#Mod: Expanded Galaxy to set who you want as your XO + to have npcs stick around on the normandy after their mission

[topaz-carbuncle]

ended up getting these two emails back to back after the Rachni mission, grunt... it hasn't even been 10 minutes since you boarded the Normandy again, wtf

[annakie]

Saved from the BSN - Maximizing Kaidan’s Banter

Note: I DID NOT WRITE THIS, but I did copy/paste it off a post from the Bioware Social Network. I believe the person who wrote this is “laikabaws”.

I couldn’t find this anywhere on the internet when I looked, just a lot of broken links to the post on the BSN.  So I’m posting it here for everyone to be able to get to, since I remembered I did actually have it saved after I couldn’t find it after awhile.

This is a guide for maximizing your time with Kaidan in ME3 and getting the most banter from him.  It’s very handy, and should be saved.  I highly suggest if you like it, that you save yourself a copy as well.

Note that the original post was last updated (at least the last update I saved) before Citadel DLC was released.

Before we get started, this is my LE3 Reccommeded Mod List for enhancing Kaidan experience.  No texture mods included:

You will need the ME3TweaksModManager to install and use these mods.  After downloading and installing it, find the mods you want to use.  Download the .zip for that mod and drag&drop it onto the mod manager. (Or direct download if you’re a paid NexusMods member.)  IMPORT the mod, and then from the mod list main screen, select then APPLY the mod.

LE3 Community Patch - This should always be used if you’re playing on PC.  It will fix many, many, many bugs including a few that would make you miss some Kaidan banter.  Also ALWAYS make the community patch the FIRST thing you download/import/apply.

Expanded Galaxy Mod - Does many things, including lots of extra missions, armors, etc.  Kaidan-specific, gives you choices on his casual outfit, more armors, and lets you assign him as XO (or another role) on the ship (purely RP, no in-game application.) New picture in the cabin to gaze at.  ALSO lets you invite your LI up to the captain’s cabin any time after the romance is locked in for extra scenes of cuddling and hanging out! VERY worth the install just from the romance perspective, but does a ton of other cool things.

Immersive Emails - There was an official iPad app when the game released that would send you “text messages” from many NPCs in-game, with romance specific texts as well.  This mod ports those official texts into the actual game as emails.  You will get a lot more ingame emails with this mod but it’s a lot of extra content, including romance-specific messages from Kaidan.

LE3 Optional Flirting - This will move all flirting options with every romancable character to the upper left position on the dialog wheel.  This will help ensure that not only do you catch all the romance dialog options with Kaidan as long as you select the upper left position when available, but that you DON’T accidentally flirt with other options when you don’t mean to by NOT selecting those dialog choices.  When applying the mod in the mod manager, be sure to select the option that gifting Kaidan/Ash when they’re in the hospital gives you romance points.

Kaidan Alenko Overhaul LE3 - “This mod gives Kaidan a new, high definition face mesh, romance body, hair, and several outfit options, selectable in-game through the mod settings menu. Several casual outfit options as well as several formal/casino options (worn during the Citadel DLC) are included.”  There are a couple of Kaidan overhaul mods but this is by far my favorite. Note there are also LE1 and LE2 versions of this overhaul linked in the mod’s description.

This is very subjective, but if you want Shepard to live, and hug Kaidan at the end... Audemus Happy Ending Mod. Read and decide for yourself if you want to use it.

There are many other awesome mods, these are just the most accessible ones for romance enhancement.

Again, thanks to laikabaws for all their hard work on this post.  I have thrown comments of my own in here, which are italicized and noted that they’re me.  It’s also been edited for better formatting.

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Note from Annakie: Playing ME3 On PC?  If you install the Expanded Galaxy Mod (LE Version here) you can bring along non-ME3 (like Samara, Wrex, Jacob, Kasumi, etc.) companions to most missions, freeing up Kaidan (Or Garrus, or Liara, or James, EDI, Tali, Javik, etc.)  for ALL THE BANTER, if you’re into that.  

This will work after you’ve gotten Wrex on the Normandy, (or whichever companion, once you’ve seen them in-game) also these companions will need to be alive in your game obviously.  You’ll need to go into your Private Terminal, then choose Customize the Normandy, then Assign Normandy Personnel, scroll to the bottom, choose VIEW NON-CREW SPECIALISTS and under “Available” choose that person, like Wrex or Kasumi.  Then when you head out on missions, that crew member is available to take. Like using any mod(s), this might destabilize your game, so be warned and save often.  Also note, you may miss a little banter this way if it’s a conversation between two companions, there will be no one to answer if Kaidan’s banter merits a response from the second companion and maybe goes on from there.

OK starting the “Not mine” portion of the post now.

