Who Should You Rescue in Mass Effect 1?

The decision of who to rescue in Mass Effect 1 is a pivotal moment in the game, with the fate of either Ashley Williams or Kaidan Alenko hanging in the balance, and ultimately, the choice comes down to personal preference. The consequences of this decision will have a lasting impact on the game’s storyline and the relationships you build with your squad members.

Understanding the Decision

The choice between Ashley and Kaidan is not just about saving one character over the other; it’s about the storyline implications and the character dynamics that will unfold as a result of your decision. Understanding the characters’ backgrounds, motivations, and roles in the story can help inform your choice.

Character Profiles

• Ashley Williams is a skilled soldier with a strong sense of duty and loyalty, who may align more with a Renegade playstyle due to her initial distrust of non-human species.
• Kaidan Alenko is also a capable fighter, with a more open-minded and cooperative approach, leaning towards a Paragon path.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can both Ashley and Kaidan be saved in Mass Effect 1? In the original game, it’s not possible to save both, but thanks to mods in the remastered version, players can now save both characters.

2. What happens if you save Ashley? Saving Ashley means Kaidan will die, which can impact the storyline, particularly in interactions with other characters and potential romantic relationships.

3. What happens if you save Kaidan? Conversely, saving Kaidan results in Ashley’s death, influencing the story and character dynamics in different ways.

4. Does the choice affect the ending of Mass Effect 1? The game has two main endings, but the choice between Ashley and Kaidan doesn’t significantly alter the ending of the first game.

5. How old are the human companions in Mass Effect 1? Commander Shepard is 29, Ashley Williams is 25, and Kaidan Alenko is 32 at the start of the game.

6. Can you romance Ashley in Mass Effect 3 if you didn’t in Mass Effect 1? Yes, it’s possible to romance Ashley in Mass Effect 3 even if you didn’t in the first game.

7. What is the impact of saving the Rachni Queen? Saving the Rachni Queen provides a valuable War Asset and is considered a positive action in the game’s storyline.

8. Can Saren be convinced to join you? With enough Charm or Intimidate points, Saren can be persuaded, leading to his suicide to prevent further harm.

9. How many endings does Mass Effect 1 have? The game features two endings, which are influenced by the player’s choices throughout the game.

10. Is it worth saving Kirrahe? Yes, saving Captain Kirrahe can provide benefits later in the game, including his support and a small amount of war assets in Mass Effect 3.

11. Can you convince Saren to stop his plans without fighting him? With high enough Persuasion skills, you can convince Saren of the truth, leading to him taking his own life to prevent Sovereign’s control.

12. What happens if Wrex is killed by Ashley? If Wrex is killed, particularly by Ashley, it affects interactions with other characters and can lead to different dialogue choices and story outcomes.

13. Is Kaidan a better character than Ashley? The preference between Kaidan and Ashley depends on the player’s playstyle and story preferences; both characters have unique strengths and weaknesses.

14. Can you romance Liara and then Tali? Yes, you can romance Liara in Mass Effect 1 and then Tali in Mass Effect 2 and 3 without significant repercussions from Liara.

15. Who is the most popular romance option in Mass Effect? According to fan feedback and rankings, Jack is often considered one of the most interesting and popular romance options across the Mass Effect series.