When Mass Effect was first released in 2007, one of the game's defining aspects was the ability to kindle a romantic relationship with certain squad mates. As the other two entries in the trilogy were released, players were able to continue their relationships from the first game, spark new romances, cheat on their lovers, dump them, or choose not to engage in any romantic entanglement whatsoever.

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Nearly every romance option offered something different to Shepard. Some were awkward but charming, others were rich with passion, and a few were seemingly casual but ended with the sting of betrayal. In any case, Shepard's decision to romance a particular character offers profound levels of insight into their backstory, personality, and even alien cultures.

Updated on February 14th, 2023 by Ajay Aravind: Fans of the Mass Effect franchise have been waiting for the fifth installment since November 2020, but there is still no official release date for the game. That said, this series is unlikely to go out of fashion anytime soon. As such, we've revamped this list with some more information about romancing options in Mass Effect.

15 Shepard Can Romance Morinth Out Of Morbid Curiosity

morinth mass effect smiling close up

Samara's Ardat-Yakshi daughter Morinth is a true monster, and while some aspects of her character are tragic, it's difficult to forgive her transgressions. Despite that, renegade Commander Shepard can betray Samara for Morinth's sake and welcome her aboard the Normandy SR-2.

Morinth will take Samara's place and continue her budding friendship with Shepard. Her pseudo-romance option involves mating — the ultimate hookup where the price for pleasure is death. The Illusive Man must have been furious when he got the news.

14 Diana Allers Will Offer The Commander A One-Night Stand

diana allers mass effect

In Mass Effect 3, Commander Shepard will gather many war assets, ranging from battlefleets and rations to the media itself— including the reporter Diana Allers. Diana is eager to report on Earth and Shepard, and she can be welcomed aboard the Normandy as an integrated reporter.

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Diana is personally fond of Shepard, and she will offer the Commander a one-night stand and ask to keep it a secret. If the player so chooses, they can give Diana what she wants. That said, triggering this option will not unlock the Paramour achievement.

13 Samara Almost Falls In Love With Shepard, But Nothing Actually Happens

samara in mass effect

The "romance" option with Samara the Justicar is incomplete but intriguing. Although Samara has three daughters with a former partner, she remains single as of 2185 and is comfortable with that fact. This is when Commander Shepard enters the picture.

Shepard may show a romantic interest in Samara, which admittedly flatters her. If Shepard keeps it up, she will take some time alone to think it over, even if nothing actually happens. The age gap between her and Shepard is much larger than that between Shepard and Liara, after all.

12 Kelly Chambers Can Be Befriended And Romanced By The Commander

kelly chambers mass effect

Kelly Chambers worked aboard the Normandy as Shepard's yeoman and psychiatric expert, where this charming lady quickly befriended the Commander. Her character doesn't have much depth, but what players see is easy to like, and they can take things a step further with yeoman Chambers.

Kelly may be invited up to the Commander's cabin for a private dinner and, in Mass Effect 3, she will meet the Commander at the Citadel dock for another friendly exchange. She wishes that the war were over so she and Shepard could spend a little more quality time together.

11 Jacob Taylor Is Only Temporarily Committed To FemShep

jacob taylor with shepard mass effect

Jacob Taylor is an ex-Alliance soldier, much like Shepard, and he joined Cerberus after Miranda talked him into it. In Mass Effect 2, he is a romance option for FemShep, even though Jacob showed no interest at first. FemShep does the talking, and Jacob will begin taking interest until he's brave enough to make a move.

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This romance starts off well, but it is soured in Mass Effect 3 when Jacob becomes involved with a certain Dr. Brynn Cole, with whom he's expecting a child as of 2186. Jacob has clearly moved on, and FemShep can't talk him out of it. Their romance is effectively dead and buried.

10 Ashley Williams Finally Casts Off Her Bigoted Tendencies In Mass Effect 3

ashley mass effect saluting

When speaking to Ashley Williams in the first Mass Effect game, what is most noticeable is that she is blatantly racist towards aliens. This aspect of her character is quite difficult to ignore when romancing her and some players feel uncomfortable after choosing to have a relationship with a xenophobe.

In the brief encounter with Ashley in Mass Effect 2, it is hard to not hate her even more after she refuses to join Shepard and goes into a full rant while simultaneously refusing to acknowledge the obvious truth. Luckily, by Mass Effect 3, Ashley has cast off her bigoted ways and is a rather sweet (if a little boring) romance option.

9 Samantha Traynor's Romance Is More On The Casual Side

samantha traynor mass effect

Samantha Traynor is the Normandy's Comm Specialist in Mass Effect 3 and a romance option for female Shepard only. Things can move pretty quickly if the player elects to romance Traynor. What begins as some exciting flirting can swiftly culminate in a steamy shower scene.

Traynor's romance is more on the casual side but is expanded in Mass Effect 3: Citadel DLC. Shepard gets to spend a bit more time with her lover by cheering her on during a Kepesh-Yakshi match, an Asari strategy game similar to chess. Traynor will eventually get to spend some time in Shepard's hot tub.