Main Game

1. BRING KAIDAN EVERYWHERE EVERYTIME! -as a general rule

2. General Notes: On the Normandy, Kaidan has two cutscenes (other than the culmination of the romance arc scene) that some people miss. One triggers after inviting him back after the Citadel Coup (about his family's current status) and the other triggers after the Arrae: Ex-Cerberus Scientists mission (about understanding Cerberus' motives). Others have reported that people miss the first one because of triggering the Medical Supplies side quest from Chakwas or Michel by talking to them first before Kaidan.

What I personally do to avoid this is talk to Kaidan FIRST after every mission. As a general rule, talk to Kaidan after every mission to not miss any Normandy banter.

Also during the hospital visits, all of the investigate dialogue options should be inquired (particularly those about his family) to also avoid missing the first cutscene and other future banter. There are three hospital visits. One triggers after the Priority: Mars mission. The second triggers after the Priority: Palaven mission and the third triggers a mission after Priority: Palaven.

(Note by Annakie: Do NOT FORGET to buy Kaidan the bottle of alcohol at the Huerta Gift Shop Kiosk before visiting him the second time, [the first time he’s awake for the visit] and be sure to give it to him while speaking to him!)

Don't forget to click on Kaidan again after the cutscene on the second hospital visit for him to elaborate on his condition and his family, among other things.

Note1: For actual transcriptions of some notable dialogue, see here: Transcription of Some Usually Missed and Notable Kaidan Banter (Note by Annakie: we still may not have this exact thing, but what should be all of Kaidan’s dialog should be in this google doc.  We believe that was also was created by laikabaws and was saved by @pigeontheoneandonly.  Go to “File” and “Make a Copy” to save on your own google drive, or download it. )

Note2: For actual transcriptions of datapad texts, see here: Transcription of Kaidan’s Datapad Texts (Annakie Note: ALSO if you’re playing LE3 on PC, install the Immersive Emails mod to get all of the datapad texts from all NPCs sent as emails in game.)

Note3: Also in the character selection screen, I always pick Kaidan first before the others, just in case this means anything.

Note4: Always check the map to find where Kaidan is lurking. He likes to move around the Normandy.

Note5: (Bonus): Not exactly actual Kaidan banter, but if Thane is alive, be sure to visit him while you are in your second hospital visit with Kaidan. Thane talks about protecting Kaidan for you. 

Note6: (Bonus): While not exactly actual Kaidan banter around the time during the Citadel "shore leave" and dates, Kaidan and Joker invites you to hang out with them.

To get Joker's line about him not being brave enough as Kaidan to risk fraternization with Shepard, you have to talk to Joker first before going through Kaidan's date. When speaking to Joker, pick the investigate dialogue option ("What about you and me?").

After his response, pick the paragon dialogue option ("That's not a 'No'.").

Joker will then eventually respond, "Chain of command, Shepard. I'm not Kaidan. I don't think it could work, not with both of us in uniform."

Joker talking about Kaidan only happens with a faithful and "cheating" Shepard.

Note7: (Bonus): Talk to Javik after Priority: Horizon to discuss Shepard's raging pheromones. Kaidan must be a locked-in romance by then for Javik to specify Kaidan.

3. Not only do you do the Rachni mission first before Tuchanka: Turian Platoon to get more Kaidan banter about Ashley, but save the Turian Platoon mission AFTER Priority: Rannoch. You get the very illusive elusive Tali and Kaidan dialogue about Ashley's death in engineering after Tuchanka: Bomb (yes, it exists in-game).

Also after Turian Platoon, you can also get banter between EDI and Tali--here EDI consoles Tali about seeing the relationship between Lt. Victus and his father as similar to her own. However, bring EDI, Liara, Javik or James along with Kaidan in these Tuchanka missions than Tali (because Tali takes priority from Kaidan) to maximize his banter (lol shockers at Liara not taking banter priority). If ever you do bring Tali, she has a slight change in dialogue with Kaidan in the engineering room (you still get the engineering banter if you don't bring her, just a slight alternate version).

Note1: You need to have gibbed set integers 10314 or 10330 to 8 though to witness the bugged engineer banter (PC and Xbox only)

Note2: Apparently, the EC fixed the bugged engineer banter. Personally, I still use gibbed though, just in case.  (Note from Annakie, the LE3 Community Patch should fix all the bugs mentioned in this post, and many others. If you play on PC, you really, really need to install this even if you don’t mod anything else.)

Note3: Don't take Garrus or Tali to the Turian missions. Bring EDI, Liara, Javik or James along. EDI has additional banter in the shuttle ride to the Turian Platoon mission.

