Mass Effect 3 Priority: Geth Dreadnought Guide (PS3)

This walkthrough page from the Mass Effect 3 wiki guide covers the Priority: Geth Dreadnought mission in detail, focusing on combat routing, where to collect items, and which dialogue options to choose during key moments.

Key takeaways

You must complete “Priority: Perseus Veil” before you can start this mission.
Rewards include 1,500 XP, +15 reputation, and 12,500 credits, plus specific weapon and mod drops.
On the trip in, Tali is strongly recommended (and required if alive), with Sabotage highlighted as a key tool versus Geth.
The Operations Center fight includes cloaked Geth Hunters, with Overload/disruptor ammo and sniping tactics suggested.
In the core, you’ll face Geth Turrets and two Geth Primes, and you’re told to sabotage Rocket Troopers instead of the Primes.
Right after the cutscene in the core, you must collect listed items before stepping onto the Quarian elevator, since returning is impossible.

Checklists

The page is structured as a set of jump-to checkpoints for the mission, including mission breakdown sections like boarding the Dreadnought, moving through the main battery, reaching the drive core, disabling the ship, and then returning to the Normandy.

Mission Stats
Board the Dreadnought
Traverse the Main Battery
Get to the Drive Core
Disable the Dreadnought
Back on the Normandy

Mission Stats

Video Guide

The guide includes a video section for Priority: Geth Dreadnought.

Mission Rewards

Mission Experience: 1,500 XP
Reputation: +15
Mission Credits: 12,500 credits
Found Credits: 12,500 credits
Weapons:
- Arc Pistol
- Geth Pulse Rifle
Armor: Archon Visor
Mods:
- Shotgun Smart Choke
- Sniper Rifle Enhanced Scope
- SMG Scope
- Assault Rifle Precision Scope

Arc Pistol
Geth Pulse Rifle

Shotgun Smart Choke
Sniper Rifle Enhanced Scope
SMG Scope
Assault Rifle Precision Scope

Mission Enemies

Geth Trooper
Geth Rocket Trooper
Geth Hunter
Geth Prime

Travel to the Dreadnought

Prerequisite: Complete “Priority: Perseus Veil”
Location: Perseus Veil – Tikkun – Geth Dreadnought

The Geth Dreadnought is located in the Tikkun system, which is the only system you can reach when you’re in Perseus Veil. When you approach, you’ll see three targeting crosshairs around the star, but the Dreadnought is the one positioned between the star and the first planet, Rannoch. If you’re bringing Tali, the guide advises upgrading her Powers in the setup screen, with emphasis on Sabotage and Combat Drone.

Recommended Loadout

Squad Tactics:
- If Tali is part of your party, she must be brought on this mission, since her Sabotage is framed as an essential tactic against Geth enemies.
- EDI is described as a strong recommendation due to her Tech-power focus, which works well against Geth.
- If Tali is unavailable because she’s dead, you can select any second squadmate. In that case, Garrus is suggested for Overload and Armor-Piercing Ammo.
Unique Dialogue:
- EDI is noted as offering the most distinct dialogue, specifically because she’s an AI.
- Javik is also recommended for Prothean lore content, particularly if you completed the Arrival DLC in Mass Effect 2.
Shepard’s Loadout:
- A Sniper Rifle is recommended for taking down Geth Hunters aboard the ship, with the guide stressing that the level features extremely long sightlines.
- If you can’t use a sniper rifle comfortably, an Assault Rifle with a scope mod is offered as a practical backup.

If Tali is part of your party, she must be brought on this mission, since her Sabotage is framed as an essential tactic against Geth enemies.
EDI is described as a strong recommendation due to her Tech-power focus, which works well against Geth.
If Tali is unavailable because she’s dead, you can select any second squadmate. In that case, Garrus is suggested for Overload and Armor-Piercing Ammo.

