Spacer

Both of your parents were in the Alliance military. Your childhood was spent on ships and stations as they transferred from posting to posting, never staying in one location for more than a few years. Following in your parents' footsteps, you enlisted at the age of eighteen.

"Old, Unhappy, Far-Off Things" Assignment — Only available if you have the Spacer background. This assignment unlocks in the Citadel after you have completed one of the core missions and allows you to speak with Shepard's mother, Hannah Shepard.

Colonist

You were born and raised on Mindoir, a small border colony in the Attican Traverse. When you were sixteen, slavers raided Mindoir, slaughtering your family and friends. You were saved by a passing Alliance patrol, and you enlisted with the military a few years later.

"I Remember Me" Assignment — Only available if you have a Colonist background. This assignment becomes available on your return to the Citadel after completing a core mission and sees you helping out a fellow Mindoir survivor.

Earthborn

You were an orphan raised on the streets of the great megatropolises covering Earth. You escaped the life of petty crime and underworld gangs by enlisting with the Alliance military when you turned eighteen.

"Old Friend" Assignment — Only available if you have an Earthborn background. This assignment becomes available one of the core missions and sees you meet up with a member of a gang you belonged to when you were younger.

Sole Survivor

During your service, a mission you were on went horribly wrong. Trapped in an extreme survival situation, you had to overcome physical torments and psychological stresses that would have broken most people. You survived while all those around you fell, and now you alone are left to tell the tale.

Sole Survivors start with both bonus Paragon and Renegade points.

Additional conversation options during the "UNC: Dead Scientists" assignment.

War Hero

Early in your military career you found yourself facing an overwhelming enemy force. You risked your own life to save your fellow soldiers and defeat the enemy despite the impossible odds. Your bravery and heroism have earned you medals and recognition from the Alliance fleet.

War Heroes start with Paragon points.

Additional conversation options during the "UNC: Espionage Probe" assignment.

Ruthless

Throughout your own military career, you have held fast to one basic rule: get the job done. You've been called cold, calculating, and brutal. Your reputation for ruthless efficiency makes your fellow soldiers wary of you. But when failure is not an option, the military always goes to you first.

Ruthless characters start with Renegade points.

Additional conversation options during the "UNC: Major Kyle" assignment.

Spacer/ War Hero

20 Paragon points

Colonist/ War Hero

15 Paragon points

Earthborn/ War Hero

10 Paragon points

Spacer/ Sole Survivor

15 Paragon and 5 Renegade points

Colonist/ Sole Survivor

10 Paragon and 10 Renegade points

Earthborn/ Sole Survivor

5 Paragon and 15 Renegade points

Spacer/ Ruthless

10 Renegade points

Colonist/ Ruthless

15 Renegade points

Earthborn/ Ruthless

20 Renegade points

Soldier

Soldiers are combat specialists ideal for the front lines of a firefight. Soldiers have improved health, can specialize in the use of all weapon types, start with the ability to wear medium armor, and can train in the use of heavy armor.

Pistols, Shotguns, Assault Rifles, Sniper Rifles, Combat Armor, First Aid, Assault Training, and Fitness.

Commando or Shock Trooper.

Engineer

Engineers are tech specialists. Using the holographic omni-tool, they can decrypt security systems, repair or modify technical equipment, disrupt enemy weapons or shields, and heal their squad. Engineers only wear light armor, and they specialize in pistols.

Pistols, Basic Armor, Decryption, Hacking, Electronics, Damping, First Aid, and Medicine.

Medic or Operative.

Adept

Adepts are biotic specialists. Through upgradeable implants, they can use biotic powers to lift or throw objects, shield the squad, and disable or destroy enemies. Adepts can only wear light armor, and they specialize in pistols.

Basic Armor, Pistols, Throw, Lift, Warp, Singularity, Barrier, and Stasis.

Bastion or Nemesis.

Infiltrator

Infiltrators combine combat and tech abilities to specialize in killing or disabling enemies at long range. Infilitrators are trained to use omni-tools, focusing on decryption and offensive abilities rather than healing. They can specialize in pistols or sniper rifles and wear medium armor.

Pistols, Sniper Rifles, Tactical Armor, Fitness, Electronics, Damping, Decryption, and First Aid.

Commando or Operative.

Sentinel

Sentinels combine biotic and tech abilities. Typically, they use biotic abilities and advanced healing skills to defend allies, though they can also disrupt opponents with biotic or tech attacks. They are more efficient at tech and biotics than other classes, but at the expense of combat. Sentinels can only wear light armor and receive no specialized weapon training.

Throw, Life, Barrier, Statis, Decryption, Electronics, First Aid, and Medicine.

Bastion or Medic.

Vanguard

Vanguards are biotic warriors. They combine biotics and weapons to take down opponents and are especially deadly at short range. They specialize in pistols and shotguns and wear medium armor.

Pistols, Shotguns, Assault Training, Tactical Armor, Throw, Lift, Warp, and Barrier.

Shock Trooper or Nemesis.