Saren Arterius
Saren Arterius, born 2139, is the longest serving turian member of the Spectres, the elite operatives answering directly to the Citadel Council. For 24 years, he has been an agent of the Council's will, a zealous defender of galactic stability in the unsettled border region of the Skyllian Verge.
Saren made it his goal to save the races of the galaxy by aiding the Reapers, proving the worth of organics to the Reapers so that they might be spared. However, the Reapers had other plans.
Saren made it his goal to save the races of the galaxy by aiding the Reapers, proving the worth of organics to the Reapers so that they might be spared. However, the Reapers had other plans.
Matriarch Benezia
Matriarch Benezia is a very powerful asari biotic and spiritual leader among her people. She is also Liara T'Soni's mother, though the two have not spoken in years. When the evidence that proved Saren Arterius was responsible for the Eden Prime attack also proved Benezia was working alongside him, it surprised those who knew her, as Benezia's actions seemed to be completely out of character.
Reaper: Sovereign
Sovereign is the flagship of the rogue Spectre Saren Arterius. An enormous dreadnought larger than any other ship in any known fleet, Sovereign is crewed with both geth and krogan. At two kilometers long, its spinal-mounted main gun is likely capable of penetrating another dreadnought's kinetic barriers with a single shot.
The prevailing opinion is that Sovereign is a geth construct, while others believe it is a Prothean relic. Its design, however, hints at a more alien and mysterious origin. The attack on Eden Prime demonstrated Sovereign's ability to generate mass effect fields powerful enough to land on a planetary surface. This implies it has a massive element zero core, and the ability to generate staggering amounts of power.
The prevailing opinion is that Sovereign is a geth construct, while others believe it is a Prothean relic. Its design, however, hints at a more alien and mysterious origin. The attack on Eden Prime demonstrated Sovereign's ability to generate mass effect fields powerful enough to land on a planetary surface. This implies it has a massive element zero core, and the ability to generate staggering amounts of power.
Collector General
The Collector General was a unique Collector who controlled the rest of the Collectors from the Collector base. Like all Collectors, the General was a victim of Harbinger's Mind Control up until its race's extinction at the hands of Shepard and the Commander's squad.
The Shadow Broker
The Shadow Broker is an individual at the head of an expansive organization which trades in information, always selling to the highest bidder. The Shadow Broker appears to be highly competent at its trade: all secrets that are bought and sold never allow one customer of the Broker to gain a significant advantage, forcing the customers to continue trading information to avoid becoming disadvantaged, allowing the Broker to remain in business.
The Shadow Broker is revealed to be a member of a pre-spaceflight race called the yahg.
The Shadow Broker is revealed to be a member of a pre-spaceflight race called the yahg.
Reaper: Harbinger
Harbinger is a Reaper who resides in dark space with the rest of the Reaper fleet. It is the overseer of the Collectors' operations, frequently possessing individual Collectors to fight battles personally. Harbinger's involvement first began two months after the Battle of the Citadel, when it made a deal with the Shadow Broker to gain possession of Commander Shepard's body following the destruction of the SSV Normandy. This did not succeed, however, and Shepard would go on to be resurrected by the Lazarus Project while Harbinger advanced its sinister plans for the galaxy.
The Illusive Man
The Illusive Man is the elusive, secretive, and well informed leader of Cerberus. He has close-cropped silver-grey hair with "steely blue" eyes which appear to be prosthetic. The Illusive Man's real name and his life before Cerberus are both long forgotten. For years, the Illusive Man has been using Cerberus and his immense network of contacts to achieve his goal - that of making humanity ascendant above all other races. He is described as having the best and worst traits of humanity rolled into one man.
Kai Leng
Kai Leng is an assassin working for the human-survivalist organization Cerberus. Leng was formerly a lieutenant and N7 marine in the Systems Alliance known for having anti-alien attitudes.
Leng's prowess in combat and xenophobic nature drew the attention of the Illusive Man, and Cerberus helped liberate Leng from prison. The Illusive Man used Leng as his best wet-work operative and assassin for over a decade, realizing he was not only ruthless but discreet and methodical. Leng became the Illusive Man's most trusted agent, working as an infiltrator and assassin.
Leng's prowess in combat and xenophobic nature drew the attention of the Illusive Man, and Cerberus helped liberate Leng from prison. The Illusive Man used Leng as his best wet-work operative and assassin for over a decade, realizing he was not only ruthless but discreet and methodical. Leng became the Illusive Man's most trusted agent, working as an infiltrator and assassin.
