Interrupt (Mass Effect 3)

Interrupts are a feature of the dialogue system in Mass Effect 3. They allow Commander Shepard to take direct, often physical, action at certain moments in conversations.

Mechanics
There are two types of Interrupts, each corresponding to a side of the morality scale, Paragon and Renegade.

During conversations the player may be presented with an Interrupt icon, either a blue icon in the bottom left corner (right on the PC) of the screen, for Paragon interrupts, or a red icon in the bottom right corner (left on the PC) of the screen, for Renegade Interrupts. Pressing the corresponding mouse button (PC), or trigger (Xbox 360, PS3), will activate the interrupt, allowing Shepard to take some form of direct action. A Renegade interrupt, for example, may have Shepard physically assault another character, while a Paragon interrupt might have Shepard intervene to prevent one character from harming another.

Interrupts are usually available for no more than a couple of seconds, and are entirely optional. However, as with Charm and Intimidate dialogue options, they may allow Shepard to avoid, or decrease the severity of, some conflicts.

Using a Renegade or Paragon interrupt will typically result in a significant number of the appropriate Renegade or Paragon points being awarded. Usually, not using an interrupt is not considered a moral choice, I.E. not using a Paragon interrupt is not considered a Renegade choice, or vice versa. However there are a few exceptions to this rule in various points throughout the game.

Unlike Charm and Intimidate, Shepard is not required to have any minimum amount of Paragon or Renegade points in order for an interrupt to be presented. All characters (with the exception of one class-exclusive interrupt in the Mass Effect 3: Omega DLC) will encounter the interrupt at the appropriate time, assuming they made the correct dialogue choices to reach that interrupt as described below (if any).

It is impossible to skip past interrupt chances by using the dialogue-skip button. That button will be inactive for the duration of the dialogue line or cutscene bit where the interrupt becomes available. However, it is possible to inadvertently cause the interrupt to not appear at all if the "fire" button is pressed just prior to the interrupt's appearance.

Priority: Mars
After leaving Admiral Anderson behind, James wants to know why the Normandy is leaving Earth. Unsatisfied with Shepard's answer, he demands to be dropped off. The player is presented with a Paragon or Renegade interrupt, depending on whether a Renegade or Paragon dialogue option is chosen.

Priority: Sur'Kesh
Near the end of the war summit at the beginning of this mission, after Dalatrass Linron reluctantly agrees to release the krogan females being held on Sur'Kesh, she starts to warn Shepard that "the consequences of this will be felt for centuries to come."

Priority: Tuchanka
If Shepard chose not to reveal the Shroud sabotage earlier and Renegade dialogue is chosen during the confrontation with Mordin, Shepard will threaten Mordin with a gun. Mordin is not intimidated and goes to the elevator.

If Shepard chose to reveal the Shroud sabotage earlier, Mordin heads to the elevator to counter the sabotage.

Priority: The Citadel II
When Shepard confronts Udina and is forced into a standoff with Ashley/Kaidan, a Paragon Interrupt and Renegade Interrupt are presented depending on the dialogue chosen.

If Shepard cannot talk down Ashley/Kaidan, the standoff continues, and a Renegade Interrupt is presented.

If Shepard manages to talk down Ashley/Kaidan, leading to Udina drawing a gun, a Renegade Interrupt is presented.

Priority: Geth Dreadnought
After Shepard escapes the Geth Dreadnought and if they choose to confront Admiral Gerrel over his decision to open fire on the Dreadnought while Shepard's team was still on board, Admiral Gerrel will start to protest that the Dreadnought was a perfect target.

Later, when Admiral Xen suggests experimenting on Legion for intelligence on the geth, the player is presented with a Paragon interrupt.

Priority: Rannoch
After completing either Rannoch: Admiral Koris or Rannoch: Geth Fighter Squadrons, Admiral Raan will inform Shepard about a Reaper Base on Rannoch, making this mission available. During the briefing, if Renegade dialogue is chosen in which Shepard supports destroying the geth rather than saving them, Legion/Geth VI will start to protest that the geth oppose the Reapers as much as Shepard does.

During the conversation with the dying Reaper near the end of this mission, the player will be presented with Renegade and Paragon interrupts, depending on the dialogue chosen.

If Shepard chooses to side with the geth over the quarians, leading to the quarians' destruction, Tali will jump off the cliff in despair.

