Zaeed’s Loyalty Mission in Mass Effect 2 is one of the few that can be failed. Shepard will need a high Paragon/Renegade score to secure his Loyalty.

Zaeed is one of two DLC companions in Mass Effect 2, and, while he does have a Loyalty mission for Shepard to complete, it is somewhat different from the other squadmates’ personal missions. Loyalty missions, while optional, help make each character fully committed to the Shepard’s cause, increasing their chances of survival during the endgame Suicide Mission. The Loyalty missions across the Mass Effect trilogy tend to be some of the most enjoyable side missions and give Shepard a chance to get to know and bond with their crew. They also provide additional lore. Unlike other squadmates, whose Loyalty missions unlock following the Horizon main story quest, Zaeed’s Loyalty mission unlocks the moment Shepard recruits him. It is also one of the few that can be failed if Shepard is not careful.

Related: Mass Effect 2: Best Mission Order

In Zaeed’s Loyalty mission, Zaeed: The Price of Revenge, Shepard will need to help Zaeed liberate a refinery that has been taken over by the Blue Suns mercenary group. While there, the team will encounter Vido Santiago, captain of the mercenary group and one of Zaeed’s greatest enemies. When Zaeed’s impulsiveness jeopardizes the facility and all the workers who have been held captive inside, Shepard will need to make a choice to prioritize either the refinery and workers or eliminating Vido. If Shepard cannot convince Zaeed to let go of his grudge against Vido, they will lose the veteran mercenary’s Loyalty, which has consequences during the Suicide Mission and for the ending of Mass Effect 3. Here’s how to successfully complete Zaeed’s Loyalty mission in Mass Effect 2.

How to Complete Zaeed’s Loyalty Mission Successfully in Mass Effect 2

DLC companions Kasumi Goto and Zaeed Massani are recruitable during Mass Effect 2‘s first act. Zaeed can be found and recruited at the entrance to Omega and will immediately tell Shepard a condition of his aid is his Loyalty mission to liberate the refinery on Zorya from the Blue Suns. Shepard can complete this immediately if preferred. However, if they want to save the workers in the facility, they will need to have accumulated quite a few Paragon points and few to no Renegade points to successfully earn Zaeed’s Loyalty anyway. Because this can be difficult, most fans choose to save this mission for later, often just before Tali’s Loyalty mission.

Zaeed’s Loyalty mission, Zaeed: The Price of Revenge, takes place in the Ismar Frontier system. Shepard and their team will need to fight through a few waves of Blue Suns mercenaries to reach the southern gatehouse of the refinery. There, they will encounter Vido, and Zaeed shoots a pipe, starting a fire that injures Vido and threatens to destroy the whole refinery, including the workers inside. Shepard can choose to save the facility and workers, or go after Vido.

Choosing to go after Vido and leave the facility to its fate will always secure Zaeed’s Loyalty, as this is what he really wants. It is also the Renegade option. If Shepard decides to save the facility and workers first, they will need to use a Charm dialogue option to convince Zaeed and secure his Loyalty at the mission’s climax. There are two possible outcomes:

• Zaeed Loyal: Shepard chose to save the refinery and workers, and Vido escapes. With a high enough Paragon score, Shepard then uses the Charm dialogue option to convince Zaeed to put his grudge aside for another time, securing his Loyalty.
• Zaeed Not Loyal: Shepard Shepard chose to save the refinery and workers, and Vido escapes. Shepard does not use the Charm dialogue option, instead choosing You owe me big for this or Come on, Zaeed. Let’s go, and Zaeed’s Loyalty is not secured.

There is a third, secret outcome players can unlock by saving Zaeed’s Loyalty mission until after the Suicide Mission. Provided a non-loyal Zaeed survives the Mass Effect 2 Suicide Mission, after Vido escapes, Shepard can choose the Renegade dialogue option I’m leaving you here. This leaves Zaeed behind to burn in the fire he started, just as he wanted to leave the refinery workers. Zaeed will not appear in Mass Effect 3 if this option is selected.

Next: Mass Effect: How Player Choices Affect Garrus’ Personality

Mass Effect: Legendary Edition launches May 14 for PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One, with forward compatibility on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S.

Animal Crossing Characters: Who Is Zipper?

About The Author