Geth Forces 1
Husks are synthetic-organic "zombies" created from the bodies of organic beings. When a human is captured, they are placed on impaling devices, huge spikes that Alliance marines have nicknamed "dragon's teeth". Over time the body's organs, skin and water content are converted into cybernetic materials; blood is changed to a sickly green fluid, and the body generates an electrical charge.
When the spikes are approached — say, if marines try to recover their dead comrades — the husks are released and attack. The husks will charge at their enemies and, once close enough, give off a powerful electrical blast which disables shields and causes massive damage.
Geth Troopers are standard geth infantry. These units are lightly equipped, with no exotic weapons, and are normally found in groups of two or more. They are dark gray in color, with pale green synthetic "flesh" and a bright blue 'flashlight eye'. They lack heavy armor, resulting in a weakness to weapons fire, and their low weight makes them vulnerable to biotics or grenades.
Geth Prime is a terrifying opponent. They are instantly recognizable by their white armor and huge stature. Primes carry a pulse rifle - which can also launch rockets - have six levels of shielding and are incredibly resilient. They also boost nearby geth combat stats; it is this ability that sets them apart from the Geth Juggernaut. Primes have no major weaknesses and are resistant to biotic and tech talents. They are the largest bi-pedal geth unit, towering over the second largest unit, the Geth Juggernaut.
When the spikes are approached — say, if marines try to recover their dead comrades — the husks are released and attack. The husks will charge at their enemies and, once close enough, give off a powerful electrical blast which disables shields and causes massive damage.
Geth Troopers are standard geth infantry. These units are lightly equipped, with no exotic weapons, and are normally found in groups of two or more. They are dark gray in color, with pale green synthetic "flesh" and a bright blue 'flashlight eye'. They lack heavy armor, resulting in a weakness to weapons fire, and their low weight makes them vulnerable to biotics or grenades.
Geth Prime is a terrifying opponent. They are instantly recognizable by their white armor and huge stature. Primes carry a pulse rifle - which can also launch rockets - have six levels of shielding and are incredibly resilient. They also boost nearby geth combat stats; it is this ability that sets them apart from the Geth Juggernaut. Primes have no major weaknesses and are resistant to biotic and tech talents. They are the largest bi-pedal geth unit, towering over the second largest unit, the Geth Juggernaut.
Krogan Forces
Krogan are common soldiers that are seen around the galaxy. They are armed with a variety of weapons and are capable of charging and doing massive damage, both with their weapons, and with their powerful melee attacks. Krogan are used as shock troops by many Mercenary bands and organizations for various tasks across the galaxy.
Warlords are often seen commanding other krogan forces, or commanding geth forces that have allied themselves with Saren. Warlords are tougher than the average krogan enemies and should be treated appropriately. While they do not have the biotic powers that Krogan Battlemasters have, they are still dangerous in the areas of weapons and melee attacks.
Krogan Warriors are krogan that are tougher than ordinary krogan, and are usually armed with assault rifles.
Warlords are often seen commanding other krogan forces, or commanding geth forces that have allied themselves with Saren. Warlords are tougher than the average krogan enemies and should be treated appropriately. While they do not have the biotic powers that Krogan Battlemasters have, they are still dangerous in the areas of weapons and melee attacks.
Krogan Warriors are krogan that are tougher than ordinary krogan, and are usually armed with assault rifles.
Batarian Forces
Batarian Troopers are basic grunts of merc or terrorist bands. They are usually armed with an assault rifle.
Batarian War Beasts are trained varren that are used by batarian terrorists and extremists.
Batarian Rocket Soldiers are batarian fighters that are armed with an assault rifle which has the ability to fire rockets by switching fire mode and are more effective against vehicles.
Batarian War Beasts are trained varren that are used by batarian terrorists and extremists.
Batarian Rocket Soldiers are batarian fighters that are armed with an assault rifle which has the ability to fire rockets by switching fire mode and are more effective against vehicles.
Cerberus Forces 1
Cerberus Commandos are highly trained shock troopers that are used by Cerberus to perform operations or defend locations.
Cerberus Snipers are people who are employed by Cerberus to defend installations and research facilities.
Research Technicians are people who are employed by Cerberus to conduct research at the various installations utilized by the organization. Technicians are biotics and are also armed with pistols.
Cerberus Snipers are people who are employed by Cerberus to defend installations and research facilities.
Research Technicians are people who are employed by Cerberus to conduct research at the various installations utilized by the organization. Technicians are biotics and are also armed with pistols.
Geth Forces 2
Geth Troopers are the most common type of geth encountered. They differ in color from previous encounters, being white instead of steel gray, thus bearing more resemblance to Geth Shock Troopers from the previous game.
