Romance

Romance is possible in Mass Effect, Mass Effect 2, and Mass Effect 3 for both a male and female Shepard.

Mass Effect
Commander Shepard has the option to pursue heterosexual romantic involvement with a human squad member &mdash; male Shepard with Ashley Williams, female Shepard with Kaidan Alenko &mdash; or xenophilic romance for either gender with the asari squad member, Liara T'Soni. Regardless of gender, Shepard can also have a sexual encounter with Sha'ira, an asari consort. At some point in the game's development, it was also possible for a female Shepard to romance Ashley Williams or a male Shepard to romance Kaidan Alenko. This was later removed, although the voiced conversations for them remain in the game.

Romance progression

 * Attraction &mdash; When waking after Eden Prime, Shepard will find either Ashley Williams or Kaidan Alenko waiting at the Commander's bedside in the medical room, feeling guilty over getting snagged by the Prothean Beacon. Shepard can be reassuring and claim there was no way to know what the beacon would do, at which point Williams or Alenko will look much happier and a little intrigued. It'd probably be a good idea to speak with him/her in the mess just outside of the clinic as soon as you're done talking to Captain Anderson.
 * Courting &mdash; After completing a primary mission on either Therum, Noveria or Feros, Shepard can speak about the mission with either Ashley or Kaidan and begin building up rapport that gradually grows into a romantic interest.
 * "Dr T'Soni?"&mdash; Once Liara T'Soni is on board, Shepard can also court her after Liara admits looking into Shepard's background. Although temporarily stopped, this rapport can continue after Shepard's second encounter with a beacon through another set of dialog options with Liara. If Shepard has spoken to Liara at all, even platonically, and is already involved with either Kaidan or Ashley, during the next conversation he or she will ask if Shepard is attracted to Liara. Shepard can either express an interest in Liara &mdash; which will effectively end the romance path with that squad member &mdash; or explain their relationship is only professional.
 * Two's Company, Three's a Crowd (optional) &mdash; If Shepard has been wooing Liara and the human love interest at the same time (or if Shepard picked a bugged renegade option in not showing interest in Liara), after the next completed mission on a primary world, the Commander will suddenly be confronted by both potential love interests after the debriefing. They will ask Shepard to choose between them. Choosing one will continue that romance and end the other as Shepard can't have both; if the Commander suggests it, the human love interest will leave and the romance will be continued with Liara.


 * Sacrifice &mdash; On Virmire, Captain Kirrahe will ask for one of the squad members to join his diversion effort while Shepard infiltrates the base. Both Ashley Williams and Kaidan Alenko will volunteer in the assault and Shepard must choose who will follow Captain Kirrahe and the other to follow the Commander. This action will not affect any future decisions or any existing relationship. However, near the end of the mission when Saren attacks, Shepard will be forced to choose which squad member to assist and the other will die in the nuclear blast. If Shepard has a relationship with either one of them and wishes to remain in it, Shepard must choose the particular squad member to assist. Sacrificing Shepard's current love interest will obviously end that romance path.
 * Lockdown &mdash; While there's really no time to woo the Commander's romantic interest during the pursuit of Saren, they will come to Shepard's side after the argument in the Council Chambers. Only a decisively Renegade conversation path will negatively impact the romance at this point; otherwise the romantic interest will comfort and reassure Shepard. However, the intimate mood is immediately shattered by Joker with an urgent call over the ship's comm.
 * Conclusion &mdash; If the romance subplot has been continued, while en route to Ilos the love interest pays a private visit to Shepard's personal quarters aboard the SSV Normandy. Paragon choices will make for a passionate ending and an intimate cut-scene. Choosing Renegade results in the love interest leaving the room; this does not, however, end the romance, which continues on to the next game regardless of the response picked.

Completing the romance subplot unlocks the Paramour Achievement.

