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You have biological upgrades no matter what the class, even in the first game. All Alliance marines do.
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** BadassNormal: Any non-biotic class, though Shepard gets upgraded in the sequel.
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** Taken to an enormous new level with The Arrival DLC where [[spoiler: where you are forced to blow up a mass effect relay, and an entire star system with it.]]
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** Taken to an enormous new level with The Arrival DLC where [[spoiler: where you are forced to blow up a mass effect relay, and an entire star system with it.]]
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* {{Badass}}: No matter which path you choose, Shepard will tread over the bodies of ''thousands'' of the galaxy's worst criminals and monsters before the end. The tooltips even describe Renegade!Shepard as the ultimate badass (Paragon!Shepard is the ultimate hero [[GoodIsNotNice though no less badass]]). [[{{Badass}} Capable of immense asskicking]], attractive to practically everyone s/he meets, [[FirstLawOfResurrection not even death can stop him/her]], [[MagneticHero inspires loyalty among all in the general vicinity]], [[DidYouJustFlipOffCthulhu flips off Cthulhu]] before [[DidYouJustPunchOutCthulhu delivering a KO-ing]] '''SHEPARD PAWNCH''' and flipping off his corpse... and could very easily change his/her name to Commander Awesome. Each class also results in a new form of badass for Shepard;
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* {{Badass}}: No matter which path you choose, Shepard will tread over the bodies of ''thousands'' of the galaxy's worst criminals and monsters before the end. The tooltips even describe Renegade!Shepard as the ultimate badass (Paragon!Shepard is the ultimate hero [[GoodIsNotNice [[GoodIsNotSoft though no less badass]]). [[{{Badass}} Capable of immense asskicking]], attractive to practically everyone s/he meets, [[FirstLawOfResurrection not even death can stop him/her]], [[MagneticHero inspires loyalty among all in the general vicinity]], [[DidYouJustFlipOffCthulhu flips off Cthulhu]] before [[DidYouJustPunchOutCthulhu delivering a KO-ing]] '''SHEPARD PAWNCH''' and flipping off his corpse... and could very easily change his/her name to Commander Awesome. Even the Reapers, ancient [[NighInvulnerability nigh invulnerable]] machines that have committed systematic galactic genocide for millions of years (possibly longer) have acknowledged him/her as a true threat. Each class also results in a new form of badass for Shepard;
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** Taken to an enormous new level with The Arrival DLC where [[spoiler: where you are forced to blow up a Mass Effect Relay, and an entire star system with it.]]
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** Taken to an enormous new level with The Arrival DLC where [[spoiler: where you are forced to blow up a Mass Effect Relay, mass effect relay, and an entire star system with it.]]
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** [[Characters/MassEffect3PartyMembers Party Members]]: [[hottip:Appearing on this page: : James Vega]]
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** [[Characters/MassEffect3PartyMembers Party Members]]: [[hottip:Appearing on this page: : James Vega]]Vega, Javik]]
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** Taken to an enormous new level with The Arrival DLC where [[spoiler: where you are forced to blow up a Mass Effect Relay, and an entire star system with it.]]
--> '''Admiral Hackett:''' All I know is I sent you out there to break Amanda Kenson out of prison, and now [[spoiler:an entire system is destroyed.]] I hope you can fill in the leap of logic between those two events.
--> '''Admiral Hackett:''' All I know is I sent you out there to break Amanda Kenson out of prison, and now [[spoiler:an entire system is destroyed.]] I hope you can fill in the leap of logic between those two events.
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-->'''Moklik:''' [[LampshadeHanging Things explode around you, Shepard]]. You can't blame Aria for being careful.
-->'''Rana Thanoptis:''' Now, if you don't mind, I'm gonna run like hell before you blow the place or something. I know how you work.
-->'''Thane:''' The measure of an individual can be difficult to discern by actions alone. Take you for instance. All this destruction...chaos.
-->'''Mordin:''' Excellent. Glad to see affinity for destruction still intact, Shepard.
-->'''Rana Thanoptis:''' Now, if you don't mind, I'm gonna run like hell before you blow the place or something. I know how you work.
-->'''Thane:''' The measure of an individual can be difficult to discern by actions alone. Take you for instance. All this destruction...chaos.
-->'''Mordin:''' Excellent. Glad to see affinity for destruction still intact, Shepard.
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** Taken to an enormous new level with The Arrival DLC where [[spoiler: where you are forced to blow up a Mass Effect Relay, and an entire star system with it.]]
---> '''Admiral Hackett:''' All I know is I sent you out there to break Amanda Kenson out of prison, and now [[spoiler:an entire system is destroyed.]] I hope you can fill in the leap of logic between those two events.
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-->'''Mordin:''' Excellent. Glad to see Affinity for destruction still intact, Shepard.
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-->'''Mordin:''' Excellent. Glad to see Affinity affinity for destruction still intact, Shepard.
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wrong trope
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* MikeNelsonDestroyerOfWorlds: Shepard tends to cause massive destruction wherever s/he goes, whether intentionally or not. The galaxy at large has noticed this trend.
-->'''Moklik:''' [[LampshadeHanging Things explode around you, Shepard]]. You can't blame Aria for being careful.\\
'''Rana Thanoptis:''' Now, if you don't mind, I'm gonna run like hell before you blow the place or something. I know how you work.
** Taken to an enormous new level with The Arrival DLC where [[spoiler: s/he obliterates an entire SOLAR SYSTEM. However, due to the political ramifications and potential consequences for Shepard matter how noble his/her reasons, this one is unlikely to be played for laughs anytime soon.]]
*** [[spoiler: Actually, in Admiral Hackett's summary, it's still hilarious.]]
---> '''Admiral Hackett:''' All I know is I sent you out there to break Amanda Kenson out of prison, and now [[spoiler:an entire system is destroyed.]] I hope you can fill in the leap of logic between those two events.
-->'''Moklik:''' [[LampshadeHanging Things explode around you, Shepard]]. You can't blame Aria for being careful.\\
'''Rana Thanoptis:''' Now, if you don't mind, I'm gonna run like hell before you blow the place or something. I know how you work.
** Taken to an enormous new level with The Arrival DLC where [[spoiler: s/he obliterates an entire SOLAR SYSTEM. However, due to the political ramifications and potential consequences for Shepard matter how noble his/her reasons, this one is unlikely to be played for laughs anytime soon.]]
*** [[spoiler: Actually, in Admiral Hackett's summary, it's still hilarious.]]
---> '''Admiral Hackett:''' All I know is I sent you out there to break Amanda Kenson out of prison, and now [[spoiler:an entire system is destroyed.]] I hope you can fill in the leap of logic between those two events.
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* WalkingDisasterArea: Shepard tends to cause massive destruction wherever s/he goes, regardless of intentions.
** Taken to an enormous new level with The Arrival DLC where [[spoiler: where you are forced to blow up a Mass Effect Relay, and an entire star system with it.]]
--> '''Admiral Hackett:''' All I know is I sent you out there to break Amanda Kenson out of prison, and now [[spoiler:an entire system is destroyed.]] I hope you can fill in the leap of logic between those two events.
** In fact, it's so widespread at this point that [[InvokedTrope The galaxy at large has started to notice]].
-->'''Moklik:''' [[LampshadeHanging Things explode around you, Shepard]]. You can't blame Aria for being careful.
-->'''Rana Thanoptis:''' Now, if you don't mind, I'm gonna run like hell before you blow the place or something. I know how you work.
-->'''Thane:''' The measure of an individual can be difficult to discern by actions alone. Take you for instance. All this destruction...chaos.
-->'''Mordin:''' Excellent. Glad to see Affinity for destruction still intact, Shepard.
** Taken to an enormous new level with The Arrival DLC where [[spoiler: where you are forced to blow up a Mass Effect Relay, and an entire star system with it.]]
--> '''Admiral Hackett:''' All I know is I sent you out there to break Amanda Kenson out of prison, and now [[spoiler:an entire system is destroyed.]] I hope you can fill in the leap of logic between those two events.
** In fact, it's so widespread at this point that [[InvokedTrope The galaxy at large has started to notice]].
-->'''Moklik:''' [[LampshadeHanging Things explode around you, Shepard]]. You can't blame Aria for being careful.
-->'''Rana Thanoptis:''' Now, if you don't mind, I'm gonna run like hell before you blow the place or something. I know how you work.
-->'''Thane:''' The measure of an individual can be difficult to discern by actions alone. Take you for instance. All this destruction...chaos.
-->'''Mordin:''' Excellent. Glad to see Affinity for destruction still intact, Shepard.
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* [[Characters/MassEffectRaces Alien Races]]
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** [[Characters/MassEffect1PartyMembers Party Members]]: [[hottip:Appearing on this page: : Ashley Williams, Garrus Vakarian, Kaidan Alenko, Liara T'Soni, Tali'Zorah, Urdnot Wrex]]
** [[Characters/MassEffect1AntagonistsAndNpcs Antagonists and NPCs]]: [[hottip:Appearing on this page: : Balak, Matriarch Benezia, Chloe Michel, the Citadel Council, Doctor Chakwas, Conrad Verner, David Anderson, Donnel Udina, the Geth, Gianna Parasini, Harkin, Jeff "Joker" Moreau, Khalisah bent Sinen Al-Jilani, Kirrahe, Nassana Dantius, Nihlus Kryik, the Rachni Queen, Richard L. Jenkins, Saren Arterius, Shiala, Sovereign, Tadius Ahern, Talitha, the Thorian, Vigil]]
** [[Characters/MassEffect1AntagonistsAndNpcs Antagonists and NPCs]]: [[hottip:Appearing on this page: : Balak, Matriarch Benezia, Chloe Michel, the Citadel Council, Doctor Chakwas, Conrad Verner, David Anderson, Donnel Udina, the Geth, Gianna Parasini, Harkin, Jeff "Joker" Moreau, Khalisah bent Sinen Al-Jilani, Kirrahe, Nassana Dantius, Nihlus Kryik, the Rachni Queen, Richard L. Jenkins, Saren Arterius, Shiala, Sovereign, Tadius Ahern, Talitha, the Thorian, Vigil]]
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** [[Characters/MassEffect1PartyMembers Party Members]]: [[hottip:Appearing on this page: : Ashley Williams, Garrus Vakarian, Kaidan Alenko, Liara T'Soni, Richard L. Jenkins, Tali'Zorah, Urdnot Wrex]]
** [[Characters/MassEffect1AntagonistsAndNpcs Antagonists and NPCs]]: [[hottip:Appearing on this page: : Balak, Matriarch Benezia, Chloe Michel, the Citadel Council, Doctor Chakwas, Conrad Verner, David Anderson, Donnel Udina, the Geth, Gianna Parasini, Harkin, Jeff "Joker" Moreau, Khalisah bent Sinen Al-Jilani, Kirrahe, Nassana Dantius, Nihlus Kryik, the Rachni Queen,Richard L. Jenkins, Saren Arterius, Shiala, Sovereign, Tadius Ahern, Talitha, the Thorian, Vigil]]
** [[Characters/MassEffect1AntagonistsAndNpcs Antagonists and NPCs]]: [[hottip:Appearing on this page: : Balak, Matriarch Benezia, Chloe Michel, the Citadel Council, Doctor Chakwas, Conrad Verner, David Anderson, Donnel Udina, the Geth, Gianna Parasini, Harkin, Jeff "Joker" Moreau, Khalisah bent Sinen Al-Jilani, Kirrahe, Nassana Dantius, Nihlus Kryik, the Rachni Queen,
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Since we\'ve only got Shepard, I think this can be removed.
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[[folder:Commander Shepard]]
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[[/folder]]
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** Also comes up during many of the [[SideQuest N7 missions]], especially the [[ThePowerOfTheSun Endangered Research Station]], [[ColonyDrop Imminent Ship Crash]], and [[BigDamnHeroes Quarian Crash Site]] assignments.
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** Paragon Shepard often berates criminals, smugglers, looters, mercenaries or vigilantes for breaking the law, seemingly forgetting that most of their squad are comprised of these individuals and Shepard ''themself'' frequently falls into one or more of these categories.
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** Paragon Shepard often berates criminals, smugglers, looters, mercenaries or vigilantes for breaking the law, seemingly forgetting that most of their squad are comprised of these individuals and Shepard ''themself'' ''herself/himself'' frequently falls into one or more of these categories.categories.
*** To be fair, the people s/he has on her/his crew aren't doing those things ''anymore'' (or, at least, not while they're part of the ''Normandy'''s crew) and a Paragon Shepard will step in to keep any of them from backsliding (Garrus, Jack, Zaeed, etc.). Paragon Shepard will berate criminals, but won't usually kill the people s/he's lecturing unless [[TooDumbToLive they force Shepard's hand]]. ...But there's still no excuse for telling off those looters in Omega.
*** To be fair, the people s/he has on her/his crew aren't doing those things ''anymore'' (or, at least, not while they're part of the ''Normandy'''s crew) and a Paragon Shepard will step in to keep any of them from backsliding (Garrus, Jack, Zaeed, etc.). Paragon Shepard will berate criminals, but won't usually kill the people s/he's lecturing unless [[TooDumbToLive they force Shepard's hand]]. ...But there's still no excuse for telling off those looters in Omega.
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** Paragon Shepard often berates criminals, smugglers, looters, mercenaries or vigilantes for breaking the law, seemingly forgetting that most of their squad are comprised of these individuals and Shepard ''themself'' frequently falls into one or more of these categories.
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[[caption-width:350:''"You can fight like a [[ProudWarriorRaceGuy krogan]], run like a [[LightningBruiser leopard]], but you'll never be [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HeY-2ovpF9c better than Commander Shepard]]!"'']]
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[[caption-width:350:''"You can fight like a [[ProudWarriorRaceGuy krogan]], run like a [[LightningBruiser leopard]], but you'll never be [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HeY-2ovpF9c com/watch?v=5G8f4m2y9_k better than Commander Shepard]]!"'']]
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please don\'t use This Troper
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** Or if you didn't anticipate it during character creation - this troper's Paragon [[StarTrek Sulu]]-Shepard looks fine in normal light, but whenever he moves into the shadows it looks like he fell out the ugly tree and hit every branch on the way down.
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* DualWielding[=/=]GunsAkimbo: Depending on how you interpret omnitools. If you look closely, it turns out that Shepard is actually using ''two'' omnitools. The one on his/her left hand lights up when administering medigel, doing utility tasks, or using an offensive tech attack. When activating a defensive ability like Fortification or Geth Shield Boost, however, an omnitool on his/her right hand will activate.
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* MegatonPunch: Adept and Vanguard Shepards apparently prefer biotic palm strikes / punches to this newfangled omni-blade thing.
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** And in the third game, an Infiltrator Shepard's omni-blade is enhanced with an electrical charge.
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Why did I do that? ><
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** [[Characters/MassEffect1PartyMembers Party Members]]: [[hottip:Appearing on this page: : Ashley Williams, Garrus Vakarian, Kaidan Alenko, Liara T'Soni, Liara T'Soni, Tali'Zorah, Urdnot Wrex]]
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** [[Characters/MassEffect1PartyMembers Party Members]]: [[hottip:Appearing on this page: : Ashley Williams, Garrus Vakarian, Kaidan Alenko, Liara T'Soni, Liara T'Soni, Tali'Zorah, Urdnot Wrex]]
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*** You can also take the piss out of [[spoiler: Sovereign]] when you first meet him.
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** Or if you didn't anticipate it during character creation - this troper's Paragon [[StarTrek Sulu]]-Shepard looks fine in normal light, but whenever he moves into the shadows it looks like he fell out the ugly tree and hit every branch on the way down.
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changed the \"regardless how the character is played\" statement as added some specific to the female Shepard and a few already here
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Regardless of how Shepard is played, the following tropes appear in-game:
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** And don't forget that on top of all of this, Shepard also has some pretty ugly scarring for much of the game (which gets worse if too many Renegade choices are made), [[spoiler:although there is a Normandy upgrade that will make scars disappear permanently]].
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* TheLadette: Fem!Shep doesn't seem all that feminine: career marine, rarely wears dresses, sits like a man, and downs shots just as readily as Dude!Shep (even [[GargleBlaster ryncol]]). You can even do a Renegade interrupt in one mission when a merc "mistakes" you for a stripper. (If you don't make the interrupt, the Merc is still impressed. "Wow, not even a smile. That hardass, huh?")
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* TheLadette: Fem!Shep doesn't seem all that feminine: career marine, rarely wears dresses, sits like a man, speaks with a deep voice, and downs shots just as readily as Dude!Shep (even [[GargleBlaster ryncol]]). You can even do a Renegade interrupt in one mission when a merc "mistakes" you for a stripper. (If you don't make the interrupt, the Merc is still impressed. "Wow, not even a smile. That hardass, huh?")
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* LesYay: Since some of the dialogue between Shepard and female characters is standard regardless whether a male or female Shepard is played, some exchanges such as with Miranda come off this way. (In the real world this is in part due to same-sex relationships being removed from the final game, with Kelly and Liara being two notable exceptions.)
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* MagicSkirt: The DLC add-on involving Kasumi (which is also the PS3 version released in 2011) adds a LittleBlackDress to the female Shepard's Normandy wardrobe. The trope (particularly the "gaping black void under the skirt" aspect) is taken to hilarious extremes if you engage any crewmembers in conversation that require Shepard to sit down in a chair.
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** [[Characters/MassEffect1PartyMembers Party Members]]
** [[Characters/MassEffect1AntagonistsAndNpcs Antagonists and NPCs]]
** [[Characters/MassEffect1AntagonistsAndNpcs Antagonists and NPCs]]
to:
** [[Characters/MassEffect1PartyMembers Party Members]]
Members]]: [[hottip:Appearing on this page: : Ashley Williams, Garrus Vakarian, Kaidan Alenko, Liara T'Soni, Liara T'Soni, Tali'Zorah, Urdnot Wrex]]
** [[Characters/MassEffect1AntagonistsAndNpcs Antagonists andNPCs]]NPCs]]: [[hottip:Appearing on this page: : Balak, Matriarch Benezia, Chloe Michel, the Citadel Council, Doctor Chakwas, Conrad Verner, David Anderson, Donnel Udina, the Geth, Gianna Parasini, Harkin, Jeff "Joker" Moreau, Khalisah bent Sinen Al-Jilani, Kirrahe, Nassana Dantius, Nihlus Kryik, the Rachni Queen, Richard L. Jenkins, Saren Arterius, Shiala, Sovereign, Tadius Ahern, Talitha, the Thorian, Vigil]]
** [[Characters/MassEffect1AntagonistsAndNpcs Antagonists and
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** [[Characters/MassEffect2PartyMembers Party Members]]
** [[Characters/MassEffect2AntagonistsAndNpcs Antagonists and NPCs]]
** [[Characters/MassEffect2AntagonistsAndNpcs Antagonists and NPCs]]
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** [[Characters/MassEffect2PartyMembers Party Members]]
Members]]: [[hottip:Appearing on this page: : Grunt, Jack / Subject Zero, Jacob Taylor, Kasumi Goto, Miranda Lawson, Mordin Solus, Samara, Thane Krios, Zaeed Massani, Legion, Morinth]]
** [[Characters/MassEffect2AntagonistsAndNpcs Antagonists andNPCs]]NPCs]]: [[hottip:Appearing on this page: : Matriarch Aethyta, Amanda Kenson, Detective Anaya, Aria T'Loak, Armando Bailey, the Collector General, [=EDI=], Gabriella "Gabby" Daniels, Gavin Archer, Harbinger, the Illusive Man, Kal'Reegar, Kelly Chambers, Kenneth Donnelly, Warden Kuril, the Overlord V.I., the Quarian Admiralty Board, the Shadow Broker, Steven Hackett, Tela Vasir, Urz, Wilson]]
** [[Characters/MassEffect2AntagonistsAndNpcs Antagonists and
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** [[Characters/MassEffect3PartyMembers Party Members]]
** [[Characters/MassEffect3AntagonistsAndNpcs Antagonists and NPCs]]
** [[Characters/MassEffect3AntagonistsAndNpcs Antagonists and NPCs]]
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** [[Characters/MassEffect3PartyMembers Party Members]]
Members]]: [[hottip:Appearing on this page: : James Vega]]
** [[Characters/MassEffect3AntagonistsAndNpcs Antagonists andNPCs]]
NPCs]]: [[hottip:Appearing on this page: : Diana Allers, Kai Leng, the Krogan Princess]]
** [[Characters/MassEffect3AntagonistsAndNpcs Antagonists and
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* WorthyOpponent: Becomes this in the eyes of Saren, which is quite impressive on his/her part given Saren's enormous racism towards humans. Also, Harbinger labeling Shepard as "an annoyance" could be seen as it acknowledging that s/he is this for the Reapers, also an impressive feat.
