Ashley Williams is one of three romanceable characters in the first Mass Effect game. However, she can only be romanced by a male Commander Shepard. Unfortunately, Mass Effect: Legendary Edition doesn't add more options for same-sex romance. Successfully romancing Ashley involves a pivotal moment later in Mass Effect's campaign, so there are some mild spoilers for Mass Effect's story ahead.
Commander Shepard first meets Ashley Williams during a mission on Eden Prime. Ashley's fleet was wiped out by the Geth in a mission to retrieve the Prothean Beacon, same as Shepard's mission. After she demonstrates her abilities as a soldier on Eden Prime, Anderson assigns her to the Normandy with Shepard, where the two can get to know one another. If players chose a male Commander Shepard, Ashley will be by his bedside after Eden Prime, feeling guilty as the mission went awry. Going forward, there aren't many steps to romancing Ashley, but there are a couple of impactful moments down the line that will make or break it.
How to Romance Ashley Williams in Mass Effect
It's important to speak to Ashley frequently onboard the Normandy, particularly after missions. Shepard and Ashley use these moments to build a relationship that can eventually turn flirtatious and, later on, romantic. Speak to her outside of the clinic after talking with Captain Anderson, and completing a main mission on either Therum, Noveria, or Feros to begin building a closer relationship early on.
There's a confounding factor to romancing Ashley in Mass Effect. Unlike some other games, Mass Effect 1 does not allow for multiple romances, but both male and female Commander Shepard have two options: either Kaiden or Ashley and Liara T'Soni. But if the player wishes to romance Ashley, it's important to turn down Liara's attempts and tell Ashley that he's not attracted to the scientist, when prompted.
If Shepard has been courting both, both Liara and Ashley will confront him and ask him to choose, which will of course end one of the characters' romances. Liara has caused some issues for players attempting to romance Ashley in the past, as it's possible to effectively "lock out" Ashley as a romantic option when reaching certain conversations with Liara, such as when she speaks about Asari promiscuity.
The second big moment in romancing Ashley comes on Virmire. Without giving too much information away, both Ashley and Kaiden will volunteer to join Captain Kirrahe while he creates a diversion for Shepard, who is infiltrating a base. This decision will not affect romancing Ashley in Mass Effect, but later on, Shepard must decide if Ashley or Kaiden should be sacrificed and which will be saved. Obviously, sacrificing Ashley will end her storyline.
This sequence can be confusing. Note that this decisive moment is when Shepard is prompted to choose between "Rescue Kaiden" and "Rescue Ashley." Following this, simply allow Ashley to pursue her romantic interest in Shepard.
Mass Effect: Legendary Edition releases May 14 for PC, PS4, and Xbox One.
