In addition to the main storyline of Mass Effect 3, players are given the opportunity to complete various side missions across the galaxy. These missions oftentimes serve to provide additional war assets, which can have a large impact on the galactic readiness rating in the ending of the game. Other times, optional quests can reunite players with characters from previous games in the trilogy. Here are some of ME3's most worthwhile side missions to complete.
Each game in the Mass Effect trilogy features similar optional missions for Shepard to undertake. In the first game, these missions primarily provide worldbuilding and set up characters or organizations that would become prominent in later games, such as Cerberus. In the second game, players can gain important upgrades or materials in order to prepare for the suicide mission at the ending of Mass Effect 2. ME3's side missions, on the other hand, serve to better prepare the galaxy for war.
Mass Effect Legendary Edition was released in May 2021, and combines all three of the trilogy's original titles with almost every DLC released for the Mass Effect series. Because of these inclusions, more side quests will be available in the Mass Effect Legendary Edition release of ME3 than were available in the initial release of the game. Players who are encountering these DLC for the first time should be sure to double-check in order to ensure they don't miss out on any side content as they progress through Mass Effect 3.
Best ME3 Side Missions: Conrad Verner's Sabotage
The Mass Effect series is well-known for its meaningful player choices. These impacts aren't always large, however, and an example of small examples of player influence can be seen in Conrad Verner's side quest in Mass Effect 3. Players can encounter him on the Citadel, sabotaging Medi-Gel dispensers and preaching about joining Cerberus in an attempt to follow in Shepard's footsteps. Once he's been dissuaded, he can offer players additional war assets if they completed various side tasks in Mass Effect 1 - and even Conrad's survival at the end of the mission is dependent on seemingly inconsequential player choices from the first game.
Best ME3 Side Mission: Aria's Negotiations
Aria T'Loak is a fan-favorite character from Mass Effect 2 and the star of the Omega DLC in Mass Effect 3. She can also be encountered earlier on in the game while on the Citadel. During this side mission, Aria offers Shepard the services of Omega's three prominent gangs as war assets in the fight against the Reapers. In order to obtain their loyalty, however, players will have to reach an agreement with the leader of each gang. The demands of each gang leads players into various other missions across the galaxy, and each pathway offers multiple options to resolve the problem and gain their loyalty.
Best ME3 Side Missions: Party Preparations
The shore leave mission is part of Mass Effect 3's Citadel DLC, which is included in the Mass Effect Legendary Edition version of ME3. It introduces a new line of missions for Shepard and their crew, as well as a new area of the Citadel and a combat arena to fight in. The highlight of the DLC, however, is the side missions given to players after the completion of the main storyline. Before beginning the DLC's party mission, players will receive emails or spontaneous visits from their crewmates looking to spend time with Shepard. These range from combat practice to funeral services, and each one serves to let players spend more time with their favorite characters before reaching the ending of Mass Effect 3.