Mass Effect Citadel Walkthrough Guide (CCitadel) PS4/XB1 Release Date

This Mass Effect wiki guide page focuses on one thing: clearing the CCitadel: Expose Saren mission line and every connected side quest as efficiently as possible. The idea is to talk to as many people as you can, squeeze out maximum XP on the Citadel, and avoid unnecessary backtracking by following a tight route.

Your first time arriving on the station is a busy moment filled with optional objectives you can pick up immediately. This walkthrough is designed to help you handle those tasks in an organized flow, instead of bouncing quest-by-quest across the map.

Click the links below to jump to a specific part of this guide:

Efficient Expose Saren Walkthrough

Expose Saren 1

When you first land here, you’ll be pulled into a long cutscene featuring the local politicians.

If you respond with “They’re blind” after the call ends, you’ll earn +2 Renegade Points.

After the cutscene finishes, it’s usually efficient to ignore everything else for the moment and head directly to the Citadel Tower. Use your map to navigate—it’s located in the North-West corner of the area.

One small detail that can cost you unique dialogue: conversations can trigger on the elevators. If you use the Citadel Rapid Transit as the game nudges you to do right now, you may miss those exchanges.

Expose Saren 2

Once you enter the tower, rush up the stairs until you run into Garrus along with Executor Pallin, who serves as the head of C-Sec. After you’re finished there, stay to the right side of the tower stairs to overhear a conversation between a turian and a salarian.

Go talk to Anderson near the far end of the tower to enter the hearing.

During the hearing, choosing “Quit protecting him!” grants +2 Paragon Points.

The hearing itself doesn’t end well, largely because there isn’t enough solid evidence presented.

After the hearing concludes, make sure you select the “Any other leads?” option when the Council meeting ends. That choice opens a second route forward, and it can also put you on track to recruit a second squad mate, Barla Von, in the Presidium. If you forget, you can still ask “Other leads?” under Investigate. If you forget that too, return to Anderson in the Presidium Embassies area where you first arrived.

Once Udina leaves, ask Anderson everything you can for Codex progress and XP. After the conversation ends, talk to Kaidan and Ashley to hear their distinct comments.

Scan the Keepers

If you’re playing Paragon, find the salarian investigating a nearby Keeper and offer to assist. That starts the “Citadel: Scan the Keepers” Assignment. If you’re committed to Renegade, ignore him—this is one of those cases where even speaking to the NPC can interfere with a more Renegade-friendly approach later.

The dedicated page for this assignment lists every Keeper location, including maps and a video. Still, this guide will also mark their spots as you go to reduce backtracking.

With that in mind, head back to the Human Embassy—the same place you started—using the elevator. This detour also gives you a new exchange between Ashley and Kaidan.

Unusual Readings

Next, return all the way to the Human Embassy. On the left side of the room, close to the balcony, you’ll find a Computer Console with Easy Decryption. Hack it to unlock the “Unusual Readings” Assignment.

While Captain Anderson is still here, he’ll only provide the same dialogue you heard earlier in the Presidium Tower. Still, it gives you another chance to ask about other leads if you missed them during the Citadel Tower sequence.

Xeltan’s Complaint 1

From the Human Embassy, leave and go right through the door leading to the Volus and Elcor Embassies. Talk to Cayln, then Din for Codex entries, and finally speak with Xeltan himself to receive the “Citadel: Xeltan’s Complaint” Assignment.

Presidium Lounge

Now go back to the lobby area and climb the stairs on the opposite side. At the top, open the door, then look to your right for a doorway containing two Diplomatic Archives on nearby computers. These are for Codex entries and XP, and they’re easy to spot because no one is stationed there.

Exit that room and keep heading West through the door at the end of the nearby hallway to reach the Embassy Lounge. Ignore the door on the left for now; you’ll circle back later. Inside, you can overhear and speak with Private Fredricks, and you can also talk to the Bartender to learn more about the surrounding areas.

Strange Transmission

Next, travel to Executor Pallin’s office near the lounge inside the Embassies. Speak with Pallin to earn XP and Codex entries.

This room also contains a Computer Console on the left side with Easy Decryption. Hack it to obtain the “Strange Transmission” Assignment, then talk to Executor Pallin again for XP and Codex entries.

Avina and Receptionist

Head back to reception and speak to the Embassy Receptionist, then talk to Avina for Codex entries. Avina in particular helps fill in a lot of lore tied to the Citadel, the Council, and the Spectres.

