Mass Effect romance guide and who you can go boldly with

Mass Effect romance was introduced in this first instalment but quickly became a staple of the series, allowing players to form relationships with human and alien allies that have the potential to carry over to multiple sequels. You do need to bear in mind that as this was the initial foray into romance in Mass Effect the options available here are quite restrictive, especially when compared to later entries, but this is where it all started and was an important first step in laying the groundwork for what has become a hugely popular aspect of the games. You can still get your Shepard involved with with several NPCs if you make the right decisions, so our full Mass Effect romance guide will help you to find love.

All the characters you can romance in Mass Effect 1

Mass Effect 2 — (Image credit: Electronic Arts)

Mass Effect has four characters you can form romances with, as outlined below:

Main Romance:
- Ashley Williams - Male Shepard only
- Kaidan Alenko - Female Shepard only
- Liara T'Soni - Male or Female Shepard
Other Romance:
- Sha'ira (asari consort) - Male or Female Shepard

Mass Effect endings

Find out what Mass Effect endings are available and how to get the best one.

As a general rule, you want to speak to your chosen romance companion as often as possible in Mass Effect Legendary Edition, choosing as many Paragon options as you can to build your relationship with them until it can fully blossom into love. However, there are some specific events and decisions along the way that are critical to your progress in this area, so follow our Mass Effect romance guides for the individual characters below to build the best rapport with your potential paramour.

Mass Effect romance - Ashley Williams

Main romance option for Male Shepard only

After the Prologue, you'll wake in the medical room with Ashley Williams at your bedside. Reassure them, then speak to them again outside the medical area once you've dealt with Captain Anderson.
After finishing a primary mission on Feros, Noveria, or Therum, you can discuss the mission with Ashley Williams to build your relationship with her.
If you speak to Liara T'Soni after she joins your crew, make sure you tell Ashley Williams your relationship with Liara is strictly professional when asked or your relationship with Ashley will end.
If you've been pursuing Ashley Williams and Liara T'Soni, you'll be confronted by them both after a debriefing and told to choose as you can only pursue one main romance. Pick Ashley Williams to continue your relationship.
During the Virmire: Assault mission, you'll need to choose to save either Ashley Williams or Kaidan Alenko. Save Ashley Williams or your relationship will end.
Back on the Normandy after the Virmire: Assault mission, follow Paragon conversation paths with Ashley Williams.
As you approach the final missions, Ashley Williams will visit your personal quarters and selecting Paragon options will conclude this relationship encounter with a romance cutscene. Note that picking Renegade options will cause Ashley to leave, but your relationship with her will continue to the next game.

Mass Effect romance - Kaidan Alenko

Main romance option for Female Shepard only

After the Prologue, you'll wake in the medical room with Kaidan Alenko at your bedside. Reassure them, then speak to them again outside the medical area once you've dealt with Captain Anderson.
After finishing a primary mission on Feros, Noveria, or Therum, you can discuss the mission with Kaidan Alenko to build your relationship with him.
If you speak to Liara T'Soni after she joins your crew, make sure you tell Kaidan Alenko your relationship with Liara is strictly professional when asked or your relationship with Kaidan will end.
If you've been pursuing Kaidan Alenko and Liara T'Soni, you'll be confronted by them both after a debriefing and told to choose as you can only pursue one main romance. Pick Kaidan Alenko to continue your relationship.
During the Virmire: Assault mission, you'll need to choose to save either Ashley Williams or Kaidan Alenko. Save Kaidan Alenko or your relationship will end.
Back on the Normandy after the Virmire: Assault mission, follow Paragon conversation paths with Kaidan Alenko.
As you approach the final missions, Kaidan Alenko will visit your personal quarters and selecting Paragon options will conclude this relationship encounter with a romance cutscene. Note that picking Renegade options will cause Kaidan to leave, but your relationship with him will continue to the next game.

Mass Effect romance - Liara T'Soni

Main romance option for Male or Female Shepard

Speak to Liara T'Soni after she joins your crew to start building your relationship, and if asked by Ashley Williams / Kaidan Alenko then tell them you are interested in Liara.
If you've been pursuing Ashley Williams / Kaidan Alenko and Liara T'Soni, you'll be confronted by them both after a debriefing and told to choose as you can only pursue one main romance. Pick Liara T'Soni to continue your relationship.
Back on the Normandy after the Virmire: Assault mission, follow Paragon conversation paths with Liara T'Soni.
As you approach the final missions, Liara T'Soni will visit your personal quarters and selecting Paragon options will conclude this relationship encounter with a romance cutscene. Note that picking Renegade options will cause Laira to leave, but your relationship with her will continue to the next game.

Mass Effect romance - Sha'ira (asari consort)

Other romance option for Male or Female Shepard - this does not impact on your main romance choice

When you arrive on the Citadel, find the asari consort Sha'ira and talk to her about her problems with Septimus, the retired turian general.
Find Septimus in Chora's Den, and convince him to act like a general and change his ways.
Now find Xeltan, the elcor diplomat, and provide the evidence you received from Septimus to clear Sha'ira's name.
Return to Sha'ira and she will offer you a "gift of words" – if you express contempt at this reward, then Sha'ira will also initiate a romance cutscene.

Of course, some of these relationships will carry over into following games, allowing you to continue them there. Find out about the impact this can have on your Mass Effect 2 romance options and what continues into your Mass Effect 3 romance through those respective guides.