Mass Effect Legendary Edition - BEST ORDER to Play the DLC (All 3 Games)

[@imotekh6110]

Without fail, I always did the arrival DLC after the end of ME2. It just felt the correct way to end it off, with Harbinger taunting you from dark space and serving as the reason for Shepard being grouded.

[@robbybobby4373]

Agreed. In my multiple playthroughs, I did the Arrival dlc before the final mission, and in another playthrough I played it after. And it indeed does feel more appropriate to play it after as it does set it up the beginning of ME3 better.

[@juzoli]

To be honest, that should be THE LAST mission of ME2 in first place (without the possibility to choose), because that’s the only mission which carries the story forward in the whole game. The whole Collector thing is just a big glorified side quest which is irrelevant in the big story…

[@Romczy]

@@juzoli Collectors irrelevant to big story? Are you drunk? Setting stage for reaper arrival is irrelevant?

[@blizzardkhaos]

That's the correct way to play it. Mass Effect 2 then Arrival DLC

[@juzoli]

@@Romczy Imagine the following alternate ME “trilogy”: You defeated Sovereign and Saren. Then 1-2 years later, while you are being on Earth, the Reapers destroy Arcturus station, and invade Earth. Then everything happens just like in ME3. Collectors never existed. What has changed?

[@Jawmax]

I always played Firewalker before Overlord because you use the Hammerhead in it for the sake of continuity.

[@helpme2719]

Yeah, if I'm going to play firewalker I always complete it before overlord. I often can't be bothered though.

[@JethroDyx]

Overlord is the shit

[@sjsharp2007]

Yeah I tend to play at least the first part of Firewalker before going anywhere nea rOverlord as it explain show you have the Hammerhead at you rdispoasl given the HaMmer head isn't on the Normand ywhen yo upick the Normandy up as tthe start of the game as you pick the Hammerhead up during the first part ofFirewalker

[@what0080]

I usually play the first part of Firewalker… Since it’s when you get the Hammerhead, and you use it for the Overlord DLC…

[@spikey556]

This was what I missed when I played with the DLC for the first time. I was like "huh? I didn't retrieve the hammerhead yet wtf?" But then I learned that's a DLC mission. Should have been locked before you retrieve the hammerhead.

[@briang341]

i do the normandy crash site after horizon. Shepard being distraught at the comments of ash/kaidan leading him to the crash sight to get that closure and do some soul searching on this mission feels right

[@WolfWarrior623]

that's what I did with my most recent playthrough and probably will for most. Horizon > Crash Site feels > Drink with Chakwas. Though the way I played it out was my Shepard just _didnpt_ want to deal with it. Or a mix of didn't, and couldn't. She'd already dealt with Mindoir, and then Akuze, and now everything with the Normandy, it was too much. So rather than process it she just didn't think about it and tried to focus on the task at hand. Until Horizon happened and forced her to remember by throwing it right back in her face. Then she finally has to deal with all of it and go get some closure. She does, and then she needed a drink. Chakwas was happy to provide her with one, and they toasted the fallen.

[@yearofthebeastable]

@@WolfWarrior623 Great choices, I think I'll do the same from now on.

[@FireLordJohn3191]

I've yet to successfully find all the dog tags.

[@frankjrmarks9352]

And then after that he goes to project Overlord and sees what Cerberus has been doing to David so then he decides to fully heal his scars discard his Cerberus uniform and put on his n7 jacket that's what I plan to do on my play through in the legendary edition

[@dumat100]

Just a note on Leviathan for people: *Start it after Kallini: Ardat-Yakshi Monastery.* A certain something makes its first appearance in that mission, and in Leviathan it can ruin the reveal by throwing them in with no explanation.

[@Outonna]

It happened to me in my first playthrough. Ruined a bit the surprise and suspense of Kallini

[@mauriciofontes]

That’s a great point. After spending 100s of hours in Multiplayer I didn’t even realize there was a “story context reveal” of the B…s. Thanks for bringing this up. =)

[@TheMasterUnity]

I don’t remember, what was this thing again?

[@robertsun5529]

@@TheMasterUnity high pitch scream and a hole in the chest I assume

[@TheMasterUnity]

@@robertsun5529 Ah right, i remember now

[@Urlastnerve]

I accidentally started Bring Down The Sky as soon as I got my ship and was able to pick where to go. About 15 minutes into the mission I said to myself, “this seems like dlc, it’s just a bit too big just to be a side mission.” And I was right, I got the trophy at the end of it and didn’t even realize that this was the dlc.

[@j.vinton4039]

I always did BDTS right out the gate when I have a tech based character for that sweet powerful Omni tool you get at the end.

[@DeadPyro96]

Same. It's because on the galaxy map it's closer to the Citadel than Noveria or Feros, so it felt logical to go there first. You get some great gear at the end so it's worth it anyway.

[@ericksoriano1603]

The original dlc from the xbox 360 game came with an additional disc to install the dlc. No way back in 2007 to know it was not a dlc, envy you a little

[@funnynameforme4091]

Honestly same. Or maybe right after Feros I can't remember, anyway yeah I did it really early on accident as well

[@spencerbowden2979]

Funny enough I found the entire mass effect series on the backwards compatibility list for Xbox one. And I was like cool I can play mass effect. I started up 1 and noticed that 4 locations were marked after I got the Noveria, Feros and therum missions. I was like “this is new what’s going on here?” That mission was hard af because I started it first completely unaware it was dlc. Thing is I never once purchased that dlc for 360 but for someone reason it downloaded on Xbox one.