Asari Consort 1

Cross the bridge within the Embassies to reach the Consort area on the opposite side of the river.

Talk to Nelyna at the entrance, then speak with Sha’ira herself to obtain the “Citadel: Asari Consort” Assignment.

You can also talk with Nelyna again as you leave for additional information.

After that, head to the Wards Access elevator by using the Rapid Transit Terminal just outside the Consort’s Chambers. It appears in the Presidium section—added there because you pass through the zone.

Go down the stairs, move through the corridor, then use the elevator at the end to reach a mid-level room lit in blue.

Take the elevator on the other side of the blue hallway to reach the Upper Wards.

Scenic View

Once you exit the elevator, go through the door at the far end of the short corridor to enter the Upper Wards, then go to the balcony to Investigate the Scenic View. You’ll trigger a short, easy-to-miss conversation between Ashley and Kaidan.

Reporter’s Request 1

When that scene ends, turn around and return to the door you came through. Look for the “Welcome to the Wards” sign—it grants XP and a Codex entry. Then look left to spot a staircase leading upstairs.

As you approach, Emily Wong calls out to you. Speaking with her starts the “Citadel: Reporter’s Request” Assignment. Even if you decline what she offers, the Assignment still activates.

Now climb the staircase to reach the Flux casino and bar.

Rita’s Sister 1

Inside Flux, Paragons should talk to Rita near the bar and ask “Problems?” Then keep selecting options that don’t show disinterest to obtain the “Citadel: Rita’s Sister” Assignment (use Investigating to avoid rejecting it). Renegade players will likely prefer to ignore it.

You can also speak with Doran behind the bar to learn more about Flux.

Signal Tracking 1

Next, move upstairs to the far end of the Quasar casino room. Examine the Suspicious Gambling Machine next to the Keeper in the corner to begin the “Citadel: Signal Tracking” Assignment.

Upper Markets Shopping

Return to the Upper Wards and enter the Markets through the door on the right. Near the top of the nearby staircase, you’ll find a volus Expat who sells Standard Items. Speak with him and choose “Colonies” to get Codex entries.

The Fan

Near the stairs, Conrad Verner waits for the “Citadel: The Fan” Assignment. To see the “fullest” Renegade-flavored conversation, avoid picking “Leave me alone” so you don’t dismiss him too soon. This Assignment continues on later Citadel visits.

Lower Markets Shopping

Go down the stairs near Conrad to reach the Lower Markets. Here you’ll find another shop merchant named Morlan. He sells Non-Human Armour and Standard Items, including the Elanus Risk Control License and Medigel Upgrades I and II.

To Morlan’s left, there’s a door that leads to the Chora’s Den Rapid Transit terminal, with Chora’s Den itself beyond that.

Garrus 1

Just past the Rapid Transit terminal, you’re ambushed by two Turian Assassins across a chasm. Get low and take cover so you can return fire safely. When the fight is done, head to the back-left corner of the area to enter the club.

Inside, move clockwise around the central bar to encounter two krogan arguing, which nets you a Codex entry and XP. After that, head down a nearby hallway on the left and chat with the Krogan Bouncer. If you talk to Ashley, she and Kaidan will share a special conversation while you’re here.

Return to the start of the hallway and look left for Harkin at a table. If you choose “How do you know this?” when it appears, you can push through his explanation in two different ways. To get unique dialogue from Kaidan and Ashley, go to the door leading out and stand in the exit doorway.

Asari Consort 2 / Xeltan’s Complaint 2

Now enter Chora’s Den and find General Septimus seated at a red-lit table. Talk with him to continue “Citadel: Asari Consort” (choose “Sha’ira sent me” for the most dialogue). Avoid selecting “Forget this” followed by “I’m done here,” and you should be fine.

Rita’s Sister 2

If you’re running Paragon, talk to Jenna at the bar next to advance “Citadel: Rita’s Sister.” She won’t accept your advice, but you’ll then meet a turian at the front door who tells you to meet him in his office in C-Sec.

At the Rapid Transit console outside the club, don’t use it. Instead, go left, climb the stairs, and take the red alleyway.

Go through the door at the end, then take the elevator on your left to turn into the blue Wards Access corridor.

Signal Tracking 2

When you pass through the Wards Access hallway on the way to the second elevator, check the display in the blue lounge side-room on the right. It provides a Signal Source and advances “Citadel: Signal Tracking.”

Wrex 1

Back at the Presidium, walk counter-clockwise around the area to the Citadel Tower elevator. Speak with Avina next to the Keeper for XP and Codex entries, then head down the Western-most bridge.

