An area where Mass Effect truly excels is in its characters. The collection of heroes that join Shepard on their adventures are as compelling as they’re entertaining. Plus, many of the individuals who get in the protagonist’s way throughout the games are also interesting. And who can forget the Commander themselves? The Hero is among the most memorable characters in recent gaming history.
One of the main reasons why Shepard and co are all so great is due to the series’ strong writing. Each main character has a flurry of excellent quotes. Yet, how do each of their first and final pieces of dialog stack up? Please note that the quotes regarding Shepard are based on the male version of the character, but the lines aren’t too different for Femshep.
11 Urdnot Wrex, From Defiant Merc To Krogan Hero
First: “I Don’t Take Orders From You.” Or “What Are you Waiting For? I’m Standing Right Here”
Last: “We’re Ready, Shepard. Say The Word.”
Wrex’s first words depend on when Shepard meets him. He’ll either be intimidating a C-sec officer or one of Fist’s bodyguards. Either way, the Krogan’s first words are pretty fitting as he’s a big fan of confrontation.
On the other hand, Wrex’s final line is pretty nondescript for arguably the best companion in the series. He delivers the piece of dialogue right before the climactic fight on Earth after he’s rallied his troops.
10 Kaidan Alenko, From L2 Crewmate To Celebrated Spectre
First: “Nihlus Gave You A Compliment… So You Hate Him?”
Last: “Look, I Know… But We Have To.”
Very early into the first game, Nihlus gives Joker slight praise for his flying abilities. The pilot doesn’t think the kind words are satisfactory, though, and says that he hates the Turian. Kaidan delivers his first words of the series by questioning Joker’s antagonistic response.
The L2 Biotic’s last words are similar to many squadmates. He’s one of several characters who can potentially appear in the trilogy’s final moments to tell Joker that they can’t wait for Shepard any longer and they need to escape the Crucible’s blast.
9 David Anderson, From Commanding Officer To Father Figure
First: “Doesn’t Have One. He Was Raised On The Streets. Learned To Look Out For Himself” (If Shepard is Earthborn)
Last: “You Did Good, Son. You Did Good. I’m Proud Of You.”
David Anderson’s first words are very varied as they’re based on the backstory you choose for Shepard. The Captain basically summarizes the protagonist’s upbringing, whether they’re a Colonist, Spacer, or Earthborn.
Anderson’s last words are a lot more heartfelt than his first. Sitting beside his long-time friend, with the Crucible seemingly activated, he tells Shepard how proud he is of him or her. After his last line, the man passes away.
8 Ashley Williams, From Lone Survivor To Respected Council Operative
First: “Thanks For Your Help, Commander. I Didn’t Think I Was Going To Make It.”
Last: “Joker… It’s Time To Go”
Ashley starts the series by thanking Shepard for saving her from the Geth on Eden Prime. Although, sometimes, Williams never utters the line, and you have to interact with her to get her talking.
Like her fellow human squadmate, Kaidan, Ashley’s last possible words are directed at Joker. She’s another companion who can appear and convince the pilot to leave Shepard behind at the end of the game.
7 EDI, From Helpful AI To Cherished Crewmate
First: “Acquiring Professor Solus Seems Like The Most Logical Place To Start.”
Last: “And We Will Remember Shepard. Because of Him… I Am Alive, And I Am Not Alone.”
During Shepard’s first time on the Normandy SR-2, his discussion with Miranda and Jacob is interrupted by EDI. The AI tells the Commander that the first logical step on their journey is to recruit Mordin Solus.
By Mass Effect 3, EDI is a beloved companion and a more welcomed part of the team. Her transformation from mere AI to a friend is partially a result of Shepard’s actions. And in her emotional final words during the synthesis ending, she shows her appreciation for the Commander.
6 The Illusive Man, From Self-Professed Humanity Savior To Indoctrinated Fool
First: “Commander Shepard Uncovered The Truth.”
