Romance Guide for Mass Effect 3 helps the players develop a romantic relationship with their desired Companion. Players will get a chance to interact with them, creating a deeper and meaningful relationship. Romance in Mass Effect 3 is quite unique compared to its previous title, Mass Effect 2, since (depending on your progress in ME2, such as who lives or survives) most of the potential romanceable or love interests can be continued here in ME3, while some are new, and save imports can rekindle previous romance interests. The romance mechanic of Mass Effect 3 basically closes, chooses, or wraps up who you want Shepard to end up with.
Mechanics of Romance
The mechanics of Romance in Mass Effect 3 is pretty much straightforward. Players have complete freedom on how to answer or flirt with one or more love interests at a time, only up to the point where a "locked-in" dialogue choice is presented to Shepard at a specified location. If players choose to answer at the said locked-in dialogue, then the following options for the other romanceable or love interest characters will change. So if you've closed the deal and chose to have a relationship with your preferred character, romance dialogues and actions will not be available for the rest of the characters.
For some cases, there are some characters that do not reward players with the Paramour achievement, such as James Vega, Javik, Thane Krios, Diana Allers, and Samara. Meaning, you can trigger a romance sequence with them or basically have a one-night stand. As for the rest who does reward the Paramour achievement, you can only be in a romantic relationship with one character only, having two or more relationships with other characters in Mass Effect 3 is not possible.
DLC/Legacy Romance
- There are certain DLCs where you can pursue a romance sequence with characters that cannot be romanced in the main game. DLC such as Mass Effect 3: Citadel.
- If you are playing as a female Shepard and you have a high friendship with James Vega or Javik, then it is possible to have a one-night stand with them after the party.
- Legacy Romances or your romance progress from the first two games need to be rekindled in ME3 so that you can reassure your feelings for them. Apart from rekindling, you can also break up with them, allowing you to have a relationship with the other characters.
- It is extremely recommended that you have the Mass Effect 3: Citadel DLC and that you import your save file from ME2 if you want to get the most out of the Legacy Romances, as it provides additional meetups and sequences with them.
Love Interest Sequences
SPOILER ALERT! Listed in this section are the following sequences that can be triggered if you do close the deal of being in a romantic relationship with your chosen character.
- In the Extended Cut version, there are added interactions with Shepard's love interest during the final mission. If Shepard's romance partner is in the squad during the run to the Conduit, Shepard calls for the Normandy to pick the squad up after being wounded by shrapnel from an exploding tank. They share a short goodbye before the Normandy evacuates. If Effective Military Strength is too low, the squad will be killed by Harbinger.
- If Shepard chooses to activate the crucible, the last flashback that Shepard sees will be his/her partner.
- If the crew of the Normandy survives the blast from the Crucible, then Shepard's love interest (if he/she is aboard the Normandy) will place Shepard's name on the Normandy's memorial wall.
- On the other hand, if Shepard survived the blast by which he/she chooses to destroy the Reapers, then his/her partner will not add Shepard's name on the memorial wall but instead smile.
Romanceable Characters
There are 5 characters that can be romanced if you are starting a brand new game in Mass Effect 3. However, if you are to include Legacy Romances, as well as DLCs, it bumps up to a total number of 13 characters. Listed below are the long-term characters you can have a romance and relationship in, and short-term relationships or a one-night stand sequence with. Take note that long-term relationship characters unlock the Paramour achievement:
Mass Effect 3 Romance Guide
Ashley Williams
Basic Information:
- Gender Preference: Male Shepard
- Romance Type: Long-Term
- Legacy Only: No
- Romance Scene: Yes
- Unlocks the Paramour Achievement: Yes
Overview for Ashley Williams
Ashley Williams is a Companion in Mass Effect 3. She is available for romance and a possible love interest towards a MALE Commander Shepard only. You can continue or rekindle your relationship with her if you previously had a romance progress and imported your save file in Mass Effect 1.
Take note that she must be alive in your playthrough during the events in Mass Effect 1 (Vimire: Assault) or if you are starting a new game, during Character Creation, make sure to choose that Kaidan Alenko was killed in action instead of her. To learn more, visit our Romance Guide: Ashley Williams page.
Steve Cortez
Basic Information:
- Gender Preference: Male Shepard
- Romance Type: Long-Term
- Legacy Only: No
- Romance Scene: Yes
- Unlocks the Paramour Achievement: Yes
Overview for Steve Cortez
Lieutenant Steve Cortez is an NPC in Mass Effect 3, he is an Alliance pilot serving Commander Shepard aboard the Normandy SR-2. He is available for romance and a possible love interest towards a MALE Commander Shepard only.
