Breaking Up With Liara T’Soni in Mass Effect 2: A Guide to Ending the Asari Romance
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Yes, you absolutely can break up with Liara T’Soni in Mass Effect 2, but the circumstances surrounding the breakup are a bit unique compared to the romances with your crewmates. Liara’s presence in Mass Effect 2 is primarily confined to the “Lair of the Shadow Broker” DLC. Therefore, your interactions with her, and the potential for a breakup, are tied to this specific content. The dialogue options and choices you make during and after the DLC mission determine the fate of your relationship. If you romanced Liara in Mass Effect 1, then started a relationship with a crewmate in Mass Effect 2, Liara will ask if you are happy. Answering honestly that you are happy with your current romance will effectively end your romance with Liara.
While it’s impossible to start a full-fledged romance with Liara in Mass Effect 2 in the same way you can with characters like Miranda, Jack, or Garrus, you can rekindle a previous relationship if you were involved in Mass Effect 1. However, the reverse is also true: you can definitively end that past romance. By choosing specific dialogue options during the DLC, and especially after its conclusion when you invite her aboard the Normandy, you can make it clear you’re no longer interested, or that you are commited to another character. This effectively breaks things off, setting the stage for different romantic choices in Mass Effect 3.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Liara and Romance in Mass Effect 2
Here are 15 frequently asked questions regarding Liara and the complexities of romance in Mass Effect 2 to provide a deeper understanding of the romantic options and their consequences:
1. Can you mess up the Liara romance in Mass Effect 2?
Yes, though not in the traditional sense. You can’t “mess up” a new Liara romance within Mass Effect 2, as her main appearance is via DLC. However, if you import a save where you romanced Liara in Mass Effect 1, you can definitely choose options that end the romance during the “Lair of the Shadow Broker” content. Some players may prefer to end the relationship, finding her less compelling than other romance options.
2. What happens if you romance someone else in Mass Effect 2 after romancing Liara in ME1?
This is a crucial point. If you start a relationship with a crew member like Miranda, Jack, Tali, Garrus, Jacob, or Thane, and you previously romanced Liara in Mass Effect 1, your interaction with Liara during the “Lair of the Shadow Broker” DLC will be impacted. She may express hurt or concern. Furthermore, if you continue the romance and invite her aboard the Normandy after the mission, she’ll ask you if you’re happy with the current relationship. Affirming you are happy ends the possibility of rekindling things with Liara. You may also see the picture of your previous love interest turned face down.
3. Does romancing Liara in Mass Effect 2 count towards the Paramour achievement?
No. Romancing Liara in the “Lair of the Shadow Broker” DLC does not count towards the Paramour achievement in Mass Effect 2. The achievement requires you to romance one of the core crew members. You need to pursue a relationship with characters like Miranda, Jack, Garrus, Tali, Jacob, or Thane to unlock it.
4. Can you get back with Liara in Mass Effect 2?
Yes, but only if you romanced her in Mass Effect 1 and haven’t committed to a new relationship in Mass Effect 2. After completing the “Lair of the Shadow Broker” DLC, you can invite her to the Normandy. If you haven’t romanced anyone else, dialogue options will allow you to rekindle the romance. This sets the stage for a potentially deeper relationship in Mass Effect 3.
5. What happens if you “cheat” on Liara with Diana Allers?
Diana Allers is a journalist who can join the Normandy crew. Sleeping with her is considered a “fling,” not a full romance. If you are in a relationship with Liara, she will notice if you sleep with Allers. However, it won’t necessarily break the relationship if you are honest about your feelings.
6. Can you romance Liara in Mass Effect 3 if you “cheated” on her in Mass Effect 2?
Liara is remarkably forgiving. She’s almost always available as a romance option in Mass Effect 3, regardless of your choices in Mass Effect 2. However, she won’t forget if you cheated on her, and your past actions may influence the dialogue and depth of the relationship.
7. Can I romance Garrus if I also want to romance Liara?
You can potentially keep both romances “alive” for a period, but eventually, you’ll need to make a choice. There is a “lock-in” point in Mass Effect 3 where you must commit to one relationship. Before that, you can explore both romances to an extent, but you can only see one through to the end.
8. Can I romance Liara after initially rejecting her?
Yes. You can even romance Liara in Mass Effect 3 if you were mean to her in Mass Effect 1. While your past actions may have consequences in conversation and relationship development, they won’t completely lock you out of a future romance with her.
9. Can you romance Ashley in Mass Effect 1 and Liara in Mass Effect 2?
You can progress through dialogue with both characters, but you are eventually forced to decide which one to continue the romance with.
10. Can you romance Liara and save Miranda?
It’s a tricky situation. To ensure Miranda survives the events of Mass Effect 3, you need to maintain her loyalty. If you were previously in a relationship with Miranda in Mass Effect 2, officially rekindling with Liara after the Citadel attack in Mass Effect 3 and then ending the relationship with Miranda before a certain point can lead to Miranda’s death. Ensure you have Miranda’s loyalty mission completed and have brokered peace between her and Jack before breaking up with her.
11. Can you romance Liara as a renegade Shepard?
Absolutely. While Liara generally leans towards Paragon ideals, you can romance her as a Renegade Shepard. Be mindful that some Renegade choices might lead to disagreements or tension, but they won’t necessarily prevent the romance from progressing.
12. Does Tali have a crush on Shepard?
Yes, Tali does develop a crush on a male Shepard. The relationship can deepen into a full romance in Mass Effect 2 and Mass Effect 3.
13. Can you romance Tali in Mass Effect 3 if you didn’t in Mass Effect 2?
Unfortunately, no. To romance Tali in Mass Effect 3, you must first begin the romance with her in Mass Effect 2. Her romance is exclusive to male Shepards.
14. What happens if you “cheat” on Ashley in Mass Effect 2?
If you cheat on Ashley with another character in Mass Effect 2, her picture will disappear, which means the relationship is over.
15. What happens if you romance multiple people in Mass Effect 3?
Once you romance someone in Mass Effect 3, it locks out all other romance options. It’s crucial to make a conscious decision and commit to one character to avoid complications or unintended consequences.
Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to break up with Liara in Mass Effect 2 rests with you and the kind of story you want to create for your Commander Shepard. Your choices have lasting consequences throughout the trilogy, so choose wisely!
The Mass Effect trilogy provides players the option to immerse themselves in an intricate narrative that is determined by a complex web of decisions, moral considerations, and strategic gameplay. Educators and game designers who want to learn more about the educational applications of games should visit the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.