Don’t Let Your Squadmates Become Space Dust: A Guide to Healing and Revival in Mass Effect 1, 2, & 3
Your squadmates matter in Mass Effect. They are not just bullet sponges. They are important to keep alive. This matters for battles. Losing Garrus again is something no one wants. Keep your Commander Shepard safe, too.
This guide helps you keep your team healthy. We’ll cover healing and revival rules in the trilogy. This way, you can reload less and make choices that can actually save the galaxy.
Mass Effect 1: Back to Basics Healing
Mass Effect 1 offers simple choices for squad healing. It’s classic and reliable. Not as flashy as later games but easy to grasp.
Medi-Gel: Your Best Friend (and Squadmate’s Too)
Medi-gel is the main healing item in Mass Effect 1. Think of it as space Neosporin for wounds. You will see this чудо-gel all over the galaxy.
- Where to Find Medi-Gel: It’s found everywhere. Check containers, crates, or defeated enemies. It rewards good work, or at least violent work.
- Refilling Your Medi-Gel Stash: Short on gel? Visit Normandy’s medical bay – your space pharmacy. Or, head to Dr. Michel’s Clinic in Citadel Wards for more, if you’re willing to pay.
Using Medi-Gel Like a Pro
Using Medi-gel is simple. Just imagine it involves urgent situations.
- Heal Thyself: Tap the “V” key to heal yourself. PC players will find various console commands. Quick self-care!
- Heal Your Buddies: Press “F” to send Medi-gel to a squadmate in need. Teamwork can keep everyone alive.
First Aid Talent: Because Efficiency is Key
Want more out of your Medi-gel? Invest in “First Aid” talent. This works for Shepard and squadmates. The skill enhances healing ability.
- First Aid Efficiency: This talent boosts health restoration per use. Think advanced nano-bandages.
- Medi-Gel Consumption: Each First Aid use takes one unit of gel. Use it wisely; pharmacies are rare on uncharted planets.
- Healing Power: The amount healed depends on the First Aid skill across your squad. The more skillful, the better the healing.
- Basic First Aid: Even without points, you can use First Aid. It heals only 40 health points, better than nothing.
Reviving Fallen Comrades: Unity to the Rescue
A squadmate down? No need to panic just yet. Mass Effect 1 offers the “Unity” skill for revival.
- Unity Skill Activation: When a squad member falls, open your talent menu. Locate Unity and deploy it. It’s like shouting for them to get up.
- Unity Effect: Bam! All downed teammates return with 30% health and 50% shields. Not full strength, but enough to get back in.
Omni-Gel: The Repair-All of the Future
Omni-gel is not about healing alone. It’s vital for tech repairs too.
- Bypassing Locks: Locked door blocking your path? Apply Omni-gel and the lock opens up.
- Mako Repairs: Is your Mako buggy damaged? Use Omni-gel to patch it up while it rests. Even vehicles need a break.
- Finding Omni-gel: Look for Omni-gel throughout your adventures. It’s waiting to be found and used.
Mass Effect 2: Healing Gets a Tactical Overhaul
Mass Effect 2 changes the healing dynamic. Medi-gel use decreases. Tactical choices gain importance. Think electronica instead of classic rock. Very effective, just different.
Medi-Gel Reimagined: Unity is the Key
Medi-gel is now part of the Unity skill. It combines healing and revival into a single power.
- Acquiring Medi-Gel (Capacity): You won’t find Medi-gel lying around anymore. Instead, increase your Medi-gel capacity through research and purchases.
- Medi-Gel Capacity Upgrades:
- Research Data: Seek Medi-Gel Capacity Research Data.
- Stores: Visit vendors like Sirta Foundation and Serrice Technology for upgrades.
- Salvage: Scavenge Med-Kits and Medical Stations carefully.
- Aid Stations: Look for free aid containers and wall stations.
Unity Skill: Heal and Revive, All in One Go
The Unity skill handles healing Shepard and reviving squadmates in Mass Effect 2. It’s a versatile medical tool.
- How to Use Unity:
- Power Wheel: Hold the right bumper (RB on Xbox, R1 on PlayStation) to open the Power Wheel.
- Select Unity: Use the right analog stick to point and select Unity. It’s like choosing a spell.
- How Unity Works:
- Full Heal & Revive: Unity with Medi-gel fully heals Shepard and revives any downed team members.
- Interruption Risks: Interruption can occur if Shepard gets stunned before activation. Timing is vital.
- Unstoppable Once Started: After starting the sequence, nothing interrupts it. Commitment is crucial.
Saving Everyone: Because Nobody Likes a Space Funeral
The “Suicide Mission” in Mass Effect 2 is well-known for risk and fatalities. With careful planning, you can keep everyone alive, well, mostly.
- Loyalty Missions are Your Friend: Complete all loyalty missions before the Derelict Reaper mission.
- Derelict Reaper & Legion: Obtain the Reaper IFF and recruit Legion afterward. Legion is useful, though complex.
- Legion’s Loyalty: Finish Legion’s loyalty mission before the Suicide Mission.
- Normandy Upgrades: Max out the Normandy’s shields and armor for better defense.
- Omega-4 Relay Rush: After Collectors board, go through Omega-4 Relay quickly.
- Squad Roles Matter: Assign characters correctly during the mission. Jack as a tech expert might not work.
- Conflict Resolution: Use options to resolve conflicts efficiently for team harmony.
Medi-gel: The Passive Healer
Medi-gel works passively in Mass Effect 2. After taking damage, seek cover. Shepard automatically uses the gel to heal. That’s handy!
Mass Effect 3: The Best of Both Worlds
Mass Effect 3 combines previous elements, giving flexibility in keeping your team alive. It’s the ‘greatest hits’ of healing mechanics.
You can revive squadmates with Medi-gel in different ways:
- First Aid Ability: If you or your squadmates have First Aid, use Medi-gel like in Mass Effect 1. Old habits persist.
- Manual Revive: Get up close to a downed teammate and press the use key (default “E” on PC). A more hands-on healing method.
- Unity Power Returns: Unity returns and is enhanced! Unlocked through Spectre Training requiring at least four points, Unity revives fallen teammates easily.
Unity Power in ME3: Revive and Shield Up
- Unity Stats: Unity gives revived squad members 20% health and 60% shields. A valuable boost.
- Medi-gel Cost: Each revived squad member uses one unit of Medi-gel. Not free, but strong.
- Sync Kill Exception: Manual revives do not work on squadmates killed by enemy sync actions.
So you have it. From using Medi-gel in Mass Effect 1 to tactical Unity in Mass Effect 3, you’re ready to keep your squad alive. Go out there and ensure nobody fades into space dust – unless they deserve it.
