Mass Effect 3 - Should You Recruit Chakwas or Michel as Normandy’s Doctor?

[@killmonger5097]

Rejecting Dr. Chakwas seems so wrong she’s been through so much with Shepard and she’s a cougar we can never have lol

[@rbardy]

Yeah, I'm in my 2nd run and I'm trying to do most different options as possible, and since I picked Chakwa in my 1st run I went for Michel now ... feels so bad

[@ElRevenio]

Killed me in the second half, not gonna lie. Got some medi-gel?

[@Spider-Cop99]

Chakwas is straight up a GILF

[@masterblaster3508]

Actually she technically isn't. 70 is when you start to age age. People in their 60's for woman can still have kids lol. Read Ascension for more information

[@alphamorion4314]

Right. The only time that I attempted saying her to stay in the labs, she insisted to come back. Even said please... I just couldn't say no to her XD

[@iksarguards]

Being abducted by the collectors broke Kelly Chamber's mind. That shit just rolled off The Chak like water off a duck's back. There's no one better suited to run my medical bay.

[@F3N01]

Been doing another playthrough of ME3 on the legendary edition. Apparently Chakwas was affected by the abduction, as she makes a comment about how horrifying it was while talking with engineer Adams in the crew quarters while Mordin has the medbay. Though she didn't break from it, she was understandably traumatised by it.

[@johnnyboogalo4897]

@@F3N01 Yeah she broke down and started crying and said she is not fine.

[@66adaptable]

It doesn't, she told Adams that she lied and she wasn't okay:( But that just makes me love her more cause she still wants to help Shepard.

[@xAfroMetalHead1990x]

Most people would be fucked up too if they got kidnapped by giant insect people and watched their crew mates get melted into biomass

[@66adaptable]

I know haha that was what I was trying to say. Because OP says it rolled off Dr. Chak like water off a duck, so I replied "It doesn't." Which I can see now was pretty bad English on my part, sorry if it was confusing, English is not my first language:(

[@Ire-mw9cc]

I didnt know you could recruit anyone else than Chakwas. I always make sure she survives in ME2 and recruit her. Funny.

[@RichardK.Maxwell]

You are not alone in that, I had no idea either. I get the feeling it is due to your conversation opening with Dr Chakwas, no matter who you select to speak with. My very first play through, I converted her to War Assets, never realized I could recruit someone else as the ship's doctor, went through the entire game and never noticed I was missing something.

[@pauls478]

I knew you could, but never did it. Not having Chakwas on board just feels...wrong.

[@ashmomofboys]

Me tooo! This is so new to me. I have to replay now.

[@annoyance.2583]

Except… Dan underestimated how EXTREMELY hard losing Chakwas is, if you send ANY escort with Normandy crew she is guaranteed to survive, and contrary to what Dan said, AFAIK, its NOT possible to wait SO long for her to be dissolved by Collectors

[@kylekiel2763]

Same here.

[@TheFlyingV]

The "I've never used your first name" bit is extremely funny if you've named your character Shepard Shepard, or Commander.

[@darth-severus]

How have I never thought to name my Shepard commander? Well, I know what my name is next playthrough

[@michaeledmunds7056]

Name him Shepard Commander.

[@HondEpic]

Guess I'll be doing that on my next playthrough 😂

[@mwaters421]

Lol Shepard Shepard is a classic

[@polarbear138]

@@michaeledmunds7056 Acknowledged.

[@pearsemolloy9656]

Just a small correction but Chakwas can only die if you don’t send someone on escort. No matter how long you hold off on launching the suicide mission after the crew’s abduction she will always be alive by the time you get there.

[@killmonger5097]

I always send Samara as the escort she seems the best fit for the job

[@GothicElf68]

@@killmonger5097 I always send Mordin. He seemed the most fit for that position to me.

[@matthewsimon6170]

@@GothicElf68 which is actually one of the best options, since his hold the line score is one of the lowest. Since he's guaranteed to survive if loyal, it's a no brainer.

