The Krogan Companions Who Stole the Show in Mass Effect

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Summary

  • Ashley is a controversial character, but her development earns her a spot on the list.
  • Most characters in the middle of the ranking are the most well-liked, but may have a lackluster story.
  • The Genophage is the most interesting story in the game, so companions Wrex and Mordin rate highly.

Seventeen years after its debut, Mass Effect remains one of the most beloved trilogies in all gaming. This is thanks to the role of your party, a trope in every Bioware RPG that was used most effectively for the series, since players get to watch companions naturally grow and evolve with each new entry.

This list will rank the best companion stories. This doesn’t necessarily mean the best or most likable companions – though there is some overlap – but is an examination of how their plots play out throughout the trilogy. Criteria will include likability, main plot relevance, quality loyalty missions, thematic resonance and player reactivity.

10. Samara

The Asari Justicar

Among the limited number of characters that Shepard doesn’t choose, Samara is unique due to her unwavering integrity – sometimes excessively so. As a Justicar, she adheres rigidly to a set of principles; her character profile resembles a lawful-neutral paladin from Dungeons and Dragons, but with a Mass Effect twist. Her complexity is enhanced by the strained bond she shares with her daughters, who suffer from a rare genetic condition called Ardat-Yakshi.

In the game Mass Effect 2, Samara’s job and family provide valuable glimpses into Asari society and offer some of the most complex character interactions during her loyalty mission. There’s a risk that this mission may fail if Shepard makes inappropriate choices in conversation with her. However, due to limited screen time in Mass Effect 3, she doesn’t rank as highly as other characters.

9. Ashley

The Xenophobe

Written as a paranoid xenophobe, it’s easy to understand why Ashley remains one of Mass Effect’s most divisive characters. Even her staunchest defenders admit she’s controversial. However, Bioware’s decision to create a companion with such harsh edges is commendable. Plus, if gamers keep her around, she undergoes the most development come Mass Effect 3.

Ashley can overcome her xenophobia and even become a Spectre to represent humanity. Like her or not, Ashley’s dramatic character arc is undeniable, and her story represents one of the core themes of Mass Effect: overcoming one’s differences to work together.

8. EDI

The Rogue AI

Originally a rogue AI granted too much control over Cerberus’ ship, EDI’s story seems predictable, given Mass Effect’s lore about synthetics rebelling against their masters. However, a late-game companion and unexpected romance promise a bold new direction for her story, resulting in her becoming a full-fledged companion come Mass Effect 3.

EDI’s story becomes strangely wholesome, as she starts to self-actualize in a relationship not dictated by Shepard. Moreover, she’s a much-needed representative of the synthetics storyline, giving their plight for freedom an emotional core.

7. Legion

The Robot

Legion shows up in the final few hours of Mass Effect 2, and challenges the players’ views on the Geth. His story has the most reactivity as players can choose not to even meet with him. And, during his mission on Rannoch, both the fate of the Geth and Quarians are determined by decisions made throughout the trilogy.

Additionally, Legion’s loyalty mission raises some profound philosophical questions, such as the nature of free will and moving beyond the typical good/evil dichotomy that usually concludes many quests in the series.

6. Liara

The Ex-Archaeologist

Arguably the mascot for the Mass Effect franchise, Liara is very likely to be the player’s first romance and most likely companion to return in Mass Effect 4 Starting as a bookish, naive Asari obsessed with Prothean artifacts, Liara is almost unrecognizable by the end of the trilogy.

Featured in Mass Effect 2’s most iconic DLC: Lair of the Shadow Broker, her character undergoes a big change in personality and profession. By the time Liara achieves her dream of meeting a real, live Prothean, she’s too jaded to be amazed by it. Liara serves an integral role in every game and though her status as the best character is arguable, her status as the most important is not.

5. Garrus

The Renegade Turian

Garrus is the fan-favorite and for good reason. Written as Shepard’s best friend, Garrus’ character takes on a confessional role by the end of the series, allowing players to reflect on their actions with the one ally they trust. He’s also the most reactive in terms of role-playing, offering two different flavors of rivalry to Paragon and Renegade Shepard.

The only reason he isn’t rated higher is because, plot-wise, Garrus has little effect on Mass Effect’s story and his loyalty mission is underwhelming.

4. Thane

The Tragic Assassin

In the game Mass Effect 2, the character Thane is diagnosed with a terminal illness. Any astute player can see that his time is limited. Yet, many players who control FemShep still choose to romance him. This suggests that Thane was intentionally designed to be appealing to female gamers by the developers at Bioware, resulting in a wider variety of romantic options compared to the first Mass Effect game.

Thane’s tale carries a deep emotional impact because of his affliction, and his bonding journey with his son intensifies the sense of tragedy. Regardless of how the narrative unfolds, it’s heart-wrenching, and the limited options given to players in determining its outcome heightens the emotional resonance.

3. Tali’Zorah

The Quarian Princess

Tali’Zorah has the distinction of being one of two companions to be in Shepard’s party through the whole Mass Effect trilogy. On top of this, her story is one of the most plot-relevant, reactive tales in the entire game. On multiple occasions, Tali can hate you, love you, or just not be around, depending on your choices.

Her loyalty mission is one of the best in the series. It’s a court drama set on the Quarians migrant flotilla and has everything a player could want in a loyalty mission. Intrigue, humor, world-building and multiple endings – this quest has it all.

2. Wrex

The Krogan Merc

Initially, Wrex comes off as an elderly Krogan who’s lost faith in his race due to the Genophage. The Genophage is a tool that induces infertility among his people, and it remains a recurring ethical dilemma throughout the series.

Wrex’s character arc revolves solely around the problem of the Genophage, one of Mass Effect’s most thought-provoking and complicated storylines. He’s tough as nails and always entertaining to watch and the only reason he isn’t ranked number #1 is because he’s not a companion in the second game, squandering an opportunity to have a loyalty mission revolving around the Genophage.

1. Mordin

The Repentant Scientist

Mordin is #1 because he has a loyalty quest that revolves around the Genophage. He’s also the most amusing and likable character in the franchise; singing stupid songs and offering (often TMI) insight on your romance choices. All this, despite doing something horrible to the Krogan. It’s this likability and depth which earns him this spot.

The third game is about his redemption (assuming you kept him around or want him to be redeemed). And, despite Mass Effect 3’s reputation for disastrous endings, the end of Mordin’s story (and that of its many permutations) is one of the most satisfying, emotionally moving threads in the entire series, wrapping up many long-standing plot-lines and character arcs at once.

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2025-03-16 10:09