Hunters possess cloaking devices, shields and shotguns. Save for their shorter stature, they share a very similar appearance to Geth Destroyers, Geth Juggernauts and Geth Primes.
Destroyers are rarely encountered, but are even more dangerous at close range as they are armed with flamethrowers. Like Geth Troopers, the appearance of Destroyers has changed since the previous game; they now have a red and black color scheme, similar to the Geth Juggernauts from the first game.
Hunters possess cloaking devices, shields and shotguns. Save for their shorter stature, they share a very similar appearance to Geth Destroyers, Geth Juggernauts and Geth Primes.
Destroyers are rarely encountered, but are even more dangerous at close range as they are armed with flamethrowers. Like Geth Troopers, the appearance of Destroyers has changed since the previous game; they now have a red and black color scheme, similar to the Geth Juggernauts from the first game.
Blue Suns
The Blue Suns are a "private security organization", in reality a mercenary outfit operating in the Skyllian Verge. The Blue Suns have a reputation for being both discreet and ruthlessly efficient, and as such charge a sizeable fee. They were founded by Zaeed Massani and Vido Santiago.
Blue Suns Troopers are the rank and file soldiers for the Blue Suns mercenary organization, making them one of the most commonly encountered enemies. They are predominantly human, batarian, and turian soldiers, who are equipped with assault rifles and shotguns respectively.
Blue Suns Heavies are troops deployed in a squad support role by the Blue Suns mercenary organization. They are always human, equipped with ML-77 Missile Launchers. Their role is to inflict heavy damage on opponents while keeping them suppressed. They are encountered frequently on Blue Suns bases and places of interest. There seem to be two types of Blue Suns Heavies, helmeted and helmetless, with the helmetless ones seemingly acting as commanders and sporting substantially better defenses.
Blue Suns Legionnaires are highly skilled infantry hired and deployed by the mercenary organization the Blue Suns. Legionnaires are high level troops and are much more dangerous than standard Troopers. There are usually a couple Legionnaires deployed to any given Blue Suns base. Legionnaires are always accompanied by Troopers and other Blue Suns troop types.
Blue Suns Troopers are the rank and file soldiers for the Blue Suns mercenary organization, making them one of the most commonly encountered enemies. They are predominantly human, batarian, and turian soldiers, who are equipped with assault rifles and shotguns respectively.
Blue Suns Heavies are troops deployed in a squad support role by the Blue Suns mercenary organization. They are always human, equipped with ML-77 Missile Launchers. Their role is to inflict heavy damage on opponents while keeping them suppressed. They are encountered frequently on Blue Suns bases and places of interest. There seem to be two types of Blue Suns Heavies, helmeted and helmetless, with the helmetless ones seemingly acting as commanders and sporting substantially better defenses.
Blue Suns Legionnaires are highly skilled infantry hired and deployed by the mercenary organization the Blue Suns. Legionnaires are high level troops and are much more dangerous than standard Troopers. There are usually a couple Legionnaires deployed to any given Blue Suns base. Legionnaires are always accompanied by Troopers and other Blue Suns troop types.
Eclipse
Eclipse is a mercenary corporation that was founded by asari commando Jona Sederis. They provide effective security and firepower for prospective employers. They have few scruples about the nature of those who hire them, so long as they can afford their services. Eclipse mercenaries work in teams of troopers and vanguards which may be led by more experienced commando units. They often utilise mech support in battle.
Eclipse Troopers are the front-line soldiers fielded by the Eclipse mercenary group. They are exclusively humans and salarians with asari being Sisterhood Initiates instead of troopers. They are the most common Eclipse soldier.
Eclipse Heavies are the heavy weapon fire support for the mercenary organization Eclipse. They are exclusively female. Their role is to cause large amounts of damage to an opposing squad, and they typically stay as far away as possible, letting their allies pin the enemy down while they stay behind cover and unleash their missiles.
Eclipse Vanguards are the biotic and close quarters specialists for the mercenary organization Eclipse. They are exclusively human and asari with the latter being the most predominant due to the asari's naturally increased biotic potential and power. They utilize biotic Barriers and Tech Armor for protection, shotguns for offensive power and also biotic powers such as Warp. The Vanguard's role is to close in and eliminate opponents with sheer force and power.
Eclipse Troopers are the front-line soldiers fielded by the Eclipse mercenary group. They are exclusively humans and salarians with asari being Sisterhood Initiates instead of troopers. They are the most common Eclipse soldier.
