Can We Save Saren?
We can save Saren, but not in the classical sense, as he is too far gone under Sovereign’s control to be redeemed, and the only way to “save” him is by convincing him to shoot himself. The fate of Saren is a pivotal moment in the Mass Effect series, highlighting the complexity of the game’s storyline and the difficult choices players must make.
Understanding Saren’s Character
Saren is a calculating and ruthless adversary, using his Spectre authority and formidable skills to further the Reapers’ plans. He is a master of deception, able to manipulate those around him to serve his own ends, making him a compelling and formidable villain.
Frequently Asked Questions
General Questions
- Is it possible to convince Saren? Yes, if you pick a Persuasion option on Virmire, or have 12 Points in either Charm or Intimidate.
- Should I kill Saren? Killing Saren will not reward XP, but killing the waves of geth he summons does, and can reward up to 50% more XP than choosing the Paragon option.
- Can you kill Saren in Mass Effect 1? Yes, but he is immune to Neural Shock and Singularity, and Stasis can be used to lock him in place for an easy kill.
Saren’s Background and Motivations
- Why does Saren hate humans? Saren had misgivings about humanity that developed into outright hatred and xenophobia, wanting to put humanity in its place rather than welcome them to the galactic community.
- How old is Saren in Mass Effect 1? Saren was born in 2139 and would have been 46 years old if he survived the first Mass Effect.
Gameplay and Strategy
- Who should I bring to kill Saren? Bring characters with Lift ability, like Liara and Kaiden, as Saren is immune to most biotics but not Lift.
- How do I stop Saren? Use biotic abilities like Throw, Stasis, and Lift to prevent his movement and land direct hits.
- Is it better to save the Rachni Queen? If you saved the Rachni Queen originally, it’s best to save her again, as taking the artificial queen has a negative impact on War Assets.
Character Relationships and Development
- Did Saren respect Shepard? Yes, despite being antithesis of each other, Saren and Shepard had respect for each other, with Saren even listening to Shepard about his indoctrination.
- Is Saren a good villain? Saren is a complex and formidable villain, with a calculating and ruthless nature, but also not without complexity.
- Is Vetra related to Saren? There is a theory that Vetra’s father is Saren Arterius, although this is not canonically confirmed.
Turian Biology and Culture
- Why can’t Turians swim? Turians can’t swim because their skin is heavier, causing their carapace to drown them, and their blood is copper-based.
- Can Turians and humans have babies? No, biological compatibility issues and the potential for a deformed or sterile hybrid make it impossible.
- How are Turians born? Turians are viviparous, gestating their young and giving birth to live young, but using yokes instead of umbilical cords.
Miscellaneous
- What happens if you let the salarian commando out? Releasing the commando will free all Salarians, who will then attack you, allowing you to kill them for XP.