Mass Effect 3: Romance - general information Mass Effect 3 guide, walkthrough
Last update: 30 October 2022
On this page you will find the most important information about the romances in Mass Effect 3, that is, the love conquests of Mr. Shepard or Mrs. Shepard. You'll learn how to make new friends and how typical in-game romances actually work. Also, we have prepared some general tips and tricks you should follow while romancing other characters.
Romance in Mass Effect 3 - key information
We have divided our romance guide into romances available for Shepard-male and Shepard-female. In the game, there are people or beings with whom you can get involved, regardless of whether Shepard is a man or a woman, but these are just a few cases.
The process of strengthening the relationship is long and always consists of several steps which were presented in the description of potential lovers. Make sure that you have completed all the steps described and that you have not made any major mistakes along the way (for example, by expressing a radically different opinion), because otherwise it may be impossible to make out.
A significant change from Mass Effect 2 is that at any given time you can show interest in more than one character, building positive relationships. You need to watch out only after you have advanced to the final "stage" for one of the love candidates with whom you are having an affair. In case of the latter situation, the game puts you in front of decision making process whether you want to permanently bond with this person or do you prefer (in a more or less subtle way) to get away and try your luck with someone else. It is worth knowing that this is an irreversible decision, although it does not necessarily involve the definitive end of a positive relationship, as you might as well agree to remain in a friendly relationship. Also, the final romance scenes do not occur at the same moment of the story campaign in case of all lovers, that is, there are some exceptions. In other words, in the case of some characters, this happens earlier (for example, after the attack on The Citadel), and in case of others much later (for example, after the mission on Rannoch). The last opportunity to choose a permanent partner is the moment before the attack on Cerberus Headquarters (the final part of the story campaign).
Thane, Samara, Morinth and Jacob play a marginal role in the new adventure. As a result the game does not allow you to continue the romance that was started with them earlier. However, it is possible to continue romances with Liara T'soni, Ashley Williams, Kaidan Alenko, Miranda Lawson, Jack, Tali'Zorah, Garrus Vakarian and Kelly Chambers.
Warning! Some of the steps in building a relationship are performed as part of the main or side tasks. This guide discusses them in detail and if you want to have a complete insight into the matter, it is advisable to use our game walkthrough.
Romances - General Tips
- The most important thing is to hang out with the person you are going to have a relationship with as often as possible. In the previous parts of the series this only happened aboard the Normandy, but in Mass Effect 3 you can also arrange a meeting while on the Citadel. By the way, it's worth mentioning that individuals don't stay in the same place throughout the game, so it's worth checking the Normandy and Citadel maps regularly to find out where to look for them. In case of these characters who are not permanent members of Normandy, we also advise you to check your personal terminal regularly, because the messages you receive might include some invitations for a meeting at the Citadel or in the Captain's Cabin.
- In the course of subsequent conversations with the character you're interested in, it's important that whenever possible, always agree with this particular person or, in the worst case, express a neutral opinion on the discussed subject. Similarly important are the choices associated with optional conversation topics (reaction to recent events, family, etc.), as well as taking an opportunity of selecting special dialog options or launching special behavior options.
- If the game does not launch a separate scene when trying to initiate a conversation with a particular character, it may be a sign that you have exhausted all possible options at the current moment of the game. In this situation, you only have to return to this particular character later in the game. Further attempts should be made after each completed main mission.
- You will be notified about the fact that you have successfully established a romance by earning the Paramour achievement, and this trophy can be received only once. Thus, in the case of further attempts, you must rely on the information included in this chapter of our game guide.