Guides / Mass Effect 1 (Legendary Edition)
Ilos: The Conduit & Trench Run
A high-speed Mako run through the Prothean aqueducts of Ilos to reach the active Conduit relay before it collapses.
Getting there: Traversed via the Normandy after completing the four core story planets (Therum, Feros, Noveria, Virmire) and escaping Citadel lockdown. Entering the Mu Relay locks the endgame path.
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Before you leave
- •Once you drop down the elevator shaft in the Mako after speaking to Vigil, you are locked into the endgame sequence with no way to return to the Normandy.
- •You must take the Mako down the drop ledge, as advancing on foot prevents triggering the relay jump at the end of the run.
- •Attempting to fight the Geth defenders in the plaza will cause the 40-second timer to expire, instantly resulting in a mission failure.
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Route
5 steps- 1
Depart Vigil's Chamber. Conclude Vigil's conversation, choose dialogue, and board the Mako at the barrier
⚠ You must take the Mako down the drop ledge; advancing on foot prevents you from triggering the relay jump at the end of the run.
- 2
Breach the Aqueduct Entrance. Drive down the ramp, eliminate three Rocket Troopers, and turn left into the aqueduct
- 3
Navigate the S-Turn Canal. Navigate the winding trench past the Geth Colossus by blasting, dodging, or ramming
⚠ Getting hit directly by a Colossus siege plasma sphere inflicts devastating structural damage to the Mako.
- 4
Power Through the Long Stretch. Accelerate down the center of the linear canal past scattered Rocket Troopers
- 5
Charge the Conduit Courtyard. Boost full throttle up the central ramp into the Conduit beam before the timer ends
⚠ Attempting to fight the Geth defenders in the plaza will cause the 40-second timer to expire, instantly resulting in a mission failure.
Choices here
2| Choice | Options and what happens | Most players pick |
|---|---|---|
| Reaction to Prothean stasis shutdownsWhen Vigil reveals it cut power to non-essential pods to ensure the top scientists survived | "That's monstrous!": Grants +2 Paragon points"It was necessary.": Grants +2 Renegade pointsDialogue choice during the conversation with Vigil before boarding the Mako | |
| The 40-second Conduit runUpon triggering the 40-second countdown in the final plaza surrounded by Geth Colossi and Troopers | Stop and engage the Geth forces: Causes the 40-second timer to run out, resulting in a mission failure and game overAccelerate directly through the enemy lines into the Conduit beam: Successfully transports the Mako through the relay to the Citadel Presidium pool and completes the "Race Against Time: Conduit" mission objectiveStrict 40-second countdown timer; the Mako is required to trigger the transition into the relay | Accelerate directly through the enemy lines into the Conduit beam |
Key fights
4| Fight | Watch for | Weaknesses and resistances | Rewards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Encounter 1: The Trench Gate3× Geth Rocket Troopers | Rocket salvos that bypass a portion of vehicle kinetic barriers and stagger the MakoTactics: Flatten with the Mako or dispatch with the 155mm cannon/machine gun before turning left into the aqueduct | ||
| Encounter 2: The S-TurnGeth Colossus, supported by multiple Geth Rocket Troopers and Troopers | The Colossus fires a charged, slow-moving plasma siege ball that deals devastating structural damage to the MakoTactics: Use the Mako's jump jets (or horizontal boost in Legendary Edition) to dodge incoming siege plasma; either blast the Colossus with high-explosive cannon shells or ram it, using the vehicle hull as a battering ram to push past | ||
| Encounter 3: The Long CanalDispersed pockets of Geth Rocket Troopers positioned along the canal walls and walkway bends | Tactics: Keep continuous forward momentum using the booster; staying in the center minimizes the chance of snagging on architectural roots | ||
| Encounter 4: Plaza Before the Conduit (40-Second Countdown)Multiple Geth Colossi (up to 4 in the area/overlooks), Armatures, and numerous Geth Rocket Troopers | Crossfire from multiple heavy plasma cannons and incoming rockets; 40-second time limitTactics: Do not engage. Hit the thrusters, ignore the Colossi fire, and drive at full throttle up the center ramp directly into the blue Conduit energy beam | Mission completion XP for Race Against Time: Conduit; Transition cutscene launching the Mako into the Citadel Presidium pool |
Ilos
- Shepard lands on the lost Prothean world of Ilos to pursue Saren and prevent him from activating the Citadel relay for Sovereign. You must fight through Geth defenses on foot to disable the security lockdown, speak with the Prothean VI Vigil, and then drive the Mako through the Conduit trench before it closes.
