Stopping the Collectors from helping the Reapers destroy humanity is your primary mission. However, that doesn’t mean you cannot take on extra assignments while zooming across the galaxy.
Accepting additional missions and special assignments is beneficial for a number of reasons.
Not only do you earn additional experience that’s critical for helping you raise your squad levels and master powers, but you also earn bonuses like morality points and valuable minerals.
There are three kinds of assignments to take: additional missions, hub world assignments, and N7 assignments.
Additional missions are fully fledged adventures that are completely optional.
Ideally, they should be completed before the Omega 4 Relay mission in the walkthrough, as the rewards on offer allow you to more easily equip the Normandy for the final missions, or galactic exploration.
There are three missions available: Firewalker, Lair of the Shadow Broker, and Overlord.
Hub world assignments are small jobs that you pick up and complete while visiting the hub worlds (Citadel, Illium, Omega, and Tuchanka), as well as those that begin on the Normandy (usually crew requests).
These are easy tasks that require minimal effort but help build Paragon and Renegade points, as well as earn credits and experience.
N7 assignments are actual missions, not unlike those that you undertake as part of your drive against the Collectors. When you accept or seek out an N7 assignment, you visit a planet and drop into a dangerous situation.
N7 assignments are worth more experience and credits than the smaller jobs you take in the cities, but don’t let that steer you away from the city assignments.
Finally, there are the intricacies of the many and varied romance plots , so you can figure out whom to court, and what emotional baggage to expect from the possible trysts.