Note4: Strict Sequence of Missions: Sur'Kesh-->Rachni-->all expiring missions done before Citadel Coup-->Genophage Cure-->Citadel Coup (acquire Kaidan)-->Rannoch (acquire Tali)-->Turian Platoon-->Turian Bomb

Note5: List of Expiring Missions before the Citadel Coup (courtesy of IsaacShep)

Benning: Evidence (buy from a store on the Citadel or complete N7: Cerberus Abductions first)

Citadel: Alien Medi-Gel Formula (N7: Cerberus Lab has to be completed first)

Citadel: Barla Von

Citadel: Biotic Amp Interfaces (Grissom Academy has to be completed first)

Citadel: Hanar Diplomat

Citadel: Improved Power Grid (buy from a store on the Citadel or complete N7: Cerberus Attack first). (Note from Annakie: Make sure you do N7: Cerberus Attack and head to the Citadel to turn in the specs for Improved Power Grid this BEFORE curing/sabotaging the Genophage. If you do Cerberus Attack after curing/sabotaging the Genophage, you fail Improved Power Grid because when you go to the Citadel, the coup is already happening.)

Grissom Academy

Ismar Frontier: Prototype Components

Tuchanka: Turian Platoon or Attican Traverse: Krogan Team (depends on which mission you choose to trigger Priority: Tuchanka)

Tuchanka: Bomb (if you complete more than two missions after Turian Platoon; if you don't, you can complete it after the Coup)

Any interaction with Kelly Chambers (if she survived the suicide mission in ME2). If you tell her to change her identity prior to the Citadel Coup, she will be available after the coup's end.

Interacting with Matriarch Aethyta in Apollo's cafe.

4. If you choose to leave the Rachni mission (Attican Traverse: Krogan Team) for Kaidan instead of the Turian missions, bring Javik or EDI (for maximum Kaidan banter) or James (hogs a little more than Javik or EDI, but banter priority is with Kaidan). Don't bring Garrus or Liara. Not sure for Tali.

Note1: If Grunt is alive, bringing Javik will have additional banter for both Javik and Kaidan. With EDI, only Kaidan will have additional banter with Grunt.

Note2: Strict Sequence of Missions: Sur'Kesh-->Turian Platoon-->Turian Bomb -->all expiring missions done before Citadel Coup-->Genophage Cure-->Citadel Coup (acquire Kaidan)-->Rannoch (acquire Tali for an additional squadmate)-->Rachni

Note3: Leaving the Rachni mission and Turian Bomb mission for later (this is possible, but tricky) by doing the Turian Platoon mission earlier instead, may force you to sacrifice an expiring mission before the Citadel Coup for the Turian Bomb not to go off (the expiring mission sacrificed may most likely be the Benning: Evidence one). After doing the Turian Platoon mission, no other mission must be done (other than those stated below) because the Turian Bomb goes off after more than two missions. You won't get the dialogue between Tali and Kaidan about Ashley's death in engineering if you do this though.

Strict Sequence of Missions (for Note3): Sur'Kesh-->all expiring missions done before Citadel Coup-->Turian Platoon-->Genophage Cure-->Citadel Coup (acquire Kaidan)-->Turian Bomb-->Rachni  

5. While not strictly a Kaidan banter, after visiting Kaidan the third time (Kaidan is discharged by then), speak to Udina for a cutscene and to talk about Kaidan being made a spectre all of a sudden.

6. Not exactly Kaidan-related, but if you're irked about the bugged Matriarch Aethyta banter (about you being Liara's boyfriend or girlfriend even if you're actually not), try choosing the renegade option every interaction with Liara prior to talking to Aethyta. I don't exactly know which renegade dialogue option triggers it though (my pure renegades don't get the bugged banter).

(Note from Annakie: LE3 Community Patch mod will resolve this.  The mods that resolved it for the original versions have been taken down iirc.)

7. Save Priority: Eden Prime for Kaidan. He'll reference the ME1 Eden Prime mission.  Also before entering any of those houses, move straight ahead a bit to a cliff overlooking Prothean ruins and you get Kaidan banter about the possibility of Liara studying dinosaurs (haha wut?).

8. For N7: Cerberus Fighter Base, let Kaidan deactivate the console for more banter. Bring Garrus, EDI, Tali or Javik. Don't bring Liara or James. Note1: (Little Trivia): When Kaidan calls Shepard to sync consoles for shutdown, there are different sets of banter for interrupting his call by syncing right away and for waiting his call banter to finish.  

9. Take Garrus or Javik along with Kaidan in the Kallini: Ardat-Yakshi Monastary mission to get the illusive (okay I'll stop now) elusive Kaidan priority banter (he gets to speak a lot in this too). Not only that, you'll also get that funny left broken elevator banter about him biotically floating--this banter is also specific to Shepard's class (as a biotic or non-biotic). Don't take Liara, James, EDI or Tali.

Note1: Examining the asari corpse before the elevator to the Great Hall gives specific banter between Kaidan and the squadmate you brought along with him.

Note2: (If Samara is alive): Consider bringing Javik along with Kaidan instead of Garrus. Bringing Javik enables Kaidan to interact with Samara when you first meet her in the monastary.