8 Kaidan Alenko Becomes A Lot More Personable After Mass Effect 3

Kaidan and Shepard in Mass Effect

While Kaidan Alenko's character suffers from some of the same boring and generic aspects as Ashley does in the first Mass Effect game, he is not nearly as infuriating to speak with. Initially, Kaidan has an endearing personality but is a little too serious and needs to lighten up.

By the time Mass Effect 3 rolled around, the second human Spectre had indeed become more personable. He is available as a romance option for both male and female Shepard. Many fans like to attribute this inclusion to Kaidan and male Shepard's recently acquired confidence in their sexuality. Theirs is far from the only LGBTQ+ relationship in the franchise.

7 Miranda Lawson Gradually Learns To Love Herself With The Player's Help

Mass Effect 2 Miranda Normandy

Miranda Lawson certainly does not lack confidence. Shepard can even call her out on it, but Miranda simply argues that she was designed to be perfect by her father. While her genetic engineering does provide Miranda with many positive attributes, deep down she feels inadequate because she has never had to really work for her accomplishments.

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One of the best parts about romancing Miranda is making her understand that she is worthy of being loved for who she is. However, players who break up with Miranda in Mass Effect 3 might feel terrible upon watching her accept the Commander's decision while fighting back tears.

6 Jack Must Be Approached With Cautious Sympathy Before Any Romance Can Happen

jack mass effect

Jack's traumatic past is responsible for the emotional barrier she uses to protect herself from experiencing more suffering. If Shepard talks with Jack, he will learn about some of the times that people took advantage of her. As such, the player must approach her with cautious sympathy before romancing her.

By refusing Jack's initial hookup offers, Shepard can really get to know the biotic and the two will form a strong bond. Since Shepard is the first person to really try to understand Jack without exploiting her, her loyalty to Shepard becomes unbreakable.

5 Thane Krios Is A Sensitive Romantic Who Has Lived A Life Of Danger

thane mass effect

Thane Krios is a bit of a heartthrob. The mysterious Drell assassin is a sensitive romantic who has lived a life of danger, clearly possessing qualities many people would find attractive in a partner. Thane is a deeply spiritual individual and the only romanceable character with a murdered wife.

If Shepard romances Thane, then she will do so knowing it is a doomed love. Kerpral's Syndrome will ensure Thane does not live long. The combination of Thane's terminal illness and Shepard's love for him makes this relationship one of the most beautiful in the entire franchise.

4 Liara T'Soni Can Be Romanced In All Three Mass Effect Games

liara t'soni mass effect

Either male or female Shepard has the unique opportunity to romance Liara T'Soni in all three Mass Effect games. Such a long relationship means Liara and Shepard can form a strong and complex bond with one another throughout the epic space opera. Seeing Liara and Shepard share one final moment together near the end of Mass Effect 3 is arguably the most bittersweet moment of the franchise.

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Similar to Thane's romance, it is known from the start that one of the two will significantly outlive the other. Even if Shepard survives the war with the Reapers and lives happily ever after with Liara, her extended longevity means that she'd spend the vast majority of her life without the Commander around.

3 Male Shepard Helps Steve Cortez Heal From The Loss Of His Husband

Shepard and Cortez in Mass Effect

Romancing Steve Cortez (the Normandy's shuttle pilot in Mass Effect 3) is just so satisfying. When Shepard first meets Cortez, the poor man is still clinging to the loss of his husband, who had been killed by the Collectors.

By befriending Cortez and eventually romancing him, Shepard helps Steve overcome the loss of his husband and the two become close, passionate lovers. Seeing Cortez go through his healing journey is highly rewarding, and in fact, will prevent the character from being killed in Mass Effect 3's final mission on Earth.

2 Despite His Awkward Nature, Garrus Vakarian Comes Off As Flattering And Sweet

garrus dancing on the citadel

Any conversation about romance in Mass Effect will necessarily include Garrus Vakarian. The former C-Sec officer was a fan-favorite in the first game, and so BioWare kindly made this popular Turian a romance option for female Shepard in the next two games. Although somewhat awkward, Garrus somehow comes off as both flattering and sweet.

When Shepard and Vakarian finally embrace, it feels like the beginning of something beautiful because players know Garrus will be her rock in addition to her best friend. Watching the first human Spectre tango with Archangel in the Citadel DLC helps add some spice to their already perfect relationship.

1 Romancing Tali'zorah Is A Risky But Totally Worthwhile Option

Mass Effect 2 Tali Dossier 3

Romancing Tali feels like a first love. The Quarian is comically awkward and she clearly cares deeply for Shepard. Unfortunately, it is extremely dangerous for a Quarian to be in a romantic relationship with anyone. Quarians often get sick due to their weak immune systems, so Tali actually risks death by being with Shepard.

Thankfully, Tali can get away with a mild sickness because of suit upgrades and advanced medicine. One of the best parts of romancing this cute Quarian comes in the Citadel DLC, where Tali will hilariously burst out in song while she watches a wid with Shepard. One can easily imagine Shepard and Tali growing old together while exploring the galaxy.

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