[@Trialwolf]

I always try to do Project Overlord as close to the Suicide Mission as possible and say this is the mission Shepard and crew left the Normandy by shuttle to do and the Collector attack happened while they were gone.

[@helpme2719]

I'd never considered that, I think I'll do that for my next playthrough. I always wondered what everyone was doing at that point. Thisight also be the point where Shepard learns the truth about the people she's been working with.

[@me5969]

I can’t remember the exact reason but I remember you also need to keep at least one mission after you get legion or something because you can’t do his loyalty mission otherwise or the crew does. It was something like that anyway so it’s also very practical to leave that until the end.

[@etojeilya]

@@me5969 After crew abduction, you have 2 missions (it's missions or just land on citadel/omega/etc.) And this 2 missions you can do legion loyalty and tali's loyalty (for the lulz bringing geth to quarian fleet).

[@kolosmenus]

@@etojeilya If you do any mission after the crew gets abducted, they'll die

[@etojeilya]

@@kolosmenus yea, my bad. Mixed up with iff

[@nathanielhughes8071]

Correction: complete the story portion of Citadel after priority tuchanka, wrex will have a reason to be on the citadel. Return periodically to meet crew members after they send you a message, complete the arena for your armor. Hold the party right before you attack Cerberus base, and the party must be energetic, not optional

[@daxxmason8308]

I agree, this makes the most sense to me as well. I always treat it as nomandy needs one last tune up before going in a point of no return mission. Since its in the maitnence bay after the party

[@austinmann1435]

I always wait till right when tali joins the crew so I have my full crew

[@ggggggrrrrrhhhh2065]

oh.. you could do that?! I've always thought that once you've visited the apartment, you should complete all missions and meetings, including the party. or else it would disappear XD i'll do that in this playthrough. thanks!

[@juzoli]

Wait, isn’t it available only after the Citadel Coup? You can’t even get the mission before Thuchanka.

[@dmaxcustom]

There are certain things in ME that are not optional for me. Paragon Shepard. PERIOD. I have never done a renegade Shepard cause I cannot. Tali cannon romance. PERIOD. nuff' said. And party is rowdy, loud and full of alcohol. PERIOD. If Javik, Zaeed, Wrex and Grunt are not playing commando in the living bar, is not a party.

[@wrextheblind3787]

Lmao that final “Shepard” “grunt/wrex” exchange is funny af

[@Catcreeper_69]

I agree, It is funny a mofo

[@silverblade357]

FemShep looks at Wrex like, "Stop corrupting my son, Wrex!"

[@codecatx5]

Definitely gotta do citadel right before heading to Earth it’s literally the perfect gateway in to the madness of the ending.

[@OneLastScholar]

Perhaps. Nowadays I play Citadel like I did back in 2013: after the ending. Flashback or headcanon, it just ties the trilogy tight.

[@ArcAngle1117]

There's a pretty massive mood shift from one to the other. But there's also just no good place to actually do it.

[@aidandunne5978]

I play Citadel right after Rannoch and resolving the conflict between quarians and geth. That feels like the high point of the story, and is perfect time for some shore leave and celebration

[@codecatx5]

@@aidandunne5978 exactly that’s the same time as me. Oh never mind nah Miranda will be missing if I do it like that. No, for me I like to have everything done then Citadel serves as my pseudo ending for the game. That way I can get time with all my squad mates and have everyone at the party. Except Thane, Legion and Mordin of course.

[@anonymoususer7286]

Gotta do citadel after the happy ending mod ending. Which is the canon ending. You can't change my mind on this

[@MyogaSama]

I can't stress enough, if you're playing on insanity difficulty in ME1, do Bring down the Sky almost immediately for the higher level gear. It goes a long way.

[@YouTubeCensors]

I didn't but might be worth it next time, if for nothing else because without pinnacle station or armor glitch, getting Tali some decent armor is next to impossible.

[@gfyGoogle]

Or save it for last so that the scaled rewards are that much greater

[@AustinAOkay]

Yup

[@kmoore9137]

@LRK20 Im currently playing it on veteran, and the whole bring down the sky dlc was slooth up to that point, died the most in that area of the playthrough

[@kmoore9137]

@LRK20 I agree with you on that, I just had to keep using overload and sabotage

[@dextergrif1052]

There’s a great mod that essentially makes Citadel into an epilogue to the trilogy. It removes any references to the war against the Reapers and essentially functions as a story after the War is over, assuming Shepard survives and just pretending that Destroy doesn’t kill EDI.

[@dreamcanvas5321]

Does it also "pretend" that it doesn't kill the Geth? Even by omission (obviously Legion won't be there). It seriously pisses me off that the ending is all "oh you've got to ignore the fact that the Reapers are omnicidal maniacs OR kill your AI allies." Esp. that it does that AFTER I brokered peace between the Geth and Quarians. "Synthetics and Organics cannot coexist" Really starchild? I just did it, and it was pretty easy...just understand that when AIs gain sentience you have to start treating them like people instead of things...

[@dextergrif1052]

@@dreamcanvas5321 Exactly. I should have mentioned that as well. The theme of Mass Effect was never really Synthetics vs. Organics anyway, more like the idea of prejudice between species as an allegory for our real world

[@lonewolf9578]

I like to assume it’s that anyway, I just ignore any reference to the war stuff

[@santiagocam383]

You can also drop the pretending and also install the MEHEM or JAM ending mods

[@Trialwolf]

Best part about the conversation with Wrex and Grunt during the party is that you choose when to stop it....... and you do not stop it. Just wish they had James in the background trying to figure out what the F*&$ was going on.

