Breaking Up With Liara T’Soni in Mass Effect 2: A Comprehensive Guide
So, you’ve found yourself in a complicated situation. You romanced the alluring asari, Liara T’Soni, back in Mass Effect, but now, in the treacherous landscape of Mass Effect 2, your heart yearns for another. Fear not, Commander! Navigating the complexities of interstellar relationships can be tricky, but this guide will walk you through the process of ending your relationship with Liara while minimizing the heartache (hers and yours).
The core of it boils down to this: If you romanced Liara in the first game and initiate a romance with another crew member in Mass Effect 2, Liara will eventually confront you. This conversation serves as the ultimate turning point. She will inquire about your happiness, forcing you to acknowledge the burgeoning relationship with your new love interest. Affirming your happiness with someone else effectively ends your romantic connection with Liara. It’s a blunt but necessary way to sever ties.
Factors Influencing the Break-Up
The way your break-up unfolds can be influenced by a few key factors:
- Initiating Another Romance: This is the most direct path. Engaging in a romantic relationship with characters like Miranda, Jack, Tali, Garrus, Jacob (if you must!), or even a same-sex romance option will trigger Liara’s intervention.
- Lair of the Shadow Broker DLC: The Lair of the Shadow Broker DLC is a pivotal point for your relationship with Liara. If you’re already romancing someone else, initiating the romantic dialogue options with Liara during this DLC doesn’t lock you into a second romance. However, it will lead to the aforementioned confrontation later.
- Your Dialogue Choices: Honesty is (usually) the best policy. While you might be tempted to hedge or soften the blow, being clear and direct about your feelings will prevent further confusion and potential heartbreak down the line.
It’s important to note that Mass Effect 2 doesn’t offer a traditional “break-up” scene like some other RPGs. The confrontation with Liara is more of a confirmation that your actions have effectively ended the romance.
Minimizing the Fallout
While breaking up is never easy, here are some tips to make the process smoother:
- Be Respectful: Liara is a valuable friend and ally. Avoid being cruel or dismissive.
- Be Honest: Don’t string her along. Clearly state your feelings and intentions.
- Understand the Consequences: Ending the romance will likely alter your future interactions with Liara, at least temporarily. Prepare for some awkward conversations.
Remember, your decisions have consequences in the Mass Effect universe. While you can’t rewrite history, you can control how you handle the present situation. Good luck, Commander! The galaxy (and your love life) is counting on you.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions regarding relationships and breaking up with Liara in Mass Effect 2, providing more in-depth insights into the complexities of interstellar romance:
How do I avoid romancing Liara altogether in Mass Effect 2?
Avoiding a romance with Liara in Mass Effect 2 is straightforward. Focus on pursuing other romantic interests. Simply refrain from engaging in the specific romantic dialogue options during the Lair of the Shadow Broker DLC. Stick to platonic interactions and the relationship will remain purely professional.
What happens if I romance someone different in Mass Effect 2 after romancing Liara in Mass Effect?
As mentioned earlier, romancing another character will trigger a conversation with Liara where she’ll inquire about your happiness. Telling her you’re happy effectively ends the original relationship. The game prioritizes the first relationship you locked into.
Can I sleep with Liara in Mass Effect 2 if I’m already with someone else?
Technically, yes, you can have the “romantic” encounter in the Lair of the Shadow Broker DLC even if you’re already in a relationship with someone else in Mass Effect 2. However, this doesn’t lock you into a second romance with Liara; it simply leads to the inevitable confrontation where you’ll need to choose.
Does romancing Liara in Mass Effect 2 count towards the Paramour achievement?
No. The Lair of the Shadow Broker romance with Liara does not count for the Paramour achievement in Mass Effect 2. You need to romance a crew member to unlock the achievement. This is because Liara is considered a DLC romance, not a core game romance.
Will Liara be mad if I romance Tali or another crewmate?
Liara will express her feelings, which might be some sadness or disappointment, during the confrontation. However, she’s generally understanding and professional. She’ll call you out on your choices, but it doesn’t permanently damage your friendship or alliance.
Can I still romance Garrus (or another character) if I romanced Liara in Mass Effect and do the Lair of the Shadow Broker DLC?
Yes, you can still romance Garrus or any other available crew member. As stated earlier, starting the Shadow Broker DLC romance does not stop you from starting other romances. You can keep both romances alive until you “lock-in” either one by confirming your happiness with the other character.
Can I romance Liara after rejecting her in Mass Effect 2 or being mean to her in Mass Effect?
Yes, you can often rekindle or start a romance with Liara in Mass Effect 3 regardless of your past actions. The slate isn’t entirely clean, but the opportunity is there.
Can you romance Liara in Mass Effect 3 if you cheated on her in Mass Effect 2?
Yes, Liara is typically available as a romance option in Mass Effect 3, even if you romanced someone else in Mass Effect 2. You will eventually need to make a choice between Liara and your previous love interest, if applicable. Liara remembers past choices though, so be prepared for some discussion about it.
What happens if I break up with Jack (or another crewmate) after romancing Liara in Mass Effect?
Breaking up with Jack or another crewmate has its own set of consequences, unique to each character. However, it doesn’t directly impact your previous relationship with Liara, other than perhaps influencing your choices in the future dialogue.
How do you get the bad ending in Mass Effect 2, and does it involve relationship choices?
The bad ending in Mass Effect 2 primarily depends on your preparedness for the Suicide Mission. Failing to upgrade the Normandy, neglecting loyalty missions, and making poor choices during the mission itself all contribute to a higher chance of losing crew members and ultimately Shepard. Relationship choices don’t directly cause the bad ending, but neglecting loyalty missions related to your love interest can lead to their death, which is still pretty bad.
How do I get the best ending in Mass Effect 2, and does it affect future relationships?
The best ending in Mass Effect 2 involves completing all loyalty missions, upgrading the Normandy, and making strategic choices during the Suicide Mission. Surviving with your entire crew intact sets you up for a better outcome in Mass Effect 3. Having a stable relationship also helps you keep your mind set on saving the Galaxy!
What happens if I’m unfaithful with Kelly Chambers while romancing Liara in Mass Effect 2?
The fleeting encounters with Kelly Chambers in Mass Effect 2, such as flirting or inviting her to dinner, don’t generally trigger the same level of consequence as a full romance. They typically don’t disrupt the ongoing relationship with Liara in Mass Effect 3 as much as romancing another core character does.
Is Liara in Mass Effect 3, and what role does she play if I was with her in previous games?
Yes, Liara is a significant character in Mass Effect 3. If you romanced her in previous games, your relationship continues, offering new scenes, dialogue, and a deeper connection throughout the story.
Can I have two simultaneous serious relationships in Mass Effect 2?
No, Mass Effect 2 only allows for one serious romantic relationship per playthrough. You can flirt with multiple characters, but you’ll eventually have to commit to one.
How can Games Learning Society help me understand the impact of choices in Mass Effect?
The Games Learning Society studies the educational and social impact of video games. Although they don’t offer direct in-game guidance, exploring resources on websites like GamesLearningSociety.org can provide valuable insights into the complexities of decision-making, moral dilemmas, and relationship dynamics often explored in games like Mass Effect. These studies can deepen your understanding of the narrative’s impact and the weight of your choices.