Mass Effect 3 Intel Bonuses Guide: Locations, Unlocks, and Rewards
Mass Effect 3 players looking to squeeze out small, permanent upgrades can track down Intel Bonuses—collectible rewards redeemed at the Intel Terminal in Liara’s Cabin aboard the Normandy SR-2. Here’s a full, in-order walkthrough of every Intel Bonus listed on the guide page, including where to find each one and what you need to unlock them.
Checklists
- +5% Ammo Capacity
- +5% Shield Strength
- +5% Ammo Capacity
- +5% Weapon Damage
- +5% Store Discount
- +5% Power Recharge Speed
- +5% Power Damage
- +5% Power Recharge Speed
- +5% Weapon Damage
- +5% Shields
- +5% Power Damage
- +5% Health
- Heal Renegade Scars
- +5% Health
- +5% Weapon Damage
- +5% Ammo Capacity
- +5% Power Damage
- +5% Store Discount
- +5% Shields
- +5% Power Damage
- +5% Shield Regen Speed
- +5% Power Recharge Speed
- +5% Power Recharge Speed
- +5% Power Damage
- +10% Weapon Damage
- +10% Power Damage
The bonuses above are ordered by the earliest point you can obtain each one. Also, keep in mind that any collected Intel is wiped when you begin a New Game + run—something especially important if you’re playing on higher difficulty settings.
Armor Modkit
- Prerequisite: Complete the Lair of the Shadow Broker DLC in Mass Effect 2.
- Location: SSV Normandy SR-2 – CIC – Vid Comm
- Bonus Selection:
- +5% Ammo Capacity
- +5% Shield Strength
The earliest Intel Bonus you can receive isn’t something you find in a level—it’s tied to importing a Mass Effect 2 save. Finish the Lair of the Shadow Broker DLC, then carry that profile into Mass Effect 3. You’ll redeem it after Shepard speaks with Admiral Hackett at the end of “Priority: The Citadel 1”.
Weapon Upgrade Kit
- Location: Kite’s Nest – Harsa – Verush
- Bonus Selection:
- +5% Ammo Capacity
- +5% Weapon Damage
The Weapon Upgrade Kit is the first Intel you can locate via Search and Rescue. To reach it, travel to the Kite’s Next cluster along the “southeastern” edge of the Milky Way. Once you land in the Harsa system, scan the third planet, Verush, then deploy a probe to recover the Intel.
Remains of Reaper Destroyer
- Requires: From Ashes DLC
- Location: Exodus Cluster – Asgard – Borr
- Bonus Selection:
- +5% Store Discount
- +5% Power Recharge Speed
This Intel matters because it’s one of the two sources of the Store Discount bonus (with the other being Gallae’s Electronic Signature). It’s tied to DLC—specifically the From Ashes add-on—and is available from the start if you’re playing the Wii U or Legendary Editions. It’s also included in the original 2012 Steam release.
Outside of that, the item is accessible from the beginning of your Mass Effect 3 run. To locate it, head to the Exodus Cluster in the southeastern portion of the map, then fly east to the Asgard system (expect to spend about 300 fuel). In Asgard, scan the second planet, the gas giant Borr, then fire a probe at it to collect the Intel.
Advanced Biotic Implants
- Prerequisite: Start “Ismar Frontier: Prototype Components”
- Location: Ismar Frontier – Aquila – Metaponto
- Bonus Selection:
- +5% Power Damage
- +5% Power Recharge Speed
WARNING
This Intel becomes inaccessible if you do not start “Ismar Frontier: Prototype Components” before “Priority: Tuchanka“! Make sure to grab it before then!
The Advanced Biotic Implants Intel is tied to an early side objective. After completing “Priority: Palaven”, you can find a Salarian Doctor in one of the side rooms and overhear him to obtain the “Ismar Frontier: Prototype Components” Side Mission. That unlocks the Ismar Frontier cluster, letting you pick up the Intel and the components he wants—because the guide notes they’re effectively the same thing.
To obtain it, go to Ismar Frontier on the northwestern Milky Way border, where you’ll reach Aquila. Scan the fourth planet, Metaponto, a blue gas giant near the Mass Relay. Enter orbit, begin scanning, and follow the on-screen marker to launch a probe at the indicated spot.
