Shepard's Background
Your Commander Shepard's past is not just flavor text; it's a foundational element that shapes their interactions and opportunities throughout Mass Effect 2. Choosing your background and military service history provides unique dialogue options and can even offer small gameplay advantages. Understanding these choices is key to roleplaying your Shepard.
At the start of Mass Effect 2, you'll be prompted to define Commander Shepard's origins. This involves two key decisions: your Background and your Military Service. These choices are more than just cosmetic; they influence how certain characters perceive you, unlock special dialogue options, and can even grant you a small bonus to your starting credits or war assets.
Backgrounds:
Your background describes Shepard's life before joining the Alliance military. Each background offers a unique perspective and can lead to specific dialogue trees:
- Spacer: You grew up on space stations, with parents who were likely Alliance personnel. This often leads to dialogue options that reflect a sense of duty and familiarity with military life.
- Colonist: You grew up on a human colony that suffered a devastating attack, often by batarians. This background imbues Shepard with a deep-seated empathy for victims and a strong anti-batarian sentiment.
- Earthborn: You grew up in the slums of Earth, a street-smart survivor. This background often results in more cynical or pragmatic dialogue options, reflecting a tough upbringing.
Military Service:
Your military service details your career path within the Alliance Navy. These choices can grant you a bonus to your starting credits or a special bonus asset in the game:
- Sole Survivor: You were the only survivor of a horrific event, such as a Reaper attack on a colony. This often leads to dialogue options that reflect trauma and a grim determination. (Grants +25,000 Credits)
- Ruthless: You made a difficult, morally ambiguous decision that saved many lives but cost others. This can lead to dialogue options that are pragmatic and sometimes cold. (Grants +25,000 Credits)
- Psychotic: You have a reputation for extreme violence and questionable tactics. This background often results in dialogue options that are aggressive and intimidating. (Grants +25,000 Credits)
Impact on Gameplay:
While the impact isn't game-breaking, these choices are significant for roleplaying. For instance, a Colonist Shepard might have unique dialogue when discussing batarian slavers, while an Earthborn Shepard might have more street-level insights. The 'Sole Survivor' background, for example, can unlock special dialogue options when discussing the Collectors and their methods, reflecting Shepard's past trauma.
Choosing your background and military service is your first major decision in defining who Commander Shepard is. Consider the kind of character you want to play and how their past will shape their present actions and interactions with the crew and the galaxy.