Complete Guide to Missable Achievements and Trophies in Mass Effect 1

Mass Effect: Legendary Edition invites both long-time fans and newcomers to experience the captivating saga of Commander Shepard once more. This comprehensive package consolidates all the original content and enhances it with numerous improvements, ensuring that players can immerse themselves in one of the most acclaimed sci-fi narratives in gaming history.

For those aiming for the elusive Platinum achievement/trophy in Mass Effect 1, knowledge of the game’s missable content is essential. This guide is designed to help you avoid setbacks during your playthrough, allowing you to achieve 100% completion without having to restart.

In particular, the Insanity difficulty achievement is missable. To unlock it, you must complete ME1 on Insanity without altering the difficulty settings. Ensure you set your difficulty preference before reaching Eden Prime, as this will determine your eligibility for this achievement.

Fortunately, in comparison to its two sequels, Mass Effect 1 is relatively accessible.

Missable Character Missions in ME1

Mass Effect 1 allows the recruitment of six different companions, but only two can accompany you on missions at any time. With the game featuring nearly a hundred missions, there is ample opportunity to switch up your squad and unlock all related achievements/trophies.

While some missions require specific allies for contextual story elements, mixing and matching your squad is possible without severe repercussions. Though your choices may affect your companions’ morale—or even their survival—maintaining a high Paragon/Renegade score can mitigate these risks.

Achievement/Trophy	How to Obtain	Tips
Asari Ally	Complete five missions with the Asari squad member.	Recruit Liara from Therum.
Krogan Ally	Complete five missions with the Krogan squad member.	Include Wrex, who can be recruited from the Citadel.
Quarian Ally	Complete five missions with the Quarian squad member.	Recruit Tali from the Citadel.
Sentinel Ally	Complete five missions with the Alliance Sentinel squad member.	Include Kaiden, who joins at the start of the game.
Soldier Ally	Complete five missions with the Alliance Soldier squad member.	Recruit Ashley from Eden Prime.
Turian Ally	Complete five missions with the Turian squad member.	Include Garrus, who can be recruited from the Citadel.

Missable DLC Missions

The Bring Down the Sky DLC is included with the Legendary Edition of Mass Effect 1. Although optional, this mission can influence aspects of the narratives in Mass Effect 2 and 3. Be wary that proceeding too far into the main storyline could lead you to overlook this mission. It is crucial to complete it before traveling to Ilos, as this location marks a point of no return where you cannot go back to access the DLC.

Achievement/Trophy	How to Obtain	Tips
Colonial Savior	Complete the Bring Down the Sky mission.	Finish this mission before heading to Ilos.

Missable Ability Masteries

Most ability-related trophies can be accomplished using characters like Liara and Tali, particularly if you are playing a Soldier class. However, there is a renowned exploit within Mass Effect 1: Legendary Edition that simplifies this process. The orange Rapid Transit points on the Citadel, along with Mako targets, count as combat targets for the purposes of ability testing. Utilizing your powers on these targets will contribute to achievement progress.

Achievement/Trophy	How to Obtain	Tips
AI Hacking Specialist	Use AI Hacking 25 times.	Play as an Engineer character or use Tali. Only Geth, Drones, and Turrets can be hacked. The hack must display “HACKED”beneath the enemy’s health. Successfully hack during the UNC: Rogue VI assignment.
Barrier Mastery	Use biotic Barrier 25 times.	Play as an Adept, Sentinel, or Vanguard character. Alternatively, use Kaiden, Liara, or Wrex. Continue casting while exploring the Citadel.
Damping Specialist	Use Damping Field 25 times.	Play as an Engineer or Infiltrator character. Alternatively, use Garrus or Tali. Utilize Citadel terminals for Damping Field counts.
Electronics Specialist	Use Shield Overload 25 times.	Choose an Engineer, Infiltrator, or Sentinel character. Alternatively, use Garrus, Kaiden, Liara, or Tali. Fast-travel Citadel terminals count as valid targets.
Lift Mastery	Use biotic Lift 25 times.	Play as an Adept, Sentinel, or Vanguard character. Alternatively, use Kaiden or Liara. Utilize Citadel terminals to cast Lift.
Neural Shock Specialist	Use Neural Shock 25 times.	Choose an Engineer or Sentinel character. Alternatively, use Kaiden. Fast-travel terminals serve as points for casting.
Sabotage Specialist	Use Sabotage 25 times.	Opt for an Engineer, Infiltrator, or Sentinel character. Alternatively, use Garrus, Kaiden, or Tali. Citadel terminals are effective for counting casts.
Singularity Mastery	Use biotic Singularity 25 times.	Play as an Adept character. Alternatively, use Liara. Utilize fast-travel terminals for usage counts.
Stasis Mastery	Use biotic Stasis 25 times.	Opt for Adept or Sentinel character types. Alternatively, use Liara or Wrex. Fast-travel terminals function for casting Stasis.
Throw Mastery	Use biotic Throw 25 times.	Choose Adept, Sentinel, or Vanguard classes. Alternatively, utilize Kaiden, Liara, or Wrex. Fast-travel terminals are useful for targeting.
Warp Mastery	Use biotic Warp 25 times.	Play as an Adept or Vanguard character. Alternatively, use Liara or Wrex. Fast-travel terminals can count towards this mastery.
First Aid Specialist	Use Medi-Gel 50 times.	Medi-Gels are widely available; utilize freely.

Other Missable Achievements/Trophies in Mass Effect 1

Among the achievements/trophies, The Archivist is particularly significant, as it involves codex entries that can only be unlocked during the prologue. Specifically, the Prothean and Geth entries must be collected at this stage, or players will need to restart the game to access them. To avoid missing these, engage in all dialogue options, especially using the “Investigate”dialogue wheel whenever available.

Achievement/Trophy	How to Obtain	Tips
Archivist	Find all primary Alien codex entries including Council Races, Extinct Races, and Non-Council Races.	Ask Nihlus about the Protheans during the Prologue. Inquire with Ashley about the Geth in your first conversation.
Charismatic	Use Charm or Intimidate to navigate a challenging situation.	On Virmire, persuade Wrex regarding the Genophage cure. At the Citadel, convince Saren of his indoctrination.
Medal of Exploration I-III	Land on eight uncharted planets.	Scan asteroid belts to reveal new locations.
Principled	Accumulate 75% of total Paragon/Renegade points.	Opt for the top or bottom dialogues for Paragon or Renegade points. Utilize the known glitch for Paragon/Renegade points that still functions in ME1.

The achievement The Long Service Medal requires players to complete all three games using the same character. After finishing Mass Effect 1, ensure you transfer the character/class into both Mass Effect 2 and 3 to secure this trophy.

Can You Achieve 100% in Mass Effect 1 in a Single Playthrough?

Unlike the original version of Mass Effect, the, Legendary Edition allows players to achieve 100% completion in just one playthrough. Thanks to various revisions made in this edition, many prior limitations have been lifted.

One notable change is that Insanity difficulty is now available from the game’s outset, negating the need for completing the game first to unlock this mode. Furthermore, unlocking achievements/trophies related to specific abilities is simplified, as players can utilize squad members’ abilities during a single run, provided they wisely allocate skill points.

However, the main achievement that players often overlook is Archivist, which necessitates part completion during the prologue, prior to departing for Eden Prime. Aside from this, most players should find it manageable to unlock the coveted Platinum trophy for Mass Effect 1 in a single playthrough.

Source & Images