Mass Effect: Legendary Edition now has a release date and fans are more excited than ever for its arrival. In preparation, many fans are deciding what sort of playthrough their first Mass Effect run will be.
As seasoned fans of the Mass Effect games will know, each game measures the main character Shepard's morality by a system of paragon and renegade points. Gravitating towards either end of the spectrum opens up new actions and dialogue options for Shepard, and affects the overall endings of each game. So for those planning out their perfect paragon playthrough, it's important to know the best choices to make throughout the game.
General Tip
Likely the most important thing to remember for paragon players is where to find the paragon dialogue options. Mass Effect uses a dialogue wheel, and the most "paragon" option is nearly always the top right option. Conversely, the most "renegade" option is the bottom right. So, when going paragon, stick to the top option - this applies to all three games.
Feros
When completing the mission on Feros, it's important to keep a few things in mind: first, there's the matter of the colonists. To get the most paragon points and the best outcome, players need to make sure to help the colonists of Feros with their problems, including the food and water shortages. When it's time to go after the Thorian, players should do everything possible to avoid killing any colonists; the sleep grenades', used strategically, are quite helpful here. Finally, when talking with Shiala after the Thorian, players need to spare her and allow her to assist the colonists of Zhu's Hope.
Noveria
Once on Noveria, it's possible to start collecting paragon points right away by helping Gianna Parasini with her mission, using paragon dialogue options, and convincing Lorik Qui'in to testify peacefully. That's just the stuff at the main base; once off to the labs, there are other matters to consider. Upon finding Benezia, it's important to support Liara and have concern for her feelings in the matter - it's her mother, after all. And afterward, when tasked with deciding the Rachni Queen's fate, it's best to spare her. It'll pay off down the road.
The Council
It's tempting to sass and argue with the Council on most occasions, especially when they start to disbelieve Mass Effect's Shepard and their theories. But choosing the high road as far as they're concerned is a good source of paragon points. And at the end of the game, when Shepard must choose between humanity and the Council, choosing the Council is ultimately the paragon way to go. For all that they question Shepard, they're worth keeping around, and saving them is the benevolent path to a seat for humanity on the Council.
Gathering Loyalty
It's hard to outline every paragon choice in Mass Effect 2, but the most important thing to keep in mind is completion: do all recruitment missions and all loyalty missions. Doing things like helping Mordin distribute a cure just because it's the right thing to do, saving Maelon's data for the purpose of curing the genophage down the road, stopping Garrus from killing Sidonis, and keeping Tali's secret while still defending her at the trial will all result in more paragon points. So long as players stick to the top right option, it shouldn't be hard to accumulate points.
Save the Crew
Once players near the end of ME2, the Normandy crew will be taken by the Collectors. The best thing a true paragon can do is go after the crew as quickly as possible, so make sure to have all major missions wrapped up before attempting to get the Reaper IFF; it'll set off a sequence of events that can't be stopped. Waiting too long will result in the death of the crew. Once the crew is recovered, make sure to send one of the squad to escort them (Mordin is a good choice for this task).
The Collector Base
When it's time to decide what to do with the Collector base, Shepard will have one of Mass Effect's toughest choice to make: keep it intact so that Cerberus can study it, or destroy it like the abomination it is and prevent it from falling into Cerberus hands. Naturally, the paragon thing to do is to defy the Illusive Man, "resigning" from Cerberus and destroying the base. After all, Cerberus is never particularly altruistic, and it only gets worse come Mass Effect 3.
The Fate of the Krogan
During the events of Mass Effect 3, it'll fall to Shepard to decide the fate of the Krogan race. Shepard can either help the Krogan get a cure for the genophage, or sabotage that cure in a deal with the Salarians. A paragon Shepard will stick with the Krogan through it all, championing a cure for them and refusing the Dalatrass' deal when she offers it. Not only that, but Shepard should reveal the Dalatrass' duplicity at first opportunity, for more paragon points. Paragon players go with Mordin to distribute the cure at the Shroud, and save the Krogan from extinction.
Saving the Council (Again)
When Cerberus launches an attack on the Citadel, Shepard will be tasked with saving the Council while simultaneously getting rid of the Council's Cerberus mole, Udina. In the process, it's possible for Shepard to shoot either Kaidan or Ashley (whoever is alive after the events on Virmire). Players can avoid this by talking Kaidan/Ashley down, not using violence to diffuse the situation; it's possible to both save the Council and Kaidan/Ashley this way.
Quarians and Geth
Later on, Shepard is drawn into the conflict between the Quarians and the Geth over their mutual home planet, Rannoch. With friends on both sides of the war, Shepard may be torn in different directions, but it's possible to get the best of both worlds. Sticking to paragon dialogue options, saving Admiral Koris, and freeing the Geth from Reaper influence; then, Shepard can negotiate a peace between Quarians and Geth before the two races tear each other apart. They share Rannoch in peace, and Shepard is more of a paragon than ever.
Friend To All
Mass Effect 3 doesn't have many "big" decisions that net a ton of paragon points all at once. Instead, players should simply make sure to take all opportunities to speak with Shepard's squad, and with people around the citadel, to maximize the number of paragon dialogue options they can select. Helping everyone to the best of Shepard's ability, and it's hard to go wrong.
Mass Effect: Legendary Edition releases May 25 for PC, PS4, and Xbox One.