Players are asked to make a choice near the end of Mass Effect 2: will they keep or destroy the Collector Base? When it is presented, this may feel like quite a significant decision, and some fans may want to know more about the consequences before they proceed. Detailing those consequences is the precise purpose of this guide, and players that read on should get a good understanding of the Collector Base choice in Mass Effect 2.
Updated on December 28th, 2021 by Ritwik Mitra: The Collector Base is where players mount a final assault in the Suicide Mission, with the aim being to deal with the Collectors, save the crew, and defeat the brains behind the operation once and for all. Given how critical the final moments of Mass Effect 2 are, the decision that is presented to players near the end of the game also feels rather monumental. This decision revolves around the act of either saving or destroying the Collector Base, and here's everything players need to know to satisfy their curiosity regarding this decision
The Paragon And Renegade Changes
To start, players will receive either Paragon or Renegade points depending on how they approach this choice in Mass Effect 2. More specifically, fans that opt to keep the Collector Base will earn quite a number of Renegade points, while those that decide to destroy it will get Paragon points instead.
Do keep in mind that the Paragon and Renegade decision ends up being arbitrary if players have already focused on one particular direction for Shepard and have accomplished almost everything there is to do in this game. If gamers have been diligent in their playthrough, then chances are high that they've already maxed out either their Paragon or Renegade gauge. Since this is the case for most players, they don't really need to worry about the Paragon or Renegade ramifications of this choice.
The Consequences Of The Choice
From a narrative standpoint, saving or destroying the Reaper Base definitely has its fair share of ramifications in the player's personal story. The first change — albeit a minor one — is that the orb that is behind the Illusive Man will be blue in the game's final moments if the Collector Base is destroyed, and it will be red if the space station was saved. It's a small change, but definitely a noticeable one.
It's when players start out with their playthrough of Mass Effect 3 that the differences really start showing. For starters, a few bits of dialogue differ based on what a player selects. That dialogue comes in conversations with the Illusive Man, Jack, and Shepard's squad members near the end of the game, and fans can see the differences in the video that is featured below. Do keep in mind that this video does contain some spoilers, and fans that are new to the trilogy may want to save it for after they have finished their playthroughs.
Furthermore, players that save the Collector Base will receive the Reaper Brain in Mass Effect 3, while those that destroy it will receive the Reaper Heart. The first of these two War Assets has a Military Strength of 110, and the latter has a Military Strength of 100, making them quite comparable. This is essentially the end of the consequences that come out of the Collector Base decision, and indeed they are not very impactful overall.
One final thing to mention is that if a player reaches the end of Mass Effect 3 with an EMS that is below 1750, then they will only have access to one ending choice. The choice that is available will depend upon whether the Collector Base was kept or destroyed, and thus fans may want to spend a little time reading up on the game's endings. That said, players that put even a small amount of effort into their playthroughs should have no trouble exceeding 1750 EMS, making this consequence somewhat negligible.
So... Which Choice Is The Best Choice?
Players who are reading up about the Collector Base would ideally want to figure out the best decision possible to make near the end of Mass Effect 2. After all, either destroying or saving the Reaper Base has its fair share of advantages, and it's easy to see why some players might get confused when it comes to choosing between one or the other.
However, the one thing players need to keep in mind here is that they shouldn't stress out about this decision at all. The Mass Effect trilogy is a player-driven story, where their personal choices shape the story and the world around them. A good Shepard is capable of making selfish decisions, and a Renegade Shepard can walk the path of good sometimes too. No path is completely exclusive, and players should take decisions based on what is right for their version of Shepard as opposed to what is the most "optimal" choice for their playthrough.
At the end of the day, Mass Effect is a series that prioritizes role-playing over most other things. A player who goes with their gut is going to have a way better time with the game as opposed to someone who is constantly searching the internet every single time a choice appears in the games.
Mass Effect: Legendary Edition is out now for PC, PS4, and Xbox One.