Mass Effect 2 Message Board  

Who lives and dies is based on three things: upgrades, loyalty, and skills.

First off, you have to upgrade the Normandy's guns (Garrus), shields (Tali), and armor (Jacob). Don't do all three, and people die.

First off, everyone has to be loyal. This poses some problems with a few of the missions, namely Garrus. You HAVE to let Garrus kill the guy, otherwise he'll resent you. Otherwise, you can let people live or die depending on your whims. I was playing Paragon, so I kept people from dying. With the Miranda/Jack and Tali/Legion fights, you either have to go Paragon or Renegade to keep their loyalty.

As for skills, it's about matching your best people to the best roles. Tali and Legion are your tech experts; send them through the vents. Miranda and Garrus are your leaders; let them lead the Fire Teams. Samara and Jack are your most powerful biotics; let them put up the shield. Jacob and Grunt are your strongest fighters; send them with the survivors.

If you send a non-tech expert through the vents, they can't get the door closed fast enough and people die. If you send a non-leader for the fire teams, they can't hold them off and people die. If you pick a weaker biotic, the shield flickers and people die.

Ultimately, you have to do everything right and make the right decisions, otherwise you will lose people. It's not easy, but totally worth it to see the entire team make it.

Thank you all guys!
I finally did it.
everyone lives.

I had most of the upgrades except Tali's loyalty was normal. However the only one I ended up losing was Jack.

@ monkeybiz
uh, are we playing the same game? I kept Garrus from killing the other turian, afterwards he thanked me and was loyal.

the final decision in the game might be a factor as to who dies as well. I managed to keep everyone alive by going paragon the whole way, than i reloaded the final fight, agreed to do the renegade ending (keep base intact), and Mordin died. 95% sure thats the only thing i changed

Link

This shows you all of the combinations which will result in everyone surviving (make sure you follow the tips at the top of the post too).

[Edited by Skyheart, 1/31/2010 4:43:50 PM]

[Edited by Skyheart, 1/31/2010 4:44:13 PM]

I have a problem and I hope that someone can help me with it
Grunt's Loyalty is Loyal but I can't unlock his special ability.

I tried going to different planets and nothing he has 115 points and I can't seem to give him points for his ability.

Has anyone have this same problem cause I can't get the Squad Loyalty Achievement.

Also I am doing the suicide mission and my team members are dying cause of this problem I have the guide and it said that if all your members have Loyal Rating that no members will die.

Please I need help to fix this I have no other saves prier to the suicide mission.

sorry, but could you clarify that a bit? Grunt has one loyalty mission, on Tuchanka you have to help him with his rite. Considering you did that, and he did become loyal, that should have unlocked the achievement. Grunts special ability not unlocking when he becomes loyal is a known bug. Happened to me, too. Was no problem though, he survived the mission just fine.

Which crew members are dying? Did you research all possible upgrades?

Unable to unlock Grunt's Special Ability even after doing his loyalty quest is a glitch/bug that was reported and Bioware said they are looking into it.