Every action Commander Shepard took in the original Mass Effect trilogy culminated in the inevitable confrontation with the Reapers. This epic battle to save not just Earth but the rest of the galaxy from another cycle of extinction drew Shepard and the on-ground Alliance forces to the thick of battle in London. While the fleets assaulted Reaper forces from space, Shepard and Admiral Anderson led a team toward the Citadel, knowing the only way to activate the Catalyst was to get someone inside the Citadel.
Reaching the Citadel is not an easy task, and for many, Shepard and Anderson included, it is more than likely be a one-way trip. If their sacrifice saves the galaxy and sends the Reapers packing, it will be more than worth it, but first, they have to survive heavy Reaper ground assaults and carve a path to the Citadel so the Crucible could dock.
Admirals Hackett and Anderson have a plan, but there are complications before it even gets off the ground. Shepard and their squadmates will be dropped in the middle of heavily populated Reaper territory and tasked with reaching the Reaper Hades Cannon to take it out and clear a path for Hammer Team to land. The moment the shuttle doors open, the Reapers are already firing on Shepard, so take cover when possible and return fire liberally to make an opening to drop out of the shuttle. Once on the ground, begin carving through the Reapers, moving steadily upward until coming to an area with multiple enemies, including two Brutes coming in from the right. Take cover and deal with the Brutes before they come into melee range, then shift focus to the other enemies.
The Hades Cannon fires often, making it difficult to aim, so take cover and wait until things stabilize again before firing on enemies in the landing zone. After clearing the area a bit, begin advancing up the rubble to the next level. At this point, Cortez encounters a Harvester and is shot down, but he'll survive if Shepard completed his questline and restored his will to live. Reaching the upper level, take cover and prepare for heavy battle with Cannibals, Marauders and a guarded Ravager. Clear the area of enemies and advance to the crashed shuttle to pick up the med-kit and two M-920 Cains, which will be used to wipe out the Hades Cannon.
With careful aim, only one of the Cains is needed to take out the cannon. Once it's been destroyed, take cover and prepare for endless waves of Reaper ground troops, including a Banshee, until Shepard and squad are extracted. Shepard and Anderson are reunited on the shuttle, where Paragon points can be earned during the conversation. While traveling, he updates them on the state of the resistance movement in London, and when they arrive at the Forward Operations Base, Shepard will have some time to explore, chat with current squadmates and use the comms terminal to say goodbye to former squadmates out there fighting the Reapers at other locations. After meeting up with Anderson and learning the plan, Shepard can make one final rallying speech to their squad before assembling a team to reach the conduit.
Battling through the streets of London, Shepard and their squad work in tandem with the other squads to get at least one person to the conduit. Radio chatter is heard throughout this part of the mission, guiding Shepard to certain areas. Shepard and team traverse the area on foot, while other squads travel through in Makos. After taking out the first Marauders and Cannibals, advance and watch one of the Makos ahead explode, then navigate around the wreckage to spy a second Mako come under attack by a Harvester. Taking out the Harvester is optional, netting 100 Bonus XP. There are also multiple Reaper ground troops firing on Shepard, including Banshees, that need to be taken out.
When receiving a transmission from a pinned-down Hammer platoon, turn left toward the doorway leading to a parking garage with multiple husks and two Brutes. This area is a little cramped, so take caution and avoid being backed into a dangerous corner. Eliminate all enemies and proceed to the ladder leading upward into an apartment. Explore the apartment for ammo and med-kit pickups, then head to the door, which is overrun by husks. Take them out and proceed to the street, keeping an eye out for a Brute about to come crashing through the wall. Once it's dealt with, head inside the shop and proceed through carefully, picking off Cannibals and Marauders hidden among the shelving. Back outside, take cover in the pit and begin fighting through the next waves of enemies. Head through the restaurant and toward the back, eliminating all enemies before going into the back alley to face two more Brutes. Head through the hole they created and wait for the cutscene that follows.
This final sequence of battles is the last heavy fighting in the game, and it's some of the most difficult. Shepard will first need to protect the missile battery from waves of enemies before deploying the Thanix Missiles with help from EDI and the Normandy. EDI will need to prepare both missiles before Shepard can fire on the Conduit, which means facing numerous heavy waves of Cannibals, Marauders, Brutes, Banshees and Harvesters coming at the squad from all sides. Take cover and use distance powers, like biotics and grenades, to diminish as many enemies as possible before they get too close. Once both missiles have been primed, there's another issue: The Reaper needs to be led away to create a clear path for the missile.
Along with heavy enemy ground troops, the Reaper begins firing its death ray, which results in Shepard's death instantly. Avoid the ray by ducking in and out of buildings, keeping in mind that they will have multiple difficult enemies, especially packs of Brutes and Banshees, ready for a fight. There is also a Harvester that needs to be dealt with before EDI will announce that the cannon is ready to fire. Head straight for it and launch the missiles, which brings Anderson and the next cutscene.
Though the actual fighting may be over, there's no time to relax. Team Hammer is little more than a handful of soldiers, but getting even one of them into the Citadel is all that's needed to activate the Catalyst. Shepard and their team will have to make a run for it toward the beam at the bottom of the hill, all the while dodging Reaper laser fire. Running and dodging around enemies is essential, as there is no time to stop and fight. Reaching the cutoff point in the run, the beam triggers a cutscene that results in Shepard's squadmates being injured. The Normandy swoops in to pick them up, and though they fight Shepard about being left behind, only Shepard can move forward.
Once they take off, Shepard heads toward the Conduit once more, but it unleashes weapon fire that wipes out everyone and everything around. Only Shepard remains, and they are badly injured. With only a pistol and no other powers, limp toward the Conduit and prepare to fire on the husks that emerge. Once they have been dispatched, a Marauder will appear. Shepard needs to wipe this Marauder out before reaching the Conduit and being drawn inside.
Inside the Citadel, Shepard stirs at the sound of Anderson's voice and sees a Keeper sorting through the body parts. Limp through the corridor until reaching a door that heads up a ramp where Anderson is already at the controls. Shortly after Anderson turns around, the final confrontation with the Illusive Man launches. The conversation features multiple Renegade/Paragon interrupts, culminating in a final morality check that can only be achieved if Shepard has used Renegade/Paragon in every conversation with him they have had throughout the game. If he cannot be convinced that he is indoctrinated, he will not fire on himself and Shepard will have to take the Renegade interrupts to shoot him before showing him what his efforts have done to Earth. Afterward, Shepard activates the controls to extend the arms of the Citadel and dock the Crucible before having one last conversation with Anderson. Shepard will fall unconscious but will awaken when the Catalyst does not activate. An elevator will take the weakened Shepard to a new area.
The Catalyst takes on the form of the little boy that has been haunting Shepard's dreams ever since they watched the child's shuttle blow up when the Reapers attacked Earth. It explains the purpose of the Reapers and presents Shepard with choices based on their effective military strength. If galactic readiness is 1749 or less, only the Destroy or Control options are available contingent upon what Shepard chose to do with the Collector Base at the end of Mass Effect 2. If the strength score is between 1750 and 2349, both choices are available but at a high cost to the overall galaxy.
The Synthesis option becomes available when the effective military strength score is 2800+. With a score of 4000+, Shepard may survive if the Destroy option is chosen and be seen gasping for breath in the cutscene at the end. Regardless of Shepard's choices, the Normandy will be struck by the blast from the Crucible and forced to crash land on an unknown planet. Depending on the overall military strength Shepard accumulated, either every aboard will be killed, or, depending on Shepard's choices, Joker will emerge with either EDI and Shepard's favorite crew member, suggesting everyone survived.
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