At the end of Priority: Rannoch in Mass Effect 3, players must decisively end the centuries-old war between the Geth and the Quarians. In many playthroughs, Commander Shepard will have to choose one side, dooming the faction not chosen to extinction. However, throughout the Mass Effect trilogy, players can also make choices, which allows them to broker peace between the Geth and Quarians, rallying both sides to Shepard’s banner in the fight against the Reapers.
Saving both the Geth and the Quarians is only possible if Shepard makes specific choices in Mass Effect 2 and Mass Effect 3. By saving both, Shepard gains vital War Assets for the fight against the Reapers, which increases overall Galactic Readiness and Total Military Strength. As such, resolving the conflict peacefully is also practically essential for obtaining a perfect ending to Mass Effect 3. However, the path to peace actually begins in Mass Effect 2.
Mass Effect: What Galactic Readiness Is (& How To Change It)
Galactic Readiness is a key mechanic in Mass Effect 3, but the ways a player influences it has changed in Mass Effect Legendary Edition.
How To Set Up Peace Between The Geth And Quarians In Mass Effect 2
Lay The Foundations For Peace
Specific choices in Mass Effect 2 and 3 have invisible point values associated with them, all of which contribute to a final check at the end of Priority: Rannoch. As such, players should aim to gain as many points as possible. In addition, there are also some mandatory requirements:
Choice |
Mandatory? |
Points Value (if applicable) |
|---|---|---|
Both Legion and Tali must survive the Suicide Mission |
Yes |
- |
Shepard completes Tali's Loyalty mission while preventing her exile from the Migrant Fleet. |
No |
+2 |
Shepard completes Legion's Loyalty mission by destroying the Geth heretics. |
No |
+2 |
Shepard must have broken up the fight between Tali and Legion by using Charm or Intimidate options to avoid taking sides. |
No |
+1 |
Although Legion or Tali's loyalty can be regained later if Shepard doesn't side with them during the fight, players don't receive a point for taking this approach. For the point, Tali and Legion must make peace during the fight.
Choices made in Mass Effect 1, such as saving and recruiting Tali and helping her find data for her Pilgrimage, don't appear to affect the ending; however, they add additional dialogue.
How To Broker Peace Between The Geth And Quarians In Mass Effect 3
Does This Unit Have A Soul?
Before starting Priority: Rannoch, players need to meet certain requirements and can earn some extra points:
Choice |
Mandatory? |
Points Value (if applicable) |
|---|---|---|
Shepard has at least 80% of the Reputation meter (about 4 bars) filled. |
Yes |
- |
Shepard completes the Rannoch: Geth Fighter Squadrons side mission ahead of Priority: Rannoch. |
Yes |
- |
Shepard completes the Rannoch: iral Koris side mission ahead of Priority: Rannoch. |
No |
+1 |
Shepard chooses to save iral Koris instead of his crew during Rannoch: iral Koris. |
No |
+1 |
After Shepard destroys the Reaper with the targeting laser, Legion will suggest ing the Reaper code to the Geth collective to allow them to attain true intelligence. Shepard can choose to allow the or stop Legion. Either way, the uned party will protest, and Shepard can choose again.
- If Shepard has less than 5 points from their choices in Mass Effect 2 and 3, they are forced to choose a side.
- To achieve peace, Shepard must meet all the mandatory requirements and have at least 5 points from their choices in Mass Effects 2 and 3. This means certain choices are incredibly important; for example, if Shepard rewrites rather than destroys the Geth heretics, they need to meet every single other requirement for peace to be available.
If Shepard has enough points, they can choose to Rally the Fleet (Paragon) or Warn the Fleet (Renegade). However, if they want a peaceful resolution, Shepard can only use these two options.
Mass Effect 3's Reputation system works slightly differently from previous games. Both Paragon and Renegade points contribute to the overall Reputation meter, so a Paragon Shepard can still make Renegade choices and vice versa.
If the fleet is rallied or warned, the Quarians will stand down from their final attack. Legion will sacrifice itself to distribute the new code, but the Quarians and Geth will pledge their , leading to a massive increase in War Assets. Unfortunately, any outcome of Priority: Rannoch results in Legion's death.
Should Shepard take the Quarians' side, they will wipe out the entire Geth species, including Legion. Similarly, suppose Shepard takes the Geth's side and allows the . In that case, Legion dies as a result of distributing the Reaper code, and the Geth wipe out the Quarians, leading Tali to commit suicide even if she is loyal and romanced.
After brokering peace between the Geth and Quarians, Shepard should speak with Tali in Engineering to earn Reputation points and find out how things have progressed on Rannoch. EDI and other companions may also comment on the outcome. Shepard can learn that the new Geth-Quarian partnership is already having positive results.
Choosing between the Geth and Quarians is arguably one of the toughest choices in the Mass Effect trilogy. As such, peace is the ideal outcome for players who want the best and most satisfying ending to their Mass Effect playthrough.