Note3: (If you intend to let Samara kill herself in the end): Consider bringing James or EDI along with Kaidan even if they take banter priority to see Kaidan consoling Falere after Samara dies. Bringing either of them also enables Kaidan

to interact with Samara when you first meet her in the monastary.

10. If Jacob is alive, everyone but Kaidan takes priority in the Arrae: Ex-Cerberus mission, but if Jacob is dead, bringing EDI results in more Kaidan banter. Letting Kaidan fix the AA gun controls results in more banter with him. However if you let your other squadmate repair the AA gun controls, Kaidan and Shepard will also have a bit of banter together afterwards (albeit a cuter one).

Note1: Kaidan has an extra cutscene (in the shuttle before landing) if Garrus is brought along, even if Garrus has banter priority. However, you will miss Kaidan making a joke about the weather after landing if Garrus is brought along. If James is brought along, you will miss Shepard frantically ordering Kaidan to guard their flanks during the first Cerberus wave.

Note2: (If Jacob is alive): Consider bringing Javik, James, Tali or Liara along with Kaidan for Kaidan to inquire about Shepard knowing Jacob (after the cutscene of their first meeting with Jacob and Brynn).

Note3: (If Jacob is dead): bring EDI for Kaidan banter priority.

11. Bring Kaidan to the Priority: Geth Dreadnought mission for a cutscene of him inquiring on Shepard's well-being (after activating the controls) after the docking tube walk. If Tali is dead, bring James or Javik along with Kaidan. Don't bring Garrus, EDI, or Liara.

Note1: (If Tali is dead): For Kaidan to inquire on Shepard's well-being and to save Shepard from the falling elevator, bring James or Javik. Kaidan does the hacking for the entire mission too.

12. Everyone but Kaidan takes priority in the Rannoch: Admiral Koris mission. Regardless, don't take EDI. She hogs Kaidan's supposed banter the most. Garrus and Liara moderately hog Kaidan's banter. Bring Tali, then Javik or James because they hog Kaidan's banter the least. Surprisingly, bringing Tali results in the most Kaidan banter.

Note1: Also, while James takes priority during the Admiral Koris mission, it is rewarding to see what he'll do to the first AA gun controls if you choose him to take charge. That disappointed Shepard face is priceless.

Note2: However, there are more dialogue for Kaidan if you let him disable all three AA gun controls.

Note3: While Kaidan doesn't really take priority, a lot of his banter are primarily sympathetic. Letting Shepard get blown by the first trip mine results in a very concerned banter.  

13. Everyone but Kaidan takes priority in the Rannoch: Geth Fighter Squadrons mission, but take Garrus, James or Javik along with him to see Kaidan's overflowing concern for Shepard entering the Geth Consensus (he stares at the geth port Shepard is in, takes Admiral Raan's messages and asks if Shepard is alright. Garrus, James or Javik talks more though. Also, Garrus has one line more than James or Javik). Don't take Liara, Tali or EDI. They hog even Kaidan's supposed animation (Kaidan only gets to ask if Shepard is alright).

14. If Tali is dead for the Priority: Rannoch mission, bring Javik or James with Kaidan (James has one line more than Javik though). Garrus and Liara moderately hog banter priority. Don't bring EDI--she hogs even Kaidan's supposed banter.

15. For N7: Fuel Reactors, I always let Kaidan save Captain Riley. After saving Riley and clicking her twice, Shepard will demand Riley to thank Major Alenko at the extraction point. Also, bring any squadmate you want with Kaidan, except James.

Note1: Not Kaidan-related, but all in all there are seven barrier engines. One is inside with the Brute, so generally you have to hunt for six.

16. As much as it is tempting to bring Javik to Priority: Thessia, bring Kaidan instead if you're a true Kaidan fan (kidding). Kaidan also mentions his doubts about asari beliefs. If you want Javik's dialogue (like I do), do a run with Javik and another for Kaidan (two separate game saves). The discrepancies and parallels between their dialogues are cool. Also, the temple banters may differ whether or not Javik's From Ashes DLC is installed (I may never try an uninstalled DLC playthrough).

Note1: In the shuttle ride to Thessia, Kaidan remembers Liara's mother, Benezia, if you choose the investigate dialogue option (Liara's mother). If you choose the renegade dialogue option (Block it out.), Kaidan, being the gentleman that he is, comforts Liara. Kaidan has no additional dialogue choosing the paragon dialogue option (We'll save them).

Note2: Very Important: In the asari temple, don't head straight to the beacon--investigate every artifact first. A lot of factors alter the banter when investigating the artifacts. For maximum Kaidan banter, click either the goddess Athame paintings first (doesn't matter which of the two you click first, or if you click only one), or the busts (doesn't matter which of the two you click first, but click both). Only afterwards do you click either the four manuscripts, or the sword and shield. If you follow the procedure faithfully, clicking on the paintings would affect banter for the sword and shield (the banter also differs a bit when you click the sword first then the shield, or click the shield first then the sword), and clicking on the busts would affect the banter on the manuscripts. Also as much as possible, avoid checking the states of the scientists while examining the artifacts. The banter alters if you check the states of the scientists before clicking on any of the artifacts, but at the expense of other lines (you get different, but lesser ambient banter).

