The Architect Hunter

How to Complete the 'Movie Night' Quest

16 February 2026

ME: Andromeda - Architect Hunter: How to Find and Kill All 4 Remnant Superbosses

The Architect Hunter

APEX Combat Manual // Target: Remnant Architect // Threat Level: High

The "Remnant Architect" is the apex predator of Mass Effect: Andromeda. These massive, three-legged constructs are not part of the main story path.

They are hidden challenges - superbosses that require specific triggers to unlock.

Defeating all four Architects is not just a badge of honor. It is a tactical necessity.

Each victory boosts planet viability instantly and grants you an Architect Remnant Core, a crafting material required for the galaxy's best gear.

⚠️ Tactical Advisory

Do not engage an Architect on foot.

Use the Nomad for cover, but do not rely on its cannon (it does negligible damage).

Bring a Soldier profile with Turbocharge and an Assault Rifle (like the Valkyrie or Revenant) for maximum DPS during the vulnerability windows.

Phase 1: Combat Protocol

Every Architect fight follows the same three-stage rhythm. Memorize this loop or die.

Stage 1: The Legs (Conduit Vulnerability)

The Architect is invulnerable. You must shoot the glowing "Conduits" on its three legs. Focus fire on one leg at a time. Once a leg takes enough damage, the Architect will stun.

Stage 2: The Head (The Damage Phase)

Once stunned, the head casing opens, revealing the core. Unleash everything. Use Cobras RPGs, Turbocharge, and Incendiary Ammo. You have about 15 seconds before it recovers.

Stage 3: The Mouth (The Instant Kill)

When the head closes, it will summon Remnant bots (Assemblers/Observers) and occasionally fire a massive energy beam from its mouth. Dodge sideways. This beam hits through cover and can one-shot you on Hardcore/Insanity.

Target 1: Eos (The First Encounter)

Unlock Trigger: You must establish the outpost (Prodromos) and complete the quest "Making an Impression" (given by the seismic surveyors).

Location: Near the black site, west of the outpost.
Difficulty: Moderate. The terrain is flat, offering little cover, but you can drive the Nomad in circles around it.

Target 2: Voeld (The Ice Giant)

Unlock Trigger: You must establish the outpost and complete "Missing Science Crew."

Location: Deep in the Remnant derelict site (far east of the map).
Difficulty: High. The extreme cold (Hazard Level 2) will drain your life support systems during the fight. You must run between heat lamps while dodging the Architect's laser.

Target 3: Kadara (The Sulfur Pits)

Unlock Trigger: Establish the outpost (requires siding with Sloane or Reyes) and complete "Old Skinner."

Location: In the sulfur springs area.
Difficulty: Very High. The terrain is uneven, and the acid pools will damage you if you step in them. The Architect likes to teleport to high ground, forcing you to chase it.

Target 4: Elaaden (The Dune Stalker)

Unlock Trigger: Establish the outpost (give the Drive Core to the Krogan) and complete "Architect on Elaaden."

Location: Near the labyrinth ruins.
Difficulty: Moderate. The heat is an issue, but there are plenty of pillars for cover.

The Loot: Remnant Cores

When an Architect falls, you must run up to its head and "Interface" to finalize the kill. This gives you:

+20% Planet Viability: A massive boost.
Architect Remnant Core: Used to craft the Heleus Defender Armor (Tier V-X) and high-level Fusion Mods.
The "Architect" Trophy/Achievement.

Mission Archives: Related Guides

Operation: Movie Night

Bug-free checklist >

Romance Guide

No Strings Attached: Casual Romance

Navigating flings >

Ryder Family Secrets

The Reaper Connection & Benefactor

Unlock the truth >

Best Ending Guide

"Big machine. Moving fast. We should kill it.

Who to Sit Next to at Movie Night

Mass Effect: Andromeda: Operation Movie Night: How to Throw the Ultimate Party

Operation: Movie Night

Tempest Logistics // Crew Morale // Status: Pending // Clearance: Pathfinder

In the original trilogy, we had the Citadel DLC - a final, heartwarming party with the crew. In Mass Effect: Andromeda, we have "Movie Night."