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* First appearing in Mass Effect 1:
** [[Characters/MassEffect1PartyMembers Mass Effect 1 Party Members]]
** [[Characters/MassEffect1AntagonistsAndNpcs Mass Effect 1 Antagonists and NPCs]]
* First appearing in Mass Effect 2:
** [[Characters/MassEffect2PartyMembers Mass Effect 2 Party Members]]
** [[Characters/MassEffect2AntagonistsAndNpcs Mass Effect 2 Antagonists and NPCs]]
* First appearing in Mass Effect 3:
** [[Characters/MassEffect3 Mass Effect 3]]
** [[Characters/MassEffect1PartyMembers Mass Effect 1 Party Members]]
** [[Characters/MassEffect1AntagonistsAndNpcs Mass Effect 1 Antagonists and NPCs]]
* First appearing in Mass Effect 2:
** [[Characters/MassEffect2PartyMembers Mass Effect 2 Party Members]]
** [[Characters/MassEffect2AntagonistsAndNpcs Mass Effect 2 Antagonists and NPCs]]
* First appearing in Mass Effect 3:
** [[Characters/MassEffect3 Mass Effect 3]]
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* First appearing in Mass Effect 1:
''MassEffect1'':
** [[Characters/MassEffect1PartyMembersMass Effect 1 Party Members]]
** [[Characters/MassEffect1AntagonistsAndNpcsMass Effect 1 Antagonists and NPCs]]
* First appearing inMass Effect 2:
''MassEffect2'':
** [[Characters/MassEffect2PartyMembersMass Effect 2 Party Members]]
** [[Characters/MassEffect2AntagonistsAndNpcsMass Effect 2 Antagonists and NPCs]]
* First appearing inMass Effect 3:
''MassEffect3'':
**[[Characters/MassEffect3 Mass Effect 3]]
[[Characters/MassEffect3PartyMembers Party Members]]
** [[Characters/MassEffect3AntagonistsAndNpcs Antagonists and NPCs]]
** [[Characters/MassEffect1PartyMembers
** [[Characters/MassEffect1AntagonistsAndNpcs
* First appearing in
** [[Characters/MassEffect2PartyMembers
** [[Characters/MassEffect2AntagonistsAndNpcs
* First appearing in
**
** [[Characters/MassEffect3AntagonistsAndNpcs Antagonists and NPCs]]
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This page is for listing the tropes related to Commander Shepard, protagonist of the ''VideoGame/MassEffect'' series. Tropes for Party Members, [=NPC=]s and Antagonists in the trilogy belong in the following:
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This page is for listing the tropes related to Commander Shepard, protagonist of the ''VideoGame/MassEffect'' series. Tropes for Party Members, [=NPC=]s and Antagonists in the trilogy belong in on the following:
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[[/folder]]
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----
<<|CharacterSheets|>>
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This page is for listing the tropes related to Commander Shepard, protagonist of the ''VideoGame/MassEffect'' series. Tropes for Party Members, NPCs and Antagonists in the trilogy belong in the following:
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This page is for listing the tropes related to Commander Shepard, protagonist of the ''VideoGame/MassEffect'' series. Tropes for Party Members, NPCs [=NPC=]s and Antagonists in the trilogy belong in the following:
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basic restructure, can rework if desired later.
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This page is for listing the tropes related to Commander Shepard, protagonist of the ''VideoGame/MassEffect'' series. Tropes for Party Members, NPCs and Antagonists in the trilogy belong in the following:
* First appearing in Mass Effect 1:
** [[Characters/MassEffect1PartyMembers Mass Effect 1 Party Members]]
** [[Characters/MassEffect1AntagonistsAndNpcs Mass Effect 1 Antagonists and NPCs]]
* First appearing in Mass Effect 2:
** [[Characters/MassEffect2PartyMembers Mass Effect 2 Party Members]]
** [[Characters/MassEffect2AntagonistsAndNpcs Mass Effect 2 Antagonists and NPCs]]
* First appearing in Mass Effect 3:
** [[Characters/MassEffect3 Mass Effect 3]]
!Commander Shepard
[[folder:Commander Shepard]]
http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/commander-shephard-mass-effect-2-screenshot-character_4054.jpg
[[caption-width:350:''"You can fight like a [[ProudWarriorRaceGuy krogan]], run like a [[LightningBruiser leopard]], but you'll never be [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HeY-2ovpF9c better than Commander Shepard]]!"'']]
->''"We have to give everything....even if that means our lives. We will stop at nothing. We will fight for the lost!"''
-->'''Voiced by:''' Mark Meer (male), JenniferHale (female)
The PlayerCharacter, a human Systems Alliance Marine and graduate of the N7 special forces program whose gender, appearance, and outlook are determined by the player. In the first game, Shepard is selected to be the first human Spectre, an elite agent of the [[TheFederation Council.]] After stumbling upon a Prothean Beacon and Saren's plans, Shepard sets out on a quest to stop Saren and save the galaxy from his attempts to bring back the Reapers.
In the second game, Shepard is killed in a surprise attack by the Collectors. But since s/he's too valuable to let stay dead, Shepard is resurrected by Cerberus. After forming an uneasy alliance with the extremist group, Shepard begins building a team for a suicide mission to stop the Collectors and their mass-human abductions.
Regardless of how Shepard is played, the following tropes appear in-game:
[[hardline]]
* AFatherToHisMen / [[AFatherToHisMen A Mother To Her Men]]: If Shepard takes the time to get to know his/her crew and builds up their trust.
** PapaWolf / MamaBear: And screwing with Shepard's squadmates is a quick way to end up [[BerserkButton with either a hole in the head or a punch to the face.]]
* AbsenceMakesTheHeartGoYonder: No love interest from the original game sticks around very long in the sequel - and 2/3 of them chew you out for working with Cerberus. In the meantime, there are lots of fresh catches on the boat, especially two previously unavailable fan favorites from the previous game.
** Liara fans are being offered reconciliation with the [[http://masseffect.bioware.com/info/dlc/ Lair Of The Shadow Broker]] DLC.
** And, with the announcement that [[spoiler: whoever survived Virmire is included in MassEffect3]], Shepard's romance of a squad-mate in 2 ''[[TheDevTeamThinksOfEverything will]]'' be addressed.
* AcquiredPoisonImmunity: A side-effect of the cybernetic implants installed during their resurrection in [=ME2=], rendered Shepard immune to most drugs and toxins that would easily kill a normal human, while possessing a high tolerance for others.
** This first is noticed in the introduction when Shepard briefly awakens prematurely, requiring Miranda and Wilson to adminster over twice the dosage of sedative in order to knock Shepard out again. On Omega a Batarian bartender likewise gives Shepard a poisoned drink that is ''lethal'' to the average human that only effect is to knock them out for a few minutes.
** Failure to realise that without constant supervision, a sedated Shepard won't stay that way for long, ends up foiling [[spoiler: the [[BrainwashedAndCrazy Indoctrinated]] Alliance agents]] in ''The Arrival''.
* ActionGirl / DarkActionGirl: Paragon/Renegade Female Shepard.
* ActionSurvivor: The SoleSurvivor background.
* AlwaysSaveTheGirl / [[AlwaysSaveTheGirl Always Save the Guy]]: Can be subverted, inverted, or played straight based on your Shepard's gender, your chosen LoveInterest, and who you choose to save on [[spoiler:Virmire]]. You ''will'' be [[WhatTheHellHero called out on this]] [[DeconstructedTrope if you play it straight]], however.
** Hell, you'll be called on it if you don't. There is no easy way out of that situation.
*** It also constitutes a very interesting and well done situation. It is one of the few game choices that players don't base on gameplay mechanics but instead on their emotional connections to the story.
* AnAdventurerIsYou: ACommanderIsYou is not related to Shepard at all. For the first game:
** The Soldier is ''The Tank'' of the game, being later capable to wear the heaviest armour along with having talents that can make the Soldier the toughest class to kill. Being able to use all guns also makes them a ''[=DPSer=]''. Dips into ''The Healer'', having the First Aid talent.
*** In ''Mass Effect 2'', Soldiers get Adrenaline Rush, which causes BulletTime.
** TheEngineer, a definite ''Combat Engineer'' with the trope TheEngineer, acts as ''The Debuffer'' with tech abilities that don't do much damage but are useful due to hindering your enemies; along with ''The Healer'', since they share the First Aid and Medicine talents, and the Medic specialization with the Sentinel class. Is something of a SquishyWizard, only having access to light armour, Basic Armour talent, and pistol talents. Due to always having to fight and also having the best healing abilities out of all the classes, is a CombatMedic.
*** In ''Mass Effect 2'', Engineers get the Combat Drone, a WeakTurretGun of sorts. It should be noted, however, that the Engineer is an incredibly effective combat class when dealing with synthetics.
** The Adept is ''The Mezzer'', having a bunch of abilities to force your enemies to be temporarily helpless. Is also something of a SquishyWizard, as it may only use light armour, Basic Armour talent, and the Barrier talent to stay alive; and can only get pistol talents. Can be a GameBreaker at higher levels with very powerful biotic abilities with low cooldowns.
*** In ''Mass Effect 2'', the Adept's special ability is Singularity, which is a kind of GravityScrew for enemies.
** The Infiltrator acts as a ''[=DPSer=] Ranger''/''Debuffer'', having access to sniper rifles and the debuffs of the Engineer, while lacking their Medicine talent and Medic specialization (but still having First Aid, so is still kind of ''The Healer''). Is something of a MagicKnight, being later capable of using medium armour with their Tactical Armour talent and have the survival talent Fitness.
*** Infiltrators get an InvisibilityCloak and short-lived BulletTime when scoping with sniper rifles in ''Mass Effect 2''.
** The Vanguard is ''[=The DPSer=] Scrapper''/''Mezzer'' with their shotgun and biotic abilities to ensure they get in close unimpeded. Is also a MagicKnight, being later able to use medium armour with their Tactical Armour talent and the Barrier talent to defend themselves along with their shotguns.
*** In ''Mass Effect 2'', the Vanguard becomes even more of a MagicKnight, as he gets the only melee ability in the whole game - The special ability [[FoeTossingCharge Biotic Charge]]
** The Sentinel is ''The Mezzer''/''Debuffer'', having [[TheRedMage both biotic and tech abilities]] to disable their opponent; ''The Healer'', having access to the Medicine and First Aid talent; and a SquishyWizard that only has the Barrier talent to keep themself alive, lacking an armour talent (but still able to use light armour) and only being able to improve their pistols through their class talent (which is less then all the other classes are able to do).
*** In ''Mass Effect 2'', the Sentinel instead becomes ''The Jack'', having access to a decent range of offensive powers as well as [[DeflectorShields Tech Armor]], which makes them into a potential variant of ''The Tank''.
**** And every class can take a talent from other classes, if you get the achievements for it and make a character with it later in the first game. In the sequel, you can give Shepard one ability from one of his/her squadmates, so a Soldier can use a biotic slam attack, an Engineer can create a biotic shield, or a Vanguard can drain enemy shields among other things.
* AndNowForSomeoneCompletelyDifferent: Technically you're still Shepard, but one sequence has you briefly [[AscendedMeme assume control]] of a LOKI mech. You know, those small, slow, weak bots with the least powerful guns in the game you cut down by the truckload? Don't worry, it isn't for long.
* AnIcePerson: In ''VideoGame/MassEffect2'', Shepard is the only character with access to the Cryo Ammo power as an Infiltrator, Soldier, or Vanguard. In fact, only an Adept Shepard is without any form of freezing power, as Engineers and Sentinels get Cryo Blast.
** [[WhatDoYouMeanItsNotSymbolic Potentially symbolic]] of the fact that Shepard has spent two years, both literally and figuratively, ''on ice''.
* AntiHero: While Paragon actions lead more towards the heroic end and the renegade actions lead more towards the antiheroic end, it is very easy to play as an overall anti-hero due to the fact that you don't have to play to the extremes on either side.
** Placing Shepard on the scale precisely is a tricky problem since the player determines all his/her motives and actions, so Shepard can do plenty of good, seemingly noble thing with a purely selfish motivation depending on how you roleplay. Plus you can be a shining beacon of purity and reason otherwise but still perform actions that would usually lock a character into at least a Type IV. In the sequel Shepard can even show signs of Type I, if you fail as many loyalty missions as possible and get most of your squad killed in the endgame.
* TheAtoner: Implied, if you pick the Ruthless reputation (particularly with the Colonist background, which turns Torfan into Shepard's RoaringRampageOfRevenge) and then play Shepard as a [[NeutralGood Paragon.]]
** Or if you played as Renegade in the first game, and Paragon in the second.
** Or if you had both the Earthborn reputation and the War Hero reputation.
* AuthorityEqualsAsskicking: Mass Effect 2 really [[LampshadeHanging stresses this.]]
* BackFromTheDead: S/he's killed at the start of ''Mass Effect 2'' but is revived over the course of the next two years by Cerberus' Lazarus Project.
--> '''Garrus:''' [[LikeABadassOutOfHell The Collectors killed you once and all they did was piss you off.]]
* {{Badass}}: No matter which path you choose, Shepard will tread over the bodies of ''thousands'' of the galaxy's worst criminals and monsters before the end. The tooltips even describe Renegade!Shepard as the ultimate badass (Paragon!Shepard is the ultimate hero [[GoodIsNotNice though no less badass]]). [[{{Badass}} Capable of immense asskicking]], attractive to practically everyone s/he meets, [[FirstLawOfResurrection not even death can stop him/her]], [[MagneticHero inspires loyalty among all in the general vicinity]], [[DidYouJustFlipOffCthulhu flips off Cthulhu]] before [[DidYouJustPunchOutCthulhu delivering a KO-ing]] '''SHEPARD PAWNCH''' and flipping off his corpse... and could very easily change his/her name to Commander Awesome. Each class also results in a new form of badass for Shepard;
** BadassAbnormal: Especially in the sequel, seeing that the reconstructive surgery has reinforced his/her body to the point where they can use weapons only ''krogan'' and ''geth'' can safely handle without having bones shattered. Or, for that matter, win fistfights with robots twice their size! For clarification, krogan are what you would get if you were to evolve an intelligent species on a crap sack death world where even your parents are out to kill you. The geth platforms are machines built for war.
** BadassArmFold: Shepard is fond of doing this; when s/he does, you know things are going to go badly, somehow, for someone.
** BadassBoast: Whether s/he's Paragon or Renegade, s/he will make many of these and all of them justified.
--> '''Paragon Shepard:''' We'll fight and win without it. I won't let fear compromise who I am.
** BadassBookworm: The Engineer Class
** BadassCreed
** BadassInANiceSuit: Kasumi procures a tuxedo for a male Shepard for use in his loyalty mission. It can become a default casual outfit for Shepard after the mission's complete.
** BadassNormal: Any non-biotic class, though Shepard gets upgraded in the sequel.
** [[ColonelBadass Commander Badass]]
** CulturedBadass: Notable when romancing Ashley. Also implied to be familiar with Thomas Hobbes when talking to Thane in the sequel. Renegade Shepard also references [[ThePrince Machiavelli]], saying "[[BeamMeUpScotty It's better to be feared than loved.]]"
** ''"You can fight like a krogan, you can run like a Leopard, but [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HeY-2ovpF9c you'll never be better than Commander Shepard]]!"''
* BaldOfAwesome / BaldOfEvil: The default male options, depending on how you play. Okay, well maybe not ''completely'' bald, but it sounds better than Closely Shaved Stubble Of Awesome/Closely Shaved Stubble Of Evil.
* BaldWoman: if the player chooses so when customizing female Shepard's looks.
* BavarianFireDrill: Uses this to convince a worker to go away when caught in a restricted area in the second game. One has him/her posing as a health inspector; the other involves telling the guy there's a bomb in the area. Either way, it works.
** Before laughing and [[LampshadeHanging hanging a lampshade]] that it actually worked.
* BeautyEqualsGoodness: Played straight in the second game. If you go Paragon, the glowing scars fade away. If you play Renegade, [[http://masseffect.wikia.com/wiki/File:Shepard_renegade.jpg they go into overdrive]].
* BewareTheNiceOnes: Paragon Shepard is entirely capable of gaining your undying loyalty and friendship by punching you in the face or putting a gun to your head.
* [[BigBrotherMentor Big Brother/Big Sister Mentor]]: To Garrus; with the potential to launch a MentorShip in ''Mass Effect 2'' if Shepard is female.
** Not quite as much as with Garrus but it also seems to apply to Tali.
* {{Blackmail}}: If you have the Earthborn origin, an old gang mate of yours will attempt to use your sordid past as leverage for getting a buddy out of jail. You can go along, but you can also just shoot him.
* BioAugmentation: No matter what class you choose for Shepard, s/he is an Alliance Marine with special forces training, so s/he is heavily modded. Even more so in the sequel, when more upgrades are added during the [[BackFromTheDead Lazarus Project]].
* BloodKnight: A Renegade Shepard shows these tendencies from time to time, especially in the sequel.
* BoldlyComing: The alien love interests in ME 2 express some concern over interspecies relations, ranging from being unsure what to do (Thane) to seriously believing it would never work (Tali and Garrus). Shepard seems to have absolutely no problem with any of this. It's both heartwarming and a little strange.
-->'''Garrus:''' Are we crazy to even be thinking about this? I... Look, Shepard, I know you can find something closer to home.\\
'''Shepard:''' (smiling) I don't want something closer to home. I want ''you''. I want someone I can trust. \\
\\
'''Liara:''' And after all this is over, what about us? \\
'''Shepard:''' Marriage, old age, [[BabiesEverAfter lots of little blue children]]. \\
'''Liara:''' You just say these things!
* BondOneLiner: Several. Many of them are Renegade options.
-->'''Mercenary:''' I've got nothing more to say to you.\\
''(Shepard [[DestinationDefenestration pushes the merc out the skyscraper window]])''\\
'''Shepard:''' How about goodbye?\\
'''Jack:''' Damn, I should take notes from you!
* BrokenBird: Female Shepard and hell, even Male Shepard can be played like this.
* BrokenPedestal: Is seen as this by quite a few people in ''VideoGame/MassEffect2'', particularly Ashley/Kaidan, since s/he's forced to work with Cerberus.
** Particularly in Ash's example, when you consider that just seconds earlier she had berated an ungrateful colonist that Shepard had rescued and told him that he was "standing in the presence of a ''GOD''", then immediately [[WhatTheHellHero chews you out for working with Cerberus.]]
** This is even noted in one of the background news reports as being one of the public's reactions to sightings of Shepard.
--->'''Announcer:''' Emotions at Shepard's alleged survival are mixed. While some are overjoyed to see her/him return, [[HeroWithBadPublicity others believe her/his false death was a betrayal.]]
* BuffySpeak: Shepard invokes this [[CrowningMomentOfFunny when drunk]], just before ordering a GargleBlaster intended specifically for krogan.
-->'''Shepard:''' Hell yeah. Put more of the stuff in the... the thing more stuff goes in.
* BullyingADragon: For the [[EldritchAbomination Reapers]] and those who work with them, this is acceptable. But then you have [[TooDumbToLive the slave traders who try to take Shepard hostage to sell on the black market]], and those mercenaries who think that just because their men have been lining up shots, that means that s/he's done for.
* BunnyEarsLawyer: Renegade Shepard is somewhat of an example. An (almost) omnicidal maniac with free reign of a state of the art ship and just about do whatever the hell they want. They mouth off the three single most powerful people in the entire Goddamn universe several times, and gets away with it many, many, ''many'' times. Why? Shepard does a good job.
** Even Paragon Shepard can qualify for this trope. S/he will do as ordered...''[[TakeYourTime eventually]]''. Until then, they can and will gladly [[ScrewTheRulesImDoingWhatsRight break every single rule in the book]] to ensure that [[ChronicHeroSyndrome every single wrong in sight has been righted]] no matter how big a political storm will follow. Why are they tolerated by a strictly traditionalist society? Shepard gets results.
* ButForMeItWasTuesday: In ''VideoGame/MassEffect2'', Shepard can meet with Fist, who gets real snippy at the fact that you ruined his life. The Renegade option basically has you say "I forgot about you five minutes after I told you to run".
* CameBackWrong: A possibility in the sequel if the player chooses to alter his or her imported character during the [[CharacterCustomization Lazarus Project]].
** [[http://social.bioware.com/forum/1/topic/105/index/1398049 Case in point.]]
** [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sx-W3WsQlFg&feature=related Female example here.]]
* CameBackStrong: Due to the Lazarus Project, Shepard now posesses a reinforced skeletal structure, cybernetic implants, immunity to poisons and toxins that would kill a regular human and potentially gained biotic abilities.
* CanadaEh: Listen to Male Shepard say "about". Unmistakable.
* CanonName: John for men, Jane for women. You can change that to whatever you want; [[HelloInsertNameHere Shepard stays.]]
* TheCaptain
* CartwrightCurse: Only if [[spoiler:Shepard's love interest in the first game died on Virmire and his/her second love in the next game dies during the suicide mission]].
* TheCasanova: Shep can be played this way, but it usually blows up in his/her face.
-->'''Shepard:''' Who said anything about love? I'm just trying to get you into bed.\\
'''Miranda:''' ''* giggle* '' You arse.
