Morality Guide

This article is about Morality in the first game. For Mass Effect 2, see Morality Guide (Mass Effect 2). For Mass Effect 3, see Morality Guide (Mass Effect 3).

This page is intended to show the exact conversation and/or action triggers to receive Paragon and Renegade.

Background and Psych Profile

Starting Paragon and Renegade Points

• Spacer/War Hero 20 Paragon
• Colonist/War Hero 15 Paragon
• Earthborn/War Hero 10 Paragon
• Spacer/Sole Survivor 15 Paragon, 5 Renegade
• Colonist/Sole Survivor 10 Paragon, 10 Renegade
• Earthborn/Sole Survivor 5 Paragon, 15 Renegade
• Spacer/Ruthless 10 Renegade
• Colonist/Ruthless 15 Renegade
• Earthborn/Ruthless 20 Renegade

Prologue: Find the Beacon

Joker and Kaidan

• 2 Paragon for saying "I agree."
• 2 Renegade for saying "Cut the chatter!"

Richard L. Jenkins and Doctor Chakwas

• 2 Paragon for saying "Relax, Jenkins."
• 2 Renegade for saying "Part of the job, Doc."

First Contact

• 2 Paragon for saying "He deserves a burial."
• 2 Renegade for saying "Forget about him."

Ashley Williams

• 2 Paragon for saying "Are you okay?"

  plus (be sure to ask Ashley what happened to her squad to get these options)

• 2 Paragon for saying "Don't blame yourself."
• 2 Renegade for saying "You abandoned them."

  plus

• 2 Renegade for saying "Fine, come with us." (Must first say "Stay here.")

Manuel and Dr. Warren

• 2 Paragon for saying "You're safe."

  plus

• 9 Renegade for shutting up Manuel

Cole and his fellow colonists

• 2 Paragon for saying "It's safe."

  plus

• 2 Renegade for Intimidating "You're holding out on me." need 1 Intimidate

  plus

• 2 Paragon for Charming "He may know something." need 2 Charm
• 2 Renegade for Intimidating "Is he worth dying for?" need 2 Intimidate

The Smuggler

• 2 Paragon for saying "Let it go, Williams." (Must've gotten Powell's name from the Farmers)

  plus

• 2 Renegade for Intimidating "You're lying!" need 3 Intimidate

Kaidan back on the Normandy (if Shepard is female)

• 2 Paragon for saying "You helped."
• 2 Renegade for saying "The mission failed."

Ashley back on the Normandy

• 2 Paragon for saying "You helped."
• 2 Renegade for saying "The mission failed."

Total

• 22 Paragon, 8 freebies
• 29 Renegade, 15 freebies

Citadel: Expose Saren

Arrival at the Citadel

• 2 Renegade for saying "They're blind."

Go to the Tower

• 2 Paragon for saying "Quit protecting him!"

Citadel: Garrus

• 2 Paragon for saying "It was a big risk."
• 2 Renegade for saying "Nice shot."

Take Down Fist (need charm/intimidate points, otherwise the workers will attack you no matter how fast you are)

• 2 Paragon for Charming "Save yourselves." need 3 Charm
• 2 Renegade for Intimidating "You're making a mistake." need 3 Intimidate

  plus

• 2 Renegade for saying "You don't deserve to live." (if Wrex isn't in the squad)
• 2 Renegade for saying "He deserved it." (if Wrex is in the squad)

Return to the Tower

• 2 Paragon for saying "It's the best solution."
• 2 Renegade for saying "Quit holding us back!"

Speak to the Ambassador

• 2 Paragon for saying "I'll be careful."
• 2 Renegade for saying "That's your job."

Departing Speech

• 2 Paragon for saying "Humanity must do its part."
• 2 Renegade for saying "Nobody's going to help us."

  plus

• 2 Paragon for saying "Everyone is counting on us."
• 2 Renegade for saying "Humanity's in this alone!"

Navigator Pressly

• 2 Paragon for saying "They're on our side."

  plus

• 2 Renegade for saying "You doubt my decisions?"

You can choose both responses only if you choose the Paragon response first.

Total

• 16 Paragon, 4 freebies
• 18 Renegade, 6 freebies

Citadel: Assignments

Citadel: Asari Consort

• 2 Paragon for saying "Glad to help."
• 2 Renegade for saying "Let's talk payment."