This is not a single mission.

It is a massive, game-spanning quest chain that involves every member of your squad. It is the emotional climax of the game, offering a unique scene where Ryder snuggles up with their chosen romance option while watching a terrible vid-vid.

However, getting to that final scene is a logistical nightmare. The quest relies on a fragile chain of dialogue triggers.

If you talk to someone too early, or too late, the prompt may vanish forever.

⚠️ Technical Warning: Script Errors

This quest is notoriously buggy. If you progress the main story too fast without completing these steps, the dialogue prompts may disappear. Follow this checklist in strict chronological order.

Check your email terminal after every main priority mission. Do not assume the game will remind you.

Phase 1: The Movie Library (Liam)

Trigger Condition: You must have established the first outpost on Eos ("A Better Beginning") and returned to the Tempest.

Liam Kosta is the architect of this plan. He realizes the crew is stressed and needs a distraction. He suggests a classic "Vid-Night" but lacks the media library.

The Walkthrough

Step 1: Talk to Liam in the Storage Room (Tempest). Exhaust his dialogue until he mentions "Downloading some movies from the Nexus archive."
Step 2: Fly to the Nexus. Go to the Operations deck.
Step 3: The file is NOT at a vendor. It is on a generic console behind the main operations desk (near where Director Tann's office entrance is). Look for a "Download" prompt.
Step 4: Return to the Tempest and give the files to Liam. He will mention that the quality is terrible, but it's a start.

Phase 2: The Snacks (Suvi)

Trigger Condition: You must have visited the planet Aya, met the Angara (Evfra), and recruited Jaal to your squad.

Suvi Anwar wants to provide food, but human snacks are scarce in Heleus. She craves something that tastes like home.

The Walkthrough

Step 1: Talk to Suvi on the Bridge. She will mention a specific plant she saw on the Nexus that tastes like Earth snacks ("crunchy and salty").
Step 2: Travel to the Nexus. Go to the Docking Bay area.
Step 3: Head to the General Merchant (the kiosk near the hydroponics garden/Construction area).
Step 4: Purchase the quest item "Special Plant." It costs very few credits.
Step 5: Return to the Tempest and give the plant to Suvi. She will start processing it into snacks.

Phase 3: The Popcorn (Vetra)

Trigger Condition: You must have completed "Hunting the Archon" (Salarian Ark) and settled Kadara Port.

You need something crunchy. Vetra Nyx, being the crew's smuggler, knows where to find illegal imports that taste better than Suvi's science experiments.

The Walkthrough

Step 1: Talk to Vetra in the Armory. She suggests sourcing "good" snacks from her contacts on Kadara.
Step 2: Travel to Kadara Port. Go to the market area (the slums).
Step 3: Find the specific vendor marked on your map (usually the mod merchant). Buy the "Popcorn Mix."
Step 4: Return to the Tempest and give the snacks to Vetra. She will stash them away from Liam so he doesn't eat them early.

Phase 4: The Projector (Jaal)

Trigger Condition: After the mission "Journey to Meridian" begins (late game).

Liam's movie files are corrupted or incompatible with the Tempest's displays. Jaal offers an Angaran solution: a Remnant-based projector.

The Walkthrough

Step 1: Talk to Jaal in the Tech Lab. He offers to build a better projector using Remnant parts.
Step 2: Travel to Eos (or any planet with Remnant ruins). You likely already have the materials, but if not, destroy Remnant bots to loot the specific tech he needs.
Step 3: Craft the "Remnant Projector" at a Research Station on the Tempest or a forward station. (Alternative: You can sometimes buy the part from the General Vendor on the Nexus if you have the "Market Dominance" cryo pod perk).
Step 4: Give the part to Jaal. He will install it in the crew quarters.

Phase 5: The Alcohol (Lexi)

Trigger Condition: Before the final assault ("The Way Home").

Dr. Lexi T'Perro monitors crew stress levels. She prescribes... alcohol. But not just any alcohol - a chemically safe intoxicant for dextro and levo DNA.

