It is time to take on the Reapers. Shepard must fight to save the galaxy, with the best possible squad. Over the course ofMass Effect 3, the famed commander will fight side-by-side with some series favorites. However, not all of them are permanent squad members.
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Who are the ones that will fight at Shepard’s side from beginning to end ofMass Effect 3? Which ones deserve to be there, and which ones have survived due to pure luck? Some teammates are powerful with the personalities to match, while others are about as useful as a banana in a gunfight and as dull as a hammer.
Updated on July 17th, 2021 by Ritwik Mitra:Regardless of the opinions fans may have about the divisive Mass Effect 3, there’s no denying the fact that the game is still one of the best action RPGs around and serves as a fitting end to Shepard’s legacy. Featuring excellent combat and a gripping story, it’s easy to see why so many people still defend this title to this day. A big part of what makes Mass Effect 3 so brilliant is its wide cast of squad members. Keeping this in mind, here are all of Mass Effect 3’s squad members, ranked.
12David Anderson
Anderson appears as a temporary party member during the start of the game before being relegated to the background. Given his muted role, it’s only a given that he’s not the strongest party member around.
In fact, he’s virtually useless during the start of Mass Effect 3. Of course, this serves a purpose as well, since the player is meant to hone their skills during the tutorial in the early stages of the game.
11Kaidan Alenko
He was awful inMass Effect, and time has done Kaidan Alenko no favors. He is just as dull now as he was the first time around. Except, inMass Effect 3, the guy has grown a superiority complex.
Yet again, there isn’t a single thing that Kaidan can do that another squaddie can’t do better. His biotic capabilities are not on par with Liara’s, and frankly, every other member of the team boasts a better weapon arsenal. Of course, Alenko’s appearance inMass Effect 3is subject to the events on Virmire in the first game. Leave him behind.
10James Vega
There is nothing wrong with James Vega. He is the average run-of-the-mill soldier, equipped with his fair share of firearms. However, therein lies the problem. He is standard, and thus this tank of a human is forgettable.
When discussingMass Effect 3and its squadmates, James Vega would not even come to mind for most people. Sure, he packs a punch but so do other teammates who also outshine him when it comes to personality.
9Nyreen Kandros
TheMass Effect 3: OmegaDLC serves as a great addition to the game. It’s a great thing that theLegendary Editionallows players to play through this DLC without any restrictions or paywalls whatsoever.
There are two temporary party members introduced during the missions in Omega. The first of them is Nyreen Kandros, a powerful squad member whose weapons expertise ends up being invaluable while fighting the waves of Cerberus troops scattered across Omega.
8Aria T’loak
After her brief yet memorable appearance inMass Effect 2, Aria makes a return in theOmegaDLC forMass Effect 3as well. Her powerful biotic power ensures that players would be able to defeat enemies with relative ease.
That being said, one has to admit that Aria’s power truly shines when Nyreen sacrifices herself near the latter stages of the DLC. It’s just a shame that the player never gets to use this powerful Aria for an extended period of time… if at all!
7Javik
At long last, players were able to meet a Prothean. Overall, expectations of theancient alien specieswere not met. Javik is not the best squadmate BioWare has introduced, though by no means is he the worst either.
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Sure, Javik canprovide adequate supportto Shepard on the battlefield, but he suffers from the same issues as James Vega: he is just not memorable. Honestly, a player is more likely to remember teaming up with former squadmates for the odd mission than they are Javik. But unlike other permanent squad members, this Prothean comes from DLC, meaning players have to pay for a run of the mill alien companion.
6Ashley Williams
At last, a bit of character. Ashley is still righteous, but she has at least grown as a soldier sinceMass Effect. The character has more of ause on the battlefieldthis time around, so maybe it is best to save her in the first game.
However, that doesn’t mean Ashley’s personality is much better. Therefore, her banter with other teammates is lackluster. Which doesn’t bode well in this galaxy, when times get tough, it is important to laugh, and this lady can’t even crack a smile.
5Urdnot Wrex
Urdnot Wrex might only be a temporary party member obtained during the events ofMass Effect 3: Citadel. However, there’s no denying the fact that he’s still an excellent squad member whose high health and strength lead to him absolutely blasting through enemies without any worries.
He’s easily one of the strongestMass Effect 3companions. It’s just a shame that the player never really manages to use this character for the entirety of the game.
4EDI
The fact that the Normandy’s AI can be a squadmate was enough to guarantee EDI would not be at the bottom. However, she isn’t quite up to scratch when compared with some other members. Though, the robot has more of a personality than some of the squaddies.
It would be fair to say that EDI is amusing; the AI certainly has some great quotes. But, as to be expected from a robot with no combat experience, she does not provide the best support on the battlefield. However, given the charm and amusement that surrounds her, and the story she shares with Joker, it is certainly worth exploring some of the galaxy with the AI.
3Tali’Zorah Vas Normandy
The first of two squadmates to be a prominent member of Shepard’s team across all three games. Tali’Zorah has gone from strength to strength with each outing, just as the two teammates in front of her have. She’s easily one of the bestMass Effect 3squad members.
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Of course, Tali’s appearance inMass Effect 3is subject to her survival inMass Effect 2. Given the story surrounding Tali in the third game, it is worthgoing the extra mileto keep her alive. Again, she can prove useful in combat as a superior-tech specialist. Not to mention there is a lovely moment just waiting to be discovered should Shepard romance her. It is time to see what is under the mask.