[@bryanandersonmt]

YO, you should check out Jennifer Hale's last stream with the cast. There's a moment when they're doing lines, that the Grunt's VA and both male and female Shepard's VA do this part, it's so good lol

[@chaywarburton3488]

Shepard, ShEpArD, SHEPARD!

[@civilmagpie1454]

I'd bet you'd get some good comments from Legion if you took him with

[@cobbler9113]

One thing I liked about the Leviathan DLC was that you could do it over time instead of in one go. The story often took you back to the Citadel in any case so you could do those missions too.

[@DeadManSinging1]

Thats because it wasnt meant to be DLC. It was supposed to be part of the game. EA wanted to milk that shit

[@tempest2fuu]

I think a good place in ME3 to start the Leviathan DLC is after you lock in a romance. The are elements/dialogues that change if you are in a romance.

[@H3lios227]

Bring down the sky, where Balak and the Butcher of Torphan have a pleasant conversation

[@GiratinaN4]

@@jr1364 look for where it lists the location of the asteroid in the galaxy map

[@xreznr163]

@@jr1364 that's the point lol. You have to explore systems to find side quests or else you won't trigger them. That's what the game is about, exploring.

[@xreznr163]

@UCJyIu2prJMQSCRE9epmM0Ug your choice brother. It helps you level up and get points faster. I did every single side quest today and while I was doing them I was listening to music chilling and when I wake up I'll be 30 minutes away from finishing the game. The game only came out Friday so yeah lol

[@appleWhisky43]

Butcher of Torfan*, now that's a good title for my renegade Shepp

[@Amadeus_]

Torfan*

[@chrischiu-tabet9462]

The great thing about Leviathan and Citadel is that you can spread them out across ME3 and not have to play them in one go: Leviathan is a murder mystery, it doesn't stretch believability that you can start it early and finish it before the ending. (Tonally I would say the beginning fits after the fall of Thessia though.) Citadel's main story fits after Omega or Rannoch, since Hackett would definitely be forcing Shepard to go on shore leave after them, and then you can wait to do the party before Cerberus HQ.

[@OneLastScholar]

Leviathan does not fit post-Thessia. The sense of urgency to go after Leng on Horizon is absurd. Why go on a wild goose chase? Leviathan is best played before The Citadel III or Perseus Veil.

[@chrischiu-tabet9462]

@@OneLastScholar Hackett gives you the option to hold off on attacking Cerberus HQ, so you can choose to slot in the whole of Leviathan between that and Horizon. Honestly, part of me thinks playing Leviathan, Citadel and/or Omega after Horizon makes the most sense given when they were developed, as much as you'd be depriving yourself of certain weapons and mods.

[@itsbiju]

Depending when you play 'the Arrival, you'll talk to either a Collector or a Reaper. That blew my mind!

[@jeaddhist]

You always talk to a Reaper, the choice is whether you see the Reaper in his true form

[@ZeroOmega-vg8nq]

Its talking to Harbingers proxy collector or harbinger himself

[@jeremyfrank881]

Another before or after SM difference: you also get the option to either kill Zaeed or let him live if you do his loyalty mission after the Suicide Mission. You can just leave him to die in the burning rubble

[@dr.demento]

I finally got to play bring down the Sky. It certainly lived up to my expectations

[@angellllx1634]

@@jr1364 scan a terminal in udinas office and then follow the journal entry

[@xreznr163]

@@jr1364 why'd you delete your comment?

[@jr1364]

@@xreznr163 I just wanted to send you on a little scavenger hunt is all. 🏅👍

[@xreznr163]

@@jr1364 bruh

[@froggythekid8955]

It was uninspired and bland as hell.

[@blitzenproductions2846]

It's 2am but I'll watch this since ME IS my fav franchise and this is intresting

[@Funkytowwn101]

thank you for including the “roleplaying” standpoint on these DLC’s

[@TimmythatSquirrel]

Big Dan walks into a room and realizes he forgot something: what's up guys Big Dan here... i should go.

[@TimmythatSquirrel]

He he lol 69 likes... ps not sorry

[@Superninfreak]

I think Leviathan should be done in chunks. The DLC is split into several parts, and I think that periodically making progress in your investigation into the Reapers’ past makes sense rather than having it happen all at once. It makes the reveal at the end about them less jarring if you spent the whole game investigating it. The end of the DLC should be either right before or right after Thessia.

[@alexanderthegreat6682]

That's what I did. It's a lot more fun that way

[@juzoli]

Citadel DLC is a bit awkward for me after Priority Horizon. That’s about the lowest point of the war, and everyone is stressed out. The only reason is to have all characters available. I like to play it after Ranoch, which is the highest point of the war, right after a string of some serious victories. The mood of the cree is the best at that point, so it is more reasonable to have some fun there,

[@Jedi_Spartan]

I'll probably try Citadel that way on a playthrough where Miranda died in ME2 or will die on Horizon.

[@TheGreatUnwashedThing]

My plan at the moment is to do the Citadel DLC after the final mission - with the idea being that the Stargazer is telling the child a lighter and easier story that doesn't really fit into the grand myth of the Reaper War.

[@juzoli]

@bones Yeah, I also said it in my comment. It is the only reason to delay.

