Paramour GUIDE IN MASS EFFECT - making alien love...

Personnel Files // Social Dynamics // Clearance: Shepard

Romance is a core pillar of the Mass Effect experience. In the original game, your options are limited but significant.

The relationships you forge here will carry over, evolving or complicating your life in Mass Effect 2 and 3.

However, navigating these relationships can be tricky. One wrong sentence can end a romance before it begins, or accidentally trigger a relationship you didn't want.

Phase 1: The Candidates

In the original Mass Effect, your options are determined by your Shepard's gender. There are only three romance paths:

Ashley Williams: Available to Male Shepard only.
Kaidan Alenko: Available to Female Shepard only.
Liara T'Soni: Available to Both Male and Female Shepard.

Note: Tali and Garrus are NOT romanceable in ME1. You must wait until ME2 to pursue them.

Phase 2: Romancing Ashley (Male Shep)

Ashley is a soldier who values family, faith, and duty. She is initially distrustful of aliens.

Talk to her after every main mission: Visit her in the armory (cargo bay).
Be Supportive (but not a pushover): You can disagree with her views on aliens, but respect her military service and family history.
The "Sister" Trap: She will eventually talk about her sister. Be kind here.
Virmire: CRITICAL STEP. You must save Ashley on Virmire. If you leave her behind with the nuke, the romance ends (obviously).

Phase 3: Romancing Kaidan (Fem Shep)

Kaidan is a biotic who carries guilt from a past accident (Brain Camp). He is introspective and calm.

Talk to him after every main mission: Visit him in the mess hall.
Listen to his history: Ask about his biotic training (BAaT) and Rahna.
Don't be dismissive: Kaidan is sensitive. Using "Renegade" (bottom right) options often shuts him down completely.
Virmire: CRITICAL STEP. You must save Kaidan on Virmire. If he dies, the romance dies.

Phase 4: Romancing Liara (Both)

Liara is a Prothean archaeologist who is fascinated by Shepard. She is socially awkward but deeply sincere.

Recruit her early: Go to Therum (Artemis Tau cluster) immediately after becoming a Spectre. The longer you wait, the less time you have to bond.
Be patient: She will express interest in you "scientifically" at first. Flirt back.
Reassure her: She is nervous about human relationships. Tell her the attraction is mutual.

Phase 5: The Confrontation (Warning)

It is very easy to accidentally romance two people at once (e.g., Ashley and Liara). If you do this, the game forces a confrontation.

The Locker Room Standoff

After completing a few main planets, both love interests will confront you by the lockers. They will demand you choose.

Choose One: The other will back off (and be locked out permanently).
"Can't I have both?": This option fails. The human (Ashley/Kaidan) will call you crazy and storm off, ending their romance. Liara will remain, but the human relationship is over.

Phase 6: The Lock-In (Ilos)

The romance is officially "locked in" when the Normandy is grounded at the Citadel (before the final mission to Ilos).

The Comfort Scene: Your chosen partner will come to comfort you near the lockers. They will lean in for a kiss.
The Bedroom Scene: On the way to Ilos, your partner will come to your cabin.

Note: If you reject them in the bedroom scene, the romance is cancelled, and you will not get the "Paramour" achievement.