[@ScottishScrub]

@@killmonger5097 I like to send Jack if she's not the biotic barrier because it works well for her becoming a teacher/leader in ME3

[@dornn1064]

@@matthewsimon6170 funny... being a salarian and having the lowest "hold the line" score. Kirrahe should be dissapointed

[@hail2theprince93]

Watching Dr. Chakwas get rejected from returning to the Normandy caused me actual physical pain :(

[@Anvilshock]

It's like not hugging Tali, or not recruiting Garrus and seeing him stand in C-Sec like a lost puppy.

[@zaguar3153]

Michel doesn't even _want_ the job, so I've given Chakwas the nod in almost every playthrough. She also keeps Joker healthy!

[@yggdrasil1969]

Yeah, Chakwas begs you to take her aboard, and Michel almost has to be strong-armed. I only chose Michel on one playthrough.

[@acousticmonkey2209]

I knew this was an option but I am a steadfast Dr Chakwas fan and while I considered a playthrough with Dr Michel just to see, I couldn't bring myself to do it. Karen is a part of my team and the Normandy family. She is irreplaceable!

[@GrelodTheKindest]

Thought her name was Karin..

[@acousticmonkey2209]

@@GrelodTheKindest Apologies. It is Karin. Mistyped.

[@1957DLT]

Plus, she's fun to drink with.

[@acousticmonkey2209]

@@1957DLT Yes she is!🙂

[@awashington8447]

🎯

[@HeWhoComments]

Dr. Chocolates is legendary; one of my favorite characters from the trilogy because of her commitment to Shepard

[@steelbear2063]

She knows too much

[@SagaciousNihilist]

She barely has any dialogue in the ME1

[@RMCbreezy]

@@SagaciousNihilist she really doesnt. They just thought her backstory was enough to endear you to her i guess? I started playing when the 2nd came out and playing the 1st after was just awkward

[@TRafael82]

​@SagaciousNihilist Still she's very memorable. Even with so little dialogue.

[@John_Marstonm]

Chocolates😂

[@ChiaraKeating]

If you're romancing Garrus and if you bring him with Tali to the dreadnought, Tali doesn't say 'Oh nothing', she says 'Watch yourself Sherard' which I always find hilarious haha

[@MaximillianGreil]

There is a mechanical advantage to recruiting one in each playthrough. If you recruit Chakwas, she gives you a health +5% research at the information terminal. If you recruit Dr Michaele, she gives you +1 medigel. You get this bonus after completing the medical supply exchange sidequest.

[@Cassie_2182]

I was surprised he didn’t mention this

[@MaximillianGreil]

@@Cassie_2182 honestly it's a pretty forgettable upgrade

[@joejosa8985]

Medigel? Okay. That’s not an option. Dr. Chakwas is a better choice. But idk. The idea of medigel just sounds so worthless for it to be an option. Should be like reputation or healing rate.

[@Cassie_2182]

@@MaximillianGreil it is, but Dan is usually pretty good about going over those details. That’s why I was surprised.

[@r0w5tortion84]

@@joejosa8985 not just 1 medigel, the upgrade +1 medigel so you can carry more into battle. Maybe not that vital (particularly on lower difficulties), but 5% health isn't that much of a game changer either

[@monomanamaniac]

You can tell that the actual voice actor for chakwas was genuinely hurt by the idea that her character could get rejected. I couldn't imagine leaving here behind after so long

[@gatzmajortz5033]

My favorite line of Dr. Michelle's is when she's hanging out with Adams in the crew quarters. She mentions wanting to stay out of Mordin/Wiks' "hair...or horns...or whatever Salarians have". But, because of her French accent, it sounds like "air...or orns...". Love it.

[@lxfenix]

We all love Dr. Chakwas and she's the obvious choice. But sometimes you just wanna mix it up and do something different. But they just had to make her beg to come back to the Normandy and force you to reject her. Bioware was evil.

