Mass Effect 3 Rannoch Guide: Infiltrate Geth Comms to Hunt Fighter Squadrons
If you’re working through Mass Effect 3’s Rannoch content, this side quest focuses on taking down geth fighter squadrons by infiltrating the Rannoch geth comm infrastructure. The mission is structured like a guided dungeon run inside the geth consensus, with multiple data cluster rooms, a combat software tool, and several morality checks that can affect the way later Rannoch decisions play out.
Key takeaways
- The quest only becomes available after you finish “Priority: Geth Dreadnought.”
- It must be completed before “Priority: Rannoch” to avoid a missed “ideal resolution.”
- Clearing the mission grants a War Asset called Geth Prime Platoon worth 60 TMS.
- During the infiltration, you’ll need to destroy corrupted Reaper Code sections so the blue walkway can keep advancing.
- Morality choices inside the comm space can award Paragon or Renegade points, including totals of +6 in the early decision and +2 later.
- After returning to the Normandy, you’ll unlock “Priority: Rannoch,” but it’s recommended you finish the remaining Rannoch side mission(s) first.
Before you start: why this side mission matters
This side mission is extremely important. It must be finished so you can get the best possible outcome for a later main mission. It also has a time limit: it will run out after “Priority: Rannoch” becomes active.
If you’re hunting for something specific, the guide breaks the walkthrough into segments: mission stats, how to reach Tikkun, entering the comm hub, the docking port area, data clusters in two groups (1–3 and 4–6), using the exit point, and then what happens once you’re back on the Normandy.
Mission stats, rewards, and Intel
Video guide
The guide includes a video walkthrough section for this quest.
Mission rewards
- Mission Experience: 2,000 XP
- Reputation: +10
- Mission Credits: 12,500 credits
- War Asset: Geth Prime Platoon (60 TMS)
- Intel:
- Improved Geth Resistors (+5% Shields / Power Damage)
- Miniaturized Armor Capacitors (+5% Shield Regen Speed / Power Recharge Speed)
Travel to Tikkun
- Prerequisite: Complete “Priority: Geth Dreadnought”
- Location: Perseus Veil – Tikkun – Rannoch
Once you clear “Priority: Geth Dreadnought,” the side mission becomes available. After that main mission, your Geth Sniper tells Shepard that there’s a server on Rannoch directing geth fighter squadrons that are targeting Quarian liveships. Disabling the server should reduce the number of casualties.
When you’re ready, fly to Rannoch inside the Tikkun system of the Perseus Veil. Then find and select the “Geth Comm Hub” marker on the planet’s northern hemisphere.
Enter the comm hub
As you move toward the objective, your Geth Sniper explains that you must get inside the Geth Comm Hub. The big moment here is that Shepard has to enter the geth consensus. There are also Morality Points to pick up during the interaction, including a Paragon-leaning prompt when the game asks, “How would it even work?”
- Paragon prompts include: “I do trust you” / “Sounds like a plan,” “Whatever it takes,” and “That’s unfortunate” for a combined +6 Paragon Points.
- Renegade prompts include: “You’re asking for a lot,” “This better work,” and “Good” for a combined +6 Renegade Points.
Docking port: move through the consensus
After the approach, you’ll be brought into the Geth Consensus without your squadmates. Follow the walkway as it forms in front of you, but it’s eventually blocked by corrupted Reaper Code. The obstruction is identified by a fiery orange tendril.
To clear the path, use the Combat Software provided by your Geth Sniper—described here as the large laser gun Shepard is holding—to remove the code and keep moving. You don’t have to wipe out every orange piece; removing enough for the walkway to continue is sufficient. The gun holds 200 ammo, and it automatically refills if you stop firing for three and a half seconds.
Once you reach the end of the path, look for the blue beam of light (the Server Node Access Point). Step into it to load the next segment of the level.
Data clusters 1–3
In the first real room, you’ll spot the first Data Cluster, corrupted by three tendrils of Reaper Code. Move to the nearest connection point where a tendril meets the cluster, then use the Combat Software to disconnect it.
- Reaper Code Fragment (very easy to miss): From the first Data Cluster shown in the guide’s referenced image, head left along the path. Keep watch for a dull yellow tendril along the left side. Near the walkway, fiery orange cubes appear like bubbles; examine them to collect a Reaper Code Fragment for “Citadel: Reaper Code Fragments.”
Continue cleaning the infection from the Data Cluster by chipping away bright orange spots. The blue walkway behavior helps you here: if you move clockwise, the remaining two tendrils will keep the blue walkway blocked. You’ll know you’ve finished the cluster when it releases and you see a hologram showing quarians and geth.