EDI is noted as offering the most distinct dialogue, specifically because she’s an AI.
Javik is also recommended for Prothean lore content, particularly if you completed the Arrival DLC in Mass Effect 2.

A Sniper Rifle is recommended for taking down Geth Hunters aboard the ship, with the guide stressing that the level features extremely long sightlines.
If you can’t use a sniper rifle comfortably, an Assault Rifle with a scope mod is offered as a practical backup.

Board the Dreadnought

You begin inside the docking tube, which is damaged enough that its artificial gravity isn’t functioning. The guide warns this can be disorienting, but suggests that when you reach what looks like a dead end, you can climb the tube walls to locate an alternate route. Using this approach, you can cross the space all the way to the Dreadnought.

At the start, move toward the right side to locate a View Point where Shepard looks out at the Dreadnought. From there, head left to find a second View Point where you can look toward Rannoch. Eventually, though, the tube completely detaches, forcing you to move through the ship interior so your two squadmates can board as well.

Shotgun Smart Choke – This weapon modification is hidden early. Drop down from the ledge, then climb up onto the light gray block that runs left-to-right across the room. Travel left along it to reach the mod sitting on the far platform.

Next, head to the right side of the room and move left around the rubble. Climb the ladder inside the hull opening, then turn right and jump across a gap to reach a green panel door. This area contains another airlock that your squadmates can use to enter the ship.

Geth Data – 1.875 credits. In this room, turn left at the intersection and go down the ramp toward the airlock. On the right side, you’ll find a Terminal that contains the item.

Go back to the intersection and take the ladder nearby. Then use the Docking Controls on the terminal to your right. This is where you can pick up the Arc Pistol, and the guide notes you must collect it manually—if you miss it, you can purchase it later at Elkoss Combine after the mission.

Arc Pistol

The Arc Pistol is described as a special weapon that outclasses the starting pistols, comes with a healthy ammo reserve, and deals heavy damage to shields and synthetics. It also lets you charge shots to increase their impact. The drawbacks are that its standard shots are weaker than other mid-game pistols and that it carries significant weight for a pistol.

Reach the Operations Center

In the following room, your objective is to get the Operations Center marked on your HUD so you can plan how you want to approach the fight.

Sniper Rifle Enhanced Scope – After passing through the airlock-like area, check the right side of the terminal directly ahead of you, and slightly left of a GARDIAN Battery interaction point.

When you reach a break in the route, look for the Bridge Controls to keep progressing through the ship. The first Geth you meet after using the Bridge Controls are Geth Troopers; the guide describes them as basic enemies that are easy to eliminate and not very threatening. Geth Rocket Troopers are more dangerous, because they can fire rockets that strip your shield on contact and stagger Shepard.

Rocket Troopers also have shields. The guide recommends Overload and Disruptor Ammo as effective tools, and suggests using a Sniper Rifle to keep them at distance so you can avoid rockets. It also calls Rocket Troopers a good target for hacking—specifically, you can Sabotage them immediately and then let them destroy their own allies.

Geth Data – 2,500 credits. Near the end of this walkway segment, watch for a terminal around the intersection where you turn right toward the exit door. The item is on the right side of that terminal.

Go through the green panel door at the end of the hall. Beyond it, you’ll pass through several rooms lined with data panels. Search the area for loot, and also look for three Consoles that contain interesting conversations—especially if you brought EDI or Javik in your squad.

Archon Visor – After entering the first door, go straight to the Signal Console, then look left.
Geth Pulse Rifle – This is in the second enemy-free room right before the Op Center. When you enter, turn left, then search the wall on your right side.

Geth Pulse Rifle

The Geth Pulse Rifle is described as highly accurate, firing quickly with a very large ammo pool. Its tradeoff is that each individual shot does little damage, so you need to keep firing continuously rather than relying on quick “pot shots,” such as the style you might use with weapons like the Mattock.

The guide also highlights an extra issue with the 1.00 original release version and the Legendary Edition: instead of being light, the Geth Pulse Rifle is extremely heavy, making it less appealing than you might expect.

