Mass Effect: Morality Mass Effect Guide
Last update: 18 May 2021
Mass Effect is not Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic. You can't stand neither on the side of good nor evil. You play as human and your goal is always the same, regardless of being paragon or renegade. The difference is paragon cares about other and is dedicated to make sacrifices in the name of greater good and renegade is uncompromising, aim for the win at any cost and show no consideration for others. It doesn't mean he's evil though.
When speaking with other characters, remember: choice of dialogue lines is made this way, that paragon statements are situated up on the conversation wheel while the renegade ones are situated down. When you want to go deeper into a specific subject, choose statements on the left side of the conversation wheel, when you want on the other hand to end talking with your interlocutor, choose the ones on the right. This division is characteristic for most conversations, although there are few exceptions. You shouldn't settle into a groove by picking blindly upper right statements expecting to gain paragon points or lower right to gain renegade points. The way you talk is less important that the way you complete quests. It happens that you could choose paragon statements to finish a mission in a renegade way and vice versa.
It's worthwhile getting points of paragon or renegade, because you will receive a lot of bonuses:
Paragon points
- 5% - Opens two Charm slots, gives one Charm point
- 25% - Opens two Charm slots, gives one Charm point, 10% bonus to First Aid cooldown
- 50% - 10% bonus to health
- 75% - Unlocks Xbox Achievement, opens two Charm slots, gives one Charm point, 5% bonus to all talent cooldowns
Renegade points
- 5% - Opens two Intimidate slots, gives one Intimidate point
- 25% - Opens two Intimidate slots, gives one Intimidate point, 10% bonus to First Aid cooldown
- 50% - Regenerate +1 health per second
- 75% - Unlocks Xbox Achievement, opens two Intimidate slots, gives one Intimidate point, 5% damage/duration bonus on all weapons/powers
Hint 1! Apart from gaining an achievement, 75% of paragon or renegade points will give you an access to additional quest:
Paragon - 13.7.2.1. Besieged Base
Renegade - 13.7.5.1. The Negotiation
Hint 2! The choice of Shepard pre-service history determines the initial value of paragon/renegade points:
History | Alignment Bonus |
Earthborn | ++ Renegade |
Spacer | ++ Paragon |
Colonist | + Paragon, + Renegade |
Ruthless | ++ Renegade |
War Hero | ++ Paragon |
Sole Survivor | + Paragon, + Renegade |
It seems that paragon should be a war hero born in space and renegade a ruthless guy/gal of Earth origin.
Hint! Choosing pre-service history in Mass Effect doesn't end in morality points. Your past accomplishments has effect on the way you are perceived now. There are also few quests related to your background. You'll find them in the chapter 14.