Do you think Ryder will ever reach the same level of badassery as Shepard?

I accidentally voted "No". I'm soooorrrry.

Haha, Yes, I think so. Bad-ass not in exactly the same way, but in a different though not necessarily inferior way.

It's sort of a given now that the character has reached that point in their life when they get the privilege of fighting for the User.

Definitely. As the series has progressed, there have been more epic set pieces, each 'out-epicing' the last. Since these are the moments we tend to remember most vividly as "badass," I fully expect Ryder to have his share of epic heroics.

Well, there's no lore to support that Shepard will always be the best there ever was for all time. That's just our supreme attachment talking.

Hey, Tintin did it; so why not Shepard?

Doubtful it will be in this game, but if this one is great then hopefully more will follow. I really would like to see my Ryder in more than one game. Maybe 3 again at least.

ME2 levels of badassery? Maybe in Andromeda 2. Otherwise no. Shepard is a decent protagonist in ME1 in my opinion, but nothing special. In ME2 he is space jesus but they make up for it by giving cool renegade choices, memorable interrupts and plenty of agency. In ME3 he was just crybaby Shep, so really ME2 is all I have to go by in terms of "badass".

And like mod above me quotes, the Commander Shepard song was an offspring of how awesome ME2 was and how iconic Shepard became with that game.

Don't personally care who ends up ranking higher on the biggest badass chart.

As long as I can play a better character than what Shepard ended up being, who was a brutish over-glorified tool, then I'm cool with Ryder any day.

On second thought, without almost every conversation being cinematic and there being mostly 2 choices and investigative dialogue per wheel I doubt it. I just played some of ME2 again and was reminded of the days when these games were great. Nah. Ryder is held back by BioWare 2017's game design and loss of talent like Armando Troisi, the writers (Drew and Chris) etc. Maybe someday they'll get good replacement that aren't fanfic writers off of comic con.

Depends if they get more then 1 game. But having played BioWare games since the 90s the answer is generally yes, yes they will... eventually. Now if the question is if they'd ever be as powerful as the Bhaalspawn, then no, no they wont. But Shepard? Yeah sure, people may not get as attached though.

That said, one thing I've learned with BioWare. Doesn't matter how attached you get to the current squad, you'll find people to attach to and fall for in the new Squad. Remember ME2? Booo, new people?! Guh, awful, why would they DO THAT?! Turns out they where some of the best. Always happens, every time.

So once again yes, Ryder Twins can and will be as awesome as Shepard if given enough games. This game though who knows, there starting out less heroic, less established. I like that honestly, I might end up considering them as badass as Shepard by the end but more awkward about it?

When people say 'Shepard was badass', I think they're referring to his abilities & achievements; not whether he conforms to a standard of behavior, acts all tough, etc.

Also I don't remember Shepard in self-doubt, flinching from danger, etc. Complaining about stress isn't the same thing as being a self-pitying coward.

A badass is about style, it is not just or even mainly about competence, success and bravery.


Complaining about stress is 100% non-badass.

I'm not saying this is a bad thing that he isn't a total badass. Bioware were trying to write a more multifaceted character, although I would have preferred the option to play Shepard a bit more stoic.