Who Should You Save in Mass Effect? A Comprehensive Guide
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The Mass Effect trilogy is renowned for its compelling narrative, intricate choices, and the profound impact those choices have on the game world. One of the most agonizing decisions players face comes on Virmire: the choice of saving either Ashley Williams or Kaidan Alenko. There’s no easy answer, as both characters offer distinct strengths and weaknesses, and the consequences ripple throughout the entire series. Ultimately, the “best” choice depends on your personal playstyle, your Shepard’s class, and your long-term goals for the story.
Ultimately, the decision of who to save on Virmire comes down to personal preference and how you want your story to play out. If squad composition and combat efficiency are paramount, analyze their abilities and synergies. If character development and narrative consistency are more important, consider their personalities and your Shepard’s relationships with them. There is no ‘wrong’ choice; embrace the consequences and shape your unique Mass Effect journey.
Analyzing Ashley and Kaidan: A Detailed Comparison
Before diving into the “who to save” debate, let’s thoroughly analyze both Ashley Williams and Kaidan Alenko.
Ashley Williams: The Dedicated Soldier
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Class: Soldier. Ashley excels at weapon-based combat, specializing in assault rifles and shotguns. She also possesses soldier-specific powers like concussive shot and marksman, which enhance her offensive capabilities.
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Strengths: High damage output, especially with ranged weapons. Offers a straightforward combat style, useful for players who prefer a direct approach. Her unwavering loyalty (despite her initial distrust of aliens) can be seen as a positive trait.
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Weaknesses: Limited biotic abilities. Her initial xenophobia can be off-putting to some players.
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Role in Later Games: If saved, Ashley appears in Mass Effect 3 as a Spectre, offering valuable war assets to Shepard’s cause. Her character development focuses on overcoming her prejudices and embracing a more inclusive worldview.
Kaidan Alenko: The Biotic Specialist
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Class: Sentinel. Kaidan is a powerful biotic with a mix of offensive and defensive abilities. His powers include barrier, stasis, and neural shock, making him effective at controlling the battlefield and protecting himself and his allies.
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Strengths: Versatile biotic abilities that can disable enemies and provide crowd control. Offers valuable support capabilities, making him a great addition to squads that need a tactical edge.
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Weaknesses: Lower damage output compared to Ashley. His biotic-focused gameplay might not appeal to players who prefer a more aggressive style.
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Role in Later Games: Similar to Ashley, if saved, Kaidan returns in Mass Effect 3 as a powerful biotic and a war asset. He plays a significant role in the Cerberus plotline and offers valuable insight into the organization’s motives.
Factors Influencing Your Decision
Several factors should influence your decision on Virmire:
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Shepard’s Class: Consider how Ashley or Kaidan complement your Shepard’s class and abilities. If you’re playing a biotic-focused class, Ashley’s raw firepower might be more valuable. If you’re playing a soldier-focused class, Kaidan’s biotic support could be a better addition to your squad.
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Squad Composition: Think about your preferred squad composition and how Ashley or Kaidan will fit into it. Do you need more damage output or more crowd control?
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Personal Preference: Ultimately, the choice is subjective. Do you prefer Ashley’s straightforward combat style or Kaidan’s tactical abilities? Do you connect with one character more than the other?
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Romance: If you’re planning on romancing either Ashley or Kaidan, saving your love interest is the obvious choice.
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Narrative Impact: Consider the long-term consequences of your decision. How will saving Ashley or Kaidan affect the story in Mass Effect 2 and 3?
Addressing the “Xenophobia” Argument
Ashley’s initial xenophobia is often cited as a reason not to save her. While it’s true that she expresses distrust of aliens early on, it’s important to remember that her views are shaped by her experiences. She comes from a family with a long military history, and her grandfather was the only human officer to surrender during the First Contact War. This trauma understandably influences her perspective. However, she demonstrates growth throughout the series and gradually overcomes her prejudices, becoming a more open-minded and accepting character.