Asari consort
If Shepard helps the asari consort Sha'ira to stop Septimus from spreading lies and subsequently proving her innocence to Xeltan, Sha'ira will offer a reward of words upon returning to the Consort's Chambers, "an affirmation of who you are and who you will become". If the Commander expresses dissatisfaction with the offered reward, Sha'ira will initiate a sexual encounter with Shepard. However, pursuing this action will not grant the Paramour Achievement.

Media controversy
The inclusion of a sex scene in Mass Effect led to some controversy and inaccurate rumours of the game being pornographic in nature. These rumours have since been quelled. An additional message that can be found in Asteroid X57's pirate radio shack (in the PC version of Bring Down the Sky) may be a "response" to this controversy.

Mass Effect was banned in Singapore for a short time before it was lifted with an M18 rating. Censors in the country said that a scene with an alien and human female caressing was the main reason why the game was not allowed to be sold in Singaporean video game stores.

Mass Effect 2
If an imported Shepard has a love interest from the original Mass Effect, then that relationship will continue into Mass Effect 2, even though the love interest will be unable to join Shepard's squad. The conditions for importing a love interest, however, are seemingly arbitrary as consummation is not necessary, and apparent rejection of a love interest may not prevent it. It is not possible to break up with a romance interest that has carried over. If a romance interest is carried over, a picture of Shepard's romantic interest from the original Mass Effect is visible on the desk in the Commander's quarters near the private terminal. While there are no romantic plots or interactions available with Shepard's original love interest, should Shepard stay loyal to that character, they briefly exchange either a kiss or an embrace when reunited, and a short cutscene takes place en-route to the final mission, in which Shepard stares deeply while smiling at the picture.

It is possible for Shepard to be unfaithful and pursue a relationship with a potential love interest in Mass Effect 2. If Shepard pursues a new love interest, the picture of the Mass Effect love interest is turned face down on the desk. Acting this way has negative consequences for the relationship in Mass Effect 3, provided Shepard survives the events of Mass Effect 2. However if Shepard breaks up with his or her new love interest, then the picture will turn back up.

Romance options
The options above are considered the main romance interests, capable of granting the Paramour achievement if a relationship has been established. However, both male and female Shepard may also have romantic interactions with the following characters, which do not prevent the romancing of the main romance options but will not be rewarded with the Paramour Achievement.

Romance mechanics
Romances are built through conversing repeatedly and answering favorably when the subject is raised. Both male and female Shepard will have identical dialogue when first meeting their crew members. New dialogue options only become available when missions or assignments are completed. However, once a crew member's loyalty mission becomes available, the new dialogue options will be unavailable until the mission has been completed.

Eventually, gender-specific dialogue options will give the opportunity to express interest in a squad member, eventually ending in a sort of romance-zenith where no new dialogues are available despite completing missions.

For a male Shepard, a love interest is "locked in" once you express interest at the following dialogue points:
 * Jack: "I want to talk about us." At the point where she says "I'm not interested in some dumbshit love affair.  It never goes right." To prevent locking-in, say "Never mind".
 * Tali: "I want to talk about you." At the point where she beckons you toward the drive core and says "I've been thinking about the last time we talked." To prevent locking-in, say "So you're not interested?" followed by "I need to think about this."
 * Miranda: "Can we talk?" At the point where she says "I don't know what this is, if it's just stress, or blowing off steam, or..." you cannot opt out; every option results in either becoming locked-in, or the relationship being broken off permanently. It is recommended that the player saves before talking to Miranda.

At this point you know that Shepard has successfully 'locked in' that romance. Shepard can still express an interest in other crew members. However, the new love interest will 'challenge' Shepard's love-triangle and force Shepard to dump the 'locked-in' option in order to be with them. Once a potential relation is at the 'challenge' part, there is no way to express disinterest in them no matter what Shepard choose. However, if Shepard dumps someone who is 'locked in', that romance option will never be available. A romance scene with the 'locked-in' character will be shown when the Normandy SR-2 proceeds through the Omega 4 Relay.