Last: “I Tried, Shepard” Or “There… Earth… I Wish You Could See It Like I Do… Shepard. It’s So… Perfect…”
At the beginning of the second game, The Illusive Man has a conversation with Miranda before you know either of them. In the scene, the blue-eyed man usually makes a statement about Shepard uncovering the truth about the Reapers; however, there are other possible lines.
By the end of the series, The Illusive Man is less complimentary about Shepard. In fact, the two face off towards the end of the third game, and The Illusive Man’s final words depend on the choices you make.
5 Tali’Zorah Nar Rayya, From Coming Of Age Quarian To Savior Of Her People
First: “Where’s The Shadow Broker? Where’s Fist?”
Last: “Joker… We Have To Go.”
When you first see Tali, she is conversing with Fist’s thugs. However, the Quarian is supposed to be meeting with the Shadow Broker, so she asks where he is, which happens to be her first words in the series.
At the end of Mass Effect 3, Tali is one of the few possible characters who can tell Joker to leave Shepard to avoid being wiped out by the Crucible. As she’s been a part of his crew for a long time, it can’t be easy for her to give up on the Commander.
4 Jeff “Joker” Moreau, From Quick-Witted Pilot To A Slightly More Serious Quick-Witted Pilot
First: “The Arcturus Prime Relay Is In Range. Initiating Transmission Sequence.”
Last: “Damn it!”
Joker says some hilarious things during the series, yet his first and last lines are pretty serious. The first comes very early into the original game when he spouts some technical jargon as the Normandy travels to Eden Prime.
Towards the end of the series, Joker waits for Shepard after he uses the Crucible. Then once a squadmate tells him they have to go, he responds with a simple but impactful “Damn it!”
3 Garrus Vakarian, From Frustrated C-Sec Officer To Heroic Turian
First: “Saren’s Hiding Something! Give Me More Time. Stall Them.”
Last: “Joker, Listen. We Have To Go.”
Despite not even meeting Shepard yet, Garrus’ first line shows that they are on the same page from the start. Both the Commander and the Turian are two of the only individuals suspicious of Saren straight away.
Like many of his fellow squadmates, Garrus’s last potential piece of dialog is a line encouraging Joker to get out of the Crucible’s blast radius. Unfortunately, neither his first or last quotes are among his best in the series.
2 Liara T’Soni, From Naive Asari To The All-Knowing Shadow Broker
First: “Uh… Hello? Could Somebody Help Me? Please?”
Last: “My Name Is Dr. Liara T’Soni. Herein Lies The Recounting Of Our War With The Reapers.”
Liara is the last squadmate you recruit during the first game. Shepard finds her on Therum, trapped in a forcefield, and asking for help.
The Asari final words in the trilogy are uttered in the refusal ending. As part of a recording, Liara talks to future civilizations about being wiped out by the Reapers. In her last line, she introduces herself and reveals that her device has a complete record of the Reaper conflict.
1 Commander Shepard, From Normandy XO To The Galaxy’s Biggest Hero
First: “They Don’t Send Spectres On Shakedown Runs.”
Last: “I Will Watch Over The Ones Who Live On. Those Who Carry The Memory Of The Man I Once Was. The Man Who Gave Up His Life To Become The One Who Could Save The Many.”
Mass Effect is all about dialog options, so it’s no surprise that the first thing Shepard says in the game is up to you. Picking the Paragon choice prompts the Commander to point out that Spectres don’t usually go on a mission like the one they’re about to undertake. The line comes after Joker questions why Nihlus is on the Normandy.
The protagonist’s last quote is delivered in the final moments of the control ending to Mass Effect 3. Shepard – or whatever entity they’re at that point – remarks that they’ll watch over the people still alive. At least, that’s what the Paragon version says; in the Renegade scenario, the Commander has different ideas on what to do while in control of the Reapers.
NEXT: Mass Effect 3: Things You Didn’t Notice About The Endings