- Improved Geth Resistors: After clearing the first Data Cluster, use the View Prompt to watch the hologram and pick up this Intel.
Proceed along the walkway to reach the second Data Cluster. You can remove corruption in the same way as the first: clear the three orange tendrils blocking the path. As with the earlier cluster, you can use the View Prompt to watch a historical recording, but this one doesn’t provide any Intel.
Follow the walkway again until you clear one more tendril and can reach the last Data Cluster in this set. This cluster shows another hologram before revealing the next access point. Step into the access point to continue to the second half of the level.
Data clusters 4–6
After a cutscene that shows the real-world effect of your actions, you’ll return to Shepard inside the geth consensus. Move down the walkway toward another Reaper Code tendril—but there’s a complication. The tendril regenerates the moment you release the trigger.
To deal with it, follow the tendril to the left and then up until you find another fiery orange section. Shoot this part to disconnect it, then fire again at the section blocking the walkway to permanently delete it so you can proceed. You only need to remove enough for the tendril to get disconnected, not every orange fragment.
Keep moving along the walkway past the sixth, silvery Data Cluster to find the fourth Data Cluster. Its three tendrils are the regenerating type, so you’ll need to work backwards again to locate a non-regenerating orange segment to disconnect first. The tendrils that block the walkway each include two separate sections you must disconnect to stop the regeneration.
- Miniaturized Armor Capacitors: After unlocking the fourth historical recording, use the Interact Prompt to obtain this Intel.
Continue clockwise around the walkway until you return to the starting point of the fourth cluster. Then head left along the walkway to reach the fifth. This time the route runs anti-clockwise, and the second Reaper Code tendril forces you through a blocked side passage. You’ll need to perform both disconnects required to halt its regeneration.
After you fully expose the fifth Data Cluster, follow the walkway anti-clockwise to return to the starting point again. From there, you can use the recording inside the sixth, silvery Data Cluster.
Use the exit point
Now return to the initial area using the Server Node Access Point so you can go back to the real world. EDI confirms that the geth fighters have been defeated and that the server is offline. However, Shepard isn’t fully convinced because several geth Primes immediately come online.
Your Geth Sniper explains these are geth programs that oppose the Reapers. Depending on your response, you can earn more morality points:
- “I’ll take your word for it” / “I can sympathize with that” for +2 Paragon Points.
- “I shouldn’t have trusted you” for +2 Renegade Points.
Back on the Normandy
Once the infiltration ends, you’ll be in a Comm Room call with Admiral Xen. She’s getting blocked by your geth sniper when it comes to the location of other geth servers. When she asks how Shepard managed to get Geth Primes to work with them, the conversation mirrors your earlier exchange. It’s an awkward, slightly amused moment.
If this was your first Rannoch side mission completed after “Priority: Geth Dreadnought,” Admiral Raan will approach you to say that the Reaper Base has been found. Your choices here can grant up to +6 Paragon Points or +11 Renegade Points.
This scene also unlocks the next mission, “Priority: Rannoch.” Still, the guide strongly suggests completing the other Rannoch side mission if you haven’t already.
You’ll also get one of two follow-up argument scenes, based on whether this side mission was your first or second Rannoch side mission after “Priority: Geth Dreadnought.”
- After your first Rannoch side mission: an argument breaks out between Admiral Raan and Admiral Gerrel. Supporting Raan reduces the Quarian Heavy Fleet by -10 TMS, while backing Gerrel increases it by 25 TMS. You receive +2 Reputation either way.
- After your second Rannoch side mission: the argument occurs between Admiral Tali and Admiral Xen. Support Tali for +2 Paragon Points, or support Xen for +2 Renegade Points.
With that done, you can take another pass at the Normandy:
- CIC – Talk to Admiral Raan, your Geth Sniper, Traynor, Joker, and EDI.
- Crew Deck – Talk to James and Javik in the kitchen, Garrus, and then visit Ashley in the Starboard Observation Deck. After that, stop by Liara and her Intel Terminal.
For additional Mass Effect 3 help, the guide points you to pages covering Legendary Edition changes, how-to guides, key decision consequences, romance content, a full walkthrough, and a side mission index.
- Legendary Edition Changes
- How-To Guides
- Key Choices and Consequences
- Romance Guide
- Walkthrough
- Side Missions
Up next: Priority: Rannoch
Top guide sections
- Legendary Edition Changes
- Game Basics
- Tips and Tricks
- How-To Guides
