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“The chances of surviving are… slim.” — Spoilers for Mass Effect 2 follow. |
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The Human-Reaper is an incomplete Reaper being constructed by the Collectors.
Under the orders of Harbinger, the Collectors began abducting humans from colonies across the edge of the Terminus Systems, taking them to the Collector Base. Once at the base, the abductees were stored in organic pods. Periodically, they would be broken down into raw genetic material which was pumped through tubes to the centre of the Collector Base and used to construct the Human-Reaper.
EDI suggests that the Collectors were 'facilitating Reaper reproduction' by constructing a new Reaper, and also estimated that the Collectors would have to gather millions of humans in order to complete it. EDI speculates that every Reaper is built to resemble the race used to create it, and that the Reapers had even unsuccessfully attempted to construct a Reaper from Prothean genetic material.
When Commander Shepard discovers the Human-Reaper, it is an inactive larva: a vaguely humanoid upper torso, supported by two tubes each per "shoulder". These tubes funnel genetic material into the Reaper and are destroyed by the squad, causing the Human-Reaper to fall into its apparent destruction. However, it is able to activate itself and climb back up to engage Shepard and the team. They proceed to destroy the Human-Reaper once and for all after dealing massive damage to the cyborg construct.
Capabilities
Offensive
The Human-Reaper slams the battlefield with its limbs, occasionally tearing away a platform. If standing near the edge when this occurs, Shepard may be knocked off the platform and killed. The Human-Reaper also possesses a ranged energy weapon fired out of its mouth. This weapon requires a charge-up time, signified by distinct visual and sound cues, and will damage any Collectors caught in its path.
Defensive
The Human-Reaper possesses a number of weak spots in its armor located in its "eyes," mouth cannon, and chest region. While the Human-Reaper can be damaged by shooting it almost anywhere on its body, shooting the weak points will deal bonus damage equivalent to headshots, provided the weapon used can deal headshot damage. Powers will deal the same amount of damage regardless of where they impact on the Human-Reaper, but only the weak points can be targeted for projectile powers to "seek".
Tactics
- Before the actual fight with the Human-Reaper, if the player takes too long to destroy a tube when the covers are open, the Human-Reaper will attack using its head-mounted weapon, despite appearing to be inactive.
- Incinerate or Warp are particularly effective when fully leveled, as are sniper rifles, heavy pistols, and the Reave bonus power. However, it is not easy to hit the Human-Reaper with powers when it quickly changes its position, so it would be wise to wait until it stops for its charge-up attack. There is also a moment right before the Human-Reaper disappears out of sight below the platforms where it comes to a stop, tilts its head back, and emits a mechanical "roar". This is a good time to shoot, but projectile powers will not land before the Reaper retreats.
- Stay in cover whenever the Reaper is charging its attack or if Collectors are in the area; time your ammo runs to the respawning thermal clips for when the coast is clear.
- While other heavy weapons can be used, the consistent and instant fire from the Collector Particle Beam makes it generally the most effective option. However, the Particle Beam does not deal bonus headshot damage, so hitting the weak spots on the Human-Reaper as opposed to other areas gains you nothing.
- The M-920 Cain is capable of taking a huge chunk out of the Human-Reaper's armor bar, although this is difficult and is at best a gamble. The charging time on the weapon means that you'll be exposed to any incoming fire, and the fact that the Human-Reaper moves around further adds to the difficulty. If brought, it is best used early in the fight when the Human-Reaper is moving around a lot less.
- No matter the difficulty, even on Insanity, being a Soldier with a Widow Anti-Material Rifle applied with Incendiary Ammo, Armor Piercing Ammo, or Warp Ammo and using Adrenaline Rush will help you focus on some decently placed powerful shots that will cut down the Human-Reaper's health drastically.
- On Insanity, using Tali and Legion for this fight can be extremely helpful, provided both have full points allocated for their drones. Their drones will distract the Collectors and Harbinger so you can focus on the Human-Reaper itself.
- When the Human-Reaper fires its weapon at you, it can and will kill any Collectors and even Harbinger that get caught in its line of fire. Careful positioning of yourself and your squad can lead to the Reaper wiping out entire waves of drones.
- If the Human-Reaper's attack hits Shepard or any member of the squad, it will prevent their barriers/shields from recharging for a period of time. This is indicated by red bolts of lightning coursing over the character(s) in question. This can be countered by using Unity, Fortification, Geth Shield Boost, or Barrier; Sentinels can use Tech Armor, and Vanguards can use Charge on a nearby Collector.
- Stasis can affect the Human Reaper, though the effects are somewhat unusual.
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“There won't be an Earth left to save...” — Spoilers for Mass Effect 3 follow. |
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Mass Effect 3
During the raid on Cerberus Headquarters, it is revealed that components of the Human-Reaper were salvaged from the Collector Base by the Illusive Man, regardless of whether the Base was saved or destroyed. Cerberus is revealed to be actively using the Human-Reaper remains to augment Cronos Station's functionality; either by utilising its brain for increased processing power if the Collector Base was saved, or using its heart to power the base if the Base was destroyed.
After the downfall of Cerberus, the Human-Reaper's remains (either the brain or the heart) become War Assets and are incorporated into the Crucible.
Trivia
- During development, the Human-Reaper was nicknamed "Baby."[1]
- Writer Mac Walters stated that the Human-Reaper as seen in-game was meant to be the core of a larger Reaper more reminiscent of Sovereign, Harbinger, and the other Reapers seen thus far.[2] However, writer Chris L'Etoile later clarified that Reapers were at one point meant to be individually based on the species they harvest to be created, explaining why this Reaper would "look" human. Eventually, BioWare decided to keep a consistent design for all Reapers, based on Sovereign.[3]
See Also
- Mass Effect 2 Art Book/Texts#02: Alien Life Forms
- The Art of the Mass Effect Trilogy/Mass Effect 2#The Proto-Reaper
References
- ↑ http://gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2010/02/01/News-Mass-Effect-2-Tidbits.aspx
- ↑ Mass Effect Q&A with Mac Walters, dated April 21, 2011: "The exterior of the Reapers does follow a similar pattern, an efficient design for the purpose they were created for. However each Reaper is created from a unique species, and as we saw at the end of Mass Effect 2, the core of each Reaper is designed in the likeness of that species."
- ↑ F13.net forum post by Stormwaltz: "When I was there, the operating theory was that every individual Reaper contained the transapience-uploaded consciousnesses of an entire organic species, and every Reaper would look like the species it originated from - thus the humanoid form of the Reaper at the end of ME2. That got lost on the way, due to a combination of art costs to design/build umpteen unique Reapers, and a desire to maintain a consistent and recognizable design among them."