[@BoluzB2]

I play it just before Thessia (and after Ranoch and the final submissions). Moods are up before Thessia and during Thessia Shepard and crew undergo their first great setback, because of Kai Leng. Has a real nice feel to it, because then they really have to dig deep. There is no room for partying from that point... only the fire to bring down Cerberus and take back earth.

[@juzoli]

@@BoluzB2 Exactly my reason. I even play the mission itself earlier, so I have more time visiting the strip and the apartment between missions. Otherwise I get this cool new place, and the Reapers take it immediately…

[@Mulluns]

The Leviathan DLC has some special dialogue options if you bring your love interest with you on the first and last mission in that DLC. So if you romanced Tali like I did, best to save it till after Priority: Rannoch.

[@francozuppi7185]

i cant express enough how helpful this is! thanks dan!

[@g1oneshotfinch]

I've been watching this channel running up to Legendary Edition coming out and it's been so fun looking at the choices I could make. Considering that all of the DLC is integrated into LE I think this was a great choice for a video.

[@AngelofAmbrosia]

Me: *Did Bring Down The Sky before I even did one of the first main missions because I didn’t realize I was doing a DLC and wanted to get explorations out of the way.* 🤦🏾‍♂️

[@PYG477]

I did the arrival pretty early in ME2 because i didnt knew it was that big for the overall story 🤣 Ahhh well i'll know it better for my next playthrough

[@faolon9343]

"Asteroid x57 sounds familiar. I'll do that. Hmm... Batarians taking over to crash the... ah dammit, this is the DLC with the big reward at the end..."

[@lambo2655]

Great choices except for one, I like to play the Shadow Broker DLC as soon as it unlocks because of all the benefits it provides for adding credits and locating planets with resources you need for ship & weapon/ gear upgrades. Return visits to the Shadow Broker will refresh with new mining locations etc. as you move through the story.

[@protonjones54]

very true, I hope more people do the same

[@liamclarke91]

If playing as a Paragon, you should do Kasumi's mission before Zaeed's, since the latter is the only one with a paragon speech check.

[@TheBlackKakashi]

I remember having to google this a long time ago.

[@zacharyscott6779]

This is exactly the order and time I've always played these DLC's haha. Great video as always, Dan! 👍

[@supermutant963]

My first playthrough ever and didn't even know I played the dlc

[@HonestTraveller]

Bringing down the sky is awesome, first time playing this trilogy

[@GTAVictor9128]

Well, you'll be glad to know that you'll be effectively doing the opposite in Arrival DLC.

[@HonestTraveller]

@@GTAVictor9128 which game is that in

[@GTAVictor9128]

@@HonestTraveller Mass Effect 2. Though it's best to play it as the very last DLC after completing the main story.

[@Kenneth_A_H]

glad to hear that ME is still getting new players!

[@EternalNightingale]

Ya same it was pretty cool seeing a new alien species after many hrs in ME1 I’m midway through ME2 rn and it’s really good

[@skylerrutherford9870]

I have never played the ME series and my friend just got me the legendary edition so I am ecstatic about getting to finally play them. Thanks for the best strategy in playing it correctly! I much appreciate this video!

[@jamiexxi]

Title cut off so I thought it was going to be “best order to play mass effect trilogy” and I was confused as hell 😂

[@Dinalae]

Loved hearing your thoughts on order! I always stress a lot about this when I play. My last run, I did Omega right after Thessia and it had a great “letting off steam… aggressively” for that 75% paragon Shepard.

[@drmattconrad77]

You’ve got to get Javik early because his comments are priceless.

[@alvinalichanh6272]

7:55 whoever played the Citadel DLC, I feel bad for those full renegade players because he or she never got to enjoy the full DLC experience which is hanging out with the Krogan legend Urdnot Wrex.

[@bird3713]

1:27 I've played ME2 and ME3 multiple times, but never played ME1 until the Legendary Edition. I did not realize this was a DLC mission - it was one of the first ME1 missions I ever did, and I was amazed at the high quality of this "side quest" and I thought "Wow, this totally beats most of the side content from ME2 and 3!"

[@Ikcatcher]

This has always been bothering me, I’m glad you helped answered it for me

[@LIONREV7]

In regards to ME2, i recommend to do Zaeed loyalty mission in the middle point of the game, because if you resolve the quest the paragon way, you need to use a blue dialogue to get his loyalty, which you may be unable to use if you are early in the adventure. The lair of the shadow broker should be done after finishing a small quest for Liara because she will leave her location if you start the DLC

[@dannage805]

Great videos man! You should definitely make a video going over the best optional companions to bring on certain missions (bringing Javik to Thessia for instance) I always have to fight the urge to just bring Garrus and Tali everywhere with me

[@Catcreeper_69]

When I first play mass effect, I also had the urge to bring Garrus and talk with me as well

[@trengilly01]

The thing is, there is unique dialogue for nearly everyone on the various missions. So you really can't go wrong. Javik has lots of good stuff on Thessia . . . but I've grown to actually prefer not to take him there . . . it adds more mystery to Thessia as you team tries to figure out what's going on and makes Liara's disbelief seem much more realistic than if Javik is there. And the after mission scene makes perfect sense if Javik didn't come on the mission.

[@resoody2]

I never got to play these the first time around so I’m super excited 😝

[@mauriciofontes]

You’re in for a treat then. IMHO ME DLCs are amazing, and some of them change the Trilogy on a fundamental level, for the better of course. Overlord, Shadow Broker and Leviathan are my personal favs. But they’re all brilliant. And Citadel is its own thing, beautiful and the best good-bye possible to your crew.

