Bubba's Mass Effect Adventures

Ahh, so I should have sent Mordin instead of Thane?

I did 'um and ah' over that decision! Dammit!

I make him part of my party as I fight the last boss. He's always survived that way too.

I'm sure there is a perfect party combination where everyone survives. Honestly, I'm kinda glad I didn't get it spot on.

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Originally Posted by Bubba

I'm sure there is a perfect party combination where everyone survives. Honestly, I'm kinda glad I didn't get it spot on.

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There is, but it's fairly complex. Who you take with you in your main squad for each section is just as important as who you send on particular missions. There are also some bulltrout mechanics in there. Like you know how Miranda is a genetically engineer super freak who is a biotic genius? Yeah, not so good at the biotic part.

Did I lose someone first time...? I think I did but I can't remember who. I have a sneaky feeling it's Garrus but that can't be right because I KNOW I would have save scummed if I lost Garrus.

Yeah Samara is the best for the biotic bubble one I believe. Miranda or Jacob or Garrus Maybe? are great for the second team lead. Legion I think is the best for the vents. I don't remember it all, it's been a while. And if you don't have their loyalty from their missions, they most likely will die regardless.

I lost uhhhh Zaeed. He's one you didn't get from a DLC, bubba.

I always make Garrus my second team lead both times, Tali my vent buddy, and Samara my biotic. I also leave behind my big beefy guys at the door as you mentioned earlier; Grunt, Zaeed, and so on. Kasumi is who I send back with the crew members,

No-one dies next time! Except Ashley again in ME1 but that's fine...

I'll try one of your ways when I go through it again. Is there a scenario when you can kill a load of your squad? Not that I want to, just curious!

I'm not sure I can get the Zaeed DLC. It isn't giving me an option to download it.

Also Freya, that song is possibly the greatest thing ever. I'll let slide the fact that they rhymed Commander Shepard with "Leopard" :lol:

IS that one of those weird british ways of pronouncing things again?

You probably say lee-o-paar-d.

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Originally Posted by Freya

IS that one of those weird british ways of pronouncing things again?

You probably say lee-o-paar-d.

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No, we say Commander Sheh-paar-d. Like Captain Picard. ;)

The guy who sang the Commander Shepard song is actually Irish, so I am amused by the accusation that it's to do with the British pronunciation. xD (yes I know he often sings with American enunciation)

Anyway I saved everyone first time :smug:

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Originally Posted by Shauna

Anyway I saved everyone first time :smug:

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Rub it in, why don't you. I'M IN MOURNING!

Also, I wasn't actually disputing that leopard and Shepard sound the same. They do! I just don't remember seeing many leopards in the ME universe :lol:

I think they were stretching for something to rhyme with Shepard, that's all!

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Originally Posted by Bubba

I just don't remember seeing many leopards in the ME universe :lol:

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Wait until you play 3!

You lost Mordin? Noooooo. Damn, seriously, like Freya said, he gets some great bits in ME: 3. I completely understand keeping it as it is though, just know that I would absolutely go back and re-do it. :p

The mechanics for survival is strange and points-based. It all boils down to holding the line. I'll just quote the wiki verbatim, as it does a good job of explaining it:

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Originally Posted by The Wikia

The teammates you do not choose are automatically assigned to hold the line against the Collectors. A 'defensive skill' value is calculated for the 'hold the line' group as a whole, based on a defensive value inherent to each character. Loyal characters gain a bonus to this value. If the 'defensive skill' check is not high enough to ensure all characters' survival, squad members will be designated to die based on their vulnerability, with Mordin taking priority if he is present.


Leaving behind strong defenders, such as Grunt, Garrus, and Zaeed will increase the group's odds of survival. In contrast, certain characters such as Jack, Tali, and especially Mordin have less skill in holding their position and should be removed through escort duty or taken along. The entire group will survive as long as the combined defensive skill is high enough, otherwise the game selects one or more squad members to die based on the scenario of who was left behind and how loyal the group members are.


Squad members who are not loyal are most likely to survive here than anywhere else, provided the group's collective defense skill is high enough, although they will be the first to die if the skill is not. Leaving behind two strong defenders such as Garrus, Grunt, or Zaeed should suffice, provided you haven't lost too many people.

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The order of death is: Non-loyal, Mordin, Tali, Kasumi, Jack, Miranda, Jacob, Garrus, Samara, Legion, Thane, Zaeed, Grunt

I think what happened is you sent Thane (who, for a terminally ill drell) who seems to be the third most defensive character on escort duty. You also had Grunt come with you, which cut your defensive potential by quite a bit. Mordin was holding the line and not taken along, and thus died first.

None of it is your fault, you weren't to know whatsoever, which can make it annoying that someone died due to an algorithm. I usually bring Miranda and Garrus/Jacob/Kasumi, depending on how I'm feeling. I always send Mordin away on escort, though his incinerate is great against armour, so I might send someone else to do that next time.

Sucks that you lost Mordin, but good job on completing the game! I'm glad you really liked it!

Now I feel like a failure :(

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Originally Posted by Bubba

Now I feel like a failure :(

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Good. A commander should feel that way after losing someone.

Honestly I think you got the better experience. It was a mistake from Bioware to make it possible for everyone to survive in the first place. I would have made at least one point (probably when sending someone into the vents) where you and your entire team knew it was a one-way trip, so that whoever you gave the order to had to accept their own death but carry out your orders regardless.