Note3: Very Important: While finding the connections to activate the beacon (involves clicking the artifacts), don't click the three glowing artifacts just yet (left-most manuscript, the shield and the bust on the right). There are additional banter for Kaidan when you click all the other artifacts with no connections. Standing or walking around, not clicking any artifact, or not clicking on the already activated beacon gives some ambient banter.    

17. For N7: Communication Hub, bring anyone but Javik.

18. In general, Kaidan speaks a lot in Priority: Horizon. Take Garrus for maximum Kaidan banter priority. Liara, EDI and Tali also do not butt in as much (they just butt in one time more than Garrus--they get one line more from Kaidan than Garrus from the ambient banter about Cerberus using Reaper technology after draining the pool). Javik gets two lines more from Kaidan than Garrus from a cutscene with the damaged terminal that Shepard will end up fixing. Only James takes priority from Kaidan, so don't bring him. Note1: Examining the log near the trapped Banshee triggers additional banter from Kaidan, so click it.

19. Bring Kaidan to the Priority: Cerberus Headquarters mission for banter regarding the Lazarus Project and Human Reaper.

20. Bring Kaidan to the Citadel Beam run for a final goodbye banter (Extended Cut). Bring Kaidan to the entirety of Priority: Earth too because I say so. I won't be too strict this time, just bring your dream team (including Kaidan because I say so). Actually, I'm just too lazy to test for Kaidan's banter in this particular mission haha, so just indulge me.

DLC Post-Extended Cut Note1: For actual transcriptions of dialogue, see here: Transcription of Kaidan's Dialogue for ME3 DLCs Note2: For the actual banter counting results, see here: Kaidan's Banter Count Against Other Squadmates for ME3 DLCs   (Note from Annakie: Sorry, didn’t save either of these.  Again, see: the Kaidan Banter document above.)

Leviathan

21. General Notes: Both male Shepards and female Shepards have the same lines all throughout the DLC. Non-imported Shepards don't have significant dialogue changes in terms of speaking to Kaidan (only dialogue changes I noticed: interacting with the Sovereign fragment during the 1st Citadel lab visit and Liara's Normandy banter after the 2nd mission).

Be sure to talk to Kaidan in the Normandy after every mission. Also banter count nonwithstanding, there are cutscenes and object interaction instances that Kaidan is preferred to take part in. I'll list all the relative cutscenes and object interaction instances I deem significant, and which squadmate to bring to get them. *will update with an unromanced playthrough soon*

Leviathan: Mahavid (1st Mission) 22. For maximum banter and Kaidan priority, bring EDI. While Javik takes banter priority from Kaidan, Javik is the next best squadmate to bring (takes one less line from Kaidan than James, Liara or Garrus). James, Liara or Garrus moderately hog banter, but takes Kaidan's dialogue priority. Tali hogs banter the most, and of course takes Kaidan's dialogue priority. For details on Kaidan's cutscene and object interaction roles, see Note4.

Note1: Don't forget to interact with the datapads, interact with the asari researcher at the leftmost side, near the Crew Quarters, and walk past the security console all at the Mineral Lab for possible additional Kaidan banter. Don't head up the ladder to catch "Dr. Garneau" immediately for extra banter between your squadmates with Kaidan taking part in it. If you're curious of additional banter when escorting the Repair Drone, try to move away from its circle to hear 6 dialogue lines from your squadmates with Kaidan taking part in it.

Note2: Warning: These glitches personally happened to me. For some, they didn't experience these, so it's still up to you guys if you want to risk it. There are two instances of a Kaidan invisibility glitch. One happens when Kaidan comforts Shepard in the Reception booth with Kaidan as Shepard's LI. This happens with James, Javik or Tali. I think this particular invisibility glitch happens when Kaidan is set to push the Reception button with him also as the LI. He does two things in this cutscene with James, Javik or Tali: push the button and comfort Shepard, which the program didn't intend to happen, hence the glitch. With Garrus, EDI or Liara, they get to push the button instead of Kaidan that's why he's there.

The other invisibility glitch happens as Shepard talks to the miners (Kaidan is supposed to be with Shepard). This happens with Garrus, James, EDI or Tali. Kaidan doesn't get this glitch with Javik. Liara is seen with Shepard instead of Kaidan in that particular instance because Kaidan is the one who inspects the actual body of Dr. Garneau and picks up the datapad, while Liara comments on the artifact and later just stands there, and comments about the miners having lost time as Shepard turns to leave. With other squadmates, Kaidan comments on the artifact and the miners' lost time (and is supposed to stand with Shepard but is invisible because of the glitch, except for Javik) while everyone else inspects the body and picks up the datapad. The person who picks up the datapad and inspects the body gets three lines, while the person who comments on the artifact and on the miners' lost time gets two lines. Liara is unique in this way (I initially thought the LI is the one who doesn't take the datapad).  

