| “ | This war's brought us pain and suffering and loss. But it's also brought us together--as soldiers, allies, friends. This bond that ties us together is something the Reapers will never understand. It's more powerful than any weapon, stronger than any ship. It can't be taken or destroyed. The next few hours will decide the fate of everyone in the galaxy. Every mother. Every son. Every unborn child. They're trusting you… depending on you to win them their future. A future free from the threat of the Reapers. But take heart. Look around you. You're not in this fight alone. We face our enemy together, and together we will defeat them. | „ |
| ~ Shepard's last speech before the Battle of London. |
| “ | Many in the Alliance consider Shepard a war hero. On Elysium, for example, Shepard single-handedly repelled an attack and saved the entire squad. | „ |
| ~ A human representative commenting on Shepard's War Hero profile |
Commander Shepard (b. 11/4/2154) is the main protagonist and player-character of the Mass Effect video game trilogy, and its remaster; Legendary Edition.
Shepard was voiced by Mark Meer (male) and Jennifer Hale (female).
Overview[]
Shepard is assigned to the SSV Normandy SR-1 (Systems Alliance Space Vehicle Normandy Stealth Reconnaissance-1) as the leader of his/her own squad in a desperate mission to stop the Reapers, a race of sentient machines bent on destroying all organic life in the Milky Way galaxy.
Shepard's appearance, specialization and skills can be customized depending on the player. Shepard's default forename is John or Jane, though the first name may be customized. Alternatively, the player can choose the default pre-made character; John Shepard, a male Soldier with the "Earthborn" and "Sole Survivor" background.
Biography[]
Born on 11th April, 2154, Shepard is a graduate of the Systems Alliance N7 special forces program (service no. 5923-AC-2826), a veteran of the 2176 Skyllian Blitz on Elysium, and is initially assigned to the SSV Normandy as an executive officer in 2183, attaining the rank of Lieutenant Commander.
Shepard later becomes the first human to join the Special Tactics and Reconnaissance (Spectres), an elite special task force for the Citadel Council. Shepard is also a biotic, having received secondary exposures to element zero in 2168 and officially detected as one of them in 2171.
The player then selects Shepard's pre-service history, by choosing Spacer, Earthborn, or Colonist. Some assignments in the game are only available to those who selected a particular pre-service history.
| “ | I grew up on ships. Lose one, you can always move on to another. | „ |
| ~ Spacer Shepard |
| “ | The city on Earth where I grew up was hard and dirty. I can see it as a war zone. | „ |
| ~ Earthborn Shepard |
| “ | They rebuilt Mindoir. It wasn't the same. | „ |
| ~ Colonist Shepard |
- Spacer: Both of Shepard's parents were in the Alliance military. Shepard's childhood was spent on ships and stations as he/she transferred from posting to posting, never staying in one location for more than a few years. Following in his/her parents' footsteps, Shepard enlisted at the age of eighteen. Shepard can have a short conversation with Hannah Shepard, through an assignment that is only available with this background; no mention is made to Shepard's father. In both of the other backgrounds, Shepard's parents are deceased or otherwise absent.
- Earthborn: If born on Earth, Shepard was an orphan raised on the streets of the great megatropolises covering Earth. Shepard escaped the life of petty crime and underworld gangs by enlisting with the Alliance military when he/she turned eighteen. Shepard has a unique assignment with this background. A member of a gang Shepard belonged to in youth will approach Shepard outside Chora's Den in the Citadel Wards. Shepard is asked to help free a member of the gang from a turian in the bar.
- Colonist: Shepard was born and raised on Mindoir, a small border colony in the Attican Traverse. When Shepard was sixteen, slavers raided Mindoir, slaughtering his/her family and friends. Shepard was saved by a passing Alliance patrol, and he/she enlisted with the military a few years later. Shepard has a unique mission with this background. When exiting the docking bay elevator, Shepard will receive a request to help a fellow survivor of Mindoir, who was taken by slavers during the raid on Mindoir when Shepard was sixteen.
Psychological Profile[]
Following a selection of pre-service history, the player must choose a psychological profile: Sole Survivor, War Hero, or Ruthless - each of which relates to a specific event in Alliance history and places Shepard in a prominent role.
- Sole Survivor: During Shepard's military service, a mission that Shepard was on went horribly wrong. Trapped in an extreme survival situation, he/she had to overcome physical torments and psychological stresses that would have broken most people. Shepard survived while all those around him/her fell, and now Shepard alone is left to tell the tale. Sole Survivor Shepard's unit was slaughtered in a thresher maw attack on Akuze. Shepard begins the game with both bonus Paragon and bonus Renegade points, and has special dialogue in the "UNC: Dead Scientists" assignment.
- War Hero: Early in Shepard's military career, he/she found themselves facing an overwhelming enemy force. Shepard risked his/her own life to save fellow soldiers and defeat the enemy, despite the impossible odds. Shepard's bravery and heroism have earned Shepard medals and recognition from the Alliance fleet. War Hero Shepard almost single-handedly repelled the Skyllian Blitz, an attack by batarian slavers on Elysium, earning him/her the Star of Terra, the Alliance's highest honor. Shepard begins the game with bonus Paragon points, and has special dialogue in the "UNC: Espionage Probe" assignment.
- Ruthless: Throughout Shepard's military career, he/she has held fast to one basic rule: get the job done. He/she has been called cold, calculating, and brutal. Shepard's reputation for ruthless efficiency makes his/her fellow soldiers wary of him/her. But when failure is not an option, the military always goes to Shepard first. Ruthless Shepard partook in the Alliance's siege of Torfan in retaliation for the Skyllian Blitz, sending 3/4ths of his/her unit to their deaths and killing all batarians they encountered, even those who surrendered. Shepard begins the game with bonus Renegade points, and has special dialogue in the "UNC: Major Kyle" assignment.
Mass Effect[]
| “ | You're not even alive. Not really. You're just a machine, and machines can be broken! | „ |
| ~ Shepard to Sovereign |
Shepard's journey started on the Normandy, serving under N7 Captain David Anderson, as he/she was sent to the human colony of Eden Prime to investigate a strange beacon and retrieve it covertly. The strange beacon turned out to have belonged to an ancient race known as the Protheans, and brought a vague warning of the impending Reaper invasion.
During the mission, rogue turian Spectre Saren Arterius murdered fellow turian Spectre Nihlus Kryik, and Shepard was assigned by the Council to hunt down Saren and bring him to justice after being granted status as the first human Spectre, inheriting command of the Normandy from Captain Anderson. Shepard gathered allies of different species, aside from fellow humans Staff Lieutenant Kaidan Alenko and Gunnery Chief Ashley Williams, for the mission such as krogan mercenary Urdnot Wrex, turian C-Sec officer Garrus Vakarian, quarian mechanist Tali'Zorah nar Rayya and asari archaeologist Dr. Liara T'Soni.
