Mass Effect 2: How to Get Star Charts (& What They’re For)

On Illium in Mass Effect 2, Shepard can purchase star charts to open new systems to explore. Some of these systems are rich in rare minerals.

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Exploration of the galaxy is essential in Mass Effect 2, but some star systems need to be unlocked before Shepard and their crew can begin probing for rare minerals and investigating anomalies. As players progress the main story of Mass Effect 2, new star systems will open automatically to accommodate new hubs and main missions. Once these have been unlocked, they will stay unlocked for the duration of the game. However, there are a few star systems Shepard can explore in Mass Effect 2, but they will need to purchase Star Charts to reach them.

Shepard won’t encounter Star Charts in Mass Effect 2 until after the Horizon mission when they unlock and reach Illium. While exploring, they can find a kiosk that sells Star Charts. Before making a purchase, depending on their choices in Mass Effect 1, they may also be able to help some old friends from the Zhu’s Hope colony on Feros. Here’s how to get Star Charts in Mass Effect 2 and where they lead.

Where To Purchase Star Charts In Mass Effect 2

All four available Star Charts in Mass Effect 2 can be purchased from the Baria Frontiers kiosk. This is located behind the trading floor on Illium, in the same area in which players helped Liara hack systems to spy on the Shadow Broker. The kiosk is located on the far right side of the room, across from the Memories of Illium souvenir vendor.

If Shepard managed to save the majority of the colonists at Zhu’s Hope during the fight with the Thorian in Mass Effect 1, they will encounter either one of the colonists or the asari commando Shiala near the kiosk. Before shopping, Shepard can help the colonists get out of a detrimental contract with the shopkeeper Erinya. This will earn morality points and can affect War Assets in Mass Effect 3.

At the kiosk, Shepard can purchase Star Charts for four new systems:

Hades Nexus
Minos Wasteland
Pylos Nebula
Shrike Abyssal

Each Star Chart costs 500 credits and automatically opens the new systems on the Galaxy Map. Players who want to save their credits only need to buy two of the four Star Charts, as long as they intend to play certain side missions. Completing the N7: Blood Pack Communications Relay side mission, located on the planet Tarith in the Lusarn system of the Crescent Nebula, automatically unlocks the Shrike Abyssal without the need to purchase a Star Chart. Completing the Project Firewalker: Volcano Station mission on Karumto in the Caleston Rift will also automatically unlock the Hades Nexus for the final mission in that pack, Project Firewalker: Prothean Site. Players who choose to complete these side missions will only need Star Charts for the Minos Wasteland and the Pylos Nebula.

Obtaining Star Charts in Mass Effect 2 is a great way to gain access to more rare minerals for upgrades, especially Element Zero. The Pylos and Hades Nexus Nebulas have quite a bit of Element Zero, which is useful for maxing out upgrades before the endgame. It is also a good idea for Shepard to gather at least 100,000 of each mineral before importing their saved game into Mass Effect 3, as this translates to a War Asset.