picture above presents the generator's location. When you turn it off a cut-scene will play. During it you meet a krogan called Drack.

Scan the glyphs

Go to the monolith and examine the new console. You can now see the yellow lines on your scanner that leads to the glyphs. Like with the second monolith you can help yourself by using the consoles that erect the giant blocks from the earth. After scanning the glyphs you can return to the main console and use it.

Investigate the Remnant crypt

Examine the entrance

When you activate the three monoliths you must watch the cut-scene that shows the uncovering of the crypt's entrance in the center of the map. Go there by using Nomad and, when you arrive, search for the console near the water. When you use it go or drive across the bridge from the picture. The bridge will automatically "generate itself". You can now use the big entrance to the Remnant crypt (the game allows you to choose your weapons and team mates once again but you don't have to make big changes).

Follow the cord to the insides of the crypt

After you use the first gravity well you should look around the chamber. Interact with the power controlling console. You must now follow the cord that can be seen while using your scanner. The path through the crypt is rather linear so you don't have to have the scanner activated all the time, you won't get lost.

Warning - During the exploration of this crypt (and others in the later part of the game) you should look around and check those places that are not connected with getting to the central chamber of the crypt. By doing that you can find new objects that can be scanned (some of them can give you 100 Remnant Research Data!) or small rooms with containers with treasures.

Stay away from the gel-like substance because you can easily die or (in the best case) lose your shield for a moment

In the new part of the crypt you must watch a cut-scene and listen to Peebee. From now on you must avoid falling into the abyss or touching the substance that is similar to omni-gel because your character can very quickly lose their shield or even die from too much electrical damage. You should be very careful during the jumps, they should be extremely precise. On your way you should also look for new consoles that can eject new interactive blocks that can be helpful during the exploration.

Also, you can very quickly come across new bots. When you are fighting with them you should use the already known tactics but you should also be careful to not fall to a place where you can die or lose a lot of health.

Activate the gravity well

You must get to the room with an inactive gravity well. Defeat the new Remnants and then interact with two control consoles. You can now approach the well (the center of the chamber) and use it.

Fix the cable

The place that must be scanned

When you find the broken console, wait for Peebee and for the frequency that she must send to your omni-key. You can now scan the damaged part and fix the inactive consol. Use it to unlock the passage.

Find the way through the caves

Begin your walk through the caves. During this part of the exploration you must be even more cautious to not fall into the abyss. If you want to get to the bigger ledges you must activate the consoles to create blocks. Jump on them and always try to land properly.

The console, presented on the picture, is your destination. By activating it you unlock the exit from the caves. Now, you must go back a few steps (and defeat new Remnant) and by using the ejecting blocks get to said exit. You are in the center of the crypt and you must use the new console of the Remnants.

Escape from the crypt

Quickly activate the console to avoid the abyss

This part of the quest is challenging because you have to escape from the crypt. The game allows you to make mistakes and don't be in a hurry but you shouldn't stay in one place for a long time. When you are on your way you should use the console to create blocks. You must reach the gravity well. Shortly after using the well you have to watch a cut-scene that shows your successful escape. You also get the information about other crypts that you can investigate (those crypts are parts of other quests). You receive XP, Andromeda Viability Points and World-Shaper trophy. Additionally, Peebee joins your team.

Establishing an outpost on Eos

Establish an outpost in a suitable place

The moment of choosing the outpost - this is a very important decision

You can return to Nomad and go to the planned place where you have to establish an outpost. That place is in the south-west part of the map. When you get there you notice that Drack is fighting with the Kett. Help him. As a reward, Drack decides to join your team (just like Peebee, he is waiting for you aboard Tempest).

Approach the transmitter and activate it. You must choose what kind of outpost will be established - scientific or military. It is an important decision that can influence, e.g. reactions of NPCs that you can meet in the later part of the game or what side quests you can receive. You receive Foothold trophy and, after watching a cut-scene, you have to speak with an administrator of newly established outpost. In addition, you get XP and Andromeda Viability Points. Also, you unlock new Priority Ops called AVP Cryo Deployment Perks.

Warning - Check the new outpost very carefully. You can find new objects that can be scanned or taken. Also, new NPCs will appear there - you can trade with them or get side quests.

Speak with Tann in Pathfinder's Office on Nexus

Leave Eos (get inside Nomad and hold the return to Tempest button) and get to Nexus. Here, go to Nexus: Operations Center and meet with director Tann. Listen to the conversation which ends this quest and unlocks a new one - A Trail of Hope.

Rewards for finishing the quest: XP, new Priority Op A Trail of Hope unlocked.