Citadel Old Friends: How to Unlock the Best Outcomes in Mass Effect
BioWare’s Mass Effect has plenty of assignments with branching outcomes, but the Citadel side content tied to the “Old Friends” task is notable for one big reason: it’s locked behind a specific backstory selection. If you want the cleanest path through the “Citadel: Old Friends” assignment—especially the Persuasion options and the knock-on consequences—this walkthrough-style guide breaks down where to go, who to speak with, and what each dialogue choice can cost or reward.
What “Old Friends” is and who can access it
The “Old Friends” assignment stands out because it’s a Pre-Service History assignment rather than something available to everyone. In practice, that means your selection at the start of the game directly determines whether the assignment exists for your Commander Shepard.
As a result, “Old Friends” is exclusive to the Earthborn Pre-Service History.
Checklist overview: where to start and what to do
- Essential Stats
- Travel to Widow
- Old Friends Acquisition
- Talk to Finch
- Find the Turian
Essential stats and requirements
- Persuasion Points: 8 Charm / 8 Intimidate
- Minimum Decryption: N/A
- Minimum Electronics: N/A
How to unlock the assignment and reach the right area
Old Friends acquisition
Because it’s tied to a Pre-Service History, “Old Friends” only appears for players who chose the matching backstory at character creation. If you selected the Earthborn route, you’re eligible.
Travel to Widow
- Prerequisite: Complete either Therum, Feros, or Noveria.
- Location: Serpent Nebula – Widow – The Citadel – Presidium – Wards Access
If your Shepard’s background is Colonist, the assignment becomes available only after finishing your first mission world, which will be Therum, Feros, or Noveria.
The assignment itself is located on the Citadel, which is the galactic hub inside the Serpent Nebula. This hub is the only cluster in the western portion of the Milky Way, and it’s also where you’ll run the mission “Citadel: Expose Saren.” Within this setup, the Citadel has just one system—Widow—and there are zero discoveries to find.
Talk to Finch: the gang connection and the threat
To kick off the assignment properly, you need to locate a man named Finch. He’s in the Lower Wards, near the approach to Chora’s Den. If you want a fast route, you can select Chora’s Den from a Rapid Transit terminal to get there sooner.
When you find Finch, you’ll see him leaning on a wall. Speaking to him reveals that he’s connected to the 10th Street Reds, a gang Shepard ran with on Earth when they were younger. Finch, acting on the gang’s behalf, asks you to use your Spectre authority to secure the release of Curt Weisman from Turian custody. Finch claims Weisman has been imprisoned over a minor offense and frames the request as a test of your willingness to help. He also escalates the situation by threatening to expose Shepard’s questionable history if you refuse.
Even if you reject the offer immediately by selecting “No deal,” you’re still given the assignment.
Find the Turian inside Chora’s Den
Following Finch’s lead, the Turian Guard is located inside the Chora’s Den club itself. Enter through the main door and circle around the bar counter-clockwise. The Turian Guard will be on your right at the first “viewing area,” which is lit red.
Dialogue outcomes with the Turian Guard
Your approach determines how the scene plays out. You can aim to get Curt Weisman released, warn the Turian Guard instead, or decline to proceed. However, you only learn more about Weisman and the details of how he ended up caught if you do not immediately report Finch.
- If you tip off the Turian Guard right away using “I’ve got a warning” or “This changes things,” you gain +2 Paragon Points, and Finch confronts you.
- If you choose not to continue by selecting either “Goodbye” or “Never mind,” Finch confronts you, but you receive no morality points.
- If you have 8 Charm, select “I need your help” to lie about why you need Weisman freed. This grants +9 Renegade Points (the guide notes the outcome is Renegade despite using Charm), and the assignment ends.
- If you have 8 Intimidate, use the Intimidate response in the lower-left area of the dialogue wheel to pressure the guard into releasing Weisman. This awards +9 Intimidate Points, and the assignment ends.
What happens when Finch escalates
If you decide against the request using “I’ve got a warning,” “This changes things,” “Goodbye,” or “Never mind,” Finch confronts Shepard and threatens to reveal your history with the 10th Street Reds. The follow-up twist is that the Reds have changed since Shepard left them—they’re now openly xenophobic.
- If you select “You can’t do this” or “This is pointless!”, you lose the Investigate options in exchange for “(Pay him.)”. The situation is resolved for 500 credits, but you earn no morality points.
- If you have 6 Charm, choose the Charm option “This won’t help you” to gain +8 Paragon Points.
- If you have 6 Intimidate, choose either “So what?” or “Do whatever you want” for +9 Renegade Points.
- Alternatively, you can choose “{Shoot him.)” for +9 Renegade Points, which the Turian Guard will approve of.
More Mass Effect help and related guide sections
Looking for additional Mass Effect coverage? The page points readers toward a set of other topic areas, including:
- Legendary Edition Changes
- How-To Guides
- Key Choices and Consequences
- Romance Options
- Walkthrough
- Side Quests
Next step: UNC: Side Quests
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