I HIGHLY suggest getting the upgrades done as soon as you can! Mining planets and constantly searching EVERYTHING during a mission in order to get enough of each will feel like it takes a century, but it's worth it if you wish to save everyone! Personal Note Also, on a more personal note, giving squad mates their upgrades, such as Jack's Subject Zero: Biotic Damage, might also help in the final mission. After asking them, it is possible to upgrade in the lab where Mordin can be found. At the very least, also upgrade the Normandy before heading into the relay to further insure that your squad mates will survive: Heavy Ship Armor = Talk to Jacob -15,000 Palladium Multicore Shielding = Talk to Tali after recruiting -15,000 Palladium Thanix Cannon = Talk to Garrus after recruiting -15,000 Platinum When you talk to these squad mates, you MUST ask them about the Normandy Upgrades in order to obtain the option to upgrade the Normandy. Necessary Upgrades After completing the Reaper IFF mission (hopefully everyone but Legion's loyalty mission has been completed), you should have enough time to complete Legion's loyalty mission before the crew is taken. I tried doing it where I completed everyone but Tali's mission before going to retrieve the Reaper IFF, but ended up not having time to complete Legion's mission before the crew is taken.

It's a lot of fun seeing the different dialog available with Legion in the party, but if you wish to save everyone in the best way possible, complete Tali's mission BEFORE the Reaper IFF. It is interesting to bring Legion on Tali's loyalty mission, because the reaction for many of the AI's are exactly the way they should, utter shock that someone would bring a Geth on the flotilla. YES NOWhen the option to go get the Reaper IFF is available, make sure EVERYONE'S loyalty mission has been complete.

Mass effect human ships