Out of all of the amazing races in Mass Effect, the Turians are the most focused on creating strong soldiers. From the age of 15, many young Turians start their military training. Then, plenty go on to spend most of their lives on the battlefield or as mercenaries.
This dedication to the craft is needed to keep up with some of the other species. After all, Turians don’t have the physical attributes of the Krogan nor the biotic proficiency of the Asari. Their discipline is what keeps them among the Milky Way’s most fearsome warriors and feared military force. But which Turian combatants stand-out the most?
10 Desolas Arterius, The Well-Respected General
When people hear the name Arterius, they immediately think of Saren. The talented, tragic Spectre isn’t the only impressive member of the family though. His brother, Desolas, is a general in the Turian military who commands huge respect from his peers. This is down to his incredible charisma and strong military record.
He makes his presence felt in Mass Effect: Evolution as the main antagonist. In the story, he causes major problems for the future Illusive Man (known then as Jack Harper).
9 Nyreen Kandros, The Honorable Mercenary Leader
Mass Effect 3: Omega is one of the best expansions in the series and the inclusion of Nyreen is among the reasons why. The female Turian serves as a squadmate for portions of the DLC where you get to witness her in action. She’s the first female Turian featured as a somewhat main character in the series.
She’s proficient with both firearms and biotics, the latter of which is rare for a Turian. However, the most spectacular thing about her is how she transformed the Talons. Using her military experience, she was able to make them a formidable and organized force. It’s a big contrast from the average merc group they were before she took over. She’s also got a history with Aria T’Loak, so that’s one more medal on her badass mantle.
8 Tiran Kandros, The Nexus Protector
The Kandros name is incredibly important in Turian history. And Tiran always had more pressure on him than the others because he’s named after a legend. This great expectation could’ve weighed him down. Yet, Tiran had enough ability to rise through the ranks of the Turian military.
Eventually, he ends up as a part of the Andromeda Initiative. Although, his time in the new galaxy doesn’t start well as he’s captured by the Kett. He doesn’t stay down for long, though, as he escapes from their clutches and rescues several other captives. Then he becomes the leader of the Nexus’ security team.
7 Admiral Ravis Kandros, The High-Ranking Turian Official
A lot of Turian society revolves around its military. So, anyone who reaches a high rank simply must be a badass. Enter Admiral Ravis Kandros. She is among the highest-ranking Turian officials and the mother of Tiran.
Fans don’t get to see her in action during her stint in the Discovery comic. But to reach her position, she must’ve had to prove her power on several occasions. The Turians don’t promote people easily, after all - it’s something most don’t know about the species.
6 Septimus Oraka, The Love-Struck Former General
Your first impression of Septimus Oraka probably isn’t a good one. Shepard meets him when he’s spreading false information about the Asari Consort. But this petty action doesn’t necessarily mean that he’s a weakling.
This General spent multiple tours fighting the Krogan and survived to tell the tale. That alone proves he’s a tough combatant, and he shows his mental strength when he stands in the way of the Blue Suns during the third game.
5 Avitus Rix, The New Pathfinder
For 15 years, Avitus Rix served as a Council Spectre. To earn that position in the first place is no easy feat, but to survive a decade and a half of dangerous, sometimes extra-judicial missions is especially impressive. When he retired, life didn’t get much simpler as he joined the Andromeda Initiative.
He’s initially meant to serve as the Pathfinder’s second-in-command. Yet, a difficult journey to the new galaxy leaves him and a group of Turians stranded on one of the game’s habitable planets: Havarl. Then he further proves his strength by keeping his people safe from Roekaar attacks. Afterward, he’s given a chance to become the new Pathfinder.
4 Adrien Victus, The Unorthodox Primarch
Adrien Victis is a military man through and through. He’s spent most of his life fighting for his people and he has an excellent service record. This is how he’s managed to earn the rank of General despite not being a favorite among higher-ups as they’re not a fan of his unusual tactics.
In Mass Effect 3, he spends more time as a Diplomat than a fighter after he becomes Primarch. Yet, he remains a well-respected combatant and Garrus even gives him the ultimate compliment by comparing him to Shepard.
3 Nihlus Kryik, The Betrayed Spectre
Nihlus is killed very early into the original Mass Effect game. His demise, however, is more because of Saren’s treachery than as a failing of Nihlus’s own skill level. In fact, the Turian is regarded as one of the Council’s best operatives.
They trust him so much that they allow him to assess other potential recruits (including Shepard). And at the beginning of the series, there aren’t many stronger warriors in the entire Milky Way. Therefore, it would’ve been interesting to see a true fight between him and Saren.
2 Garrus Vakarian, The Archangel
Throughout the series, the beloved Garrus Vakarian changes in various ways. An area in which he improves a great deal is combat. Yes, he’s always been a talented sharpshooter, but during his time with Shepard, Garrus becomes even more dangerous.
The Eclipse, Blood Pack, and the Blue Suns all witness the Turian’s skills first hand. As Archangel, he and his small squad cause major problems for the three merc groups. Even when his allies die, the powerful gangs still struggle to stop him. Later, the Collectors and Reaper forces have some of the same problems.
1 Saren Arterius, The Rogue Spectre
In many fans’ minds, Saren is the greatest villain in the series. It’s his complicated and understandable motivation that makes him so compelling. However, he wouldn’t be nearly as strong of an antagonist if he wasn’t also a physical threat.
For 24 years, he served as arguably the Citadel’s most lethal Spectre. In that time, he likely completed a litany of seemingly impossible assignments. Yet, he remained unscathed until he fell in with the Reapers. If Shepard didn’t exist, nobody would’ve been able to stop him from bringing back the ancient machines.
NEXT: Mass Effect: The 10 Strongest Asari In The Series
