I believe I found the same planet and I also think you’re right that they don’t randomize. I refuse to look up cheats on this game at least until I’ve played through it once but I’m sure by now someone has published a list of what planets to find the various elements on.

The “snapshot” survey method goes a lot faster than just dragging the scanner across the surface. No way you miss a large deposit and only occasionally have I missed a small one and just left the planet in a “poor” and not “depleted” condition. Plus by the time you’ve nearly finished a planet you’ll know if It’s got a particular mineral since one or two minerals usually dominate on each planet.

Another plus I’ve found in the game is Jack’s outfit.

Yeah, that was the method of scanning I adopted as well.

I would have loved to spend more time with the is game but just couldn't justify $60 on a new game purchase right now so I went with the rental.

Unfortunately I did the same thing with Mass Effect 1.

I'll be interested in hearing how things ended for you guys when you get there... I know my ending was not optimum because I did not build up my crew all the way.

I am taking my time with this game as well. I have invested about 35 hours thus far. I am trying to do 100% of everything that is offered. Scanning planets has become pointless but I want everything to read 100% on each area and have scanning results of depleted. I found some element zero last night in Rosetta Nebula: Enoch - Misrain, Laban and Joab. All I did late last night was scan planets and complete some anamoly assginments.

Currently I have over 1 million units of iridium, 800000 units of palladium, 650000 units of platinum and 90000 units of element zero. I have a few more areas to scan. It is totally pointless to do this but I want to complete everything possible even if I do not get any achievements for it. Scanning is repetitive, boring and tedious and felt bogged down at times (it helps doing a few anamoly assignments in between). I can't wait to start kicking some ass and go back to doing missions.

Wow, Dr., that's a hell of a lot.

I am confident I will get over a million with palladium as well. Platinum will be tough, element zero impossible.

A little OCD doc?

I’ve been trying to grab everything out of each system as I go but only in conjunction with following other quests. So far that’s kept me in more minerals than I can use due to other research prerequisites. I haven’t been able to block out any significant amount of time to play since the weekend.

Just enjoying this game to its fullest. IMO the best game to date of the current generation consoles (PS3, Xbox 360, Wii) that delivers on the entire package (graphics/environments/cut scenes, storyline/character development, sound, voice acting, depth, gameplay, controls) I'm up in the low 40's on time played on my first play through, still have plenty to do.

I plan on taking my time and making the first time through last. I will at least play two more times once going for max paragon and the other max renegade just to see if things differ significantly.

Yeah I am doing everything possible on the first playthrough. My next playthrough will be on insanity difficulty (which is supposed to be quite difficult) as a Sentinel (no scanning on this one...lol).

My Shepard is a bit of a mix right now, but I was striving for evil. I will try to go the max paragon route the 2nd time around.