** While the subtitles say ass, since Miranda's accent is Australian, she says arse.
** Ash (if romanced) also comments on this in the first game. She claims that Shepard's flirting is so terrible, it should be used for ''greeting cards''.
* TheCassandra: When it comes to the Council. '''Every single thing''' that Shepard tells them in the first game is proven to be true, and yet they ''still'' refuse to believe in the existence of the Reapers. And even if you play as a Renegade and [[spoiler: let the old Council die]], it's insinuated that their replacements don't believe you either.
-->'''Turian Councilor:''' [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O92m-yy4gGk Ahh yes, "Reapers".]]
** Don't worry, he'll [[http://www.nerfnow.com/comic/435 get his.]]
* CatchPhrase: Renegade Shepard really hates being "jerked around", and Shepard in general often opens dialogue with "What can you tell me about [thing]", then finishing with "I should go."
** Renegade Shepard also doesn't like to be "kept in the dark".
** Jennifer Hale raises a valid point in one behind-the-scenes clip: "I should go."
** "We'll talk later" is another one. Garrus actually seems to play with this if you bring him and Tali to a certain staircase on the Citadel:
--->'''Garrus:''' You ever miss those talks we had on the elevators?\\
'''Tali:''' No.\\
'''Garrus:''' Come on, remember how we'd all ask you about life on the flotilla? It was an opportunity to share!\\
'''Tali:''' This conversation is over.\\
'''Garrus:''' Tell me again about your immune system!\\
'''Tali:''' I have a shotgun.\\
'''Garrus:''' Maybe we'll talk later.
* CelebrityEndorsement: "I'm Commander Shepard, and this is my favorite store on the Citadel." Repeat for ''every single store on the Citadel.''
** And that's the Paragon option. GoodIsNotNice indeed.
* TheChainsOfCommanding: Shepard's job is not a very fun one (in-universe at least).
* CharacterDevelopment: If you play the first game as mostly X (Paragon or Renegade) nothing stops you from being the opposite in the sequel. In fact, you could conceivably go from all of one in 1, to 50/50 in 2, to the other in 3, or several variations thereof.
* ChickMagnet / HelloNurse: People with very diverse backgrounds are attracted to Shepard, disregarding his/her actions... and that's just comparing the official love interests: be you soldier, Cerberus operative, notorious criminal, {{Badass}} alien of any kind, or a ''robot'' consisting of over 1000 individual programs, chances are you want to bang Shepard.
* ChronicHeroSyndrome: Paragon Shepard (depending on playstyle) will not allow any problems they come across to remain unresolved.
** Renegade Shepard too, but that's mainly due to there inevitably being ''another'' idiot in the galaxy needing to be insulted/punched/shot in the face after having dealt with the last one.
** Lampshaded in the sequel by a couple you helped in the first game. While discussing what, if any, gene implants to get their baby (the issue you helped resolve in [=ME1=]), one of them says, "Maybe we should ask random people off the street what they think."
* CipherScything: DOES NOT appear in anyway in the Novels or Comics.
** But WILL appear in the movie and anime.
* ColdSniper / FriendlySniper: Renegade and Paragon Shepard who chooses to use a sniper rifle, respectively.
* ColonelBadass: What s/he was before being promoted to TheCaptain.
* CommonMarySueTraits: Given the game design, it's almost unavoidable. [[TropesAreNotBad But it's ever so satisfying]].
* CommandingCoolness
* ConsummateProfessional: Shepard can be played as one.
* CoolBigSis: A Paragon female Shepard plays this kind of role for Tali.
-->'''Shepard:''' Tali, about what your father said, about what he did, you deserve better.\\
'''Tali:''' [[CrowningMomentOfHeartwarming I've got better, Shepard. I've got you.]]
* CosmicPlaything: The Colonist/Sole Survivor combo. [[TraumaCongaLine Shepard's life just sucks.]]
** Hell, the entirety of ''VideoGame/MassEffect2'' has Shepard acting as the CosmicPlaything. From dying, to being treated like dirt by his/her closest friends and superiors because s/he was forced to work with an organization that s/he hates. S/he goes through a pretty tough time in ''VideoGame/MassEffect2'' yet keeps on going. Obviously enhanced by having one or both of those two background choices.
* CovertPervert: S/he can sit down and get a dance from asari strippers ([[SubvertedTrope not so covert]]), and apparently knows what asari porno Joker was talking about when he suggested [[BoldlyComing Shep]] and [[GreenSkinnedSpaceBabe Liara]] reenact a scene from it, which suggests that Shep watches ''asari porn''. Lets hope its none of that [[NaughtyTentacles hanar]]/[[GreenSkinnedSpaceBabe asari]] stuff. Or should we?
** The vid in question is also brought up in Samara's loyalty mission when trying to chat up Morinth (and based on her previous quarry most likely a LesYay film). The game selling Salarian in the Citadel does make a mention of Asari/Hanar games, and the fact that they come from a place called Shin Akiba just sounds like a huge TakeThat.
* CowboyCop: To certain degrees depending on how you play.
* CrackingUp: Shepard's way of preparing for a JackBauerInterrogationTechnique. Once, s/he only has to do this to make a volus give up a keycard.
* CruelMercy: Renegade Shepard merely wants you dead. Paragon Shepard prefers to let people ''suffer in penance''.
* CulturedWarrior: Can be played as this. Shepard can recognize poetry quoted by Ashley, knows a thing or two about Hobbes and can even quote ideas from Beccaria's "Crimes and Punishment" in the right situation.
-->'''Shepard:''' It's not the severity of punishment that deters crime, it's the certainty.
** Also notes Machiavelli by name, referencing the idea "It's better to be feared than respected."
*** Actually, it is [[ThePrince "It's better to be feared than loved"]], and only if you can't have both. Respect is pretty important. Also, Machiavelli states that you should never be hated. Which a pure Renegade Shepard [[JerkAss completely ignores]]...
* {{Cyborg}}: Was kind of necessary to bring him/her BackFromTheDead. And it's almost certain that Shepard, as an Alliance soldier (and, if you so choose, a biotic), had some electronic enhancements long before then.
** Specifically, most people in the setting opt to have implants in their hands to let them interface with Holograms, because using gloves would be so cumbersome. In ''VideoGame/MassEffect2'', Shepard get's illegal trans-human enhancements, including strengthened bones with medi-gel conduits, hardened skin, increased strength, and most important to the plot: resistance to drugs and toxins.
* DangerousSixteenthBirthday: If your Shepard has the Colonist background, s/he was sixteen when batarian slavers attacked and destroyed his/her home of Mindoir, signaling the end of his/her normal life.
* DareToBeBadass: Shepard uses this to motivate an injured krogan in the second game:
-->'''Shepard:''' I said a badass, not some scout whining like a quarian with a tummyache!\\
'''Tali:''' [[WhatTheHellHero I'm standing]] [[CrowningMomentOfFunny right here!]]
* DarkAndTroubledPast: Depending on the origin that you choose, [[StreetUrchin Shepard could have grown up on Earth without any parents and been a member of a gang in order to survive.]] S/he also might have seen his/her colony raided by Batarian slavers and watched his/her family get murdered.
* DeadpanSnarker:
** A lot of options leads to these type of responses, particularly with male Shepard, helped by [[DullSurprise Mark Meer's delivery]].
--->'''Turian Councillor:''' How many generations until the rachni overrun us again?\\
'''Shepard:''' Uh... three? No, wait! Four!
** Sometimes Shepard will be this on his/her own, or no matter what you pick.
--->'''Joker:''' It'll be better than the old days.\\
'''Shepard:''' I hope so. I ''died''.\\
'''Joker:''' Gawd, you're such a downer.
** ALL of the in-game dialogue between [[LikeAnOldMarriedCouple Liara and Shepard]] in "Lair of the Shadow Broker".
* TheDeadRiseToAdvertise: Potentially in the second game, if Shepard gets discounts by recording recommendations for all the stores on the Citadel.
* DefrostingIceQueen / King: You can play him/her like this to the other characters in the series.
* {{Determinator}}: All three of Shepard's possible backgrounds ([[OneManArmy War Hero]], SoleSurvivor, and [[WeHaveReserves Ruthless]]) have shades of this.
** And of course Shepard is this in both of the games to a ridiculous extreme, no matter how bad things get.
* [[spoiler:DisneyDeath]]: Played with in the first game, subverted with the second.
* [[spoiler:DidYouJustPunchOutCthulhu: As of now, Shepard has personally killed ''three'' Reapers. Two on foot. Granted, one was half-dead already and the other was pretty much an embryo, but still impressive.]]
** [[spoiler:There's still one game left, and an entire Reaper fleet for him/her to bring up that count.]]
* DidYouJustFlipOffCthulhu: [[spoiler: S/He pissed off the Reapers so much that the entire fleet is after them ''personally''. When controlling a Collector, Harbinger at times orders them to focus entirely on Shepard, but not damage Shepard's body, if possible. Only Bioware knows what horrors he wants to inflict upon the Commander.]]
** "Shepard, you have become an annoyance"
* DivingSave: ActionCommands allow Shepard to pull a few of these in the second game, as well as during the regular cutscenes. One of the more notable occurences is [[spoiler:during the final assault on the Collector base, where you have to jump to save one of your party from sliding into an abyss. Depending on your party composition, it's possible for Grunt - a krogan easily two or three times Shepard's size - to be the one rescued in this fashion.]]
* DontYouDarePityMe: Depending on dialogue, s/he can take this attitude.
* DramaticSpaceDrifting: The death scene at the beginning of the second game.
* TheDreaded: Even though in game-play all {{Mooks}} display SuicidalOverconfidence, the Commander is referred to like this on two occasions: First, on the [[http://masseffect.wikia.com/wiki/N7:_MSV_Strontium_Mule MSV Strontium Mule assignment]], Merc datapads contain OhCrap messages on the fact that you're attacking. Second, on the ''Arrival'' DownloadableContent, there is a OptionalBoss fight were you HoldtheLine against waves of [[ArtificialBrilliance scarily intelligent enemies]] and a MiniBoss all by yourself. If you can win the fight, you'll hear increasingly desperate cries about [[OneManArmy how unstoppable you are]].
** And once Shepard wakes up from the sedatives, the scientist there gets terrified and soon security is just as terrified.
* DrinkOrder: Shepard apparently can and will drink anything placed in front of him/her, even if s/he has no idea what it is, including beverages intended for batarians and [[GargleBlaster radioactive krogan specialties]], and have nothing worse than a headache after a few minutes of drunken stupor. Not to say s/he can't enjoy a more sophisticated drink with [[TeamMom Chakwas]]. Still gets blazing drunk though.
** There's one bartender on Omega who serves Shepard a poisoned drink, intending to kill him/her. All that happens, though, is that Shepard immediately passes out then wakes up in a nearby alley a little while later with no lasting effects.
*** Chalk it up to the Lazarus Liver Shep got?
**** Either that, or s/he's a raging alcoholic who drinks paint thinner.
***** If you woke up every morning and had to punch or shoot at least three [[TooDumbToLive idiots]] before lunch, wouldn't you have a drinking problem?
***** Actually, no. Alcohol is for people who have to RESTRAIN themselves when they want to punch or shoot people.
* DrivesLikeCrazy: Liara seems to think so during the car chase in ''Lair of the Shadow Broker,'' complaining every time you almost-crash. It would also explain all those shenanigans with the Mako in the first game.
-->'''Liara:''' Truck!\\
'''Shepard:''' I know.\\
'''Liara:''' ''Truck!''\\
'''Shepard:''' ''I know!''\\
'''Liara:''' ''Aah!''
* DudeWheresMyRespect: Both used and subverted. Most people are aware of how impressive Shepard is, but that doesn't stop them from asking the Commander to do whatever legal or illegal errands they need run. Nor does it make the Council any more likely to listen to their claims.
* DudleyDoRightStopsToHelp: What happens when Shepard chooses the paragon choice during Zaeed's loyalty mission.
* EnemyMine: Especially for a Paragon Shepard, working with the Illusive Man and Cerberus is definitely an example and s/he makes it clear that s/he's only working with them because no one else is willing to help him/her.
* EscapistCharacter: You are not just playing a character called Commander Shepard, you ''are'' Commander Shepard.
* EstrogenBrigadeBait: Male Shepard's face was based on a [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Vanderloo model.]]
* EvenTheGirlsWantHer: Female Shepard. Even Tali [[LesYay gets stuttery and embarrassed around her.]] Played [[IncrediblyLamePun straight]] with [[GayOption Yeoman Kelly Chambers]].
** EvenTheGuysWantHim: [[CelibateHero Mordin]] states that if he was actually interested in Romance, Shepard would be his first choice. This includes the Male Shepard.
* EverybodysDeadDave: Both the Colonist and Sole Survivor backgrounds.
* EveryoneCanSeeIt: Depending on Shepard's gender, there will be repeated commentary on his/her rapport with either [[FanPreferredCouple Tali or Garrus]].
* ExactlyWhatIAimedAt: Can be used in the second game to shut up an ''incredibly'' annoying krogan.
* FaceFramedInShadow: Shepard gets a few opportunities to do this in the second game. Can be really creepy if you have heavy Renegade scarring.
* FaintingSeer: After getting sucked into the Prothean beacon and having information uploaded into his/her mind, Shepard passes out for a good few hours and has a splitting headache upon awakening. Any subsequent visitation of the vision is hard on him/her, and s/he mentions having disturbing dreams continuously. Subverted when Shepard comes across a second beacon; s/he's able to handle it better that time.
* FamedInStory: Oh God yes. No matter how you play Shepard, news of his/her exploits spreads quickly. Perhaps subverted, though, [[TheGreatestStoryNeverTold because hardly anyone knows the truth about his/her greatest exploits.]]
* FanNickname: "Sheploo" for the default male Shepard (after Mark Vanderloo, whose face male Shepard is modeled off of).
** Kasumi uses the common nickname Shep for him/her.
** And, of course, [=FemShep=] for female Shepard.
* FascinatingEyebrow: Another of Shepard's favorite gestures.
* FaustianRebellion: If you decide to give TIM the finger in the second game. It remains to be seen how well this will work out.
* FieryRedhead: Female Shepard, due to popular vote, is thus depicted this way on [=ME3=] promotional art.
* FilkSong: by Miracle of Sound. Link to be found beneath the portrait.
* FirstLawOfResurrection: Employed by Cerberus in the Lazarus project.
* FoeTossingCharge: Only Shepard can use the Vanguard's biotic Charge, from ''VideoGame/{{Mass Effect 2}}''. The impact will knock the foe off their feet, making them an easy target for your shotgun. Unfortunately, if the enemy has armor or shields, they'll only stumble backwards instead of being thrown head over heels. The charge also lets you phase through objects, allowing you to get up next to enemies in cover, blast them down, then find cover yourself before their buddies retaliate.
** How the Charge attacks work may induce a moment of FridgeLogic, especially the 'passing through obstacles' bit, but becomes FridgeBrilliance if you recall the [[spoiler:Conduit. The Conduit's destination terminus is certainly with an enclosed space, the Presidium, but the mass relay still successfully delivers the Prothean survivors, and later Saren and then the Mako, through successfully.]] So basically, Shepard is using his/her biotics to turn him/herself into a self-projecting, sub-lightspeed mass relay.
* GenreSavvy: "[[MakeSureHesDead Make sure he's dead.]]"
** At the end of the first Overlord mission, Shepard is surprised the satellite dish s\he's standing on is going to fall into a canyon, after blowing up the control panels. S\he gets better, just knowing messing with a Geth ship is bad news, knows in advance an elevator on Atlas Station will be full of mooks, and before going down to David tells his\her squad not to be surprised even if a Reaper appears.
* GoneHorriblyRight: For The Illusive Man. Bringing back Shepard to be exactly like s/he was before... Then he [[VillainousBreakdown rages]] when Paragon Shepard doesn't help him get things like [[spoiler: Collecter/Reaper technology]].
** Even more so if Miranda is in the party at the final battle and is loyal, which causes her to tell the Illusive Man to shove it, resign and hang up on him when he begins to tirade. Keep in mind, before she met [[MagneticHero Shepard]], Miranda was one of his most ''loyal agents''.
* GoodCopBadCop: During Thane's loyalty mission, though playing Shepard as anything but 'bad cop' seems impossible.
** Not true. You can ask politely for information, then when the crime boss refuses and his lawyer comes in you can casually point out that you're a Spectre and the lawyers can't do anything to you.
* [[EvilCounterpart Good Counterpart]]: This to no less than three characters: Saren Arterius, [[spoiler:Tela Vasir]], and Kai Leng.
* GoodIsNotDumb: It's truly astonishing how many villains think that they can take on the soldier who's [[DidYouJustPunchOutCthulhu killed mecha-gods]] and [[OneManArmy wiped out entire armies]] [[UnderestimatingBadassery just because s/he's trying to be reasonable.]]
* GoodIsNotNice: Paragon interrupts in [=ME2=] are frequently just as {{Badass}} as Renegade ones, and several involve punching someone in the face. That said, Paragon Shepard generally ''is'' uncommonly compassionate, patient and caring - especially when it comes to her/his crew - but don't think for a moment that s/he won't come down on you like a ton of bricks if you cross the MoralEventHorizon or JumpOffTheSlipperySlope. "Nice" doesn't mean "soft", after all.
* GoodIsNotSoft: Paragon Shepard is one of the most notable examples of this trope imaginable. S/he is unquestionably selfless and compassionate, but if pushed, will not hesitate to gun down anyone stupid enough to get in his/her way.
* GoodMorningCrono: The beginning of the second game. Only instead of waking up to go to work, Shepard wakes up from being, you know, [[IGotBetter dead]].
* GoodOldFisticuffs: [[spoiler: Shepard's way of dealing with the Shadow Broker.]]
* GoodScarsEvilScars: In the sequel, s/he gains some glowing scars after [[spoiler: dying and being resurrected by Cerberus]]. If you play a Paragon, they slowly disappear almost completely. [[http://images.wikia.com/masseffect/images/c/c1/Shepard_renegade.jpg If you play a Renegade...]]
** The first game's character creation screen features a variety of scars suitable for every alignment.
* GuileHero: Paragon Shepard will always be some combination of ActionHero and this, but it becomes more prevalent the more the Paragon meter fills up.
* HangoverSensitivity: In the first game, Shepard described the aftereffects of being exposed to a Prothean beacon as being like "the morning after shore leave," though s/he never actually drinks anything. S/he more than makes up for this in the second game, but doesn't really seem to get hangovers. Just drunk.
* HannibalLecture: [[spoiler: In the final level of the first ''Mass Effect'', Shepard can counter Saren's with his/her own, and eventually can convince Saren to commit suicide.]]
* TheHeart: Paragon Shepard.
* HelloInsertNameHere: Averted. [[LastNameBasis Everyone refers to him/her purely as Shepard]], even love interests; the player-chosen first name is purely cosmetic.
** Unless you [[LeaningOnTheFourthWall make your first name "Commander"]].
* HeroesWantRedheads: Of course you can customize Shepard's hair color and style, but going by the default flaming red hair for Fem!Shepard this trope applies for her love interests.
* HeroWithBadPublicity: Cerberus's funding of Shepard is the reason nobody in power trusts him/her in the second game, no matter what else s/he does in the course of defeating the Collectors.
** Likely to get much worse in ''VideoGame/MassEffect3'', [[spoiler:as the events in The Arrival [[DownloadableContent DLC]] forced Shepard to essentially sign the death warrants of 300,000 batarians which could potentially spark war with the batarians and only Shepard, the Normandy crew, and Admiral Hackett know why. Hackett pretty much tells him/her that s/he'll basically have to go to trial and that the batarians are going to be out for his/her blood. One hopes the respect/loyalty Shep has earned from most of the galaxy's other players by that point, and the good will of those in the Alliance in the know, is enough to counter the publicity]].
* HeroicBSOD: Not ''quite'', but in the Lair of the Shadow Broker DLC, Liara and Shepard can have a touching moment in his/her cabin. During the conversation, Shepard can express anger and sorrow about the people that have died alongside them, wondering "How many more before it's enough?"
* HeroicSacrifice: No matter if Shepard's Paragon or Renegade, s/he sacrifices his/her life to get Joker to safety. [[spoiler: In the bad ending, s/he does it again, for the exact same reason.]]
* HeyItsThatVoice: When she's not busy being the ultimate badass, [[JenniferHale Shepard]] is a [[KnightsOfTheOldRepublic snooty British Jedi]], a HeroicSociopath [[{{Mercenaries}} mercenary]], an [[{{Metroid}} intergalactic bounty hunter]], a [[MetalGearSolid vengeful doctor]], a [[{{Spider-Man}} news reporter]], an [[SyphonFilter evil spy]], an [[SoulCalibur Ax]] [[AxCrazy Crazy]] [[DarkChick girl]] [[MoodSwinger on]] [[ChaoticEvil the]] [[IncrediblyLamePun bipolar express]], a [[SpiderManTheAnimatedSeries catsuit wearing thief]], a [[TotallySpies teenage spy]], a [[TalesOfSymphonia clumsy big breasted ninja]]...
