Mass Effect 2

Mass Effect 2

59 Achievements

62-84h

PS3
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Covert Action

Covert Action

Rescue Dr. Amanda Kenson without attracting hostile attention ("Arrival" downloadable content)

4.8%

How to unlock the Covert Action achievement in Mass Effect 2 - Definitive Guide

When you start the DLC and arrive on the planet, start by sabotaging the door, then make your way towards the bridge. The controls on your level are broken, so you have no choice but to get down using the left stairs and getting noticed by the Varen. Shepard will probably even tell you so, but fear not for your stealth-related achieve, because Varens do not count. You can always try to use the Cloaking perk if you play a sniper to kill the Varen, but honestly it is a waste of time.

Activate the controls, go back upstairs and cross the bridge. Progress until you have to shoot the gas pipe. Do so (releasing another Varen), and manipulate the valves so you can access the door ON THIS FLOOR, on the right corner. Do not go for the upper door just yet. The valves you need to turn are the one in front of the door and the one at the end of the left hallway. In this "secret" room, you will find your first upgrade (ammo increase for your heavy weapons) and some cash in a box. Manipulate the valves again and go for the upper door. Nothing of interest here.

When you arrive outside, I would suggest you saved. Walk straight ahead, the 2 guards on the left won't see you. Kill the power lines, then make your way up the truck using it's rear (with the tail lights). DO NOT approach the guards, or you're toast. Go inside the door, take the cash in the little box, then go right. Do not open any door, of course, or you will find the guards. At the fork, go left and explore the back room for some Iridium, then get back on track and jump down (no turning back now !). Go up the stairs, hide right next to the open door with the 2 guards (ammo behind you), and SAVE. If you go for the collectables in the room, you will get burned. So SAVE here so you can reload later, after you get your achieve, if you want to get every item like me

In the room, you will find cash and an audio log. Now get to cover on the left of the door, and you will see a guard going into a distant door, patrolling. Do not be scared. As a matter of fact, follow him and enter the door when you see an air patrol landing. You can hide behind the railing when the ship lands, but it's not an obligation. Inside, you're alone. Activate the crane, then the elevator. Go down again. Activate the elevator again for a datapad and a health pack. Take the door, the cash on the left and cut the lasers. Now stick to the right wall and the left guard in the small room (which is empty) that is staring right at you won't see you. It's kind of stupid, but it's the case. So continue down the hall, turn left and open the door.

Achievement unlocked AFTER THE SCENE

Author: Asturgis
http://www.xbox360achievements.org/forum/showthread.php?t=30...
174
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29 Mar 2011 14:19

10 Comments
worked like a charm. spot on guide pal.
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By R3dD3vil88 on 30 Mar 2011 13:16
Thank you, help a lot!
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By Goliath821 on 31 Mar 2011 05:02
good guide, thanks!
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By vikingbloodlust on 31 Mar 2011 23:30
I'd like to promote those writing original content rather than using content from someone else.
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By Epsilon Theta on 29 Jul 2011 14:12
Worked great. Thank you. Thumbs up.
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By KDogg5150 on 01 Aug 2011 03:29
Great guide, worked perfectly. Agree with Epsilon Theta, nice to see someone make their own instead of copying off FAQ's
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By Noog25 on 10 Aug 2011 19:48
Found some hidden items this guide misses. When you are at the crane controls, after moving it out of your way, the other 2 buttons activate. One raises and lowers the crane and the other moves it left and right. Using these controls you can pick up one of the boxes in the back revealing a datapad with a medigel upgrade research mod and some resources.
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By Ashen Seraph on 14 Sep 2011 07:37
This was a very nice guide. Easy to follow and it was clearly detailed. Thank you!
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By Crayon Taster on 31 Oct 2011 00:10
Great guide.
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By Solario32 on 03 Nov 2011 12:18
@Noog25, I believe you have misread what I said! wink This solution, while working great, is a copy.
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By Epsilon Theta on 27 Jan 2013 09:42
View all 10 comments Show less comments
for you more visual people, sorry the guy doing the walkthrough is a bit annoying.

Obviously credit goes to AchievementHunter.com

NOTE: if you intend in getting all the collectibles and cash and all of that good stuff, ignore this guide (for some reason this guide doesn't show you all the extra stuff, to the point i guess) and follow Quickz Alex's guide. good luck
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31 Mar 2011 23:34

2 Comments
At one point in the video he says you can turn off a laser wall, it does nothing productive, but when I reached the end point the achievement didn't pop. I replayed it and did not turn the laser wall off and the achievement popped.
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By Love01082008 on 25 Nov 2012 22:45
^ Exactly. ^

Sorry the guy posting a video is a bit annoying.
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By tornprince2012 on 18 Jan 2015 16:17
The crux of this achievement is to complete the first portion of the DLC WITHOUT engaging the Batarians. It's not too difficult once you know the way and hopefully my guide will give you a hand.