The Walkthrough

Step 1: Talk to Lexi in the Med Bay. She suggests a specific blend of "Andromeda Spirit" to help everyone relax.
Step 2: Travel to the Nexus. Go to the Vortex Bar (Cultural Center).
Step 3: Buy the "Special Reserve" bottle from the bartender.
Step 4: Return to the Tempest and give the bottle to Lexi. She will certify it safe for consumption.

Phase 6: The Premiere

Requirement: All previous steps complete. Main story advanced to "The Way Home."

Once all items are gathered, Liam will send you one final email: "Movie Night: It's Time."

Action: Go to the Crew Quarters on the Tempest. Interact with the banner/poster on the wall.
The Scene: The entire crew gathers. You will give a speech about family and survival.
The Romance Moment: As the movie starts, Ryder will sit down. If you have successfully locked in a romance, your partner will sit next to you, and you will put your arm around them or lean on them. If you are single, you relax with the whole crew.

Mission Archives: Related Guides

Romance Guide

Lock in your partner >

Casual Romance

No Strings Attached: Navigating Flings

How to have fun without commitment >

Best Ending Guide

How to Save Captain Dunn

100% Viability Checklist >

"That movie was terrible. When can we watch it again?" - Vetra Nyx

The Reaper Connection & Benefactor

No Strings Attached? How to Navigate Casual vs. Exclusive Romances in Andromeda

Hearts of Heleus: The Ultimate Romance Guide for ANDROMEDA

Andromeda Initiative // Personnel Files // Status: Matchmaking // Clearance: Pathfinder

Romance in Mass Effect: Andromeda represents a significant evolution from the original trilogy.

The rigid "one love per game" structure has been replaced by a more fluid, realistic system that allows for casual flings, friends-with-benefits arrangements, and deeply committed partnerships.

This freedom, however, introduces complexity. Some characters, like the Angaran resistance fighter Jaal, demand absolute emotional exclusivity. Others, like the rogue archaeologist Peebee, may flee if you push for commitment too early.

And then there are the dangerous liaisons - romances with political figures like Reyes Vidal that can alter the fate of an entire planet.

This guide is your tactical manual for navigating the hearts of the Heleus Cluster. Whether you are looking for a lifelong bond or a night of passion before the final battle, here is how to make it happen.

Phase 1: The Dating Pool

Unlike Commander Shepard, the Ryder twins have distinct preferences and opportunities. Your choice of protagonist determines who is available to you.

Scott Ryder (Male)

Scott has access to the most "exclusive" human romances but misses out on the ship's science officer.

Cora Harper: Human Biotic (Exclusive). The "Squad Second" romance.
Peebee: Asari (Casual or Exclusive). The "Wildcard" romance.
Vetra Nyx: Turian (Exclusive). The "Partner in Crime" romance.
Jaal Ama Darav: Angara (Exclusive). The "Soulmate" romance. (Patched in v1.08).
Gil Brodie: Human Engineer (Exclusive). The "Family" romance.
Reyes Vidal: Human Smuggler (Exclusive). The "Bad Boy" romance.
Avela Kjar: Angaran Historian (Casual only).
Keri T'Vessa: Asari Journalist (Casual only).

Sara Ryder (Female)

Sara has unique access to the ship's crisis manager and the science officer.

Liam Kosta: Human Crisis Response (Exclusive). The "Best Friend" romance.
Jaal Ama Darav: Angara (Exclusive). The "Soulmate" romance.
Peebee: Asari (Casual or Exclusive). The "Wildcard" romance.
Vetra Nyx: Turian (Exclusive). The "Partner in Crime" romance.
Suvi Anwar: Human Science Officer (Exclusive). The "Faith & Science" romance.
Reyes Vidal: Human Smuggler (Exclusive). The "Bad Boy" romance.
Keri T'Vessa: Asari Journalist (Casual only).

Phase 2: Romancing Jaal (The Soulmate)

Available To: Both Scott and Sara.
Type: Exclusive (Committing to Jaal locks out all other exclusive romances).

Jaal is widely considered the "canon" romance of Andromeda due to the sheer amount of content. The Angara are a species who wear their hearts on their sleeves; they do not hide emotion. To woo Jaal, you must be equally open.