[@dedicatedtardito4229]

I would do Kasumi's loyality mission a little later when you leveled up a bit, since it's only the two of you and you got some tricky enemies to defeat.

[@mauriciofontes]

When I play a class that uses SMGs, I go for “Stolen Memory” immediately because it gives you the Locust, best SMG in-game. The Donovan Hock fight is challenging for a level 2 or 3 Shep, but absolutely doable, including Insanity.

[@sjsharp2007]

I tend t odo Bot hKasumi' sand Zaeed's midssions earl ymostly for the Locust and levelling up also I find usin gthe Cain on Hock's gunship takes him ou tfast and easily.

[@Kenneth_A_H]

@@mauriciofontes Agreed, the starting weapons for sentinel are a pistol and an smg both of which are crap. So go for that Locus early so you have a usable weapon. Make for damn sure your Overload and and Tech Shield are leveled though.

[@robertsun5529]

I just finished insanity run, and I always do it ASAP for that sweet locus sub machine gun lol

[@jekw23]

I remember the boss battle on insanity and how much I dreaded it. That was tricky. Just did it with the legendary edition on veteran and had no problem at all with my adept build. But that battle was one of the strongest memories from playing this back in 2012

[@jordanwilliams676]

I always play Bring Down The Sky immediately after leaving The Citadel in Mass Effect 1 for the first time.

[@Kenneth_A_H]

Ouch, the armor you get at the end is best for the endgame.

[@j.vinton4039]

@@Kenneth_A_H same with the Omni Tool you can score from the engineer at the end of the DLC

[@Jedi_Spartan]

4:32 Also there's an interesting detail with the ending of Arrival that changes who you confront. And given the narrative of it, playing it before the end somewhat lessens the impact of the main story in my opinion.

[@OneLastScholar]

Quite the opposite. Arrival doesn't have 10% of the thrill of the Suicide Mission. Playing it afterwards cheapens one of gaming's greatest finales. And waiting for ALL of Acts 2 and 3 to complete a mission with a ABSURD sense of urgency is just bad pacing, with only yourself to blame for it. So, Arrival and LOTSB are to be played BEFORE the SM. Both are "narrative bridges" to ME3, but BioWare unlocked them as soon as Act 2 starts for a reason: you don't have to do them last to remember that link. 2) LOTSB has A LOT of references to you and Cerberus, though you might not even be with Cerberus when the SM ends; in Arrival the only logical reason why you don't go to Earth right there and then is because, as Shepard tells the admiral even post-SM, they have a (Suicide!) "mission" to finish first. 3) Both LOTSB and Arrival provide sweet gameplay bonuses/upgrades that would be otherwise wasted by playing them post-SM. 4) ME2 has relatively few "main missions", with the bulk of the game relying on squadmate-related stuff so both DLCs help fill out the gaps. 5) If Admiral Steven Hackett pops up a giant hologram of his face that says "go", you fucking go.

[@TheNocturnal1]

Luiz Neto nope.

[@OneLastScholar]

Yep. The lack of *any* counter-arguments speaks by itself.

[@mmmkmmmkmmmmkmmmk7779]

​@@OneLastScholar "Arrival doesn't have 10% of the thrill of the Suicide Mission. Playing it afterwards cheapens one of gaming's greatest finales." LOL The Wife really, really enjoyed that DLC watching me play. Can't wait for her reaction to SM. All the points you have there I agree with 100%, In addition for me doing all the DLCs/Side Missions it gives me a nice buildup (those DELICIOUS mission upgrades) to SM which brings ME2 to a satisfying conclusion knowing I've done all I can in the game before jumping straight to ME3.

[@jvondd]

Here's my take on the Citadel DLC; start it whenever you want. You don't have to throw the party right away, but if you want to get the full effect of the main missions, wait until you have Tali and the Virmire survivor on your squad. Once that's done, you can periodically check in to do some fun side adventures, and throw the party after the Sanctuary mission to make sure as many guests can attend as possible.

[@angelganon8213]

I recommend doing lair of the shadow broker whenever you can. If you wait until after you beat the game you will miss some weapon upgrades that can help you

[@carljohnson7]

Ill save this video, started playing mass effect for the first time and Ill come back to this later

[@DeaSunCZ]

Omega after the Citadel coup for added narrative effect. And Leviathan best started when it becomes available, but finished after you visit Thessia for the first time.

[@KyleTaylorDesigns]

Mass Effect 1 If you think you can handle it, I prefer to do Bring Down the Sky before any of the main quests. My reason for that is Shepard being an Alliance solder and Admiral Hacket treats you as such, it makes sense to get a big N7 mission out of the way before being allowed to commit to the specture tasks. Plus being introduced to the Batarians early gives more context when they are referenced but not seen throughout the rest of the game. Mass Effect 2 For ME2 I recruit Kasumi and Zieed complete their loyalty missions when available (unless you plan to kill off Zieed, then wait until before the Arival mission). Next check out the SR1 crash site to get character closer. Once all other main and side missions are done, then I do the Shadow Broker mission before the IFF mission; doing things in this order completes Liarra's story ark for the game and ties up the loose end of why she isn't able to come with on the Collector Base mission. Then finally do the Arrival mission after as an end game epilogue as it will tie into the beginning of the next game. Mass Effect 3 To start, once you have Kaiden/Ashley, start From Ashes mission since it is on Eden Prime (first mission in ME1 for those characters). Then once you compete Rannok, do Leviathan mission; this gives more lore bombs of the Reapers before going to Thesia. The next bit it hard to place because the certain parts of the Citadel DLC work better in different points in the story, but since that can't be helped as you have to finish one DLC mission before moving to the next and most late game missions are Cerberus focused, it makes the most sense to approach as the following. Finish Aria's side quest on the Citadel, then launch the Omega mission (once complete Aria's story is done and even through she's still on the Citadel with no new dislodge or reason to talk to her, I like to think remained on Omega after it was liberated.) Next proceed with Sanctuary like normal, then launch the Citadel DLC; the Clone mission closes up the Lazarus project back story of Shepard's resurrection from Cerberus in ME2. Plus the other shore leave missions help reafirm the bond Shepard made with these characters over the past 3 games and serves as the calm before the climax. After which you playing through Cronus Station and the endgame makes more sense from a native standpoint.

