8 Mass Effect Renegade Options That Feel Like The Right Thing To Do (2024)

Morality is a big part of the original Mass Effect trilogy. Almost every decision you make is either a noble Paragon choice or an evil Renegade one. Which side of the moral line you fall on shapes the type of Commander Shepard you become.

RELATED: Mass Effect 2: Every Renegade Interrupt (And When It Happens)

Yet, morality is an interesting concept. This is because it's somewhat subjective - aside from extremely kind or evil acts. What one person considers morally good, another might not. For Mass Effect, the developers decided what was good and bad. But they made a few questionable decisions in that regard, as the following so-called Renegade actions prove. ​

8 Shutting Down Sexist Merc

8 Mass Effect Renegade Options That Feel Like The Right Thing To Do (1)

In Garrus's recruitment mission - which is one of the best in Mass Effect 2 - you must join up with the local merc groups to get close to your old friend. If you're playing as FemShep, the recruiter will immediately dismiss you for being a woman, suggesting that stripping might be a better option for you.

In response, you can hit the Renegade Interrupt, which has Shepard get out her gun and says the words, "show me yours, tough guy. I bet mine's bigger." That is a fair reply to the sexist comment.

7 Defending Yourself And Legion

8 Mass Effect Renegade Options That Feel Like The Right Thing To Do (2)

If you decide to take Legion to Tali's trial, you get stopped at the entrance by the Quarians. As the Geth are their mortal enemies, the reaction is understandable. At the same time, it's well within your right to hit the Renegade Interrupt that has Shepard verbally defend themselves and Legion.

The protagonist even says that he respects that the Quarians are just trying to defend the ship. So, it's hardly the most ruthless Renegade response. Admittedly, the threat that Shepard makes at the end about infecting them with their germs is a bit morally questionable. But it would've been worse if they'd not defended their teammate.

6 Shooting A Mech Before Battle

8 Mass Effect Renegade Options That Feel Like The Right Thing To Do (3)

When you reach Archangel (aka Garrus) during his recruitment mission, you're forced to defend yourself from mercs and mechs. They have the numbers, but you have the positional advantage, as they have to march over a long bridge to reach you.

RELATED: Mass Effect: Should Shepard Go Paragon Or Renegade?

The first wave, after you get up there, contains a bunch of mechs, who you see approaching. Using a Renegade Interrupt, you have the chance to snipe one in the head before it gets any closer. Morally, there should be nothing wrong with this, as the mechs are literally coming to kill you. Plus, you're literally about to shoot them all anyway.

5 Killing Udina

8 Mass Effect Renegade Options That Feel Like The Right Thing To Do (4)

A shocked Donnel Udina, during the attack on the Citadel during the events of Mass Effect 3

One of the least surprising betrayals in the series is when Udina stabs you in the back. After all, the guy seems to be a snake from the very start of the trilogy. It's more shocking that it takes so long, as he waits until Mass Effect 3 before he turns to the dark side and helps Cerberus take over the Citadel. The whole situation can play out in several ways.

In some of the scenarios, he panics when he gets found out and shoves a fellow counselor to the floor, ready to shoot them. With a Renegade interrupt, you can gun him down first. You're killing someone in this scene, but you're also saving an innocent life. So, it isn't an entirely Renegade move.

4 Not Saving The Council

8 Mass Effect Renegade Options That Feel Like The Right Thing To Do (5)

The Citadel Council gets in trouble at the end of the original game amid the battle between the Citadel's forces and Sovereign's troops. At the time, the protagonist fleet is in position, ready to attack The Reaper when the chance arises.

RELATED: Mass Effect: Should You Save The Council?

To save the Council, you would need re-direct several ships, perhaps losing them in the process. Also, there's no guarantee that the remaining ships would be able to destroy Sovereign - they can, but you don't know that when making the decision. If they don't kill The Reaper, many more will die. So, that's a lot to risk for the Council. Their lives aren't more important because they're in positions of power. Therefore, is it really a Renegade move to sacrifice them?

3 Suggesting That Maelon's Data Might Be Worth Keeping

8 Mass Effect Renegade Options That Feel Like The Right Thing To Do (6)

During Mordin's loyalty mission, you find out that his former assistant, Maelon, is doing awful experiments in an effort to cure the Genophage. When you put a stop to his operations, you're left with a difficult moral choice between keeping the data from the experiments or destroying it.

Selecting to keep it is the Paragon choice, as it gives you a chance to cure the disease down the line. However, shortly before that choice, if you suggest keeping the data, you gain Renegade points for some reason. It's unclear how the morality of the decision changes within about 30 seconds.

2 Killing The Geth Heretics

8 Mass Effect Renegade Options That Feel Like The Right Thing To Do (7)

At the end of Legion's loyalty mission, you're put in a difficult position. You have to decide the fate of the Geth Heretics that sided with The Reapers. You can rewrite them to turn them good or kill them. Legion can't decide which is the best option, so it's up to you.

Killing the Heretics is the Renegade way to go. It's understandable because you're wiping out a significant percentage of their race. Yet, it might be the right thing to do. After all, you can't be completely certain that The Reapers won't regain control over them, which could lead to many more deaths. Plus, rewriting them is just the machine version of brainwashing, which doesn't seem right, either.

1 Providing Evidence To Save Tali

8 Mass Effect Renegade Options That Feel Like The Right Thing To Do (8)

If you don't have Charm or Intimidate responses available during Tali's trial, it becomes a morally tough situation. She is accused of treason. Her punishment would be banishment and being branded a traitor in the eyes of the Quarians.

You know it was actually her father's mistake, and you have the evidence to prove it. But understandably, Tali wants you to keep it for yourself. After all, she doesn't want her deceased father's name dragged through the mud. So, not showing the evidence makes sense from her perspective. But that means letting your friend be harshly punished for something she didn't do. It's very debatable which is the morally correct action. However, saving your friend doesn't seem like a Renegade move.

NEXT: Mass Effect 3: Every Renegade Interrupt (And When It Happens)

8 Mass Effect Renegade Options That Feel Like The Right Thing To Do (2024)
Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Neely Ledner

Last Updated:

Views: 6670

Rating: 4.1 / 5 (42 voted)

Reviews: 81% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Neely Ledner

Birthday: 1998-06-09

Address: 443 Barrows Terrace, New Jodyberg, CO 57462-5329

Phone: +2433516856029

Job: Central Legal Facilitator

Hobby: Backpacking, Jogging, Magic, Driving, Macrame, Embroidery, Foraging

Introduction: My name is Neely Ledner, I am a bright, determined, beautiful, adventurous, adventurous, spotless, calm person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.