Note3: Warning: To see the actual screenshots of the invisibility glitch, I documented them here: Kaidan's Invisibility Glitch in the Leviathan DLC  (Nope, didn’t save)

Note4: Cutscene and Object Interaction Instances Details:

Kaidan talks twice in the shuttle ride to Mahavid (1st cutscene): with Garrus.  

Kaidan comments on the calmness of the Mining facility at the Reception booth (2nd cutscene): with Garrus, EDI or Liara.

Kaidan pushing the button at the Reception booth (2nd cutscene): with James, Javik or Tali (warning: possible Kaidan invisibility glitch).

Kaidan comforting Shepard at the Reception booth (2nd cutscene): with every squadmate if Kaidan is in a locked-in romance (warning: possible Kaidan invisibility glitch with James, Javik or Tali).

Kaidan comments on the miners not doing actual mining after interacting with any datapad at the Mineral Lab: with James, Javik, Tali or Liara.

Kaidan picks up a datapad and comments on the study of human biotcs that's typed there after interacting with the asari researcher in the leftmost side of the Mineral Lab, near the Crew Quarters: with Garrus or EDI.

Kaidan is seen with Shepard and speaks after the cutscene as they inspect a datapad with a passcode hack (3rd cutscene): with Garrus or EDI.

Kaidan hacks the security console and speaks twice (4th cutscene): with Garrus, James or Javik.

Kaidan speaks twice when meeting "Dr. Garneau" (5th cutscene): with James, EDI, Javik, Tali or Liara.

Kaidan jokes about the Reapers after going up the ladder to catch "Dr. Garneau": with Garrus, Javik, Tali or Liara.

Kaidan comments on the Repair Drone twice (6th cutscene): with Garrus or Liara.

Kaidan tells Shepard to escort the Repair Drone five times, if Shepard veers away from it: with EDI.

Kaidan expresses his disgust for Banshees: with Garrus, James or Javik.

Kaidan inspects Dr. Garneau's real body and picks up the datapad near it, speaking thrice (7th cutscene): with Liara.

Kaidan comments on the artifact and on miners losing time, speaking twice (8th cutscene): with Garrus, James, EDI, Javik or Tali (warning: possible Kaidan invisibility glitch with Garrus, James, EDI or Tali).

Kaidan comments twice on the shuttle ride back (9th cutscene): with James, EDI, Javik, Tali or Liara.

Leviathan: Namakli (2nd Mission) 23. For maximum banter and Kaidan priority, bring Tali. EDI or Liara is the next best squadmate to bring (takes only one line more from Kaidan than Tali). While Kaidan has banter priority, Kaidan only has one line more than Garrus. Javik with Kaidan share equal banter counts. James hogs banter the most and takes Kaidan's dialogue priority. For details on Kaidan's cutscene and object interaction roles, see Note1. Note1: Cutscene and Object Interaction Instances Details:

Kaidan is helped up by Shepard when the shuttle wavers during the shuttle ride to Namakli (1st cutscene): with James.

Kaidan fixes the bridge controls: with EDI, Tali or Liara.

Kaidan expresses his disgust for Banshees: with Garrus, James or Javik.

Kaidan calls for Shepard when Ann Bryson gets possessed (2nd cutscene): with James.

Kaidan shoots the artifact on Shepard's orders (2nd cutscene): with Garrus, EDI, Javik, Tali or Liara.

Kaidan is helped into the shuttle by Shepard when boarding it (3rd cutscene): with James, Javik, Tali or Liara.

Leviathan: Despoina (3rd Mission) 24. For maximum banter and Kaidan priority, bring EDI, but it is more ideal to bring Liara than EDI. While Liara takes one line more from Kaidan than EDI, bringing Liara allows Kaidan to get the more important banter and cutscene roles. After EDI or Liara, Tali is the next best squadmate to bring (takes only one line more from Kaidan than Liara). While Kaidan has banter priority, Javik and then Garrus moderately hog banter. James hogs banter, even if Kaidan has banter priority (Kaidan only trumps James by two lines). For details on Kaidan's cutscene and object interaction roles, see Note3.

Note1: Immediately after landing go to the far left, in view of the ocean and destroyed ships. Kaidan may be prompted to comment. Also before initiating the first wave of Reaper forces, try to pass by the Artifact in the tent on the nearest right for Kaidan to bring it to Shepard's attention.

Note2: Don't forget to interact with the Skeletal Remains and the damaged "Triton" ADS further right, before or after initiating the first wave of Reaper forces for possible additional Kaidan banter.

