MASS EFFECT: Tip Sheet #4 -- Romance

Like all BioWare RPGs, Mass Effect has a romance subplot that you can explore. Unlike other BioWare RPGs, though, in this game you can only romance a single character at a time. Once you've advanced past a certain point in the romance plot, any other characters are locked out. The romance subplot is not as deep as it is in other BW games, but it has a double pay-off: a romantic interlude is played out in-game and you can earn an achievement for it.

There are three romanceable characters in Mass Effect: Kaiden, Ashley and Liara. You are given a hint at this in-game -- as you approach any of these characters aboard the SSV Normandy, there is a short cut-scene where the characters exchange longing glances.

Let's look at each and what's required to romance them.

• Kaiden
  
  Kaiden is an appropriate love interest if you have a female Shepard. You can enter into the romance subplot by approching him on the second deck of the Normandy and making personal inquiries. Respond to him as a potential lover, not a captain, which generally means selecting all of the answers at the 1:30 and 10:30 positions on the dialog wheel.
  
  You will need to talk to him immediately after gaining access to the Normandy and after every major mission. (Major missions are those that are flagged on the galaxy map, such as Noveria.) Be sure to go to him after every mission and make a few checks in-between.
  
  Finally, make sure Kaiden doesn't get killed. Without spoiling anything, realize that there are two places toward the end of the game where you either may or will be sacrificing Kaiden or Ashley. Make sure that it's Ashley that is put in danger, not Kaiden!
  
  Also, if you get Liara early in the game, do not follow any lines of dialog along the lines of "I want to know more about you" as this line of dialog could preclude romance with Kaiden.
  
  
• Ashley
  
  Ashley can be romanced by a male Shepard. Like Kaiden, you need to talk to her about personal matters on the Normandy after every major engagement (including the completion of the Citadel main quest where you gain access to the Normandy.) All of the comments above that apply to Kaiden apply here: don't let her get killed and don't follow the romance track with Liara. Ashley can be found on the third deck of the Normandy, cleaning weapons.
  
  
• Liara
  
  Liara can be romanced by a male or female Shepard.
  
  In order to get the romance quest to work, you will need to rescue Liara as soon as you leave the Citadel. If you take on any other major plot quest (such as Noveria) before rescuing her, you can kiss this romance goodbye.
  
  Once she's been rescued, you will need to talk to her about personal issues after every major mission. Always use the 1:30 and 10:30 responses on the dialog wheel. She can be found on the second deck of the Normandy in the closet (?!?) at the back of the Medical Lab (where Dr. Chandra works.)
  
  As with Kaiden and Ashley, you will need to ignore your character's other romantic interest (Kaiden for females, Ashley for males) until the sparks are flying with Liara.
  
  Unlike Kaiden and Ashley, you will not have to worry about keeping Liara alive. If you've gotten to her early and made all of the amorous advances on time, this one is a slam-dunk.
  
  One other thing to note: If you've already established a relationship with Kaiden or Ashley and that character gets killed, you cannot use Liara as a fallback to finish the romance quest. Trust me, I've tried. :(