The Impact on Mass Effect 3
The character you save on Virmire returns in Mass Effect 3 and offers valuable war assets to Shepard’s cause. Both characters play a significant role in the story, particularly in the Cerberus plotline. The choice you make on Virmire can also influence the ending of the game, affecting the overall outcome of the Reaper War.
The Modding Solution: Saving Both
For players who can’t bear to sacrifice either character, a modding solution exists. The Mass Effect Legendary Edition allows for modding, and one popular mod enables players to save both Ashley and Kaidan on Virmire. This mod offers a convenient way to avoid the agonizing choice and keep both characters alive throughout the trilogy.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Does saving Kirrahe affect the Virmire choice?
While saving Kirrahe is beneficial (he provides war assets in Mass Effect 3 if he survives), it doesn’t directly impact the choice between Ashley and Kaidan. Ensuring Kirrahe’s success simply makes the Virmire mission more successful overall.
2. Is Kaidan a better biotic than Liara?
Liara T’Soni is generally considered a stronger biotic than Kaidan due to her versatility and the wide range of biotic powers she learns throughout the trilogy. However, Kaidan’s defensive abilities and crowd control can be valuable assets in certain situations.
3. Can I romance both Ashley and Liara in Mass Effect 1?
No. You must choose one. Attempting to romance both will lead to a confrontation, forcing you to pick between them. Liara, however, can be picked back up again.
4. What happens if I’m loyal to Ashley in Mass Effect 2?
If you remain loyal to Ashley 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 signifies that she is still a significant presence in Shepard’s life.
5. What is the best ending in Mass Effect 3?
The “best” ending is subjective and depends on your personal interpretation of the story. However, achieving the “perfect ending” where Shepard survives requires high Effective Military Strength (EMS), which is influenced by your choices throughout the trilogy, including saving Ashley or Kaidan.
6. Can I convince Saren to join me without high Charm or Intimidate?
No. You’ll instead need the full 12 Points in either Charm or Intimidate to convince Saren.
7. Who is the strongest companion in Mass Effect?
Liara is often considered the strongest companion due to her versatility and powerful biotic abilities. However, other companions like Samara and Garrus also offer unique strengths and can be highly effective in combat.
8. Should I pick Miranda or Ashley for romance?
If you’ve been locked on either Miranda or Ashley, go for Ashley. She has more content than Miranda in ME3.
9. How do I save Wrex on Virmire?
To save Wrex, you need to have a high enough Charm or Intimidate score. With 8 Charm Points, pick “These aren’t your people!” to convince Wrex to stand down, giving you +28 Paragon Points. If you have 8 Intimidate Points, you can pick “Don’t be so naive”, which also convinces him to stand down.
10. Does saving Wrex matter in the long run?
Yes. Saving Wrex is generally considered better in the long term because he provides more war assets in Mass Effect 3 than Wreav.
11. Which Mass Effect 3 ending is the most popular?
The “Destroy” ending is the most popular choice among players.
12. What choices from Mass Effect 1 have the biggest impact?
The choice of who to save on Virmire and whether or not to save the Rachni Queen are two of the most impactful decisions you’ll make in Mass Effect 1.
13. Can romancing Kelly affect a romance with Ashley?
No. Romancing Kelly Chambers will NOT jeopardize a Romance with any of your Squad Mates.
14. If I romance Ashley in ME1, can I romance Miranda in ME2?
No. The date with Ashley is a true lock-in point, so it blocks you from all others, including Miranda’s.
15. Can you save both Ashley and Kaidan without mods?
No. The decision between saving Ashley and Kaidan on Virmire is a core part of the Mass Effect 1 narrative. Without using mods, it is impossible to save both characters.
Conclusion: Embrace the Choice
The decision of who to save on Virmire is a difficult but meaningful one. There’s no right or wrong answer. Consider your preferences, analyze the characters’ strengths and weaknesses, and embrace the consequences of your choice. It is these hard decisions that make Mass Effect such a compelling and memorable gaming experience.
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