Citadel: Doctor Michel

• 2 Paragon for saying "Let's work this out."
• 8 Paragon for Charming "You should reconsider." need 6 Charm
• 2 Renegade for saying "Kill him."
• 9 Renegade for Intimidating "Talk and you're dead!" need 3 Intimidate

Citadel: The Fan

3rd encounter:

• 8 Paragon for Charming "It's not that easy," "There are other fights," or "Let's talk about trust." need 2 Charm
• 9 Renegade for Intimidating "That's a load of crap," "There are no good fights," or "Here's a test." need 2 Intimidate

Citadel: Homecoming

• 8 Paragon for Charming "This isn't right." need 2 Charm
• 8 Paragon for Charming "This is important." need 3 Charm
• 9 Renegade for Intimidating "I'm releasing the body." need 2 Intimidate
• 9 Renegade for Intimidating "This is war." need 3 Intimidate

Citadel: Jahleed's Fears

• 9 Renegade for saying "You're not leaving." (not previously received "Citadel: Scan the Keepers" from Chorban)
• 8 Paragon for saying "No more." (previously received "Citadel: Scan the Keepers" from Chorban)

  plus

• 8 Paragon for Charming "Then do it legally." need 7 Charm
• 2 Renegade for Intimidating "Take it back!" need 6 Intimidate

Citadel: Presidium Prophet

• 8 Paragon for Charming "This is unworthy of you." need 4 Charm
• 8 Paragon for Charming "It's not causing trouble." need 7 Charm
• 9 Renegade for Intimidating "There's trouble anyway." need 6 Intimidate
• 9 Renegade for Intimidating "This is dangerous." need 4 Intimidate

Citadel: Reporter's Request

If previously spoken to Emily Wong before dealing with Fist:

• 2 Renegade for Intimidating "You owe me more." need 2 Intimidate

Citadel: Rita's Sister

• 2 Paragon for Charming "You don't need her." need 7 Charm
• 2 Renegade for Intimidating "Pathetic." need 6 Intimidate

  plus

• 8 Paragon for returning the shipment to Chellick
• 9 Renegade for fighting Jax

Citadel: Xeltan's Complaint

• 2 Paragon for saying "Don't worry."

UNC: Hostile Takeover

• 8 Paragon for saying "No. I won't do this."
• 2 Renegade for saying "Not a problem" or "I'll do it"

  plus

• 2 Paragon for saying "You're under arrest."
• 8 Paragon for Charming "Walk away." need 10 Charm
• 2 Renegade for saying "Then we're fine."
• 2 Renegade for saying "You better stay clean."
• 9 Renegade for Intimidating "Disband the group." need 7 Intimidate

UNC: Privateers

• 2 Paragon for saying "I'll do it."
• 2 Renegade for saying "Forget it."

  plus

• 2 Paragon for saying "This must be hard on you."
• 2 Renegade for saying "You were fooling yourself."

Total

• 82 Paragon, 2 freebies
• 77 Renegade, 2 freebies

Citadel: Assignments (after 1 plot world)

Citadel: Family Matter

• 8 Paragon for Charming "It's still her choice." need 2 Charm
• 8 Paragon for Charming "It's worth it." need 3 Charm
• 9 Renegade for Intimidating "You're not helping." need 3 Intimidate
• 9 Renegade for Intimidating "Think of the child." need 2 Intimidate

Citadel: Planting a Bug

• 2 Paragon for saying "It's a good cause." or "You're welcome."
• 8 Paragon for Charming "I've changed my mind." need 4 Charm
• 9 Renegade for Intimidating "[LIE] I already did it." need 5 Intimidate

Citadel: The Fourth Estate

• 2 Paragon for saying "This interview is over."
• 8 Paragon for Charming "The turians helped build it." then "The crew is still Alliance." need 6 Charm
• 2 Renegade for saying "Time to shut you up."
• 9 Renegade for Intimidating "A great human innovation." then "I command the Normandy." need 5 Intimidate (Note: If you then use "This interview is over." or "Time to shut you up." for the next question, you do not get these points, only the above given 2 Paragon or 2 Renegade, respectively. The 2 Paragon or 2 Renegade points are awarded immediately at the end of the interview, however the points for Intimidating/Charming aren't awarded until speaking with Admiral Hackett at the Normandy's Galaxy Map.

