You’re standing on the bridge of the Tempest, looking out at the Scourge, and you’re probably wondering which crewmate won't break your heart. Or maybe you're just looking for the best cinematic scene. Honestly, Mass Effect Andromeda romance options are a lot messier than the original trilogy. It’s not just about clicking the Paragon option until someone falls in love with you. BioWare tried to make it feel "real," which basically means some people just want to have fun, while others will demand you put a ring on it before you even reach the third act.
People love to complain that Andromeda's writing is stiff. I get it. But the romance system actually has some layers that the Shepard era lacked. You’ve got the squadmates, sure, but there are also those "fling" characters who don't care if you're already seeing someone else. It's a bit like the Wild West, just with more blue aliens and jetpacks.
Who You Can Actually Date (The Hard Facts)
Let’s get the spreadsheet stuff out of the way first. Your choices depend entirely on whether you’re playing as Scott or Sara Ryder.
If you’re Scott, your main squadmate interests are Cora Harper and Peebee. Cora is the traditionalist—she wants commitment. Peebee is... Peebee. She’s chaos. For the guys looking for guys, Gil Brodie is your primary shipboard option, and thanks to a massive post-launch patch (1.08), Jaal is now a bisexual option too. That was a big deal when it happened. Originally, Jaal was only for Sara, but BioWare listened to the fans who felt the male-male options were a bit thin at launch.
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Sara Ryder has a different spread. You’ve got Liam, the high-energy crisis specialist, and Jaal, who is arguably the most emotional, deep romance in the entire game. If you want the "soulmate" vibe, Jaal is the one. Sara can also romance Vetra Nyx, the turian "drifter" who has a surprisingly soft side once you get past the armor.
The Bisexual and "Casual" Choices
Some characters don't care about your Ryder’s gender. Vetra, Peebee, and Reyes Vidal are down for whoever is the Pathfinder.
Then you have the non-squad options. These are the ones people often miss because they aren’t sitting in your meeting room every five minutes.
- Keri T’Vessa: The journalist on the Nexus. You can flirt with her during every interview. The best part? She doesn't care if you're in a "serious" relationship with a crew member. It’s a total side-fling.
- Avela Kjar: The historian on Aya. Scott only. It’s more of a sweet, historical-themed flirtation than a deep romance.
- Suvi Anwar: She’s only for Sara. She’s the ship’s science officer and stays on the bridge.
Mass Effect Andromeda Romance Options: The Commitment Trap
Here is where it gets tricky. In the old games, you could flirt with everyone until the very last second. In Andromeda, there’s a "lock-in" point. Usually, this happens after a loyalty mission.
Take Peebee. She offers you a "no strings attached" encounter in the zero-G pod early on. If you take it, you might think you’ve locked her in. Nope. That’s just a fling. If you actually want a relationship with her, you have to tell her you want "strings." If you choose the casual route, you actually lock yourself out of the deeper romance later. It’s one of the few times the game actually punishes you for being a player.
Vetra is another one. You start by flirting on the Tempest, but the real deal happens on Kadara. If you don't bring her to the right spot or follow her specific mission chain, the "heart" icons just... stop appearing.
The Reyes Vidal Factor
Most people focus on the crew. That’s a mistake. Reyes Vidal is probably the best-written romance in the game, and he isn't even on your ship. You meet him on Kadara. He’s a smuggler, a liar, and incredibly charming.
What makes Reyes special is that his romance feels like a spy movie. You’re meeting in back alleys and nightclubs. It’s a huge departure from the "talk to me in the cargo bay" formula. Plus, he’s available for both Scott and Sara. If you’re tired of the military vibe of Cora or the "good guy" energy of Liam, Reyes is the breath of fresh air you need. Just watch your back. He's a professional manipulator, after all.
Don't Ignore the Emails
Seriously. Check your terminal. A lot of the progression for Mass Effect Andromeda romance options is gated behind those digital messages.
You’ll finish a big story beat like "A Trail of Hope," and you’ll expect the next romance prompt to just pop up. It won't. You have to go to your cabin, read an email from Liam about a movie night or a message from Gil about playing poker, and then the mission triggers. If you ignore your inbox, your love life will stall out faster than a Nomad with no fuel.
A Note on Lexi T'Perro
I have to mention this because everyone tries. You can flirt with Dr. Lexi (voiced by Natalie Dormer). You can try really hard. But she will shut you down every single time. She’s just not into you. She has a thing for Drack, which is honestly hilarious and a bit weird, but Ryder is strictly off-limits. Don't waste your breath.
Why Some Romances Feel "Thin"
If you choose Suvi or Gil, you might notice they don't have as many scenes as Cora or Jaal. It’s a common complaint. The squadmates (the ones who go on missions with you) always get more screen time and "cinematic" budget.
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If you want the full-blown, orchestral-swelling-in-the-background experience, stick to the squad. Jaal and Cora have the most "content." Vetra and Liam are in the middle. The "ship crew" like Suvi and Gil are sweet, but they feel more like side stories. It’s not fair, but that’s how the game was built.
How to Not Mess It Up
If you want to ensure you actually see a romance through to the end credits, follow these rules:
- Always use the heart icon. Even if it feels cheesy. The game needs to see you’ve flirted at least three times before the "serious" options unlock.
- Finish the Loyalty Missions. No loyalty, no love. It’s that simple.
- Talk after every "Priority" mission. The dialogue resets after big story moments. If you go three missions without talking to your crush, you might miss a window.
- Be careful with the "flings." Romancing Keri won't hurt your chances with Cora, but choosing the "casual" sex option with Peebee will kill your chances of a long-term relationship with her.
To get the most out of your playthrough, decide early if you want a squadmate or an NPC. If you want high drama, go for Jaal or Reyes. If you want something stable and supportive, Cora or Suvi are your best bets. Just remember that once you "commit" (the game will literally ask you if you want to be exclusive), all other heart icons for major characters will disappear. Choose wisely, Pathfinder.
Go back to the Tempest, check your terminal for any unread messages from your favorite crew member, and make sure you've actually finished their specific request on the map. Most "stuck" romances are usually just waiting for you to visit a specific planet or finish a minor side quest they mentioned in passing. Check your "Allies and Relationships" quest log—if it's empty for that character, you’re probably just waiting for the next big story beat to trigger the next conversation.