#two minute tutorials

[7classyantiquestores]

Two-Minute Tutorials

Avoid the infamous BioWare ninjamances in Mass Effect 1

There are posts around about it but it never hurts to throw it up again, bc let’s be honest it’s just really awkward to be dating someone without knowing it.

This ScreenRant article details the conversation options to stop a romance with each Ashley, Kaiden, and Liara before it begins. If you missed that, or started a romance by accident, it also recommends how to cut the relationship off later, to at least avoid it being flagged for future games — if not avoiding an interesting time for the apparently socially awkward Commander Shepard.

This BioWare Social Network post also adds a helpful detail, explaining how each of the three crew mates refers to Shepard as “Commander” if you have successfully closed off the romance.

But at the end of the day, even though it’s easy to accidentally input “yes” to a romance, the game isn’t too much of a jerk about it, and you have plenty of obvious “out” points should you find yourself engaged in one unintentionally. Just say no every time someone mentions romance and you’ll be off the hook. Plus tbh, at this point it’s a rite of passage to have a hilarious misunderstanding with your (evidently) rather excited crew mates. If nothing else, the whole thing is good for a laugh.

[7classyantiquestores]

Two-Minute Tutorials

Annotated bibliography of web resources

Even if you’re not a completionist, don’t like spoilers, or prefer not to have to look things up, there are a few cases where some help is handy. Myself, I have a long list, but here’s the highlights.

Mass Effect 1:

GameFaq - Suggested Mission Order Guide

My favorite ME1 resource. Minimal to no spoilers, basic mission order, and includes the side missions with best story and for outcomes in the later games. Also includes the reputation cost for important checks throughout the game.

Mass Effect 2:

Giant Bomb - Save Everyone Guide

Guides you through the basic preparation for the final mission, and then team comp to ensure everyone’s survival even at higher difficulties. Not too many story spoilers, besides the obvious nature of job assignments.

GameFaq - DLC Order

If, like me, you want to know how to best fit the DLC into the story, check this out. Brief spoilers referencing the nature of the ME2 storyline. I use the last post, by the user MurphysGhost, except I like The Lair of the Shadow Broker after the final mission, before Arrival.

Mass Effect 3:

Mass Effect Wiki - Side mission timing

Lists what order side missions appear in, and when they should be completed by. Links to pages about individual missions, in case you get stuck. Also lists time sensitive missions, useful since that was a new feature in ME3. No spoilers, unless you count mission names.

GameFaq - Best time to play DLC

Similar to the ME2 version, only I couldn’t find one as smooth. The last one (by user ME BERISHNIKOFT), again is most useful; just ignore the extra commentary, and I completed the Citadel Party just before the endgame.

GamesRadar - Planet Scanning Guide

Shows the location of all assets in the galaxy, by star system. Includes helpful photos. Let me put it this way, even if you know the exact location of every asset, you will still get chased around by Reapers. You’re not losing anything in experience. This is a lifesaver. Um, literally sometimes.

GameFaq - How to get the Geth and Quarian

Hardest check in the game. If you don’t mind the spoilers, this is pretty handy.

Arqade - How to save Miranda

Again, obvious spoilers, but since it can be easy to mix up, I like the help.

All games:

GameFaq - ME1 & ME2 carryover to ME3

If you’re that guy that doesn’t like to do every mission, this lists missions that impact from game to game. Many spoilers of course, but good for casual play.

[7classyantiquestores]

Two-Minute Tutorials

Managing resources and equipment, Mass Effect 1

Collecting Funds:

If you’re having a hard time collecting funds, here’s a reliable pattern. As you travel the galaxy, you will pick up more equipment than you will ever possibly use. Equip your crew with the best stuff, then follow this method: First, omni-gel equipment with low resell value; I often go for my lowest level pistols and upgrades, omni-gelling just enough to meet my needs. Additionally, early in the game, complete the mission Citadel: Dr. Michel. Not only does she give you a discount, but she also buys for slightly more money. The effect is increased with Renegade’s “Motivated Buyer” perk. Sell Michel everything in your inventory, excepting one or two things you might hang onto to counter various kinds of enemies, if desired. Continue exploring the galaxy. Rinse. Repeat. Swim in cash.