Along the way, you’ll encounter the Relay Monument. If you talk to Kaidan and Ashley here, you’ll get unique remarks.

Continue across the bridge into the Financial District, then go through the right-hand door to speak with Barla Von in the Bank. Doing so advances the “Citadel: Wrex” mission while also awarding XP and Codex entries.

Signal Tracking 3

Also Investigate the Signal Source on the servers behind Barla Von to continue “Citadel: Signal Tracking.”

Emporium Shopping

Now visit the Emporium nearby and talk to the hanar Emporium Shopkeeper to access his shop services. He sells Non-human Armours, Upgrades, and Standard Items. In the Standard Items list, you can find the “Sitta Foundation License” (the guide notes it should be “Sirta,” but the text is mistaken).

Signal Tracking 4

Next, climb the stairs at the back of the Emporium and turn right. Investigate the Signal Source at the far end of the room to continue “Citadel: Signal Tracking.”

At the end of the scene, you’ll be asked to enter a button code that needs a specific input:

PlayStation – Triangle, Square, Triangle, X, Square, X, X
Xbox – Y, X, Y, A, X, A, A

Entering the code quickly earns more credits at the end. If you don’t care about credits or XP, you can instead shoot the orange-and-white Power Junction on the left to blow up the AI. Either way, you’ll finally complete your first mission/assignment here—meaning the guide’s pacing is working.

Exit back outside the Emporium and keep going counter-clockwise around the Presidium. You’ll find a section of wall in the middle of the walkway.

Head to the waterfront balcony on the left side of that wall to locate Avina beside a statue of a Krogan, for more XP and Codex entries. You can also trigger Kaidan and Ashley’s unique comments by speaking with them in front of the statue.

Finally, if you want Wrex to join your squad, go to C-Sec using the elevator beneath the Embassies. You can reach it via the Eastern-most bridge on the Presidium. If you only want Garrus on your squad (which you can do in addition to Wrex), head to the Upper Wards.

Wrex 2

At the C-Sec lobby, Wrex is standing among C-Sec officers on the right. If you want him on your squad, approach to have Wrex join your party (put him in your squad for unique dialogue if you plan to recruit Garrus after this). If you don’t want him, avoid the group and go left around the central elevator.

No matter what you choose, go down the blue stairs toward the back of the area and examine the Welcome to C-Sec sign for a Codex entry and XP. Then take the nearby elevator to reach the Upper Wards.

Exploring the Wards

Walk down the long hallway and speak to Officer Lang on the far side for a conversation. Then examine the Public Extranet Terminal for XP and a Codex entry.

Next, go up the stairs. You may pick up another Codex entry due to a moment where a human and a volus discuss the Destiny Ascension as it flies by. The “View of Citadel” you can see here is the same view you had when you first arrived. The guide notes it becomes available after picking up your third squad mate.

Make a 180-degree turn and follow the balcony railing to the left to find a View of Nebula point of interest. Investigate it to receive a Codex entry and XP.

If you want to recruit him, enter the Med Clinic door nearby to wrap up the “Citadel: Garrus” mission.

Garrus 2

After the thrilling opening moment and the thug shootout, you’ll be speaking with Garrus.

Choose “It was a big risk” for +2 Paragon Points.
Choose “Nice shot” for +2 Renegade Points.

Either decision results in Garrus joining your team.

Before you leave, speak to Dr. Michel and use the Aid Station beside her for a Codex entry and XP. Then head out to Chora’s Den.

Expose Saren 3

Return to Chora’s Den and prepare for your first major fight in the bar. The room’s ring-like layout makes it harder to land safe hits on every target, including an enemy standing atop the central bar. You’ll also face your first Krogan—these enemies are dangerous because they regenerate health after your initial kills.

Once everyone is defeated, move into the back hallway and pass through the door to encounter two Warehouse Workers. Talk to them to begin a conversation.

If you have 3 Charm, pick “Save yourselves” for +2 Paragon Points.
If you have 3 Intimidate, pick “You’re making a mistake” for +2 Renegade Points.
If you pick any correct option on the right side, you’ll trigger a standard shoot-out. It awards the same XP as persuading them and still gives you a loot chance, but you won’t receive any Morality Points.

When the confrontation ends, check the hallway for loot:

Weapons Locker – Located in the back-left corner of the hallway where you met the Warehouse Workers, directly across from the door to Fist’s office.

