When Mass Effect Legendary Edition was announced, the excitement was palpable. Fans of this franchise are rightfully enthusiastic about Shepard's journey and the fight against the reapers. And when it was announced that there would be gameplay updates, fixes, and modernization for the first installation, it stood to reason that most gamers would be pretty excited about that.
But there was a gloomy assumption that the maximum paragon and renegade exploit would be fixed for the Mass Effect Legendary Edition. Here's some surprisingly good news to those who love a good glitch in the player's favor; this loophole made it into the Legendary Edition! So for those picking up the game for the first time, here's how to set up and execute this glitch.
Updated on April 22nd, 2022 by Hodey Johns: Taking advantage of a glitch is oftentimes mean-spirited. Glitches enable players to win when they would ordinarily lose or make the game worse by skipping and trivializing important encounters. So why is it that this glitch, which would take a fraction of a second to fix, would stay in the game? The likely truth is that while other exploits diminish from the game, this one enhances it. Players should be encouraged to explore dialogue choices free of their previous interactions. This glitch makes the game better. The guide has been updated with fresh information and links for relevance.
Wait Until Gaining Control Of The Normandy
Although Shepard's journey starts out on the Normandy, the initial section is close to a tutorial. There are a few dialogue choices with minor flavor and no long-term impact until after the first mission on Eden Prime. It's understandable to want to do this paragon/renegade exploit as soon as possible, but it has to wait for just a bit.
At a certain point in the story, players will be able to decide where they want to fly the ship on their own and without Anderson's supervision. This marks the opportunity for gamers to initiate this tactic. It's a smart move to do every time, especially for players who love games that need to be replayed to fully appreciate.
Setting Up The Exploit
- Fly To Noveria
- Talk To Gianna
- Talk To Lorik Qui'in
- Clear Our The Mercenaries
- Talk To Gianna
- Talk To Lorik Qui'in
Here's the best part about this exploit; it can be accomplished before doing any of the major conversations that require paragon or renegade dialogues to succeed. Yes, it involves leaving the Citadel, but Shepard can always go right back and accomplish everything there. Unlike some missions, players are not grounded on Noveria once landing there.
It's recommended to get the maximum paragon and renegade options and then go back to the Citadel. Don't worry about having the ideal companions unlocked yet, it can be accomplished with the worst teammates in the series.
While on Noveria, meet Gianna Parasini in Administrator Anoleis' Office. Talk to her, speak to the administrator, then go to leave and finish another conversation with her.
Meet with Lorik Qui'in in the bar on the top floor. He'll give Shepard a bargain to get garage access. Accept that mission, then head to the bottom floor and get ready to take out some mercenaries in the Synthetics Insights Office.
Though this might feel a little dark, it doesn't yield any renegade points and even the Council has no issue with a bunch of bribed mercenaries meeting an early fate, so there is no penalty to the story for doing this either.
Upon leaving and returning upstairs to Lorik Qui'in, Shepard will be interrupted by Gianna, who says to talk to her in the bar before talking to Lorik Qui'in. It's mandatory to talk to Gianna first as her offer sets up the entire dialogue conversations that Shepard needs to utilize for both the paragon and renegade options. Agree to help her, then talk to Lorik.
Abusing Glitchy Dialogue
Select the following dialogue options:
- "Testify against Anoleis."
- "You'd be a hero," or "Damn right I will."
- Wait for Lorik to finish talking, then talk to him again.
- "Matriarch Benezia"
- Repeat the previous steps.
Gianna's mission tasks Shepard with convincing Lorik to testify. Talk to Lorik again and he'll balk at the very idea. Thankfully, Shepard has both a paragon and a renegade way of changing his mind. Choose either one and this will lead to some dialogue that finishes the conversation. Each one gives twenty-four points to the selected meter.
Now speak to him again and ask him about "Matriarch Benezia." This resets his conversation to before he's been convinced, meaning Shepard can once again convince him to testify with a paragon or renegade option. Do this until both meters are maxed out (the paragon and renegade meters are in the Squad menu).
This is effective, but don't worry about breaking the immersion, this is still one of the best sci-fi gaming experiences with or without the glitch. Congratulations, these bonuses not only work in this first game, but some of the bonuses will carry over into Mass Effect 2. Now all conversation options are on the table for the rest of the game!
Mass Effect Legendary Edition was released on May 14th, 2021, and is available on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC.