Tali is a squad member and potential love interest for those playing as a male Shepard in Mass Effect 2, which is included in Mass Effect: Legendary Edition. She is part of Shepard’s first mission working with Cerberus, but a romantic storyline can’t continue between the two until her loyalty mission is completed.
This is the first time Tali can be romanced in the series, and players must ensure their Shepard pursues a relationship with her in the second game if they wish to romance her in Mass Effect 3. Players can find out how to do this exactly in the Mass Effect: Legendary Edition guide below.
How to Romance Tali in Mass Effect 2
There are a few essential things players must do to see Tali's complete romantic subplot in Mass Effect 2:
- Play as a male Shepard.
- Don’t hand over evidence against Tali’s father during her loyalty mission.
- Either side with Tali during her confrontation with Legion in Mass Effect 2, or resolve the situation peacefully with enough charm or intimidation.
The first step in starting a relationship with Tali is to recruit her for the suicide mission in Mass Effect 2 by heading off to the Geth occupied Quarian colony of Haestrom. Players can choose any dialogue options during this mission, as none will lock out a relationship with Tali.
Once the mission has been completed, Tali can be found in Engineering on the Normandy in Mass Effect 2. However, there won’t be an opportunity to start a romance with her until her loyalty mission has been completed. Ensure Shepard does not hand over evidence against her father at the end of the mission, or Tali will not be loyal, and consequently can’t be romanced.
When the loyalty mission is completed, players can now visit Tali in Engineering to take the next steps in the duo’s relationship. She will talk about what occurred, but the conversation will end. Start another with her after this to ask to talk about her. After she mentions trusting Shepard, pick “Are you making a pass at me?”, and then “I’m interested” when the options appear.
Keep checking back with Tali after completing main missions and side quests, and the romantic subplot will eventually continue when players ask to talk with her again. Make sure to pick the “No, you weren’t” and then “I want to be with you” options. Anything else can be picked after this, unless players have also been romancing Miranda in Mass Effect 2, or Jack. Tell Tali Shepard only wants to be with her to continue the relationship. Additional questions on the left side of the dialogue wheel can be asked without damaging the romance.
Asking to talk with Tali later will start a conversation about the safety of their romantic plans, so make sure to choose “Only if it’s safe” to continue with the romance.
How to Get Romance Scene With Tali
Once all the steps above have been completed and players are about to go on the suicide mission, Tali will come to Shepard’s quarters. Choose “Tali Relax, I want this” to start the small romantic scene with her. She must survive the trip through the Omega 4 Relay to continue romancing her with this save transfer in Mass Effect 3.
Mass Effect: Legendary Edition is out now for PC, PS4, and Xbox One.