In order to start your conversation with Steve, you need to complete a couple of missions first, and after completing one, always check the certain locations to start a conversation with him. To learn more, visit our Romance Guide: Steve Cortez page.
Samantha Traynor
Basic Information:
- Gender Preference: Female Shepard
- Romance Type: Long-Term
- Legacy Only: No
- Romance Scene: Yes
- Unlocks the Paramour Achievement: Yes
Overview for Samantha Traynor
Specialist Samantha Traynor is an Alliance Comm Specialist reporting under Commander Shepard aboard the Normandy SR-2. She is available for romance and a possible love interest towards a FEMALE Commander Shepard only. Players can meet Samantha during the early stages of the game, specifically after completing Priority: Citadel I. When you do find her, speak to her when you can and choose dialogue options that are polite towards her.
Always check your server as well for e-mails, to officially begin making your move towards her, you need to receive an e-mail from her with the subject heading "Game Night" where she asks the Commander to see her during her off-duty hours. Once you've read the e-mail, Shepard can invite Traynor to the captain's cabin. To learn more, visit our Romance Guide: Samantha Traynor page.
Kaidan Alenko
Basic Information:
- Gender Preference: Any (Male or Female)
- Romance Type: Long-Term
- Legacy Only: No
- Romance Scene: Yes
- Unlocks the Paramour Achievement: Yes
Overview for Kaidan Alenko
Kaidan Alenko is a Companion in Mass Effect 3. He is available for romance and a possible love interest towards a MALE or FEMALE version of Commander Shepard. You can continue or rekindle your relationship with him if you previously had a romance progress and imported your save file in Mass Effect 1.
Take note that he must be alive in your playthrough during the events in Mass Effect 1 (Vimire: Assault) or if you are starting a new game, during Character Creation, make sure to choose that Ashley Williams was killed in action instead of him. To learn more, visit our Romance Guide: Kaidan Alenko page.
Liara T'Soni
Basic Information:
- Gender Preference: Any (Male or Female)
- Romance Type: Long-Term
- Legacy Only: No
- Romance Scene: Yes
- Unlocks the Paramour Achievement: Yes
Overview for Liara T'Soni
Liara T'Soni is an Asari scientist who made her first appearance is in Mass Effect 1. You'll first meet her during the mission, Priority: Mars, and she'll then be recruited as a Companion as well. If you've imported your save file and use your progress from Mass Effect 1 and Mass Effect 2, there will be additional dialogues and you'll be able to pick up and rekindle that relationship after the events in Priority: The Citadel I - this gives you access to Liara's room that's on the crew deck. To learn more, visit our Romance Guide: Liara T'Soni page.
Jack
Basic Information:
- Gender Preference: Male Shepard
- Romance Type: Long-Term
- Legacy Only: Yes
- Romance Scene: Requires Citadel DLC
- Unlocks the Paramour Achievement: Yes
Overview for Jack
In Mass Effect 3, there is no romance scene with Jack in the main story, but instead, it's more of an emotional intimate scene and players are basically committing to having a relationship with her. Jack must survive the events in Mass Effect 2, specifically, the Suicide Mission (Final Battle). Apart from that, you must have started a relationship with her in Mass Effect 2 to rekindle your relationship.
Players must complete the mission Priority: Palaven first so that you can unlock the side mission where you can find Jack during the events of Grissom Academy: Emergency Evacuation. Speak to Samantha Traynor to learn more about Grissom Academy. To learn more, visit our Romance Guide: Jack page.
Miranda Lawson
Basic Information:
- Gender Preference: Male Shepard
- Romance Type: Long-Term
- Legacy Only: Yes
- Romance Scene: Yes
- Unlocks the Paramour Achievement: Yes
Overview for Miranda
Miranda must survive the events in Mass Effect 2, specifically, the Suicide Mission (Final Battle). Apart from that, you must have started a relationship with her in Mass Effect 2 so that you can rebuild or rekindle it in Mass Effect 3.
Early in the game, you'll need to build up your relationship with Miranda through countless meetings. The reason being is that Miranda is simultaneously on the run from Cerberus and investigating the disappearance of her sister Oriana. So keep in mind that every time you meet Miranda, it will be vital, and it's your goal to help her and keep her alive if you want Miranda to be your love interest in Mass Effect 3. To learn more, visit our Romance Guide: Miranda Lawson page.
Thane Krios
Basic Information:
- Gender Preference: Female Shepard
- Romance Type: Long-Term
- Legacy Only: Yes
- Romance Scene: No
- Unlocks the Paramour Achievement: No
Overview for Miranda
Thane Krios is a character who made his first appearance in Mass Effect 2. Players must import their save file or progress in ME2 and Thane must survive the events in Mass Effect 2, specifically, the Suicide Mission (Final Battle). Most importantly, female Shepard must have romanced him in ME2. It is important to take note or remind the player that in ME3, Thane is terminally ill due to his condition which is Kepral's Syndrome. Thane in Mass Effect 3 is basically rekindling the relationship between him and Shepard and that you are locking him in as your love interest.