Citadel: Snap Inspection

• 2 Paragon for Charming "We need to build bridges." need 9 Charm
• 2 Renegade for Intimidating "We need to kick ass." need 9 Intimidate
• 2 Renegade for saying "I don't think so," then "I'm afraid so." or "Damn right I did."

UNC: Asari Diplomacy

Note: This assignment can be completed if Shepard goes directly to Sharjila, thus skipping this section's requirement of having finished one mission.

• 2 Paragon for saying "Don't bother."
• 2 Renegade for saying "It better be."

Total

• 28 Paragon, 0 freebies
• 31 Renegade, 0 freebies

After 2 Plot Worlds

After 2 plot worlds the Council contacts you

• 2 Paragon for saying "Good."

  plus

• 2 Renegade for saying "I don't have time for this." then "This is my investigation!"

Noveria: Geth Interest

Port Hanshan Docking Bay

• 2 Paragon for saying "We'll cooperate."

  plus

• 2 Renegade for saying "I'm keeping my gun."

Talking with Maeko Matsuo after speaking with Gianna Parasini

• 2 Paragon for saying "Forget about it."
• 2 Renegade for saying "Humiliating, wasn't it?"

Noveria: Smuggling

You need either 6 Charm or 4 Intimidate to get Opold to tell you who the recipient is before you can sell it to Inamorda

• 2 Renegade for selling the package directly to Inamorda

Noveria: Espionage

• Refuse the job
  • 8 Paragon for saying "Not this time." (ends the mission)
• Take the job
  • 2 Paragon for saying "This is wrong."
  • 2 Renegade for saying "It's done."
• Tell Rafael Vargas "An asari asked me to spy."
  • 2 Paragon for saying "I told him about you."
  • 2 Renegade for saying "You're both irritating."
  • 9 Renegade for saying "[LIE] It's done"

Noveria: Lorik Qui'in

Synthetic Insights break-in

• 8 Paragon for Charming "You're here illegally." need 6 Charm
• 9 Renegade for Intimidating "You can't take us." need 8 Intimidate

  plus

• 2 Paragon for saying "They didn't give me a choice."
• 2 Renegade for saying "Bring it on."

Convincing Lorik Qui'in to testify

• 24 Paragon for Charming "You'd be a hero." need 5 Charm
• 25 Renegade for Intimidating "Damn right I will." need 5 Intimidate

Talk to Administrator Anoleis

• 25 Renegade for saying "Gianna is investigating you."
• After saying "No. You're guilty" or "What do I get out of this?"
  • 9 Renegade for making a deal with Anoleis

Talk to Gianna if you don't make a deal with Anoleis or were able to keep the evidence

• 8 Paragon for saying "I convinced Qui'in."

  plus talk to Matsuo

• 2 Paragon for saying "He was a criminal."
• 2 Renegade for saying "Your opinion doesn't matter."

Noveria: Matriarch Benezia

Talking to Captain Ventralis

• 2 Paragon for saying "I'll see what I can do."
• 2 Renegade for saying "I'm not here to help."

  plus

• 2 Paragon for saying "No problem."
• 2 Renegade for running without fighting and saying "You're welcome." or "You couldn't handle it?"

Noveria: Rift Station

The Rachni Queen

• 24 Paragon for letting her go
• 25 Renegade for killing her

Report to the Council

• Queen freed:
  • 2 Paragon for saying "They won't."
  • 2 Renegade for saying "Should I guess?"
    • 2 Paragon for saying "Not these ones."
• Queen killed:
  • 2 Paragon for saying "It was the only way."
  • 2 Renegade for saying "Sometimes."

Noveria: Quarantine

• 24 Paragon for completing the mission

Total

• 112 Paragon, 26 freebies
• 107 Renegade, 6 freebies

Feros: Geth Attack

Inform Fai Dan

• 2 Paragon for saying "Happy to help."
• 2 Renegade for saying "I didn't do it for you."

Talking to Calantha Blake

• 2 Paragon for saying "What's wrong?"
• 2 Renegade for saying "I hope you're not contagious."