[@stevenstice6683]

On Paragon playthroughs, I save Zaeed's Price of Revenge for one of the last Loyalty missions so I can pass the speech check at the end.

[@SethTraplifeGLO999]

I'm having so much fun then my whole apartment lost power...... but this video mad helpful

[@Arijit_Das_]

I think doing "Bring down the sky" as early as possible is beneficial because it gives you some top of the line equipments which are really helpful in later missions.

[@tlotpwist3417]

I remember it to be harder than the rest of the game. Depends on your preferred teammates i bet but it could be a problem doing it too early.

[@Arijit_Das_]

@@tlotpwist3417 i actually did it at veteran difficulty after completing therum and noveria.

[@johnnyboogalo4897]

Also can give you some paragon or renagade points that help too

[@shinkuakuma1118]

Miranda not being there for the party bummed me out but it works so well. She's busy dealing with her father's bullshit and to busy to party we're stuck on R&R but making the best of it.

[@constantdoodle32]

You get a like from me just because you’ve played through the trilogy 10 times. Respect dude

[@coryferguson7390]

You can start the citadel dlc after Rannoch and still have Miranda at the final party. Take out your clone then just wait until after Sanctuary to start the party.

[@neanu7377]

Well, since I haven't played any of the DLCs and I'm planning on getting Legendary Edition in a few weeks, this video will definitely help when I get into the DLC stuff

[@danielmacdonald9287]

The final part of the Leviathan DLC is best played after Thessia. The first two sections can be played at any time, but doing Leviathan before Thessia kinds mcks up the surprise of the Prothean AI's words when we speak to it at the temple. I find that the Citadel DLC works well after Rannoch, as a sort of breather after all of the crazy shit that has happened, and right before you head into the end game.

[@ShizuokaJoe]

The very first time I played the Shadow Broker dlc, it was after my first ME2 play through and felt awkward because of the source of the information that sets you off to talk to Liara feels out of place by that point. Best to do it sometime during the loyalty missions phase of the game.

[@E1N9A8N0DA]

Just the fact that the Shadow Broker says that the Collectors' offer for your head "still standing" by his own words justifies playing the DLC BEFORE taking the fight to thé Collector Base. Otherwise, it's somehow dumb to hear about a bounty from a dead organization.

[@muhammadhamiz7318]

wait, the asteroid thing was a DLC?! literally the first side quest I did after I became specter.

[@KonigDesTodes]

The only place I do different is Shadowbroker and Arrival DLCs for ME2. Because (SPOILERS FOR ARRIVAL) Arrival always ends with Hackette telling Shepard to "finish what he's doing", it makes sense to do *something* after Arrival, and Shadowbroker fits the best, imo. The ending to Lair of the Shadowbroker is a nice ending in of itself, too, and helping out Liara with her problem is a nice "final act before turning myself in to the Alliance for questioning" deal, and something that most Shepards would put house arrest on hold for.

[@josephagundez5336]

I've played ME2 and ME3 countless times, but I've never played the first game until now with the Legendary Edition. The Bring Down the Sky DLC was really good and adds more weight to the Batarian interaction in ME3.

[@RainmanMP]

So if you saved Ashley on Virmire, you get some cool unique dialogue if you bring her along when recruiting Javik. Granted then you miss out on Javik for the first half of the game.

[@jeaddhist]

I think Kaidan also has unique dialogue so it doesn't matter who you save on Virmire.

[@johnrausch3426]

Love your ME videos! Just played Legendary Edition and played ME3 DLC for first time & really enjoyed them! A must for expanding the ME world.

[@matthewsanchez742]

My dumbass played through all 3 games thinking I never got the DLC implemented. I’m over here fighting clone me in ME3 thinking “That’s crazy that they put this into the story while we’re preparing for the reapers”

[@MrSonicHedgehog]

Wrex and Grunt saying Shepard just to get a response always cracks me up

[@ClaireZhasa]

I do the Citadel DLC right before Chronos Station since you're getting the Normandy repaired right before you launch your final assault

[@2starkiller]

Kasumi's mission unlocks such a great weapon for non-soldier classes that I always do it as early as possible when playing a tech or biotic class.

[@friedipar]

I glanced over the title in the list and first thought that this video was about in what order you should play the games in the trilogy lol

[@Madmonkeman]

Everyone knows the best order to play is 2, then 1, then 3 lol.

[@friedipar]

@@Madmonkeman exactly!

[@WilliamDoheny]

If the group photo is any indication, I know why you want Miranda around for the Citadel DLC.