Intel from Battle of Arcturus
- Prerequisite: Unlock “N7: Cerberus Abductions”
- Location: Arcturus Stream – Arcturus – Arcturus Station
- Bonus Selection:
- +5% Weapon Damage
- +5% Shields
This Intel won’t appear until you unlock the “N7: Cerberus Abductions” side mission. To do that, complete “Priority: Sur’Kesh”, then follow up with either “Attican Traverse: Krogan Team” or “Tuchanka: Turian Platoon”. When you open the Galaxy Map next, Specialist Traynor will tell you that Admiral Hackett has assigned you the N7 mission.
After unlocking it, travel to Arcturus in the southern Milky Way and enter the system. Find the four triangle markers that point to Arcturus Station—west-southwest of the Mass Relay. Inspect the station to receive the Intel automatically, with no probing required.
Volus Intelligence Archives
- Prerequisite: Complete “Priority: Tuchanka”
- Location: Aethon Cluster – Nura – Oma Ker
- Bonus Selection:
- +5% Power Damage
- +5% Health
The Volus Intelligence Archives Intel becomes available only after you unlock the Aethon Cluster by completing “Priority: Tuchanka”. You can find the Aethon Cluster close to the southwestern edge of the Milky Way.
From there, fly east-southeast to the Nura system, which costs about 180 fuel. Locate the second planet, Oma Ker, and scan it to confirm there’s something to collect. Enter orbit, use the planetary scanner, and launch a probe at the Intel location.
Med Bay Surgery
- Prerequisite: Complete “Citadel: Medical Supplies”
- Location: SSV Normandy SR-2 – Crew Deck – Medical Bay
- Bonus Selection:
- Heal Renegade Scars
- +5% Health
Med Bay Surgery is the only Intel Bonus awarded for finishing a side mission. After you complete “Priority: The Citadel 2”, visit your chosen doctor in the Medical Bay to pick up the “Citadel: Medical Supplies” Side Mission.
Complete it by speaking with General Tactus in the Docks: Holding Area of the Citadel and selecting the Charm / Intimidate option. Then return to your doctor to wrap up the mission and obtain the Intel.
Intact Reaper Weapon
- Prerequisite: Complete “Priority: The Citadel 2”
- Location: Nimbus Cluster – Pelion – Trategos
- Bonus Choices:
- +5% Weapon Damage
- +5% Ammo Capacity
The Intact Reaper Weapon is in the Nimbus Cluster, which unlocks after you complete “Priority: The Citadel 2”. Once that’s done, go to the Nimbus Cluster on the western edge of the Milky Way.
When you arrive, you’ll be in the Pelion system. Scan the third planet, Trategos, located north of the star. Confirm the Intel is present, enter orbit, and send a probe to retrieve it.
Gallae’s Electronic Signature
- Prerequisite: Progress “Kallini: Ardat-Yakshi Monastery”
- Location: Nimbus Cluster – Mesana – Lessus
- Bonus Choices:
- +5% Power Damage
- +5% Store Discount
This Intel is crucial because it’s paired with Remains of Reaper Destroyer as one of the two ways to unlock the Store Discount bonus. After finishing “Priority: The Citadel 2”, return to the Normandy; Liara will pull Shepard aside and hand over the “Kallini: Ardat-Yakshi Monastery” Side Mission.
Early in that side mission, you’ll enter a mess hall with no lighting. Starting from the entry point, go left all the way to the far end, where you’ll find a small side room. Examine the laptop in the room to obtain the Intel.
Improved Geth Resistors
- Prerequisite: Progress “Rannoch: Geth Fighter Squadrons”
- Location: Perseus Veil – Tikkun – Rannoch
- Bonus Selection:
- +5% Shields
- +5% Power Damage
Improved Geth Resistors is one of two Intel items obtained during an actual mission segment. After completing “Priority: Geth Dreadnought”, you unlock the “Rannoch: Geth Fighter Squadrons” mission, where this Intel is located.
After passing the first Server Node Access Point to move into a new area, you’ll soon find your first Data Cluster inside a big sphere built from yellow blocks. Remove the Data Cluster using your Combat Software gun, then use the View Prompt on the hologram inside to claim the Intel.
