Legendary Edition bundles Mass Effect, Mass Effect 2 and Mass Effect 3 into one launcher with more than 40 pieces of DLC, and BioWare released it on 14 May 2021. Only Pinnacle Station is missing, because its source data was corrupt, and the Mass Effect 3 multiplayer was left out entirely. Powers, ammunition and weapon rules differ between the three games, so a plan built in the first one does not carry forward unchanged.
Resource management and crafting determine how quickly your power scales. This guide covers what to prioritize, where to farm, and how to avoid wasting resources on the wrong upgrades.
Crafting Priority List
The order you should invest resources:
| Priority | Target | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Primary equipment | Biggest damage increase per resource spent |
| 2 | Core build gear | Enables your build's key combinations |
| 3 | Defensive upgrades | Survivability for boss fights |
| 4 | Secondary equipment | Situational options for specific content |
| 5 | Consumables | Temporary boosts for hard content |
Resource Farming by Area
Eden Prime
Key resources: The Prothean beacon vision, early squadmates, Javik in Mass Effect 3 Farming efficiency: Low value per run, but safe and consistent
Focus on gathering materials for Sniper rifles upgrades here. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
Virmire
Key resources: Saren's cure research, a permanent squad decision, major Paragon and Renegade checks Farming efficiency: Good early-game farming spot
Focus on gathering materials for Sniper rifles upgrades here. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
The Citadel
Key resources: Side missions, squadmate conversations, War Assets in Mass Effect 3 Farming efficiency: Best mid-game farming, worth revisiting
Focus on gathering materials for Sniper rifles upgrades here. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
Tuchanka
Key resources: Grunt's loyalty, the genophage decision, large War Asset swings Farming efficiency: High-value materials for late-game upgrades
This is where you farm materials for Assault rifles max upgrades. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
Rannoch
Key resources: Peace between quarians and geth if your history allows it, Tali's arc, major War Assets Farming efficiency: Best resources in the game, requires strong build
This is where you farm materials for Assault rifles max upgrades. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
Upgrade Path
Early Game (Eden Prime to Virmire)
- Upgrade your starting equipment to functional level
- Craft basic defensive gear
- Save specialty materials, since you'll need them later
- Focus on Sniper rifles once accessible
Mid Game (The Citadel)
- Push Sniper rifles to mid-level upgrades
- Start collecting materials for Assault rifles
- Craft situational consumables for boss fights
- Upgrade build-specific gear pieces
Late Game (Tuchanka to Rannoch)
- Max out Assault rifles. This is your top priority
- Complete your build's core gear set
- Craft endgame consumables
- Optional: upgrade secondary equipment for variety
Crafting Mistakes to Avoid
- Spreading upgrades across multiple equipment: Focus one weapon to max before diversifying.
- Hoarding materials: Use them. The game provides enough if you farm efficiently.
- Upgrading the wrong gear: Check our builds guide before investing.
- Ignoring The Citadel farming: This area has the best resource-to-time ratio in mid-game.
- Crafting consumables too early: Save specialty materials for late-game recipes.
Resource Efficiency Tips
- Commit to Paragon or Renegade rather than splitting the difference. The two bars fill independently, and the biggest conversation checks in Mass Effect 2 and 3 need one bar high rather than two bars halfway.
- Farm The Citadel during mid-game for the best return on time
- Check the walkthrough to know when each resource becomes available
- Match your farming route to your build. Some classes farm faster in certain areas
More Mass Effect Legendary Edition Guides
- Mass Effect Legendary Edition Mass Effect Legendary Edition Overview
- Mass Effect Legendary Edition Best Builds
- Mass Effect Legendary Edition Tier List
- Mass Effect Legendary Edition Walkthrough
- Mass Effect Legendary Edition Beginner's Guide
- Mass Effect Legendary Edition Tips & Tricks
- Mass Effect Legendary Edition Weapons Guide
- Mass Effect Legendary Edition Combat Guide
- Mass Effect Legendary Edition Boss Guide
- Mass Effect Legendary Edition Maps & Locations
- Mass Effect Legendary Edition Classes & Characters
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