User blog:FridgeRaider88/Mass Effect 3 Squad Speculation (spoilers)

Just been thinking about who is likely to be recruitable in Mass Effect 3, and how difficult Bioware have made it for themselves with all the possible outcomes.

Here's my thinking on who will/won't be in ME3 and why (assuming everyone was recruited, loyal and survived):

Liara As the only character guaranteed to still be alive it seems likely that she will be a squad member.

Garrus Quite likely. Not like he's got anything better to do (or does he?)

Kaiden/Ashley It's possible that whichever one survived Virmire could become part of Shepard's crew. The additional dialgoue required for this might dissuade Bioware from doing it, though.

Mordin Mainly recruited to help fight the Collectors, and after their destruction presumably those particular talents won't be needed. May be a recruit but it is suggested he's not exactly young for a salarian.

Miranda Possibly. If you take her with you to the final boss of ME2 and choose to destroy the Collector base she tells the Illusive Man that she quits Cerberus, suggesting loyalty to Shepard.

Jacob Possibly. May still be with Shepard after the end of ME2 to help prepare for the Reapers.

Tali Possibly. There are various potential outcomes from her loyalty mission. If she was exonerated she mentions that some quarians have suggested her as a replacement for her father as an admiral. If exiled, could conceivably choose to stay on the Normandy with Shepard. Tough to call.

Jack Unlikely, she was only helping Shepard because (s)he broke her out of Purgatory.

Grunt Most likely on Tuchanka, or out in the galaxy somewhere on behalf of Urdnot. May be a point of contact (other than Wrex) with the krogan.

Thane During Mass Effect 2 he is dying of Kepral's Syndrome, so depending on the gap between ME2 and ME3, he'll either be dead, dying or cured. If still alive at that point, probably won't be a recruit.

Samara / Morinth Samara says at the end of Mass Effect 2 that if Shepard needs her, she will come for him/her. Not sure about Morinth, but I wouldn't imagine that she would be too keen to risk herself on some noble crusade.

Legion Probably back with the geth. May be a liason between Shepard and the geth in Mass Effect 3.

Wrex Most likely still busy on Tuchanka.

Zaeed Doubtful as he was only paid by the Illusive Man to assist with the suicide mission.

Kasumi Doubtful for the same reason as Zaeed.

All this leads me to think that the squad overall will be smaller in Mass Effect 3 than 2. 6-8 people probably.

Would be interested to hear others' opinions on this.