Mass Effect 5 Could Open a Pandora’s Box of New Weapons With ME3’s Destroy Ending

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The title of the upcoming Mass Effect game has yet to be revealed, whether it’s Mass Effect 4 (since it continues the story in the Milky Way), Mass Effect 5 (as hinted by teasers showing both the Milky Way and Andromeda), or something else entirely. What fans are most curious about is which ending from the original trilogy is considered canon. In Mass Effect 3, three main endings were presented: Destroy, Synthesis, and Control. The Destroy Ending seems to be the one that aligns with the current teases for the new game, implying a universe where all synthetic life has been destroyed. This potential canon could lead to an explosion of advanced weaponry in the upcoming Mass Effect title.

One clear indication that Mass Effect 5 adheres to the Destroy ending is the Mass Relays. A recent teaser suggested these massive transport structures were being rebuilt, implying they were destroyed in the past. This suggests a significant time lapse in the Galaxy’s reconnection, which could explain why both the Milky Way and Andromeda Galaxies are involved in ME5. However, it’s noteworthy that the Geth have been heavily hinted at for ME5 as well. This points towards the Synthesis ending being unlikely, if not impossible. The Destroy ending would also make sense for the Geth’s re-emergence, as they could either be rebuilt or searching for a way to escape the Milky Way in previous Mass Effect games. This isn’t just about story and lore; it also impacts gameplay and combat mechanics.

Mass Effect 5’s Combat is Begging for the Destroy Ending

Regarding technological advancements, it’s clear that the combat system in Mass Effect is highly sophisticated. Biotics and technology are integral components in most classes and battles, with the soldier class focusing primarily on combat. The firearms suit the game’s sci-fi atmosphere, but as time progresses, so should the technology. There’s no more advanced tech than what remains of the Reapers. This isn’t just about utilizing the technology the Reapers left behind for their civilization to exploit in order to defeat them faster within the cycle (such as at The Citadel), but rather, employing their leftover parts as a foundation for new technology.

In the universe of Mass Effect, the Reapers symbolize the peak of technology. With their tech now shattered throughout the galaxy, it’s logical that various alien species in Mass Effect could find some of this technology useful (especially when isolated from other parts of the galaxy). This could lead to increased space exploration, changing dynamics due to who expands most rapidly, and a wealth of new narrative elements. However, it also implies that there will be new weapons for combat in Mass Effect 5. Although these weapons might be outlawed, restricted to specific factions, or scarce for other reasons, incorporating Reaper weapons into Mass Effect 5 would be a clever reference to the original trilogy and a means of enhancing its combat system.

Reaper Technology in Mass Effect 5

In the hypothetical scenario of Mass Effect 5, it might be challenging to specify how its combat will appear, yet some significant Reaper attributes are worth mentioning:

1. Biotic-enhanced abilities that can alter the battlefield significantly.
2. Highly advanced technology capable of withstanding immense damage.
3. The ability to absorb resources and energy from the environment for self-sustenance.
4. A hive mind connection, allowing them to coordinate attacks effectively as a collective force.

  • The ability to create incredibly large Mass Effect fields
  • Mysterious cores that are “unreachable” and possibly powered by Element Zero and other, unknown resources.
  • Magnetohydrodynamic cannons with a yield of 132 to 450 kilotons of TNT, capable of firing in a fragment of the speed of light.
  • Point Defense + Kinetic Shields + Drones
  • Hulls that are nigh-undestructible
  • The ability to remotely control other transport-designated Reaper ships
  • Powerful processors capable of mass DNA harvesting
  • The ability to indoctrinate targets
  • Incredibly Advanced FTL capabilities (another key point to connect Milky Way and Andromeda)
  • Highly advanced computer viruses (although not unbeatable by a powerful enough AI)
  • Highly advanced microtechnology

It’s worth mentioning that the game Mass Effect had previously touched on this topic, though only momentarily. In Mass Effect 3, there are weapons modeled after Reaper design, with one example being the Reaper Blackstar. This weapon is so powerful it creates micro-black holes. While some aspects of Reaper technology have been incorporated into other weapon manufacturing, given that we now have access to full Reaper corpses, it’s likely that Mass Effect 5 will delve deeper into this subject matter.

In a modern context, the technology used in Mass Effect 5 could potentially escalate even minor conflicts into devastating outcomes, something we haven’t seen before. This suggests that the game is going to offer a more sophisticated narrative, lore, and combat experience than its predecessors, making it intriguing to see how it plays out.

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2025-07-05 18:54