Mass Effect LE: How to Romance Tali (ME 1, 2, 3)

Tali is one of the OG members of Shepard’s squad. She appears in the first game, rarely leaves his side throughout, and is a playable squadmate in each and every title. It’s not surprising, then, to learn that Tali is a romanceable option in Mass Effect. Here’s what you need to know about how to romance Tali in Mass Effect1, 2 and 3.

Can You Romance Tali in Mass Effect 1?

So first things first. While Tali is a squadmate in Mass Effect 1, and is a romance option in the later games, is not romanceable in the first game. This might come as a bummer for someone who was planning on hooking up with everyone’s favorite Quarian in all three games, but that’s the breaks.

There’s not really an established reason why exactly, but the prevailing theory is that Tali is just a bit too young and isn’t looking for love in the first game. She’s a Quarian refugee, she’s on a pilgrimage, and then on top of all of that, she gets dragged into a conflict with Saren and the Reapers. She, understandably, has a lot going on.

How to Romance Tali in Mass Effect 2

Fortunately for all you Tali fans out there, she is a romance option in the second game, Mass Effect 2. However, there are a few things you need to know.

For one, she is only a romance option for Male Shepard players. Second and most obviously, she must actually be recruited into your squad to be an option. It is possible to skip Dossier: Tali and never recruit her, and thus, leaving her to die in the second game. Harsh.

After recruiting her, make sure to spend time talking to her after each mission and exhaust her dialog. Once you’ve recruited her and secured her loyalty, spend some time talking to her some more and she’ll begin to get a bit flirtatious and lead on that she has a crush on you. Make sure that you reciprocate and let her know that you feel the same way about her.

When given the option, tell her that you want to be with her and not anyone else. Continue to visit her after each mission, and reciprocate her advances as you build your relationship.

Eventually, as long as you don’t decide to pull the plug, it will lead to a romance scene and you will have locked Tali in as your partner in Mass Effect 2.

Continuing Romance With Tali in Mass Effect 3

First things first, ensure that Tali survives the final events of Mass Effect 2 otherwise… yeah you’re officially broken up and back on the market to say the least. You also must have romanced Tali in Mass Effect 2 to romance her in Mass Effect 3. If you did not choose Tali in 2, she will not be an option in 3.

You will eventually meet back up and recruit Tali into your party and will be given the opportunity to invite her to your private quarters. Make sure that you accept and continue your relationship with her.

As usual, continue to speak with her after every mission, flirt and reciprocate her advances and eventually, before the final battle, you will have the opportunity to lock in the romance with another scene and eventually earn a picture of her without her mask for your desk.

That’s all you need to know for how to romance Tali in Mass Effect 1, 2, and 3. For more tips, tricks, and FAQs answered, be sure to check out our Mass Effect LE wiki guide for more helpful info.