Commander Shepard’s appearance changes over the course of Mass Effect Legendary Edition based on their morality, actions, and choices. Following the events of the Prologue in Mass Effect 2, Shepard will have a few scars that glow red from the cybernetic implants used to heal them. They will receive a message informing them that the scars appear to respond to their attitudes and actions. The further down the Renegade morality path Shepard travels, the deeper and more pronounced the scars become, eventually covering their whole face and causing their eyes to glow red. However, the more Paragon choices Shepard makes, the more the scars will fade and outright disappear.

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While taking the Paragon path works rather well to eliminate Shepard’s facial scars in Mass Effect 2, it can be more problematic for those who primarily play Renegade. If players don’t want Shepard’s appearance to be tied to their morality, there is a way to permanently eliminate the scars and prevent Renegade actions from bringing them back. Shepard will need to research a Normandy Med-Bay Upgrade early in Mass Effect 2. They will need to collect more rare minerals to unlock it, but once they use the upgrade, it will apply to their appearance in both Mass Effect 2 and Mass Effect 3. Here’s how to eliminate the appearance of Shepard’s cybernetics scars, regardless of morality, in Mass Effect 2.

How to Eliminate the Appearance of Cybernetics Scars in Mass Effect 2

To permanently remove the cybernetics scar feature in Mass Effect 2, Shepard will need to get cosmetic surgery in the Medical Bay of the Normandy. This option becomes available at some equipment on the far side of Med-Bay, near the AI Core where Legion stays, once Shepard researches the upgrade.

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The Med-Bay Upgrade is a one-time Normandy Ship Upgrade in Mass Effect 2 that becomes available once Shepard recruits Mordin Solus to the squad. Mordin is especially important to recruit early, as he unlocks the Tech Lab that allows Shepard to begin researching and making upgrades. The Commander will receive a message at their Private Terminal regarding their scars. They will also receive a notification that new Research Projects are available.

Shepard will need to enter the Tech Lab and use the upgrade terminal near Mordin. Under Ship Upgrades, they should choose Med-Bay Upgrade to add the Cosmetic Surgery Equipment to the Normandy. The upgrade costs 50,000 Platinum, a rare resource found by exploring systems and scanning planets in Mass Effect 2. While not a critical Normandy Upgrade to keep squadmates alive during the endgame Suicide Mission, it can be researched early, as it is one of the first Ship Upgrades to unlock.

After researching the upgrade, Shepard can visit the Medical Bay on the Crew Deck and interact with the Heal Scars option at the Cosmetic Surgery Equipment. This will permanently restore their appearance and prevent the scars from appearing, no matter how many Renegade choices Shepard makes during Mass Effect 2 and Mass Effect 3.

Mass Effect: Legendary Edition is available for PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.

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Maria Meluso
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Maria Meluso is a staff game guide and game review writer for Screen Rant based in the Midwestern United States. She covers everything from massive, open-world RPGs to small-scale indie horror projects. She’s the kind of person who loves instructions and manuals but who is stubborn and competitive enough to wait to consult game guides until she’s hit game over at least 15 times. When not writing, you can usually find her playing fantasy RPGs like Dragon Age and writing screenplays.

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