Though Shepard worked for the Citadel, the Normandy remains considered to be under Alliance jurisdiction and her unique design means Shepard was often asked to complete missions for Fifth Fleet's commanding officer Steven Hackett, especially those requiring discretion. Throughout the journey, Shepard faced many adversaries and was forced to make many sacrifices, but he/she eventually found out that Saren had been indoctrinated by Sovereign, his personal ship.
Using the rogue Spectre, the Reaper and the geth laid siege to the Citadel, but Shepard and the Normandy, along with the Alliance naval units, went after them and eventually defeated both villains, saving the Council onboard the Destiny Ascension in the process. Afterwards, Shepard nominated Captain Anderson to be the human councilor and left for the Terminus Systems, knowing that the Reaper threat was very real and that the galaxy needed to prepare in order to stand a chance at defeating the Reapers.
Mass Effect 2[]
| “ | Just once, I'd like to ask someone for help and hear them say "Sure. Let's go. Right now. No strings attached". | „ |
| ~ Shepard in Mass Effect 2 |
One month after the Battle of the Citadel, Shepard and the Normandy were sent by the Council to patrol distant star systems for geth activity in order to cover up rumors of the Reapers' inevitable return. During a patrol in the Amada System, the ship was ambushed and destroyed by a Collector cruiser, with Shepard asphyxiating to death following a suit breach and reentry into the planet Alchera. His/her corpse was recovered by a human-supremacist terrorist organization called Cerberus, and reconstructed via Lazarus Project under the surveillance of Cerberus operative Miranda Lawson two years after.
The reconstruction went smoothly and Shepard returned to what he/she had been before the Collector attack. After escaping the facility where he/she had woken up prematurely, due to the activities of a Cerberus traitor, Shepard met with the Illusive Man, the mysterious leader of Cerberus, who tasked him/her with investigating mass disappearances from human colonies. It was on one of these colonies, Freedom's Progress, that Shepard learned the existence of the Collectors.
Shepard was assigned by Cerberus to investigate what the Collectors were planning to do with the abducted colonists, whilst also being given dossiers on people to recruit, which surprisingly included two familiar faces: Garrus Vakarian and Tali'Zorah vas Neema, along with a new ship, the Normandy SR-2. The rest of his/her former friends were either busy with their own activities or refused to join Shepard due to him/her working with Cerberus.
Shepard even returned to the Citadel to meet their former commanding officer, Councilor Anderson, in his Presidium office to attend a holographic meeting with the Council. Despite the Council not wanting to help Shepard due to the Illusive Man's manipulation, Anderson was able to persuade them to reinstate his protege's Spectre status.
Eventually, Shepard learned that the Collectors were actually Protheans that had been turned into slaves of the Reapers, this time under Harbinger, the oldest and most powerful of all the Reapers. And more importantly, Shepard and the crew learned that the Collectors' base of operations was discovered only in one place, the galactic core where the Collector ships would transit into via Omega-4 mass relay while being equipped with the Reaper Identify Friend/Foe device.
Shepard also regained contact with Admiral Hackett, who sent an email to the Commander requesting for him/her to honor his/her fallen ship, SSV Normandy SR-1, with a monument on Alchera's surface and be the first to walk on the crash site, retrieving the dog tags of the lost crew members and his/her N7 helmet before sending his/her findings back to the Alliance.
Whilst Shepard and the squad were away on a mission, the Collectors attacked the Normandy again and abducted most of its crew members, taking them to the Collector base. Shepard rushed to their rescue along the way, destroying the Reapers' attempt to create a human Reaper. He/she destroyed the base with reactor overload, despite the Illusive Man warning Shepard that he/she should instead preserve the base so Cerberus could use its technology in the fight against the Reapers. Then, Shepard proceeded to sever his/her ties with Cerberus, much to the Illusive Man's anger.
Mass Effect 3[]
| “ | It's hard enough fighting a war. But it's worse knowing no matter how hard you try, you can't save them all. | „ |
| ~ Shepard in Mass Effect 3 |
After the battle with the Collectors, Shepard was put under six-month house arrest on Earth either for destroying Alpha Relay in batarian space to stall the Reapers' early arrival or for working with Cerberus. During a hearing, the Reapers attacked and quickly overwhelmed Earth, forcing Shepard to retreat on the Alliance-refitted SSV Normandy SR-2 and forge alliances with various races of the galaxy in order to liberate Earth and quell the Reaper threat.
However, Cerberus had now become enemies with Shepard, due to the Illusive Man wanting to harness control of the Reapers in order to establish human dominance in the galaxy. Through many hardships and sacrifices, Shepard managed to unite the various races of the galaxy and stood ready to battle the Reapers thanks to a weapon left behind by the Protheans, the Crucible, via its blueprint recovered from Mars.
Shepard and the crew went on shore leave at the Citadel, during which they had to uncover a plot against the Commander, which was orchestrated by ex-Cerberus operative Maya Brooks and the Mysterious Figure, an individual who was revealed to be a clone of Shepard constructed during Project Lazarus to provide spare organs and parts to the original. However, Shepard was able to defeat the Clone and retake the Normandy after the ship was hijacked by Brooks, the Clone and their mercenary army called CAT6 (Category 6) which consisted of dishonorably discharged Alliance soldiers with extensive criminal records and histories of steroid abuse.
After gathering enough of the galaxy's forces and other allies for a final fight, Shepard returned to Earth to aid their former commanding officer Admiral Anderson and the remnant Alliance forces. Landing on a forward operating base in London, Shepard, their squad, Anderson and Hammer forces headed to the Conduit beam to enter the Citadel, although only Shepard and Anderson made it though due to Reaper Harbinger's attack. After dealing with the Illusive Man, Shepard opened the Citadel's arms to ensure the docking of the Crucible; at the cost of losing Anderson. Transported to the Crucible's core within the Citadel, he/she was confronted by the very being directing the Reapers: The Catalyst.
The Catalyst explained to Shepard the purpose of the Reapers and their cycle of destruction and admitted that it would accept whatever Shepard decided to do: Destroy the Reapers, sacrifice his/her life to control them, or merge his/her DNA with the Reapers, turning everyone into a new species.
Shepard could also refuse to play by the Catalyst's rules and die fighting the Reapers to the last man. In that case, it turned out that as a contingency, Shepard had ordered Liara to create a recorded message about how to defeat the Reapers to be sent to the next cycle of life, in which case, the species from the next cycle would build the Crucible in an earlier time and defeat the Reapers before things went out of control.
Regardless of what decision Shepard took, the Reaper threat was ended once and for all. Many years into the future, Shepard had become a legendary figure known as "The Shepard", whose deeds were narrated by the Stargazer to a child companion.