** A [[{{Animorphism}} animorphic]] [[BloodyRoar rabbit]]. A cute girl who morphs into a giant bunny rabbit.
*** Kasumi's mission has a nice surprise...hearing one of the crime lords you might just go "that's Bastila!"
*** Meanwhile Male Shepard is the experienced Elven Warden and the Disciples of Darkspawn.
*** [[{{BitheWay}} "Why work if you're]] [[{{DragonAge2}} not working hard?"]]
* HoldingHands: Thane and [=FemShep=] will do this naturally while pursuing their romance; a male Shepard will do this with Tali to try to convince her of his feelings.
** If Liara was romanced in ''[[VideoGame/MassEffect1 Mass Effect]]'', she and Shepard will hold hands in ''Lair of the Shadow Broker'' [[CrowningMomentOfHeartwarming while Liara tells Shepard to promise her that s/he will always come back.]]
* HoneyTrap: [[spoiler:How s/he maneuvers Morinth into being ambushed by Samara.]]
* HopeBringer: Paragon Shepard seems to instill the will to fight in everyone they meet. Even Renegade Shepard can pull people up.
* HotAmazon: Female Shepard's love interests each appreciate her badassitude.
** For the three of you who don't know that female Shepard is this, [[http://media.pcgamer.com/files/2011/08/Mass-Effect-3-the-real-female-shepard.jpg here's one version of the box art that will be available]].
* HotBlooded: Both Renegade ''AND'' Paragon Shepard, particularly [[PapaWolf when you mess]] [[MamaBear with his/her crew.]] Best shown in Tali's loyalty mission if you take either of the Charm or Intimidate option where s/he will verbally tear apart the Admiralty Board for even considering doing what they're trying to do to Tali, who lampshades it after thanking Shepard.
-->'''Tali:''' It's fun watching you shout.
* HotForStudent: One interpretation of the relationship between Garrus and Shepard is that of student (Garrus) and teacher (Shepard). This makes a female Shepard and Garrus getting into a relationship [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin this trope]].
* HundredPercentHeroismRating: Or [[{{Jerkass}} Hundred Percent Jerkass Recognition]]. You know, either way.
* HurtingHero: Definitely there with a Colonist background and mixed with a War Hero or Sole Survivor background. Also depends on dialogue choices.
** Can also be shown at the end of the ''Lair of the Shadow Broker'' DLC as shown in the KnightInSourArmor entry below.
* {{Hypocrite}}: [[spoiler:Tela Vasir says that Paragon Shepard is one when s/he judges her for working with the Shadow Broker when s/he's essentially working with the terrorist organization, Cerberus.]]
** The turian Councellor will criticize Shepard no matter what decisions s/he makes; playing multiple games will show you that he will accuse Shepard of possibly dooming the galaxy via [[spoiler: the Rachni Queen if sh/e lets her live]] and accuse him/her of genocide if s/he kills it.
* ICantDance: Shepard can kill, negotiate, bribe, or charm her/his way out any situation, and has long since been proven the ultimate problem-solving machine in the galaxy. Despite his/her long list of impressive skills and athletic ability, in no situation seen thus far can s/he avoid ''looking like a complete jackass'' when attempting to "dance."
* IDidWhatIHadToDo: Whether Paragon or Renegade s/he will defend many of his/her actions in this way. One of the biggest ones came at the end of The Arrival DLC [[spoiler:where s/he destroyed an entire solar system and killed over 300,000 people.]]
* IDontWantToRuinOurFriendship: If a female Shepard starts to romance Garrus, this is what she'll say if she breaks it off.
* ImmortalHero: Both played straight and subverted. [[spoiler:The Illusive Man brings him/her back from the dead because he knows Shepard is indispensable to the defense of the galaxy, but that doesn't stop Shepard from dying if you were careless at the end of the second game.]]
* InsaneTrollLogic: Renegade Shepard seems to take perverse pleasure in finding flimsy excuses for his/her rampages.
** [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UdtRljrmQZs "Hey! Everyone! This store discriminates against the poor!"]]
** Renegade Shepard is even repeatedly called out on it, particularly in the first game. There are no less than three examples on Noveria - Parasini, Lorik Qu'in and Opold will all invoke some variation of the trope if you screw them over.
--->'''Lorik Qu'in:''' What insane breed of logic is that??'
* JackBauerInterrogationTechnique: Renegade Shepard is fond of these. Paragon Shepard might not actually use these, but [[GoodIsNotNice s/he isn't shy about threatening someone with one]].
* {{Jerkass}}: If played as a Renegade.
** JerkWithAHeartOfGold: Renegade Shepard can also be this -- so long as one avoids certain actions and conversation options.
*** Paragon Shepard can also fit this, with the right choices.
** JerkassHasAPoint: In-Universe example, as well as out-of-universe. This is pretty much the entire point of at least half of the 'intimidate'/lower-left red dialogue options.
* KarmaHoudini: A Renegade Shepard never faces any consequences for his/her actions. Everyone else ''around'' him/her though...
** Averted due to the events of The Arrival DLC. [[spoiler:Shepard (Paragon and Renegade) ''will'' be going to trial for wiping out an entire solar system and killing 300,000+ people in the process]].
* [[KavorkaMan Kavorka Man/Woman]]: Via face customization during character creation, you can make Commander Shepard look like s/he fell out of the ugly tree and hit every branch on the way down, and everyone ''still'' wants to get in their pants. Guess the badassness/heroicness shines through no matter how Shep looks.
* KeepTheReward: This is the 'nice' option for many sidequests, but a full Paragon Shepard actually subverts this and gets even larger rewards through selflessness.
* TheKirk: Paragon and Renegade actions tend to slide in TheMcCoy & TheSpock territory as well.
* KillItWithFire: Depending on his/her [[AnAdventurerIsYou class]], Shepard can use incendiary ammo rounds, and/or the Incinerate power. Zaeed's loyalty mission gives you a flamethrower.
* KleptomaniacHero: Enough to make their stance on looters more than a bit hypocritical.
* KnightErrant: Paragon Shepard... who travels the Galaxy, righting wrongs and asking for no reward.
* KnightInShiningArmor: Paragon Shepard is an incorruptible idealist who always behaves chivalrously towards the people s/he loves and will always save the day. Shepard particularly becomes a [[IncrediblyLamePun shining]] example of this trope with the Spacer + War Hero background.
* KnightInSourArmor: Yes, the play styles are infinite, but if you have the Colonist origin, the asari Consort pretty much describes you this way. Basically if Paragon Shepard isn't a WideEyedIdealist or ThePollyanna, s/he's likely a KnightInSourArmor.
-->"[[HurtingHero I see the sadness behind your eyes, it tells a story that makes me want to weep. Pain and loss.]] But it drives you, makes you strong. It is that strength that people are drawn to. [[MagneticHero It is why you lead and others follow without question]]. You will need that leadership in the battles to come."
** At the end of the Lair of the Shadow Broker DLC, Liara will ask Shepard how s/he's doing. If you choose the right dialogue option, Shepard will vent to Liara about how tired s/he is of dealing with Cerberus and the Council treating him/her like s/he's nuts. But in the end s/he keeps going because it's the right thing to do. It really drives home how [[HurtingHero much crap Shepard is going through]]. See PatrickStewartSpeech below for part of the exchange.
* LampshadeHanging: On this typical RPG mechanic.
-->"Just once I'd like to ask someone for help and hear them say 'Sure. Let's go. Right now. No strings attached.'"
* TheLadette: Fem!Shep doesn't seem all that feminine: career marine, rarely wears dresses, sits like a man, and downs shots just as readily as Dude!Shep (even [[GargleBlaster ryncol]]). You can even do a Renegade interrupt in one mission when a merc "mistakes" you for a stripper. (If you don't make the interrupt, the Merc is still impressed. "Wow, not even a smile. That hardass, huh?")
* LastNameBasis: Everyone, from superior officers to lovers to random people you just met on the street will call you Shepard.
* LightningBruiser: The Soldier Class has the fastest storm speed of all the classes.
** Storm speed schmorm speed. [[FoeTossingCharge Vanguard]] thinks Soldier is quaint for having to ''run'' to shotgun his/her foe in the face.
** All classes move much faster in ''VideoGame/MassEffect3''. Expect Soldiers and Vanguards to take it UpToEleven.
* LipstickLesbian: A feminine-looking female Shepard romancing Liara or Kelly comes off as this.
** Can be noticeably averted with a butch Fem Shep.
* LittleBlackDress: Kasumi gets Shepard a nice black leather outfit, that squeaks. A few shots make it seem she doesn't wear anything underneath.
* LivingEmotionalCrutch: [[DysfunctionJunction With crews like these,]] Shepard playing this role was inevitable. Whether this is better or worse for the crew members depends on your playstyle.
* MadeOfIron: Due to Cerberus upgrades during the ressurection process, Shepard's skeletal structure has been reinforced to the point where they can literally ''headbutt a Krogan''.
* MagneticHero: And how. So much so that if you [[spoiler: destroy the Collector base instead of turning it over to Cerberus]], '''Miranda''' - who was hand-picked by the Illusive Man and is pretty much his top lieutenant - tells you that she thinks you did the right thing. [[spoiler: In fact, if a Paragon takes her along for the final battle, TIM tells her to stop Shepard from destroying the base. She tells him where to shove it.]]
** There is an even more impressive example with [[spoiler:Morinth]]. By sheer charisma, Shepard can earn the loyalty of [[spoiler:a selfish [[CompleteMonster monster]] only focused on her [[TheHedonist pleasure]] ]], and make [[spoiler:her]] accept to work in a team, and even to ''sacrifice [[spoiler:herself]]'' for the team - during the [[spoiler:"seeker swarms" part of the suicide mission]], for instance. Yep, Shepard is that fascinating.
* MeaningfulName: Shepard/[[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shepherd Shepherd]]. [[MagneticHero The Commander has the ability to gather people to his/her cause and guide to become better people]]... if you want to.
** Not to mention a Paragon Shepard fufills this role entirely, protecting both the innocent and their flock from encroaching wolves... or Reapers.
** Also, [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_Shepard Shepard]]. Nerd Yay!
* MartialPacifist: Paragon Shepard often emphasises (particularly juxtaposed to Garrus' CowboyCop tendencies) that just because you ''can'' use force to solve a problem, doesn't mean ''should'' use force.
* TheMessiah / DarkMessiah: Paragon and Renegade moldings respectively.
* MessiahCreep: The death and return of Shepard in the sequel [[SarcasmMode doesn't refer to anything.]] ''[[WhatDoYouMeanItsNotSymbolic Really.]]''
* MessianicArchetype: Character traits ''and'' story fulfillment.
* MikeNelsonDestroyerOfWorlds: Shepard tends to cause massive destruction wherever s/he goes, whether intentionally or not. The galaxy at large has noticed this trend.
-->'''Moklik:''' [[LampshadeHanging Things explode around you, Shepard]]. You can't blame Aria for being careful.\\
'''Rana Thanoptis:''' Now, if you don't mind, I'm gonna run like hell before you blow the place or something. I know how you work.
** Taken to an enormous new level with The Arrival DLC where [[spoiler: s/he obliterates an entire SOLAR SYSTEM. However, due to the political ramifications and potential consequences for Shepard matter how noble his/her reasons, this one is unlikely to be played for laughs anytime soon.]]
*** [[spoiler: Actually, in Admiral Hackett's summary, it's still hilarious.]]
---> '''Admiral Hackett:''' All I know is I sent you out there to break Amanda Kenson out of prison, and now [[spoiler:an entire system is destroyed.]] I hope you can fill in the leap of logic between those two events.
* MildlyMilitary: While the Aliance and even Cerberus-trained crews are fairly spit-and-polish, the majority of Commander Shepard's squad is [[BunnyEarsLawyer anything]] [[DysfunctionJunction but]] [[RagTagBunchOfMisfits traditional]].
** Although its mentioned a few times that the level of military discipline enforced onboard lies solely at the discretion of the Captain of the vessel. Paragon Shepard is repeatedly shown in both games to be perfectly fine with waving rank aside and letting the crew speak freely as friends and equals, even stating at one point that they always keep an open door policy.
* MilitaryMaverick: So very, very much. Even if you don't play a [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin Renegade]], you still end up [[spoiler: conspiring to defy the Council and get your ship back to fight Saren]], and that's just ''one'' occurrence. And in the second game, you can have a ''second'' authority group you can defy. Fairly, [[WhatTheHellHero you can get called on this.]]
* MomentOfWeakness: A potential (depending on dialogue) and very brief one at the end of Lair of the Shadow Broker. Shepard, no matter how bad things have gotten, has always nearly always kept his/her suffering secret from the crew. Liara, showing the strength of the relationship between her and Shepard (romance or otherwise), can convince Shepard to lower his/her defenses where Shepard will, for the first time, express real worry about the task ahead or vent as to how [[TheChainsOfCommanding s/he has to make the]] [[SadisticChoice tough decisions]] [[HeroWithBadPublicity and be shunned for them.]]
* MoralityChain: Paragon Shepard plays this role for Garrus, keeping from becoming the kind of people he fights against. Especially notable if [=FemShep=] romances Garrus.
** Paragon Shepard also is one for Liara, the Paragon interrupts in ''Lair of the Shadow Broker'' pointing out the sheer collateral damage of her actions and attempting to pull her back from her descent into WellIntentionedExtremist territory.
* MultipleChoicePast: You choose an origin and a highlight in Shepard's service record at the beginning of your game. The different decisions you can make as you play expand on this.
** MilitaryBrat: The basis for the Spacer origin. Both parents were Alliance Navy, and is the only origin story where at least one parent is still alive.
** DoomedHometown: The basis for Colonist origin. [[DangerousSixteenthBirthday At the age of Sixteen]], Batarian slave raiders paid Shepard's home colony of Mindoir a visit. S/He was the only survivor of his/her family.
** StreetUrchin: Basis for the Earthborn origin. Born an orphan, street urchin, later gang member. Enrolled in the Alliance Navy to get away from that life.
** BusmansHoliday: The War Hero service record. Try and get some R&R, and wouldn't you know it, you wind up killing space pirates...
** SoleSurvivor: Explicit name for the second service record. Deployed to a planet called Akuze, and your entire unit, except apparently you, is slaughtered by a [[SandWorm Thresher Maw]].
** RoaringRampageOfRevenge: The Ruthless service record. In the Alliance's retaliation for the attack that the War Hero background helped defend against, Shepard sends more than a few good men to die to make sure no slavers get out alive, earning Shepard notoriety as [[TheButcher The Butcher of Torfan]].
* MusclesAreMeaningless: Female Shepard, in particular, is a stick figure. Instead of Krogan crushing her however [[{{Badass}} she crushes them]]. She does have robotic implants in the second game which could explain it for that entry in the series.
** Not only that she's able to hold her own against [[spoiler:the Shadow Broker who is ENORMOUS!]]
** Hold her own? If he didn't have that impenetrable shield Shep would totally wipe the floor with him.
** Actually justified in [[VideoGame/MassEffect2 ME2]]: Not only does she have robotic implants, if you get all the upgrades, she also has a heavy bone weave[[hottip:*:Which decreases damage taken from melee attacks by 50%, and is described as making the bones ''nearly unbreakable''.]] and heavy skin weaves[[hottip:*:Which, when fully upgraded, increase Shepard's health by a whopping ''70%''.]]. On top of ''those'', she can also have a heavy muscle weave[[hottip:*:Which increases the power of melee attacks by 25%.]]. So her bones won't shatter, her skin is hard to pierce, and her muscles have been modified with micro-fibers to increase strength and make damage from overexertion extremely unlikely. Even with that shield, [[spoiler:the Shadow Broker]] was ''lucky'' to last as long as he did.
* {{Nakama}}: What Shepard's crews eventually become.
** Unfortunately, as Joker pointed out, after Shepard's death, [[BreakingTheFellowship most of the surviving crew of the original Normandy drifted off into different directions]] with very few coming back. [[WeWereYourTeam Shepard is the core of his/her crews]], but without him/her, the large majority of them have very little reason to stay together - especially when the higher-ups notice this [[MagneticHero ability to make people more loyal to Shepard than to his/her superiors]] and forcibly scatter, retire, or merely ground them to ensure this happens.
** Though the crew in Mass Effect 2 definitely becomes this as well if you gain their loyalties.
* MyLifeFlashedBeforeMyEyes: Mass Effect: Genesis has Shepard recalling the events of the first game as s/he's dying after the destruction of the Normandy SR-1.
* NamesToRunAwayFromVeryFast: Shepard with the Ruthless personality is known by the Batarians as "The Butcher of Torfin".
* NeverHeardThatOneBefore: Shepard can get quite tired of being greeted with "But you're dead!" everywhere s/he goes in the second game.
--> "I've been getting that everywhere. It's a pain in the ass."
* NiceGuy: Paragon Shepard. Of course, it goes without saying that you should BewareTheNiceOnes.
* NinjaPirateZombieRobot: Or more specifically [[PsychicPowers Psychic]] {{Cyborg}} [[spoiler: Zombie]] SpaceMarine.
* NobleBigotWithABadge: A Renegade Shepard can make many racist assumptions about other species, and is quick to make remarks regarding his/her desire to avoid cooperation with them.
* NobleDemon: A possible playthrough of Renegade Shepard: a ruthless AntiHero who will do anything to complete his/her mission, and actively embraces the image of a OneManArmy bestowed upon him/her... but at the same time can help any person who may need it, and would gladly place him/herself in harm's way for or speak on the behalf of any member of his/her crew.
* NotSoDifferent: Renegade Shepard can be just as ruthless, racist and violent as Saren, and the similarity is made explicit during several conversations.
** One notable example occurs in Zaaed's loyalty mission in the second game where Renegade Shepard causes a fire at an oil refinery and decides to simply let the innocent workers inside burn to the death. This is ''exactly'' what Saren once did and framed Anderson for, ironically, also taking place at an oil refinery.
** Shepard, Paragon or Renegade, to [[spoiler:Tela Vasir.]]
*** Or so [[spoiler:she]] claims. Depending on the choices made during the game, as well as whether ''Lair of the Shadow Broker'' is completed after [[spoiler:going through the Omega 4 Relay, if the Collector Base was destroyed]], Shepard [[SubvertedTrope may be quite different]] after all.
** Legion lampshades this, musing on the fact that Paragon Shepard's decision to destroy the Collector Base and not use the technology it provided, even to protect themselves, was ''exactly'' the reason why the Geth refused Sovereign's offer.
--> '''Legion:''' You are more like us than we thought.
* NumberTwo: At the beginning of the first game, Shepard serves as the second of commander under Captain Anderson. After becoming a Spectre, Shepard becomes Admiral Hackett's go-to-guy/gal when it comes to under the table Alliance Affairs.
* ObliviousToLove: A male Shepard towards Tali in the first game. Given how quickly he jumps at the chance to be with a female Shepard, this might apply to Garrus as well.
* [[OneManArmy One (Wo)Man Army]]: S/he can take a squad of three against three hundred and come out on top, as well as bring his/her entire squad through a guaranteed suicide mission alive.
** Literally a case of this with the War Hero Backstory.
** Accentuated during the ''VideoGame/{{Mass Effect 2}}: Arrival'' DLC, where Shepard can face down several dozen [[spoiler:indoctrinated Alliance]] soldiers, including combat techs, assault infantry, and a YMIR mech, totally alone, and slaughters them all. [[MemeticMutation DIRECT INTERVENTION IS NECESSARY]] from the [[spoiler:Reaper artifact]] to take him/her out of commission. And when Shepard regains his/her feet, [[CurbStompBattle s/he rips through the entire base of elite assault troops.]] Totally alone.
*** EnemyChatter: "Shepard won't go down!" and "Shepard is tearing us apart!"
* OneOfTheBoys: Fem!Shep, usually.
* OnlyMostlyDead: S/he even uses ExactWords.
-->'''Shepard:''' I was only mostly dead. Try finding that option on government paperwork.
* TheParagon: [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin Paragon]] Shepard
* ParentalAbandonment: Both played straight and averted. Selecting Earthborn or Colonist backgrounds results in your character being an orphan. However, Spacers not only have still-living parents, but even get to call their mom during a sidequest.
** DisappearedDad: Just the same, a Spacer/Shepard's father is never present and is only ever mentioned in past tense.
* ParrotExposition: Shepard is annoyingly fond of these in the first game.
-->(Note, paraphrased)\\
'''Engineer Adams:''' [The Normandy] runs on an experimental Tantalus drive core.\\
'''Shepard:''' What's so special about the Tantalus drive core?\\
\\
'''Udina:''' [Liara] was last seen in the Artemis Tau cluster.\\
'''Shepard:''' Guess we'll start in the Artemis Tau cluster.
* PatrickStewartSpeech: Shepard has the option of delivering a heroic subversion, saying that humans ''can't'' do everything on their own and that every race in the galaxy needs to stick together if they're going to survive. [[spoiler:Change 'human' to 'organic species' and it's played pretty straight whenever a Reaper comes onto the scene.]]
