Squad

A squad is the group of team members which Commander Shepard can select to accompany on field missions, or while visiting one of the main civilized centers such as a station or planet.

A squad is typically made of three members: Shepard and two squadmates. Although, for some specific missions, such as loyalty missions, a specific team member is required. In addition, the squad can, for some missions or assignments, be reduced to two members, or even to Shepard alone.

Mass Effect

 * Kaidan Alenko
 * Tali'Zorah nar Rayya
 * Liara T'Soni
 * Garrus Vakarian
 * Ashley Williams
 * Urdnot Wrex

Mass Effect 2

 * Kasumi Goto1
 * Grunt
 * Thane Krios
 * Jack
 * Miranda Lawson
 * Legion
 * Zaeed Massani2
 * Tali'Zorah vas Neema
 * Samara or Morinth
 * Mordin Solus
 * Jacob Taylor
 * Garrus Vakarian
 * Liara T'Soni3

Mass Effect 3

 * Kaidan Alenko or Ashley Williams4
 * Javik5
 * Tali'Zorah vas Normandy6
 * Liara T'Soni
 * Garrus Vakarian6
 * James Vega
 * EDI
 * Aria T'Loak7
 * Nyreen Kandros7

1 Requires Kasumi - Stolen Memory DLC Pack 2 Requires Zaeed - The Price of Revenge DLC Pack 3 Temporary squadmate during the missions of the Lair of the Shadow Broker DLC 4 Depending on decision made during Virmire: Assault 5 Requires From Ashes DLC Pack 6 Depending on if they survived the Suicide Mission 7 Temporary squadmate during the missions of the Mass Effect 3: Omega DLC

Selecting Squadmates
Squadmates are chosen from a screen whenever you leave the SSV Normandy in Mass Effect, or the Normandy SR-2 in Mass Effect 2. You can only take two squadmates with you at any given time, so be sure to pick carefully when you do so as you cannot usually reselect your squadmates once you leave.

In Mass Effect 2 however, you can reselect your squad at any time at terminals on each level of the Citadel you can explore, at the airlock to the Normandy on Omega and Illium, the Kodiak on Tuchanka, and if start a mission from one of those hub worlds, when you start that mission. For example, if you have Miranda and Jacob in your squad when you land on Omega, then you start Mordin's Recturiemnt Mission, Dossier: The Professor, you have the option to select your squad again before starting if you don't like the squad you brought with you upon leaving the Normandy.

In Mass Effect 3, you can only choose your squad if you leave to go on a mission. Shepard explores the Citadel alone but you can encounter squadmates on the Citadel and even crew members from the Normandy as well.

The screen where you select your squadmate differs from Mass Effect to Mass Effect 2 and Mass Effect 3. In Mass Effect, you have the six squadmates, below their name is a box which can have one or two different colored lines; Red representing Combat strength; Purple representing Tech strength; and Blue representing Biotic strength. Finally, at the bottom of the screen is a box showing the relative strength of your squad in those same areas in those areas. Initially, it shows only Shepard's strength in those areas, and when you select a squadmate, they will become highlighted, move forward from the others, and their strengths will be tabulated in the box. When you select both squadmates, you have one final option to either keep your squad, or select again. If you have not recruited a squadmate or they are dead, then they will be blacked out and you will not be able to select them.

In Mass Effect 2, the squad screen is quite different. Squadmates that haven't been recruited are represented by a datapad, while others that were killed are colored red. When hovering over a squadmate, you have two or three options; select them into your squad; remove them from your squad; and if you have an alternate outfit for them unlocked, then you can switch their outfits. If you want more info about the squadmate, then press the "Info" button and a box opens that shows what their name is, what weapons they can use, and what powers they have unlocked. If a squadmate doesn't have a power unlocked, then it is blacked out. In addition, if you have not recruited a squadmate, they appear as a datapad which will either be blacked out, or highlighted if you have an active dossier on that squadmate and a box will pop up that will have a description of them. You can change a squadmate's outfit or view their dossier from either Shepard's Private terminal, or the terminal in Shepard's cabin in addition to the one when you select them for missions or assignments. You can change the loadouts of squadmates from the Weapons Locker in the Armory on Deck 2 of the Normandy.

In Mass Effect 3, the squad screen functions much like the one from Mass Effect 2. The only real changes is that squadmates are added when they are recruited, and removed or not added if they are not recruited or dead. From this screen you can change their outfits, which have bonuses for their individual states unlike in Mass Effect 2 where they are purely there for aesthetic reasons, see their powers, and their weapons they have access to. Like in Mass Effect 2, you can change their outfits from either the terminal in the CIC, or in Shepard's cabin. Unlike Mass Effect 2, you cannot switch out their weapons in-between missions.

Squad Mechanics
Using your squad means knowing their weapons, what talents/powers they have, and the terrain which you are fighting. Remember though that your squadmates only do about half the damage you do, no matter what weapon they are using, so using them as covering fire, or to pin down enemies, rather than taking them out. Against hard enemies, using your squadmates is not recommended becuase of the damage reduction, but if you focus their abilities, you can make it work.