The next room pits you against Fist himself, along with two turrets. Crouch and take cover, then decide which targets to focus. You can either eliminate Fist or prioritize the turrets; the guide recommends focusing turrets because it yields more XP.

Afterwards, you can interrogate him about the Quarian. At the end, you can either kill Fist or let him go.

Sparing him provides no Paragon points, but keeps him eligible to appear later.
If you choose “You don’t deserve to live,” you’ll kill him and gain +2 Renegade Points.
If Wrex is in your squad, he will shoot Fist himself, allowing you to say “He deserved it” for +2 Renegade Points.

Reporter’s Request 2

You now have 4 minutes to track down the quarian. Before you leave Fist’s Office, search the area first. Look around for a laptop labeled Optical Stoage Disc—this item is what you need for the “Citadel: Reporter’s Request” Assignment.

Wall Safe – Easy Decryption. Don’t forget to open it in the back-right corner of Fist’s office. If you can’t crack it now, you can come back later.

Expose Saren 4

The quarian is stationed in the red corridor connecting Chora’s Den and the Lower Markets to the Presidium Elevator hallway. Practically, you should backtrack from Chora’s Den Rapid Transit, take a left, and reach that corridor before the 4-minute limit expires. After the brief cutscene, kill the Assassins.

Expose Saren 5

You’re quickly transported back to the Human Embassies on the Presidium, where you learn the quarian’s name is Tali. Her evidence is a recording of Saren speaking about the Eden Prime attack.

Xeltan’s Complaint 3

Return to the Volus and Elcor Embassy area to finish “Citadel: Xeltan’s Complaint.”

If you select “Don’t worry” at the end of the conversation, you earn +2 Paragon Points.

Homecoming

Go back to the Embassy reception area and talk to Samesh Bhatia to start the “Citadel: Homecoming” Assignment (it activates even if you decline).

This Assignment is notable because both Paragon and Renegade options exist for Clerk Bosker in the Embassy Lounge and Samesh Bhatia in the Embassy Lobby. Both characters offer Charm and Intimidate choices, but Bosker is easier to convince than Samesh.

Clerk Bosker:
- If you have 2 Charm, pick “This isn’t right” for +8 Paragon Points.
- If you have 2 Intimidate, pick “I’m releasing the body” for +9 Renegade Points.
Samesh Bhatia:
- If you have 3 Charm, pick “This is important” for +8 Paragon Points.
- If you have 3 Intimidate, pick “This is war” for +9 Renegade Points.

If you have 2 Charm, you can pick “This isn’t right” for +8 Paragon Points.
If you have 2 Intimidate, you can pick “I’m releasing the body” for +9 Renegade Points.

If you have 3 Charm, you can pick “This is important” for +8 Paragon Points.
If you have 3 Intimidate, you can pick “This is war” for +9 Renegade Points.

One interesting note: Ashley will back Shepard no matter which option you select.

After that, go straight to the Citadel Tower by using the elevator, just like during your original visit. This gives you another exchange between Ashley and Kaidan.

Expose Saren 6

During the hearing, the proposal is that Shepard should receive Spectre status to help track down Saren.

Choose “It’s the best solution” for +2 Paragon Points.
Or choose “Quit holding us back!” for +2 Renegade Points.

At this stage, your next objective is supposed to send you to C-Sec so you can head back to the Normandy. The guide’s advice is different: don’t do that yet—keep exploring the Citadel first.

Privateers

When you’re finished, speak to Garoth as you head down the stairs toward the elevator to pick up “UNC: Privateers.” Declining initially is fine; you can return and talk to Garoth again to claim it later.

After offering to help, choose “I’ll do it” for +2 Paragon Points.
Or pick “Forget it” for +2 Renegade Points.

Presidium Prophet

Once you’re out of the elevator, go to the seating area near the Flux and Wards Access elevator. Talk to the C-Sec Officer and Preaching Hanar to start the “Citadel: Presidium Prophet” Assignment. As with “Homecoming,” you’ll need to decide whether to convince one of them to leave. The Hanar is easier to charm, while the C-Sec Officer is easier to intimidate.

Details:

The Hanar:
- If you have 4 Charm, pick “This is unworthy of you” for 8 Paragon Points.
- If you have 7 Intimidate, pick “There’s trouble anyway” for 9 Renegade Points.
The C-Sec Officer:
- If you have 7 Charm, pick “It’s not causing trouble” for 8 Paragon Points.
- If you have 4 Intimidate, pick “This is dangerous” for 9 Renegade Points.

