Yeah, it's the same why I never play multiplayer, it's just boring for me
I also don't care about the old squaddies too much tbh. Ahem
I did get the trophies for the arena though. That was before I started playing on Insanity and it was so hard for me even on Normal, hahaha. Maybe I should try it out once again to see how much I get my a** whipped
I like using my Alliance team during Priority London because they all look pretty (but I can't say the same with Ashley and James combo). However, I had to micromanage James whenever he's surrounded by Banshees. The final battle felt slightly longer because James couldn't strip Barriers effectively even with my Infiltrator's Disruptor ammo, so if I'm not careful, he die very easily. This is even worse with Javik. His biotic combo aren't that straightforward as Kaidan's and sometimes I saw Brutes and Banshees merely shrug off Dark Channel like they did with Singularity, which is really annoying since Javik's Dark Channel is the ONLY power that he has that can have an effect against boss enemies and it got the longest cooldown time.
But insanity is generally easy. You can use everyone and get through it no problem. But its easier to experiment with squad's synergy and weapon effectiveness by using the Armax Arsenal arena. Everyone did great on Elite matches but Mirror Match is the true test on how effective a squadmate can be as support. I encounter the same problem with James as I do when I use Kaidan/James combo to fight against the shield CAT-6, Brooks and Clone. I couldn't depend on him at all to help me strip Shields/Barriers but he's good as tank but he wouldn't last long if I didn't help him. Naturally, it made me lose focus until I realize I got flanked or some sniper strip my shield off or I'm wide open to a Brute bulldozing me and I stagger etc.
Honestly, I don't think I had Kaidan die on me in all my Insanity playthroughs. Maybe because I play the game more effectively and I normally max out his Barrier and he became an effective decoy while I go lethal weapon on everyone.. mwahaha. But I swear I saw him solo through Brutes, Banshees, Geth Prime, Praetorian and Clone-Vanguards while I was sneaking around trying head shots... I was like.. "whaaa.. this guy is a maniac."
I like using my Alliance team during Priority London because they all look pretty (but I can't say the same with Ashley and James combo). However, I had to micromanage James whenever he's surrounded by Banshees. The final battle felt slightly longer because James couldn't strip Barriers effectively even with my Infiltrator's Disruptor ammo, so if I'm not careful, he die very easily. This is even worse with Javik. His biotic combo aren't that straightforward as Kaidan's and sometimes I saw Brutes and Banshees merely shrug off Dark Channel like they did with Singularity, which is really annoying since Javik's Dark Channel is the ONLY power that he has that can have an effect against boss enemies and it got the longest cooldown time.
But insanity is generally easy. You can use everyone and get through it no problem. But its easier to experiment with squad's synergy and weapon effectiveness by using the Armax Arsenal arena. Everyone did great on Elite matches but Mirror Match is the true test on how effective a squadmate can be as support. I encounter the same problem with James as I do when I use Kaidan/James combo to fight against the shield CAT-6, Brooks and Clone. I couldn't depend on him at all to help me strip Shields/Barriers but he's good as tank but he wouldn't last long if I didn't help him. Naturally, it made me lose focus until I realize I got flanked or some sniper strip my shield off or I'm wide open to a Brute bulldozing me and I stagger etc.
Honestly, I don't think I had Kaidan die on me in all my Insanity playthroughs. Maybe because I play the game more effectively and I normally max out his Barrier and he became an effective decoy while I go lethal weapon on everyone.. mwahaha. But I swear I saw him solo through Brutes, Banshees, Geth Prime, Praetorian and Clone-Vanguards while I was sneaking around trying head shots... I was like.. "whaaa.. this guy is a maniac."
I was impressed by Javik once during Elite Reaper match when he took down a Brute that was trying to ram him and I watch it melt into a goo. He made me so proud then. And in the arena, the maps themselves have several range of difficulty range. I learn to utilize EDI's decoy effectively and I do think its a good practice for MP.
Give Ash the Typhoon and watch her kill ALL the things. It's pretty hilarious on lower difficulties. Also, inferno grenade spam. On topic, I think I might have saved Kaidan in one playthrough because Reave in ME3. And you don't have to do that because Gibbed. Dat Ash. Even Udina's like, "DAYUM!" 
Give Ash the Typhoon and watch her kill ALL the things. It's pretty hilarious on lower difficulties. Also, inferno grenade spam. On topic, I think I might have saved Kaidan in one playthrough because Reave in ME3. And you don't have to do that because Gibbed. Dat Ash. Even Udina's like, "DAYUM!"
I think heavy hitters like James or Ash always come in handy. If not for the damage output, then they can at least tank for the group. What I've always found a bit problematic is that we have one Soldier class already (James) and Garrus is an assault/sniper rifle specialist himself. In comparison, Kaidan is a one man army - not only he has both tech and biotic skills so there's no kind of defence he can't rip through, he freaking has more shields and health than my Soldier Shepard even and that's without his Barrier, and now that he can properly wield an assault rifle, his overall damage output is crazy. I've come to like giving him the Saber because, while it is a bit slower, it packs hell of a punch. Personally, I can't see myself sacrificing all this to have three Soldier-like classes instead, so I can't imagine saving Ash for more than roleplay. However, comparisons aside, I don't doubt that Ashley totally has her benefits. My main Shepard is a Soldier herself, so as far as I'm concerned, more firepower is always good.
Aw, and I don't have the Typhoon, though. Now I'm jelly.
Wait, aren't those her casual clothes in the picture? Kaidan wears armour during that cutscene. Interesting.
I think heavy hitters like James or Ash always come in handy. If not for the damage output, then they can at least tank for the group. What I've always found a bit problematic is that we have one Soldier class already (James) and Garrus is an assault/sniper rifle specialist himself. In comparison, Kaidan is a one man army - not only he has both tech and biotic skills so there's no kind of defence he can't rip through, he freaking has more shields and health than my Soldier Shepard even and that's without his Barrier, and now that he can properly wield an assault rifle, his overall damage output is crazy. I've come to like giving him the Saber because, while it is a bit slower, it packs hell of a punch. Personally, I can't see myself sacrificing all this to have three Soldier-like classes instead, so I can't imagine saving Ash for more than roleplay. However, comparisons aside, I don't doubt that Ashley totally has her benefits. My main Shepard is a Soldier herself, so as far as I'm concerned, more firepower is always good.
Aw, I don't have Typhoon, though. Now I'm jelly.
Wait, aren't those her casual clothes in the picture? Kaidan wears armour during that cutscene. Interesting.
I find that interesting too that she doesn't wear alliance casual uniform while everyone in the alliance were wearing it
Yeah, I admit that bothers me. Ashley is a gorgeous woman. They didn't need to push it so much. I think it doesn't match her character from what I learnt about her in ME1. That attire and hair would suit somebody like Miranda more, imho. What happened between ME2 and ME3? I can't stress enough how mods like The Ashley Legacy Project prove she can be both stunning and herself. Then again, given the change of her writer, what the hell do I know any more...
Her Ashley Marksman Fix sort of speed up the whole game for me when she's in my team. I like that, unlike Garrus, she didn't like to hide in cover too long when she's using a sniper and Inferno Grenades trumps over 12 seconds Proximity Mine any day. But she took all the time in the world just to shoot at something.
In the matter of in-game asses, FemShep's ass always wins hands down for me. Besides they all share the same body anyway....
Yeah, I admit that bothers me. Ashley is a gorgeous woman. They didn't need to push it so much. I think it doesn't match her character from what I learnt about her in ME1. That attire and hair would suit somebody like Miranda more, imho. What happened between ME2 and ME3? I can't stress enough how mods like The Ashley Legacy Project prove she can be both stunning and herself. Then again, given the change of her writer, what the hell do I know any more...
I disable the helmet on squadmates and her hair doesn't look logical for a female soldier. It was good in ME1.
However I believe its mostly because of the fans. Some of them may have pushed for the difference too much.
From what I've seen, a lot of her most devoted fans actually complained about the change. Quite understandably. Whether it's a change for better or worse, that's up to discussion, but it is a big change, either way. On the other hand, she did seem to attract new fans with it.
In the matter of in-game asses, FemShep's ass always wins hands down for me. Besides they all share the same body anyway....
Indeed, the only place where you can somewhat compare body types are the armour/outfit models that are unique for each character.
From what I've seen, a lot of her most devoted fans actually complained about the change. Quite understandably. Whether it's a change for better or worse, that's up to discussion, but it is a big change, either way. On the other hand, she did seem to attract new fans with it.
Indeed, the only place where you can somewhat compare body types are the armour/outfit models that are unique for each character.
I see,
The fans are hard to predict and hard to please. I am surprised to learn that some poeple wanted Joker as a LI. Come on people, can't you just leave one person out of the potential LI zone? Can't there be one person only as your friend in this game? Does Shepard have to date everyone?
I am a fan too but I never thought and expected this much from the game
I admit I thought Joker might be a cool person to romance at first because he's full of character. However, as I played further, I realised it would probably not be a good idea. He's good as he is. I mean, I didn't want him as a LI exactly since I was quite happy with the options we've got. But I did think that the commander and her pilot kind of relationship could have potential. I agree, though. I'm not a big fan of everybody having to be bangable. I appreciate harmless characters like James that are just there to be bros. Not saying he's not cute and all, but I like him for the little brother character of sorts he is. Now if only I could smack his head every time he makes dirty comments, lol. On the other hand, I don't blame people who want to romance a character they really, really like. But I so wouldn't want it to become Skyrim.