Each game is different, but some threads stay the same. The first is that you need to keep up to date with what your squad is using, in addition to what Shepard is using. You need to keep adapting your squad based on the situation you will be facing. Each squadmate brings certain things to the table, so you need to find what they have, what they don't, and what Shepard has and doesn't have, then pick a third squadmate based on that. The squad is there to support you, not to do all the work for you.

In Mass Effect, if you don't have access to either Electronics or Decryption, then you need to bring along a squadmate with one, or both of those talents so you can open crates. Shepard doesn't have to have access to those talents, as anyone in the squad will suffice. Garrus, Kaidan, and Tali have access to both talents, while Liara has access to Electronics. Ashley and Wrex do not have access to either talent.

Commanding Your Squad
Each version of Mass Effect has different controls. On the PC you can command each squadmate invidually, while on the Xbox 360, using any of the commands will order both of your squadmates to do the same thing.

You use the D-Pad to command your squadmates.
 * Pressing "Up" on the D-Pad will order your squadmates to the position where you indicated.
 * Pressing "Left" on the D-Pad will order your squadmates to rally on Shepard.
 * Pressing "Right" on the D-Pad will order your squadmates to focus their fire on the selected target.
 * Pressing "Down" on the D-Pad will order your squadmates to hold their position.

You use the HUD to command your squadmates by moving your mouse over the HUD for the appropriate squadmate. The upper box functions the same way as the Xbox 360's D-Pad controls the same commands have the same effects.

Using Squad Talents
Talents are the Biotic and Tech abilities that Shepard and the squad have access to. They have varying effects and varying recharge times so use them wisely. When selecting squadmates, it is recommended that you try and keep a balanced squad of combat, tech, and biotic strength. However, each mission or assignment will be different, so plan accordingly.

Squad Equipment
The first thing you should note is that all squadmate weapons have a damage reduction. Meaning that they don't to as much damage as Shepard's weapons do, so keep this in mind. The second thing you should note is that, even if you don't use a particular squadmate, you should still keep their equipment up to the rest of the squad, in all fields of equipment. Biotic Amps, Omni-tools, armor, all weapon types, even if they are untrained in it, and various upgrades and mods.

When it comes to their equipment over Shepard, keep in mind that while your squadmates don't do as much weapon damage as Shepard, they still have talents which can save your life on the battlefield. So there should be no stigma attached to giving Ashley a better assault rifle than Shepard, especially if Shepard is untrained in Assault Rifles. The same goes for any other squadmate with any equipment.

At any time, you can change out squadmate equipment at their respective locker in the Cargo Bay of the SSV Normandy SR-1.

Mass Effect 2
One of the biggest changes from Mass Effect to Mass Effect 2 is the size of your squad, it effectively doubles from 6 to 12 if you have all DLC installed, otherwise it is 10. You have more options for picking but unlike in Mass Effect, some squadmates will be required on certain missions.

Commanding Your Squad
Commanding your squad in Mass Effect 2 is a bit less complicated than in Mass Effect. You still use the D-Pad, but the controls are more simplified.
 * Pressing Up on the D-Pad will direct both squadmates to fire on the selected target.
 * The left and right D-Pad have more options.
 * Using the L or R D-Pad on the terrain will direct your squadmate to move there and take cover if applicable.
 * Using the L or R D-Pad on an enemy will direct that squadmate to use their assigned power against that enemy. That power can be changed from the Power Wheel.
 * Pressing Down on the D-Pad will cause your squadmates to leave cover and regroup on Shepard.

Using Squad Powers
The talent system from Mass Effect underwent a massive overhaul, in addition to the renaming. Powers in Mass Effect 2 now have a global cooldown, and have a different system for upgrading powers. Squadmates also have a dramatically reduced power pool to use. They only have three offensive/defensive powers and one passive power. Also because the level cap has been reduced to 30, you have less points to upgrade squadmate powers. Keep this in mind when selecting. Squadmate powers have a little more cooldown and do a little less damage than Shepard, but they will often have access to powers that Shepard won't, especially the DLC characters of Zaeed and Kasumi.

That said, you should never count out your squadmates in a fight, where their powers might be much more effective, especially if they are on their respective loyalty mission, which is more built for their power and weapon set. Because of the global cooldown, it makes using powers easier and you can use them more often.

Don't forget that if you specifically order a squadmate to use their power, then it is proxied through Shepard, so if you can't see the target, then don't do it. However, if squadmates use powers on their own, it isn't proxied through Shepard, so consider turning on Squad Power Usage in the menu. Also squadmate powers don't arc like Shepard's do, they go straight to where you are aiming.

Squad Equipment
Like the power system, the weapon and armor system underwent a massive overhaul from Mass Effect to Mass Effect 2. A new system was implemented where everyone users the same weapons, but those weapons can be upgraded using the new Research system. The researched weapon upgrades will apply to both Shepard and the squad so you don't need to go over stats like you did in Mass Effect for weapons.

