Best Female Heroes In BioWare Games

BioWare is a legendary name in role-playing games, famous for creating unforgettable female characters. Their games are considered essential experiences for many players, with the Mass Effect and Dragon Age series being their most celebrated achievements. The original Mass Effect trilogy, in particular, let players embark on an epic journey across the galaxy as Commander Shepard, leading a team to protect the universe from a terrifying threat called the Reapers.

The fantasy world of Dragon Age lets players explore Thedas, a land filled with intense religious beliefs, dangerous magic, and exciting quests. Developer BioWare is known for creating powerful, well-developed female characters, and some have become beloved figures for fans worldwide.

Only characters from games developed by BioWare will be considered here.

15. Mission Vao (Star Wars: Knights Of The Old Republic)

A Skilled And Loyal Friend

Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic is a highly influential role-playing game set in the Star Wars universe, thousands of years before the Galactic Empire existed. Players create their own characters and decide their own destinies, choosing to follow the path of the light side or the dark side.

As you play the game, you’ll encounter various characters who can join you as companions. One of these is Mission Vao, a young Twi’Lek you’ll find in the Undercity on Taris. She’s particularly skilled in Dexterity, Stealth, and Demolitions. Mission quickly became famous, rising from a life on the streets to being hailed as a galactic hero by the Republic. She spent her early years surviving with her brother, who taught her many things before leaving her. Despite this difficult start, she formed a strong friendship with the Wookiee Zaalbar.

14. Ashley Williams (Mass Effect 1, 2, & 3)

An Accomplished Soldier Loyal To The Cause

Ashley Williams is a character in the Mass Effect series who joins Commander Shepard as a valuable teammate. Players first encounter Ashley on Eden Prime during a Geth invasion, finding her after her squad is wiped out. She chooses to continue fighting alongside Shepard against Sarin and the Geth, proving herself a skilled soldier and a loyal friend to Shepard and the crew of the Normandy.

This character appears throughout the Mass Effect trilogy. She’s a helpful companion in the first and third games, with a brief appearance in the second. Players face a difficult choice in the first game, as they can choose to let her die. She often provides sensible advice to the main character, Shepard, and is also a possible romantic interest.

13. Aveline Vallen (Dragon Age 2)

A Powerful Leader And Warrior Who Loves As Hard As She Fights

Aveline is a strong fighter who becomes a valuable friend to the player character, known as Hawk. Players first encounter Aveline and her husband as they’re escaping Darkspawn in Lothering. Hawk manages to save Aveline, but sadly, her husband doesn’t survive. Afterward, Aveline joins the city guard and works her way up to become a captain.

Aveline is a character guided by a strong sense of right and wrong. She’s a formidable and self-assured fighter, though she can be a bit shy or clumsy when it comes to social interactions. Players generally enjoy her, and her side quests are often very funny. When fighting, she acts as a ‘tank’ – she can take a lot of damage while also dishing it out.

12. Miranda Lawson (Mass Effect 2 & 3)

More Than Just Perfection

Despite being heavily featured in the marketing for Mass Effect 2, Miranda Lawson often feels less prominent than other female crewmates like Liara and Tali. Designed by Cerberus to be the perfect operative, Miranda first appears distant, strict, and focused on following procedures, as if her role is to keep Shepard on track. However, this cool exterior doesn’t last, and she quickly becomes more approachable as she develops connections with Shepard and the rest of the team.

Although Miranda’s story isn’t as emotionally impactful as Jack’s, she still undergoes a compelling transformation centered around finding independence, control over her own life, and a sense of self. Her dedication to Cereberus and her father is initially driven by a need to safeguard her sister, and she maintains her core values even when she frees herself from their influence.

11. Leliana (Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, & Dragon Age: Inquisition)

The Eyes And Ears Of The Inquisition Working From the Shadows

Leliana is a prominent character who returns throughout the Dragon Age series. She’s first introduced in Dragon Age: Origins and players can add her to their team. Originally from Orlais, Leliana is a talented bard – she’s both a gifted performer and a dangerous fighter, skilled in both dual-wielding blades and archery.