Eclipse Heavies are the heavy weapon fire support for the mercenary organization Eclipse. They are exclusively female. Their role is to cause large amounts of damage to an opposing squad, and they typically stay as far away as possible, letting their allies pin the enemy down while they stay behind cover and unleash their missiles.
Eclipse Vanguards are the biotic and close quarters specialists for the mercenary organization Eclipse. They are exclusively human and asari with the latter being the most predominant due to the asari's naturally increased biotic potential and power. They utilize biotic Barriers and Tech Armor for protection, shotguns for offensive power and also biotic powers such as Warp. The Vanguard's role is to close in and eliminate opponents with sheer force and power.
Blood Pack
Originally a small Terminus Systems vorcha gang, the Blood Pack was transformed into a mercenary legion by visionary krogan battlemaster Ganar Wrang. Exiled for striking a female in anger, Wrang obsessed over reclaiming his lost status
Blood Pack Troopers are vorcha who have been forced into service by the Blood Pack and are literally beaten into soldiers by their krogan commanders. They are the most commonly encountered soldiers of the Blood Pack, and considered to be cannon fodder by their fellow krogan.
The Blood Pack Boom-Squad are vorcha trained for an anti-personnel role in the Blood Pack organization. These individuals are commanded by a squad commander who is answerable to a krogan overseer.
The Blood Pack Pyro is a member of the Blood Pack mercenary group armed with a flamethrower. These troops are always vorcha. They are encountered on many worlds and are always accompanied by other vorcha troops and sometimes krogan.
Blood Pack Troopers are vorcha who have been forced into service by the Blood Pack and are literally beaten into soldiers by their krogan commanders. They are the most commonly encountered soldiers of the Blood Pack, and considered to be cannon fodder by their fellow krogan.
The Blood Pack Boom-Squad are vorcha trained for an anti-personnel role in the Blood Pack organization. These individuals are commanded by a squad commander who is answerable to a krogan overseer.
The Blood Pack Pyro is a member of the Blood Pack mercenary group armed with a flamethrower. These troops are always vorcha. They are encountered on many worlds and are always accompanied by other vorcha troops and sometimes krogan.
Collector Forces
The Collectors are an enigmatic race that live beyond the Omega 4 Relay, a mass relay within the same system as Omega, in the Terminus Systems. They are rarely seen in the Terminus itself, let alone Citadel space, and are generally regarded as a myth by Citadel citizens. Definite sightings of Collectors have been made on Omega every few centuries.
They are most well known for their odd trade requests for which they offer new technologies, often of a startling level of advancement. Their requests usually involve the trade of living beings in odd numbers and varieties, such as two dozen left-handed salarians, sixteen sets of batarian twins, a krogan born of parents from feuding clans, or two dozen "pure" quarians who have never left the Migrant Fleet due to illness, importance to the fleet, or disability. One of their current interests is in healthy human biotics. No one knows what happens to the individuals concerned after the exchange is completed.
Husks make their appearance again in Mass Effect 2, they have some new defenses but lack their shield discharge ability from two years previous.
Collector Drones are the common troopers of the Collector race. Drones are armed with the standard Collector Assault Rifle.
The Praetorian is a slow-moving flying Collector construction that consists of thirty deformed Husks fused together. It is armed with powerful particle beams, and protected by a strong barrier and powerful armor.
They are most well known for their odd trade requests for which they offer new technologies, often of a startling level of advancement. Their requests usually involve the trade of living beings in odd numbers and varieties, such as two dozen left-handed salarians, sixteen sets of batarian twins, a krogan born of parents from feuding clans, or two dozen "pure" quarians who have never left the Migrant Fleet due to illness, importance to the fleet, or disability. One of their current interests is in healthy human biotics. No one knows what happens to the individuals concerned after the exchange is completed.
Husks make their appearance again in Mass Effect 2, they have some new defenses but lack their shield discharge ability from two years previous.
Collector Drones are the common troopers of the Collector race. Drones are armed with the standard Collector Assault Rifle.
The Praetorian is a slow-moving flying Collector construction that consists of thirty deformed Husks fused together. It is armed with powerful particle beams, and protected by a strong barrier and powerful armor.
Reaper Forces
The Reapers, known by the geth as the Old Machines, are a highly advanced machine race of synthetic-organic starships. The Reapers reside in dark space, the vast, mostly starless space between galaxies. They hibernate there, dormant for fifty thousand years at a time, before they are given the signal to return. The first Reaper known to have communicated with organic life, referred to by Saren Arterius asSovereign, claimed that the Reapers have neither beginning nor end. Even their true name is a mystery; "Reapers" was a name bestowed by the Protheans, and Sovereign stated that whatever the Protheans chose to call them was of little concern to its kind.