However, like in Mass Effect, squadmate weapons do a reduced amount of damage to enemies, so you again need to keep this in mind. However, squadmates also have a huge advantage over Shepard in the regard of recoil. Squadmates in Mass Effect 2 don't suffer recoil, so that is a huge advantage over Shepard. Squadmates are also more accurate with their weapons and their powers as well. Since you have a reduced weapon set to work with, you need to keep in mind that some weapons are better wielded by Shepard, and others by squadmates.

Armor is also a system that has been overhauled, or rather done away with. Squadmates no longer need to consider their armor. Any changes made to their armor are for aesthetic reasons only. Squadmates have 2 outfits that you can choose from. One that is initially unlocked, and another after you complete their loyalty mission. A third for six squadmates can be obtained by purchasing and downloading the Alternate Appearance Packs. The outfits from the packs are unlocked from the moment you download and install the packs. Squadmates still have health and shields/barriers as appropriate, and that information is displayed on the level up screen.

Mass Effect 3
Mass Effect 3 sees a return to a much simpler squad, with a minimum of 3, or a maximum of 7 with DLC, squadmates. Your squad is smaller, but they are much deadlier than they were the last time you meet, even if that was only six months ago.

Commanding Your Squad
The Controls are the same as they were in Mass Effect 2. The only change is that they have been have been refined.

Kinect Commands
On the Xbox 360, the player can command the squad using the Xbox 360 Kinect device. Below is a list of Kinect Commands.

Using Squad Powers
Importing saves from Mass Effect 2 grants a bonus in this regard because you will import your level at what it was at the save in Mass Effect 2. Since the level cap is now 60, but the system is still the same as in Mass Effect 2, you still have more opportunities to level up your squadmates. In addition, squadmates now have access to an additional offensive/defensive power, in addition to their 3 other offensive/defensive power and their passive class power.

The global cooldown is still the same as in Mass Effect 2, but the times can be further reduced by weapon loadouts. Squadmates still have longer cooldowns than Shepard, but the power evolutions are expanded to a level 6 so they can be even deadlier.

Squad Equipment
From Mass Effect 2 to Mass Effect 3, equipment changes are ripe. In fact, the equipment looks more like Mass Effect than Mass Effect 2. Weapon Upgrades have returned, with each being different and giving different effects to the weapons. While the same system from Mass Effect 2 passes into this game, with a set amount of weapons, but a new upgrade system comes in where you have to spend credits to upgrade your weapons, rather than researching upgrades. The Search and Rescue system also can help with this by getting small retrieval quests for turn in and even directly acquiring credits from scanning planets.

Like Mass Effect 2, weapons are still nerfed for squadmates, but they also still don't suffer from recoil. Meaning that you can equip their weapons with piercing, weight reducing, damage increasing mods, rather than worrying about recoil or stability mods. A scope however will increase a squadmate's accuracy, so keep that in mind.

Because of the purchasing system to upgrade weapons, you need to keep up with what your squad is running, especially since you cannot change weapons of squadmates between missions. So keep track of what you are running, and what your squadmates are running so you can upgrade appropriately. In addition, don't spend credits on weapons that you will only use once.

Armor effects also make a return. Each squadmate has at least 2 outfits, each with a different effect. Some reduce power recharge time, others increase shields, and others increase weapon damage. So choosing your squadmate's armor has much more of an impact than it did in Mass Effect 2, which was for aesthetic reasons only.

Squad Combinations
For any game, the best recommendation that can be given is that you need to select your squad based on what enemies you will be facing. However, each game is different in what that entails.

In Mass Effect, keeping your balanced as much as you can is a good recommendation, especially since talents are more effective when it comes to heavier units. You have bars on the screen to help you in this regard, so keep that in mind. But again, if you are facing geth, you might want to bring along some more tech along.

In Mass Effect 2, the bar system is done away with, so managing your squad is more troublesome, however it gives you allowance to customize your squad. So you need to look at a few factors. The first factor is Shepard, and what you have access to with regards to weapons and powers, then you need to find where you are lacking. The second factor is what you are facing. If you are facing geth or tech heavy enemies, you will need less biotics and more tech. The third factor is what weapons everyone brings to the party. Having an assault rifle on a mission is usually a good idea since it has range and power. While it can't replace a sniper rifle or a shotgun, an assault rifle is more effective at more ranges. Given the size of your squad, you have a lot of options to customize and adapt.

In Mass Effect 3, you have less squadmates, so you need to focus a lot more on what everyone brings. You will be facing a lot of different kinds of enemies, so you need to take everything you did in Mass Effect 2, and crank it up. At most, you only have six squadmates, and at least 3, so you need to micromanage more. While Shepard can equip any weapon, squadmates are still limited to two weapon types. So keep in mind that you need to to work with smaller resources and in a more chaotic situation.