Shepard was mentioned in 2819 by N7-trained Pathfinder Alec Ryder, Castis Vakarian (who is Garrus' father and a retired C-Sec officer), Liara and the mysterious individual or group known as the "Benefactor" as being the reason for accelerating the Andromeda Initiative's launch to the Andromeda Galaxy ahead of schedule to escape the Reaper threat.
Romantic Relations[]
In Mass Effect, male Shepard may begin a relationship with Ashley Williams, while female Shepard may form a relationship with Kaidan Alenko. Regardless of gender, Shepard can be with Liara T'Soni.
In Mass Effect 2, MaleShep may be with Miranda Lawson, Tali, or Jack. FemShep may be with Jacob Taylor, Garrus Vakarian, or Thane Krios. Regardless of gender, Shepard may be with Kelly Chambers, Samara, or Morinth; following through with Morinth's romance results in her killing Shepard.
In Mass Effect 3, MaleShep may have a homosexual relationship with Steve Cortez, while FemShep may have a lesbian relationship with Samantha Traynor. If single, Shepard may have a fling with Diana Allers. All romances from previous games (except Jacob) are available, though Kaiden is now available for either gender.
In Mass Effect 3: Citadel, FemShep may have a heterosexual fling with James Vega or Javik. Regardless of gender, Shepard may be with Samara, but only if they pursued her in Mass Effect 2.
In short; Steve and Samantha are homosexual; Tali, Ashley, Miranda, Jack, Garrus, Thane, Jacob, James, and Javik are heterosexual. Kaidan, Liara, Samara, Morinth, Kelly, and Diana do not care for their partner's gender.
Abilities[]
| “ | It is clear why the Reapers perceive you as a threat. Your victories are more than a product of chance. | „ |
| ~ Leviathan to Commander Shepard |
Due to their special forces training from the Interplanetary Combatives Training program, Commander Shepard is considered to be one of the most famous soldiers in the Alliance Navy.
Shepard gains extensive military training, whether combat, biotic or engineering. Shepard also gains powers and abilities according to their class, be it a soldier, infiltrator, engineer, or any biotic class (adept, sentinel or vanguard).
- Expert Martial Artist: Shepard is trained in hand-to-hand combat, as they can fight enemies such as ex-N7 Kai Leng or Saren Arterius or even the tougher enemies like the yahg Shadow Broker.
- Master Leadership: Shepard has drawn upon countless followers, including those of their crew, due to Shepard having a gift of being a great military leader who has extensive combat experience and is highly charismatic.
- Multilingualism: Shepard can speak native English and is able to understand Prothean language due to the Cipher they received on Feros.
- Intimidation: Due to Shepard's status as a Council Spectre in the field, the Commander can humiliate their enemies. This is shown when Harbinger, Sovereign and the Reapers recognize Shepard as a threat. This is more frequent if the player plays a renegade Shepard.
- Peak physical condition: As a highly experienced Alliance soldier, Shepard is at peak physical condition, making them capable of fighting in countless battles without exhaustion.
- Expert Driver: Shepard is a skilled driver, capable of driving various types of infantry fighting vehicles such as the M35 Mako and the M44 Hammerhead.
- Expert Pilot: Shepard is also an expert pilot, as they can be seen piloting various X3M shuttles on the Citadel, Omega and in Nos Astra on Illium.
- Master Strategist: Shepard can organize a plan to fight the enemy in countless missions, using the enemy's weakness and intelligence received from allies to their advantage.
- Master Marksman: As a special forces soldier, Shepard can utilize various firearms, ranging from assault rifles, sniper rifles, shotguns, pistols, sub-machine guns to heavy weapons, to a high level of accuracy.
Quotes[]
| “ | This is Commander Shepard speaking. We have our orders: find Saren before he finds the Conduit. I won't lie to you, crew. This mission isn't going to be easy. For too long, our species has stood apart from the others. Now it's time for us to step up and do our part for the rest of the galaxy! Time to show them what humans are made of! Our enemy knows we're coming. When we go into the Traverse, Saren's followers will be waiting for us. But we'll be ready for them, too. Humanity needs to do this. Not just for our own sake, but for the sake of every other species in Citadel space. Saren must be stopped, and I promise you all… we will stop him! | „ |
| ~ Shepard's intercom speech aboard the SSV Normandy SR-1 |
| “ | I don't know what we're going to find in there, but I won't lie to you. It's not going to be easy. We've lost good people. We may lose more. We don't know how many the Collectors have stolen -- thousands, hundreds of thousands. It's not important. What matters is this: Not one more. That's what we do, here, today. It ends with us. They want to know what we're made of? I say we show them, on our terms. Let's bring our people home. | „ |
| ~ Shepard's speech to the squad |
| “ | The Collectors, the Reapers -- they aren't a threat to us. They're a threat to everything -- everyone. Those are the lives we're fighting for. That's the scale. It's been a long journey, and no one's coming out without scars. But it all comes down to this moment. We win or lose it all in the next few minutes. Make me proud. Make yourselves proud. | „ |
| ~ Shepard's another speech to the squad |
| “ | There's a lot of people back on Earth dying while we gather our strength. They're wondering if we're ever coming back; friends, family, parents and children. This isn't their fight, but they're buying us time with their lives. | „ |
| ~ Shepard in Mass Effect 3 |
| “ | The Council represents more races than I thought. No wonder they're careful with newcomers. | „ |
| ~ Shepard on the Citadel Council's view of various races |
| “ | The Alliance lost eight cruisers. Shenyang, Emden, Jakarta, Cairo, Cape Town, Seoul, Warsaw, Madrid. And yes, I remember them all. Everyone in the 5th Fleet is a hero. The Alliance owes them all medals. The Council owes them a lot more than that. And so do you. | „ |
| ~ Shepard to Khalisah Al-Jilani |
| “ | Vasir, I sacrificed hundreds of human lives to save the Destiny Ascension. I unleashed the rachni on the galaxy. So, for your sake, I hope your escape plan doesn't hinge on me hesitating to shoot a damn hostage! | „ |
| ~ Shepard taunts Vasir. |
Elevator Chats[]
Ashley: The Council isn't gonna ask me any questions, are they?
Kaidan: I doubt it. We've made our reports. Now, we just have to trust Ambassador Udina.
Ashley: No we don't, sir.
Ashley: I can't believe the Council ignored all the evidence against Saren!
Kaidan: Saren's one of their best operatives. It's only natural they'd take *his* word over ours.
Ashley: Oh, so now we just chase leads while this smug turian runs around with his geth troopers.
Kaidan: That's politics, Chief.
Ashley: I hate politics.
Ashley: How you holdin' up, Lieutenant?
