Mass Effect Fanfiction
Commander Shepard's mission to save the galaxy from the Reapers.
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What is Mass Effect fanfiction?
Mass Effect fanfiction is fan-created stories set in the Mass Effect universe. With over 35,000 works on Archive of Our Own, Mass Effect is one of the most popular fandoms in the fanfiction community.
These stories explore beloved characters like Commander Shepard, Garrus Vakarian, Tali'Zorah, Liara T'Soni, and many more. Writers create everything from short one-shots to epic novel-length adventures, exploring relationships, alternate universes, and "what if" scenarios.
Most Popular Mass Effect Fanfics
These are the highest-rated Mass Effect stories on AO3, ranked by kudos from readers.
“I didn’t want to die alone, and you were the only one here.”
by Frankiesoup
After escaping Earth during the initial Reaper attack, Meredith Greenhowe finds herself aboard a failing shuttle with an unconscious Turian - Sius Aetrius. It quickly becomes evident that they have something in their possession which would help with the construction of the Crucible. Hijinks ensue.(I
Snapshots
by Amnestria
A collection of shorts falling in between the various pieces of Per Ardua ad Astra
How Much Did You Know?
by Perfidious_Albyon
Was a fire in the SSV Normandy's engineering bay an accident or an act of sabotage? Is Tali a spy? Is Shepard? Engineer Greg Adams finds himself facing the possibility that he has been unwittingly caught up in a dangerous conspiracy as a pair of JAG officers start asking serious questions.
PROBING URANUS : The Intrepid Space Explorer's Guide to Safe and Satisfying Sex with Alien Species
by crapeaucrapeau
[This document is the full transcript of a series of short educational videos on sexual intercourse with non-humans. It was produced by the Systems Alliance Navy in 2163, in association with the Salarian Union. The host of the program, Doctor S., M.D., was a young salarian doctor who had actually vo
Juxtaposed Amended
by squiggly_squid
What if Commander Shepard and Garrus Vakarian find each other and marry before the events of the games take place? How will it alter their futures, Shepard's decisions, and the battle against the Reapers? This is a rewrite of my first fanfic, Juxtaposed, and the beginning of an all new Parable story
A First For Everything
by Hoots_in_Boots
There's a lot of firsts in everyone's life. These are the noteworthy firsts for Garrus regarding Commander Shepard and his experience on the Normandy SR1
Of Friends and Families : A Shepard and Zorah Story
by Justin_Time
A chance encounter at a Mass Relay shifts Humanities destiny in a tremendous way. With the Alliance coming in contact with the Quarian Board, the Two Species become fast Allies in a Galaxy betting against their success.But beyond the grander politics at play, we delve specifically into how this Firs
To the Perpetual Memory
by aereona
Commander Shepard, waking up too soon on Cerberus' slab. Can be read as a standalone.
Rogue Effect: Planeswalker, Knight, and Engineer
by Demon_dark_mezzo_sangue
Jane "Kat" Shepard knew she would meet some unusual people when she decided to go on a suicide mission against the Collectors. But a trio of magical super-aliens from another galaxy surpass his expectations. A demon in tight clothing capable of summoning creatures of all kinds and performing magic.
don't ask, just moan
by BlueClanMarkings
It was just a game. Some harmless fun. But now James is balls deep in his commander, and he doesn’t know what to do. All he knows is that he can’t get enough, and that there seems to be way more to Jane Shepard than he’s ever realized. Expect themes of repressed feelings, a lot of character-driven s
Memorable Weapons (of Mass Effect)
by KingAardvark1st
This is exactly what it looks like, lore-based fan-fiction basically coming up with the histories and explanations for the various weapons of Mass Effect in the model of Forgotten Weapons. Shepard is bored in the post-war world, so they've decided to start archiving all of the weapons in the galax
Noble Sword, Clad in Gold
by mockingbirdlyre
2167. Ten years after Shanxi and the First Contact War, humanity is still making early steps into the galactic community. Alliance Doctor Karin Chakwas has a hot date to a diplomatic banquet on Thessia. Analyst Lyon Hale is technically there for work, but mostly for the free food and extra pay as a
Cyphx's Oneshots and Random Ideas
by Cyphx_Anyang618
This is basically a gathering of various skeleton of ideas and perhaps one-shots to be put here. If you want to take my idea then please ask in the comments and cite me when you do.
The Rax
by SoulsThatHaveSenses
“Adopted.” “Indeed.” “I’ve adopted him?” Shepard repeated, part convinced that everyone else in the room was deluded. “I feel like I’d remember—” Bakara smiled in such a way that it always reached her eyes. She placed a warm hand on Shepard’s arm and said, “Our family units don’t look the same as hu
An Inconvenient Meeting
by EratoHayden
A chance encounter on the Citadel following the events of the Skyllian Blitz in 2180, leads Kara Shepard and Garrus Vakarian to meet earlier than the canon Mass Effect timeline. Kara is freshly promoted, completed her N7 training, and ready to take the next step in her five year plan. C-Sec Officer
X-ray Binaries
by deathofaraven
As the Lazarus Project nears its end, the Illusive Man pays Miranda, and the project's subject, a private visit....things do not go as planned.
Sole Survivor
by ambientlady
Before Saren, before the Reapers, there was Akuze.After suffering through a disastrous first contact with extraterrestrial species, Humanity is finally beginning to settle in amongst the greater galactic community.One year on from an attack on the crown jewel of Human occupied space, morale has neve
Pain of the Residents
by Kira_Dattei
Core: a collection of power that allows the person it's formed within special abilities.Oni: people who use the abilities they gain from their cores to harm others.Devas: an organization of users that specifically fight Oni to protect civilians. Ten years ago, the Devas saved the world. They've spen
Déjà Jamais Vu
by Joshua_Ben_Ari
Shepard failed. The Reapers won — spreading across the galaxy like a plague, exterminating everyone. Nowhere is safe. Shepard wracked with guilt. But fate has other plans. Shepard flees to meet up with desperate refugees fleeing for Andromeda. Another galaxy. Another chance. Whispers of safety. But
His Sole Purpose, His One Desire
by TalesByIain
Less than twenty-four hours following the invasion of Thessia, the Normandy is safely back at the Citadel with one mission: find Kai Leng and take back what he stole on Thessia. Before leaving to follow Kai Leng's trail across the galaxy, Commander John Shepard takes the opportunity to contact Miran
Popular Mass Effect Ships
Shakarian
Garrus Vakarian/Shepard
Commander Shepard and Garrus Vakarian, whose partnership evolves from professional respect to deep romantic love across the galaxy-spanning trilogy.
45,000 works →
Shrios
Thane Krios/Shepard
Commander Shepard and Thane Krios, the drell assassin whose terminal illness adds tragic urgency to their romance.
22,000 works →
Garrus/Shepard
Garrus Vakarian/Shepard
Commander Shepard and Garrus Vakarian, the turian sniper whose calibrations and loyalty won over fans throughout the Mass Effect trilogy.
45,000 works →
Talizorah
Tali'Zorah/Shepard
Commander Shepard and Tali'Zorah vas Normandy, the brilliant quarian engineer whose romance involves literal trust with her life.
28,000 works →
Common Mass Effect Tropes
Popular Characters
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Mass Effect fanfics are on AO3?
There are over 35,000 Mass Effect fanfiction works on Archive of Our Own, making it one of the platform's largest fandoms.
What are the best Mass Effect ships?
Popular Mass Effect pairings include Shakarian, Shrios, Garrus/Shepard. Each ship has thousands of dedicated stories exploring their relationship.
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