All 22 Mass Effect trilogy companions ranked

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Ignacio Weil

Galleries - October 3rd 2024, 13:00 GMT+2

About this gallery:

For this gallery, we decided to take a look at all the companions you can recruit during your journeys with the Normandy in the original Mass Effect trilogy. Andromeda? No, that game doesn’t exist, and nothing will change my mind.

Remember, this is a subjective list! If you think any of the crew members are in the wrong spot, why not mention it in the comments? | © BioWare

22. Jacob Taylor (Mass Effect 2, 3)

Jacob is dependable, straightforward, and maybe a little too earnest for his own good. He’s the kind of guy who shows up to work on time and always does his duty—just don’t expect him to be the most memorable part of the Normandy crew.

| © BioWare

21. James Vega (Mass Effect 3)

James is the muscle of Mass Effect 3—a soldier who’s as ripped as he is, eager to prove himself. He might not be the sharpest biotic in the bunch, but he’s got heart, and his banter with Shepard is pure action movie gold.

| © BioWare

20. Kaidan Alenko (Mass Effect 1, 3)

Kaidan’s got biotic powers, a mild manner, and a knack for surviving even when the plot demands someone gets left behind. He’s the quintessential “nice guy” and, depending on your choices, ends up being either your most loyal ally or a deeply confused frenemy.

| © BioWare

19. Zaeed Massani (Mass Effect 2, 3)

Zaeed is a mercenary with a gravelly voice, a big gun, and an even bigger grudge. He’s not in it for the camaraderie—he’s here for revenge and credits. But if you need someone willing to do whatever it takes, Zaeed’s your guy—just don’t expect a hug.

| © BioWare

18. Javik (Mass Effect 3)

The last surviving Prothean is kind of a jerk, but you’d probably be grumpy too if you woke up to find out the Reapers killed everyone you knew. Javik brings history lessons and biting sarcasm to the table, making him the perfect reality check for Shepard’s heroic optimism.

| © BioWare

17. Morinth (Mass Effect 2)

Morinth is what happens when you let Samara’s rebellious daughter join the team—a decision that leads to biotic power and some seriously questionable morality. She’s fascinating and dangerous, but definitely not the best choice if you’re looking for a long-term romance.

| © BioWare

Aria T Loak — 16. Aria T'Loak (Mass Effect 3)

Aria doesn’t “accompany” so much as “command.” She’s the boss of Omega, and she lets you know it every chance she gets. If you like your teammates powerful, unapologetically ruthless, and slightly terrifying, Aria is the asari for you.

| © BioWare

15. Nyreen Kandros (Mass Effect 3)

As the first female turian companion, Nyreen brings both badassery and compassion to Omega. She’s all about protecting the little guys while standing up to Aria, making her the perfect foil to the ruthless asari warlord. She proves that turians can kick butt without losing their soul.

| © BioWare

14. Samara (Mass Effect 2, 3)

Samara is an ancient asari justicar with a strict code of honor, which makes her the galaxy's most serious mom friend. She’s got biotic skills to match and the discipline to resist almost every temptation—except maybe having a philosophical debate about justice.

| © BioWare

13. Kasumi Goto (Mass Effect 2, 3)

Kasumi is the galaxy’s greatest thief, and with her cloaking ability, you’d never see her coming. Her penchant for wisecracks and kleptomania make her a fun addition to the team, especially when she's reminiscing about her dearly departed partner and all those "fancy" heists.

| © BioWare

12. Grunt (Mass Effect 2, 3)

A tank-bred Krogan designed to be the best of the best. Grunt is like Wrex's overly enthusiastic little brother—if said brother loves combat and has a bit of an identity crisis. He may not know where he comes from, but his dedication to the squad is as fierce as his shotgun blasts.

| © BioWare

11. Jack (Mass Effect 2, 3)

Jack is a powerful biotic who wears her rage like armor and isn’t afraid to punch through her problems (or people). Underneath her tough exterior, though, is a wounded individual learning how to trust again. Just don’t call her “Subject Zero” if you like your limbs attached.