NOTICE
You MUST use the View Prompt to get this Intel! If you forget and move to the next area, this Intel will be lost forever!
Miniaturized Armor Capacitors
- Prerequisite: Progress “Rannoch: Geth Fighter Squadrons”
- Location: Perseus Veil – Tikkun – Rannoch
- Bonus Selection:
- +5% Shield Regen Speed
- +5% Power Recharge Speed
Miniaturized Armor Capacitors is another piece of Intel found during “Rannoch: Geth Fighter Squadrons”. It’s located in the second Data Cluster section, where fiery orange tendrils begin regrowing. Once you’ve released the first Data Cluster in that area, use the View Prompt on the hologram inside to unlock this Intel.
Research Data From Pragia
- Prerequisite: Complete “Priority: Thessia”
- Location: Nubian Expanse – Dakka – Pragia
- Bonus Selection:
- +5% Power Recharge Speed
- +5% Power Damage
The last Intel you can acquire is available after completing “Priority: Thessia”. That unlocks the Nubian Expanse cluster near the northeastern edge of the Milky Way.
You’ll arrive in the Dakka system, then head to the second planet, Pragia, and scan it to confirm the Intel’s location. Enter orbit and launch a probe at the Intel spot on the planet to collect it.
Prejek Paddlefish
- Prerequisites:
- Buy the Prejek Paddlefish in Mass Effect 2 and keep it alive
- Receive the Prejek Paddlefish from Kelly in Mass Effect 3 and keep it alive
- Enter New Game + in Mass Effect 3
- Location: SSV Normandy SR-2 – Crew Deck – Liara’s Cabin
- Bonus Selection:
- +10% Weapon Damage
- +10% Power Damage
- Buy the Prejek Paddlefish in Mass Effect 2 and keep it alive
- Receive the Prejek Paddlefish from Kelly in Mass Effect 3 and keep it alive
- Enter New Game + in Mass Effect 3
The Prejek Paddlefish is arguably the most obscure and time-consuming Intel to obtain. It requires two full playthroughs across Mass Effect 2 and Mass Effect 3, plus a number of relationship and story checks along the way. The payoff is that it offers the strongest perk set among all Intel items, so it’s worth planning for.
Your first step starts very early in Mass Effect 2. During your second conversation with Kelly, she’ll ask how you want your relationship to be. Choose either “I liked it” or “Informal is fine”. This choice unlocks the next stage.
After you finish the “Collector Ship” mission in Mass Effect 2, if you’ve maintained a flirty or informal relationship with Kelly, speaking to her will trigger a question about whether you want dinner in the Captain’s Cabin. It isn’t explicitly spelled out, but the intent is that Kelly recovers Shepard’s fish between Mass Effect 2 and 3.
Next, head to Illium and purchase the Prejek Paddlefish from the Citadel Souvenirs shop. It costs 8,000 credits, and if you complete the “Illium: Blue Rose of Illium” assignment next to it, the price drops to 6,666 credits.
After the “Jokers Jump” mission, you’ll face a decision about whether to strike the Collector Base right away or take time to prepare. If you followed the Mass Effect 2 guide steps in the suggested order, you won’t have much else to do and can proceed immediately. Still, be mindful of the warning that comes next.
The next step happens in Mass Effect 3. After “Priority: Palaven”, return to the Citadel and go to the Docks: Holding Area. Search the middle shipping container segment labeled Cargo Hold: B to find Kelly. If you completed the Mass Effect 2 steps correctly, she’ll hand back your fish, including the Prejek Paddlefish.
Finally, keep the Prejek Paddlefish alive for the entirety of Mass Effect 3. Once the story is finished, open the pause menu, choose New Game -> Import ME3 Character, and select the profile that includes the Prejek Paddlefish.
You’ll receive notification that you’ve gained the Intel after you finish talking with Captain Bailey at the opening of “Priority: The Citadel 1”. Complete that mission, then return to the Intel Terminal in Liara’s Cabin to redeem the reward. FINALLY!
Want more help for Mass Effect 3? The guide points readers to additional pages covering Legendary Edition changes, how-to content, key decisions and their consequences, romance, walkthroughs, and side missions.
- Legendary Edition Changes
- How-To Guides
- Key Choices and Consequences
- Romance Guide
- Walkthrough
- Side Missions
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