Kaidan: Not too bad. No headaches worth mentioning lately. Maybe I'm getting used to the strain.
Ashley: Hm, maybe you've just got a good stress release. I know that knocking the geth on their synthetic asses gets rid of my headaches.
Ashley: Am I imagining things, LT, or are your abilities getting stronger?
Kaidan: I've always held back a little when I used my powers on living targets. Fear of hurting someone, I guess. But, after what I saw on Eden Prime, I'm not holdin' back anymore. Not against the geth… Not against anyone.
Kaidan: Hearing about the protheans makes me wonder if some distant civilization is gonna find our artefacts someday… and study us.
Ashley: No, sir. When some distant civilization finds our artefacts, we'll be right there to explain what they are.
Kaidan: I hope so, Williams, but I'll bet the protheans thought the same thing.
Kaidan: So, Williams. Are you happy you signed on with Commander Shepard?
Ashley: I'm not sure, Lieutenant. Every time I think I have a handle on things, the universe banks hard to port.
Kaidan: Well, don't let anybody know. A big gun and a confident attitude will get you through a lot in life.
Kaidan: Those asari commandos are impressive. Lightly armored, but their speed more than makes up for it.
Ashley: Unless that speed lets 'em outrun bullets, I'm more inclined to stick with nice, solid armor. And a big gun.
Kaidan: Point taken.
Ashley: It's strange. The geth are attacking, and everyone around here is still worried about ordinary business.
Kaidan: It's politics, Williams. The Council won't raise the alarm until they're certain about the threat.
Ashley: The threat? Did they not *see* the vids of Eden Prime? See, this is why I hate politics!
Ashley: So… Liara, you've spent fifty years studying prothean ruins and artefacts…
Liara: Our travels now are somewhat different from my normal excavations. I would prefer lengthier studies… and fewer explosions.
Ashley: I think you've spoken for scientists everywhere, Liara.
Ashley: So, Doctor T'Soni, are all asari biotics - I heard Lieutenant Alenko say something about you not needing implants?
Liara: While the asari have natural biotic abilities, not all have the desire to learn to use their abilities effectively.
Ashley: Wow… To have so many potential biotics that people can choose not to train… I imagine the lieutenant would be jealous.
Liara: All this violence sometimes catches me by surprise. I imagine that your military training prepared you for it, Chief Williams.
Ashley: Uh… Trying to take down a rogue Spectre and his army of synthetics? No. They didn't cover this in basic.
Liara: Is it common for human women to be front-rank fighters, Chief Williams? I know that salarian women do not serve in the military.
Ashley: It's becoming more common, but it took a long time to prove that *ladies* could handle an assault rifle or a shotgun.
Liara: Such enforced roles are common in dual-sexed societies. I was fortunate not to have to deal with that particular burden.
Ashley: It's strange. The geth are attacking, and everyone around here is still worried about ordinary business. (2)
Liara: I find it comforting. The pain and joy of ordinary life - that is what we are fighting to protect.
Ashley: It must be nice to be back in civilization after so long in those prothean ruins.
Liara: No, cities and stations were always my mother's area of comfort. I actually enjoy the solitude of dig sites.
Ashley: I don't think I could handle that. Eden Prime was as quiet and rustic as I'd ever want.
Ashley/Kaidan: I'm surprised you're willing to fight krogan, Wrex. I thought you'd stand with your own.
Wrex: Anyone who fights us… is either stupid… or on Saren's payroll. Killing the latter is business. Killing the former… is a favor to the universe.
Ashley: I haven't spent much time with any krogan before you, Wrex. I have to say, you're not what I expected.
Wrex: Right… Because you humans have a wide range of cultures and attitudes… but krogan… all think and act… exactly alike…
Ashley: Look- I didn't mean… Just forget I said anything.
Wrex: Done.
Wrex: This about normal for a human soldier's tour of duty, Williams?
Ashley: Uh… Trying to take down a rogue Spectre and his army of synthetics? No. They didn't cover this in basic. (2)
Wrex: You handle yourself well, Williams. It's surprising. Krogan women have to stay home to try to reproduce.
Ashley: Sorry to disappoint, Wrex. I'm not the stay-at-home kind.
Wrex: Didn't say I was disappointed. I could get used to killing with women around. Gives the fight… a different flavor.
Ashley: It's strange. The geth are attacking, and everyone around here is still worried about ordinary business. (3)
Wrex: Let them stay ignorant. If our mission reaches the point where these people need to worry about the geth, we've already lost.
Wrex: So, tell me. Who'd win in a fight between you and Shepard?
Ashley/Kaidan: What? Commander Shepard is my superior officer. I can't imagine us ever having to fight.
Wrex: You can't? That's why Shepard's your superior officer. And that's why… Shepard would win.
Ashley/Kaidan: Saren was one of the most respected turians in the galaxy, Garrus. Are you gonna be okay going up against him?
Garrus: Saren is either a traitor or a madman. Taking him down will restore the good name of turians everywhere.
Ashley/Kaidan: Just keep sayin' that, especially to humans. We've got a lot of angry people right now.
Garrus: I'm surprised to see you on the front lines, Chief Williams. Most women I've observed in your Alliance military serve in support roles.
Ashley: It's becoming more common, but it took a long time to prove that *ladies* could handle an assault rifle or a shotgun. (2)
Garrus: I doubt anyone who saw your skill under fire could remain skeptical.
Ashley: It's strange. The geth are attacking, and everyone around here is still worried about ordinary business. (4)
Garrus: You're military, Chief Williams. They're civilians. Civilians never believe the enemy is coming until they're at the gates.
Ashley: So, Garrus. Any regrets about leaving C-Sec?
Garrus: Fighting a rogue Spectre with countless lives at stake and no regulations to get in the way, I'd say that beats C-Sec.
Ashley: True enough. I'd rather be fighting than trust it to somebody else.
Garrus: I'd love to see what the Normandy can do in a fight.
Ashley/Kaidan: The Normandy isn't built for a stand-up fight. I'd rather rely on the IES than the shields.
Garrus: But the stealth drive adds a new tactical level to space combat as we know it. Surprise attacks, undetected flanking maneuvers…
Ashley/Kaidan: I dunno, Garrus. I'd rather not be the first one up the ladder (when it comes to / in terms of figuring out) new tactics.
Garrus: Do you feel that your training in the human military prepared you well for your duties, Gunnery Chief?
Ashley: Uh… Trying to take down a rogue Spectre and his army of synthetics? No. They didn't cover this in basic. (3)
Tali: My people are wanderers, not military leaders. All this fighting seems strange. It must be more familiar for you, Chief Williams.
Ashley: Uh… Trying to take down a rogue Spectre and his army of synthetics? No. They didn't cover this in basic. (4)
Ashley: You okay, Tali? It looked like you got some dirty looks back there.