When you arrive in the large Operations Center chamber, you’ll face Geth Hunters. These cloaked Geth carry shields and rush your position, then fire shotguns at close range. If you can’t pick them off from far away, the guide suggests using Overload to break their cloak. It also notes that spraying shotgun fire at their shimmering “essence” can help.

Data Console – Return to the room’s entrance and face inward. Walk toward the central section, then inspect the right-hand corner of the central hologram to find it.
SMG Scope – On the raised platform across the room from where you enter is a Weapon Mod. It sits to the left of the Operation Center Controls.
Geth Data – 1,250 credits. This is on the right side of the Operation Center Console.

After you access the controls and set your plan, additional Geth will pour into the room. The guide advises that Tali’s Defense Drone can help keep Geth Hunters from getting too close by zapping them and making them visible when they approach. If you stick close to Tali, you can then pick off the Hunters as they close the gap.

Get to the Drive Core

Leave the Operations Center through the door the Geth used to enter, then head down the shaft using the ladders along the way.

Geth Data – 1,250 credits. After sliding down the second ladder in the shaft, look left for a terminal.
Med Kit – 50 XP. At the bottom of the shaft, you’ll find this Med Ket to the left of the green panel exit door.

The long hallway leading to the core has periodic shockwaves that strip away your shields. Staying in cover is one way to reduce damage, but the guide also recommends learning the audio cues that indicate an incoming shockwave. Even so, you can still peek out and shoot Geth while you’re in cover, and being close behind walls can provide enough protection.

The heavy wave of Geth in this tunnel should be handled from long range. Use a Sniper Rifle and Sabotage if you have them. You can also climb up into the upper section on the right side to get a break from the shockwave, but the guide warns that enemies can flank you in that area. It further notes that your AI companions are likely to repeatedly get in the shockwave’s path and die. To reduce that risk, place your squadmates into cover positions using the D-Pad and hope they remain there.

Geth Data – 1,250 credits. On the left side of the shockwave tube is a lower area with a terminal you can Salvage. Also watch your right side for a pair of ladders: go to the bottom of the second ladder, then move into the lower area down a nearby ramp to find the terminal at the bottom.

The shockwave weapon’s Maintenance Override is at the far end of the tunnel. Use it to temporarily shut down the cannon so you can pass through its barrel. Inside the tube, you’ll need to sprint all the way to the far end, leaping gaps as you go. If you don’t start moving immediately after the cutscene ends, you’ll be vaporized and have to restart the short segment.

The next section resembles the last, but shockwaves now come in pairs. Keep far back in cover and pick off the large group of Geth. Only move from one cover position to the next after the Hunters are cleared out.

If you’re playing the Wii U Special Edition, the guide notes you can find an M-597 Ladon after sliding down the ladder to the final section of the main battery hall. It will be on your right atop a low metal structure, beside a pair of Thermal Clips.

At the hall’s end, there’s a ramp on the left that leads to an interface door. This route takes you to the elevator for the Core.

Geth Data – 1,875 credits. Before stepping onto the elevator, head right around the elevator platform to locate a terminal that holds Geth Data.

In the elevator shaft, a pair of Geth will fire rockets at you, destabilizing the lift. You need to sprint to reach Tali and then climb up to safety. The next area works like the previous shaft, except there’s no combat—only now you’re moving upward rather than down.

Med Kit – 50 XP. After climbing the first and only ladder, you can find a Med Kit on the corner terminal directly ahead.

Disable the Dreadnought

Inside the Core, you’ll open the Reaper Signal Transmitter and find a Geth inside. Which character you encounter depends on decisions you made earlier in the series:

If you chose not to sell Legion in Mass Effect 2 and Legion survived the final mission (or if you primarily built your squad using the Genesis 2 DLC), that character will appear in the transmitter.
If not, you’ll instead encounter a replacement called the Geth VI.