Step-by-Step Guide

Initial Recruit: When Jaal joins the crew, visit him in the Tech Lab. Choose the "Friendship" dialogue options initially. Do not be aggressive.
The Culture Clash: He will eventually ask you about how humans handle emotion. Be honest. Tell him you want to understand him.
Loyalty Mission (Friend or Foe): You MUST complete his loyalty mission chain, "Flesh and Blood." This involves saving the Moshae and deciding the fate of the Roekaar leader, Akksul.
- Crucial Choice: During the standoff with Akksul, do not shoot. Let Akksul shoot Jaal (the bullet will grace him). This proves to the Angara that you are not a conqueror. Jaal will be deeply moved by your trust.
The Lock-In (Havarl): After the mission, Jaal will send an email inviting you to his favorite spot on Havarl. Go there. He will confess his feelings. Choose the "I adore you" option (Heart icon).
The Family Dinner: The final scene takes place on Aya. You will meet his true mother (not his "other" mothers). Introduce yourself as his partner. This seals the romance.

Phase 3: Romancing Peebee (The Wildcard)

Available To: Both Scott and Sara.
Type: Flexible (Can be Casual OR Exclusive).

Peebee is the anti-Liara. She hates commitment, roots down, and "forever." She lives for the moment. Romancing her is a test of patience.

Step-by-Step Guide

The Flirt: You can flirt with her immediately in the Escape Pod room. She responds well to humor and recklessness.
The Secret Project: Complete her side quest "Secret Project" (collecting Remnant tech).
The Zero-G Scene (The Trap): Midway through the game, she will invite you to the escape pod. She suggests "blowing off steam" in Zero-G.
- Casual Route: Accept her offer ("No strings attached"). You have sex, but the romance remains casual. You are free to romance others.
- Exclusive Route: Tell her "I want more than that." She will back off, scared. This is good. You have forced her to think about real feelings.
Loyalty Mission (Mysterious Signal): You must help her find the Remnant core. At the end, she will choose to save you over the device.
The Lock-In: After the mission, she will invite you back to her room. She will confess she wants to be with you. Commit here to lock the romance.

Phase 4: Romancing Reyes Vidal (The Bad Boy)

Available To: Both Scott and Sara.
Type: Exclusive (Locks out others, but allows for minor flings beforehand).

Reyes is the most dangerous romance. He lies to you from the moment you meet him. Loving him means accepting that he is the crime lord of Kadara.

Step-by-Step Guide

Meeting: You meet him in Tartarus Bar on Kadara. Buy him a drink. Flirt immediately.
Murder in Kadara Port: Do not solve the murder immediately. Keep talking to him. Scan the bodies. He will help you.
The Party: He invites you to Sloane Kelly's party. During the conversation about his "ex," kiss him. This is the first major trigger.
High Noon (The Point of No Return): This is the climax of the Kadara arc. Sloane Kelly challenges the "Charlatan" to a duel. Reyes reveals he IS the Charlatan.
- To Romance Him: You MUST side with him. You must cheat during the duel (let the sniper shoot Sloane) or accept his deal. If you shoot him or arrest him, the romance is destroyed.
The Lock-In: Meet him in the badlands afterward. You will rule Kadara together from the shadows.

Phase 5: Romancing Cora (The Loyalist)

Available To: Scott Ryder Only.
Type: Exclusive.

Cora is dealing with the trauma of losing Alec Ryder (her mentor) and being passed over for the Pathfinder role. She needs a rock.

Step-by-Step Guide

The Gardening: Visit her in the Bio-Lab often. She talks about planting a garden. Support this dream.
Asari Worship: She is an Asari commando trainee. Never mock the Asari. Treat her stories about the huntresses with respect.
Loyalty Mission (At Duty's Edge): Help her find the Asari Ark. The Pathfinder Sarissa has made a grave error.
- Advice: Do not publicly humiliate Sarissa in front of her people, but acknowledge Cora's disappointment in private. This shows maturity.
The Lock-In (Eos): After her mission, she invites you to the site of the first outpost on Eos. She plants the garden. Kiss her here to seal the deal.