When you start the DLC, you arrive on the planet and begin by sabotaging the first door to open it. As you enter you will see "Bridge Controls" which do not work. This will force you to turn around and head right down a short passage which leads you underneath the gap. There you will encounter a Varren. Varren DO NOT COUNT towards this achievement, so you can feel free to kill them with prejudice. After killing the Varren, you'll see another bridge control button which will activate the bridge above.

NOTE: Some gamers have reported that the Batarians can hear you if you make too much noise while completing the first few tasks. While I did not experience this in my playthrough, it is worth noting. Apparently, a message will come across the radio if they hear you. So, like I always say, save often.

Head back up to where you started and continue on through the dark hallways until you reach a dead end with a gas pipe. Shoot the pipe to open the passageway and release another Varren. In this next section you will have to turn several gas valves to turn off flames as you progress. As you move through, you will see a door behind some flames. This is skippable but does contain some credits and another upgrade (increase in heavy weapons ammo).

As you approach the next section you will begin to hear Batarian guards conversing. This is a good point to save if you're nervous about getting through.

When you get to the outside area, there will be two Batarian guards on your left. Move straight ahead (keeping the Batarians on your left) towards the power switch. Hitting the switch will disarm the power lines and allow you to climb up the structure (you basically need to take cover and climb twice), avoiding the Batarians. Once you've climbed to the top, go inside the small structure, loot the credits from the box, then go right and jump down. Work your way around the corner to the stairs and take them up to the next area.

As before, if you're nervous, feel free to save at this point. In the next room there are two more Batarian guards. Sneak quickly past the open door.

After sneaking past the door, look around the corner and you will see another Batarian going on patrol. Give him a second to move on, and then follow his route. You will soon hear an audio alert about a shuttle incoming. Quickly move into the next room where you will see a cargo crane and small truck-like-thing below.

If you play around with the crane a bit, you can move one of the canisters revealing some resources and credits. After moving the crane around, drop down and activate the lift which lowers the truck-like-thing. Drop down on the truck to enter the area below.

If you activate the lift again, the truck-like-thing will raise up revealing medigel and a datapad.

Take the door and you will enter your final area. Inside this area you will see two Batarian guards talking about the interrogation happening in the next room. Pass by them avoiding the room. As you pass by the room you will see a door, DO NOT OPEN IT, as it leads to the room where the two Batarians are chatting. Pass by the door and take the open hallway on the left. At the end of the hallway, on the left, you will find a door. Open this door to activate the cut scene and unlock the achievement (once the scene completes).

In summation, take your time, save often if you're unsure and bypass the rooms and areas where you see the guards.
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30 Mar 2011 02:11

3 Comments
I'm not sure if it's bug, but the achievement didn't show up for the first time after I rescued Dr. Kenson. I had to go back to a save and try again. (but I didn't shot anyone!)
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By WinterMute71 on 01 Apr 2011 05:33
If in the beginning sections the Batarians hear you, you will hear a message about them releasing more varren into the sewers. Although this does not engage them, they are aware of your presence, so you will need to restart to get the chieve. Just be careful with your shots to avoid attracting attention. This happened to me at the second varren so you might want to save beforehand.
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By destinee ehgc on 30 Mar 2011 10:45
i believe (destinee ehgo) made a good point that should be included in the guide i did not get the achievement the fisrt time or the second time because i think i was being too loud in the very begining killing those creatures in the sewers and i think that made them aware of my presence there after reading his comment i knew not to use guns but only use power moves even to break the gas pipes just to be sure and got my achievement the fist time after that. the rest of the guide is accurate. ps i was not the one who voted neg. i will vote pos if include that portion there just to aware people.
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By See u in helll on 04 Apr 2011 02:40
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I did this playing as an infiltrator.
follow what everyone else has said, but please note, when using tactical cloak, even when UNDETECTED the enimies will say stuff: like "where'd he go?"
but even though they say stuff like that they do not know where you are. just stay out of plain site and follow the above guides. if playing as an infiltrator, i reccomend hot-keying tact-cloak and using it alot
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12 Apr 2011 15:07

A bit of extra info - this DLC doesn't trigger until you've completed the Horizon mission. This means you need to recruit the first four 'core' squad members (Grunt, Modin, Garrus and Jack), this causes the Horizon mission to trigger and once that is completed you should get a message on your private terminal.

I mention this because I did a run-through on Insanity and didn't realise I'd missed this achievement. Starting on the easy setting, skipping through the dialogue and running through everything quickly it took me 2 hours and 36 minutes to arrive at this point - about another 5 after that to trigger the stealth achievement and another 10 or so to survive 5 waves (took me a couple of tries even on easy.. but as others have said on the far left of the room is a L shaped table, just get behind that and pull out your sniper, then your pistol and finally your combat rifle).
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11 Aug 2012 19:09

If you are interested in getting all the items and credits, then you will not want to follow this guide.