[@CaptainSweatpants90]

I mean to be fair, it is consistent with her character. She always mentioned in the previous games that she couldn't work stationary and working on an Alliance ship was always her favorite type of work. Then add to that the crazy history she has with the Normandy and her crew and it just makes sense that she'd desperately want to come and work there again.

[@chadwarden593]

Should be able to have both...

[@bgill6623]

​@@chadwarden593 my thoughts exactly medical efficiency would shoot through the roof on the Normandy if it had 2 experience doctors.

[@Pro_Butcher_Amateur_Human]

@B Gill Exactly! There should be 2 doctors anyway, just so one is on duty while the other sleeps. Or in case one gets injured or sick. Like how airplanes have 2 pilots. Speaking of which, there should be another helmsman for when Joker is sleeping too. I know EDI can handle that, but that's only after she's unshackled. Prior to that, and in the original Normandy, that wasn't possible. I imagine there's a lot of doubling up on jobs. Astronauts need to make multiple specialties, and they're all trained to pilot the craft. There should be occasions when you go into the cockpit an XO Pressly has the helm, or go into the medbay and find Miranda on duty.

[@bgill6623]

@@Pro_Butcher_Amateur_Human not to mention that its implied that dr Michele has more experience with alien races compared to chakwas.

[@GoodOldGamer]

There is no choice for me. Momma Chakwas always returns to the Normandy. Even if I don't need her, Joker and Kaidan do.

[@Zoroth3Demon]

I almost never let Kaiden live. Although if you play as a hero he is the choice your supposed to make. Always felt wrong letting Ash die never getting to avenge her family

[@GoodOldGamer]

@@Zoroth3Demon I've only ever let Ash live once. And she's all but nonexistent in 3, especially compared to Kaidan, so I have no incentive not to sacrifice her. They just did more with Kaidan. Plus his abilities are a thousand times better.

[@hellogoodbye388]

So no one romances ashley?

[@Zoroth3Demon]

@@hellogoodbye388 I have before but she’s horribly boring in comparison to any of the other love interests.

[@Zoroth3Demon]

@@hellogoodbye388 and she’s xenophobic. Hates aliens and thinks humans are superior

[@Valthoran90]

I wish you could recruit Michel alongside Chakwas to have both of their characters to develop.

[@awashington8447]

Chakwas sounds so heartbroken when you tell her no, I couldn't bring myself to do that more than once 😩

[@TonyFontanesi]

I've played through this series at least 6 times (3 times with MELE) and had no idea Dr. Michel was recruitable.

[@darth-severus]

I only know cause I'm the kind of person that's done a run where I kill the most people possible in me2

[@HondEpic]

Same here, haha

[@Rednova08]

Wow, I didn't even know you could recruit Dr. Michel. Played Mass Effect consecutively like 30 times and I am just finding this out. I love this trilogy.

[@KirstenBayes]

Same! Astonished!

[@thequinlanshow3326]

What is wrong with you people? You literally have to choose between the two of them on every playthrough. Do y'all just not pay attention to anything?

[@Rednova08]

@@thequinlanshow3326 did you miss the part in the video where Dan said you had to say no to Dr. Chakwas? I have never or will never say no to that offer.

[@thequinlanshow3326]

@@Rednova08 that's not what happens though lmao, you talk to chakwas and then she moves to stand with Dr. Michel after and that's when you decide who to pick. You have to make the choice every time you play I don't know how everyone is collectively blanking on this

[@Rednova08]

@@thequinlanshow3326 that has never once happened to me. Everytime I played, Dr. Michel walks away when I press the prompt to talk to Chakwas.

[@TheSupremePete]

I enjoy Dr Chakwas' character too much to pick Michael, even if it's 10 war assets. Did it recently and I just miss the dialogue there.

[@killmonger5097]

10 points ain’t worth ruining a friendship and losing your best Dr

[@FalconWindblader]

Racking up war assets is actually easy if you're willing to make runs recovering shit from conquered systems & do your diligence in cranking up reputation. A single asset worth 10, even 50 points, ain't gonna worth much in the grand scheme of things.

[@TheSupremePete]

True, but this run was one where I wanted to acquire every single asset

[@enaxtry]

I prefer Dr. Chakwas simply bcs ships and adrenaline are her life, he knows how to work under pressure on the edge of life and death, how to fix heavily wounded soldiers. Dr. Michel isn't a battefield doctor, she is a researcher, she don't have experiences in battleships. Doing it reverse you simple force both of them to do jobs that they aren't used to and that's not logical if you really want the best crew in the best places to help you.

[@Cx10110100]

What happened to getting out of comfort zone and all that stuff

[@sorin_markov]

@@Cx10110100 Probably not the time to experiment when you're in a war over the fate of the galaxy

[@beefjerky007]

7:51 Technically, in ME Andromeda if you keep your default name instead of customizing it (Scott/Sara), some NPC’s in the game (particularly SAM) will refer to you by your first name instead of just “Ryder.” This is the reason why I never change my name when I play Andromeda

[@vladbush1464]

Who cares about that NPC crap

[@GothicElf68]

@@vladbush1464 People who really love immersion.

[@jonathanmarkiewicz4638]

Better question is why do you keep playing Andromeda? I'm being serious, not sarcastic. I genuinely am looking for different perspectives that might help me not hate it so much because it's ME I want to like it, but other than Drax and the Krogan I can't stand any of the other NPC's on there, the story has a ton of potential but it's missing something. I have a hard time seeing the initiative as anything other than invaders, not that much different than the Kett. And a hard time not thinking they deserve to fail and get whipped out for their hubris and imperialism. So I'm trying to get out of that mindset by finding out what/why others do like it

[@matthewsimon6170]

@@jonathanmarkiewicz4638 honestly, cause the combat, and personally Vetra and Suvie, those girls are amazing imo. Drak is okay, and I like Jaal, but besides Kalo, I dislike the rest of the crew. I also personally enjoy making planets habitable, cause it feels nice to help out. Obviously that's just me tho.

[@ricardoshimizu3477]

@@jonathanmarkiewicz4638 the combat, and for some conversations that make reference to the trilogy, like the son of zaeed

[@WackyJack322]

Best part about the "turian chocolates" if Shepard is in a relationship with Garrus, Tali says that they better "watch your back" around her. Best reason not to let her aboard if you ask me. We don't share Garrus on my Normandy! 😠

[@empressmondays7109]

Or, you could let Dr. Michel watch how sweet Garrus is to you. Renegade Femshep would probably approve.

[@austinbutcher8106]

My renegade sheperd tht looks half dead because of the implants : *pulls out carnefex * I'm already ahead of you

[@jonathanpatze87]

Recruited Michel a while back when I lost my crew (worst run ever). Still prefer Chakwas. Also in Andromeda you will be called by first name, at least in certain situations, if you keep the default one.

[@RobFalcon141]

Mass Effect Andromeda CAN acknowledge your character's first name if you leave it as the default Scott or Sara. Multiple characters will use it in addition to calling you Ryder. If you change it, though, all will default to Ryder. I thought that was a nice touch, and it encouraged me to keep Ryder's first name as the default.

[@SagaciousNihilist]

Kinda lame with todays Technology, Fallout 4 managed to pull it off, Codsworth will call you by your characters first name, assuming that it isnt unorthodox by western standards.

[@RobFalcon141]

@@SagaciousNihilist Very fair. They even included some interesting popular culture options, such as Kal-El. Only consideration I could think of is that in Fallout 4 only Codsworth would do this, and they did it in such a way that they could minimize the amount of recording they'd need to do. (If I recall correctly, the name was effectively a separate line of dialogue whenever it was used.) Amusingly, Forza Horizon (at least 4 and 5) have a similar system where you can pick out your name from a list. Or, if the name attached to your Xbox Live account is on their list, the game will default to that. (I was surprised the first time i fired up Horizon 4 and heard the game talking to me directly.) It's been a while since I last played it, but I believe Andromeda had the use of Ryder's name more integrated within the dialogue. Might have needed a lot of recorded lines from much of the cast to pull that off. If there's a way to switch a name out within recorded dialogue and keep it sounding natural, however, it's something I would love to seen done more in games.