Tali: Many think less of quarians for travelling in the flotilla, and for creating the geth. They see us as scavengers - little better than thieves.
Ashley: That's sort of what I heard about your people. I guess you're not in any one place long enough for people to get to know you.
Tali: Is it common for human women to be front-rank fighters, Chief Williams? I know that salarian women do not serve in the military.
Ashley: It's becoming more common, but it took a long time to prove that *ladies* could handle an assault rifle or a shotgun. (3)
Tali: On the flotilla, we don't have the luxury of sexism. We need the best hands for every available job.
Ashley: Sounds nice, but I don't think I could get used to the uniform.
Ashley/Kaidan: I've heard some humans are angry at the quarians after the attack on Eden Prime… After all, you created the geth.
Tali: The geth killed billions and forced us from our homeworld. Most quarians believe we have paid properly for our mistake.
Ashley/Kaidan: Hopefully, having you with us fighting Saren will change (their / people's) minds.
Ashley: Hey, Tali. I heard a rumor that, under those environmental suits, you quarians are partially synthetic.
Tali: No, living in the clean environment of the flotilla has weakened our immune systems. The environmental suits protect against diseases.
Ashley: It still makes you look a little like a geth though… I'm just sayin'.
Ashley: It's strange. The geth are attacking, and everyone around here is still worried about ordinary business. (5)
Tali: It is necessary, Chief Williams. Even if it comes to a full-scale war, someone has to provide food to eat and a home to return to.
Liara: Is it true that your biotic implants cause headaches, Lieutenant? I know some meditation exercises that might help.
Kaidan: Thanks, Liara, I appreciate that. Makes me wonder what it would've been like to have asari tutors, instead of turians.
Liara: Given the attitude most young human males display toward my people, it seems turians were the best choice.
Kaidan: Liara, if your people don't need implants to use biotics, how come asari don't use biotics more often?
Liara: While the asari have natural biotic abilities, not all have the desire to learn to use their abilities effectively. (2)
Kaidan: Are you kidding? To have that ability without implants, and choose not to learn? I'll never understand the asari.
Kaidan: So, Liara. You've spent fifty years studying prothean ruins and artefacts.
Liara: Our travels now are somewhat different from my normal excavations. I would prefer lengthier studies… and fewer explosions. (2)
Kaidan: I think you've spoken for scientists everywhere, Liara.
Liara: Lieutenant. In the last few fights, your biotics seemed to pack more punch. Is it practice, or are you actually getting stronger?
Kaidan: I've always held back a little when I used my powers on living targets. Fear of hurting someone, I guess. But, after what I saw on Eden Prime, I'm not holdin' back anymore. Not against the geth… Not against anyone. (2)
Kaidan: It must be nice to be back in civilization after so long in those prothean ruins.
Liara: No, cities and stations were always my mother's area of comfort. I actually enjoy the solitude of dig sites. (2)
Kaidan: When this is all over, you'll be able to go back to your rocks and ruins for as long as you'd like.
Kaidan: Hearing about the protheans makes me wonder if some distant civilization is gonna find our artefacts someday… and study us. (2)
Liara: I have often wondered the same thing Lieutenant. Artefacts of vanished cultures are reminders of our own mortality.
Kaidan: I'm not afraid to die… but I guess I just wanna be remembered by more than a few trinkets in a ruin somewhere.
Kaidan: I haven't spent much time with krogan before, Wrex, and I have to say… you're not what I expected.
Wrex: Right… Because you humans have a wide range of cultures and attitudes… but krogan… all think and act… exactly alike…
Kaidan: Whoa. I-I didn't mean… Look, just forget I said anything.
Wrex: Done.
Wrex: You've got impressive biotic power. Humans should never have switched to the weaker L3 implants.
Kaidan: My headaches can be pretty bad, and I'm one of the lucky L2 implants. The L3's are safer.
Wrex: Ya don't stop using a gun just because the kickback has a little sting.
Wrex: Your biotics are coming along nicely. In the last fight, it looked like you even surprised yourself.
Kaidan: I've always held back a little when I used my powers on living targets. Fear of hurting someone, I guess. But, after what I saw on Eden Prime, I'm not holdin' back anymore. Not against the geth… Not against anyone. (3)
Kaidan: Hearing about the protheans makes me wonder if some distant civilization is gonna find our artefacts someday… and study us. (3)
Wrex: Feeling mortal, Alenko?
Kaidan: I'm not afraid to die… but I guess I just wanna be remembered by more than a few trinkets in a ruin somewhere. (2)
Garrus: Your biotics are impressive, Lieutenant. I'm surprised that humans stopped using the L2 configuration, with results like yours.
Kaidan: My headaches can be pretty bad, and I'm one of the lucky L2 implants. The L3's are safer. (2)
Garrus: Humanity will be judged by the sacrifices its people are willing to make, Lieutenant. The turians would've kept the L2 implant.
Garrus: Your biotic skill is extremely impressive, Lieutenant. I rarely see anyone with your level of ability.
Kaidan: I've always held back a little when I used my powers on living targets. Fear of hurting someone, I guess. But, after what I saw on Eden Prime, I'm not holdin' back anymore. Not against the geth… Not against anyone. (4)
Kaidan: Hearing about the protheans makes me wonder if some distant civilization is gonna find our artefacts someday… and study us. (4)
Garrus: All empires fall, Lieutenant. We can only hope that what we leave behind inspires respect and admiration.
Kaidan: Well, Garrus… Any regrets about leaving Citadel Security?
Garrus: Fighting a rogue Spectre with countless lives at stake and no regulations to get in the way, I'd say that beats C-Sec. (2)
Kaidan: Well, we don't lack for excitement, that's for sure.
Tali: Is it true humans stopped using the biotic implants you were fitted with, Lieutenant?
Kaidan: My headaches can be pretty bad, and I'm one of the lucky L2 implants. The L3's are safer. (3)
Tali: That makes sense. What use is harnessing that power if it causes more harm than good to your people?
Tali: Biotics are rare among quarians. I don't believe I've seen anyone except the asari with your strength, Lieutenant.
Kaidan: I've always held back a little when I used my powers on living targets. Fear of hurting someone, I guess. But, after what I saw on Eden Prime, I'm not holdin' back anymore. Not against the geth… Not against anyone. (5)
Kaidan: Are you okay, Tali? It looked like you got some dirty looks back there.
Tali: Many think less of quarians for travelling in the flotilla, and for creating the geth. They see us as scavengers - little better than thieves. (2)
Kaidan: Forget them. Anyone that ignorant isn't worth listening to anyway.
Kaidan: Tali, why do you quarians wear those suits all the time? Is it a cultural thing?