Talking to Ian Newstead in the tunnels

• 2 Paragon for saying "Can I help?"
• 2 Renegade for saying "Kill him."

Feros: Geth in the Tunnels

• 8 Paragon for completing the mission

Feros: Power Cells

• 8 Paragon for completing the mission

Feros: Varren Meat

• 8 Paragon for completing the mission

plus

• 2 Renegade for saying "Just pay up."

Feros: Water Restoration

• 8 Paragon for completing the mission

Feros: The Thorian

Exit ExoGeni

• 2 Paragon for saying "I believe you,"
• 2 Renegade for saying "I don't care."

Speak with Jeong

• 24 Paragon for Charming "What about the big picture?" need 12 Charm
• 25 Renegade for Intimidating "I'll kill you first." need 10 Intimidate
  • 2 Paragon for saying "Sounds logical."
  • 2 Renegade for saying "Can't take that chance."

plus

• 2 Paragon for accepting the grenades
• 2 Renegade for saying "No." (you still get the grenades)

Minimize Casualties (16)

• 2-32 Paragon 2 for each colonist saved
• 2-32 Renegade 2 for each colonist killed

The Thorian

• 2 Paragon for saying "Let the colonists go."
• 2 Renegade for saying "I'll destroy you."

  plus

• 8 Paragon for mission completion

Shiala

• 9 Renegade for saying "I can't let you live."

Report to the Council

• 2 Paragon for saying "I help everyone."
• 2 Renegade for saying "Don't be stupid!"
  • 2 Paragon for saying "I understood it."
    • 2 Paragon for saying "I help everyone." (if you saved the colonists) or "I wanted to help them." (if you killed the colonists)

Ambassador Donnel Udina's Reaction at the Presidium

• 2 Paragon for saying "That's all you care about?"
• 2 Renegade for saying "They were expendable."

Total

• 116 Paragon, 46 freebies
• 86 Renegade, 13 freebies

Virmire

Virmire: Wrex and the Genophage

• Calm Wrex
  • 28 Paragon for Charming "These aren't your people!" need 8 Charm
  • 28 Paragon for saying "I wouldn't do this otherwise." or "We are." (must complete Wrex: Family Armor)
  • 9 Renegade for Intimidating "Don't be so naïve." need 8 Intimidate
• Kill Wrex
  • 25 Renegade for "[Shoot Wrex.]"

    plus

  • 2 Paragon for saying "Damn it"
  • 8 Paragon for saying "I'm in command." (only available if Ashley shoots Wrex, without Shepard signaling her)

    plus (when speaking with Kirrahe afterwards)

  • 2 Paragon for saying "He was my friend." or "He deserves respect."
  • 2 Renegade for saying "Dump him."

Virmire: Assisting Kirrahe's Team

• 2 Paragon for Disrupted Communications

  plus

• 2 Paragon for Destroyed Satellite Uplink

  plus

• 8 Paragon for Destroyed Geth Flyers

  plus The Alarm

• 8 Paragon for saying "They've got enough trouble."
• 9 Renegade for saying "They can handle it."

Virmire: Assault

Cell Block B (Menos Avot)

• 8 Paragon for saying "All right. Let him out."
• 2 Renegade for saying "No." or "Sorry. I can't risk it."

Cell Block A (Ganto Imness)

• 2 Paragon for saying "I think I can trust you." or "I'm letting you out."
• 9 Renegade for saying "I can't trust you." then "Too risky."
  • 2 Paragon for saying "I think I can trust you." or "I'm letting you out."

  plus

• 2 Paragon for saying "They're no threat."
• 2 Renegade for saying "Open the door and kill them." or "Eliminate them."

Rana Thanoptis

• 9 Renegade for saying "Too late."

Make a Choice

• 2 Paragon for saying "I'm sorry."
• 2 Renegade for saying "Of course it was."

Saren

• "It's already happened!" or "You are indoctrinated."
  • 2 Paragon for Charming "Join me." need 7 Charm
  • 2 Renegade for Intimidating "Sovereign will betray you." need 7 Intimidate

Report to the Council

• 2 Paragon for saying "You need proof?"
• 2 Renegade for saying "Screw you!"
  • 2 Paragon for saying "You have to trust me."