Sovereign also reveals that the Reapers were the original creators of the Citadel and the mass relay network. These massive constructs exist so that any intelligent life in the galaxy would eventually discover them and base their technology upon them – all part of a scheme to harvest the galaxy’s sentient life in a repeating cycle of purges that has continued relentlessly over countless millennia.
Husks return in Mass Effect 3 and make up the bulk of the Reapers' ground forces. They are first encountered during the Reaper Invasion of Earth.
Brutes are synthetic-organic creatures derived from krogan and turians and mutated by Reaper technology.
Marauders are synthetic-organic creatures derived from turians through the use of Reaper technology. They appear as the support unit in the Reaper army.
Sovereign also reveals that the Reapers were the original creators of the Citadel and the mass relay network. These massive constructs exist so that any intelligent life in the galaxy would eventually discover them and base their technology upon them – all part of a scheme to harvest the galaxy’s sentient life in a repeating cycle of purges that has continued relentlessly over countless millennia.
Husks return in Mass Effect 3 and make up the bulk of the Reapers' ground forces. They are first encountered during the Reaper Invasion of Earth.
Brutes are synthetic-organic creatures derived from krogan and turians and mutated by Reaper technology.
Marauders are synthetic-organic creatures derived from turians through the use of Reaper technology. They appear as the support unit in the Reaper army.
Geth Forces 3
The geth ("Servant of the People" in Khelish) are a race of networked artificial intelligences that reside beyond the Perseus Veil. The geth were created by the quarians, as laborers and tools of war. When the geth became sentient and began to question their masters, the quarians attempted to exterminate them. The geth won the resulting war, and reduced the quarians to a race of nomads.The history of the geth's creation and evolution serves as a warning to the rest of the galaxy of the potential dangers of artificial intelligence and to the legally enforced, systematic repression of artificial intelligences throughout galactic society.
Geth Troopers return as enemies in Mass Effect 3. They are once again colored steel gray with green "skin", now with white armor markings.
The Geth Pyro is a geth enemy introduced in Mass Effect 3. It wields a flamethrower and is protected by armor and shields.
The Geth Prime is also an enemy in Mass Effect 3. Geth Primes are command-and-control units that pulverize their enemies with pulse cannons, missile drones, and gun turrets. The Primes have been redesigned to have three "eyes" instead of one, as well as a red color scheme.
Geth Troopers return as enemies in Mass Effect 3. They are once again colored steel gray with green "skin", now with white armor markings.
The Geth Pyro is a geth enemy introduced in Mass Effect 3. It wields a flamethrower and is protected by armor and shields.
The Geth Prime is also an enemy in Mass Effect 3. Geth Primes are command-and-control units that pulverize their enemies with pulse cannons, missile drones, and gun turrets. The Primes have been redesigned to have three "eyes" instead of one, as well as a red color scheme.
Cerberus Forces 2
Cerberus is a human-survivalist paramilitary group led by the enigmatic Illusive Man. Cerberus' core belief is that humans deserve a greater role in the galactic community, and that the Systems Alliance is too hamstrung by law and public opinion to stand up effectively to the Citadel races. Any methods of advancing humanity's ascension are justified, including illegal or dangerous experimentation, terrorist activities, sabotage and assassination. Cerberus operatives accept that these methods are brutal, but believe history will vindicate them. Nevertheless, both the Systems Alliance and the Citadel Council have declared Cerberus to be a terrorist organization and will prosecute identified Cerberus agents accordingly.
Assault Troopers are standard Cerberus soldiers that are outfitted with custom-designed armor and weapons, these soldiers function with determined precision and practiced teamwork.
Nemesis is a Cerberus unit. They wield sniper rifles, and can be recognized by their minimal armor and red targeting lasers.
Phantoms are agile Cerberus agents with a wide array of offensive and defensive capabilities, including particular specialization in evasive maneuvers and firing from cover. Although intelligence on their implants still evades the Alliance, phantoms are known to be able to create a personal barrier for greater protection.
Assault Troopers are standard Cerberus soldiers that are outfitted with custom-designed armor and weapons, these soldiers function with determined precision and practiced teamwork.
Nemesis is a Cerberus unit. They wield sniper rifles, and can be recognized by their minimal armor and red targeting lasers.
Phantoms are agile Cerberus agents with a wide array of offensive and defensive capabilities, including particular specialization in evasive maneuvers and firing from cover. Although intelligence on their implants still evades the Alliance, phantoms are known to be able to create a personal barrier for greater protection.