The five "arms" of the Citadel are known as the Wards. They are the residential centres of the Citadel, each essentially a self-contained city home to millions, with a population density equal to the Earth cities of Singapore or Hong Kong.

The skyscrapers of the Wards are sealed against vacuum as the atmosphere is only maintained to a certain height. Though the inhabitants of the Wards usually rebuild and arrange buildings to their liking, the keepers have been known to descend on areas of the Wards and rearrange them. In times of need the Wards can be closed, turning the Citadel into an impenetrable cylinder, protecting the people inside.

Mass Effect

Upper Wards

On foot, this area can be accessed via the Wards Access elevator from the Presidium, or up the stairs from the C-Sec Academy elevator, past Officer Eddie Lang. The Wards Access corridor is usually full of C-Sec officers, including a new asari recruit talking to her turian supervisor. The Upper Wards are home to Dr. Michel's Med Clinic, the stairs up to Flux - with Emily Wong waiting nearby early on - and the door to the Markets. The windows on the Upper Wards offer a spectacular view - Shepard, Ashley and Kaidan can take a look outside soon after arriving and marvel at the station.

The Upper Wards also allow a view of the Serpent Nebula and the passing Destiny Ascension, which gets everyone crowding around to look, including a volus talking to a friend about the tour he recently took aboard the asari dreadnought. Later, the human Terra Firma party holds a protest on the Upper Wards to mark Armistice Day.

Markets

There are two levels to the Markets. The Upper Markets are reached by a door from the Upper Wards, home to several stalls including a volus merchant, Expat, who can sell items, and tell Shepard a little about Feros and Noveria. Shepard can also overhear an ongoing argument between a human who is trying to return an item to a turian merchant. In Mass Effect 2, the same human is at the Zakera Ward warehouse still trying to get the same refund. Down the stairs past Conrad Verner are the Lower Markets which have a less savoury reputation. Shepard can buy non-human armour, upgrades and general supplies from a salarian merchant called Morlan.

Lower Wards

The Lower Wards are accessible through a door in the Lower Markets, or through the alleyway that links them to the elevator from the Wards Access corridor, where Tali was told to meet the Shadow Broker. The most notorious location in the Lower Wards is Chora's Den, a club featuring asari dancers which is run by a crime boss called Fist. The C-Sec Academy is technically on the Lower Wards, possibly because most of C-Sec's force is assigned to the Wards. The Academy houses a traffic control station, the C-Sec Requisitions Officer who can sell Shepard specialist gear, and the elevator to the private docking bay for the Normandy.

Assignments

• Citadel: Rita's Sister
• Citadel: Schells the Gambler
• Citadel: Reporter's Request
• Citadel: Our Own Worst Enemy
• Citadel: Signal Tracking
• Citadel: Doctor Michel
• Citadel: Negotiator's Request
• Citadel: Old Friends

Wards

Zakera Ward

Main article: Zakera Ward

In Mass Effect 2, Zakera Ward is the main hub of the Citadel and the only part of the Wards that Commander Shepard can visit.

Kithoi Ward

According to a shuttle schedule sign seen in Zakera Ward, Kithoi Ward is home to the Council Central Archives, Taralos Amphitheater, Edroki Plaza, Larathos Institution, and Kithoi Point.

Emily Wong, a reporter for the Citadel NewsNet, reports that Danaria Keris, a sanitation worker working in the ward, had failed to report when her shift ended. Her assignment was near the Keepers area of the ward, and the authorities fear she may have been transported to the protein vats for recycling. Later, Wong announces her body was found, and C-Sec suspects foul play.

Tayseri Ward

Main article: Tayseri Ward

Tayseri Ward is home to the Dilinaga Concert Hall. During the Battle of the Citadel, the destruction of Sovereign caused massive damage to the ward. Even two years after the event, some areas of the ward remain without power and repairs are estimated to continue for years to come.

Bachjret Ward

According to the Shadow Broker's dossier, Jacob Taylor resided on Bachjret Ward while living on the Citadel.

Shalta/Aroch Ward

Note: Two conflicting names are given for the Citadel's fifth Ward in Mass Effect 3.

When Commander Shepard initially visits the Citadel and Huerta Memorial Hospital and speaks with Dr. Karin Chakwas, she mentions that she worked in Shalta Ward as a medical researcher during Shepard's detainment by the Alliance following the events of Arrival.

During the mission Priority: The Citadel II, a C-Sec VI can be heard announcing that Aroch Ward, along with Zakera, Tayseri, Bachjret, and Kithoi Wards, is experiencing civil unrest.