| © BioWare

10. Miranda Lawson (Mass Effect 2, 3)

Designed to be genetically perfect, Miranda's got skills, looks, and a whole lot of daddy issues. Despite her cold exterior, she reveals a surprisingly vulnerable side, especially when she puts her life on the line for her sister. And hey, she's not just a Cerberus cheerleader.

| © BioWare

9. EDI (Mass Effect 3)

EDI starts as the ship's AI, and then gets a combat-ready robot body—and some serious attitude upgrades. Whether she’s debating organic life with Joker or being the surprisingly practical voice of reason, EDI makes the journey through Mass Effect 3 a lot more... human.

| © BioWare

8. Legion (Mass Effect 2, 3)

When a hive-minded robot starts referring to itself as "I," you know things are getting interesting. Legion is a fascinating exploration of what it means to be an individual, wrapped in a shiny geth casing. Plus, the whole "Shepard-Commander" bit is both endearing and slightly ominous.

| © BioWare

7. Thane Krios (Mass Effect 2, 3)

Thane is the quintessential tragic assassin with a heart of gold—and the lungs of a dying drell. His introspective monologues make you feel things, especially about fate and redemption. If there's one thing to be learned from Thane, it’s that even assassins can be poetically sentimental.

| © BioWare

6. Ashley Williams (Mass Effect 1, 3)

Ashley’s a straight-shooter—literally and figuratively. With a headstrong attitude and more than a little skepticism about aliens, she brings tension and growth to the team dynamic. She’s also got a soft spot for poetry, proving that not all ground-pounders are immune to romantic musings.

| © BioWare

Liara T Soni — 5. Liara T'Soni (Mass Effect 1, 2, 3)

Liara starts as an adorable, awkward archaeologist and grows into a formidable information broker and Shadow Broker. She has brains, biotics, and emotional depth, which makes her indispensable to the team. Plus, her long-standing devotion to Shepard is about as epic as a space opera love story can get.

| © BioWare

4. Mordin Solus (Mass Effect 2, 3)

The fast-talking, often-singing salarian scientist who doesn't just think with his mind, but (eventually) with his heart. Mordin's journey from calculating genius to redemptive hero is one of the trilogy's best. Just don't bring up Gilbert and Sullivan if you're short on time.

| © BioWare

Tali Zorah nar Rayya — 3. Tali'Zorah (Mass Effect 1, 2, 3)

Tali is the tech-savvy sweetheart of the Normandy, ready to hack her way through any situation while simultaneously avoiding microbial death. She's brilliant, loyal, and provides some of the most heartwarming moments in the trilogy—plus, her evolving loyalty to Shepard is simply unmatched.

| © BioWare

2. Urdnot Wrex (Mass Effect 1, 3)

Wrex is what happens when you combine a battle-hardened warrior with a surprising knack for humor. He’s all about headbutts and blunt conversations, but underneath that thick Krogan armor is a heart that just wants to see his people thrive (and maybe crush some Reapers along the way).

| © BioWare

1. Garrus Vakarian (Mass Effect 1, 2, 3)

Garrus is the sniper-toting, calibrations-loving best friend everyone needs in a galactic war. Whether he's reminiscing about being a rogue vigilante or perfecting his aim, Garrus always brings a healthy dose of sass and loyalty. Plus, he's a romance option that proves even space birds need love.

| © BioWare

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Embarking on a journey across the stars aboard the Normandy is more than just fighting Reapers and saving the galaxy—it's about the friends (and frenemies) you make along the way. The Mass Effect trilogy introduced us to a cast of unforgettable companions: warriors, scientists, rogues, and even a few mysterious aliens. Whether they're calibrating the ship's weapons, challenging Shepard's choices, or delivering surprisingly poetic musings, these characters helped define what makes Mass Effect so special.

In this article, we're ranking all 22 companions from the original Mass Effect trilogy. Who's the best shotgun-wielding Krogan? Which biotic powerhouse left the biggest impression? And why does it seem like Garrus never stops calibrating? Buckle up, grab your favorite N7 hoodie, and let's dive into the best (and worst) crew members that traveled alongside Commander Shepard.