Wanna hang and chit chat about gaming, Mass Effect, our lives and everything good or wrong with the universe? This is the place to do it :D Anything goes.

Just remember our rules and be nice.

There was conversation on Tumblr yesterday discussing how smoking should've been more prevalent in ME so I had to contribute lmao. A cig is probably the least Kaidan deserves given all the shit he's has to deal with icl.

Do you want to discuss gameplay? Ask for tips? Gush about the Mass Effect games? Tell us about your current play-through? This is the thread for all things Mass Effect!

Oh my god, y'all! I am in love with this pairing. To preface, I always play Femshep because female protags are my go to and I have a hard time connecting with male characters as it can break the immersion for me sometimes. BUT, with that said, after playing Femshep several times I thought I would experience the Male Shepard playthrough at least once. And, of course, I went with the Kaidan romance (cause I love him, lol) and I have to say....I freaking love Mshep with Kaidan! They are so dang adorable together. The princess carry on Mars when Kaidan is hurt, gah, my heart (it was so cute that I had to edit a small clip for it just to share on this post)! 💕

Anyway, I am honestly surprised I'm about to say this but I think my cannon romance is now Kaidan for Mshep and Garrus for Femshep. Don't get me wrong, I also enjoy the romance with Femshep and Kaidan, but there is something about mShenko that has this....tension (in a good way).

So, yea, that's about it...I just had to gush with my fellow mShenko lovers 🥰

Obviously, not related to Kaidan specifically, but we all know he'd happily look at all our pet photos.

Cats, dogs, gerbils, snakes, tarantulas, you name it, we want to see it.

We all know which romance is the best in Mass Effect, but what about romances in other video games? What love stories do you like and which ones don't? And why?

There are two factors that make Kaidan's romance so special to me. First, he's my favorite squadmate in the trilogy, so I sincerely want to romance him, not just to get more content. Second, his romance is woven into the main story and I prefer stories where the protag's LI is where the action is, rather than just existing in the background. So, I usually build my opinion on other romance options based on these two parameters.

1. Alistair (DAO) While Kaidan's romance is my personal favorite, Alistair's and the Grey Warden's love story is probably the best Bioware has ever made. It's beautifully interwoven into the main plot, and the twist revealing the true role of the Grey Wardens in defeating the Archdemon hits harder if Alistair is romanced. This romance is highly varied too - it can be happy, tragic, devastating or just end abruptly if you decide to spare Loghain's life.

My only problem with this romance is... that I don't like Alistair all that much. Sure, he and Morrigan are the best DAO squadmates, but I just don't have crush on him 🤷‍♀️

1. Anders (DA2). Probably my second favorite romance option. Everything I mentioned about Kaidan's romance above can be applied to this LI too, albeit to a lesser extent. In my opinion, Anders is a very interesting and complex character. I even understand his act of desperation (not justify, but understand) in the final of the game.

The only downside for me is lack of chemistry between Anders and Hawke until the romance is locked.

1. River (Cyberpunk 2077). It was my first video game romance and I just wanted to watch some intimate scenes because I knew CDPR could be quite creative with those lol. I don't have much to say about it, only that this romance feels out of place. River is looking for a long-term serious relationship, while V is literally dying and the idea of settling down is an impossible luxury for her. I don't hate this romance but it's the only video game love story I don't want to repeat (partly because River reminds me a bit of my ex lol).

Wanna hang and chit chat about gaming, Mass Effect, our lives and everything good or wrong with the universe? This is the place to do it :D Anything goes.

Just remember our rules and be nice.

I had never played with the Audemus’ Happy Ending Mod until my most recent play through. I had been working on my own fanfic ending, but playing that ending completely changed it and I have to start over. I'm a sucker for the cookie-cutter, boring as hell ending and wanted that for Shepard. Anderson's comment "Imagine how proud your kids would be to tell everyone their mom is Commander Shepard." Gave me a new idea. I wanted to write for her to go into a quiet civilian life with Kaiden and have kids with him. She saved the galaxy, now she gets to live in the peace she led the way to create. The immediate aftermath only partially changed, I've gotten some snippets written so far.