Upon completing Priority: Palaven, you'll receive word from Thane via an e-mail he sends to Shepard's private terminal. In the e-mail, he asks you to meet him at the Huerta Hospital of the Citadel. During the conversation, if you had a romance with Kaidan Alenko during Mass Effect 1, choose the dialogue "We were intimate once", but on the other hand, if you didn't, just select Paragon interrupt to kiss him, this further cements the relationship moving forward. To learn more, visit our Romance Guide: Thane Krios page.
Tali
Basic Information:
- Gender Preference: Male Shepard
- Romance Type: Lomg-Term
- Legacy Only: Yes
- Romance Scene: Yes
- Unlocks the Paramour Achievement: Yes
Overview for Tali
Tali must survive the events in Mass Effect 2, specifically, the Suicide Mission (Final Battle). Apart from that, you must have started a relationship with her in Mass Effect 2 so that you can rebuild or rekindle it in Mass Effect 3.
You will need to be patient if you want to have a romance sequence and have her as Shepard's love interest. Tali doesn't appear until halfway to the game, Shepard meets her during your first diplomatic meeting with the Quarians, specifically the mission, Priority: Geth Dreadnought. When you have a conversation with her, tell her "I want to help you", and then ask her with "Do you still want me?", this will have Shepard ask her about the relationship that they have - she'll then mention that if Shepard wants to talk in private, he may want to invite her up to his cabin. To learn more, visit our Romance Guide: Tali page.
Garrus Vakarian
Basic Information:
- Gender Preference: Female Shepard
- Romance Type: Long-Term
- Legacy Only: Yes
- Romance Scene: Yes
- Unlocks the Paramour Achievement: Yes
Overview for Garrus
Garrus Vakarian must survive the events in Mass Effect 2, specifically, the Suicide Mission (Final Battle). Apart from that, you must have started a relationship with him in Mass Effect 2 so that you can rebuild or rekindle it in Mass Effect 3. Take note that Garrus is only a legacy romance where players will need to import or use the save file from Mass Effect 2. Garrus becomes available to rekindle the relationship of you've previously locked in the relationship in ME2 which is confirmed by having the romance scene with him in Shepard's cabin.
Garrus will be able to reunite with Shepard during the mission, Priority: Palaven where he rejoins Shepard's team. Aboard the Normandy, you can find him at his usual spot at the Main Batter on the Crew Deck. After the mentioned mission, speak to him so that the topic of the relationship between the two is brought up, during the conversation. To learn more, visit our Romance Guide: Garrus Vakarian page.
Javik
Basic Information:
- Gender Preference: Female Shepard
- Romance Type: Short-Term, Fling
- Legacy Only: No
- Romance Scene: No
- Unlocks the Paramour Achievement: No
Overview for Javik
Take note that the romance for Javik doesn't really pit Javik and Female Shepard in a relationship, it's more of a scene that gives you an idea that the two took fun on the next level. The scene is where the two are seen waking up next to each other after a party in the Citadel DLC. Players must have the From the Ashes DLC so you can recruit him as a companion during the events of the side mission, Priority: Eden Prime, as well as the Citadel, so you can trigger the fun scene. To learn more, visit our Romance Guide: Javik page.
James Vega
Basic Information:
- Gender Preference: Female Shepard
- Romance Type: Short-Term, Fling
- Legacy Only: No
- Romance Scene: No
- Unlocks the Paramour Achievement: No
Overview for James
Take note that the romance for James Vega doesn't really pit James and Female Shepard in a relationship, it's more of a scene that gives you an idea that the two took fun on the next level. The scene is where the two are seen waking up next to each other after a party in the Citadel DLC. You will need to slightly build up the relationship first if you want to trigger the scene with them next to each other on the bed. To learn more, visit our Romance Guide: James Vega page.
Diana Allers
Basic Information:
- Gender Preference: Any (Male or Female)
- Romance Type: Short-Term, Fling
- Legacy Only: No
- Romance Scene: No
- Unlocks the Paramour Achievement: No
Overview for Diana
Diana Allers is an Alliance News Network war correspondent who is available to be romanced (fling) for a male or female Commander Shepard, the romance with Diana will not clash with other primary romances. Players will basically need to have a couple of interactions with her, specifically when she interviews you. You'll first meet Diana upon arriving on the Citadel after Priority: Mars. To learn more, visit our Romance Guide: Diana Allers page.