Total

• 66 Paragon, 10 freebies
• 62 Renegade, 20 freebies

Race Against Time: Report to the Council

"It's Just Politics"

• 2 Renegade for saying "You son of a bitch."

Citadel: Negotiator's Request

• 8 Paragon for Charming "You need help." need 8 Charm
• 2 Renegade for Intimidating "No. You'll go now." need 7 Intimidate
• 2 Paragon for Charming "Then the game is wrong." or Intimidating "Don't be an idiot." and then selecting "(Give him the stimulant.)" (required Charm missing, see Talk page) need 3 Intimidate
• 9 Renegade for "(Give him the depressant.)"

Citadel: Our Own Worst Enemy

• 2 Paragon for saying "I won't support you."
• 2 Renegade for saying "You have my support."

Total

• 10 Paragon
• 13 Renegade, 2 freebies

Ilos: Find the Conduit

Enter the Archives

• 2 Paragon for saying "That's monstrous!" or "You betrayed them."
• 2 Renegade for saying "It was necessary."

Race Against Time: Final Battle

Save the Citadel

• 24 Paragon for Charming "That's not true." need 12 Charm
• 25 Renegade for Intimidate "It's never too late!" need 12 Intimidate

  (both choices only require 9 points if you used a Charm / Intimidate option when speaking to Saren on Virmire)

The Council's Fate

• 8 Paragon and 9 Renegade for saying "Concentrate on Sovereign."
• 28 Paragon for saying "Save the Council."
• 29 Renegade for saying "Let the Council die."

Total

• 52 Paragon
• 54 Renegade

Other Assignments

Tali and the Geth

• 1 Paragon for saying "All right." or "Take it."
• 1 Renegade for saying "I can't take that risk."

UNC: Dead Scientists

• 8 Paragon for Charming "This isn't Justice." need 10 Charm
• 2 Renegade for "[Shoot him]"
• 9 Renegade for Intimidating "Let me do it." need 8 Intimidate

UNC: ExoGeni Facility

• 8 Paragon for saying "I can't do that."
• 9 Renegade for saying "I should kill you right now!"

UNC: Geth Incursions

• 2 Renegade for saying "I don't have time for this!"

UNC: Hades' Dogs

• 8 Paragon for saying "I don't trust you." or "No deal."
• 9 Renegade for saying "Sounds good."

UNC: Hostage

• 2 Paragon for saying "You don't have to die."
• 8 Paragon for Charming "You need Burns!" need 6 Charm
• 2 Renegade for saying "Take them down!"
• 9 Renegade for Intimidating "Don't be stupid." need 5 Intimidate

UNC: Lost Module

• 6 Paragon for finding the data module without killing a space monkey
  • 4 Renegade for killing a space monkey outside
• 4 Renegade for killing a space monkey

UNC: Major Kyle

• 2 Paragon for saying "Maybe I can reason with him"

  plus

• 2 Paragon for Charming "He needs my help." need 3 Charm
• 2 Renegade for Intimidating "He'll get you all killed!" need 5 Intimidate

  plus

• 2 Paragon for saying "I tried to help you."
• 8 Paragon for Charming "You can't help them now." need 7 Charm
• 2 Renegade for saying "Enough crazy talk."
• 9 Renegade for Intimidating "Surrender or they all die!" need 8 Intimidate (or 10 Intimidate if opted to fight through the compound and bunker)

UNC: Rogue VI

• 2 Renegade for saying "I've heard that before."

  plus

• 2 Paragon for saying "Was anyone hurt?"

Total

• 53 Paragon, 10 freebies
• 56 Renegade, 8 freebies

X57: Bring Down the Sky

Talking to Simon Atwell at Torch Station #1 Exit

• 2 Paragon for saying "They're not all like this."
• 2 Renegade for saying "Why wouldn't they."

Talking to Charn

• 8 Paragon for Charming "Forget Balak." need 2 Charm
• 8 Paragon for Intimidating "Don't be stupid." need 2 Intimidate
• 9 Renegade for "[Attack him]"

Talking to Balak

• 24 Paragon for "[Let him go to save hostages]"
  • After saying "I'm not like him." to Simon Atwell
    • 2 Paragon for saying "Only temporarily."
• 25 Renegade for "[Attack him]"
  • [Leave him to die] or [Leave him for the alliance]
    • After saying "No one could've done better." to Simon Atwell
      • 2 Renegade for saying "Damn right I am."
      • 2 Renegade for saying "As hard as possible."