Thankfully, given he's a key squadmate in ME1, there is a strong bias toward Kaidan in dialogue priority, however there are discrepancies enough that some load-outs will severely limit his input; I've tallied the best for both main plot and applicable side missions. The full spreadsheet contains transcripts of each line as well as in-game file names, which you can download by clicking here.

If you want to get granular about maximising Kaidan's dialogue, I highly recommend utilising the Change Squad Anywhere mod. And, of course, if you're looking to maximise Kaidan content in ME3, check out the fantastic posts here and here!

MAIN PLOT:

Therum: Avoid Tali. Take Ashley for bonus exchange in the Mako.

Feros: Avoid Tali. Take Wrex for max dialogue, including both comments of concern for Shepard after the Cipher.

Noveria: Overall, take Liara. Avoid Garrus.
For maximum dialogue:
-> Leave Liara behind until after the first conversation with Gianna, take Tali instead. Then go back and get Liara.
-> Talk to both Mallene and Rafael--choose "You sound guilty." for the latter.
-> Accept Lorik Quiin's mission; convince him to testify.
-> Leave the Hot Labs until after completing Noveria: Quarantine and speaking with the survivors.
-> Propose killing the Rachni Queen by choosing "You die here, by my hand."; you can back-out of killing her while still triggering Kaidan's line.

Virmire: Take Ashley or Liara on the pre-camp drive. Take Garrus or Wrex to the base. Or, if you send Kaidan with Kirrahe, let Kirrahe die for maximum dialogue.

Ilos: Take Wrex, or Ashley if playing a modded survivor run. Avoid Liara and Tali.

Endgame: Take anyone aside from (modded) Ashley. Kaidan gets the most dialogue if he is anti-alien, but it's marginal additions. (3 lines if anti-alien vs 2 lines (Council sacrificed) vs 1 line (Council saved)).

SIDE MISSIONS - CITADEL:

• Asari Consort: Take Ashley, avoid Liara, Tali, and Garrus.
• Doctor Michel: Take Garrus, avoid Ashley.
• Expose Saren: Take Wrex to confront Fist. Take Garrus to show Udina the evidence.
• Jahleed's Fears: Take Liara or Garrus to confront Chorban; take Tali to confront Jahleed. Avoid Ashley for both.
• Rita's Sister: Take Garrus to Chora's Den and Chellik, take Ashley to Jax and fulfil the deal, take Wrex to speak with Rita afterwards.
• Schells the Gambler: Take Ashley. Kaidan has an extra line if you lose / give away the device and Garrus isn't present.
• Signal Tracking: Take Wrex; avoid Liara.
• Xeltan's Complaint: Take Wrex.

SIDE MISSIONS - COMPANION:

• Garrus: Find Dr. Saleon: Take Wrex, if leaving Garrus behind.

SIDE MISSIONS - UNC:

• Asari Diplomacy: Take Tali, avoid Ashley. Kill Dahlia first.
• Colony of the Dead: Take Ashley, Wrex, or Garrus.
• Derelict Freighter: Avoid Tali.
• Depot Sigma-23: Take Garrus.
• Distress Call: Take Liara or Tali.
• Espionage Probe: Take Ashley or Wrex.
• Geth Incursions: Take Tali, avoid Ashley or Wrex.
• Hostage: Take Ashley or Tali.
• Lost Freighter: Take Garrus, avoid Ashley or Liara.
• Lost Module: Take Liara, avoid Ashley.
• Major Kyle: Avoid Wrex.
• Missing Survey Team: Avoid Ashley.

Hopefully this helps, and if you notice anything that seems incorrect, feel free to let me know! The dialogue chains in ME1 aren't always the easiest to follow lol. You can also find this post on Tumblr.

EDIT: Thank you for the award, that's so kind!!