[@emilioa.bayardoarceo758]

I love Wrex and Grunt! Are the best and so Funny! I played the citadel after Ranoch mission, and... damn. Know what's going on at the end, makes the best DLC of ME3. Cuz show us the normandy it's more than a space ship. It's a home for many of the characters and the most important thing... Commander Shepard is no one without his/her crew. Thanks to all of them, the commander is who is.

[@xenomorph1238]

Personally, lore wise at least, I never liked playing the Omega DLC until after the Sanctuary Mission. Due to the presence of the Adjutants on the station. I just don't think it makes sense to find out that Cerberus is creating Reaper monsters until after you find this out at Sanctuary. You could even say that Cerberus figured out how to create the Adjutants from the research they got at Sanctuary, especially since near the end of the DLC Cerberus figured out how to control these Reaper creatures, something they noted was only doable thanks to their efforts at Sanctuary.

[@barrettlevenec4492]

You da bomb Big Dan!

[@EvilVentura]

I don't think the Citadel DLC is in anyway awkward considering there's a war on. Basically the final assault is planned and so the Normandy needs to be in the best shape possible so it's ordered to the Citadel for repairs. The team has to wait anyway so what? Are they gonna sit and anxiously wait, or can they take a few days to actually try and unwind before the biggest fight of their lives? Also I love it. The whole ME3 is a huge downer 99% of the time. The Reapers, all the death and destruction, the pressure, the "ruthless calculus of war" and the demise of beloved characters (I still cry when Mordin and Legion die). So I love the fact that devs included a DLC that is pretty much a huge comic relief.

[@rockymckay1705]

Leviathan shouldn’t be completed until after thessia. From a role playing perspective, you do this: Bryson’s lab after the citadel attack, before rannoch: Shepard learns of leviathan, Shepard does rannoch and talks with the reaper After talking with killing a reaper Shepard wants to learn more about leviathan, for obvious reasons After learning more one must return to the lab, it’s here you get your next destination but while on the citadelle you meet with the Asari counselor. Thessia has the key to the catalyst That takes priority: thessia: then, after how that mission goes shep is desperate: continues with leviathan, does the next mission, after that time must be taken anyway, so then you do sanctuary (I hear omega is better after sanctuary as well) After sanctuary, finally you go find leviathan, finding out more about the reapers just before you go fight them on earth This is the way

[@Jedi_Spartan]

I'm thinking of doing something like this on a future playthrough (although perhaps starting a little earlier) since its the one DLC that doesn't lock you into the main story for its duration. That sort of method makes the discovery of Leviathan a mystery that Shepard is forced to place as just a secondary concern that they're only able to focus on when the Normandy crew get chances to breathe and whenever they stop off at the Citadel for shore leave (general dockings rather than DLC), to complete missions from allies or to turn in items/artifacts, as a slow build to the reveal of Leviathan.

[@markmatthews9102]

As s noob here - really useful video and really useful other comments, cheers! 😊

[@johnspartan98]

I recommend playing the citadel DLC as early as possible to get the silenced pistol which is the most powerful pistol in the game. Save the party for after the Sanctuary Mission, that way Miranda can be invited. Don't forget to come on to Kelly Chambers until she finally gets you to invite her to your cabin for dinner....then after that she offers to take care of your fish (and more if you play her right).

[@jase276]

Kelly looks so off in the remaster that it probably isn't worth going for more than just someone who feeds your fish

[@thedarkincarnate]

ME3 From Ashes imo is best done after palavien that way u can have instant access to Javik & hear all his banter with the crew, during & after missions afterwards

[@arthuralexandermatveychuk974]

totally agreed, he is so cantankerous and grumpy and that's the funniest part 😂

[@GreenDinoRanger]

My recent order of DLC changed in the LE playthrough and may become my staple order for a more immersive playthrough. *Bring Down the Sky after Therum *Kasumi and Zaeed loyalty missions before Horizon *Normandy Crash Site immediately after Horizon *Lair of the Shadow Broker immediately before Collector Ship *Firewalker after Collector Ship *Project Overlord immediately before Reaper IFF *Arrival after Suicide mission *From Ashes immediately after Priority Sur'Kesh (which is done immediately after Priority Palaven) *Omega immediately after Priority Citadel II *Leviathan (part 1) after Ardat Yahkshi Monastery *Citadel (mission) immediately after Priority Rannoch *Leviathan (part 2) after Citadel DLC *Leviathan (part 3) after Priority Horizon *Citadel (party) after Leviathan DLC

[@MonkeyManPrime64]

For me, I usually do the first part of the Citadel DLC (the stuff with the clone) before Thessia. For tonal and role-playing purposes, it makes sense to do this before Thessia because everyone is in general high spirits beforehand and the joking and funny atmosphere of the clone mission adds onto it right before Thessia, where Cerberus beats Shepard to the punch and sours everyone’s mood. This gives me time to hang out with all of Shepard’s friends before the party and the final mission, since players don’t get all the invitations right away. Or at least I don’t. Then I do Leviathan after Horizon (because this seems like a good place to reveal where the Reapers came from right before the final missions) then when I’ve hung out with everyone and did the Armax stuff, I do the party right before the Cronos Station mission. That way even Miranda can join. From a role-play perspective this makes sense since the Illusive Man’s base is a huge deal because of the Prothean VI retrieval, so one last shore leave with everyone to clear their heads seems like the right fit for the party to me.

[@willbrolley262]

I'd actually advise starting the Citadel DLC basically ASAP; there's lots of small quests and crew interactions as part of it, and if you unlock them early it feels more organic as they come up one by one, rather than having to leave and come back to the Citadel multiple times to advance the storylines. Jack's storyline, for example, cannot be easily be pursued in one go. Wait to start the party though, absolutely. Gotta have Miranda at the party.