If you have 4 Charm, pick “This is unworthy of you” for 8 Paragon Points.
If you have 7 Intimidate, pick “There’s trouble anyway” for 9 Renegade Points.

If you have 7 Charm, pick “It’s not causing trouble” for 8 Paragon Points.
If you have 4 Intimidate, pick “This is dangerous” for 9 Renegade Points.

Hostile Takeover

Next, go to the Emporium and talk to Helena Blake on the outside walkway to receive the “UNC: Hostile Takeover” Assignment.

Pick “No. I won’t do this” for +8 Paragon Points (even so, you still get the coordinates).
Pick “Not a problem” or “I’ll do it” for +2 Renegade Points.

Asari Consort 3

Use Rapid Transit to reach the Consort’s Chambers, then speak with Nelyna again and finally Sha’ira in her quarters. This completes “Citadel: Asari Consort” and grants you the Trinket.

If you choose “That’s it?”, you’ll trigger a sexual encounter with Sha’ira. This does not grant Renegade Points and doesn’t ruin romances you may have.

Before you leave, talk to Nelyna once more for extra dialogue. Then return to C-Sec via the elevator at the Presidium Embassies.

Jahleed’s Fears 1

In C-Sec, go up the stairs on the right. Then head into the lounge on the right-hand side and talk to Jahleed to start “Citadel: Jahleed’s Fears” (you can accept it even if you decline at first).

Rita’s Sister 3

After that, talk to Chellick in the nearby office to continue “Citadel: Rita’s Sister.”

If you have 7 Charm, pick “You don’t need her” for +2 Paragon Points.
If you have 6 Intimidate, pick “Pathetic” for +2 Renegade Points.

In the Traffic Control room upstairs, you can find three Tracking Teminals for XP and Codex entries.

Return to the C-Sec lobby and take the stairs on the opposite side down to the Spectre Requisitions Officer’s shop, which sells Standard Items. Here you can obtain the Aldrin Labs License and a Grenade Upgrade.

Jahleed’s Fears 2

Next, head to the Lower Markets via the Chora’s Den Rapid Transit. Then turn around and go through the door. Talk to Chorban at the back to continue “Citdael: Jahleed’s Fears.”

If you agreed to Scan the Keepers for Chorban earlier, pick “No more” for +8 Paragon Points.
If you didn’t, pick “You’re not leaving” for +9 Renegade Points.

Rita’s Sister 4

Talk to Jax nearby to continue “Citadel: Rita’s Sister.”

Paragons should choose the middle option and go along with the exchange.
Renegades should either arrest him or fight him (fighting will of course earn you some loot).

Now return to the C-Sec Academy to wrap up both of these Assignments.

Jahleed’s Fears 3

Go back to the C-Sec Offices upstairs and speak to Jahleed to complete “Citadel: Jahleed’s Fears.”

If you have 7 Charm, pick “Then do it legally” for +8 Paragon Points.
If you have 6 Intimidate, pick “Take it back!” for +6 Renegade Points.

Rita’s Sister 5

Talk to Chellick in his office to finish “Citadel: Rita’s Sister.”

If the transfer went smoothly and Jax didn’t catch on, you’ll gain +8 Paragon Points.
If you arrested or fought Jax, you’ll earn +9 Renegade Points.

Reporter’s Request 3

Now head to Emily Wong in the Upper Wards and hand her the Optical Storage Disc you found in Fist’s Office to complete “Citadel: Reporter’s Request.”

Because you spoke to Wong before storming Fist’s Office, Renegades with 2 Intimidate can choose “You owe me more” for +2 Renegade Points.

Schells the Gambler

As you move into Flux, you’ll immediately run into the “Citadel: Schells the Gambler” Assignment if you didn’t pick it up earlier during the Keeper scanning. Talk to Schells and grab the device (even Paragons get access). This Assignment can be completed in three different ways:

Record 5–6 wins on the Quasar machines, then return to Schells to submit it for rewards.
If you reach 7 wins, Doran shows up and confiscates Schells’ device, resulting in zero rewards.
Talk to Dolan before you get caught and give him Schells’ advice. This leads to the same rewards as following Schells’ instructions.

You can also get some comedy by talking to Schells again after handing his device to Dolan.

You can also get some comedy by talking to Schells again after handing his device to Dolan.

After that, return to the C-Sec Academy for the final time.

Recruit Garrus / Wrex

Go to the elevator in the center of the C-Sec lobby to reach the Docking Bay.