Phase 6: Casual Encounters (No Consequences)

You can pursue these romances without breaking your main relationship. They do not count towards the "Exclusive" lock.

Keri T'Vessa (The Journalist): You can flirt with her during every interview. After the final interview, you can meet her at the bar for a one-night stand. She explicitly says she doesn't mind if you have a partner.
Avela Kjar (The Historian): Found on Aya. Complete her "Museum" collection quests. You can kiss her by the waterfall. It is a sweet, short romance that doesn't impact your main game.

Mission Archives: Related Guides

Ryder Family Secrets

Unlock the truth >

Best Ending Guide

How to Save Captain Dunn

100% Viability Checklist >

Hardest Choices

Sloane or Reyes? Raeka or Drack?

The consequences explained >

"I want you. To be mine." - Jaal

Sloane or Reyes? Raeka or Drack?

Mass Effect Andromeda Ryder Family Secrets Walkthrough & Memory Locations

RYDER FAMILY SECRET: The Reaper Connection in ANDROMEDA

SAM Node // Encrypted Logs // Clearance: Aleph // Subject: The Benefactor

Mass Effect: Andromeda is often criticized for feeling disconnected from the original trilogy. But hidden within a single, easily missed side quest lies the truth: The Andromeda Initiative was not an exploration mission. It was a lifeboat.

The "Ryder Family Secrets" quest is the only place in the game where the Reapers are mentioned by name. It reveals that your father, Alec Ryder, knew the harvest was coming. He knew Shepard was right.

This guide unlocks the encrypted memories of the Pathfinder and reveals the dark origin of our journey to Heleus.

Protocol: Memory Triggers

To unlock these logs, you must find Memory Triggers scattered across the cluster. These are glowing orbs of light that SAM can interface with.

The Locations (The Grind)

You need to collect roughly 15-20 triggers to unlock all memory blocks. They are marked on your map with a specific "brain/node" icon.

Habitat 7: (1 Trigger) Found near the crash site of the shuttle.
Eos: (3 Triggers) Near the first monolith, the Kett base, and the failed outpost site.
Havarl: (3 Triggers) Hidden in the overgrown ruins and the Chasm of the Builders.
Voeld: (3 Triggers) Near the Resistance base and the ice caves.
Kadara: (3 Triggers) In the sulfur springs and the badlands.
Elaaden: (3 Triggers) In the dunes near the derelict Remnant ship.

Pro-Tip: Collecting these is tedious but essential. Each trigger unlocks a fragment of Alec Ryder's conversation with a mysterious figure known only as "The Benefactor."

Decryption: The Reaper Threat

As you unlock the memories, you will see Alec Ryder in the Milky Way, years before the launch. He is desperate. His wife Ellen is dying, and his AI research is illegal.

Then, the Benefactor contacts him. They offer unlimited funding. Why? Because they know something the Council refuses to admit.

The Critical Log (Memory 6)

In the final memory block, you hear audio logs from the year 2185 (during Mass Effect 2). The Benefactor explicitly mentions the attack on the Citadel (from ME1) and the "pattern of extinction."

Alec Ryder confirms it: "They're called Reapers. And they're coming back."

The Initiative was accelerated not for discovery, but for survival. The Arks were launched early, half-finished, because they were racing against the arrival of the Reapers in 2186.

The Unsolved Mystery: Who Killed Jien Garson?

The quest reveals an even darker secret. Jien Garson, the founder of the Initiative, did not die in the Scourge disaster as the official report claims.

The Murder

In her final log (found in her apartment on the Nexus), Garson reveals she was murdered. Her killer was likely the Benefactor or their agent.

The Motive: Garson was asking too many questions about the Benefactor's true identity and the real reason for the launch.

The Suspects: The game never explicitly reveals the killer (a plot thread left for a sequel that never came), but theories point to the Illusive Man, the Shadow Broker, or a rogue AI.

