Character Creation for Mass Effect 2 allows players to fully customize their hero. When you create a new character, you will be given the opportunity to choose your Pre-service History, Psychological Profile (Reputation), Class and the appearance of your character.
Mass Effect Character Creation
Import Character
If you have played Mass Effect 1, you can choose to import your character. This will allow you to play Mass Effect 2 with the same character and decisions you made during ME1. This will affect the storyline of Mass Effect 2. Please notice that you can still change the appearance of your imported character and the Class it belongs, though the Pre-service History, Level and Profile of your original character will remain the same.
New Character
If you are starting a completely new character, you can previously acquire and complete Mass Effect: Genesis, an interactive story that lasts about 15 minutes, which will allow you to get a summary of ME1 Story and to make the most important decisions from ME1 that will determine the storyline of Mass Effect 2.
Mass Effect Character Creation
At the Main Menu, select START NEW GAME. enter the Mission Computer database, and you can choose to create a new Male or Female character, or you can choose to import your previous character from Mass Effect 1.
- Play as a default Commander Shepard (either male or female), and choose a first name. The last name Shepard can not be changed.
- Create a custom character, in which you control every detail.
Difficulty Level
After finishing the game on any of the above difficulties, the Hardcore difficulty will be unlocked. In Mass Effect Insanity is the highest difficulty setting. The only way to unlock the Insanity mode, is if you complete the game on Hardcore mode without changing the difficulty during the game. Playing on Insanity difficulty with a brand new (level 1) character is very tough as Enemies can deal a lot of punishment.
Classes
There are six base Classes, with variable strength in up to three areas for the player. Some Classes concentrate all their strength in one skill area; others divide it between two areas to balance tactics. Combat skills deal maximum damage to Enemies. Tech skills allow decrypting security systems and weakening enemy Weapons. Biotic skills enable brain impulses to manipulate the physical world.
Soldier
Soldiers are combat specialists ideal for the front lines of a firefight. Soldiers get improved health, can train in most of the Weapon types, Gameplay focus is on getting into the thick of the fight, picking the right weapon for tactical situations, and outlasting opponents. Soldiers can use a variety of weapons (except for Submachine Guns) and can take advantage in the battle from their Adrenaline Rush to slow down time and avoid attacks.
Type: Combat Specialist
Weapons: Assault Rifles ♦ Sniper Rifles ♦ Shotguns ♦ Heavy Pistols ♦ Heavy Weapons (only available for Shepard).
Unique Class Power: Adrenaline Rush
Engineer
Engineers are tech specialists. Using the holographic Omni-tool, they can decrypt security systems, repair or modify technical equipment, disrupt enemy weapons or shields, and heal their squad. Engineers can only use Light Armor, and can only receive weapons training with Pistols. Gameplay focus is on shaping the battlefield during combat, healing the party, and debuffing enemies (disabling weapons and lowering shields).
Type: Tech Specialist
Weapons: Heavy Pistols ♦ Submachine Guns ♦ Heavy Weapons (only available for Shepard).
Unique Class Power: Combat Drone
Adept
Adepts are biotic specialists. Through upgradeable implants they can use biotic powers to lift or throw objects, shield the squad and disable or destroy enemies. Gameplay focus is on disabling and debuffing enemies while dealing massive amounts of damage.
Type: Biotic Specialist
Weapons: Heavy Pistols ♦ Submachine Guns ♦ Heavy Weapons (only available for Shepard)
Unique Class Power: Singularity
Infiltrator
Infiltrators combine both combat and tech abilities to specialize in killing or disabling enemies at long range. Infiltrators are trained to use Omni-tools, focusing on decryption and offensive abilities rather than healing. Gameplay focus is on unlocking alternate routes, gaining access to good equipment, and obtaining an advantageous position over enemies in combat by moving undetected.
