You know that feeling when you've finally tracked down the person who ruined your life? That's where we find Garrus Vakarian in Mass Effect 2. He's been through hell on Omega. His entire team—ten good people—is dead because one man sold them out. Now, he wants blood. The Garrus loyalty mission me2, titled "Eye for an Eye," isn't just a combat map on the Citadel. It's a fundamental test of what kind of person Garrus becomes by the time the Reapers show up. Honestly, most players just let him pull the trigger because, hey, it’s Garrus. He’s our best friend. Why wouldn't we back him up?
But there’s a lot more moving parts here than just a sniper rifle and a grudge.
Tracking Down Fade and the Harkin Connection
Before you even see Sidonis, you have to find "Fade." This is basically a professional "disappearer" who helps criminals vanish. You head to the Citadel and chat with Captain Bailey—who’s always a breath of fresh air with his "I don't get paid enough for this" attitude—and he points you toward the warehouses.
When you finally corner Fade, you realize it’s Harkin. Yeah, that guy. The sleazy, disgraced C-Sec officer from the first game who spent his days drinking in Chora’s Den. It’s a great piece of continuity. If you didn't play the first Mass Effect, Shepard’s reaction is a bit more muted, but for veterans, seeing Harkin again is like finding a cockroach that just won't die.
The fight through the warehouse district is honestly a bit of a slog. You’re dealing with LOKI mechs and Blue Suns mercenaries. Pro tip: bring someone with Overload or AI Hacking. Tali or Miranda are solid picks. You'll be chewing through a lot of shields and synthetic armor. There's a moment where Garrus gets a bit... intense. He’s not the calm, cool sniper we know. He's vibrating with rage. He even threatens to shoot Harkin in the leg just to get him to talk faster. You get a Paragon interrupt here to stop him. If you let him do it, it sets a pretty dark tone for the rest of the mission.
🔗 Read more: Football Manager Epic Games: Why Free Isn't Always Free
The Confrontation: To Shoot or Not to Shoot?
The climax of the Garrus loyalty mission me2 happens at the Orbital Lounge. This is the part everyone talks about. Garrus sets up in a sniper nest, and you go down to the plaza to lure Sidonis into the open. You're basically acting as live bait.
The Renegade Path: Vengeance Served Cold
If you want to go the Renegade route, you just stay out of the way. You can even use a Renegade interrupt to step aside and let Garrus take the shot. Sidonis dies instantly. Garrus feels a brief moment of satisfaction, but if you talk to him on the Normandy afterward, he’s still pretty sullen. He got his revenge, but it didn't bring his team back. It’s a very "eye for an eye leaves the world blind" kind of vibe.
The Paragon Path: The Harder Choice
This is where things get interesting. To spare Sidonis, you have to physically block Garrus’s line of sight. You’ll be standing there, talking to Sidonis, while Garrus is screaming in your ear through the comms to move. It’s incredibly tense.
If you keep Sidonis talking, he eventually breaks down. He reveals he wasn't just a greedy traitor; he was captured and tortured by the Blue Suns. He’s been living in a hell of his own making ever since, unable to sleep, wishing he was dead. When Garrus hears this, his perspective shifts. He realizes Sidonis isn't a monster; he's a broken man.
Sparing him is the "true" Paragon choice, and it actually leads to more character growth for Garrus. He starts to realize that justice isn't always about a bullet.
Does it Actually Matter for Mass Effect 3?
People always ask if this choice changes the ending of the trilogy. Mechanically? Not really. Garrus is loyal either way as long as you finish the mission. You get his "Armor Piercing Ammo" power and his alternate outfit regardless of whether Sidonis lives or dies.
However, the vibe is different. If you spare Sidonis, Garrus is a bit more reflective in ME3. He talks about how he's glad he didn't become a cold-blooded murderer. There’s even a small mention in the news or via email that Sidonis eventually turned himself in to C-Sec because his guilt was too much to handle.
Actionable Insights for Your Playthrough
If you're currently staring at the mission screen, here’s how to handle it for the best experience:
- Check Your Morality Score: You don't actually need a massive Paragon or Renegade score to "win" this mission, unlike the Tali/Legion or Miranda/Jack fights. You just need to be willing to use the interrupts.
- Don't Rush the Dialogue: If you're going for the spare, let Sidonis talk. Don't pick the "Warn him" option immediately. Let the conversation breathe so Garrus hears the full story.
- Loot the Warehouse: There are several wall safes and circuit boards in the factory area before you reach Harkin. Don't skip them; you can grab about 10,000 credits and some Iridium if you’re thorough.
- The Sniper Rifle Glitch: Fun fact, Garrus often defaults to a specific rifle in the cutscene regardless of what you equipped him with. Don't worry, his actual damage in the warehouse fight still uses the gear you gave him.
Ultimately, the Garrus loyalty mission me2 is about Shepard's influence on their best friend. You’re deciding if Garrus stays a vigilante or becomes a leader. Sparing Sidonis might feel like letting a "rat" go, but it’s actually the moment Garrus starts to grow beyond his rage. Next time you're on the Normandy, check in with him. The way he talks about the mission will tell you everything you need to know about the path you've set him on.