Getting started with the original Mass Effect games

1. Only ever played on PS3 console so I don't know how steam or PC DLC is handled.

2.There are no level options locked behind NG+. There are options that are locked depending on your Paragon or Renegade rank. And there are like one or two specialized level depending on your P/R rank. But they are stand alone missions that have no basis on over all story. There is nothing story related that is locked out of unless you do a NG+.

3. Vanguard is a good tank class. I don't think the class truly shines till ME 3. But once on ME3 it is pretty fun to play as. From one game to the next the only things that carry over really are the major choices you make in the game. As well as a level boost from one game to the next. AKA if you are level 60 by the time you beat ME 1 you will start off at level like 10 in ME 2 rather then level 1.

4. With ME 1 your going to want someone with tech skills (Kadian/Garrus/Tali) to help you hack everything since Vanguard class lacks that capability. Explore the planets and search for ore deposits and collectibles like the Matriarch writings. Easy credits for very little effort. Which is needed early in the game. Upgrade your weapons and switch mods as needed. Using a mod that increase damage to organic while facing Geth is not a smart idea.

1) There are only two campaign related DLC for ME1: Bring Down the Sky and Pinnacle Station. I'm not sure, but I think Pinnacle Station may no longer be available anywhere (it wasn't that great anyways, so I wouldn't worry about not having it). Bring Down the Sky is very worthwhile. I play on the Xbox 360 and Xbox One, so I'm afraid I don't really know how you go about it on the PC.

2) If the PC Edition plays like the Xbox one, one your first ever playthrough of ME1, you will be capped at Level 50. To get maximum import bonuses into ME2, you will need to do a second playthrough to get that character to Level 60. After that first playthrough, starting a new character will not cap, but you will still not get to Level 60 in one playthrough (Level 57 is about all you can get to in one go).

3) When you import a character, you can change your class completely at that time. So, for example, a ME1 soldier can be a ME2 vanguard. If you reimport your ME1 character back into ME1 (to do an NG+ game to get that character to Level 60), you will not be able to change Shepard's ME1 class or any of the skill points you've assigned in ME1 for Shepard. Your squad, however, will have all there points available for reassignment when you first recruit them. Shepard will have in his/her inventory, the gear that each squad mate was equipped with at the end of the game in addition to the gear he/she was equipped with and had in inventory at the end of that first playthrough (space in the inventory notwithstanding; that is, you may lose a piece or two).

Depending on what Level your Shepard is at the end of ME1, you will start at Level 2, 3, or 5 when you import into ME2. You will also get some cash, some mineral resources and some paragon/renegade points.

Details are here in the Wiki: masseffect.wikia.com/wiki/Save_File_Transfer

3) ME1 is doable with any of the character classes. Soldier is probably the most intuitive for people used to shooters. At this stage though, I'd say if vanguard looks the most interesting to you... go for it.

4) As mentioned about you will want to have make sure to have someone with Decryptions and Electronics with you at all times since these are the skills that enable you to hack into crates, which is how you get better gear. Kaidan, Garrus and Tali have both, but keep in mind that you have to put skills points into them before you can use them. Liara has electronics, but not decryption; and Wrex and Ashley have neither (they are your tanks and Wrex is a biotic). There is some very good build advice on the Character Builds sections of these forums. Also, if you don't mind spoilers, you can find lots of good information in the Wiki.

It's only available bundled with the entire Trilogy through Origin.

Both Paragon and Renegade are viable from a game play perspective. Being Renegade only really decrease your total options but doesn't make the game unnecessarily more difficult then Paragon. And Paragon generally increases your total options but doesn't make the game much easier then a Renegade play thought. As for level up persuasions related stuff in ME 1 I would say fairly important. Virmire is the mission that having a high paragon or renegade level actually matters. At least to me.  Other instances you might miss out on some dialogue or bonuses (extra credits/items/skipping a fight) but don't actually change the over all story line. Though the impact of those different dialogue options is personal opinion.

You can carry romances over from one game to the next. That being said not all the characters you can romance in ME 1 show up in ME2. And not all characters in ME 2 show up for extended periods in ME 3. That being said you can keep the romace going across all 3 (or 2 games with ME 2 characters) regardless of how much they show up. AKA you can romance Ashley in ME 1 then continue the romance in ME 2 even though she isn't a big player in it. Then pick it back up in ME 3. Or you can romance her in ME 1, switch to another romance in ME 2 then break up with ME 2 romance and back with Ashley for ME 3.  Liara is the only character you can consistently (with Lair of the Shadow Broker DLC) romance across all 3 games.

Depends on what difficulty level you are going on and what experience you have with the game and your play style. Others have had luck with that set up. Tali will be particularly useful in Geth moments. I personally use Garrus/Wrex for my set up. When you level up your entire squad levels up. So it isn't like Wrex/Garrus will be level 30 and Tali will be level 1.  Just keep an eye out for better armor for everyone and upgrade everyone's weapons when you have extras and you can play around with different set ups to find what works for you.

With Vanguard and it's shot gun close range is actually a bit better for you to be in. It isn't till late game you actually get a pistol worth using. Vanguard is suppose to be about getting in the enemy's face and going all out so it has abilities like barrier which increases your ability to take damage.

If you plan on only one playthrough before MEA, I would do as much as possible.

In ME1, get the Bring Down the Sky dlc. Good dlc. The pinnacle dlc I never played since its not available for the ps3, plus a few folks have told me its not worth it. Romance whoever you want

In ME2, recruit everyone. Get the dlc that has Kasumi and Zaeed. Do everyone's loyalty mission. The one dlc, which also has one of the best scenes in the trilogy, according to themikefest, is Arrival. The other dlc's you can get. You can romance whoever you want or stay with who you romanced in ME1.

In ME3, do everything that can be done. Get the dlc's. They add stuff. Play the From Ashes dlc ASAP to get the most from it. You can even romance a new character if you want or stay with the one from ME2 or go back to the one from ME1. At the end, make your choice

When you start your playthrough, you can post it in this thread if you like

This one's working for me


answers.ea.com/t5/Mass-Effect-1/MASS-EFFECT-BRING-DOWN-THE-SKY-for-free-NO-KEY-NEEDED/td-p/258814

Scroll down to the second post

Hmm, tried the new DLC link installed in, and then the game locked me out without having a code (tried the ones at the link, no dice). Probably best just to give up on that for now, I guess.

Can a Steam copy be registered on Origin? That would take care of the DLC issue.

Really? That's surprising. When I registered my ME1 disc, the DLCs attached right away. .

That doesn't prove much since they don't show as DLCs. They're just part of the base game files now.

You might have to DL through Origin to get the DLCs.