Another way to permanently terminate a romance with Jack or Miranda is to complete both their loyalty missions without having enough Paragon points or Renegade points to avoid siding with one or the other of them. As mentioned in both Jack: Subject Zero and Miranda: The Prodigal, while their loyalty can be regained, their romance potential cannot. Therefore, if you wish to keep your existing romance (or even just a future potential for one), in addition to the loyalty of both squad members, it is recommended that you hold off on completing both missions until you have a high Paragon or Renegade point count.

Although it is possible to have a sexual encounter with Jack before this, it does not count as a full romance. It will also preclude Shepard from having a proper romance with her. This choice comes relatively early, at the third on-ship conversation with her, right after being able to ask about her tattoos.

If Shepard and the love interest survive the suicide mission, it is possible to invite him or her up to the Captain's quarters to either sit with them on the couch, or lie with them on the bed.

Whether by design or by mistake, if Shepard has one person 'locked in' and are at the 'challenge' stage with any of the other possible subjects prior to entering the Omega 4 Relay, Shepard has the option of dumping the 'locked in' subject after completing the finale, provided that Shepard survives. Doing so will allow Shepard to court one of the other subjects and the intimate scene normally seen before proceeding through the Omega 4 Relay will instead play as soon as the dialogue ends. It is thus possible to experience all three partners and their respective scenes this way. However, once a partner is 'dumped', they cannot be courted again. It is currently unknown how this will affect your save game and therefore affect the events of Mass Effect 3.

Lair of the Shadow Broker
Players who romanced Liara in Mass Effect can continue the relationship in the Lair of the Shadow Broker DLC pack for Mass Effect 2. During the mission, if Shepard has cheated on Liara, she will reveal that she is aware of the other relationship. At the conclusion of the mission Shepard can either end the relationship with Liara, and Liara and Shepard remain friends, or the relationship can be reaffirmed. Even if the latter route is taken, Mass Effect 2 love interests can still be called up to Shepard's cabin afterward and relationships with them appear unaffected. If Shepard did not romance other characters, Shepard will instead look at the picture of Liara sitting on the Commander's desk. This will not unlock the Paramour achievement.

Mass Effect 3
There are 10 potential love interests in Mass Effect 3. Love interests from the previous two games will return; some romances can be started anew, and some can only happen if a save is imported and the romance is rekindled. New love interests include Alliance News Network war correspondent Diana Allers, Specialist Samantha Traynor and Lieutenant Steve Cortez. Some characters are available for both genders, others are exclusively heterosexual options, while two are exclusively same-sex options (one for each gender).

With the exception of Diana Allers, each of the following listed love interests will unlock the "Paramour" achievement. Importing a save file which includes a relationship with Thane from Mass Effect 2 will also not unlock the "Paramour" achievement; the romance does not continue as a result of the conclusion of his subplot, although the player has the choice to spend "private" time with him at the Citadel hospital. A romantic relationship with Jacob Taylor will also not be continued if imported, but there will be closure during the events of Mass Effect 3.

Romance options
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Romance Mechanics
Romances in Mass Effect 3 are much more straight-forward than in the previous titles. Shepard is free to answer favorably to one or more love interests at a time, up until a "locked-in" dialog choice is presented at a specific location. Should Shepard choose to answer favorably at that time, the dialog options for all other love interests will change - with the exception of Kelly Chambers. The game doesn't perform a check to see if the player is "locked-in" with Kelly for the other love interests. If the player "locks-in" with Kelly first, the player may choose to pursue a simultaneous romantic relationship with another love interest with both love interests unaware of the player's other romantic relationship. In other words, love-triangle confrontations do not occur, but the player can be a two-timer.