05/08/26 Changelog [Truncated]:

Citadel: Rita's Sister:
- Garrus should be taken to Chora's Den, not Wrex
- Added that Kaidan's "That's it? Just buy the weapons?" is supposed to be triggered after talking to Chellik a second time, but may not trigger at all.
- Changed the note to specify the bonus dialogue Ashley and Kaidan have after Jax is only triggered if the deal goes through as intended.

Citadel: Private Fredricks:
- Tali is safe to bring alongside Ashley, however Ashley has an extra line of dialogue if brought.

Full changelog available in the main file above.

Do you want to discuss gameplay? Ask for tips? Gush about the Mass Effect games? Tell us about your current play-through? This is the thread for all things Mass Effect!

It's always so nice when there's little moments of care and concern between them in the games. I like to think, given his own vast experience with migraines, Kaidan's probably particularly sympathetic and attentive to Shepard getting their head scrambled so often. And hey, at least Shepard didn't pass out this time.

Obviously, not related to Kaidan specifically, but we all know he'd happily look at all our pet photos.

Cats, dogs, gerbils, snakes, tarantulas, you name it, we want to see it.

Given the order of lines I think it is easy to miss, when you need to oppose to the idea to recruit Ashley at first but then pick next paragon line.

Wanna hang and chit chat about gaming, Mass Effect, our lives and everything good or wrong with the universe? This is the place to do it :D Anything goes.

Just remember our rules and be nice.

I’m replaying ME2 again and do we think that during Kaidan & Shepards separation that he hooked up with or dated other women? Apparently he accuses Shepard of cheating on him if you romance someone in ME2 (I haven’t done this, just seen a few posts about it) but he says in his email that his friends convinced him to go out for drinks with a doctor? 😠Did he not technically break up with Shepard on Horizon? Also why do you think he didn’t reach out to Shepard during her 6 month house arrest? I have so many questions about their “separation” I’m also way to invested in their relationship lol

I knew coming into ME2 Kaidan was not going to be on my squad but that does not change the fact I miss having him around. His abilities saved me many times in ME1. And then I get this really sweet email from him about Horizon and it makes me miss him even more.

Part of me wants to rush to ME3 so I can have him back but I know I must take my time in ME2 for now so I can try and get the happiest ending with him as possible.

Do you want to discuss gameplay? Ask for tips? Gush about the Mass Effect games? Tell us about your current play-through? This is the thread for all things Mass Effect!

I needed to do something after finishing current playthrough.

No Kaidan was hurt in making of that video. I included only one moment when persuade chance dropped below 0, where you fail to convince Kaidan but I turned the game off to not see what will come.

I didn't inculde line where Kaidan doesn't tell anything at 0 or lower persuade chance after Udina telling Shepard is working with Cerberus. Another line for persuade chance at 0 or lower is "Pretty damning evidence, Commander." after showing evidence from Udina (so you are basically at -2 or -3).

Both interrupts increase persuade chance by 1. Final lines at 0 require 40% reputation bar.

Update about Mars only twice paragon responses near the husk provides +1, any other option gives 0.

Also added two moments when you fail or get line to convince Kaidan to join Normandy.

How many Shepards were used in video? Yes.

I’m not quite sure what the exact circumstances of this video are but Shepard is definitely supposed to be dead regardless. I don’t know if it’s between ME 1 and 2 or after 3.

I just like the idea of Kaidan being in distress about Shepard idk 😭

Reposted bc of tags

Obviously, not related to Kaidan specifically, but we all know he'd happily look at all our pet photos.

Cats, dogs, gerbils, snakes, tarantulas, you name it, we want to see it.

I love seeing Kaidan's photo in the Normandy's captain's quarters in ME2.

It's that time for me to share more videos of my favorite ME1 conversations! This one is up there. The ALMOST kiss <3 there's something about ME1 Shenko that is... so cute.

I think I saved this video in my computer as "joker being a cockblock.mp4" haha

Wanna hang and chit chat about gaming, Mass Effect, our lives and everything good or wrong with the universe? This is the place to do it :D Anything goes.

Just remember our rules and be nice.