Mass Effect 3: How to Get The Best Ending

Although there is some debate as to whether any of Mass Effect 3's endings are actually "good," there are definitely some that are better than others. If you want to get the best possible ending, you're going to have to work for it. Without revealing too many spoilers, this Hub will help you get the best of ME3's many endings.

The first thing that you'll need to get the best ending is high military strength. Nearly every mission will reward you with additional military strength, which can be checked in the War Room aboard the Normandy.

Complete both the main storyline quests and the myriad side quests that you can pick up from characters, shipmates, and especially by speaking with people on the Citadel.

Sadly, only a percentage of your Military Strength will actually be used effectively. This results in your Effective Military Strength, or EMS. The higher your Effective Military Strength, the better you will ultimately do.

The main way of raising your Effective Military Strength is to raise your normal Military Strength. Howdever, unless your Galactic Readiness level is high enough, you'll only get a portion of your Military Strength effectively. For example, at the beginning of the game, your Galactic Readiness is at 50%. So while your military strength may be 1000, your Effective Military Strength is only 500.

You can increase your Galactic Readiness by taking part in Mass Effect 3's multiplayer co-op.

If your Effective Military Strength is under 2650 by the end of the game, you may want to take one last look at Earth while you can.

Once your EMS is high enough, and complete the rest of the game, you'll have either two or three choices to make. These choices will affect the fate of the Mass Effect universe. The first to basic choices are the Control Ending and the Destruction Ending. As you get higher EMS, the Synthesis Ending will also become available. Which choice will get you which ending will become apparent.

If you're wondering what gives you the best chance at a good ending, just remember this: don't do what The Illusive Man would do.