** Also appears during some dialogue options in the Lair of the Shadow Broker if the player didn't romance Liara:
--->'''Liara:''' So tell me what you want. What are you fighting for?\\
'''Shepard:''' I guess I'm fighting for us: all of us.\\
'''Liara:''' That's a lot of responsibility.\\
'''Shepard:''' [[KnightInSourArmor People are messy, awkward, sometimes selfish and cruel]]. But they're trying, and I'm going to make sure they have a chance.
* PayEvilUntoEvil: Many of the renegade options can have Shepard being a completely ruthless bastard towards other bastards.
-->'''Shepard:''' You chose your side, Elnora, and you lost.
* PermaStubble: The default Male Shepard model has this and it can't be changed. Apparently being able to defeat whatever the galaxy throws at you is incompatible with knowing your way around a razor blade.
* PetTheDog: Playing as a Renegade does not automatically lock Shepard out of Paragon dialogue and actions, so there are numerous opportunities to do this.
* PhraseCatcher: Shepard is repeatedly told words along the lines of: "[[NotSoDifferent You may not agree with my methods, but our goals are the same]]."
** Shepard also tends to hear variations on the phrase '[[MagneticHero It's your call, Shepard. We'll go with whatever you say]].'
** S/he also hears quite a lot of "WTF?! I thought you were dead!" in the second game.
* PrecisionFStrike: Occurs twice during the main game:
** Once, during Tali's loyalty mission (If you're a Renegade.):
---> '''Shepard:''' Do whatever you want with your toy ships. But leave my crew out of your political BULLSHIT!
** And, when you choose the Renegade option while speaking with the Illusive Man after [[spoiler: after you blow up the Collector base.]]:
---> '''Shepard:''' I'm sorry, having trouble hearing you. Lotta ''bullshit'' on this line.
* [[spoiler:PrecursorKillers: Unless there's another brainwashed collective hiding somewhere, Shepard has officially offed what's left of the Protheans. S/He's also killed two [[EldritchAbomination Reapers]] personally, and fought a third to a standstill.]]
* PropheticDreams
* RagTagBunchOfMisfits: How every one of Shepard's squads starts out. They're [[BunnyEarsLawyer abnormally skilled misfits]], but would still probably kill each other in a heartbeat without Shepard guiding them.
* TheReasonYouSuckSpeech: Renegade Shepard enjoys giving these, though Paragon can get in on the action as well, notably giving a memorable one to [[{{Paparazzi}} Al-Jilani]] in the second game.
* ReasonableAuthorityFigure[=/=]BenevolentBoss: Paragon Shepard to his/her crew.
* RedBaron: "[[NamesToRunAwayFromReallyFast The Butcher of Torfan]]" if given the Ruthless background.
* RedEyesTakeWarning: In ''Mass Effect 2'', Shepard's eyes will glow red the more Renegade s/he becomes, til they're ''glowing in the dark''.
* {{Red Headed Hero}}ine: The default fem!Shep.
** GreenEyedRedhead: [[http://na.llnet.bioware.cdn.ea.com/u/f/eagames/bioware/masseffect3/resources/assets/media/wallpapers/wallpaper-004-femshep-p.jpg As voted by fans.]]
* RelationshipUpgrade: Potentially with Tali or Garrus in the second game, depending on Shepard's gender.
* ReligiousBruiser: If the player chooses.
* RememberWhenYouBlewUpASun: The second game has everybody fully aware of just how many ridiculously impossible missions Shepard has completed and will mention them if they feel like it.
** Cruely subverted in ''The Arrival'' where Shepard will likely face trial for [[spoiler: [[RememberWhenYouBlewUpASun Remember When You Blew Up A Mass Relay?]] ]]
* ReportsOfMyDeathWereGreatlyExaggerated: Shepard drops this line a few times in the second game, [[BackFromTheDead even though they really weren't]].
* SadClown: Of course Shepard can be played any number of ways, but it seems canon that s/he uses snark to cover up his/her sadness.
** Particularly if you chose the Colonist background, being one of the few survivors of a Batarian slave-run in which your parents were killed. [[ItGotWorse Even more so]] if you're playing as a Sole Survivor, which meant your first mission ended with your entire squad either slaughtered right in front of you or picked off one by one by a nest of angry Thresher Maws.
* TheSadisticChoice: [[TheChainsOfCommanding Is forced to make a few.]]
* ScrewTheMoneyIHaveRules: Paragon Shepard in a nutshell, unless s/he's going for...
* ScrewTheRulesImDoingWhatsRight: ''also'' Paragon Shepard in a nutshell, though moreso in ''Mass Effect 2''. With a [[WellIntentionedExtremist loose enough definition of "what's right,"]] Renegade Shep also counts, sometimes.
* SchrodingersPlayerCharacter: Not the character itself, but the stories behind them. No matter what origin and backstory you chose for Shepard, all of those events happened. S/he was just only present for one or two of them.
* SecondLove: If [[spoiler:your first love interest dies on Virmire and you romance someone else in the sequel.]]
* SemperFi: Shepard starts out as a Marine. An extremely talented Marine who went through specialized training to become a Special Forces officer, but still a Marine.
* SheCleansUpNicely: Female Commander Shepard during Hock's party in Kasumi's loyalty quest. It's the only time in the series to date that Female Shepard has worn anything feminine, a dress and heels. Sadly, the usual male jaw-drop that typically happens during one of these scenes is absent. Kasumi makes an offhand comment, but that's about it.
** Male Shepard gets a suit too, but his is just a re-skinned version of the same suit every male character wears. Female Shepard's is actually unique.
* ShellShockedVeteran: If played right, despite being only the age of 29 in the first game and 31 in the second s/he can come off as being already nearly emotionally crippled by what s/he's seen and experienced.
* ShipperOnDeck: Shepard may hint a little in regards to EDI and Joker.
* ShockAndAwe: Shepard can use Disruptor Ammo and Overload, which deals more damage towards synthetics.
* ShootTheDog: The Player is presented with this option multiple times throughout the series; [[spoiler: exterminating the Rachni, killing Wrex, abandoning the Council, leaving Zaeed to die, etc.]] In addition, Shepard ''will'' [[spoiler:do this in The Arrival DLC by destroying a Mass Relay to slow the Reaper advance into the Milky Way. The resulting energy burst destroys the entire star system and kills the 300,000+ people living in it]].
* ShutUpHannibal: Does this ''a lot.'' Moreso in [=ME2=] with the Renegade "interrupt" options.
** Paragon gets his/her piece in too, though more with regular conversation.
* SlidingScaleOfIdealismVersusCynicism: Paragon/Renegade, natch.
* SorryImGay: If romancing Liara, a female Shepard can use this response to shun Kaidan's attempts at romance.
* TheSouthpaw: Shepard is occasionally depicted in promotional materials as being left-handed, even though s/he isn't in-game.
* SpaceMarine
* SpacePolice
* SpellMyNameWithAnS: It's '''''"Shepard."''''' No second 'h', no second 'p', and spelled with an 'a'. This one [[ModernWarfare always seems to be a problem]]...
** {{Lampshaded}} in [=ME2=]: Upon finishing Jack's recruitment mission, Shepard receives an email from one of the ex-prisoners in Purgatory, calling him/her "Shepherd".
* StupidSexyFlanders: In-universe, [[EvenTheGirlsWantHer [=FemShep=] appears to incite this in Tali]], for maximum awkwardness.
* SuperSoldier: Becomes one in ''Mass Effect 2''.
* SurvivorGuilt: Female Shepard can admit to Jacob in ''Mass Effect 2'' that she feels a lot of guilt for being the person who makes the decisions as to who lives or dies.
* TakeAThirdOption: Almost as fond of it as {{Batman}}.
* TalkingTheMonsterToDeath: Shepard can [[spoiler:convince [[TheDragon Saren]] to realize he's been brainwashed, leading Saren to summon to will to ''[[RedemptionEqualsDeath shoot himself in the head]]''.]]
* TalkingYourWayOut: Paragon Shepard will take this option at every opportunity. Renegade Shepard can do this too, although s/he is usually far more fond of...
* TalkToTheFist: ...interrupting enemies/[[{{Paparazzi}} annoying reporters]] mid-flow with bullets or punches to the face.
* TheFettered / [[TheUnfettered Unfettered]]: Paragon / Renegade Shepard.
* ThePollyanna: A full Paragon Shepard comes off as this, especially in the first game. (S)he never fully gives up hope that the Council will do the right thing in the end, (S)he will try to end a conflict by negotiating no matter how big of a bastard the bad guy is, and (S)he has almost infinite patience for the character flaws of others (Udina's attitude is dismissed as him "having a lot on his mind" or "just doing his job". The encounter with Al-jilani is described as "We had differences of opinion, sir. I hope she at least believed my sincerity".) Doesn't make him/her any less of a {{Badass}} though.
* ThisIsUnforgivable: [[spoiler:A Paragon Shepard will get ''pissed'' after learning the truth behind Project Overlord.]]
* {{Transhuman}}: All six of the base classes require a lesser version of this. Taken much, much further in the sequel where Shepard is brought back from the dead through synthetic body parts and experimental technology. ''MassEffect2'''s upgrade system also furthers Shepard's transhumanism. Becomes uncomfortable in ''Project Overlord'', where Shepard is non-organic enough to be hacked.
* TraumaCongaLine: Practically canon in games but can also extend further into his/her backstory. S/he goes through a lot of crap.
* TheUnchosenOne: Through a combination of ability and circumstance, s/he went from random (if notably badass) soldier to the protector of the galaxy in the span of a week at most.
* UndyingLoyalty: Shepard's survival in the sequel depends on the Commander inspiring this in as many squad members as possible. It's up to the player whether or not the Commander returns this devotion to their troops.
* VerbalJudo: Paragon and Renegade actions all the time!... [[TalkToTheFist well, if the latter doesn't use violence instead]].
* WarriorTherapist: Paragon Shepard - especially in ''Mass Effect 2''. Good thing, too, [[DysfunctionJunction with a squad like this....]]
** QuitYourWhining: ...or you can be a complete ass.
* WeCanRebuildHim: And they did.
** [[RestartAtLevelOne At Level One]].
*** Or Level 3/5 if importing a Level 50/60 Shepard from [=ME1=].
*** Actually subverted by the fact that EVERYTHING is now more expensive, and you have access to top-of-the-line weapons and armour through Cerberus. It is arguable that you are just as powerful at the beginning of [=ME2=] as you were at the end of [=ME1=], and you're now facing tougher enemies. Imagine taking on the legions of vorcha/krogan on Omega as a newb!Shepard in [=ME1=].
*** More so if you download the Aegis and Firepower DLC armor and weapon packs.
* WeDoTheImpossible: Shepard's effectiveness in completing suicidal missions has attracted the attention of more than one group.
* WellIntentionedExtremist: Many of Renegade Shepard's dialogue options and actions veer into this direction.
** Sometimes even [[GoodIsNotNice Paragon actions]] can arguably be considered this.
* WhatMeasureIsANonBadass: [[invoked]] Renegade Shepard often blows off and demeans many people that aren't combat personnel. This can even extend to starship crew.
* WhatTheHellHero: While Shepard can be called out on his/her actions depending on them, s/he is given the opportunity to call out other people himself several times, including Udina, the Council, and [[spoiler:Zaeed in the Paragon ending of his loyalty mission]].
* WideEyedIdealist: A Paragon Shepard with a Spacer background. One of the responses to Ashley Williams' asking if they joined the Alliance to uphold the [[MilitaryBrat family tradition]];
--> '''Shepard:''' No. Humanity's future is out here. There is so much we haven't seen yet...
* WithThisHerring: Spectres are expected to self-sufficient. As such, the Council will not give Shepard any resources beyond occasional information. The Alliance and Cerberus are much more generous.
* ZeroApprovalGambit: After s/he [[spoiler:causes a supernova that kills over 300,000 batarians]] Admiral Hackett tells him/her that s/he'll have to fulfill this trope in order to avert a war between the humans and batarians.
[[/folder]]
* First appearing in Mass Effect 1:
** [[Characters/MassEffect1PartyMembers Mass Effect 1 Party Members]]
** [[Characters/MassEffect1AntagonistsAndNpcs Mass Effect 1 Antagonists and NPCs]]
* First appearing in Mass Effect 2:
** [[Characters/MassEffect2PartyMembers Mass Effect 2 Party Members]]
** [[Characters/MassEffect2AntagonistsAndNpcs Mass Effect 2 Antagonists and NPCs]]
* First appearing in Mass Effect 3:
** [[Characters/MassEffect3 Mass Effect 3]]
!Commander Shepard
[[folder:Commander Shepard]]
http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/commander-shephard-mass-effect-2-screenshot-character_4054.jpg
[[caption-width:350:''"You can fight like a [[ProudWarriorRaceGuy krogan]], run like a [[LightningBruiser leopard]], but you'll never be [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HeY-2ovpF9c better than Commander Shepard]]!"'']]
->''"We have to give everything....even if that means our lives. We will stop at nothing. We will fight for the lost!"''
-->'''Voiced by:''' Mark Meer (male), JenniferHale (female)
The PlayerCharacter, a human Systems Alliance Marine and graduate of the N7 special forces program whose gender, appearance, and outlook are determined by the player. In the first game, Shepard is selected to be the first human Spectre, an elite agent of the [[TheFederation Council.]] After stumbling upon a Prothean Beacon and Saren's plans, Shepard sets out on a quest to stop Saren and save the galaxy from his attempts to bring back the Reapers.
In the second game, Shepard is killed in a surprise attack by the Collectors. But since s/he's too valuable to let stay dead, Shepard is resurrected by Cerberus. After forming an uneasy alliance with the extremist group, Shepard begins building a team for a suicide mission to stop the Collectors and their mass-human abductions.
Regardless of how Shepard is played, the following tropes appear in-game:
[[hardline]]
* AFatherToHisMen / [[AFatherToHisMen A Mother To Her Men]]: If Shepard takes the time to get to know his/her crew and builds up their trust.
** PapaWolf / MamaBear: And screwing with Shepard's squadmates is a quick way to end up [[BerserkButton with either a hole in the head or a punch to the face.]]
* AbsenceMakesTheHeartGoYonder: No love interest from the original game sticks around very long in the sequel - and 2/3 of them chew you out for working with Cerberus. In the meantime, there are lots of fresh catches on the boat, especially two previously unavailable fan favorites from the previous game.
** Liara fans are being offered reconciliation with the [[http://masseffect.bioware.com/info/dlc/ Lair Of The Shadow Broker]] DLC.
** And, with the announcement that [[spoiler: whoever survived Virmire is included in MassEffect3]], Shepard's romance of a squad-mate in 2 ''[[TheDevTeamThinksOfEverything will]]'' be addressed.
* AcquiredPoisonImmunity: A side-effect of the cybernetic implants installed during their resurrection in [=ME2=], rendered Shepard immune to most drugs and toxins that would easily kill a normal human, while possessing a high tolerance for others.
** This first is noticed in the introduction when Shepard briefly awakens prematurely, requiring Miranda and Wilson to adminster over twice the dosage of sedative in order to knock Shepard out again. On Omega a Batarian bartender likewise gives Shepard a poisoned drink that is ''lethal'' to the average human that only effect is to knock them out for a few minutes.
** Failure to realise that without constant supervision, a sedated Shepard won't stay that way for long, ends up foiling [[spoiler: the [[BrainwashedAndCrazy Indoctrinated]] Alliance agents]] in ''The Arrival''.
* ActionGirl / DarkActionGirl: Paragon/Renegade Female Shepard.
* ActionSurvivor: The SoleSurvivor background.
* AlwaysSaveTheGirl / [[AlwaysSaveTheGirl Always Save the Guy]]: Can be subverted, inverted, or played straight based on your Shepard's gender, your chosen LoveInterest, and who you choose to save on [[spoiler:Virmire]]. You ''will'' be [[WhatTheHellHero called out on this]] [[DeconstructedTrope if you play it straight]], however.
** Hell, you'll be called on it if you don't. There is no easy way out of that situation.
*** It also constitutes a very interesting and well done situation. It is one of the few game choices that players don't base on gameplay mechanics but instead on their emotional connections to the story.
* AnAdventurerIsYou: ACommanderIsYou is not related to Shepard at all. For the first game:
** The Soldier is ''The Tank'' of the game, being later capable to wear the heaviest armour along with having talents that can make the Soldier the toughest class to kill. Being able to use all guns also makes them a ''[=DPSer=]''. Dips into ''The Healer'', having the First Aid talent.
*** In ''Mass Effect 2'', Soldiers get Adrenaline Rush, which causes BulletTime.
** TheEngineer, a definite ''Combat Engineer'' with the trope TheEngineer, acts as ''The Debuffer'' with tech abilities that don't do much damage but are useful due to hindering your enemies; along with ''The Healer'', since they share the First Aid and Medicine talents, and the Medic specialization with the Sentinel class. Is something of a SquishyWizard, only having access to light armour, Basic Armour talent, and pistol talents. Due to always having to fight and also having the best healing abilities out of all the classes, is a CombatMedic.
*** In ''Mass Effect 2'', Engineers get the Combat Drone, a WeakTurretGun of sorts. It should be noted, however, that the Engineer is an incredibly effective combat class when dealing with synthetics.
** The Adept is ''The Mezzer'', having a bunch of abilities to force your enemies to be temporarily helpless. Is also something of a SquishyWizard, as it may only use light armour, Basic Armour talent, and the Barrier talent to stay alive; and can only get pistol talents. Can be a GameBreaker at higher levels with very powerful biotic abilities with low cooldowns.
*** In ''Mass Effect 2'', the Adept's special ability is Singularity, which is a kind of GravityScrew for enemies.
** The Infiltrator acts as a ''[=DPSer=] Ranger''/''Debuffer'', having access to sniper rifles and the debuffs of the Engineer, while lacking their Medicine talent and Medic specialization (but still having First Aid, so is still kind of ''The Healer''). Is something of a MagicKnight, being later capable of using medium armour with their Tactical Armour talent and have the survival talent Fitness.
*** Infiltrators get an InvisibilityCloak and short-lived BulletTime when scoping with sniper rifles in ''Mass Effect 2''.
** The Vanguard is ''[=The DPSer=] Scrapper''/''Mezzer'' with their shotgun and biotic abilities to ensure they get in close unimpeded. Is also a MagicKnight, being later able to use medium armour with their Tactical Armour talent and the Barrier talent to defend themselves along with their shotguns.
*** In ''Mass Effect 2'', the Vanguard becomes even more of a MagicKnight, as he gets the only melee ability in the whole game - The special ability [[FoeTossingCharge Biotic Charge]]
** The Sentinel is ''The Mezzer''/''Debuffer'', having [[TheRedMage both biotic and tech abilities]] to disable their opponent; ''The Healer'', having access to the Medicine and First Aid talent; and a SquishyWizard that only has the Barrier talent to keep themself alive, lacking an armour talent (but still able to use light armour) and only being able to improve their pistols through their class talent (which is less then all the other classes are able to do).
*** In ''Mass Effect 2'', the Sentinel instead becomes ''The Jack'', having access to a decent range of offensive powers as well as [[DeflectorShields Tech Armor]], which makes them into a potential variant of ''The Tank''.
**** And every class can take a talent from other classes, if you get the achievements for it and make a character with it later in the first game. In the sequel, you can give Shepard one ability from one of his/her squadmates, so a Soldier can use a biotic slam attack, an Engineer can create a biotic shield, or a Vanguard can drain enemy shields among other things.
* AndNowForSomeoneCompletelyDifferent: Technically you're still Shepard, but one sequence has you briefly [[AscendedMeme assume control]] of a LOKI mech. You know, those small, slow, weak bots with the least powerful guns in the game you cut down by the truckload? Don't worry, it isn't for long.
* AnIcePerson: In ''VideoGame/MassEffect2'', Shepard is the only character with access to the Cryo Ammo power as an Infiltrator, Soldier, or Vanguard. In fact, only an Adept Shepard is without any form of freezing power, as Engineers and Sentinels get Cryo Blast.
** [[WhatDoYouMeanItsNotSymbolic Potentially symbolic]] of the fact that Shepard has spent two years, both literally and figuratively, ''on ice''.
* AntiHero: While Paragon actions lead more towards the heroic end and the renegade actions lead more towards the antiheroic end, it is very easy to play as an overall anti-hero due to the fact that you don't have to play to the extremes on either side.
** Placing Shepard on the scale precisely is a tricky problem since the player determines all his/her motives and actions, so Shepard can do plenty of good, seemingly noble thing with a purely selfish motivation depending on how you roleplay. Plus you can be a shining beacon of purity and reason otherwise but still perform actions that would usually lock a character into at least a Type IV. In the sequel Shepard can even show signs of Type I, if you fail as many loyalty missions as possible and get most of your squad killed in the endgame.