Example "locked-in" locations are:
 * Kelly Chambers: Speaking to her in the refugee bay after the Cerberus attack on the Citadel is over and telling her she's the one when she asks if Shepard has anyone special (she will give generic "ambient dialogue" instead of asking a cutscene question if Shepard is already involved with someone during and/or after the Cerberus attack)
 * Samantha Traynor: Joining her when she comes up to your cabin and uses your shower.
 * Garrus Vakarian: Telling him that you love him during the date on the Presidium.
 * Liara T'Soni: When she is leaning against the rail near the Meridian Place Market in the Presidium Commons portion of the Citadel.
 * Ashley Williams/Kaidan Alenko: When (s)he is sitting at Apollo's Cafe in the Presidium Commons portion of the Citadel.
 * Miranda Lawson: The safehouse on the Citadel to which she invites you, some time after you notified her of the dangers that await her.
 * Tali'Zorah vas Normandy: Calling her up to your room via intercom. Note: this is time/mission sensitive, and you can lose the opportunity to "lock-in" later.
 * Jack: Meeting her at Purgatory after the events of Grissom Academy and Priority: The Citadel II.
 * Steve Cortez: Kissing him when dancing at Purgatory after convincing him to take some shore leave on the Citadel.

There are no penalties in expressing or reaffirming interest in multiple former romance options. For example, a male Shepard can answer favorably towards both Liara and Tali'Zorah based on romances imported from Mass Effect and Mass Effect 2 respectively, and still end up choosing Ashley, provided no other had been "locked-in" yet.

The last opportunity to choose a romance option is before the assault on the Illusive Man's base - although keep in mind some rekindled Mass Effect 2 romances have to be "locked-in" far earlier. Once docked with Cronos Station, an intimate scene will play out in Shepard's quarters with the given romantic interest. There will also be a slightly longer dialogue between the two before the last set of battles on Earth.

Mass Effect 3: Extended Cut adds a further romance interaction moment 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.

At the end of the game, if Shepard chooses to activate the Crucible, the final flashback Shepard sees is that of their love interest. If the Normandy's crew survives the Crucible's blast, then Shepard's love interest, if present aboard the Normandy, will place the Commander's name on the Normandy's memorial wall. However, if Shepard survived the blast (which is only possible if Shepard chooses to destroy the Reapers), the love interest will refrain from adding Shepard's name to the wall and instead smiles hopefully.

Mass Effect 3: Citadel
In Mass Effect 3: Citadel, it is possible to pursue romances with characters that you cannot romance in the main game. If a female Shepard is unromanced and has a high enough friendship with either James Vega or Javik, it is possible to have a one night stand with one of them after Citadel: Party. Neither will unlock the Paramour achievement.

Other romances from previous games are further developed in optional scenes. If a male or female Shepard is unromanced and attempted a relationship with Samara in a previous game, Shepard's relationship with her will be further developed,, as will female Shepard's relationship with Thane if it was pursued and upheld. There are also unique scenes for all other romanceable characters, with the exception of Kelly Chambers, who does not appear.

Trivia

 * In Mass Effect 2, the holo-projector on level 28 of Zakera Ward features an ad for Serrice Council's Sophist line of biotic amps. When viewed with any potential love interest present (even if the player is not romancing him or her), it will mention him or her by name (i.e. "The next time you're out on the town with [so-and-so]…"). Specifically, they are referred to as: Mr. Taylor, Officer Vakarian, Sere Krios, Miss Lawson, Miss Zorah, and "Citizen ID file not found" (Jack). Interestingly, "Justicar Samara" is also acknowledged despite the fact she is not a full-fledged romance option. If Morinth is brought along, she will be treated as Samara.
 * There is a glitch in Mass Effect 3, where if you are continuing a relationship with Tali from Mass Effect 2 only for her to die during the battle to retake Rannoch, she will still appear to you before the assault on the Cerberus base as though she had survived.
 * A reference to the romance mechanism (featuring female Shepard and Kaidan) is made in an official tweet during Valentine's Day 2013.