The Reward: Biotic God Profile

Completing this quest doesn't just give you lore. It unlocks the Explorer Profile (Rank 6) and gives you the blueprints for the N7 Valkyrie rifle and N7 Armor (Alec's gear).

More importantly, it changes the context of the entire game. You are not just an explorer; you are the last hope of a species fleeing extinction.

Mission Archives: Related Guides

Hardest Choices

The consequences explained >

Milky Way Legend

"Unknown entity detected. Encryption level: Aleph." - SAM

How to Save Everyone in ME2

How to Get the Best Ending in Mass Effect: Andromeda (and Save Captain Dunn)

The Pathfinder's Burden

Andromeda Initiative // Mission Status: Critical // Clearance: Ryder

Mass Effect: Andromeda does not have a Paragon or Renegade meter. Instead, it asks you to make practical decisions in a galaxy where there are no right answers, only survival.

Your choices here determine who rules the Heleus Cluster, which species survive the Kett war, and who stands beside you in the final battle for Meridian.

Choice 1: Raeka vs. Drack's Scouts

The Mission: Hunting the Archon (Salarian Ark)

The Archon has captured the Salarian Pathfinder, Raeka, and several of Drack's Krogan scouts. You only have time to save one group.

Option A: Save Raeka (The Pathfinder)

Outcome: Raeka survives. The Salarian Ark is fully restored with its original leadership. Raeka joins you in the final battle.

Consequence: The Krogan scouts are "Exalted" (turned into Behemoth monsters) by the Kett. You have to kill them later. Drack is furious and may leave the team if not loyal.

Option B: Save the Scouts (The Krogan)

Outcome: The scouts survive. Drack is grateful. The Krogan commit fully to the Initiative.

Consequence: Raeka dies. She is replaced by Captain Hayjer, a less experienced leader. You lose a valuable asset for the final battle.

Tactical Recommendation: Save Raeka. She is one of the few original Pathfinders left. Losing her weakens the Salarian union significantly. Drack will be angry, but if you complete his loyalty mission, he will stay.

Choice 2: Sloane Kelly vs. Reyes Vidal

The Mission: High Noon (Kadara Port)

Kadara is a lawless port run by the Exile warlord Sloane Kelly (former Nexus security). The "Charlatan" (Reyes Vidal) challenges her for control.

Option A: Save Sloane (Lawful Evil)

Action: Use the interrupt to push Sloane out of the way of the sniper.

Outcome: Sloane remains in charge. She is brutal but keeps order. She agrees to help the Initiative.

Consequence: Reyes escapes. The Collective (his spy network) remains a threat.

Option B: Let Sloane Die (Chaotic Neutral)

Action: Do nothing. The sniper shoots Sloane.

Outcome: Reyes takes over. He rules from the shadows. Kadara becomes more open but less secure.

Consequence: You gain the Collective's support, which is better for covert ops. (Bonus: Reyes is a romance option for both Ryders).

Tactical Recommendation: Side with Reyes. Sloane is unstable and hostile to the Nexus. Reyes is a pragmatist who offers better long-term cooperation.

Choice 3: The Exaltation Facility

The Mission: A Trail of Hope (Voeld)

You find the Kett facility where Angara are being turned into Kett. The Moshae Sjefa (Angaran spiritual leader) begs you to destroy it, even though there are still Angaran prisoners inside.

Destroy the Facility: The Moshae is pleased. You strike a massive blow against the Kett war machine. The prisoners die.
Save the Prisoners: The Moshae is angry that the temple of horror still stands. The Kett continue to use it.

Tactical Recommendation: Destroy the Facility. The Kett "Exaltation" process is irreversible. Saving the prisoners only delays their suffering or leaves the facility operational for the Kett to use on others later. The Angaran resistance needs the win.

Phase 4: The Perfect Ending Checklist

To get the "Best" ending where Captain Dunn survives the crash of the Hyperion, you need:

100% Viability: On all 5 habitable planets (Eos, Voeld, Havarl, Kadara, Elaaden).
All Pathfinders: You must have saved Raeka (Salarian), the Asari Pathfinder (Sarissa), and the Turian Pathfinder (Avitus Rix).
Loyalty Missions: Complete all squadmate loyalty missions (especially Cora and Drack).