If Shepard chooses to side with the quarians over the geth, Legion/Geth VI will attack the commander, forcing Tali to attack and disable it.

Priority: The Citadel III
If Shepard chose to sabotage the genophage cure in Priority: Tuchanka and Urdnot Wrex leads the krogan, Wrex will eventually discover the trick. He angrily confronts Shepard at the Citadel Dock Bay as the Commander is returning to the Normandy. Wrex knocks out a C-Sec officer, then reveals that he knows what Shepard did, before pointing his shotgun at the Commander.

The player is given a choice of dialogue during the confrontation, but Wrex cannot be talked down and will attempt to kill Shepard.

Shepard points their weapon at Wrex, who slowly tries to raise his weapon, saying, "I know what you did, Shepard."

Priority: Horizon
When confronting Henry Lawson while he holds Oriana hostage, if Shepard doesn't charm or threaten him into letting her go, then an interrupt to shoot Oriana in the leg will appear.

If Miranda died in Mass Effect 2:

Priority: Cerberus Headquarters
When Kai Leng attempts to sneak up behind Shepard and kill the Commander with his sword, the player is presented with a Renegade Interrupt.

After Kai Leng's death, Shepard speaks with Vendetta one last time. Vendetta tells the Commander that the Reapers are preparing to complete the harvest of Earth. Shepard says, "I'll stop them." Vendetta will start to say, "It is too late. I recommend investigating a means for conserving information for future species."

Alternatively, if the player allows Vendetta to complete his statement, Vendetta will then start to say, "Perhaps you will succeed where we failed. Perhaps your warnings will be heard early enough."

Priority: Earth
While saying goodbye to their squadmates, two interrupts will come up in conversations with Garrus Vakarian and Javik.

When confronting the Illusive Man in the Citadel, an interrupt will be offered if Shepard intimidates him, or has not used all the reputation checks in their conversations.

Citadel: Hanar Diplomat
After Zymandis uploads the virus to Kahje's defense system Jondum Bau starts his omni-tool in an attempt to stop the virus. The man guarding the door then chokes Bau. If Kasumi Goto is not present, Shepard will need to make a decision between saving Bau or the hanar homeworld.

Kallini: Ardat-Yakshi Monastery
After rescuing Falere, Samara will attempt suicide as the Justicar Code cannot permit an Ardat-Yakshi to live outside a monastery that no longer exists, yet she cannot bring herself to lose her remaining daughter.

If Samara killed herself or is not present.

Citadel: Dr. Bryson's Lab
Derek Hadley shoots and kills Dr. Bryson, then turns the gun toward Shepard.

After C-Sec arrives, Shepard begins interrogating Hadley.

Citadel: Leviathan
Dr. Ann Bryson volunteers herself in order to track down Leviathan's signal. Once Leviathan has gained control of Bryson's body she begins to struggle while James tries to restrain her. When EDI reports that they have a partial lock, James wants to raise the containment shield to protect Bryson.

If Shepard ordered James to stay the course, then EDI is able to further refine the origin of the signal. James will again want to raise the containment shield for Bryson's sake.

Omega: Aria T'Loak
After deactivating Omega's defenses, allowing for Aria's fleet to move in, Shepard notices a surveillance camera spying on them.

After reaching the reactor that powers the force fields on Omega, General Oleg Petrovsky informs Shepard that deactivating it will also cut off life support to several wards. Aria doesn't care and wants Shepard to shut the reactor down now. Nyreen argues that Shepard should reroute power instead.

After the force fields are shut down, Aria will start to criticize Nyreen for her fear of facing the Adjutants.

After retaking Omega, if Shepard has performed mostly paragon actions throughout the mission, then Aria will choose to hand Petrovsky over to Shepard. Petrovsky attempts to strike a deal with Shepard and offers to aid the Alliance in exchange for amnesty.

If the above interrupt was taken, Petrovsky will protest that he is a prisoner and that Shepard can't just kill him.

If Shepard has not influenced Aria to become less ruthless, then Aria continues to strangle Petrovsky to death.

Normandy: James post Priority: Mars
James asks the Commander if they can "dance and talk at the same time." James describes his former commanding officer, Captain Toni.

James relates his last mission, which involved a choice between intel and saving his squad. He chose the intel.

James asks, "Who says I'm blaming myself?"

James suggests that his potentially suicidal actions are what is needed to win the war.