* TheAtoner: Implied, if you pick the Ruthless reputation (particularly with the Colonist background, which turns Torfan into Shepard's RoaringRampageOfRevenge) and then play Shepard as a [[NeutralGood Paragon.]]
** Or if you played as Renegade in the first game, and Paragon in the second.
** Or if you had both the Earthborn reputation and the War Hero reputation.
* AuthorityEqualsAsskicking: Mass Effect 2 really [[LampshadeHanging stresses this.]]
* BackFromTheDead: S/he's killed at the start of ''Mass Effect 2'' but is revived over the course of the next two years by Cerberus' Lazarus Project.
--> '''Garrus:''' [[LikeABadassOutOfHell The Collectors killed you once and all they did was piss you off.]]
* {{Badass}}: No matter which path you choose, Shepard will tread over the bodies of ''thousands'' of the galaxy's worst criminals and monsters before the end. The tooltips even describe Renegade!Shepard as the ultimate badass (Paragon!Shepard is the ultimate hero [[GoodIsNotNice though no less badass]]). [[{{Badass}} Capable of immense asskicking]], attractive to practically everyone s/he meets, [[FirstLawOfResurrection not even death can stop him/her]], [[MagneticHero inspires loyalty among all in the general vicinity]], [[DidYouJustFlipOffCthulhu flips off Cthulhu]] before [[DidYouJustPunchOutCthulhu delivering a KO-ing]] '''SHEPARD PAWNCH''' and flipping off his corpse... and could very easily change his/her name to Commander Awesome. Each class also results in a new form of badass for Shepard;
** BadassAbnormal: Especially in the sequel, seeing that the reconstructive surgery has reinforced his/her body to the point where they can use weapons only ''krogan'' and ''geth'' can safely handle without having bones shattered. Or, for that matter, win fistfights with robots twice their size! For clarification, krogan are what you would get if you were to evolve an intelligent species on a crap sack death world where even your parents are out to kill you. The geth platforms are machines built for war.
** BadassArmFold: Shepard is fond of doing this; when s/he does, you know things are going to go badly, somehow, for someone.
** BadassBoast: Whether s/he's Paragon or Renegade, s/he will make many of these and all of them justified.
--> '''Paragon Shepard:''' We'll fight and win without it. I won't let fear compromise who I am.
** BadassBookworm: The Engineer Class
** BadassCreed
** BadassInANiceSuit: Kasumi procures a tuxedo for a male Shepard for use in his loyalty mission. It can become a default casual outfit for Shepard after the mission's complete.
** BadassNormal: Any non-biotic class, though Shepard gets upgraded in the sequel.
** [[ColonelBadass Commander Badass]]
** CulturedBadass: Notable when romancing Ashley. Also implied to be familiar with Thomas Hobbes when talking to Thane in the sequel. Renegade Shepard also references [[ThePrince Machiavelli]], saying "[[BeamMeUpScotty It's better to be feared than loved.]]"
** ''"You can fight like a krogan, you can run like a Leopard, but [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HeY-2ovpF9c you'll never be better than Commander Shepard]]!"''
* BaldOfAwesome / BaldOfEvil: The default male options, depending on how you play. Okay, well maybe not ''completely'' bald, but it sounds better than Closely Shaved Stubble Of Awesome/Closely Shaved Stubble Of Evil.
* BaldWoman: if the player chooses so when customizing female Shepard's looks.
* BavarianFireDrill: Uses this to convince a worker to go away when caught in a restricted area in the second game. One has him/her posing as a health inspector; the other involves telling the guy there's a bomb in the area. Either way, it works.
** Before laughing and [[LampshadeHanging hanging a lampshade]] that it actually worked.
* BeautyEqualsGoodness: Played straight in the second game. If you go Paragon, the glowing scars fade away. If you play Renegade, [[http://masseffect.wikia.com/wiki/File:Shepard_renegade.jpg they go into overdrive]].
* BewareTheNiceOnes: Paragon Shepard is entirely capable of gaining your undying loyalty and friendship by punching you in the face or putting a gun to your head.
* [[BigBrotherMentor Big Brother/Big Sister Mentor]]: To Garrus; with the potential to launch a MentorShip in ''Mass Effect 2'' if Shepard is female.
** Not quite as much as with Garrus but it also seems to apply to Tali.
* {{Blackmail}}: If you have the Earthborn origin, an old gang mate of yours will attempt to use your sordid past as leverage for getting a buddy out of jail. You can go along, but you can also just shoot him.
* BioAugmentation: No matter what class you choose for Shepard, s/he is an Alliance Marine with special forces training, so s/he is heavily modded. Even more so in the sequel, when more upgrades are added during the [[BackFromTheDead Lazarus Project]].
* BloodKnight: A Renegade Shepard shows these tendencies from time to time, especially in the sequel.
* BoldlyComing: The alien love interests in ME 2 express some concern over interspecies relations, ranging from being unsure what to do (Thane) to seriously believing it would never work (Tali and Garrus). Shepard seems to have absolutely no problem with any of this. It's both heartwarming and a little strange.
-->'''Garrus:''' Are we crazy to even be thinking about this? I... Look, Shepard, I know you can find something closer to home.\\
'''Shepard:''' (smiling) I don't want something closer to home. I want ''you''. I want someone I can trust. \\
\\
'''Liara:''' And after all this is over, what about us? \\
'''Shepard:''' Marriage, old age, [[BabiesEverAfter lots of little blue children]]. \\
'''Liara:''' You just say these things!
* BondOneLiner: Several. Many of them are Renegade options.
-->'''Mercenary:''' I've got nothing more to say to you.\\
''(Shepard [[DestinationDefenestration pushes the merc out the skyscraper window]])''\\
'''Shepard:''' How about goodbye?\\
'''Jack:''' Damn, I should take notes from you!
* BrokenBird: Female Shepard and hell, even Male Shepard can be played like this.
* BrokenPedestal: Is seen as this by quite a few people in ''VideoGame/MassEffect2'', particularly Ashley/Kaidan, since s/he's forced to work with Cerberus.
** Particularly in Ash's example, when you consider that just seconds earlier she had berated an ungrateful colonist that Shepard had rescued and told him that he was "standing in the presence of a ''GOD''", then immediately [[WhatTheHellHero chews you out for working with Cerberus.]]
** This is even noted in one of the background news reports as being one of the public's reactions to sightings of Shepard.
--->'''Announcer:''' Emotions at Shepard's alleged survival are mixed. While some are overjoyed to see her/him return, [[HeroWithBadPublicity others believe her/his false death was a betrayal.]]
* BuffySpeak: Shepard invokes this [[CrowningMomentOfFunny when drunk]], just before ordering a GargleBlaster intended specifically for krogan.
-->'''Shepard:''' Hell yeah. Put more of the stuff in the... the thing more stuff goes in.
* BullyingADragon: For the [[EldritchAbomination Reapers]] and those who work with them, this is acceptable. But then you have [[TooDumbToLive the slave traders who try to take Shepard hostage to sell on the black market]], and those mercenaries who think that just because their men have been lining up shots, that means that s/he's done for.
* BunnyEarsLawyer: Renegade Shepard is somewhat of an example. An (almost) omnicidal maniac with free reign of a state of the art ship and just about do whatever the hell they want. They mouth off the three single most powerful people in the entire Goddamn universe several times, and gets away with it many, many, ''many'' times. Why? Shepard does a good job.
** Even Paragon Shepard can qualify for this trope. S/he will do as ordered...''[[TakeYourTime eventually]]''. Until then, they can and will gladly [[ScrewTheRulesImDoingWhatsRight break every single rule in the book]] to ensure that [[ChronicHeroSyndrome every single wrong in sight has been righted]] no matter how big a political storm will follow. Why are they tolerated by a strictly traditionalist society? Shepard gets results.
* ButForMeItWasTuesday: In ''VideoGame/MassEffect2'', Shepard can meet with Fist, who gets real snippy at the fact that you ruined his life. The Renegade option basically has you say "I forgot about you five minutes after I told you to run".
* CameBackWrong: A possibility in the sequel if the player chooses to alter his or her imported character during the [[CharacterCustomization Lazarus Project]].
** [[http://social.bioware.com/forum/1/topic/105/index/1398049 Case in point.]]
** [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sx-W3WsQlFg&feature=related Female example here.]]
* CameBackStrong: Due to the Lazarus Project, Shepard now posesses a reinforced skeletal structure, cybernetic implants, immunity to poisons and toxins that would kill a regular human and potentially gained biotic abilities.
* CanadaEh: Listen to Male Shepard say "about". Unmistakable.
* CanonName: John for men, Jane for women. You can change that to whatever you want; [[HelloInsertNameHere Shepard stays.]]
* TheCaptain
* CartwrightCurse: Only if [[spoiler:Shepard's love interest in the first game died on Virmire and his/her second love in the next game dies during the suicide mission]].
* TheCasanova: Shep can be played this way, but it usually blows up in his/her face.
-->'''Shepard:''' Who said anything about love? I'm just trying to get you into bed.\\
'''Miranda:''' ''* giggle* '' You arse.
** While the subtitles say ass, since Miranda's accent is Australian, she says arse.
** Ash (if romanced) also comments on this in the first game. She claims that Shepard's flirting is so terrible, it should be used for ''greeting cards''.
* TheCassandra: When it comes to the Council. '''Every single thing''' that Shepard tells them in the first game is proven to be true, and yet they ''still'' refuse to believe in the existence of the Reapers. And even if you play as a Renegade and [[spoiler: let the old Council die]], it's insinuated that their replacements don't believe you either.
-->'''Turian Councilor:''' [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O92m-yy4gGk Ahh yes, "Reapers".]]
** Don't worry, he'll [[http://www.nerfnow.com/comic/435 get his.]]
* CatchPhrase: Renegade Shepard really hates being "jerked around", and Shepard in general often opens dialogue with "What can you tell me about [thing]", then finishing with "I should go."
** Renegade Shepard also doesn't like to be "kept in the dark".
** Jennifer Hale raises a valid point in one behind-the-scenes clip: "I should go."
** "We'll talk later" is another one. Garrus actually seems to play with this if you bring him and Tali to a certain staircase on the Citadel:
--->'''Garrus:''' You ever miss those talks we had on the elevators?\\
'''Tali:''' No.\\
'''Garrus:''' Come on, remember how we'd all ask you about life on the flotilla? It was an opportunity to share!\\
'''Tali:''' This conversation is over.\\
'''Garrus:''' Tell me again about your immune system!\\
'''Tali:''' I have a shotgun.\\
'''Garrus:''' Maybe we'll talk later.
* CelebrityEndorsement: "I'm Commander Shepard, and this is my favorite store on the Citadel." Repeat for ''every single store on the Citadel.''
** And that's the Paragon option. GoodIsNotNice indeed.
* TheChainsOfCommanding: Shepard's job is not a very fun one (in-universe at least).
* CharacterDevelopment: If you play the first game as mostly X (Paragon or Renegade) nothing stops you from being the opposite in the sequel. In fact, you could conceivably go from all of one in 1, to 50/50 in 2, to the other in 3, or several variations thereof.
* ChickMagnet / HelloNurse: People with very diverse backgrounds are attracted to Shepard, disregarding his/her actions... and that's just comparing the official love interests: be you soldier, Cerberus operative, notorious criminal, {{Badass}} alien of any kind, or a ''robot'' consisting of over 1000 individual programs, chances are you want to bang Shepard.
* ChronicHeroSyndrome: Paragon Shepard (depending on playstyle) will not allow any problems they come across to remain unresolved.
** Renegade Shepard too, but that's mainly due to there inevitably being ''another'' idiot in the galaxy needing to be insulted/punched/shot in the face after having dealt with the last one.
** Lampshaded in the sequel by a couple you helped in the first game. While discussing what, if any, gene implants to get their baby (the issue you helped resolve in [=ME1=]), one of them says, "Maybe we should ask random people off the street what they think."
* CipherScything: DOES NOT appear in anyway in the Novels or Comics.
** But WILL appear in the movie and anime.
* ColdSniper / FriendlySniper: Renegade and Paragon Shepard who chooses to use a sniper rifle, respectively.
* ColonelBadass: What s/he was before being promoted to TheCaptain.
* CommonMarySueTraits: Given the game design, it's almost unavoidable. [[TropesAreNotBad But it's ever so satisfying]].
* CommandingCoolness
* ConsummateProfessional: Shepard can be played as one.
* CoolBigSis: A Paragon female Shepard plays this kind of role for Tali.
-->'''Shepard:''' Tali, about what your father said, about what he did, you deserve better.\\
'''Tali:''' [[CrowningMomentOfHeartwarming I've got better, Shepard. I've got you.]]
* CosmicPlaything: The Colonist/Sole Survivor combo. [[TraumaCongaLine Shepard's life just sucks.]]
** Hell, the entirety of ''VideoGame/MassEffect2'' has Shepard acting as the CosmicPlaything. From dying, to being treated like dirt by his/her closest friends and superiors because s/he was forced to work with an organization that s/he hates. S/he goes through a pretty tough time in ''VideoGame/MassEffect2'' yet keeps on going. Obviously enhanced by having one or both of those two background choices.
* CovertPervert: S/he can sit down and get a dance from asari strippers ([[SubvertedTrope not so covert]]), and apparently knows what asari porno Joker was talking about when he suggested [[BoldlyComing Shep]] and [[GreenSkinnedSpaceBabe Liara]] reenact a scene from it, which suggests that Shep watches ''asari porn''. Lets hope its none of that [[NaughtyTentacles hanar]]/[[GreenSkinnedSpaceBabe asari]] stuff. Or should we?
** The vid in question is also brought up in Samara's loyalty mission when trying to chat up Morinth (and based on her previous quarry most likely a LesYay film). The game selling Salarian in the Citadel does make a mention of Asari/Hanar games, and the fact that they come from a place called Shin Akiba just sounds like a huge TakeThat.
* CowboyCop: To certain degrees depending on how you play.
* CrackingUp: Shepard's way of preparing for a JackBauerInterrogationTechnique. Once, s/he only has to do this to make a volus give up a keycard.
* CruelMercy: Renegade Shepard merely wants you dead. Paragon Shepard prefers to let people ''suffer in penance''.
* CulturedWarrior: Can be played as this. Shepard can recognize poetry quoted by Ashley, knows a thing or two about Hobbes and can even quote ideas from Beccaria's "Crimes and Punishment" in the right situation.
-->'''Shepard:''' It's not the severity of punishment that deters crime, it's the certainty.
** Also notes Machiavelli by name, referencing the idea "It's better to be feared than respected."
*** Actually, it is [[ThePrince "It's better to be feared than loved"]], and only if you can't have both. Respect is pretty important. Also, Machiavelli states that you should never be hated. Which a pure Renegade Shepard [[JerkAss completely ignores]]...
* {{Cyborg}}: Was kind of necessary to bring him/her BackFromTheDead. And it's almost certain that Shepard, as an Alliance soldier (and, if you so choose, a biotic), had some electronic enhancements long before then.
** Specifically, most people in the setting opt to have implants in their hands to let them interface with Holograms, because using gloves would be so cumbersome. In ''VideoGame/MassEffect2'', Shepard get's illegal trans-human enhancements, including strengthened bones with medi-gel conduits, hardened skin, increased strength, and most important to the plot: resistance to drugs and toxins.
* DangerousSixteenthBirthday: If your Shepard has the Colonist background, s/he was sixteen when batarian slavers attacked and destroyed his/her home of Mindoir, signaling the end of his/her normal life.
* DareToBeBadass: Shepard uses this to motivate an injured krogan in the second game:
-->'''Shepard:''' I said a badass, not some scout whining like a quarian with a tummyache!\\
'''Tali:''' [[WhatTheHellHero I'm standing]] [[CrowningMomentOfFunny right here!]]
* DarkAndTroubledPast: Depending on the origin that you choose, [[StreetUrchin Shepard could have grown up on Earth without any parents and been a member of a gang in order to survive.]] S/he also might have seen his/her colony raided by Batarian slavers and watched his/her family get murdered.
* DeadpanSnarker:
** A lot of options leads to these type of responses, particularly with male Shepard, helped by [[DullSurprise Mark Meer's delivery]].
--->'''Turian Councillor:''' How many generations until the rachni overrun us again?\\
'''Shepard:''' Uh... three? No, wait! Four!
** Sometimes Shepard will be this on his/her own, or no matter what you pick.
--->'''Joker:''' It'll be better than the old days.\\
'''Shepard:''' I hope so. I ''died''.\\
'''Joker:''' Gawd, you're such a downer.
** ALL of the in-game dialogue between [[LikeAnOldMarriedCouple Liara and Shepard]] in "Lair of the Shadow Broker".
* TheDeadRiseToAdvertise: Potentially in the second game, if Shepard gets discounts by recording recommendations for all the stores on the Citadel.
* DefrostingIceQueen / King: You can play him/her like this to the other characters in the series.
* {{Determinator}}: All three of Shepard's possible backgrounds ([[OneManArmy War Hero]], SoleSurvivor, and [[WeHaveReserves Ruthless]]) have shades of this.
** And of course Shepard is this in both of the games to a ridiculous extreme, no matter how bad things get.
* [[spoiler:DisneyDeath]]: Played with in the first game, subverted with the second.
* [[spoiler:DidYouJustPunchOutCthulhu: As of now, Shepard has personally killed ''three'' Reapers. Two on foot. Granted, one was half-dead already and the other was pretty much an embryo, but still impressive.]]
** [[spoiler:There's still one game left, and an entire Reaper fleet for him/her to bring up that count.]]
* DidYouJustFlipOffCthulhu: [[spoiler: S/He pissed off the Reapers so much that the entire fleet is after them ''personally''. When controlling a Collector, Harbinger at times orders them to focus entirely on Shepard, but not damage Shepard's body, if possible. Only Bioware knows what horrors he wants to inflict upon the Commander.]]
** "Shepard, you have become an annoyance"
* DivingSave: ActionCommands allow Shepard to pull a few of these in the second game, as well as during the regular cutscenes. One of the more notable occurences is [[spoiler:during the final assault on the Collector base, where you have to jump to save one of your party from sliding into an abyss. Depending on your party composition, it's possible for Grunt - a krogan easily two or three times Shepard's size - to be the one rescued in this fashion.]]
* DontYouDarePityMe: Depending on dialogue, s/he can take this attitude.
* DramaticSpaceDrifting: The death scene at the beginning of the second game.
* TheDreaded: Even though in game-play all {{Mooks}} display SuicidalOverconfidence, the Commander is referred to like this on two occasions: First, on the [[http://masseffect.wikia.com/wiki/N7:_MSV_Strontium_Mule MSV Strontium Mule assignment]], Merc datapads contain OhCrap messages on the fact that you're attacking. Second, on the ''Arrival'' DownloadableContent, there is a OptionalBoss fight were you HoldtheLine against waves of [[ArtificialBrilliance scarily intelligent enemies]] and a MiniBoss all by yourself. If you can win the fight, you'll hear increasingly desperate cries about [[OneManArmy how unstoppable you are]].
** And once Shepard wakes up from the sedatives, the scientist there gets terrified and soon security is just as terrified.
* DrinkOrder: Shepard apparently can and will drink anything placed in front of him/her, even if s/he has no idea what it is, including beverages intended for batarians and [[GargleBlaster radioactive krogan specialties]], and have nothing worse than a headache after a few minutes of drunken stupor. Not to say s/he can't enjoy a more sophisticated drink with [[TeamMom Chakwas]]. Still gets blazing drunk though.
** There's one bartender on Omega who serves Shepard a poisoned drink, intending to kill him/her. All that happens, though, is that Shepard immediately passes out then wakes up in a nearby alley a little while later with no lasting effects.
*** Chalk it up to the Lazarus Liver Shep got?
**** Either that, or s/he's a raging alcoholic who drinks paint thinner.
***** If you woke up every morning and had to punch or shoot at least three [[TooDumbToLive idiots]] before lunch, wouldn't you have a drinking problem?
***** Actually, no. Alcohol is for people who have to RESTRAIN themselves when they want to punch or shoot people.
* DrivesLikeCrazy: Liara seems to think so during the car chase in ''Lair of the Shadow Broker,'' complaining every time you almost-crash. It would also explain all those shenanigans with the Mako in the first game.
-->'''Liara:''' Truck!\\
'''Shepard:''' I know.\\
'''Liara:''' ''Truck!''\\
'''Shepard:''' ''I know!''\\
'''Liara:''' ''Aah!''
* DudeWheresMyRespect: Both used and subverted. Most people are aware of how impressive Shepard is, but that doesn't stop them from asking the Commander to do whatever legal or illegal errands they need run. Nor does it make the Council any more likely to listen to their claims.
* DudleyDoRightStopsToHelp: What happens when Shepard chooses the paragon choice during Zaeed's loyalty mission.
* EnemyMine: Especially for a Paragon Shepard, working with the Illusive Man and Cerberus is definitely an example and s/he makes it clear that s/he's only working with them because no one else is willing to help him/her.