Leliana appears throughout the Dragon Age series, with a short role at the end of Dragon Age II. You can directly play as her in Dragon Age: Origins. Later, in Dragon Age: Inquisition, she serves as your spymaster, showcasing her skills in politics and secret operations. Leliana is a key character and has become a powerful figure within the world of Dragon Age.

10. Dawn Star (Jade Empire)

A Powerful Warrior And Devoted Follower

Released in 2005, Jade Empire is an action role-playing game developed by BioWare, drawing inspiration from ancient Chinese mythology and history. Players take on the role of The Spirit Monk, a character who can be male or female. The game offers six different character classes, letting players customize their experience.

In the game Jade Empire, you’ll meet various characters, and some can join you as companions. Dawn Star is one such character – a talented fighter who can also restore your Chi, and she’s a potential romantic partner for male players.

9. Dr. Liara T’Soni (Mass Effect 1, 2, & 3)

An Ambitious, Intelligent, And Passionate Companion

Liara is an Asari, a species from across the galaxy that is entirely female and naturally gifted with powerful biotic abilities – the power to control dark energy. She’s a prominent scientist in the world of Mass Effect, specializing in the study of the Protheans, an ancient and mysterious race.

Liara is a potential love interest for Commander Shepard, regardless of the player’s gender, and joins Shepard’s team in the first and third games. In Mass Effect 2, she evolves into a powerful information dealer, assisting Shepard in the fight against the Collectors. The Lair of the Shadow Broker DLC allows players to support Liara as she rises to become the enigmatic Shadow Broker.

8. Cassandra (Dragon Age 2 & Dragon Age: Inquisition)

Fiercely Loyal And Dedicated To Her Faith and Friends

Cassandra first appeared in Dragon Age 2 as someone investigating the main character. As the Right Hand of the Divine – the leader of the most powerful religion in the world of Thedas – she holds a position of great authority. In the third game, she allies with the Inquisition and plays a key role in the unfolding story.

Cassandra is a strong and devoted warrior, committed to her goals and fiercely loyal to those she cares about. Her deep religious beliefs heavily influence her sense of right and wrong. In the game Dragon Age: Inquisition, players can also pursue a romantic relationship with her.

7. Viconia Devir (Baldur’s Gate 1 & Baldur’s Gate 2: Shadows of Amn)

A Dangerous Friend And Deadly Foe

I’ll never forget playing the original Baldur’s Gate games! Before Larian Studios blew everyone away with their recent RPG, BioWare really set the standard. Baldur’s Gate 2, which came out way back in 2000, took place in the amazing Dungeons & Dragons world of The Forgotten Realms, and it was incredible.

I just love Viconia! You can find her to join your party pretty early on – in Chapter One of the first Baldur’s Gate and again in Chapter Two of Baldur’s Gate 2. She’s a dark elf cleric, and honestly, she’s the perfect flawed companion – totally neutral evil, but powerful! She’s got amazing resistance to magic and is super quick. Plus, she’s a really strong fighter who can wield lots of different weapons. If you’re playing a male character, you can even romance her! And if you’re playing Baldur’s Gate 3, she makes an appearance in the Cloister of Sombre Embrace, which is awesome.

The image of Viconia shown here is from the game Baldur’s Gate 3. We chose this image because it offers better quality.

6. Flemeth (Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, & Dragon Age: Inquisition)

A Powerful And Secretive Witch Who Has Lived Many Lifetimes

Flemeth is a significant character featured in all three Dragon Age games. The game’s story presents her as an incredibly old figure who’s become a legend, known by various names like the Witch of the Wilds and Asha’bellanar among the elves.

Though not a traditional hero, she often helps the player, most memorably in Dragon Age 2 by saving them at the beginning. In Dragon Age: Origins, she acts as a minor enemy to her daughter, Morrigan. Beyond that, she’s one of the most powerful figures in the entire series, capable of transforming into massive creatures, even dragons.

2025-12-31 01:07