Shepard orders Joker to keep the Normandy out of range until the AA guns are down. Respond, but basically Shepard says the same thing. Once the Mako rolls to a stop, Joker comes over the radio and calls for a successful drop. The Normandy swoops in and drops the Mako at low altitude. Joker will tell Shepard that he will get the Mako in under Saren’s radar. When the Normandy is approaching Virmire, Joker picks up the signal from the Salarian STG team, and Kaidan takes notice of the massive defense towers that surround Saren’s base. Virmire also presents a number of high level opponents and a boss fight, so putting the mission off until gaining a decent level, quality armor and weapons may be an excellent idea. If you intend on maximizing interactions, explore as much of your squadmates' character arcs as you can before landing on the planet. Upon landing, you will be forced to see Virmire's mission chain to its very end, and one way or the other one member of your squad (or two, if your actions lead to it) will become unavailable afterward.

Unlike Feros or Noveria, you cannot return to the Normandy and leave the planet before completing the mission. Note: Beginning the Virmire mission sequence is a major turning point in the game. Biotics, specifically the Lift ability that Kaidan and Liara have, can be useful in incapacitating a troublesome opponent. Due to the sheer amount of geth on the planet, Tali is an excellent candidate for the squad, as her Hacking ability can turn the tide of the fighting when mastered. You'll also have a several opportunities to use abilities at closer range, and fortunately geth are vulnerable to most powers.

Squadmates with sniper rifle training, such as Garrus and Ashley, will be helpful, as well as ammo mods such as Tungsten Rounds which do extra damage against synthetics. If you are planning on sticking to the Mako as much as possible, plan for a few fights with conventional geth at normal range. As usual, additional experience points can be won for killing geth while on foot unless you are playing Legendary Edition, so if you plan to go this route equip a squad that will be useful against geth at ranges that are often distant. You will be fighting geth ranging from small to large, but in an outdoor environment where you will mostly have the Mako available, and you'll be able to change squads before you encounter any other type of enemy.

Mass effect save kaidan or ashley