Note3: Cutscene and Object Interaction Instances Details:

Kaidan talks twice in the shuttle ride to Despoina (1st cutscene): with EDI, Javik, Tali or Liara.

Kaidan is seen on the shuttle floor as Shepard disembarks (1st cutscene): with Garrus or EDI.

Kaidan comments on the destroyed ships on the far left, in view of the ocean: with Garrus, EDI, Javik, Tali or Liara.

Kaidan informs Shepard of the artifacts' presence in the tent on the nearest right: with every squadmate.

Kaidan comments on the Skeletal Remains inside the tents: with Liara.

Kaidan comments on the damaged "Triton" ADS: with EDI, Javik, Tali or Liara.

Kaidan suggests using the Normandy to Cortez and speaks twice (2nd cutscene): with EDI.

Kaidan guns down some husks (2nd cutscene): with Garrus, James or Javik.

Kaidan is in disbelief of Cortez and Shepard's plan (2nd cutscene): with Garrus, James, Javik, Tali or Liara.

Kaidan worries for Shepard going through the dive (3rd cutscene): with Garrus, EDI, Tali or Liara.

Kaidan insists that Shepard should reconsider (3rd cutscene): with every squadmate if Kaidan is in a locked-in romance.

Kaidan saves Shepard from the Brutes, calls Cortez and tends to Shepard's health in the shuttle (4th cutscene): with every squadmate if Kaidan is in a locked-in romance. 

(if both renegade interrupts were taken with Ann) Kaidan asks what happened during the dive (4th cutscene): with every squadmate if Kaidan is in a locked-in romance. If not in a locked-in romance, Kaidan should be the priority for him to state this particular line.

(if both renegade interrupts were taken with Ann) Kaidan is awed by Shepard's experience with the Leviathans underwater (4th cutscene): with every squadmate if Kaidan is not in a locked-in romance and not the priority. If not in a locked-in romance, Kaidan should not be the priority for him to state this particular line.

Normandy Banter Triggers (may be subjective)

Note1: For actual transcriptions, see here: Transcription of Kaidan's Normandy Banter

Bonus Pre-Kaidan-in-the-Squad Comments a. Pre-Mars, Kaidan, Shepard, James and Joker (cutscene): evacuating Vancouver, receiving a debriefing from Hackett, and going to Mars. b. Post-Mars, Shepard, Liara and Hackett (cutscene): building the Crucible, heading to the Citadel, and Shepard worrying for Kaidan. c. After Shepard's first nightmare, Shepard and Liara (cutscene): Shepard bothered by Kaidan getting hurt (faithful and "cheating" Shepards only). d. Bonus Samantha Traynor (ambient banter): informing Shepard of an email coming from Kaidan. e. Kaidan is ready for visitors email becomes available. f. Bonus Adams and Chakwas in the Crew Quarters (ambient banter): Adam's guilt about not joining Shepard before and Chakwas reassuring him (Kaidan is mentioned only if Chakwas is the Normandy's doctor). g. Kaidan ready to be discharged email becomes available. h. Post-Priority: Tuchanka (if Ashley is dead, ambient banter): dream whispers from Virmire, urging Shepard to save Kaidan. i. Post-Priority: Tuchanka, Shepard and Liara (if Kaidan is dead, ambient banter and cutscene): dream whispers from Virmire, urging Shepard to save Ashley. Shepard thinking about Kaidan's loss (imported Shepards only). j. Pre-Citadel Coup (cutscene): Shepard inquiring on Kaidan's safety (only if Thane is alive). k. Kaidan's goodbye email if he doesn't trust Shepard enough, or Shepard decides to leave him to Hackett, becomes available.

After the Citadel Coup and Cutscene a. Kaidan on meeting EDI. b. On settling in the Normandy. c. On Cerberus rebuilding the Normandy. d. "Can't wait to get back out there." e. Bonus Garrus (cutscene and banter): on getting Kaidan back. f. Bonus Joker (cutscene): on getting Kaidan back. g. Bonus EDI (banter): Shepard asks about meeting Kaidan.

After a Side Mission (N7: Cerberus Fighter Base for me) a. "Can't talk right now." b. Bonus Kaidan and Liara (ambient banter): biotics talk and catching up on Liara. c. Kaidan's date e-mail invitation becomes available.

After a Side Mission (Priority: Eden Prime for me) a. Kaidan asking about professionalism. b. "I can't stop grinning."

After the Ardat-Yakshi Monastary Mission a. Kaidan pitying Rila, or Falere if she is killed, or the Ardat-Yakshi as a whole if Samara is allowed to commit suicide and Falere is killed. b. Feeling lucky that he hasn't met an Ardat-Yakshi before. c. Highlighting his luck. d. "Good to see you." e. Bonus Diana Allers (banter): asking about Kaidan's media training (triggers a mission after the Citadel date).