If you didn’t recruit either Wrex or Garrus earlier while dealing with Fist, they may have been standing near this elevator. You can speak with them now to recruit them, and Wrex will even give you Fist’s bounty.

You have until the end of the game to recruit that squad mate. In Wrex’s case, ignoring him entirely will cause him to be treated as dead in later Mass Effect games.

Expose Saren 7

Next, go up to Docking Bay 422 for another important chat with Anderson and Udina. When Udina asks Shepard not to cause any messes, you can answer either:

“I’ll be careful” for +2 Paragon Points.
“That’s your job” for +2 Renegade Points.

After that, you’ll be able to talk with Anderson alone. Be sure to Investigate here—Anderson finally explains his mission with Saren and why he failed to become a Spectre.

Before you leave, don’t forget to Investigate the Normandy Weapons, Normandy Hull, and Normandy Thrusters for Codex entries.

Once you finish your conversation with Anderson, enter the Normandy. You’ll be prompted to make a speech for the crew. The first options don’t matter, but in the second and third parts you can choose:

“Humanity must do its part” and “Everyone is counting on us” for +4 Paragon Points total.
“Nobody’s going to help us” and “Humanity’s in this alone!” for +4 Renegade Points total.

After boarding the Normandy, head to the Bridge and check the left-hand Viewport for XP and a Codex entry. Then go to Joker for more of the same.

Next visit the CIC and speak with Pressley for additional XP and Codex entries.

If you answer “They’re on our side,” you’ll get +2 Paragon Points.
If you say “You doubt my decisions?” you’ll get +2 Renegade Points.

You can also earn extra XP and Codex entries by going downstairs to the Quarters. Examine one of the Sleeper Pods, then examine the Personnel Manual in the Captain’s Office. You can also chat briefly with Kaidan and Chakwas if you haven’t already.

Then take the elevator down to the Vehicle Bay. Talk with Wrex, Ashley, and Garrus, plus Tali and Engineer Adams in the Drive Core. Most of these conversations award XP and Codex entries, which you’ll also receive when you walk up to the Galaxy Map on the Command Deck.

Phew—you’re finally done. That’s a lot of work for one day.

At this point, the game opens up into a very wide set of options. You’ll have three mission worlds to visit while tracking down Saren, plus the ability to explore 19 systems with UNC targets in the Mako and in various spacecraft. These areas are spread across 10 clusters. If you pushed through the main Expose Saren mission line, you’ll also have eleven Citadel assignment side quests to do.

From here, the guide recommends: cleaning up the Citadel assignments first (all 11), finding Liara T’Soni to recruit your final squad mate and unlock the full range of dialogue and combat choices, and then following an Uncharted Worlds roadmap that lists every UNC world available right now.

Why do all the Uncharted Worlds? The guide’s reasons are straightforward. You’ll get lots of XP to help level Shepard and squad mates, unlocking more Talent Points and stronger weapons—making the later mission worlds easier since most enemies won’t become harder just because you delayed. You’ll get lots of Morality Points, which can be used to increase Charm or Intimidate so you can pass persuasion checks in the main mission worlds; Feros specifically requires having all 12 Charm or Intimidate points purchased, so doing it early isn’t viable. You’ll earn lots of credits, and once you reach 1 million you can buy Level VII Spectre Master Gear weapons from the Normandy Requisitions Officer and the C-Sec Requisitions Officer on the Citadel—some of the best weapons in the game thanks to top damage, accuracy, and heat efficiency. Finally, you’ll collect lots of weapons, ammo upgrades, and armor from loot-heavy buildings and mines, and anything you don’t keep can be sold for credits or converted into Omni-gel.

Want more Mass Effect help? The guide points you to additional pages, including Legendary Edition changes, how-to guides, key choices and consequences, romance options, walkthroughs, and side quests.

Quick facts

Focus: complete the CCitadel: Expose Saren mission line and all connected side quests efficiently.
Goal: talk to as many NPCs as possible and maximize Citadel XP with minimal backtracking.
Example outcomes: “They’re blind” after a call = +2 Renegade Points; “Quit protecting him!” = +2 Paragon Points.
Key route tip: elevator dialogue can be missed if you use Citadel Rapid Transit right away.
Signal Tracking code: PlayStation (Triangle, Square, Triangle, X, Square, X, X) / Xbox (Y, X, Y, A, X, A, A).
Time pressure: Reporter’s Request 2 gives 4 minutes to find the quarian (Optical Stoage Disc in Fist’s Office).
Recruitment note: ignoring Wrex entirely can lead to him being treated as dead in later Mass Effect games.