Mission Archives: Related Guides

Original Trilogy

The classic suicide mission >

Milky Way Legend

"We are the aliens now." - Ryder

Mass Effect 3 Romance Guide: How to Lock In Your Relationship

Who Can You Romance in Mass Effect 3? + HOW

Alliance Personnel Files // Social Dynamics // Clearance: Shepard

Mass Effect 3 is the culmination of every relationship you have built. There are very few "new" romances here. Instead, this game is about commitment. You are fighting for a future with the person you chose in ME1 or ME2.

But the war takes its toll. If you made mistakes in the past - or if your partner didn't survive the Suicide Mission - you may find yourself fighting alone.

⚠️ Archive Alert: The History

This guide assumes you have played the previous games. Your options here depend entirely on who survived.

📂 Review the ME1 Romance Guide
📂 Review the ME2 Romance Guide

Phase 1: The Candidates

In ME3, romance options are split into two categories: "New" and "Continuing."

Category A: The Core Romances (Squadmates)

Liara T'Soni: Available to Both (New or Continuing).
Kaidan Alenko: Available to Both (New or Continuing). Note: Male Shep can now romance him.
Ashley Williams: Available to Male Shep (New or Continuing).
Garrus Vakarian: Available to Fem Shep (Must be Continuing from ME2).
Tali'Zorah: Available to Male Shep (Must be Continuing from ME2).

Category B: The "Side" Romances (Non-Squad)

Miranda Lawson: Male Shep (Must be Continuing).
Jack: Male Shep (Must be Continuing).
Samantha Traynor: Fem Shep only (New).
Steve Cortez: Male Shep only (New).
Thane Krios: Fem Shep (Must be Continuing). Warning: Tragic ending.

Phase 2: The Lock-In Mechanics

Unlike previous games, ME3 has specific "Lock-In Points." Once you commit to one person, all other romance options are permanently closed off.

The Presidium Commons (The Date)

Most romances are locked in during a scene on the Citadel Presidium Commons. Your partner will ask to meet you there.

Garrus: Shooting bottles on the Citadel roof.
Tali: Watching the fleet on the Presidium.
Liara: Talking about her "time capsule" project.
Kaidan/Ashley: Sitting at the Apollo Cafe.

Critical Action: During these scenes, you must choose the dialogue option that confirms your commitment (e.g., "I want to be with you," "More than friends"). This locks the romance.

Phase 3: Casualty Report (Missed Opportunities)

Many players find themselves alone in ME3 because of decisions made years ago. Here is how you can lose your chance at love.

1. The Virmire Ghost

If you wanted to romance Ashley but left her to die on Virmire in ME1, she obviously won't be in ME3. You cannot "fix" this. Her replacement doesn't exist.

2. The Suicide Mission Fail

If Garrus or Tali died in the Collector Base (ME2), their romance is over. You cannot start a new one with them, and their content is replaced by generic dialogue.

3. The Thane Tragedy

If you romanced Thane in ME2, be prepared. He is dying of Kepral's Syndrome. He *will* die in ME3 during the coup. You cannot save him. His romance scene is a tearful goodbye in the hospital. You are then left single for the rest of the game (unless you rebound quickly).

4. The Breakup Glitch

If you romance Miranda in ME2 but break up with her in ME3 (by denying her access to Alliance resources), she will likely die on Horizon. Breaking her heart literally kills her.

Phase 4: The Citadel DLC (The Reward)

The Citadel DLC is the true ending for romances. It adds specific scenes for every partner.

Garrus: A tango dance scene in the bar.
Tali: A movie night where she sings to you.
Liara: Playing piano together.
Jack: A tattoo parlor scene (even though she isn't a squadmate).

Tactical Advice: Play this DLC *after* you have locked in your romance to get these scenes.

Mission Archives: Related Guides

The Perfect Ending

How to Save Miranda Lawson

Oriana Project

Don't let her die on Horizon >

Tali's Loyalty

How to Prevent Tali's Exile

Secure her loyalty >

"Meet me at the bar. I'm buying."