Romance Options
Mass Effect 3 offers a rich tapestry of romantic relationships, allowing Commander Shepard to deepen bonds with crewmates and even rekindle past flames. These relationships often culminate in unique dialogue, intimate scenes, and a more personal connection to the unfolding galactic war. This guide will walk you through the specific steps required to successfully pursue each romance option.
General Romance Tips
- Consistent Dialogue Choices: Always choose the Paragon (upper-right) or Renegade (lower-right) dialogue options that align with showing interest. Avoid neutral or dismissive responses.
- Frequent Conversations: After every major mission, return to the Normandy and speak with your chosen love interest. New dialogue options often appear.
- Gift Giving (Limited): While not as prevalent as in previous games, some characters appreciate specific actions or items.
- Commitment Point: Most romances have a clear "commitment" dialogue option where Shepard must explicitly choose to pursue the relationship. Be mindful of this.
- Loyalty Missions: While not strictly romance-related in ME3, completing loyalty missions in ME2 (if applicable) can impact the availability or depth of certain ME3 romances.
Romanceable Characters
Liara T'Soni (Female & Male Shepard)
Liara is a returning romance option from Mass Effect 1, and can also be romanced for the first time in Mass Effect 3.
Walkthrough Steps:
- Priority: Mars: After the mission, speak with Liara in the Normandy's Port Observation Deck. Choose supportive dialogue.
- Citadel Visits: Regularly visit Liara in her office on the Citadel (Presidium Commons, Spectre Terminal area) and choose romantic dialogue options.
- Normandy Conversations: After each major mission, speak with Liara in her quarters on the Normandy. Look for dialogue options that express affection or interest.
- Commitment Dialogue: During a conversation on the Normandy, Liara will express her feelings. Choose the dialogue option, "I want to be with you."
- Shadow Broker Content: If you romanced Liara in ME1 and completed the "Lair of the Shadow Broker" DLC in ME2, there will be additional intimate moments and dialogue reflecting your shared history.
- Apartment Visit (Citadel DLC): If you have the Citadel DLC, invite Liara to your apartment for a special scene.
Garrus Vakarian (Female Shepard Only)
Garrus is a returning romance option from Mass Effect 2.
Walkthrough Steps:
- Priority: Palaven: After the mission, speak with Garrus on the Normandy's Main Deck (near the Combat Information Center). Choose friendly and supportive dialogue.
- Normandy Conversations: Frequently speak with Garrus in his usual spot on the Main Deck. Look for dialogue options that hint at your past relationship or express growing affection.
- Citadel Target Practice: After a few conversations, Garrus will invite you to the Citadel for target practice. Meet him at the C-Sec Academy. During this scene, choose the romantic dialogue options to solidify your relationship.
- Commitment Dialogue: Following the target practice, Garrus will express his feelings. Choose the option, "I'm ready for this, Garrus."
- Apartment Visit (Citadel DLC): If you have the Citadel DLC, invite Garrus to your apartment for a special scene.
Tali'Zorah vas Normandy (Male Shepard Only)
Tali is a returning romance option from Mass Effect 2.
Walkthrough Steps:
- Priority: Geth Dreadnought: After this mission, speak with Tali in Engineering on the Normandy. Choose supportive dialogue.
- Normandy Conversations: Regularly speak with Tali in Engineering. Look for dialogue options that express your continued interest.
- Rannoch Arc: During the Rannoch storyline, your choices regarding the Geth and Quarians will impact Tali's emotional state. Ensure you make choices that support her and her people.
- Commitment Dialogue: After the Rannoch arc, Tali will visit Shepard's cabin. Choose the romantic dialogue option to commit to the relationship.
- Apartment Visit (Citadel DLC): If you have the Citadel DLC, invite Tali to your apartment for a special scene.
Ashley Williams (Male Shepard Only)
Ashley is a returning romance option from Mass Effect 1, provided she survived Virmire.
Walkthrough Steps:
- Priority: Mars: Visit Ashley in the hospital on the Citadel. Choose supportive dialogue.
- Citadel Hospital Visits: Continue to visit Ashley in the hospital after subsequent missions. Be consistently supportive and choose romantic dialogue options.
