Importing Saves

The crew aboard the Normandy is as varied as the possibilities for Commander Shepard. At any given point, the crew aboard the Normandy can range from Biotic power-friendly adepts like Liara to soldiers full of raw power like James.

Commander Shepard is no different. With six classes and a wide range of character traits available to Shepard, players can shape the daring leader into whatever they want, be it a Vanguard heroine or a hero Engineer.

Players who have a long standing history with the Mass Effect franchise can import a game save from Mass Effect 1 or Mass Effect 2 .

Doing so will import the various moral decisions you’ve made across previous Mass Effect games. Additionally, you will also import whatever characteristics you previously had for Commander Shepard.

For that reason alone, you may be able to begin the game with a Shepard build you’ve already become accustomed to.

If so, then feel free to skim the section below and use it as much (or as little) as you need. Seasoned veterans may still want to use it for playthroughs with new builds or when playing through the game a second or third time.

Even if you feel comfortable with your particular build of Commander Shepard, go to the specific character sections, beginning with Ashley Williams, later in this guide.

There you will learn everything you need to know about a crewmate’s powers and how to romance them, and even learn two build suggestions for each character.

The crew aboard the Normandy is as varied as the possibilities for Commander Shepard. At any given point, the crew aboard the Normandy can range from Biotic power-friendly adepts like Liara to soldiers full of raw power like James.

Commander Shepard is no different. With six classes and a wide range of character traits available to Shepard, players can shape the daring leader into whatever they want, be it a Vanguard heroine or a hero Engineer.

MASS EFFECT 1

The list below describes the starting parameters if you’ve never played Mass Effect 1 or if you’re importing a game save without Mass Effect 1 data.

• Garrus was recruited.
• Wrex was recruited.
• The colony on Feros was not saved.
• Shiala, the asari taken by the Thorian on Feros, was killed.
• The rachni queen on Noveria was killed.
• Wrex died on Virmire, killed by Shepard.
• Shepard did not have any romance.
• The Council died, and the Destiny Ascension was destroyed.
• Udina was named Councilor.
• For all side content (DLC), the assumption is that you did not see the content or complete optional plots.

MASS EFFECT 2

The list below describes the starting parameters if you’ve never played Mass Effect 2 or if you’re importing a game save without Mass Effect 2 data.

• Shepard is not assumed to have completed any loyalty missions. As a result:
• Shepard did not complete Mordin’s loyalty mission and never had the chance to save or destroy the genophage cure data.
• Tali was exiled by her people.
• Shepard did not have any romance.
• Zaeed and Kasumi were never recruited.
• Mordin is alive.
• Garrus is alive.
• Grunt was never woken up from the tank and is never mentioned.
• Jack died during the Suicide Mission.
• Tali was recruited and is alive.
• Tali never romanced.
• Samara was never recruited. She fought her way off of Illium and was later killed by Morinth.
• Thane died during the Suicide Mission.
• Miranda is alive.
• Jacob is alive.
• Legion was never reactivated and does not have the name Legion as a result.
• Shepard destroyed the Collector base rather than turn it over to Cerberus.
• The only Normandy crew members who survived the Suicide Mission were Joker and Chakwas. Yeoman Chambers, Ken, Gabby, and all other Mass Effect 2 non-squad crew are dead.
• Shepard did not complete optional N7 missions or other special assignments (Citadel missions).
• Shepard did not complete Arrival, Overlord, or Lair of the Shadow Broker DLC (but the events of Arrival and Shadow Broker took place offscreen—the batarian system was still destroyed, and Liara is still the Shadow Broker).