Mass Effect 3 N7 Cerberus Abductions Guide (PS3/PC)

This Mass Effect 3 wiki guide page focuses on the N7 side mission “N7: Cerberus Abductions.” It walks you through where to locate every required item, how to handle each combat phase safely, and which decisions to make so your run goes the way you want.

WARNING

Even though this side mission itself never expires, the “Benning: Evidence” side job you can advance here will time out after “Priority: Tuchanka.” If you want it completed, make sure you turn it in before that point.

Looking for something specific? Jump using the sections below.

Mission Stats
Travel to Euler
Secure Upper Streets
Defend Civilians
Back on the Normandy

Mission Stats

Video Guide

Mission Rewards

Mission Experience: 675 XP
Reputation: +5
Mission Credits: 10,000 credits
Found Credits: 10,000 credits
Armor: Capacitor Helmet
War Asset: Arcturus First Division (60 TMS)

Mission Enemies

Assault Trooper
Centurion
Combat Engineer
Turret

Travel to Euler

Prerequisite: Finish either “Attican Traverse: Krogan Team” or “Tuchanka: Turian Platoon”
Location: Arcturus Stream – Euler – Benning

To start this side mission, you must first complete “Priority: Sur’Kesh.” That step unlocks one of two related side objectives tied to Primarch Victus (“Tuchanka: Turian Platoon”) and your Krogan leader (“Attican Traverse: Krogan Team”). Finish either option, then when you next open the Galaxy Map, Specialist Traynor will notify you of this mission and it will be added to your Journal automatically.

Once it’s unlocked, go to the Arcturus Stream and then travel to Euler, where Benning is located—the spot that begins this side mission. While you’re in the area, don’t forget to do some Search and Rescue.

Recommended Loadout

Squad Tactics:
- Garrus is a strong pick here because he brings a sniper rifle to the fight.
- James also fits well for this mission since he’s generally a reliable powerhouse.
- If you’re playing after “Priority: Tuchanka” (not recommended), Ashley is a decent alternative if she’s available, largely for the same reasons Garrus works.
Shepard’s Loadout:
- A Sniper Rifle is recommended to exploit the mission’s long lines of sight, including the chance to snipe Turrets.
- The Sniper Rifle Enhanced Scope is especially useful for cutting through the smoke bombs Centurions use.
- If you’d rather not use a sniper rifle, an Assault Rifle with a Precision Scope mod can still perform well.
- If you own the Citadel DLC and/or completed the Omega DLC, a Thermal Scope for your assault or sniper rifle helps you see through smoke bombs and even walls.

Garrus is a strong pick here because he brings a sniper rifle to the fight.
James also fits well for this mission since he’s generally a reliable powerhouse.
If you’re playing after “Priority: Tuchanka” (not recommended), Ashley is a decent alternative if she’s available, largely for the same reasons Garrus works.

A Sniper Rifle is recommended to exploit the mission’s long lines of sight, including the chance to snipe Turrets.
The Sniper Rifle Enhanced Scope is especially useful for cutting through the smoke bombs Centurions use.
If you’d rather not use a sniper rifle, an Assault Rifle with a Precision Scope mod can still perform well.
If you own the Citadel DLC and/or completed the Omega DLC, a Thermal Scope for your assault or sniper rifle helps you see through smoke bombs and even walls.

Secure Upper Streets

The civilians need immediate help. The upper streets must be cleared thoroughly—mostly so you can deal with Cerberus, though the area is messy because of it. Start by turning right and moving along, or through, the building labeled “52.” At the far end, turn left, sprint ahead, and take cover behind a concrete barricade.

This is where you’ll meet your first Cerberus team, including a Turret. In the Legendary Edition, if you arrive quickly enough, a Combat Engineer may handle setup for it. Destroy the Turret, and then Assault Troopers and Centurions will start dropping in from above. Keep in mind: when they’re just hovering above the ground, they’re completely exposed.

After you wipe out that initial group, you’ll receive a radio call from Cortez informing you that civilians are trapped and being followed by Cerberus. From the Upper Streets plaza you just cleared, find the building marked “27” on the left side, then locate the Medical Station on the back wall.