Tali: No, living in the clean environment of the flotilla has weakened our immune systems. The environmental suits protect against diseases. (2)
Kaidan: Oh. Well… I'll, uh, try not to sneeze.
Kaidan: Hearing about the protheans makes me wonder if some distant civilization is gonna find our artefacts someday… and study us. (5)
Tali: The worlds we abandoned when the geth revolted serve as just such an example. It is a reminder of our mortality.
Kaidan: I'm not afraid to die… but I guess I just wanna be remembered by more than a few trinkets in a ruin somewhere. (3)
Liara: You are unlike the other krogan I have met, Wrex. You do not share the bloodlust of your people.
Wrex: When you're young, you go looking for every fight you can. You get older, you realize the best fights… will find you.
Wrex: So, tell me. Who'd win in a fight between you and Shepard? (2)
Liara/Tali: Do krogan size up everyone for a fight? Even friends and allies?
Wrex: …Yes.
Wrex: Your biotics are pretty powerful. Are all asari that strong?
Liara: While the asari have natural biotic abilities, not all have the desire to learn to use their abilities effectively. (3)
Wrex: All that power, and some asari don't use it? You could've conquered the galaxy if you'd wanted to.
Liara: Evidently, we do not want to.
Wrex: Being in the city must feel good after digging through rocks at that prothean ruin.
Liara: No, cities and stations were always my mother's area of comfort. I actually enjoy the solitude of dig sites. (3)
Wrex: I'm surprised. I've never met an asari who didn't prefer clean clothes and a hot bath.
Liara: Considering the diminished numbers of the krogan, Wrex, I'm surprised that you are willing to fight and kill them.
Wrex: Anyone who fights us… is either stupid… or on Saren's payroll. Killing the latter is business. Killing the former… is a favor to the universe. (2)
Wrex: So, you've spent your entire adult life just studying old prothean junk?
Liara: Our travels now are somewhat different from my normal excavations. I would prefer lengthier studies… and fewer explosions. (3)
Wrex: It's good for ya. A nice explosion every now and then keeps the mind sharp.
Garrus: Sometimes, I envy your biotic abilities, Doctor. But then, all your people have such skill.
Liara: While the asari have natural biotic abilities, not all have the desire to learn to use their abilities effectively. (4)
Garrus: Of course, I intended no disrespect to the effort you have put into your training. Pardon me.
Garrus: You must welcome civilization after spending such a long time in the prothean ruins.
Liara: No, cities and stations were always my mother's area of comfort. I actually enjoy the solitude of dig sites. (4)
Garrus: After seeing so many asari come through the Citadel, I assumed your people preferred large cities. I apologize.
Liara: Garrus. Perhaps it is my own trouble with Benezia that makes me ask, but… do you feel comfortable facing a respected turian Spectre like Saren?
Garrus: Saren is either a traitor or a madman. Taking him down will restore the good name of turians everywhere. (2)
Liara: With your respect for the Spectres, I thought you might hesitate. I'm glad I was wrong.
Garrus: I'd love to see what the Normandy can do in a fight. (2)
Liara: How so? The Normandy is built for stealth, not combat.
Garrus: But the stealth drive adds a new tactical level to space combat as we know it. Surprise attacks, undetected flanking maneuvers… (2)
Liara: I had forgotten the turian appreciation for tactics and strategy. With respect, I hope we avoid ship-to-ship combat entirely.
Garrus: With all this exploration of prothean culture, this must be like a survey for you, Liara.
Liara: Our travels now are somewhat different from my normal excavations. I would prefer lengthier studies… and fewer explosions. (4)
Garrus: The loss of all this prothean technology is just one more thing Saren will have to pay for.
Liara: Now that you have experienced a Spectre's life firsthand, Garrus, do you regret leaving your security position?
Garrus: Fighting a rogue Spectre with countless lives at stake and no regulations to get in the way, I'd say that beats C-Sec. (3)
Liara: I am unsure how the imminent destruction of all organic life "beats" anything, but your enthusiasm is comforting nonetheless.
Liara: Tali, are the quarians concerned that the return of the geth will lead to more anger against your people?
Tali: The geth killed billions and forced us from our homeworld. Most quarians believe we have paid properly for our mistake.
Liara: I hope the other races view matters in the same light.
Tali: Your biotic skill is extremely impressive, Doctor T'Soni. Is that typical among asari?
Liara: While the asari have natural biotic abilities, not all have the desire to learn to use their abilities effectively. (4)
Tali: And the asari are the most advanced race on the Council. I wonder if all Citadel races will eventually be natural biotics.
Tali: You must welcome civilization after so long a time in the prothean ruins.
Liara: No, cities and stations were always my mother's area of comfort. I actually enjoy the solitude of dig sites. (5)
Tali: The ship I grew up on was always full of noise and people. The solitude of a dig site would drive me crazy.
Liara: I could not help but notice that you are attracting some unfriendly stares, Tali.
Tali: Many think less of quarians for travelling in the flotilla, and for creating the geth. They see us as scavengers - little better than thieves. (3)
Liara: That is an ignorant opinion. Quarian explorers have uncovered more mass relays than any other race.
Tali: I am glad that some still remember the contributions my people have made.
Tali: With all this exploration of prothean culture, this must be like a survey for you, Liara.
Liara: Our travels now are somewhat different from my normal excavations. I would prefer lengthier studies… and fewer explosions. (5)
Tali: Most of the technology I had hoped to bring back to the flotilla… has subsequently attempted to kill us.
Liara: I am curious about the helmet you always wear, Tali. Does it contain technical augmentation systems?
Tali: No, living in the clean environment of the flotilla has weakened our immune systems. The environmental suits protect against diseases. (3)
Liara: I suppose that makes it more likely you will return from your pilgrimage, then. You are only truly safe on your flotilla.
Garrus: I'd been raised to see krogan as bloodthirsty thugs, but you've surprised me, Wrex. You are different.
Wrex: The genophage is a lot easier to swallow when all krogan are savage monsters. Isn't it. Why don't you head back to the Normandy, kid. If you stay here in the real world, ya might have to learn something.
Wrex: So, tell me. Who'd win in a fight between you and Shepard?
Garrus: That question smacks of impertinence. Commander Shepard is a Spectre with a distinguished service record.
Wrex: So was Saren. Think about it.
Wrex: Must be hard for ya, Garrus - knowing that the person behind all this death and destruction… is a turian Spectre.
Garrus: Saren is either a traitor or a madman. Taking him down will restore the good name of turians everywhere. (3)
Wrex: Glad to hear it. I was losing sleep over the prospect of people not loving the turians.
Garrus: I'm surprised that you're willing to kill your own, Wrex. Aren't the krogan just a few generations away from extinction?