Total

• 36 Paragon
• 38 Renegade

Alignment Specific Assignments

UNC: Besieged Base

• 2 Renegade for saying "That's not my problem." (won't get the assignment)
• 8 Paragon for 1-4 researchers killed
• 24 Paragon for 0 researchers killed
• 9 Renegade for 5+ researchers killed

UNC: The Negotiation

• 8 Paragon for completing the mission peacefully
• 9 Renegade for refusing to negotiate with Lord Darius and killing him and his men
  • 25 Renegade for completing the mission violently

Background Specific Assignments

Note: Mutually exclusive assignments.

Citadel: I Remember Me (Colonist)

• 8 Paragon for "[Give her the sedative.]"
• 9 Renegade for "[Use the sedative]"
• 9 Renegade for saying "Shoot her. That's an order."

Citadel: Old Friends (Earthborn)

• 2 Paragon for saying "I've got a warning." or "This changes things."
  • 8 Paragon for Charming "This won't help you." need 6 Charm
  • 9 Renegade for Intimidating "So what?" or "Do whatever you want." need 6 Intimidate
  • 9 Renegade for "(Shoot him.)"
• 9 Renegade for Charming "I need your help." need 8 Charm
• 9 Renegade for Intimidating "Make it negotiable." or "There won't be a sentencing." or "He's mine to take." or "I don't care. Give him to me." need 8 Intimidate

Citadel: Old, Unhappy, Far-Off Things (Spacer)

• 2 Paragon for saying "I'll give you the money."
• 2 Renegade for saying "You're just a drunk."
  • After talking to your mother
    • 8 Paragon for saying "I'll give you 20 for food."
    • 8 Paragon for Charming "The Veteran's Affairs Office" need 4 Charm
    • 2 Renegade for saying "Screw you."
    • 9 Renegade for Intimidating "No one understands! Waaah!" need 5 Intimidate

Total Possible

These totals do not include the starting points from your background and psych profile choices. They also do not include getting both alignment assignments, since if you are trying to maximize one extreme you cannot get enough points for both.

Pre-Ilos

• without Bring Down the Sky (BDtS): 539 Paragon, 515 Renegade
• with BDtS: 575 Paragon, 553 Renegade

Total

• without BDtS: 593 Paragon, 571 Renegade
• with BDtS: 629 Paragon, 609 Renegade

Totals Needed

It is possible to achieve 75% in both Paragon and Renegade on your initial playthrough without investing character points into Charm or Intimidate.

The Bring Down the Sky totals apply if and only if you land on Asteroid X57; otherwise the "without" totals apply even if you have the DLC installed.

Without Bring Down the Sky

• 32.4 (10%) First Charm/Intimidate unlock + free point
• Spectre Second Charm/Intimidate unlock + free point
• 81.0 (25%) Third Charm/Intimidate unlock + free point, First Passive Ability gained
• 162.0 (50%) Second Passive Ability gained
• 243.0 (75%) Fourth Charm/Intimidate unlock + free point, Third Passive Ability gained
• 259.2 (80%) Morality Quest unlocks
• 291.6 (90%) Alternate Morality Quest Unlocks (if you have already unlocked 80% Renegade, UNC: The Negotiation, on current playthrough this requires 90% Paragon to unlock UNC: Besieged Base on current playthrough and vice versa)
• 324.0 (100%) Full Bar

With Bring Down the Sky

• 34.0 (10%) First Charm/Intimidate unlock + free point
• Spectre Second Charm/Intimidate unlock + free point
• 85.0 (25%) Third Charm/Intimidate unlock + free point, First Passive Ability gained
• 170.0 (50%) Second Passive Ability gained
• 255.0 (75%) Fourth Charm/Intimidate unlock + free point, Third Passive Ability gained
• 272.0 (80%) Morality Quest unlocks
• 306.0 (90%) Alternate Morality Quest Unlocks (if you have already unlocked 80% Paragon, UNC: Besieged Base, on current playthrough this requires 90% Renegade to unlock UNC: The Negotiation on current playthrough and vice versa)
• 340.0 (100%) Full Bar