* EscapistCharacter: You are not just playing a character called Commander Shepard, you ''are'' Commander Shepard.
* EstrogenBrigadeBait: Male Shepard's face was based on a [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Vanderloo model.]]
* EvenTheGirlsWantHer: Female Shepard. Even Tali [[LesYay gets stuttery and embarrassed around her.]] Played [[IncrediblyLamePun straight]] with [[GayOption Yeoman Kelly Chambers]].
** EvenTheGuysWantHim: [[CelibateHero Mordin]] states that if he was actually interested in Romance, Shepard would be his first choice. This includes the Male Shepard.
* EverybodysDeadDave: Both the Colonist and Sole Survivor backgrounds.
* EveryoneCanSeeIt: Depending on Shepard's gender, there will be repeated commentary on his/her rapport with either [[FanPreferredCouple Tali or Garrus]].
* ExactlyWhatIAimedAt: Can be used in the second game to shut up an ''incredibly'' annoying krogan.
* FaceFramedInShadow: Shepard gets a few opportunities to do this in the second game. Can be really creepy if you have heavy Renegade scarring.
* FaintingSeer: After getting sucked into the Prothean beacon and having information uploaded into his/her mind, Shepard passes out for a good few hours and has a splitting headache upon awakening. Any subsequent visitation of the vision is hard on him/her, and s/he mentions having disturbing dreams continuously. Subverted when Shepard comes across a second beacon; s/he's able to handle it better that time.
* FamedInStory: Oh God yes. No matter how you play Shepard, news of his/her exploits spreads quickly. Perhaps subverted, though, [[TheGreatestStoryNeverTold because hardly anyone knows the truth about his/her greatest exploits.]]
* FanNickname: "Sheploo" for the default male Shepard (after Mark Vanderloo, whose face male Shepard is modeled off of).
** Kasumi uses the common nickname Shep for him/her.
** And, of course, [=FemShep=] for female Shepard.
* FascinatingEyebrow: Another of Shepard's favorite gestures.
* FaustianRebellion: If you decide to give TIM the finger in the second game. It remains to be seen how well this will work out.
* FieryRedhead: Female Shepard, due to popular vote, is thus depicted this way on [=ME3=] promotional art.
* FilkSong: by Miracle of Sound. Link to be found beneath the portrait.
* FirstLawOfResurrection: Employed by Cerberus in the Lazarus project.
* FoeTossingCharge: Only Shepard can use the Vanguard's biotic Charge, from ''VideoGame/{{Mass Effect 2}}''. The impact will knock the foe off their feet, making them an easy target for your shotgun. Unfortunately, if the enemy has armor or shields, they'll only stumble backwards instead of being thrown head over heels. The charge also lets you phase through objects, allowing you to get up next to enemies in cover, blast them down, then find cover yourself before their buddies retaliate.
** How the Charge attacks work may induce a moment of FridgeLogic, especially the 'passing through obstacles' bit, but becomes FridgeBrilliance if you recall the [[spoiler:Conduit. The Conduit's destination terminus is certainly with an enclosed space, the Presidium, but the mass relay still successfully delivers the Prothean survivors, and later Saren and then the Mako, through successfully.]] So basically, Shepard is using his/her biotics to turn him/herself into a self-projecting, sub-lightspeed mass relay.
* GenreSavvy: "[[MakeSureHesDead Make sure he's dead.]]"
** At the end of the first Overlord mission, Shepard is surprised the satellite dish s\he's standing on is going to fall into a canyon, after blowing up the control panels. S\he gets better, just knowing messing with a Geth ship is bad news, knows in advance an elevator on Atlas Station will be full of mooks, and before going down to David tells his\her squad not to be surprised even if a Reaper appears.
* GoneHorriblyRight: For The Illusive Man. Bringing back Shepard to be exactly like s/he was before... Then he [[VillainousBreakdown rages]] when Paragon Shepard doesn't help him get things like [[spoiler: Collecter/Reaper technology]].
** Even more so if Miranda is in the party at the final battle and is loyal, which causes her to tell the Illusive Man to shove it, resign and hang up on him when he begins to tirade. Keep in mind, before she met [[MagneticHero Shepard]], Miranda was one of his most ''loyal agents''.
* GoodCopBadCop: During Thane's loyalty mission, though playing Shepard as anything but 'bad cop' seems impossible.
** Not true. You can ask politely for information, then when the crime boss refuses and his lawyer comes in you can casually point out that you're a Spectre and the lawyers can't do anything to you.
* [[EvilCounterpart Good Counterpart]]: This to no less than three characters: Saren Arterius, [[spoiler:Tela Vasir]], and Kai Leng.
* GoodIsNotDumb: It's truly astonishing how many villains think that they can take on the soldier who's [[DidYouJustPunchOutCthulhu killed mecha-gods]] and [[OneManArmy wiped out entire armies]] [[UnderestimatingBadassery just because s/he's trying to be reasonable.]]
* GoodIsNotNice: Paragon interrupts in [=ME2=] are frequently just as {{Badass}} as Renegade ones, and several involve punching someone in the face. That said, Paragon Shepard generally ''is'' uncommonly compassionate, patient and caring - especially when it comes to her/his crew - but don't think for a moment that s/he won't come down on you like a ton of bricks if you cross the MoralEventHorizon or JumpOffTheSlipperySlope. "Nice" doesn't mean "soft", after all.
* GoodIsNotSoft: Paragon Shepard is one of the most notable examples of this trope imaginable. S/he is unquestionably selfless and compassionate, but if pushed, will not hesitate to gun down anyone stupid enough to get in his/her way.
* GoodMorningCrono: The beginning of the second game. Only instead of waking up to go to work, Shepard wakes up from being, you know, [[IGotBetter dead]].
* GoodOldFisticuffs: [[spoiler: Shepard's way of dealing with the Shadow Broker.]]
* GoodScarsEvilScars: In the sequel, s/he gains some glowing scars after [[spoiler: dying and being resurrected by Cerberus]]. If you play a Paragon, they slowly disappear almost completely. [[http://images.wikia.com/masseffect/images/c/c1/Shepard_renegade.jpg If you play a Renegade...]]
** The first game's character creation screen features a variety of scars suitable for every alignment.
* GuileHero: Paragon Shepard will always be some combination of ActionHero and this, but it becomes more prevalent the more the Paragon meter fills up.
* HangoverSensitivity: In the first game, Shepard described the aftereffects of being exposed to a Prothean beacon as being like "the morning after shore leave," though s/he never actually drinks anything. S/he more than makes up for this in the second game, but doesn't really seem to get hangovers. Just drunk.
* HannibalLecture: [[spoiler: In the final level of the first ''Mass Effect'', Shepard can counter Saren's with his/her own, and eventually can convince Saren to commit suicide.]]
* TheHeart: Paragon Shepard.
* HelloInsertNameHere: Averted. [[LastNameBasis Everyone refers to him/her purely as Shepard]], even love interests; the player-chosen first name is purely cosmetic.
** Unless you [[LeaningOnTheFourthWall make your first name "Commander"]].
* HeroesWantRedheads: Of course you can customize Shepard's hair color and style, but going by the default flaming red hair for Fem!Shepard this trope applies for her love interests.
* HeroWithBadPublicity: Cerberus's funding of Shepard is the reason nobody in power trusts him/her in the second game, no matter what else s/he does in the course of defeating the Collectors.
** Likely to get much worse in ''VideoGame/MassEffect3'', [[spoiler:as the events in The Arrival [[DownloadableContent DLC]] forced Shepard to essentially sign the death warrants of 300,000 batarians which could potentially spark war with the batarians and only Shepard, the Normandy crew, and Admiral Hackett know why. Hackett pretty much tells him/her that s/he'll basically have to go to trial and that the batarians are going to be out for his/her blood. One hopes the respect/loyalty Shep has earned from most of the galaxy's other players by that point, and the good will of those in the Alliance in the know, is enough to counter the publicity]].
* HeroicBSOD: Not ''quite'', but in the Lair of the Shadow Broker DLC, Liara and Shepard can have a touching moment in his/her cabin. During the conversation, Shepard can express anger and sorrow about the people that have died alongside them, wondering "How many more before it's enough?"
* HeroicSacrifice: No matter if Shepard's Paragon or Renegade, s/he sacrifices his/her life to get Joker to safety. [[spoiler: In the bad ending, s/he does it again, for the exact same reason.]]
* HeyItsThatVoice: When she's not busy being the ultimate badass, [[JenniferHale Shepard]] is a [[KnightsOfTheOldRepublic snooty British Jedi]], a HeroicSociopath [[{{Mercenaries}} mercenary]], an [[{{Metroid}} intergalactic bounty hunter]], a [[MetalGearSolid vengeful doctor]], a [[{{Spider-Man}} news reporter]], an [[SyphonFilter evil spy]], an [[SoulCalibur Ax]] [[AxCrazy Crazy]] [[DarkChick girl]] [[MoodSwinger on]] [[ChaoticEvil the]] [[IncrediblyLamePun bipolar express]], a [[SpiderManTheAnimatedSeries catsuit wearing thief]], a [[TotallySpies teenage spy]], a [[TalesOfSymphonia clumsy big breasted ninja]]...
** A [[{{Animorphism}} animorphic]] [[BloodyRoar rabbit]]. A cute girl who morphs into a giant bunny rabbit.
*** Kasumi's mission has a nice surprise...hearing one of the crime lords you might just go "that's Bastila!"
*** Meanwhile Male Shepard is the experienced Elven Warden and the Disciples of Darkspawn.
*** [[{{BitheWay}} "Why work if you're]] [[{{DragonAge2}} not working hard?"]]
* HoldingHands: Thane and [=FemShep=] will do this naturally while pursuing their romance; a male Shepard will do this with Tali to try to convince her of his feelings.
** If Liara was romanced in ''[[VideoGame/MassEffect1 Mass Effect]]'', she and Shepard will hold hands in ''Lair of the Shadow Broker'' [[CrowningMomentOfHeartwarming while Liara tells Shepard to promise her that s/he will always come back.]]
* HoneyTrap: [[spoiler:How s/he maneuvers Morinth into being ambushed by Samara.]]
* HopeBringer: Paragon Shepard seems to instill the will to fight in everyone they meet. Even Renegade Shepard can pull people up.
* HotAmazon: Female Shepard's love interests each appreciate her badassitude.
** For the three of you who don't know that female Shepard is this, [[http://media.pcgamer.com/files/2011/08/Mass-Effect-3-the-real-female-shepard.jpg here's one version of the box art that will be available]].
* HotBlooded: Both Renegade ''AND'' Paragon Shepard, particularly [[PapaWolf when you mess]] [[MamaBear with his/her crew.]] Best shown in Tali's loyalty mission if you take either of the Charm or Intimidate option where s/he will verbally tear apart the Admiralty Board for even considering doing what they're trying to do to Tali, who lampshades it after thanking Shepard.
-->'''Tali:''' It's fun watching you shout.
* HotForStudent: One interpretation of the relationship between Garrus and Shepard is that of student (Garrus) and teacher (Shepard). This makes a female Shepard and Garrus getting into a relationship [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin this trope]].
* HundredPercentHeroismRating: Or [[{{Jerkass}} Hundred Percent Jerkass Recognition]]. You know, either way.
* HurtingHero: Definitely there with a Colonist background and mixed with a War Hero or Sole Survivor background. Also depends on dialogue choices.
** Can also be shown at the end of the ''Lair of the Shadow Broker'' DLC as shown in the KnightInSourArmor entry below.
* {{Hypocrite}}: [[spoiler:Tela Vasir says that Paragon Shepard is one when s/he judges her for working with the Shadow Broker when s/he's essentially working with the terrorist organization, Cerberus.]]
** The turian Councellor will criticize Shepard no matter what decisions s/he makes; playing multiple games will show you that he will accuse Shepard of possibly dooming the galaxy via [[spoiler: the Rachni Queen if sh/e lets her live]] and accuse him/her of genocide if s/he kills it.
* ICantDance: Shepard can kill, negotiate, bribe, or charm her/his way out any situation, and has long since been proven the ultimate problem-solving machine in the galaxy. Despite his/her long list of impressive skills and athletic ability, in no situation seen thus far can s/he avoid ''looking like a complete jackass'' when attempting to "dance."
* IDidWhatIHadToDo: Whether Paragon or Renegade s/he will defend many of his/her actions in this way. One of the biggest ones came at the end of The Arrival DLC [[spoiler:where s/he destroyed an entire solar system and killed over 300,000 people.]]
* IDontWantToRuinOurFriendship: If a female Shepard starts to romance Garrus, this is what she'll say if she breaks it off.
* ImmortalHero: Both played straight and subverted. [[spoiler:The Illusive Man brings him/her back from the dead because he knows Shepard is indispensable to the defense of the galaxy, but that doesn't stop Shepard from dying if you were careless at the end of the second game.]]
* InsaneTrollLogic: Renegade Shepard seems to take perverse pleasure in finding flimsy excuses for his/her rampages.
** [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UdtRljrmQZs "Hey! Everyone! This store discriminates against the poor!"]]
** Renegade Shepard is even repeatedly called out on it, particularly in the first game. There are no less than three examples on Noveria - Parasini, Lorik Qu'in and Opold will all invoke some variation of the trope if you screw them over.
--->'''Lorik Qu'in:''' What insane breed of logic is that??'
* JackBauerInterrogationTechnique: Renegade Shepard is fond of these. Paragon Shepard might not actually use these, but [[GoodIsNotNice s/he isn't shy about threatening someone with one]].
* {{Jerkass}}: If played as a Renegade.
** JerkWithAHeartOfGold: Renegade Shepard can also be this -- so long as one avoids certain actions and conversation options.
*** Paragon Shepard can also fit this, with the right choices.
** JerkassHasAPoint: In-Universe example, as well as out-of-universe. This is pretty much the entire point of at least half of the 'intimidate'/lower-left red dialogue options.
* KarmaHoudini: A Renegade Shepard never faces any consequences for his/her actions. Everyone else ''around'' him/her though...
** Averted due to the events of The Arrival DLC. [[spoiler:Shepard (Paragon and Renegade) ''will'' be going to trial for wiping out an entire solar system and killing 300,000+ people in the process]].
* [[KavorkaMan Kavorka Man/Woman]]: Via face customization during character creation, you can make Commander Shepard look like s/he fell out of the ugly tree and hit every branch on the way down, and everyone ''still'' wants to get in their pants. Guess the badassness/heroicness shines through no matter how Shep looks.
* KeepTheReward: This is the 'nice' option for many sidequests, but a full Paragon Shepard actually subverts this and gets even larger rewards through selflessness.
* TheKirk: Paragon and Renegade actions tend to slide in TheMcCoy & TheSpock territory as well.
* KillItWithFire: Depending on his/her [[AnAdventurerIsYou class]], Shepard can use incendiary ammo rounds, and/or the Incinerate power. Zaeed's loyalty mission gives you a flamethrower.
* KleptomaniacHero: Enough to make their stance on looters more than a bit hypocritical.
* KnightErrant: Paragon Shepard... who travels the Galaxy, righting wrongs and asking for no reward.
* KnightInShiningArmor: Paragon Shepard is an incorruptible idealist who always behaves chivalrously towards the people s/he loves and will always save the day. Shepard particularly becomes a [[IncrediblyLamePun shining]] example of this trope with the Spacer + War Hero background.
* KnightInSourArmor: Yes, the play styles are infinite, but if you have the Colonist origin, the asari Consort pretty much describes you this way. Basically if Paragon Shepard isn't a WideEyedIdealist or ThePollyanna, s/he's likely a KnightInSourArmor.
-->"[[HurtingHero I see the sadness behind your eyes, it tells a story that makes me want to weep. Pain and loss.]] But it drives you, makes you strong. It is that strength that people are drawn to. [[MagneticHero It is why you lead and others follow without question]]. You will need that leadership in the battles to come."
** At the end of the Lair of the Shadow Broker DLC, Liara will ask Shepard how s/he's doing. If you choose the right dialogue option, Shepard will vent to Liara about how tired s/he is of dealing with Cerberus and the Council treating him/her like s/he's nuts. But in the end s/he keeps going because it's the right thing to do. It really drives home how [[HurtingHero much crap Shepard is going through]]. See PatrickStewartSpeech below for part of the exchange.
* LampshadeHanging: On this typical RPG mechanic.
-->"Just once I'd like to ask someone for help and hear them say 'Sure. Let's go. Right now. No strings attached.'"
* TheLadette: Fem!Shep doesn't seem all that feminine: career marine, rarely wears dresses, sits like a man, and downs shots just as readily as Dude!Shep (even [[GargleBlaster ryncol]]). You can even do a Renegade interrupt in one mission when a merc "mistakes" you for a stripper. (If you don't make the interrupt, the Merc is still impressed. "Wow, not even a smile. That hardass, huh?")
* LastNameBasis: Everyone, from superior officers to lovers to random people you just met on the street will call you Shepard.
* LightningBruiser: The Soldier Class has the fastest storm speed of all the classes.
** Storm speed schmorm speed. [[FoeTossingCharge Vanguard]] thinks Soldier is quaint for having to ''run'' to shotgun his/her foe in the face.
** All classes move much faster in ''VideoGame/MassEffect3''. Expect Soldiers and Vanguards to take it UpToEleven.
* LipstickLesbian: A feminine-looking female Shepard romancing Liara or Kelly comes off as this.
** Can be noticeably averted with a butch Fem Shep.
* LittleBlackDress: Kasumi gets Shepard a nice black leather outfit, that squeaks. A few shots make it seem she doesn't wear anything underneath.
* LivingEmotionalCrutch: [[DysfunctionJunction With crews like these,]] Shepard playing this role was inevitable. Whether this is better or worse for the crew members depends on your playstyle.
* MadeOfIron: Due to Cerberus upgrades during the ressurection process, Shepard's skeletal structure has been reinforced to the point where they can literally ''headbutt a Krogan''.
* MagneticHero: And how. So much so that if you [[spoiler: destroy the Collector base instead of turning it over to Cerberus]], '''Miranda''' - who was hand-picked by the Illusive Man and is pretty much his top lieutenant - tells you that she thinks you did the right thing. [[spoiler: In fact, if a Paragon takes her along for the final battle, TIM tells her to stop Shepard from destroying the base. She tells him where to shove it.]]
** There is an even more impressive example with [[spoiler:Morinth]]. By sheer charisma, Shepard can earn the loyalty of [[spoiler:a selfish [[CompleteMonster monster]] only focused on her [[TheHedonist pleasure]] ]], and make [[spoiler:her]] accept to work in a team, and even to ''sacrifice [[spoiler:herself]]'' for the team - during the [[spoiler:"seeker swarms" part of the suicide mission]], for instance. Yep, Shepard is that fascinating.
* MeaningfulName: Shepard/[[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shepherd Shepherd]]. [[MagneticHero The Commander has the ability to gather people to his/her cause and guide to become better people]]... if you want to.
** Not to mention a Paragon Shepard fufills this role entirely, protecting both the innocent and their flock from encroaching wolves... or Reapers.
** Also, [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_Shepard Shepard]]. Nerd Yay!
* MartialPacifist: Paragon Shepard often emphasises (particularly juxtaposed to Garrus' CowboyCop tendencies) that just because you ''can'' use force to solve a problem, doesn't mean ''should'' use force.
* TheMessiah / DarkMessiah: Paragon and Renegade moldings respectively.
* MessiahCreep: The death and return of Shepard in the sequel [[SarcasmMode doesn't refer to anything.]] ''[[WhatDoYouMeanItsNotSymbolic Really.]]''
* MessianicArchetype: Character traits ''and'' story fulfillment.
* MikeNelsonDestroyerOfWorlds: Shepard tends to cause massive destruction wherever s/he goes, whether intentionally or not. The galaxy at large has noticed this trend.
-->'''Moklik:''' [[LampshadeHanging Things explode around you, Shepard]]. You can't blame Aria for being careful.\\
'''Rana Thanoptis:''' Now, if you don't mind, I'm gonna run like hell before you blow the place or something. I know how you work.
** Taken to an enormous new level with The Arrival DLC where [[spoiler: s/he obliterates an entire SOLAR SYSTEM. However, due to the political ramifications and potential consequences for Shepard matter how noble his/her reasons, this one is unlikely to be played for laughs anytime soon.]]
*** [[spoiler: Actually, in Admiral Hackett's summary, it's still hilarious.]]
---> '''Admiral Hackett:''' All I know is I sent you out there to break Amanda Kenson out of prison, and now [[spoiler:an entire system is destroyed.]] I hope you can fill in the leap of logic between those two events.
* MildlyMilitary: While the Aliance and even Cerberus-trained crews are fairly spit-and-polish, the majority of Commander Shepard's squad is [[BunnyEarsLawyer anything]] [[DysfunctionJunction but]] [[RagTagBunchOfMisfits traditional]].
** Although its mentioned a few times that the level of military discipline enforced onboard lies solely at the discretion of the Captain of the vessel. Paragon Shepard is repeatedly shown in both games to be perfectly fine with waving rank aside and letting the crew speak freely as friends and equals, even stating at one point that they always keep an open door policy.