To the right of the Medical Station, there’s a ladder. Slide down it, then push through the “97” building on your left to reach the civilians. On the other side, you’ll find two Assault Troopers and a Centurion in a skycar lot—eliminate them, and the area will be free of enemies for the moment.

Speaking with the civilians triggers the last stage of this level, but do not do that yet. Right now, the battlefield is quiet only temporarily. Instead, spend time clearing the entire area for loot, step by step.

Spare Parts – 2,500 credits. From the civilians, go to the nearby building marked “5,” then descend the ramp in front of it on the left. Ahead you’ll reach a balcony; move along its left edge until you hit a dead end. On the right side, you’ll find items mounted on a lathe next to a brown object labeled “M382.”
PDA – Return to the civilians and enter the “5” building. This will be in the kitchen area on the right-hand side.
Spare Parts – 2,500 credits. In the kitchen space where the PDA is located, check the shelves below the cutting board.
Medical Station – 25 XP. From the Spare Parts location above, look left to spot this on the left wall just past the doorway.
PDA – From the Medical Station, continue through the back of the building to return to the landing zone where you began. Once there, look left for a structure marked “52.” Go through the right-most doorway, then look right to find it at a sink.
Spare Parts – 2,500 credits. From the PDA described just above, turn around and move to the far end of the room. Then turn right and keep going until the end. You’ll find it on the back wall by the two bunk beds, placed on the floor between them.

When you’re done grabbing the Spare Parts, turn left to head back to the Upper Streets plaza where you first fought Cerberus.

Dog Tags – Located in the middle of the Upper Streets plaza near a central pillar. These are the quest item for the “Benning: Evidence” side mission.
Capacitor Helmet – From the Dog Tags, look right to find a building marked “975” and “97.” In the right-hand corner, there’s a dumpster—search beside it under the yellow metal framework to find the helmet.
Medical Station – 25 XP. From the Capacitor Helmet, face back toward the plaza and enter the “27” building. It’s on the back wall inside.
Spare Parts – 2,500 credits. From the Medical Station above, back away and turn left to find a doorway that connects to the adjacent building. Between the two doorways, you’ll find these items on the left atop crates.
Computer Console – Return to the Medical Station and slide down the ladder to its right. Turn left and go into the “97” building. In the kitchen unit on the right-hand wall, you’ll find this computer console with a bit of lore.

Defend Civilians

With the loot collected, return to the civilians and interact with them to begin the final phase of the level. The setup is a little unusual: even though Cortez and Shepard both tell you to hold the line at the skycar lot, you’ll be hit by four waves of Cerberus units. You’ll see the “Defend Civilians” objective come back up, and the civilians will reposition accordingly.

Here’s the catch: except for the last fourth wave—when the civilians have finally reached the landing zone—the Cerberus forces will only attack Shepard and your squad. Their spawn locations depend on where the enemies are positioned, not where the civilians are standing. Because of that, it’s best to bunker down for the first three waves, then go back to the beginning of the level for the final wave.

Once every Cerberus trooper is eliminated, Cortez returns to the landing zone. Interact with his shuttle to finish the level.

Back on the Normandy

After Hackett’s debrief, if you’re following this guide in order, you’ll have several things to do next:

CIC – Speak with Traynor and EDI, then check your email for a message from Liara.
Crew Deck – Listen in on your STG Doctor’s conversation in the Med Bay, then talk to Liara.
- You can also use the Intel Terminal to apply the Intel from Battle of Arcturus you collected for +5% Weapon Damage or +5% Shield Strength.
Engineering – Talk to Javik, settle a debate between Ken and Adams (+2 Reputation), then speak with Adams to receive “Citadel: GX12 Thermal Pipe.”
Shuttle Bay – Talk to Cortez.
Captain’s Cabin – Invite Liara up to learn about her special project (+2 Reputation).

You can also use the Intel Terminal to apply the Intel from Battle of Arcturus you collected for +5% Weapon Damage or +5% Shield Strength.

Want more Mass Effect 3 help? Check out these additional pages:

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

Mass Effect 3 N7 Cerberus Abductions Guide: Items, Combat, and Choices

WARNING