- C-Sec Academy: Once Ashley is released from the hospital, she will be at the C-Sec Academy. Speak with her there.
- Normandy Invitation: Eventually, Ashley will express her desire to rejoin the Normandy. Invite her back to the crew.
- Normandy Conversations: Speak with Ashley in the Crew Quarters regularly. Look for dialogue options that reaffirm your feelings.
- Commitment Dialogue: After several conversations, Ashley will come to Shepard's cabin. Choose the option, "I still want you, Ash."
- Apartment Visit (Citadel DLC): If you have the Citadel DLC, invite Ashley to your apartment for a special scene.
Kaiden Alenko (Female Shepard Only)
Kaiden is a returning romance option from Mass Effect 1, provided he survived Virmire.
Walkthrough Steps:
- Priority: Mars: Visit Kaiden in the hospital on the Citadel. Choose supportive dialogue.
- Citadel Hospital Visits: Continue to visit Kaiden in the hospital after subsequent missions. Be consistently supportive and choose romantic dialogue options.
- C-Sec Academy: Once Kaiden is released from the hospital, he will be at the C-Sec Academy. Speak with him there.
- Normandy Invitation: Eventually, Kaiden will express his desire to rejoin the Normandy. Invite him back to the crew.
- Normandy Conversations: Speak with Kaiden in the Crew Quarters regularly. Look for dialogue options that reaffirm your feelings.
- Commitment Dialogue: After several conversations, Kaiden will come to Shepard's cabin. Choose the option, "I still want you, Kaiden."
- Apartment Visit (Citadel DLC): If you have the Citadel DLC, invite Kaiden to your apartment for a special scene.
Traynor, Samantha (Female Shepard Only)
Samantha Traynor is a new romance option introduced in Mass Effect 3.
Walkthrough Steps:
- Normandy Conversations: Regularly speak with Traynor in the Normandy's Combat Information Center. Choose friendly and flirty dialogue options.
- Chess Invitation: Traynor will eventually invite Shepard to play chess. Accept her invitation.
- Shower Invitation: After the chess game, Traynor will invite Shepard to join her in the shower. Accept this invitation to commit to the romance.
- Apartment Visit (Citadel DLC): If you have the Citadel DLC, invite Traynor to your apartment for a special scene.
Cortez, Steve (Male Shepard Only)
Steve Cortez is a new romance option introduced in Mass Effect 3.
Walkthrough Steps:
- Normandy Conversations: Regularly speak with Cortez in the Normandy's Shuttle Bay. Be supportive and choose empathetic dialogue, especially regarding his grief.
- Citadel Shore Leave: After several conversations, Cortez will mention wanting to go on shore leave on the Citadel. Encourage him to go.
- Citadel Docks: Find Cortez at the Docks: Holding Area on the Citadel. Speak with him there, offering comfort and support.
- Commitment Dialogue: After the Citadel visit, Cortez will express his feelings on the Normandy. Choose the romantic dialogue option to commit.
- Apartment Visit (Citadel DLC): If you have the Citadel DLC, invite Cortez to your apartment for a special scene.
Kelly Chambers (Female & Male Shepard)
Kelly is a returning character from Mass Effect 2. She is a minor romance option in ME3, primarily for players who romanced her in ME2.
Walkthrough Steps:
- Citadel Refugee Camp: Find Kelly in the Citadel's Refugee Camp (Docks: Holding Area).
- Normandy Invitation: If you romanced her in ME2 and saved her from the Collector Base, you can invite her to dinner on the Normandy.
- Dinner Scene: During the dinner, you can reaffirm your past relationship. This is a brief, non-committal romance.
Diana Allers (Female & Male Shepard)
Diana Allers is a new, minor romance option in Mass Effect 3.
Walkthrough Steps:
- Normandy Invitation: After meeting her on the Citadel, invite Diana Allers to join the Normandy crew as a reporter.
- Interviews: Conduct interviews with her after major missions. Choose flirtatious dialogue options.
- Cabin Visit: Eventually, you can invite her to your cabin for a brief, non-committal intimate scene. This does not lock out other romances.