Mass Effect 1 squadmates: Ashley, Kaidan, Garrus, Wrex, Tali and Liara
Understand the six recruitable companions, their combat roles and where to begin filling out the Normandy crew.
Original Mass Effect campaign, first released in 2007; this guide uses the original 2008 PC port and its publisher screenshots. Legendary Edition changes, sequels and DLC missions are outside scope.
7 characters · one picture per entry · open a picture for full size.
Characters
Commander Shepard
A Systems Alliance officer whose background, class and decisions are chosen by the player. Shepard leads two companions at a time.
Ashley Williams
A weapons-focused companion with strong combat training. She provides direct firepower rather than technical access.
Kaidan Alenko
An early companion with both technical and biotic talents. Developing his Decryption and Electronics helps exploration.
Garrus Vakarian
A Citadel investigator who combines weapons training with tech talents when recruited.
Urdnot Wrex
A mercenary who combines firearms, toughness and biotic abilities.
Tali’Zorah nar Rayya
A young quarian encountered during the Citadel investigation. Her tech talents help against geth and with secured objects.
Liara T’Soni
A Prothean researcher found on Therum. Her biotics bring crowd control to the active squad.
Quick notes
- Ashley and Kaidan are your human specialists. Ashley Williams emphasizes weapons and survivability.
- Meet Garrus, Wrex and Tali through the Citadel case. The investigation into Saren introduces the turian Garrus Vakarian, krogan Urdnot Wrex and quarian Tali’Zorah nar Rayya.
- Recruit Liara on Therum. Liara T’Soni is an asari researcher connected to the Prothean mystery.
- Talk aboard the Normandy and develop the squad. Return to companions between major missions to learn about their backgrounds and concerns.
The six-person roster is a pool of companions; only two accompany Shepard on a normal mission.
Picture details
Game artwork belongs to its respective rights holders.
References
Covered edition: Original Mass Effect campaign, first released in 2007; this wiki uses the original 2008 PC port and its publisher screenshots. Legendary Edition changes, sequels and DLC missions are outside scope.