Wrex: You don't get it. For all your talk of honor and pride, the turians never had to test their principles in a real struggle.
Wrex: Anyone who fights us… is either stupid… or on Saren's payroll. Killing the latter is business. Killing the former… is a favor to the universe. (3)
Garrus: I'd love to see what the Normandy can do in a fight. (3)
Wrex: Only an idiot hopes for combat while flying in a stealth ship.
Garrus: But the stealth drive adds a new tactical level to space combat as we know it. Surprise attacks, undetected flanking maneuvers… (3)
Wrex: This isn't a strategy simulation. If those new tactics don't work, we're salvage.
Wrex: So, how about it, Garrus? Is this better than C-Sec?
Garrus: Fighting a rogue Spectre with countless lives at stake and no regulations to get in the way, I'd say that beats C-Sec. (4)
Wrex: There may just be hope for you yet, turian.
Tali: How can you fight your own people, Wrex? There aren't that many of you left!
Wrex: Anyone who fights us… is either stupid… or on Saren's payroll. Killing the latter is business. Killing the former… is a favor to the universe. (4)
Tali: Wrex. Forgive the impertinence, but you are not like the krogan described in the stories on the flotilla.
Wrex: When you're young, you go looking for every fight you can. You get older, you realize the best fights… will find you. (2)
Wrex: Some people back there didn't like you, Tali.
Tali: Many think less of quarians for travelling in the flotilla, and for creating the geth. They see us as scavengers - little better than thieves. (4)
Wrex: Perspective… is a wonderful thing. Wait until *their* homeworld gets wiped out.
Wrex: You quarians messed up the whole galaxy when you let the geth break free. Do your people ever talk about it?
Tali: Do the krogan talk about starting a foolish war that resulted in the turians sterilizing your people?
Wrex: All the time.
Wrex: What's with the helmets, Tali? Are all quarians shy? Or do you not believe in letting outsiders see your faces?
Tali: No, living in the clean environment of the flotilla has weakened our immune systems. The environmental suits protect against diseases. (4)
Wrex: Naturally. Anything that isn't constantly challenged grows weak.
Tali: Garrus. If you do not mind me asking, how do you feel about hunting a turian?
Garrus: Saren is either a traitor or a madman. Taking him down will restore the good name of turians everywhere. (4)
Tali: Things are different among my people. There are so few of us. We are expected to be loyal, even when it is difficult.
Garrus: I'd love to see what the Normandy can do in a fight. (4)
Tali: How so? The Normandy is built for stealth, not combat.
Garrus: But the stealth drive adds a new tactical level to space combat as we know it. Surprise attacks, undetected flanking maneuvers… (4)
Tali: If it comes to a fight, I'd prefer a flotilla ship. It's easier to trust what you've worked on yourself.
Garrus: You seem to be attracting unwanted attention, Tali. Several passersby were staring at you.
Tali: Many think less of quarians for travelling in the flotilla, and for creating the geth. They see us as scavengers - little better than thieves. (4)
Garrus: It is natural for people to dislike rootless wanderers. If quarians would just settle another homeworld, you would not run into such concerns.
Tali: Do you ever regret leaving Citadel Security to pursue Saren, Garrus?
Garrus: Fighting a rogue Spectre with countless lives at stake and no regulations to get in the way, I'd say that beats C-Sec. (5)
Tali: I'm pleased that the imminent destruction of all organic life has improved your career opportunities!
Garrus: The quarians endangered the entire galaxy when they let the geth break free. I hope your people are properly contrite, Tali.
Tali: As the turians are properly contrite for releasing the genophage upon the krogan.
Garrus: You're assuming that sterilizing them was a mistake.
Garrus: Your choice in armor is awfully limited, Tali. Couldn't you wear something without a helmet?
Tali: No, living in the clean environment of the flotilla has weakened our immune systems. The environmental suits protect against diseases. (5)
Garrus: So, your people are forever wandering, and now they couldn't settle if they wanted to. I'm sorry.
Gallery[]
Trivia[]
- Shepard is mentioned at the start of Mass Effect: Paragon Lost by Vega and Essex.
- Male Shepard's default face is based on that of Dutch model Mark Vanderloo. FemShep's default face resembles Elliot Page.
- Shepard speaks with a hint of Canadian dialect, since Mark Meer and Jennifer Hale are Canadian.
- The motion-capture for Shepard dancing was performed by Josh Dean, who voiced Corporal Jenkins and Jonn Whitson.
- Shepard's birthday (11th April) is the same day that the Apollo 13 mission was launched (11th April, 1970).
- Shepard is named after Alan Shepard, the second person and the first American in space (5th May, 1961).
- The default names of both the male and female Shepard are the names for an unidentified male (John Doe) and female (Jane Doe), respectively.
- Mark Meer also voiced several other Mass Effect characters; vorcha, hanar, Niftu Cal and Prazza. Jennifer Hale also voiced May O'Connell in the first game.
- To keep the exact nature of Shepard's return quiet in Mass Effect 2, it is often stated that the Commander almost died, which is not really truthful. Male Shepard would later joke with Jack that he is "technically undead".
- When stopped by a C-Sec officer on their first return to the Citadel in Mass Effect 2, one of the dialogue options has Shepard say that they were "only mostly dead". This may be a reference to Miracle Max's line from The Princess Bride.
- Shepard is 21-22 during the Skyllian Blitz, 22-23 during Akuze's colonization, 23-24 during the Torfan raid, 29 during Mass Effect, 31 during Mass Effect 2, and 32 during Mass Effect 3.
- Shepard may see several people commit suicide: Fai Dan (canon), Saren (pass speech check), Ronald Taylor (convince him), Samara (don't interrupt), Tali/Raan (side with geth), and the Illusive Man (pass speech check). If Raan does this (if Tali died in the suicide mission), then all these suicides are a bullet to the head.
- During a conversation with Joker in Mass Effect 3, it's mentioned that Shepard was present during the Skyllian Blitz, regardless of background. Therefore, Shepard was canonically on Elysium during the Skyllian Blitz, but only single-handedly saved it with the War Hero background.
- It would appear that Shepard has a gift for being a leader. Miranda draws attention to this, claiming that Shepard has "that fire that makes someone willing to follow you into hell itself". This is similar to Revan of KOTOR, who is also said to possess such a trait.
- When Shepard is inducted as a Spectre, according to Hackett, Shepard is technically still part of the Alliance military (though Anderson claims otherwise). Therefore, Shepard should still be referred to as a Commander, even though Shepard is outside of the Alliance military's chain of command and answers directly to the Council. However, military ranks can, in some situations, be deferred in favor of civilian ranks. Considering the nature and authority of Spectres, it is likely that this is considered to supersede any military rank.
