"Mass Effect" Series Basics pt. 1 Quiz

Answer: Inept

There are 6 classes to choose for your Shepard that effect how many weapons you can hold, capabilities, and powers available to you. The choices are Soldier, Vanguard, Engineer, Adept, Infiltrator, and Sentinel. Based on your choice you will have certain powers and skills as well as different choices for a bonus power you receive after beating the game or importing a Shepard from one game to the next.

Answer: The Normandy

You begin on the SSV Normandy under Captain David Anderson. Before your main missions begin, Anderson turns the Normandy over to you and becomes an Admiral. The ship and crew then fall under your command. In "Mass Effect 2", the Normandy is destroyed in the beginning but is replaced by Cerberus with a sleeker, more advanced Normandy equipped with Cerberus tech and EDI, an artificial intelligence.

Answer: The Protheans

The Prothean beacon you encounter on Eden Prime is the first of more to come in the sequels. The beacons were left by the Protheans to aid preceding races in the fight against the Reapers. Later, you discover that the Protheans are not the first race to do so, proving that the Reapers are a threat that is more dangerous than anything anyone could could be prepared for.

Answer: Saren

Saren Arterius is a Turian Spectre that is revealed to be aiding the Reapers, a machine-like species believed to come from beyond Dark Space to destroy all advanced organic life in the galaxy. In the end you find that Saren is "indoctrinated". This means he had fallen under control of the Reapers against his will, and though he refuses to believe he isn't in control any longer, you may still convince him to take his own life depending on your choices.

Answer: Garrus and Tali

Garrus Vakarian is an ex C-Sec officer who joins Shepard in "Mass Effect" due to his suspicions about Saren Arterius, as well as C-Sec and The Council's lack of action against him. Though debatable, Garrus also becomes Shepard's best friend, and its acknowledged between the two right before the final "Mass Effect 3" mission. Tali Zora vas Rayya, as she is named when you meet her in ME1, is a Quarian on her Pilgrimage who finds evidence against Saren. You find her fleeing Saren's agents and intervene in time to save her.

She then repays you by bringing the evidence to the Council, proving his betrayal and landing you in his Spectre position. She also becomes a possible love interest in "Mass Effect 2" and "Mass Effect 3".

Answer: Cerberus

Cerberus is an organization determined to prove Humanity's superiority and dedicated to human advancement. Mostly thought of as terrorists, Cerberus will do anything or sacrifice anyone to reach their goals. In "Mass Effect 2", Cerberus is responsible for bringing Shepard back by beginning Project Lazarus. Lazarus, headed up by Miranda Lawson, receives Cerberus's unlimited resources and money to ensure Shepard not only survives but is also the same as before the Normandy's demise.

They dedicate themselves to keeping Shepard exactly who he/she always has been in order to enlist him in the fight against the Collectors and to keep Humanity's hope alive by saving their hero.

Answer: The Illusive Man

The Illusive Man is the head of Cerberus and is responsible for your re-birth in "Mass Effect 2". He is a cold, ruthless man who believes humans should be in control of the Council and reign over the other races. In "Mass Effect 2", though you work with him against the Collectors, your alliance is short-lived after you refuse to preserve the Collector base for Cerberus to pick apart and attempt to control. You then work against each other in "Mass Effect 3", as you attempt to destroy the Reapers and they attempt to control them.

At the end, you learn The Illusive Man is completely indoctrinated and looks more like a machine than a man.

Answer: Batarian

Shepard recruits Krogan, Turians, Salarians, Drell, Quarians, Asari, Geth, and even a Prothean throughout the series. The Batarians, Hanar, Vorcha, Elcor, Yahg, and the Volus are the only races without a person on your squad; though in ME3, you recruit the help of some of these races, they are for the most part not included in the final battle or throughout the game.

In facet, the Batarians are wiped out for the most part before you even start "Mass Effect 3".

Answer: Harbinger

Harbinger is the Reaper in control of the Collectors. You discover in "Mass Effect 2" that the Collectors are the long extinct Protheans that were harvested and now being used as an army by the Reapers. The Reapers had also used the Collectors to trade in the Terminus Systems.

They then began to harvest human colonies, leaving nothing behind and no sign of struggle, while allowing the Reapers to be untouchable.

Answer: The Crucible

In "Mass Effect 3", Shepard and Liara discover plans for The Crucible; a weapon capable of destroying the Reapers, created by the Protheans. After releasing a Prothean from cryogenic suspension named Javik, he explains that the Crucible is not just a product of the Protheans, but of all past "cycles", or generations, of life.

He explains that each "cycle" adds to it, hoping that the next will be successful. He then tells the Protheans story and that they lacked only one vital part, The Catalyst, before the Reapers destroyed them forever.

After searching, you come to find that the Catalyst must be the Citadel, but not before the Reapers take control of it after Cerberus warns them. Shepard then leads the battle for the Citadel and after an epic confrontation, prepares to use the Catalyst.

He is met by a little boy who reveals himself as the Catalyst and explains that the Reapers are his creation and that they are necessary to "cleanse the galaxy". After speaking for some time, it gives you 2 or 3 choices, depending on your readiness and points. All end in the death of Shepard and the destruction of the Mass Relay network.

A very controversial ending.