Enemies
| Enemies | Weak to | Steal / drop | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Geth Colossus | Guarding the path leading directly in front of the Conduit; engaging them wastes valuable timer seconds. | ||
| Geth Armature | Positioned along the trench approach toward the portal. | ||
| Geth Prime | Heavy infantry deployed along the road leading to the beam. | ||
| Geth Rocket Trooper | Stationary snipers and rocket units firing down at the Mako from defensive positions. | ||
| Geth Ghost | Highly agile stealth units that jump on walls and ambush your squad in the ruins. |
Tips
- •Use the Mako's forward booster boost conservatively to maintain steering control, as bumping into walls or bouncing awkwardly can waste precious seconds.
- •Exhaust all dialogue options with the VI Vigil to receive the data file needed to override Saren's Citadel master control, as well as crucial lore details.
- •Once you drop down the elevator shaft in the Mako after speaking to Vigil, you are locked into the endgame sequence with no way to return to the Normandy.
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The full walkthrough text
A high-speed Mako run through the Prothean aqueducts of Ilos to reach the active Conduit relay before it collapses.
1. Depart Vigil's Chamber
After concluding your conversation with Vigil, respond to its revelation about letting non-essential stasis pods shut down with "That's monstrous!" for Paragon points or "It was necessary." for Renegade points. Take the elevator back up to where you left the Mako parked at the now-lowered security barrier, and ensure you board the vehicle before proceeding.
Tip: Vigil grants you the data file needed to stop Saren before you leave the platform.
2. Breach the Aqueduct Entrance
Drive your Mako down the ramp leading from the archives area toward the entrance to the trench. Eliminate the three Geth Rocket Troopers guarding the gate using your 155mm cannon and machine gun, or simply crush them beneath your tires before taking a left into the aqueduct.
Tip: Rocket salvos bypass some vehicle shielding and cause the Mako to stagger, so neutralize or bypass these troopers quickly.
3. Navigate the S-Turn Canal
Proceed into the winding trench filled with overhanging roots and Prothean architectural ribs, where a Geth Colossus and supporting infantry block the path. Either blast the Colossus with heavy cannon rounds while utilizing jump jets and horizontal boosts to evade its slow charged plasma siege balls, or ram it directly to force your way past.
Tip: Stopping to destroy the defenders awards standard vehicle XP, but simply boosting past saves your hull from unnecessary combat wear.
4. Power Through the Long Stretch
Follow the linear canal as it opens into a straight run leading toward the exit ramp. Maintain steady acceleration through the dispersed pockets of Geth Rocket Troopers posted on the canal walls, keeping the Mako centered on the path.
Tip: Staying in the middle of the canal minimizes the risk of snagging the Mako on protruding Prothean roots and architectural ribbing.
5. Charge the Conduit Courtyard
Emerge onto the wide plaza where Saren's landing site sits and a cutscene shows Sovereign's fleet attacking the Citadel as a strict 40-second countdown begins. Disregard the crossfire from the multiple Geth Colossi, Armatures, and Rocket Troopers, hitting your boosters at full throttle straight up the central ramp directly into the horizontal mass relay beam to warp into the Presidium pool.
The short version
What matters
- Boarding the Mako before descending the archives ramp, as it is strictly required to clear the speed boundary into the mass relay.
- Using the Mako's jump jets and horizontal thrusters to dodge the devastating plasma siege spheres launched by Geth Colossi.
- Full-throttle acceleration through the final plaza directly into the Conduit beam before the 40-second timer expires.
Common mistakes
- Dismounting to tackle the aqueduct on foot; the relay jump cannot be triggered without the Mako, halting your progress at the final drop.
- Stopping to trade fire with the courtyard defenders during the final stretch; the 40-second countdown will expire and trigger a game over.
What you can skip
- Engaging the Geth Colossi, Armatures, and infantry stationed in the final courtyard, as stopping to fight them guarantees a mission wipe.
- Eliminating every scattered Rocket Trooper along the trench canal walls when you can easily boost past them.
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