Type: Combat/Tech
Weapons: Sniper Rifles ♦ Heavy Pistols ♦ Submachine Guns ♦ Heavy Weapons (Only available for Shepard)
Unique Class Power: Tactical Cloak
Sentinel
Sentinels combine biotic and tech abilities. Typically, they use biotic abilities and advanced healing skills to defend allies, though they can also disrupt opponents with biotic or tech attacks. They are more efficient at tech and Biotics than other classes, but at the expense of combat. Gameplay focus is on protecting the party using kinetic barriers and healing it with advanced medical training.
Type: Biotic/Tech
Weapons: Heavy Pistols ♦ Submachine Guns ♦ Heavy Weapons (only available for Shepard)
Unique Class Power Tech Armor
Vanguard
Vanguards are biotic warriors. They combine Biotics and Weapons to take down opponents, and are especially deadly at short range. Gameplay focus is on taking down enemies with quick and brutal force.
Type: Biotic/Combat
Weapons: Shotguns ♦ Heavy Pistols ♦ Submachine Guns ♦ Heavy Weapons (Only available for Shepard)
Unique Class Power: Charge
Pre-service History
Next, choose your custom character’s early history: Earthborn, Colonist, or Spacer. This choice represents the first of many that affect how characters will react to you during gameplay. Also, gives you a morality system bonus, depending on your selection. Furthermore, each option is related to a secondary mission during your playthrough.
Spacer
Both of your parents were in the Alliance military. Your childhood was spent on ships and stations as they transferred from posting to posting, never staying in one location for more than a few years. Following in your parents' footsteps, you enlisted at the age of eighteen.
- Grants a Paragon bonus point.
Colonist
You were born and raised on Mindoir, a small border colony in the Attican Traverse. When you were sixteen slavers raided Mindoir, slaughtering your family and friends. You were saved by a passing Alliance patrol, and you enlisted with the military a few years later.
- Grants part Paragon, part Renegade bonus point.
Earthborn
You were an orphan raised on the streets of the great megatropolises covering Earth. You escaped the life of petty crime and underworld gangs by enlisting with the Alliance military when you turned eighteen.
- Grants a Renegade bonus point.
Psychological Profile
Select a Psychological Profile: Ruthless, War Hero, or Sole Survivor. The Psychological Profile opens up different dialogue options during gameplay and affects the character's morality.
Sole Survivor
During your service, a mission you were on went horribly wrong. Trapped in an extreme survival situation, you had to overcome physical torments and psychological stresses that would have broken most people. You survived while all those around you fell, and now you alone are left to tell the tale.
- Grants part Paragon, part Renegade bonus point.
War Hero
Early in your military career you found yourself facing an overwhelming enemy force. You risked your own life to save your fellow soldiers and defeat the enemy despite the impossible odds. Your bravery and heroism have earned you medals and recognition from the Alliance fleet.
- Grants a Paragon bonus point.
Ruthless
Throughout your military career, you have held fast to one basic rule: get the job done. You've been called cold, calculating, and brutal. Your reputation for ruthless efficiency makes your fellow soldiers wary of you. But when failure is not an option, the military always goes to you first.
- Grants a Renegade bonus point.
Additional Bonus Powers
Those players who are starting Mass Effect 2 for the second time, will be able to choose one additional Bonus Powers for their character. The total amount of additional Bonus Powers available will depend on how many achievements of squadmate's loyalty Missions the player has previously earned.
This is the complete list of possible additional Bonus Powers in case you have already unlocked them all:
Facial Customization
In Mass Effect 2 you can choose the default appearance for your character, which will feature:
Origin: Earthborn
Reputation: Sole Survivor
Class: Soldier
Appearance: Exactly As shown
On the other hand, you can use the Facial Customization on screen to create a unique face for your character. You can edit your character face appearance by choosing from a set of Presets or you can customize the entire face or focus the following specific areas:
Facial Structure ♦ Head ♦ Eyes ♦ Jaw ♦ Mouth ♦ Nose ♦ Hair
Use the sliders in each section to adjust a range of facial details. Once you have finished your character customization, confirm your selection to go on:
