Kikaimegami wrote...
Honestly, I think Tali could learn to get along with anybody as long as they are willing to prove that they're worth it. An optimal squad could be just about anyone, really. She just seems to me like someone who can put personal prejudices aside for the greater good as long as the people she needs to work with prove themselves to be trustworthy through actions and behavior.
That's exactly the kind of response I was trying to avoid. When I asked the Garrus thread, I knew they'd say he could work with anyone. And I agree. I agree Tali could adapt to a wide variety of teams.
But there are always situations that make someone truly shine in every way. The personalities match. The tactics compliment each other. Their strategies align.
There could indeed be more than two people with whom Tali can find that sort of synergy. In which case, I wouldn't mind hearing about each of them and why they bring out the best in Tali's abilities and vice versa.
Garrus and Tali are good friends, but is friendship foremost the key in creating a well-oiled machine? It's a very important part, but not every squadmate that Shepard has recruited has tight friendships with others and yet they must work as a team. You'd have to find the squadmate that brings out the best in that person when friendship isn't going to be the glue that holds them together.
But beyond friendship, I do think Garrus and Tali make for a good team because they work at two different ranges and their tech skills compliment each other nicely. The only part that would give them difficulty would be going up against a biotic. Not saying they couldn't do it, just that they'd have to be a bit more creative in the approach versus a squad that had biotics with them.
And I specifically excluded Shepard because Shepard is the glue that holds any squad together. It's a given. Adding him into the mix is a crutch.
Tali's a shotgun user. She's a tech. She specializes in hacking mechs and eating away at shields. I don't feel she's a great coordinator of attacks, which is something I think Garrus brings to the trio. I like the idea of Kaidan filling out the trio because he is also a tech. He also brings that needed attack and defense against biotics. I think all three of them work best when personalities aren't going to clash, and Kaidan is a cool customer. Both Tali and Garrus can use that because they do have their tempers.