[@horrorpleb249]

Lets be honest, we all did the arrival DLC after the suicide mission in ME2 because when you speak to Harbinger, he appears in his reaper form instead of the collector he took control of. It just feels canonically accurate

[@BalgaBear]

When I first played Mass Effect I remember becoming a Spectre near the end of the story, like a big stepping stone into finally hunting down Saren. Now in Legendary Edition, it was about the 8th thing I did on the Citadel and then did MORE on the Citadel before even leaving for the first time!

[@beefjerky007]

Since UPS is taking its sweet time delivering the game to me, I’ll watch this video to tide me over!

[@iandavis4213]

Same problem with me, my copy’ll be here Monday.

[@minlow7831]

Same I might get it tomorrow maybe

[@rabblerouserorc8649]

I like to do Citadel's main mission story right after the Citadel Coup, then save the party until after Sanctuary so you have everyone who survived. It makes sense that before the final push, Shep and his crew get a small break to blow off some steam as the fleets assemble for the attack. This way you can also strut around the Citadel's DLC area between missions to catch up with old friends as you find them out in the world as the story progresses.

[@tjreed7797]

Completed all the dlc in ME2 in order before the final mission since I plan to move onto ME3 once I'm done with ME2.

[@Franju98]

Good thing you can do the mission of the DLC Citadel, and leave the party for the final, in case you want early that amazing pistol that can kill enemys in seconds and that weapon of ME1

[@22RiaKon22]

Last time I played ME:LE, I thought hard about ME3 DLC. Finally, I settled with this order: From the Ashes - before Priority Palaven (leaves Javik time to accommodate for one mission) Omega - after the attack on the Citadel (as a payback) Citadel - after completing Priority Rannoch (many victories achieved, so Shepard can rest before everything is ready) Leviathan - start whenever after Citadel DLC (it goes well with the darker tone of the rest of the game)

[@Genesis.1-1]

Thanks for your video. I'm new to the ME franchise and there is a dearth of information about the game online, especially compared with other franchises. I made it through the Fallout series, Skyrim, the Long Dark, CIV series, Assassins Creed... largely through trial and error and content creators sharing their knowledge and experience.

[@fozzylozzy1131]

overlord messed with my head so much I had to stop playing for the day, like I'm so glad I get to speak with David Archer in 3. also it's funny how if you wear a dress as fem shep she basically is flashing wrex and grunt by spreading her legs, which probably gives context to the scene tbf

[@dustingdustin]

I always start the citadel dlc after uniting the geth and the quarians. After a massive victory, the Normandy goes in for retrofits and shore leave. I defeat my clone, then do Omega and Leviathan while also spending time with my crew in between. Then it’s back onto the main story up until the point of no return. THEN I have the party as our last hurrah before heading off to our destiny. It’s super satisfying every time.

[@ZrodyApo]

For my playthroughs I tend to do this : ME 1 : Bring down the sky right before any main story mission for the hugh bonus paragon/renegade points ME 2 : Overlord and firewalker before Horizon. Kasumi (for the weapon) and Zaeed (paragon/renegade points) asap. Shadow Broker often before the IFF mission. Arrival after the suicide mission. ME 3 : I get Javik asap. Omega after priority citadel. Leviathan spread out between tuchanka and the quarians. Citadel after the quarians and I meet the companions in between until I get Miranda.

[@karlsmith2570]

I'd always played the Omega mission in ME3 after the Priority Tuchanka mission As far as Kasumi and Zaeed's personal missions, I'd do those missions as soon as I'd recruited Kasumi and Zaeed The "From Ashes" DLC, I'd after palaven and before the mission where you reunite with Jack

[@jonathancolon7681]

I always like doing the Omega DLC and the lavanint DLC before doing the mission where you get the Krogan female Eve.

[@ThejollyFrenchman]

I never had an internet connection back in the day, when I was a kid, so I had no access to any DLCs. Stoked to play them now, especially the Citadel one.

[@FEelDaPAinO]

Personally I like to do Lair of the Shadow Broker before I finish the main quest. Like yeah it's cool that Liara comments on the fact that you have defeated the Collectors if you wait, but if you do it before defeating the Collectors than she talks about how she has all these resources at her disposal and now she can use them to help you in your fight. It's a minor difference but it makes me feel like Liara is more involved with the main quest than she normally is.

[@Sibster45678]

I found that the best way to play Omega is right after saving Jacob and the Cerberus Scientists because you barely see Cerberus after Omega.

[@SMmania123]

For me in its Play Bring down the sky before Virmire in ME1, Then in ME2 do every other base game mission you can before saving Jack, DLCs Firewalker and Overlord included, after a story mission or 2 you'll be on Illium you have to make contact with Liara T'Soni so might as well get all that Lair of the Shadow Broker done and finished. It makes sense because A your already there, B if you're in a relationship with her your gonna wanna help her out asap. Illium has filled with content 2 companion story arcs, 1 DLC, loyalty missions, and side missions. Do Arrival after ME2 final mission. For ME3 just follow what Dan said in the video it really is the best option.

[@tjreed7797]

Just finished ME1 and started ME2!

[@joshuazamora5055]

Citadel DLC is always my last DLC to play because I want all friends and squad to become available.

[@anonymous6666]

thanks BEEG dan! been watching since 1k subs, what a journey! keep it up man. love the content