Get the Best Gear:

For the most part, the completionist approach works best. Since ME1 uses an RNG system for loot, it’s hard to truly predict, but the more enemies you kill and lockers you open, the better your chances at finding good stuff. If you’re patient, you shouldn’t need to buy equipment. Although buying is a reliable way to get good gear early on, it’s not usually worth the cost, as you’ll generally find something of equal or greater quality just by playing. The only exception is medi-gel and grenade upgrades, as well as rare armor upgrades (such as IX and X level medical exoskeletons, a favorite of mine). Another exception is the game’s best weapons, Spectre - Master Gear. It’s available as soon as you’re made Spectre and only appears for purchase, never as a drop. I don’t recommend buying it off the bat, however. If you hit level 50 and have a million or more credits, it will upgrade to X level, the best in the game. Get a main gun for yourself and your A-Team. With the Michel Method, it’s not difficult, and it’s worth the wait.

[7classyantiquestores]

Two-Minute Tutorials

Random merc bases in Mass Effect 1

This works for mines, but especially for the repeating base structure on the random side missions around the galaxy. Haven’t tested for higher levels, but the logic should work the same.

The Bottleneck Method:

Enemies are sensitive to sound, and like to attack and chase Shepard. Use this to your advantage. These random bases always have a first room with no enemies. Position your companions here, preferably in cover, with a clear line of fire to the hallway to the main area. Move into the hallway and open the door. Shoot into the main room (not at anything in particular).

9/10 times, you’ll get a small army of enemies charging towards you, visible on your mini map. Run back down the hall and rejoin your companions. Lay into the enemies when they stream down the hall without cover. Repeat as necessary for any leftover enemies.

[7classyantiquestores]

Two Minute Tutorials

Fighting in the Mako, Mass Effect 1

First:

If possible, stay at range and snipe. Not only will this make you less likely to be swarmed by tiny baddies, but if you’re far enough away, you can actually see enemy missiles incoming and just move out of the way.

Second:

A game engine thing: enemies target the nose of the Mako. If you’re having trouble in a fight, literally just find a large rock or cliff protrusion far away, sit sideways with the nose protected, and shoot the baddies at leisure while they uselessly blast the landscape.

[7classyantiquestores]

Two-Minute Tutorials

Picking your squad mates by stats.

Mass Effect 1:

The little “combat, tech, biotic” bars on the squad selection screen actually work, since the powers for each type distribute pretty predictably. For example, if a class has any combat proficiency, it will include two or more weapon skills. Just balance out combat, tech, and biotic bars, and then level your powers to complement each other.

Mass Effect 2-3:

Powers fluctuate a lot more here, so focus instead on countering enemies, with two main considerations: enemy defense (armor/barriers/shields) and enemy range. Make sure you always have someone with a power or weapon skill to counter each major armor type, and then vary what ranges your weapons can reach so that enemies are being damaged at most or all ranges (minimum do short and midrange, but long is nice also). If you are a long range class, this will also keep you from getting swarmed, and vice versa, short range classes don’t have to trudge across the battlefield to meet every single enemy.

[7classyantiquestores]

Two-Minute Tutorials

I know Tumblr isn’t the go-to place for tutorials. Like, at all. But a friend of mine started playing Mass Effect lately, and isn’t stats minded. So I thought I’d start putting up some quick tips and tricks to help with basics. Plus I like it, so.

Probably won’t be very often, and I’ll keep em short so they’re easy to skip if you just want to get back to cool Mass Effect pics. Which, to be honest, is why I’m on Tumblr.

[lunaticstv]

Tuesday Two-Minute Tutorial: Tumbling Letters Effect - Part 2

In this 2-minute tutorial, I explain how I got the material and line animation effects as well as how the letter physics were reversed for display.