After the Ex-Cerberus Scientists Mission and Cutscene (Crew Quarters) a. Bonus Samantha Traynor (banter): informing Shepard that Kaidan is looking for them. b. Kaidan invites you to dinner in the Citadel (whether or not you've dated already). c. "I should get back to this report. I'll catch ya later, Shepard."

After the Geth Dreadnought Mission a. Kaidan, Shepard and EDI (ambient banter): about finding Kaidan's biotic students. b. (if Tali is alive) Kaidan's happiness of Tali being in the Normandy. c. Not fully trusting the geth. d. "Got a few things on my plate."

After the Admiral Koris Mission a. Kaidan and Shepard (banter): about finally finding his biotic students. b. Kaidan and Shepard (romanced banter): about Kaidan's insistence to wake him up when Shepard does. c. "How's everything lining up?"

After the Geth Fighter Squadrons Mission a. Kaidan and Shepard (banter): Kaidan asking Shepard not to distract him with how the geth consensus works, yet Shepard trolls him. b. Telling Shepard what's going to be the best chapter in their autobiography. c. "Ready for the next mission--whatever you got."

After the Priority: Rannoch Mission (Lounge) a. Kaidan and James (ambient banter): poker talk b. Kaidan and James (banter): James prodding Kaidan for more to put on the table. (if managed peace between the geth and quarians) c. Kaidan astonished with how Shepard got the geth and quarians together. (if sided with the geth) c. Kaidan commenting on the tragedy of the quarians (if sided with the quarians) c. Kaidan's relief on the end of the geth d. Kaidan, Shepard and James (banter): Kaidan and James congratulating Shepard on killing a Reaper. (if managed peace between the geth and quarians or sided with the geth with Tali dead) e. Kaidan trusting Shepard with the geth. (if sided with the geth with Tali formerly alive) e. Kaidan never forgiving the geth for another reason. (if sided with the quarians) e. Kaidan hoping the geth won't come back. f. "Yeah, let's talk later."

After the Turian Platoon Mission a. Kaidan and Shepard (banter): Kaidan worried about the bomb in Tuchanka. b. Kaidan warning Shepard to not ignore the Cerberus bomb. c. "I've got some work for the Council I should finish."

After the Turian Bomb Mission a. Kaidan, Shepard and Garrus (ambient banter): remembering Lieutenant Victus' sacrifice b. Kaidan commending on their luck that the krogan didn't find out about the bomb before the summit. c. Admiring Lieutenant Victus' bravery d. "Maybe we could talk later." e. Bonus Kaidan and Tali (if Tali is alive, ambient banter): remembering Ashley's sacrifice. f. Bonus Ashley and Shepard (if Kaidan is dead, banter): stopping by the memorial and missing Kaidan.

After the Rachni Mission a. Kaidan and Shepard (banter): (if rachni queen is released or not released) reminiscing on Shepard's decision to set the rachni queen free back in Noveria. a. (if breeder is released or not released) Kaidan admiring the rachni's resilience. b. (if rachni queen is released) Kaidan hoping something good happens in siding with the rachni. b. (if breeder is released) Kaidan trusting Shepard's decision to save the breeder despite his reservations. c. (if rachni queen is released, rachni queen is not released or if breeder is not released) "Can't talk right now." d. "Good to see you."

After N7: Fuel Reactors a. "Hey, Shepard."

After Priority: Thessia (Engineering) a. Kaidan, Shepard and Adams (banter): discussing Liara's emotional state. b. Kaidan assuring Shepard that Kai Leng will get what he deserves. c. "Can't wait to get back out there."

After N7: Communication Hub a. "Maybe we could talk later."

After Priority: Horizon a. Kaidan suggests that the Illusive Man better be ready for them. b. Enraged by what was done to Sanctuary c. Kaidan wouldn't mind killing someone as crazy as the Illusive Man. d. "Ready for the next mission--whatever you got." e. Bonus Javik (cutscene): about Shepard's pheromones talking, and what Shepard fights for.

After Priority: Cerberus Headquarters a. Kaidan and Shepard (banter): Kaidan being glad that Shepard is alright and getting ready to head back to Earth. b. "Hey, Shepard."

DLC Post-Extended Cut

Leviathan: After Mahavid (1st Mission) a. Kaidan relieved that the miners were given their time back. (if romanced) Hoping time wouldn't slip by their relationship. b. "Hey, Shepard."

Leviathan: After Namakli (2nd Mission) a. Kaidan being amazed that a Reaper goes rogue and feeling lucky that he has a chance to work with a lot of brilliant people. b."Hey, Shepard."

Leviathan: After Despoina (3rd Mission) a. Kaidan feeling glad that they're back on dry land. (if romanced)  Kaidan makes it known that Shepard's lack of concern for their well-being scares him, but makes him love them more all the same. Kaidan wonders if there are more amazing things hidden from them. b. "Hey, Shepard."

(Note by Annakie: Updated September 1, 2022.)