- As of March 2013, BioWare's stats show that 82% of players play a male Shepard. However, according to updated stats sourced from Legendary Edition gameplay as of July 27, 2021: 32% played as FemShep while 68% played MaleShep; 52% Earthborn, 27% Spacers, and 21% Colonists; 44% Sole Survivors, 43% War Heroes, and 13% are Ruthless.
- If players begin ME3 with no save import, then all DLC is incomplete, many characters are dead (all Feros colonists; Shiala; rachni queen; Wrex; Kaidan; Kirrahe; Citadel Council; Conrad; Jack; Samara; Thane; Grunt; Zaeed; Kasumi; David; Feron), only Chakwas was saved from the Collector base, Chloe never met Shepard, and Miranda and Eve always die in ME3. Also, Illusive Man won't mention the Collector base (though Shepard destroyed it), Liara explains the Ardat-Yakshi to Shepard, and Liara's father are absent. Also, after Shepard's nightmare, when talking to Liara, instead of talking about the late Kaidan, Shepard has generic dialogue about people dying.
- Shepard can have the worst possible life and outcome if players follow specific steps. Pick a colonist Sole Survivor, save Wrex (but not Kirrahe) on Virmire, kill the rachni queen, sacrifice the council, sell Legion to Cerberus, never awaken Grunt, and only complete Zaeed and Samara's loyalty missions (kill Vido and Samara). Don't upgrade the Normandy, send Garrus into the vents, have Tali lead team 2 (Zaeed and Morinth), use Jacob as the biotic (take Miranda and Mordin), don't send anyone to protect the crew, and then take Miranda and Jacob for the boss battle. Morinth dies before ME3, making Zaeed the only living ME2 squadmate. Sabotage the genophage, kill Padok, kill Ash/Kaidan, have Oriana fall to her death with Henry, and have the geth kill the quarians. Only EDI, Liara, Traynor, Cortez, Vega, and Joker attend Citadel DLC - never awaken Javik. Cortez fatally crashes his shuttle in London. Liara and Vega die by Reaper beam. The Destroy ending kills EDI, Shepard, and the geth. Joker and Traynor crash-land on a planet, now stranded.
- If Shepard doesn't upgrade the ship's shields, Jack will always die. If Shepard doesn't upgrade the armor, one of several squadmates will die: Kasumi (default), Tali (if Shepard took Kasumi to fight the oculus in the cargo bay), Legion (if Shepard took both Kasumi and Tali), or Thane (if Legion is still inactive or was sold to Cerberus). If Shepard doesn't upgrade the Thanix Cannon, Thane will die; if Thane died earlier, Garrus will die here instead.
- In ME1, all six squadmates have different morality levels, having a set order (Kaidan; Liara; Tali; Garrus; Ash; Wrex). Since Shepard always travels with two squadmates at a time, one will act as the angel on Shepard's shoulder when making big decisions, whilst the other will act as the devil on Shepard's shoulder; for example, Garrus will argue to kill the rachni queen if Liara is present, or free her if Wrex is present. However, players can change squadmates' opinions.
- Shepard will make Liara the most paragon squadmate if she is simply romanced.
- Garrus may become more renegade than Ash or more paragon than Tali, depending on Shepard's decision in Garrus' personal mission, and completing all Garrus' Normandy chats.
- FemShep may romance Kaidan and pass a specific speech check, during which Kaidan will be turned into being more xenophobic, and he'll become the most renegade squadmate.
- Likewise, MaleShep can romance Ash and pass a specific speech check to make her more lenient towards aliens. If Shepard then brings Ash and Liara on the final mission, then Liara will be the more renegade character and argue to abandon the Destiny Ascension, which is basically the equivalent of Tali siding with the geth against the quarians.
- In all three games, Shepard is always accompanied by two squadmates when exploring outdoors and on missions.
- There are very few exceptions to this rule: the prologues of the three games (where Shepard's sole squadmate is Kaidan, Jacob, and Anderson, respectively), and Kasumi's loyalty mission (where Shepard cannot pick a secondary squadmate, unlike every other loyalty mission).
- In certain loyalty missions (Zaeed; Samara; Garrus; Miranda), Shepard's secondary companion will have no dialogue whatsoever.
- Garrus and Tali are the only squadmates who have any dialogue in Thane's mission, where Garrus/Tali will respond with a quip about the illegal VI personality of Shepard.
- In ME2, Shepard may let his/her squadmates die; some of them will be replaced by other characters in ME3.
- If Mordin dies, he is replaced by Padok Wiks, though they are both functionally the same.
- Jack's replacement is Jason, who will die soon after meeting Shepard.
- Garrus' replacement is General Corinthus, though he will not be a squadmate like Garrus would, as BioWare didn't expect players to fail that badly.
- If Thane dies, he is unable to save the salarian councillor from Kai Leng; Kirrahe does it instead, though he will die doing so. If Thane and Kirrahe are both dead, then Kai will kill the councilor.
- If Miranda dies, her sister Oriana will instead leave the messages for Shepard. Without Miranda, Oriana can die, and Henry can survive.
- Jacob is replaced by Dr. Webber, who won't trust Shepard enough to let him/her in, forcing the player to fight an extra wave of enemies to prove their loyalty.
- Tali's role is replaced by Xen (Geth Dreadnought mission) and Raan (the Geth-Quarian conflict's climax). If the quarians are destroyed, Raan will shoot herself in the head, unlike Tali jumping off a cliff.
- If Legion dies (or was never activated), it is replaced by Geth VI, who doesn't trust the quarians and thinks they're inferior, making it impossible to save both species.
- If Grunt dies (or was never released from his tank), his replacement is Dagg. Unlike Grunt, Dagg will always die saving Shepard.
- If Kasumi and/or Zaeed die (or their DLC's weren't downloaded), then Kasumi won't save the day in her ME3 mission; Shepard can only save Jondam Bau OR stop the hanar homeworld's internal sabotage, resulting in fewer war assets. Zaeed's replacements are random mercs, though Shepard must then choose between a group of volus or turians, also earning in fewer assets.
- Also, if Wrex dies on Virmire (or is never recruited) in ME1, his brother Wreav replaces him in the sequels. This makes no fundamental difference in ME2, but a huge difference in ME3. While Wrex seeks to unite the Krogan and the galaxy, Wreav is more brutish and less level-headed, being a stereotypical Krogan who just wants to kill, boost his own power, and own the females. However, Wreav is a strategical benefit; if Wrex and Eve die, then Shepard can have Mordin/Paduk sabotage the genophage cure, and Wreav won't find out like Wrex would, thus keeping both the Krogan and Salarian militaries as war assets.
Licensing[]
This article contains content derived from the "Commander Shepard" article on the Mass Effect Wiki, licensed under CC-BY-SA.
External Links[]
- Shepard on the Villains Wiki