This video is not mine, credit goes to the Achievement Hunters.
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13 Mar 2014 04:25

This is the very first mission of the DLC. Make an extra save after arriving on Aratoht if you're concerned about not getting the trophy. It's not hard at all though. All that you have to do is avoid killing any Batarians before rescuing Dr. Kenson. If you kill any Varren, it's ok as you can't really avoid them at times. Besides, they can't call for backup. While you're making your way through the base, allow batarians to go through doors ahead of you and if you see any standing around talking in side rooms, don't kill them. Just pass them by. This trophy will unlock after Dr. Kenson is free.

A big thank you to Yoshi_Girl for putting together the following image walkthrough. Since some people may have trouble getting through without setting off an alarm or getting seen, she put together these images to help out.

 











































If you require additional help, then see this video by Rooster Teeth:

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While story-based, this achievement is missable

This achievement is best to do completely separate from collecting everything in sight as there are a couple of collectibles that you will be unable to get and keep your cover simultaneously. With a little bit of careful planning and a slight dousing of stealth this shouldn't be a problem. Let's tackle it. (Note if you don't want to read through my walkthrough at the end will be a fairly solid video walkthrough accomplishing the same thing.)

Starting it it drops us off outside of the prison in front of a door. Walk over to the side of the door and cut the power. After opening the door hang a right and you will see the controls for a bridge. If you turn directly around and proceed through the broken bars and to your left you will find 400 Iridium next to a dead varen. The top one cannot work without the one below so backtrack a few steps and look to your left at a ramp heading down. There is a varen down here who is unavoidable and inconsequential. The killing of varen do not count toward the attraction of hostile attention. Once you activate the lower controls head back up and once again try to activate the bridge, this time extending it.

Once across follow the path up the steps to an area with pipes, gas lines and lasers. As soon as you shut down the lasers take a couple steps back and look to your left for the oncoming varen you just released. Dispatch the varen and continue on catching quick dialog to your left by the horizontal lasers and the locked door. Move on until you run into an area with gas pipes and gas valves that can be activated. Each break in the path has a gas valve that can be activated to open up another/addition to your exploratory area. If you are looking to collect items and keep this runthrough as your main then continue to read on. If not continue back when the font changes back to normal. There is an area blocked by the gas. In order to access it you need to turn the valve in front and to the right of the wall of flames, and the first valve on the left as you progress farther. Inside this room you will find credits, a personal log, and an ammo upgrade for your heavy weapons. To get back on track for your objectives just activate the valves to once again open your path. Make your way upstairs and pop a quick save at the door before going outside. It's time to get our stealth on. 

Upon exiting the building you will come down stairs and see two guards to your left. They both have their backs turned and are discussing important matters so this is our time to strike. Down a small alley to the right is a power code that we will cut thus neutralizing the lasers that are blocking our route. Come back a little bit and get into cover at the tail lights of the truck. Mount that then make a quick right and mount the balcony. Upon opening the door quickly to your right is a locker with credits in it. Make sure not to go left and on top of that not to open the door to the left! Upon continuing right you will come to an impasse. Left or right? If you go left it will lead you to a room that is in need of exploring and looting--you will get the following: 400 Iridium. Again make sure not to open the door in this back-room you just explored and to trace your steps back to that impasse. I suggest saving here real quick because once we fall down there is no turning back.

After dropping down make your way up the stairs, through the door and to the room with two guards facing away and plenty of collectibles inside. If you go for the items in this room you will be caught thus failing the objective and achievement. Instead make a save right at the door if you would like to come back and collect the items later, or just do a whole other save where you blast every prison guard away-- the choice is your's. After moving past the open door you will see a guard patrolling and actually walking away. We will actually want to follow him and the door he goes through. Be sure not to go to your right or else you will be spotted by our lovely guards at the window. Once you get in this area you are by yourself and free to calm your nerves and take a deep breath. From this point we are going to activate the crane controls and here's how:

  • Middle Crane Button
  • Left Crane Button
  • Right Crane Button
  • Right Crane Button.

This sequence will open up a medi-gel upgrade and 1200 iridium. After you grab or skip this use the vehicle lift to open up a passage way down. Activate the vehicle lift again to open up a PDA and a Med Kit under the elevator. You will continue a bit to your right and then find a door on your left. Go through it and find a security log to listen to, a locker to give you credits and an off switch for those lasers. Stay close to the wall on your right, the guard on your left will be looking right at you, your heart will drop..... but he does not see you. Alas we prevail. Continue down the hallway, hang a left and open the door. You will get your sneaky achievement after the cut scene.

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You must reach the doctor without firing more than one shot, kill the Varen with your abilities and hands, and avoid touching the alarming laser barriers.
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01 Apr 2011 07:27

1 Comment
You can kill Varrens in any way you like: for example, I used a weapon. To get the trophy, you must sneak past all the guards without starting a firefight.
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By ROMAN-Guitarman on 16 Aug 2012 21:13
After destroying the warrens, move slowly: if you move correctly (determine the direction of movement using the compass, turned on by pressing R3 or L3 ) and do not disturb the guards, you will receive this trophy without any problems.

You can also use the video hint https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mPZRvBgJ7_w
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15 Jul 2011 23:53