Navigating Love Triangles in Mass Effect: Can You Romance Ashley and Miranda?
The Mass Effect trilogy is renowned for its immersive storytelling, complex characters, and, of course, its intricate romance options. Many players find themselves torn between the strong-willed soldier Ashley Williams and the genetically engineered operative Miranda Lawson. So, the burning question is: Can you still romance Ashley if you romance Miranda? The short answer is: it’s complicated, but yes, there’s a way to potentially make it happen, although it may involve some save-game manipulation in Mass Effect 2. Officially, the game is designed with lock-in points to prevent simultaneous romances. Let’s break it down.
The Delicate Dance of Romance in Mass Effect 2 and 3
The key to (potentially) romancing both Ashley and Miranda lies in understanding how the romance lock-in mechanics work across Mass Effect 2 and 3. In Mass Effect 2, Miranda’s final lock-in point isn’t until after the Horizon mission. Ashley, however, is not a full romance option in Mass Effect 2 unless you romanced her in Mass Effect 1. She appears, but only through communication and is not a squadmate. The full romance with Ashley becomes possible in Mass Effect 3.
The Save-Game Tweak (Mass Effect 2)
The reported exploit involves reaffirming your relationship with Miranda in your apartment in Mass Effect 2 before the Horizon mission is completed. After you reaffirm the relationship in Mass Effect 2, you have to meet up with Ashley after. If you want to lock-in things with Ashley you will have to do so before finishing Miranda’s romance in Mass Effect 2. This is a very tight window of opportunity to romance Ashley.
Important Note: This method is not guaranteed and relies on exploiting a specific sequence of events within Mass Effect 2. It may require multiple save files and a bit of experimentation.
Mass Effect 3: The Final Act
In Mass Effect 3, the consequences of your choices in the previous games become apparent. If you imported a save where you were in a relationship with Miranda, she will be present and available for a continued romance. Ashley, assuming she survived the events of Mass Effect 1, will also be present and romanceable if you are playing as male Shepard.
The game presents opportunities to rekindle past romances or forge new ones. However, attempting to juggle multiple romances can lead to complications, including confrontations and potential breakups.
To successfully romance Ashley in Mass Effect 3 after having romanced Miranda in Mass Effect 2, you will need to break up with Miranda. The timing of this breakup is crucial. If you break up with Miranda, there are ways for her to survive. To ensure Miranda’s survival, you must have warned her about Kai Leng during your hologram conversation in the Spectre office and give her the Alliance resources at the Presidium Apartments. Important Note: If you romanced Miranda in Mass Effect 2 and then break up with her in Mass Effect 3, she will die.
After you break things off with Miranda, you can pursue a relationship with Ashley. Meeting her at the Presidium on the Citadel and picking the options “You’re very distracting” and “Yes” will lock in a relationship with Ashley.
Consequences and Considerations
Attempting to romance both Ashley and Miranda can have serious consequences on the relationship. In Mass Effect 3, cheating will be possible and doesn’t limit your romantic options. However, breaking off a relationship with Miranda in Mass Effect 3 can have severe repercussions. If you decide to break up with Miranda in Mass Effect 3, she will die.
Ultimately, the decision of whether to romance Ashley, Miranda, or both (if you can pull it off) comes down to your personal preferences and the kind of story you want to create. Remember, choices have consequences, and the Mass Effect trilogy is all about living with those consequences. Understanding the intricacies of the game’s mechanics is crucial to navigating the complex world of love and war.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can you romance Ashley in ME3 if you romanced someone else in ME2?
Yes, you can still be with Ashley if you romanced someone else in ME2. Every romantic interest has a “lock-in” point during the game. You can break up with your current partner and pursue a relationship with Ashley.
2. Can you romance Ashley in Mass Effect 3 if you didn’t in 1?
Yes, Ashley is unique among the Mass Effect 3 romance options because she is one of only three who can both be romanced for the first time in this game, or have a romance from a previous game continued.
3. Can you romance Ashley in Mass Effect 2 if you didn’t in 1?
No, you can’t start a full relationship with her in ME2 if you didn’t romance her in ME1. You only have interaction scenes with her in ME2 if you romanced her in ME1. However, you can romance her in ME3 even if you didn’t romance her before.
4. How do I romance Ashley but keep Miranda alive?
To romance Ashley and keep Miranda alive, you need to:
- Inform Miranda of Kai Leng during your hologram conversation in the Spectre offices.
- Give her the Alliance data she requests in the Presidium Apartments.
- Make sure you break up with Miranda before locking in a relationship with Ashley.
5. Why can’t I romance Ashley?
You aren’t able to progress the Romance for real however until you complete your first Mission World (either Therum, Noveria or Feros). At this point, you have an extended conversation with her regarding her mistrust of aliens and her military service.
6. Why can’t I romance Ashley in Mass Effect 3?
Make sure to pick all the paragon options, including the paragon prompt to interrupt and support Ashley. Wait for another message from her, then meet her at the Presidium on the Citadel. Pick “You’re very distracting” and “Yes” to lock in a relationship with Ashley, whether continuing a romance or starting a new one.
7. What happens if you stay loyal to Ashley in Mass Effect 2?
If you remain loyal to her throughout Mass Effect 2, her photo will remain in Shepard’s Cabin, and he will look at it after you initiate the Suicide Mission. This applies only if you romanced her in Mass Effect 1.
8. Can you romance Ashley in Mass Effect 3 if you cheated?
Yes, while it will take effort, it will always be possible to reunite with your ME1 romance. In that sense, ‘cheating’ does not limit your options in any way.
9. Can you romance Miranda in ME3 if you didn’t in ME2?
No. The Mass Effect 2 companion love interests are only available to romance in Mass Effect 3 if Shepard was in a romance with them by the end of the game and if they survived the Suicide Mission. If Shepard did not pursue Miranda in Mass Effect 2, she will not be available as a romance option.
10. What happens if you romance someone else in Mass Effect 2?
The most noticeable “consequence” if Commander Shepard romances someone new is that the face of their old love interest will be turned face down. If Shepard decides to break up with their new partner, the picture will turn back up.
11. Can you romance Ashley after Liara?
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.
12. Can you save Miranda without romancing her?
Yes, you can save Miranda without romancing her. Romance only: you MUST NOT break up with Miranda at any point in Mass Effect 3. If you do, Miranda will die. The only way to avoid this is to lock in a different Romance before breaking up with her; this safely removes the break-up choice from her conversations.
13. Does romancing Kelly affect Ashley?
Having Kelly Chambers as a romance does not affect any other romance options. Also, it’s the only way to keep your fish from ME2.
14. Does romance carry over to Mass Effect 3?
Yes. In fact, the only way to romance Tali in ME3 is if you already had one in ME2 and imported it. The prior choices will influence the romantic relations that can or can not occur in the third installment of the franchise.
15. Can you have multiple relationships in Mass Effect?
Yes, but you can’t romance multiple at the same time. If you try to romance Liara and the VS at the same time the next main mission they’ll confront you after debrief making you choose. In ME2 if you try to romance multiple at the same time they’ll say choose them only.
Exploring the complexities of relationships, whether in games or real life, highlights the importance of understanding choices and their consequences. Just as players analyze game mechanics to navigate romances, educators and researchers explore how games can be used as learning tools. You can learn more about the intersection of games and education at the GamesLearningSociety.org website.