Mass Effect 3 Priority: Citadel 3 Guide—Reputation and Credits Farm
Mass Effect 3’s third mandatory stop at the Citadel is where you’ll regroup with the Normandy’s crew, set up your next story step, and (if you’re proactive) farm a healthy stack of reputation and credits. This visit unlocks after you finish Priority: Rannoch, and it’s treated as a two-part run because the Legendary Edition blocks the quest item for Dekuuna: Elcor Extraction until you’ve first obtained the related side mission.
What to Do on Your Third Citadel Trip
Mechanically, there are only two core tasks you must complete during this visit:
- Meet Miranda.
- Go to Udina’s Office at the Citadel Embassies area to receive the next Mission.
Even so, this stop is one of your best opportunities to clear multiple side missions for extra reputation and credits. The guide flow is split into two Citadel outings with a Search and Rescue segment in the middle, letting you line up rewards and quest items without missing the order the Legendary Edition requires.
Priority: The Citadel 3 (Before You Leave)
Before you return to the Citadel proper, it’s strongly recommended that you do some Search and Rescue work. Doing so nets valuable War Assets and multiple quest items you can use to complete additional Citadel side missions later on this page.
- Prerequisite: Complete Priority: Rannoch
- Location: Serpent Nebula – Widow – Citadel
You’ll have visited the Citadel a lot already, so getting around should be straightforward. Still, the key landmark for this segment is in the Serpent Nebula, and the Citadel is the only major structure in the Widow system besides the Mass Relay.
Hades Nexus: Prothean Sphere
Go through the security screeners, then move to the far end of the area near Cargo Hold: A. You’ll find a refugee speaking with a C-Sec officer. Talk to the refugee to complete Hades Nexus: Prothean Sphere, earning 15,000 Credits, +5 Reputation, and +40 TMS to the Alliance Engineering Corps.
Citadel: Reaper Code Fragments
Head to the Asari War Strategist positioned by the railing on your right, and talk to her to complete Citadel: Reaper Code Fragments.
If you somehow missed picking this up during Rannoch: Geth Fighter Squadrons, you can still find it at Spectre Requisitions. Turning it in grants 30 XP, 1,000 Credits, +5 Reputation, and +8 TMS to the Asari Second Fleet.
Dekuuna: Elcor Extraction — Part 1 (Unlock the Nebula Content)
To the right of the Asari War Strategist, locate an Elcor you can speak with. Completing the conversation unlocks Dekuuna: Elcor Extraction, which then allows you to access the rest of what you need in the Silean Nebula.
Athena Nebula: Hesperia-Period Statue
Climb to the top of the stairs, then look to the right to find an Asari seated on a couch. Speak with her to complete Athena Nebula: Hesperia-Period Statue, rewarding 15,000 Credits, +5 Reputation, and +40 TMS to the Alliance Engineering Corps.
Citadel: Target Jamming Technology
Walk to the left side of Apollo’s Café and talk to the C-Sec officer standing beside the burnt vending machine. This completes Citadel: Target Jamming Technology, granting 30 XP, 1,000 Credits, +5 Reputation, and +8 TMS for the Citadel Defense Force.
Ashley Williams (If She’s Alive)
If Ashley is still alive at this point, you can find her at a table near Apollo’s Café. She’s set up facing the lower balcony area where Liara was previously before the Cerberus coup. Talking to her grants +2 Reputation.
If your Shepard is male and you are not currently in a Serious Romance, this moment also lets you Lock In a Romance with Ashley.
Citadel: Kakliosaur Fossil
Next, go to the Apartments section and take the stairs on the right-hand side. At the top, speak with the Salarian War Strategist to turn in Citadel: Kakliosaur Fossil. The reward is 15,000 Credits, +5 Reputation, and +40 TMS for Krogan Clans.
Meeting Miranda Lawson (Presidium Commons Apartment 82)
Now meet Miranda in Presidium Commons Apartment 82. For positive outcomes later, you MUST allow Miranda access to Alliance resources. If you skip this meet-up, it counts as not giving her access and has a severe impact later in the game.
You’ll also have a chance to gain up to +4 Paragon Points or +4 Renegade Points, depending on whether you’ve romanced Miranda at any point. The exact wording of what you choose will reflect your romance status.
Tali’Zorah vas Normandy (C-Sec Outpost)
Near the C-Sec Outpost, you’ll find Tali negotiating with a Turian (assuming she’s alive at this stage). Talk to her to learn what she was doing before Shepard encountered her in the original Mass Effect, earning +2 Reputation.
After that, head back to the Normandy and follow the Search and Rescue flow below to pick up the remaining items required to finish this excursion in the Silean Nebula.
Dekuuna: Code of the Ancients
Once you leave the elevator, talk to the Angry Elcor on your right to complete Dekuuna: Code of the Ancients. Rewards include 15,000 Credits, +5 Reputation, and +40 TMS to the Citadel Defense Force.
Silean Nebula: Rings of Alune
Right out of the elevator, look to your right and speak with the Asari Consultant to hand in Silean Nebula: Rings of Alune. This gives 15,000 Credits, +5 Reputation, and +40 TMS for the Citadel Defense Force.
Citadel: Chemical Treatment
Go through the security corridor into the Inpatient Wing. Make a U-turn to your left and enter the side room. Talk to Salarian Dr. Silon to wrap up Citadel: Chemical Treatment, earning 30 XP, 1,000 Credits, +5 Reputation, and +8 TMS for the Alliance First Fleet.
Dekuuna: Elcor Extraction — Part 2 (Turn It In at the Embassies)
Return to the Citadel Embassies next. Speak with the Elcor Ambassador to your right to complete Dekuuna: Elcor Extraction, receiving 120 XP and +5 Reputation.
Udina’s Office (Get the Next Mission)
Finally, head to Udina’s Office, which is opposite the door to Spectre Requisitions. Speak with the Asari Councillor. With the Reaper War worsening, she points Shepard toward the Catalyst—specifically, something meant to help them locate it.
Here you can say:
- “Thank you” for +2 Paragon Points.
- “Now you decide to help?” for +2 Renegade Points.
No matter which option you pick, you’ll receive Priority: Thessia as your next Mission.
Surprise: Wrex’s Inevitable Fate in This Scenario
There’s one extra surprise, but it only happens under a very specific condition. If Wrex is the Krogan Leader and you sabotaged the Genophage cure for Salarian support during “Priority: Tuchanka,” Wrex will attack you as soon as you return to the Normandy after discovering your betrayal.
Regardless of your actions—whether you choose a Renegade interruption to take him out yourself, or Commander Bailey handles it—Wrex WILL die here. As stated in his words, Wrex also pulled all Krogan support, which removes ALL of your Krogan War Assets.
This event does not occur if you sabotaged the Genophage cure with Wreav as Krogan Leader, or if you successfully cured the Genophage with either leader.
Want more Mass Effect 3 help? Check out the following pages:
- Legendary Edition Changes
- How-To Guides
- Key Choices and Consequences
- Romance Guide
- Walkthrough
- Side Missions