For simplicity, the guide refers to either option as “Geth Sniper.” In the prompt, choose the upper-right response for +2 Paragon Points or the lower-right response for +2 Renegade Points.

NOTICE

After the cutscene, make sure you grab the items listed below BEFORE stepping onto the elevator with your Quarian. The guide warns that once you move on, you won’t be able to return to this spot.

Assault Rifle Precision Scope – Directly to your right immediately after the Geth Sniper cutscene, sitting on top of a terminal.
Geth Data – 2,500 credits. Located in the opposite corner of the lower area from the Assault Rifle Precision Scope, also on a terminal.

Then take the lift upward and make a left U-turn to locate the Data Core Override.

The next confrontation includes several Geth Turrets and, more importantly, two Geth Primes. These tall enemies move slowly, but their shots are extremely hazardous. They also deploy support drones and come with strong Shields and Armor, meaning you’ll need to use your powers carefully.

Sabotage isn’t effective against the Geth Prime, so the guide suggests using it on the Rocket Troopers instead so they turn against the rest of the fight. Visibility is also described as poor, so the recommendation is to stay on elevated ground. If you find a solid cover position, take your time clearing threats one by one. You must eliminate every Geth in the area to move on; once you do, the Quarian Fleet begins firing at the Dreadnought.

After the room is cleared, you’re forced into a fast escape through the Hangar. During the run, many things will explode, but the guide says the route is linear toward the objective, so you shouldn’t worry about getting stuck or lost. A hangar-bay cutscene plays, and that’s when the combat portion of the mission ends.

Back on the Normandy

After speaking with Admiral Hackett, you regroup with the Quarian Admirals to discuss, among other things, Gerrel firing at the Dreadnought while you were still aboard it. During the conversation, you can choose:

“I agree” for +2 Paragon Points.
“You are out of control” for +2 Renegade Points.
- If you select this option, Gerrel objects; then you can use a Renegade Interrupt to punch him in the gut and order him off your ship, awarding +5 Renegade Points.

If you select this option, Gerrel objects; then you can use a Renegade Interrupt to punch him in the gut and order him off your ship, awarding +5 Renegade Points.

After that scene, the Geth Sniper joins the conversation. Normally, the Admirals would be stunned to see a Geth aboard the ship, but if you arranged for Legion to be present in “Tali: Treason” in Mass Effect 2, they’ll be far more composed. Admiral Xen in particular shows interest in studying the Geth. When prompted, you can:

Choose “No” for +2 Paragon Points.
- When Xen presses the issue, you can trigger a Paragon Interrupt for +5 Paragon Points.
Choose “Later” for +2 Renegade Points.

When Xen presses the issue, you can trigger a Paragon Interrupt for +5 Paragon Points.

After the scene, you’ll notice the Normandy is picking up a corrupted Distress Call. The guide notes it will repeat forever, but you have a window after examining it and having EDI decipher it—until the moment the call transitions to static—to Warn Raan. If you handle it in time, you gain +5 Reputation.

From there, it’s back to the usual ship sweep, and the guide lists who to talk to:

CIC – Alongside the Geth Sniper, Raan has new dialogue if you ask about the Civilian Fleet and Admiral Xen, and Tali receives a new greeting. Also speak with Traynor, Joker, and EDI.
Crew Deck – Talk to your Virmire Survivor, Liara, and Garrus.
Engineering – Speak with Allers and Javik, but note that he will have a walk-in conversation with Tali.
Shuttle Bay – Talk to Cortez and James.

Want more Mass Effect 3 support? The guide points readers toward additional pages covering changes, general how-to content, key decisions and their outcomes, romances, the walkthrough, and side missions.

Legendary Edition Changes
How-To Guides
Key Choices and Consequences
Romance Guide
Walkthrough
Side Missions

Mass Effect 3 Priority: Geth Dreadnought Guide—Combat, Items, and Dialogue Choices

Key takeaways

Checklists