Normandy: Javik and Liara post Priority: Thessia
After Priority: Thessia, Liara angrily confronts Javik in his room on the engineering deck.

Normandy: Liara post confrontation with Javik
Afterwards, Liara will return to her bedroom, believing she did not do enough to prevent Thessia's fall.

Citadel Embassies: Khalisah al-Jilani
After leaving Commander Bailey's office, speak to Khalisah, who is standing near the Avina Terminal. She proceeds to berate Commander Shepard for leaving Earth.

Khalisah will dodge the Commander's first punch and get into a fighting stance, saying, "Ha! You want some?". If she was previously punched, then her dialogue changes to "Not this time, you military thug!"

If the first Renegade interrupt is ignored, Shepard will say, "I came to get help for Earth. For everyone." Khalisah will continue pressing the Commander, asking what they plan to do.

If all interrupts are ignored, Shepard will say, "The same thing I've been doing for the past three years: Find way to stop the Reapers. Get some help Khalisah, I've got work to do," then walk away.

Purgatory: Lower Bar: James Vega
Speaking to James at the bar, Shepard is advised to buy drinks for the troop of soldiers James was hanging out with. If Shepard agrees to pay for the drinks, James and the group of soldiers begin the lines of an old Scottish drinking toast: "Here's to us. Who's like us?"

Purgatory: Dance Floor: Steve Cortez
The male Shepard has an opportunity to join Steve on the dance floor.

Refugee Holding Area: Cargo Hold: B: Kelly Chambers
If Kelly survived the Collectors' abduction of the Normandy's crew, she can be found helping refugees. Kelly is happy to see Shepard and says she could just hug the Commander.

Presidium Commons: Apollo's Cafe: Matriarch Aethyta
After speaking to Liara about getting some intel from Barla Von, Matriarch Aethyta can be found working behind the counter at Apollo's Cafe. While discussing Liara, she will make some insinuations about Commander Shepard.

Aethyta says the other matriarchs might have ordered a hit on Liara without her intervention.

Normandy Dock: Viewing Deck: Steve Cortez
If the Commander convinced Steve to take a break off the Normandy, he can be found looking out the window near the Normandy's dock, watching the ships.

Refugee Holding Area: Memorial Wall: Steve Cortez
Shepard watches as Steve has one last listen to the audio log between him and Robert. Steve then says his goodbyes.

Refugee Holding Area: Memorial Wall: Ashley Williams
Ashley is watching her sister and voices her worries about her to Shepard.

Citadel Embassies: Javik
Javik can be found looking out over the Presidium. When Shepard starts a conversation with him, a turian, asari, and hanar approach them, curious about the living Prothean. While addressing them Javik warns, "The Reapers killed trillions in my cycle."

Personal Apartment: James
After Vega shows Shepard his N7 tattoo, he sets off towards the exit but gets distracted by the exercise equipment in the bedroom across from the door. Vega starts punching the punching bag and if Shepard interacts with the pull-up bar James mentions that his record for the pull-ups is 182.

Successfully doing 183 alternating and sometimes-shuffling paragon and renegade interrupts will cause James to compliment Shepard: "Damn. You still got it. Don't let anybody tell you different."

Personal Apartment: Jack
This Interrupt only appears if romancing Jack

When Jack completes the tattoo on Shepard's back, he says that it looks nice. Jack then retorts that the tattoo is not for show, it's for identification should Shepard die. She starts to tell Shepard about how during a bad drop on Palaven, Rodreguiz was buried under a pile of husks, and would have died, had Jack not recognized her boot.

Armax Arsenal Arena: Jack
This Interrupt only appears if romancing Jack

When Shepard and Jack are discussing how to take down an Atlas, Jack suggests biotic detonations. While Jack fires at the Atlas, Shepard looks at her.

Silversun Strip: Javik
Shepard accompanies Javik into a shooting of Blasto's new movie. When Blasto enters the scene, he laments how his warnings about the Reapers fell on "obstructed auditory senses."

Later in the film it is revealed the vorcha Councilor is indoctrinated. Blasto prepares his guns while delivering a speech on killing the Councilor.

Silversun Strip: Jacob
This interrupt only appears if Jacob was romanced in Mass Effect 2.

When Jacob greets Shepard, she can respond by asking if Jacob had forgotten about their relationship. Jacob then attempts to defend himself by saying that he thought they "were good".