How To Get The Best Ending In Mass Effect 3
As we already said, there are many endings in Mass Effect 3. If you finished Mass Effect 3 (for the second or third time), and you may feel that something is missing. So, the available endings are more here; but it takes dedication and commitment to uncover every last slice of the finale. Read the guide to get the best ending for you, and happily complete this massive game.
While there are only three major choices, they have many variations and versions all depending on your EMS and a decision at the end of ME3! Spoil yourself completely and check out the possible endings below.
Note: Below youll find the THREE major confirmed endings, plus the rumored Perfect Ending, which is an extension of the Renegade Ending.
Readiness Rating & Effective Military Strength
- Total Military Strength is just the total number of War Assets you have acquired. These are collected during your choices in the game, by completing side-quests, how you solve problems during the single-player campaign, and through exploration of the Galaxy Map.
- The Readiness Rating can be increased through online co-op play. It starts at a base 50% rating that can be increased. The higher the rating, the fewer War Assets youll need for a perfect EMS score.
- For example, if your Readiness Rating is at 100%, youll need half as many War Assets. The Readiness Rating works with a simple algorithm. A 50% Readiness Rating multiplies your Total Military Strength score by .5%.
- If you play the co-op multiplayer and increase your Readiness Rating to 75%, your Total Military Strength score will be multiplied by .75%. Your Readiness Rating will increase through online co-op play, but will steadily decrease as time passes, giving you a very narrow window to play with a 100% Readiness Rating.
- There are enough extras, collectibles, and side-missions in the single-player campaign to earn the maximum EMS rating without having to play online.
Paragon Ending
- At the very end of the game, youll have two choices. Control the Reapers, or Destroy the Reapers. The blue, or left option, leads to Controlling the Reapers.
- No matter what, this option will kill Shepard. But, Earth will always be saved as long as you go into the Final Battle with at least 2,350 EMS. If you want to save the Earth, but dont have the EMS score up to 4,000 take this option! Unless you want the planet Earth turned into a charred husk.
Renegade Ending
- At the very end of the game, youll have two choices. Control the Reapers, or Destroy the Reapers. The red, or right option, leads to Destroying the Reapers.
- Choosing to destroy the Reapers also destroys all synthetic life in the galaxy, including Shepard. EDI, the Geth, and the Reapers are all destroyed.
- If youre willing to make that sacrifice, you can make the Renegade choice.
Neutral Ending
- For this ending, youll need at least a 2,800 EMS score before entering the final battle on Earth. It doesnt matter whether you destroyed the Collector base or not. The option wont appear, and might not even be alluded to!
- To experience this ending, youll have to follow the middle path. Between the two choices, red and blue, youll find a massive energy beam. Walk into it to initiate the neutral ending.
- Doing so leads to Shepard creating synergy between all living things organic and synthetic. That means all life is part organic, and part synthetic, leading to a future peace between all species.
- Despite that, the Mass Relays are still destroyed.
Rumored Content Below!
- To get the Perfect Ending in Mass Effect 3, play the game with the New Game+ option or with an imported character from ME2, with an achieved 4000+ EMS rating and choose the Red, or Renegade Option. With 4000+ EMS you must rescue Anderson from the Illusive Mans execution. With 5000+ EMS, you can rescue Anderson or let him die. This ending comes after a short post-credits conversation between a man and child.
- During NG+ or with an imported character from ME2, the Prejak Paddle Fish will counts as a War Asset, which in turn increases your EMS (Effective Military Strength) score. That means youll want to invest in a Fish-Feeding VI.
- Shepard seemingly is killed, but the ending will be extended slightly with a shot of Shepards charred armor as it takes a deep breath after the short Stargazer segment. According to fan theory, maybe that stuff on the Citadel was a hallucination!
- Get out there and get cracking, Shepard!