[Mod request]Best dialog options indicator/consequences

[pheroux]

I'm looking for a mod to highlight the best dialogue option in-game.

An asterisk would be good enough (*) to tell which option is the best but ideally I would like to know what the consequences are for choosing that option. Perhaps text in parantheses at the end of every dialog option would work?

Will donate.

Thanks,

[ajsantiago78]

The following is spoiler free in case this is your first playthrough:

 

I don't think what you are asking for is possible because 'best' is subjective with some real moral dilemmas in this trilogy. Generally speaking if you want a paragon response or outcome, you pick top right. If you want a renegade outcome, pick bottom right. Middle right options are neutral and usually just for flavour. They rarely give you Paragon or Renegade points. Options on the left are usually queries or comments that expand on the conversation. Options on the right will usually progress the conversation to the next phase, and may stop you from exploring the options on the left.

 

Most people tend to pick all the left options available in a conversation, then they pick the Paragon or Renegade response depending on what they are role playing. If you want a 'best' response just stick to either paragon or renegade exclusively (don't mix and match) and you will quickly build up enough reputation points to pass any required speech checks.

 

The Paragon options usually lead to good actions like saving lives, minimising collateral damage, or making friends / building relationships. Renegade options are the opposite (win at all costs). I'd pick Paragon options for a first playthrough. There are very few Paragon options that don't lead to the 'best' outcome.

 

Also, in ME1 you should max out either Charm (Paragon) or Intimidate (Renegade) ASAP to pass speech checks, even at the expense of spending points on powers. Some speech checks are gated behind your investment in these talents. In ME2 and ME3 this system is thankfully gone.

 

If you activate the In Game Console in ME1 (download the mod on here by Mgamerz), you can also type 'SetParagon 320' and 'SetRenegade 320' to max out the meters, enabling you to pass more speech checks and give you 3 bonus points in Charm and Intimidate (that you would get anyway as your meters rise throughout the game). You will still need to max out Charm and/or intimidate to pass some speech checks though. This will also unlock the two missions gated behind achieving a 75% Paragon / Renegade score. I usually do this as soon as I gain control of my character at the beginning of the game.

 

ME2 only has a couple of difficult speech checks which involve settling some disputes between characters. If you stay consistent with Paragon or Renegade options you will pass these easily by the time you get them.

 

In ME3 choices are usually balanced evenly. Picking a Paragon response may give you something at the expense of something you would have gotten if you had chosen Renegade instead, and vice versa. However the reward will generally be 'worth' the same regardless of whether the Paragon on Renegade choice is made. Again just be consistent.

 

Other 'best' choices in the trilogy have nothing to do with dialogue, but making sure you have completed prior assignments or missions. In ME1 do as much as you can prior to a planet called Virmire. In ME2 do as much as you can before a mission that mentions an IFF. In ME3 do as much as you can before a mission to the main HQ of your enemy. These 3 missions are the start of the 'home stretch' where the consequences really depend on what you have done before. Be careful in ME3 to do side quests as soon as you get them, as some missions expire if you leave them too long. To be safe, don't start a mission commencing with the word 'Priority' unless you have completed other side quests that are available. Just remember, the ME trilogy is a game for completionists. Skipping side quests is not recommended and may result in sub optimal outcomes.

 

So basically, as long as you complete as much content as possible, and be consistent in either paragon or renegade choices, you should get the 'best' outcomes. Renegade choices may lead to a few 'sacrifices' along the way though as you take a win at all costs approach.

 

Hope this helps, and apologies for the basic tone if this isn't your first playthrough.

[pheroux]

Thank you for this very complete response.

There are very few Paragon options that don't lead to the 'best' outcome.

You mention a few exceptions? Do you remember what those are off the top of your head?

 

Thanks,

[ajsantiago78]

Thank you for this very complete response.

There are very few Paragon options that don't lead to the 'best' outcome.

You mention a few exceptions? Do you remember what those are off the top of your head?

 

Thanks,

Off the top of my head I can only think of two. As spoiler free as I can make it:

 

- there is an asari scientist you meet on Virmire in ME1 that you can kill, or allow to escape. If you allow her to escape she will also show up in the second game doing dubious things. In the third game you will get a news report that she killed some random people. That's all. Nothing major.

- In ME2 there is a mission involving the murder of a volus. You actually meet the murderer, but she sounds very innocent and most people let her go the first time they do the quest. You get a voice log later confirming she is the murderer. As far as I know she is never caught. However, solving the murder is not the point of the quest, and you lose nothing for missing this.