* MilitaryMaverick: So very, very much. Even if you don't play a [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin Renegade]], you still end up [[spoiler: conspiring to defy the Council and get your ship back to fight Saren]], and that's just ''one'' occurrence. And in the second game, you can have a ''second'' authority group you can defy. Fairly, [[WhatTheHellHero you can get called on this.]]
* MomentOfWeakness: A potential (depending on dialogue) and very brief one at the end of Lair of the Shadow Broker. Shepard, no matter how bad things have gotten, has always nearly always kept his/her suffering secret from the crew. Liara, showing the strength of the relationship between her and Shepard (romance or otherwise), can convince Shepard to lower his/her defenses where Shepard will, for the first time, express real worry about the task ahead or vent as to how [[TheChainsOfCommanding s/he has to make the]] [[SadisticChoice tough decisions]] [[HeroWithBadPublicity and be shunned for them.]]
* MoralityChain: Paragon Shepard plays this role for Garrus, keeping from becoming the kind of people he fights against. Especially notable if [=FemShep=] romances Garrus.
** Paragon Shepard also is one for Liara, the Paragon interrupts in ''Lair of the Shadow Broker'' pointing out the sheer collateral damage of her actions and attempting to pull her back from her descent into WellIntentionedExtremist territory.
* MultipleChoicePast: You choose an origin and a highlight in Shepard's service record at the beginning of your game. The different decisions you can make as you play expand on this.
** MilitaryBrat: The basis for the Spacer origin. Both parents were Alliance Navy, and is the only origin story where at least one parent is still alive.
** DoomedHometown: The basis for Colonist origin. [[DangerousSixteenthBirthday At the age of Sixteen]], Batarian slave raiders paid Shepard's home colony of Mindoir a visit. S/He was the only survivor of his/her family.
** StreetUrchin: Basis for the Earthborn origin. Born an orphan, street urchin, later gang member. Enrolled in the Alliance Navy to get away from that life.
** BusmansHoliday: The War Hero service record. Try and get some R&R, and wouldn't you know it, you wind up killing space pirates...
** SoleSurvivor: Explicit name for the second service record. Deployed to a planet called Akuze, and your entire unit, except apparently you, is slaughtered by a [[SandWorm Thresher Maw]].
** RoaringRampageOfRevenge: The Ruthless service record. In the Alliance's retaliation for the attack that the War Hero background helped defend against, Shepard sends more than a few good men to die to make sure no slavers get out alive, earning Shepard notoriety as [[TheButcher The Butcher of Torfan]].
* MusclesAreMeaningless: Female Shepard, in particular, is a stick figure. Instead of Krogan crushing her however [[{{Badass}} she crushes them]]. She does have robotic implants in the second game which could explain it for that entry in the series.
** Not only that she's able to hold her own against [[spoiler:the Shadow Broker who is ENORMOUS!]]
** Hold her own? If he didn't have that impenetrable shield Shep would totally wipe the floor with him.
** Actually justified in [[VideoGame/MassEffect2 ME2]]: Not only does she have robotic implants, if you get all the upgrades, she also has a heavy bone weave[[hottip:*:Which decreases damage taken from melee attacks by 50%, and is described as making the bones ''nearly unbreakable''.]] and heavy skin weaves[[hottip:*:Which, when fully upgraded, increase Shepard's health by a whopping ''70%''.]]. On top of ''those'', she can also have a heavy muscle weave[[hottip:*:Which increases the power of melee attacks by 25%.]]. So her bones won't shatter, her skin is hard to pierce, and her muscles have been modified with micro-fibers to increase strength and make damage from overexertion extremely unlikely. Even with that shield, [[spoiler:the Shadow Broker]] was ''lucky'' to last as long as he did.
* {{Nakama}}: What Shepard's crews eventually become.
** Unfortunately, as Joker pointed out, after Shepard's death, [[BreakingTheFellowship most of the surviving crew of the original Normandy drifted off into different directions]] with very few coming back. [[WeWereYourTeam Shepard is the core of his/her crews]], but without him/her, the large majority of them have very little reason to stay together - especially when the higher-ups notice this [[MagneticHero ability to make people more loyal to Shepard than to his/her superiors]] and forcibly scatter, retire, or merely ground them to ensure this happens.
** Though the crew in Mass Effect 2 definitely becomes this as well if you gain their loyalties.
* MyLifeFlashedBeforeMyEyes: Mass Effect: Genesis has Shepard recalling the events of the first game as s/he's dying after the destruction of the Normandy SR-1.
* NamesToRunAwayFromVeryFast: Shepard with the Ruthless personality is known by the Batarians as "The Butcher of Torfin".
* NeverHeardThatOneBefore: Shepard can get quite tired of being greeted with "But you're dead!" everywhere s/he goes in the second game.
--> "I've been getting that everywhere. It's a pain in the ass."
* NiceGuy: Paragon Shepard. Of course, it goes without saying that you should BewareTheNiceOnes.
* NinjaPirateZombieRobot: Or more specifically [[PsychicPowers Psychic]] {{Cyborg}} [[spoiler: Zombie]] SpaceMarine.
* NobleBigotWithABadge: A Renegade Shepard can make many racist assumptions about other species, and is quick to make remarks regarding his/her desire to avoid cooperation with them.
* NobleDemon: A possible playthrough of Renegade Shepard: a ruthless AntiHero who will do anything to complete his/her mission, and actively embraces the image of a OneManArmy bestowed upon him/her... but at the same time can help any person who may need it, and would gladly place him/herself in harm's way for or speak on the behalf of any member of his/her crew.
* NotSoDifferent: Renegade Shepard can be just as ruthless, racist and violent as Saren, and the similarity is made explicit during several conversations.
** One notable example occurs in Zaaed's loyalty mission in the second game where Renegade Shepard causes a fire at an oil refinery and decides to simply let the innocent workers inside burn to the death. This is ''exactly'' what Saren once did and framed Anderson for, ironically, also taking place at an oil refinery.
** Shepard, Paragon or Renegade, to [[spoiler:Tela Vasir.]]
*** Or so [[spoiler:she]] claims. Depending on the choices made during the game, as well as whether ''Lair of the Shadow Broker'' is completed after [[spoiler:going through the Omega 4 Relay, if the Collector Base was destroyed]], Shepard [[SubvertedTrope may be quite different]] after all.
** Legion lampshades this, musing on the fact that Paragon Shepard's decision to destroy the Collector Base and not use the technology it provided, even to protect themselves, was ''exactly'' the reason why the Geth refused Sovereign's offer.
--> '''Legion:''' You are more like us than we thought.
* NumberTwo: At the beginning of the first game, Shepard serves as the second of commander under Captain Anderson. After becoming a Spectre, Shepard becomes Admiral Hackett's go-to-guy/gal when it comes to under the table Alliance Affairs.
* ObliviousToLove: A male Shepard towards Tali in the first game. Given how quickly he jumps at the chance to be with a female Shepard, this might apply to Garrus as well.
* [[OneManArmy One (Wo)Man Army]]: S/he can take a squad of three against three hundred and come out on top, as well as bring his/her entire squad through a guaranteed suicide mission alive.
** Literally a case of this with the War Hero Backstory.
** Accentuated during the ''VideoGame/{{Mass Effect 2}}: Arrival'' DLC, where Shepard can face down several dozen [[spoiler:indoctrinated Alliance]] soldiers, including combat techs, assault infantry, and a YMIR mech, totally alone, and slaughters them all. [[MemeticMutation DIRECT INTERVENTION IS NECESSARY]] from the [[spoiler:Reaper artifact]] to take him/her out of commission. And when Shepard regains his/her feet, [[CurbStompBattle s/he rips through the entire base of elite assault troops.]] Totally alone.
*** EnemyChatter: "Shepard won't go down!" and "Shepard is tearing us apart!"
* OneOfTheBoys: Fem!Shep, usually.
* OnlyMostlyDead: S/he even uses ExactWords.
-->'''Shepard:''' I was only mostly dead. Try finding that option on government paperwork.
* TheParagon: [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin Paragon]] Shepard
* ParentalAbandonment: Both played straight and averted. Selecting Earthborn or Colonist backgrounds results in your character being an orphan. However, Spacers not only have still-living parents, but even get to call their mom during a sidequest.
** DisappearedDad: Just the same, a Spacer/Shepard's father is never present and is only ever mentioned in past tense.
* ParrotExposition: Shepard is annoyingly fond of these in the first game.
-->(Note, paraphrased)\\
'''Engineer Adams:''' [The Normandy] runs on an experimental Tantalus drive core.\\
'''Shepard:''' What's so special about the Tantalus drive core?\\
\\
'''Udina:''' [Liara] was last seen in the Artemis Tau cluster.\\
'''Shepard:''' Guess we'll start in the Artemis Tau cluster.
* PatrickStewartSpeech: Shepard has the option of delivering a heroic subversion, saying that humans ''can't'' do everything on their own and that every race in the galaxy needs to stick together if they're going to survive. [[spoiler:Change 'human' to 'organic species' and it's played pretty straight whenever a Reaper comes onto the scene.]]
** Also appears during some dialogue options in the Lair of the Shadow Broker if the player didn't romance Liara:
--->'''Liara:''' So tell me what you want. What are you fighting for?\\
'''Shepard:''' I guess I'm fighting for us: all of us.\\
'''Liara:''' That's a lot of responsibility.\\
'''Shepard:''' [[KnightInSourArmor People are messy, awkward, sometimes selfish and cruel]]. But they're trying, and I'm going to make sure they have a chance.
* PayEvilUntoEvil: Many of the renegade options can have Shepard being a completely ruthless bastard towards other bastards.
-->'''Shepard:''' You chose your side, Elnora, and you lost.
* PermaStubble: The default Male Shepard model has this and it can't be changed. Apparently being able to defeat whatever the galaxy throws at you is incompatible with knowing your way around a razor blade.
* PetTheDog: Playing as a Renegade does not automatically lock Shepard out of Paragon dialogue and actions, so there are numerous opportunities to do this.
* PhraseCatcher: Shepard is repeatedly told words along the lines of: "[[NotSoDifferent You may not agree with my methods, but our goals are the same]]."
** Shepard also tends to hear variations on the phrase '[[MagneticHero It's your call, Shepard. We'll go with whatever you say]].'
** S/he also hears quite a lot of "WTF?! I thought you were dead!" in the second game.
* PrecisionFStrike: Occurs twice during the main game:
** Once, during Tali's loyalty mission (If you're a Renegade.):
---> '''Shepard:''' Do whatever you want with your toy ships. But leave my crew out of your political BULLSHIT!
** And, when you choose the Renegade option while speaking with the Illusive Man after [[spoiler: after you blow up the Collector base.]]:
---> '''Shepard:''' I'm sorry, having trouble hearing you. Lotta ''bullshit'' on this line.
* [[spoiler:PrecursorKillers: Unless there's another brainwashed collective hiding somewhere, Shepard has officially offed what's left of the Protheans. S/He's also killed two [[EldritchAbomination Reapers]] personally, and fought a third to a standstill.]]
* PropheticDreams
* RagTagBunchOfMisfits: How every one of Shepard's squads starts out. They're [[BunnyEarsLawyer abnormally skilled misfits]], but would still probably kill each other in a heartbeat without Shepard guiding them.
* TheReasonYouSuckSpeech: Renegade Shepard enjoys giving these, though Paragon can get in on the action as well, notably giving a memorable one to [[{{Paparazzi}} Al-Jilani]] in the second game.
* ReasonableAuthorityFigure[=/=]BenevolentBoss: Paragon Shepard to his/her crew.
* RedBaron: "[[NamesToRunAwayFromReallyFast The Butcher of Torfan]]" if given the Ruthless background.
* RedEyesTakeWarning: In ''Mass Effect 2'', Shepard's eyes will glow red the more Renegade s/he becomes, til they're ''glowing in the dark''.
* {{Red Headed Hero}}ine: The default fem!Shep.
** GreenEyedRedhead: [[http://na.llnet.bioware.cdn.ea.com/u/f/eagames/bioware/masseffect3/resources/assets/media/wallpapers/wallpaper-004-femshep-p.jpg As voted by fans.]]
* RelationshipUpgrade: Potentially with Tali or Garrus in the second game, depending on Shepard's gender.
* ReligiousBruiser: If the player chooses.
* RememberWhenYouBlewUpASun: The second game has everybody fully aware of just how many ridiculously impossible missions Shepard has completed and will mention them if they feel like it.
** Cruely subverted in ''The Arrival'' where Shepard will likely face trial for [[spoiler: [[RememberWhenYouBlewUpASun Remember When You Blew Up A Mass Relay?]] ]]
* ReportsOfMyDeathWereGreatlyExaggerated: Shepard drops this line a few times in the second game, [[BackFromTheDead even though they really weren't]].
* SadClown: Of course Shepard can be played any number of ways, but it seems canon that s/he uses snark to cover up his/her sadness.
** Particularly if you chose the Colonist background, being one of the few survivors of a Batarian slave-run in which your parents were killed. [[ItGotWorse Even more so]] if you're playing as a Sole Survivor, which meant your first mission ended with your entire squad either slaughtered right in front of you or picked off one by one by a nest of angry Thresher Maws.
* TheSadisticChoice: [[TheChainsOfCommanding Is forced to make a few.]]
* ScrewTheMoneyIHaveRules: Paragon Shepard in a nutshell, unless s/he's going for...
* ScrewTheRulesImDoingWhatsRight: ''also'' Paragon Shepard in a nutshell, though moreso in ''Mass Effect 2''. With a [[WellIntentionedExtremist loose enough definition of "what's right,"]] Renegade Shep also counts, sometimes.
* SchrodingersPlayerCharacter: Not the character itself, but the stories behind them. No matter what origin and backstory you chose for Shepard, all of those events happened. S/he was just only present for one or two of them.
* SecondLove: If [[spoiler:your first love interest dies on Virmire and you romance someone else in the sequel.]]
* SemperFi: Shepard starts out as a Marine. An extremely talented Marine who went through specialized training to become a Special Forces officer, but still a Marine.
* SheCleansUpNicely: Female Commander Shepard during Hock's party in Kasumi's loyalty quest. It's the only time in the series to date that Female Shepard has worn anything feminine, a dress and heels. Sadly, the usual male jaw-drop that typically happens during one of these scenes is absent. Kasumi makes an offhand comment, but that's about it.
** Male Shepard gets a suit too, but his is just a re-skinned version of the same suit every male character wears. Female Shepard's is actually unique.
* ShellShockedVeteran: If played right, despite being only the age of 29 in the first game and 31 in the second s/he can come off as being already nearly emotionally crippled by what s/he's seen and experienced.
* ShipperOnDeck: Shepard may hint a little in regards to EDI and Joker.
* ShockAndAwe: Shepard can use Disruptor Ammo and Overload, which deals more damage towards synthetics.
* ShootTheDog: The Player is presented with this option multiple times throughout the series; [[spoiler: exterminating the Rachni, killing Wrex, abandoning the Council, leaving Zaeed to die, etc.]] In addition, Shepard ''will'' [[spoiler:do this in The Arrival DLC by destroying a Mass Relay to slow the Reaper advance into the Milky Way. The resulting energy burst destroys the entire star system and kills the 300,000+ people living in it]].
* ShutUpHannibal: Does this ''a lot.'' Moreso in [=ME2=] with the Renegade "interrupt" options.
** Paragon gets his/her piece in too, though more with regular conversation.
* SlidingScaleOfIdealismVersusCynicism: Paragon/Renegade, natch.
* SorryImGay: If romancing Liara, a female Shepard can use this response to shun Kaidan's attempts at romance.
* TheSouthpaw: Shepard is occasionally depicted in promotional materials as being left-handed, even though s/he isn't in-game.
* SpaceMarine
* SpacePolice
* SpellMyNameWithAnS: It's '''''"Shepard."''''' No second 'h', no second 'p', and spelled with an 'a'. This one [[ModernWarfare always seems to be a problem]]...
** {{Lampshaded}} in [=ME2=]: Upon finishing Jack's recruitment mission, Shepard receives an email from one of the ex-prisoners in Purgatory, calling him/her "Shepherd".
* StupidSexyFlanders: In-universe, [[EvenTheGirlsWantHer [=FemShep=] appears to incite this in Tali]], for maximum awkwardness.
* SuperSoldier: Becomes one in ''Mass Effect 2''.
* SurvivorGuilt: Female Shepard can admit to Jacob in ''Mass Effect 2'' that she feels a lot of guilt for being the person who makes the decisions as to who lives or dies.
* TakeAThirdOption: Almost as fond of it as {{Batman}}.
* TalkingTheMonsterToDeath: Shepard can [[spoiler:convince [[TheDragon Saren]] to realize he's been brainwashed, leading Saren to summon to will to ''[[RedemptionEqualsDeath shoot himself in the head]]''.]]
* TalkingYourWayOut: Paragon Shepard will take this option at every opportunity. Renegade Shepard can do this too, although s/he is usually far more fond of...
* TalkToTheFist: ...interrupting enemies/[[{{Paparazzi}} annoying reporters]] mid-flow with bullets or punches to the face.
* TheFettered / [[TheUnfettered Unfettered]]: Paragon / Renegade Shepard.
* ThePollyanna: A full Paragon Shepard comes off as this, especially in the first game. (S)he never fully gives up hope that the Council will do the right thing in the end, (S)he will try to end a conflict by negotiating no matter how big of a bastard the bad guy is, and (S)he has almost infinite patience for the character flaws of others (Udina's attitude is dismissed as him "having a lot on his mind" or "just doing his job". The encounter with Al-jilani is described as "We had differences of opinion, sir. I hope she at least believed my sincerity".) Doesn't make him/her any less of a {{Badass}} though.
* ThisIsUnforgivable: [[spoiler:A Paragon Shepard will get ''pissed'' after learning the truth behind Project Overlord.]]
* {{Transhuman}}: All six of the base classes require a lesser version of this. Taken much, much further in the sequel where Shepard is brought back from the dead through synthetic body parts and experimental technology. ''MassEffect2'''s upgrade system also furthers Shepard's transhumanism. Becomes uncomfortable in ''Project Overlord'', where Shepard is non-organic enough to be hacked.
* TraumaCongaLine: Practically canon in games but can also extend further into his/her backstory. S/he goes through a lot of crap.
* TheUnchosenOne: Through a combination of ability and circumstance, s/he went from random (if notably badass) soldier to the protector of the galaxy in the span of a week at most.
* UndyingLoyalty: Shepard's survival in the sequel depends on the Commander inspiring this in as many squad members as possible. It's up to the player whether or not the Commander returns this devotion to their troops.
* VerbalJudo: Paragon and Renegade actions all the time!... [[TalkToTheFist well, if the latter doesn't use violence instead]].
* WarriorTherapist: Paragon Shepard - especially in ''Mass Effect 2''. Good thing, too, [[DysfunctionJunction with a squad like this....]]
** QuitYourWhining: ...or you can be a complete ass.
* WeCanRebuildHim: And they did.
** [[RestartAtLevelOne At Level One]].
*** Or Level 3/5 if importing a Level 50/60 Shepard from [=ME1=].
*** Actually subverted by the fact that EVERYTHING is now more expensive, and you have access to top-of-the-line weapons and armour through Cerberus. It is arguable that you are just as powerful at the beginning of [=ME2=] as you were at the end of [=ME1=], and you're now facing tougher enemies. Imagine taking on the legions of vorcha/krogan on Omega as a newb!Shepard in [=ME1=].
*** More so if you download the Aegis and Firepower DLC armor and weapon packs.
* WeDoTheImpossible: Shepard's effectiveness in completing suicidal missions has attracted the attention of more than one group.
* WellIntentionedExtremist: Many of Renegade Shepard's dialogue options and actions veer into this direction.
** Sometimes even [[GoodIsNotNice Paragon actions]] can arguably be considered this.
* WhatMeasureIsANonBadass: [[invoked]] Renegade Shepard often blows off and demeans many people that aren't combat personnel. This can even extend to starship crew.
* WhatTheHellHero: While Shepard can be called out on his/her actions depending on them, s/he is given the opportunity to call out other people himself several times, including Udina, the Council, and [[spoiler:Zaeed in the Paragon ending of his loyalty mission]].
* WideEyedIdealist: A Paragon Shepard with a Spacer background. One of the responses to Ashley Williams' asking if they joined the Alliance to uphold the [[MilitaryBrat family tradition]];
--> '''Shepard:''' No. Humanity's future is out here. There is so much we haven't seen yet...
* WithThisHerring: Spectres are expected to self-sufficient. As such, the Council will not give Shepard any resources beyond occasional information. The Alliance and Cerberus are much more generous.
* ZeroApprovalGambit: After s/he [[spoiler:causes a supernova that kills over 300,000 batarians]] Admiral Hackett tells him/her that s/he'll have to fulfill this trope in order to avert a war between the humans and batarians.
[[/folder]]
