In Mass Effect 2, the decision of whether to destroy or rewrite the Geth Heretics comes at the end of Legion’s loyalty mission – Legion: A House Divided. To unlock this, you need to have Legion as a squad member, so you must not sell its body to Cerberus when you get the offer.
Originally thought that blowing up the Geth loyal to the Reapers was the only way to defeat the virus, which altered their programming, Legion discovered another way. By being able to tweak the virus itself, Legion could turn the enemy Geth’s way of thinking back to its hive-mind collective. When asking if there’d be any repercussions, our synthetic squad member assures us there’d be no way to turn the Geth back against them. Initially, this looks promising. On paper, the less Geth loyal to the Reapers, the less against us in Mass Effect 3. Looking ahead to trying to broker peace between the Geth and Quarians in Mass Effect 3, let’s test that theory.
This decision can majorly impact Quarian-Geth peace in Mass Effect 3
What if You Rewrite the Geth Heretics
No matter which choice you make regarding the heretics, the ME3 mission on Rannoch, the Tali’s homeworld, will always happen. Nevertheless, even though Legion was confident, the rewritten Geth couldn’t be turned against them; that’s exactly what happens. Whilst admitting it was hard for the Geth to accept aid from the Reapers, the synthetics were apparently at a loss since the Quarians attacked first. As a result, more were used in the Reaper forces, and more of their suited creators died as a result. After Priority: Rannoch, you’ll have additional Geth among your War Assets, but far fewer Quarians due to the increased casualties stemming from your decision.
What if You Destroy the Heretics
So, you decided to play it safe? A blown-up Geth is a non-threatening Geth? Well, you’re not wrong. With the Heretics destroyed, the Reapers have fewer reinforcements to throw in as fodder against the Quarians. Though the core of the Priority Rannoch mission pans out mostly the same, the ending war assets tip the opposite direction. Instead of more Geth, you have more of the Quarian fleet among your ranks.
What’s more, destroying the Heretics at the end of the loyalty mission adds to an in-game calculation of whether you’ll be able to achieve Quarian-Geth peace in Mass Effect 3. Throughout ME2 and ME3, you need to acquire 5-7 points through the following choice-based achievements. Including destroying the Heretics, these events are scored as follows:
- Making sure Tali isn’t exiled at the end of her loyalty mission – 2 points.
- Destroying the Geth Heretics – 2 points.
- By peacefully resolving the Legion and Tali fight – point.
- For completing the mission, Rannoch: Admiral Korris, before Priority: Rannoch – 1 point.
- Saving Admiral Korris in Rannoch: Admiral Korris – 1 point.
Should You Destroy or Rewrite the Heretics
In terms of immediate consequences, there’s no real difference that comes right after the choice is made. Either way, you’ll finish Legion’s loyalty mission with a race against the clock, gunning down Geth on your way back to the ship. Looking objectively towards Mass Effect 3, the ideal way to go is blowing those synthetics up. Destroy all the way.
There’s the arguably higher moral standpoint of sparing more Quarians by destroying the Heretics. There’s also the ethical implication of forcefully altering the Geth’s way thinking. Ultimately, there are all-important peace points to consider. If you rewrite the Heretics, you could still achieve the 5-point minimum for Geth-Quarian peace in Priority: Rannoch by scoring all other available points. However, it can be very easy to slip up in unlocking these other achievements. So, unless you’re the type to create lots of backup save points, destroying the Geth Heretics definitely offers an essential peace of mind.
Video by Big Dan Gaming.
