What happens if I save the council?

If you save the council in Mass Effect 1, the Council will grant you an audience and reinstate you as a Spectre as a sign of goodwill, and in Mass Effect 3, the Alliance fleet will be weaker in terms of War Assets, but you will gain the Ascension as a War Asset. Saving the council in Mass Effect 1 also results in +28 Paragon Points, with the Alliance ships rescuing the Council and then rallying around Sovereign, albeit with some extra losses, leading to the Council being wholeheartedly thankful and offering humanity a seat.

Related FAQs

General Questions

1. What are the consequences of saving the council in Mass Effect 1?: The consequences include the Council being reinstated, and you gaining Paragon Points, but also a weaker Alliance fleet in Mass Effect 3.
2. Does saving the council affect the storyline of Mass Effect 2 and 3?: Yes, saving the council affects the storyline, as it influences the War Assets and the Alliance fleet in Mass Effect 3.
3. Can I still play Mass Effect 1 after the ending?: No, the game ends and saves your profile, but you can start a new game with your high-level character and gear using the New Game+ feature.

Game Progression

4. What happens if I don’t save the council?: If you don’t save the council, it doesn’t really make a difference, as the storyline will still progress, but you won’t gain the same benefits.
5. How do I save the council in Mass Effect 1?: You save the council by completing the mission to rescue them from Sovereign’s attack.
6. What are the benefits of saving the council?: The benefits include gaining Paragon Points, a weaker Alliance fleet in Mass Effect 3, but also gaining the Ascension as a War Asset.

Character and Storyline

7. Does saving the council affect my character’s storyline?: Yes, saving the council affects your character’s storyline, as it influences the relationships with other characters and the overall plot.
8. Can I romance certain characters if I save the council?: Yes, saving the council does not affect your ability to romance certain characters, such as Garrus or Tali.
9. Does saving the council affect the ending of Mass Effect 3?: Yes, saving the council can affect the ending of Mass Effect 3, as it influences the War Assets and the Alliance fleet.

Game Mechanics

10. How do I access the New Game+ feature?: You can access the New Game+ feature by selecting “New Game” and then “Use An Existing Profile”.
11. Can I play the Citadel DLC after beating the game?: Yes, you can play the Citadel DLC after beating the game, by loading an auto-save made before the final mission.
12. Do I need to play Mass Effect 1 before Mass Effect 3?: Yes, it is highly recommended to play the Mass Effect trilogy in order, as there are severe consequences to not playing the games in sequence.

Other Questions

13. What is the canon ending of Mass Effect?: There is no confirmed canon ending for Mass Effect 3, but several teasers suggest that Shepard destroying all synthetic life is the true conclusion.
14. Can I miss certain characters, such as Garrus, in Mass Effect 1?: Yes, it is possible to miss Garrus in Mass Effect 1, if you don’t recruit him after helping him defeat thugs in the Citadel Medical Clinic.
15. Is the Illusive Man in Mass Effect 1?: No, the Illusive Man is not in Mass Effect 1, he first appears in Mass Effect 2 as a supporting character.