How to Romance Ashley Williams in Mass Effect 3 (2024)

Choosing who to romance can be an important part of anyMass EffectLegendary Editionplaythrough, and if Shepardseekssome stability, they may consider beginning or rekindling a romance withAshley WilliamsinMass Effect 3. IfAshleywas chosen over Kaidan as the Virmire survivor, she will again appear as a squadmate inMass Effect 3starting inPriority: Mars. Unlike most squadmate romances inMass Effect Legendary Edition, Shepard does not need to have romanced Ashley previously to romance him duringMass Effect 3. She is one of only three squadmates with this unique mechanic; the other two options are other former Mass Effect 1 squadmate romance options Kaidan Alenko and Liara T'Soni.

Related:How to Romance Kaidan Alenko in Mass Effect 3

While the romances in bothMass Effect 1andMass Effect 2are largely one-night experiences, the romantic relationships between Shepard and their squadmate paramour inMass Effect 3are generally more complex and mature. Shepard and their love interest will deal with real issues, including building trust, making commitments, and struggling with the emotional toll of war. Based on the events of Mass Effect 2, Shepard lost Ashley's trust while choosing to work with Cerberus and will need to gain it back to begin or rekindle the relationship. Similar to Kaidan's trust mechanics, Shepard will need to be kind to Ashley, explain himself, and visit her often to earn enough points and reestablish the trust they had in Mass Effect 1 if they want the romance to work.Shepard will also need to make sure to comfort Ashley as she grapples with the consequences of the war against the Reapers.Here's how to romance Ashley, either for the first time or as a continuation, inMass Effect 3.

How To Begin Or Continue A Romance With Ashley In Mass Effect 3

To romance Ashley inMass Effect 3, Shepard will first need to clear his name and try to rebuild a friendship with her. Ashley's romance in Mass Effect 3 parallels Kaidan's so players will find much of the criteria the same, with a few minor differences.DuringPriority: Mars, Ashley will ask twice about Shepard's trustworthiness and involvement with Cerberus inMass Effect 2. During the conversation, players will need to select dialogue options that demonstrate his condemnation of Cerberus. These includeIt was a temporary alliance,You know me better than that, You think I'm like him? andI'm still that guy.

After Ashley is injured at the end ofPriority: Mars, Shepard will need to visit her at least three times at Huerta Memorial Hospital on the Citadel. The first time, she will not be awake. The second and third times count toward building trust, and Ashley herself will send messages to Shepard asking him to come visit. Shepard can also pick up a gift for her, The Collected Alfred Tennyson, from Sirta Supplies in the hospital lobby, and give it to her during the second conversation. Typically, the best option in all conversations is to stick to the Paragon dialogue options. This shows Ashley Shepard's interest and offers points toward regaining her trust.

During the second conversation at the hospital, if Shepard did not romance anyone else inMass Effect 2, he will have the option to affirm or reaffirm his affection for Ashley. This serves as a soft lock-in point for the romance, letting Ashley know Shepard is interested and opening new flirtatious dialogue options but not forcing the player to fully commit yet. If Shepard was in a relationship with anyone else, especially if they hadromanced Ashley inMass Effect 1, they will need to make it clear during this conversation that they are choosing Ashley. If they were unfaithful, they will need to admit it and apologize.

During Shepard's third visit with Ashley in the hospital, she will finally be up and about and announce she has accepted Udina's offer to become a Specter. While there is no special romantic dialogue check here, there are trust points associated with this visit that can help ensure Ashley survives the attack on the Citadel.

DuringPriority: The CitadelII, as Ashley escorts Udina and the Council out, Shepard will need to either pass a Trust or Reputation check to get her on his side. Like other decision-based mechanics inMass Effect, Ashley's trust depends on the number of points players accumulate throughout their playthrough of the series. The points break down as follows:

• Romance Ashley inMass Effect 1:+2 Points
• Cheat on Ashley inMass Effect 2:-1 Point
• Do not admit to or apologize for cheating on Ashley inMass Effect 2:-1 Point
• Save the Council inMass Effect 1:+1 Point
• Do not save the Council inMass Effect 1:-1 Point
• Do not saveCaptain Kirrahe inMass Effect 1and have Thane die inMass Effect 2:-2 Points
• Use Paragon dialogue with Ashley duringPriority: Mars:+1 Point
• Use Renegade dialogue with Ashley duringPriority: Mars:-1 Point
• VisitAshley in the hospital once while she is awake:+2 Points
• Visit Ashley in the hospital a second time:+1 Point
• Lower weapons during the confrontation inPriority: The Citadel II:+1 Point

If during the confrontation players have -1 Points or lower, there is no way to talk Ashley down, and she will be killed by Shepard's squadmates when she tries to shoot. If players have 0 to 3 Points, they will need to pass a difficult Reputation check and use the Charm or Intimidate dialogue option to convinceAshley to trust Shepard. If they have4or more Points,Ashley will immediately side with Shepard with no other obstacles. To continue the romance, Shepard must get Ashley on his side in this confrontation. He can, however,use the Renegade interruptto shoot Udina themselves without penalty to Ashley's trust.

Following this mission, Ashley will meet Shepard at the Normandy Dock: Bay D24 when the Commander opensthe door to return to the Normandy. Ashley will explain that Admiral Hackett has asked her to join the team working on the Crucible but that she would rather be reassigned to the Normandy. Shepard will need to pick theWelcome aboarddialogue option, and she will rejoin the squad and appear around the Normandy for short chats. If Shepard tells her to work with Hackett, players will be locked out of the romance and will not have another chance to interact with Ashley until the end of the game. She will not be available in the Citadel DLC either.

Unlike Kaidan, Ashley has two separate Citadel scenes during which sheandShepard can flirt. These serve as the final lock-in points for the romance. After these scenes, Shepard will no longer have the option to commit to a romance with anyone else. In the first scene, Shepard will need to comfort and encourage Ashley at the Memorial Wall in the Citadel Docks: Holding Area location, usually with the Paragon dialogue choices, as she mourns with her sister. Shepard should also take the Paragon interrupt that appears to progress the romance further. Then, sometime later, Ashley will message Shepard and ask to meethim at the Citadel. She can be found at the Apollo Cafe inthe Presidium Commons. To lock in the romance, Shepard should take the Paragon dialogue track. Choosing the Renegade options in this conversation will permanently end the relationship and lock players out of it for the duration of the game.

Like other romanced squadmates at the start of theCitadelDLC, Ashley will be the first squadmate to come to Shepard's aid during the ambush. After the final fight, Shepard can meet her for a drinking contestat the bar inside the Silver Coast Casino, where he can either keep pace with her or allow her to win the contest.Ashleyis an optional invite to Shepard's party and, if invited, the two will wake up in bed together the morning after.

Just before themissionPriority: Cerberus Headquarters, Ashley will come to Shepard's quarters to try and offer some comfort as they ruminate on the loss they have experienced. As long as Shepard does not reject her outright, the couple can confess and affirm their love for one another, kiss, and spend the night together.

Ashley will also be one of Shepard's final goodbyesduringPriority: Earth.If Ashley is part of the squad during the run up to the beam, she will become severely injured and evacuated back to the Normandy. No matter what, Shepard will need to leave her behind. The two will confess their love for one another one final time here. In the epilogue, she will be seen either putting Shepard's name on the Memorial Wall or refusing to do so, depending on the player's chosenMass Effect 3endingand total number of War Assets.

Next:What Mass Effect’s Best Romances Are

Mass Effect Legendary Editionis available for PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One, with backward compatibility for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S.