Can Ashley and Kaidan Both Survive?

In the Mass Effect universe, the fate of Ashley and Kaidan is a pivotal moment, and the answer to whether both can survive is yes, but with certain conditions and modifications, such as through the use of mods in the Mass Effect Legendary Edition. The original game’s storyline intentionally leads to a difficult choice where players must decide to save either Ashley or Kaidan, but thanks to the efforts of modders, an alternative path has been created, allowing both characters to survive and remain part of the story throughout the trilogy.

Understanding the Scenario

Original Game Scenario

The original Mass Effect game presents a scenario where, towards the end of the Virmire mission, players are faced with an impossible decision: saving either Ashley Williams or Kaidan Alenko. This choice is significant, as it not only affects the immediate story but also has repercussions throughout the series. The game’s storyline is designed to make this choice feel irreversible, adding to the emotional weight of the decision.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is it Possible to Save Both Ashley and Kaidan without Mods?

• No, in the original storyline of Mass Effect, it’s not possible to save both Ashley and Kaidan without the use of mods. The game is designed to force a choice between the two characters.

1. What Happens if You Choose to Save Ashley?

• If you choose to save Ashley, Kaidan will die, and vice versa. The character you save will then continue with you throughout the rest of the game and potentially into the next games in the series, depending on your choices in Mass Effect 2 and 3.

1. How Do You Make Sure Ashley Survives in Mass Effect 2 and 3?

• To ensure Ashley survives into Mass Effect 2 and potentially Mass Effect 3, you must first save her on Virmire. Then, in Mass Effect 2, if you start with a male Shepard, Ashley will be designated as the Virmire Survivor. You must also convince her to help you and turn against Udina during the standoff at the Citadel.

1. Can You Romance Liara if You’ve Already Romanced Ashley or Kaidan?

• Yes, you can express interest in Liara even if you’ve romanced Ashley or Kaidan. However, this will effectively end your romance with the human squad member you previously romanced.

1. What Happens if You Let the Salarian Commando Out?

• Letting the Salarian Commando out will result in all the Salarian prisoners being released, and they will attack you, providing an opportunity for additional XP.

1. Can You Convince Saren to Join You?

• Depending on your Persuasion skills or points in Charm and Intimidate, you might be able to convince Saren to see the error of his ways. If successful, Saren will realize his mistakes and commit suicide to prevent further harm.

1. How Do You Ensure Kaidan’s Survival?

• Similar to Ashley, to ensure Kaidan‘s survival, you must choose to save him during the Virmire mission. His survival and continued presence in your squad depend on this initial choice.

1. What is the Ending of Virmire?

• The ending of the Virmire mission involves a conversation with Saren about his alliance with Sovereign. This leads to a final choice that determines Saren‘s actions and the immediate outcome of the mission.

1. Does Saving Ashley or Kaidan Affect the Overall Story?

• Yes, saving either Ashley or Kaidan affects the story, as the character you save will appear in subsequent games and have interactions based on your previous choices.

1. Can You Save Both Josh and Ashley in Other Contexts?

   • The question about saving Josh and Ashley seems to refer to a different scenario or game. In the context of Mass Effect, there’s no direct reference to a character named Josh in relation to Ashley and Kaidan‘s storyline.

2. Did Saren Actually Cure the Genophage?

   • Saren did obtain a cure for the Genophage through his influence with Binary Helix but used it for his own purposes, including building a Krogan army.

3. Why Do No Other Turians Look Like Saren?

   • The reason other Turians do not resemble Saren in terms of facial markings or appearance is likely a design choice by Bioware to make Saren stand out as a unique and main antagonist.

4. Who is the Final Boss in Mass Effect 1?

   • The final boss in Mass Effect 1 is Sovereign, although you technically face Saren twice, the second time being under Sovereign‘s control.

5. Do the Quarians Go Extinct?

   • The Quarians‘ fate can vary depending on the player’s choices throughout the Mass Effect series, particularly in Mass Effect 3. One possible outcome is their near-extinction, but this is dependent on the actions taken by the player.

6. How Do You Keep Captain Kirrahe Alive?

   • To keep Captain Kirrahe alive during the Virmire mission, it’s crucial to successfully complete the Geth Flyer diversion. Failing this will result in Kirrahe‘s death.