To be honest, I'm not sure the change was pushed by anyone but the studio itself. The concept page for Ashley says they decided to "let her hair down" and "give her sex appeal" and "stylish officer uniform". No word about anybody requesting it. WHICH doesn't mean it didn't happen, of course, but I rather suspect the Creepy Marketing Guy to be behind this. I'm not really all that surprised after ME2's space cleavages and catsuits...
I admit I thought Joker might be a cool person to romance at first because he's full of character. However, as I played further, I realised it would probably not be a good idea. He's good as he is. I mean, I didn't want him as a LI exactly since I was quite happy with the options we've got. But I did think that the commander and her pilot kind of relationship could have potential. I agree, though. I'm not a big fan of everybody having to be bangable. I appreciate harmless characters like James that are just there to be bros. Not saying he's not cute and all, but I like him for the the little brother character of sorts he is. Now if only I could smack his head every time he makes dirty comments, lol. On the other hand, I don't blame people who want to romance a character they really, really like. But I so wouldn't want it to become Skyrim.
To be honest, I'm not sure the change was pushed by anyone but the studio itself. The concept page for Ashley says they decided to "let her hair down" and "give her sex appeal" and "stylish officer uniform". No word about anybody requesting it. WHICH doesn't mean it didn't happen, of course, but I rather suspect the Creepy Marketing Guy to be behind this. I'm not really all that surprised after ME2's space cleavages and catsuits...
)
I agree with your last paragraph and you made the exact point I am thinking in your first.
Joker is so cool and I could be in love with him in real life but he and James as your brother/friend is a lot better. Shepard needs friends too. I think the same thing with Garrus even. His date is good but his friendship is more for my taste. (I can never disregard the beauty of the dance scene though
I don't know about Skyrim by the way.
On the topic; Ashley's change, I wish, had only happened on her looks but not her character, but it didn't.
In Skyrim, you can marry pretty much anyone and all it takes is to ask with a "wedding amulet" on. The quality of such relationships and NPCs is what you would expect from such a system. I mean, I kind of like the game and it can be fun to play, especially while heavily modded, but I don't see myself ever using that particular feature. Jacob has more character in his pinky finger than most of those guys. But, anyway, that's getting too off topic, yeah.
I admit the change of Ashley's design and writing put me off big time. Especially when I learnt of it the first time. It was kind of a shock. Sort of made me think Virmire might be a good place to stop with her character development. Maybe some explanation would be in order, at least. But that's just me anyway.
Sorry, guys. That's a texture mod that replaces Ash's regular outfit. That black and blue leather miniskirt type... thing. I like the red and white version, except for the heels. But, yeah. It is weird, now that I think about it, that she's not wearing her armor on the citadel. They swapped it out after Earth, so why not here? 
Your honest reason for saving either ashley or Kaiden?
Two reasons.
Well she wasn't killing anything with Revenant on my run.
Um, I would say you specced her wrong then. Here she is destroying a Harvester on insanity with a Revenant.
Ashley works very well with a Tech based Shepard since her Concussive Shot will detonate Tech, Fire, and Cryo explosions. Her Inferno Grenades are also awesome for taking out entire spawns with one combo.
And perhaps we should not even mention Ashley with a Typhoon. 
Kaidan works better with a Biotic Shepard.
It may be possible. Though I never specced out character wrong before. I don't think I did this time either.Um, I would say you specced her wrong then. Here she is destroying a Harvester on insanity with a Revenant.
Ashley works very well with a Tech based Shepard since her Concussive Shot will detonate Tech, Fire, and Cryo explosions. Her Inferno Grenades are also awesome for taking out entire spawns with one combo.
And perhaps we should not even mention Ashley with a Typhoon.
Kaidan works better with a Biotic Shepard.
First time through, it was Ash because I figured Kaidan was the better choice to arm the bomb due to actually having some tech skills, then when the decision came it was ultimately between one life (Kaidan) and many (Ash and the salarians).
That's actually pretty good.
I always figured saveing Kaidan made more sense because his skills, both biotic and tech, make him less replacable than Ashley. (I don't think I ever really considered that going to the tower saved the Salarians. Kirahe survives either way if you did the sabtoge stuff, right?)
I don't like and don't care for either
I don't speak to either of them too
So my decision was based from, "Whose voice is the most annoying for the times when I HAVE to talk to them?"
Kaidan died.
And then I shot Ashley in the third game.
"Whose voice is the most annoying for the times when I HAVE to talk to them?"
To be honest, I always find Mark Meer and Brandon Keener voice the most annoying for me. But I don't usually go to their threads and complain about them either. I pretend BroShep didn't exist and I let Garrus die at the Collector's Base if I want to.
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