[@ChaosZero1031]

@@RobFalcon141 They also knew people would abuse it since "F***face" is considered one of the names it recognizes.

[@RobFalcon141]

@@ChaosZero1031 I've perused the list a few times, and was very amused with what I saw. And, yeah, they absolutely expected folks to see what they could get away with!

[@danspawn85]

The lady that plays Chakwas, has been on Star Trek 4 times. 3 times in TNG(twice as a Romulan) and once on a 2 parter on Voy.(Correction: On Voy she played a holo-character, she was on two episodes)

[@Barkit]

This is the kind of information I sift through the comments section for. I’m a big fan of TNG and I always felt I heard the voice before but could never place it.

[@danspawn85]

@@Barkit in that case, the xenophobe Presley was portrayed by everyone's favorite holodeck addicted engineer, Reginald Barclay(Dwight Schultz).

[@austinseven4720]

And Armin Shimerman as the Salarian Councillor. I somehow never recognised that till recently! Marina Sirtis and Michael Dorn are virtually impossible to miss as their voices are so distinctive. Trek actors seem do seem to find their way to Bioware. In Dragon Age Origins you have 4 of them. Kate Mulgrew, Tim Russ and Dwight Schultz again, though I never realised he was Bodahn and I spoke to that guy a lot! if you like random trivia for the 4th alum, Dominic Keating was an uncredited role as the mouse you speak to in the much maligned 'fade' section. Ethan Phillips was in KOTOR too.

[@Barkit]

I’m loving all this Trek Trivia with the Mass Effect series. Makes me love both series that much more. 😊

[@RMCbreezy]

@@austinseven4720 its funny but the actor for kaidan always sounds like carth onasi. I didnt even know neelix was in kotor!

[@commandershepard9312]

No one can replace the greatest doctor the Alliance has ever seen. Dr. Chakwas will always be on my ship.

[@umbracone]

never knew of such possibility! Thanks for the vid

[@JSuperfly]

Didn't even know this was a thing - still, would only ever pick Chakwas

[@scottfarrell3609]

I've had Dr. Michel in exactly one playthrough. I found her out of place on the Normandy, and rather underwhelming. I kept hoping there would be an additional scene, something one doesn't get with Chakwas, but nope. I found nothing.

[@joshuagross3151]

Does her presence have anything to do with Garrus' conversation with Tali on the Geth Dreadnought? Or does it happen regardless?

[@Tyleya]

I always choose Chakwas. Michel be eyeing Garrus too hard for my taste. Just saying.

[@stevenstice6683]

She got him Turian chocolate?

[@miragemain105]

In Tali’s defence, as a Quarian with more knowledge in the Geth than any other, she has an important duty to aid her people in they’re fight with the Geth

[@ii2gjdp20sjdj2]

- Video games make you violent! Me: I've never recruited Dr. Michel, because I can't bring myself to hurt the feelings of Dr. Chakwas. :(

[@TheSoulGage]

I didn't even know that was possible. The amount of detail that went into Mass Effect 3 is insane. The fact that this game was made in the state it was in the time span to develop is almost miraculous. That Bioware magic huh?

[@ram64man]

honestly I would have liked to see whoever you picked had an effect for the start of the next game such as Michelle being in the under ground wards with the resistance fighters. given her me1 background it would be great to see her admistering first aid to shepherd after the explosion

[@ramzen89]

Just when you think you know this series inside and out, you throw me a curve ball Dan. Respect.

[@Hoezi02]

Garrus and Michel should start a romance if Tali is being romanced by Shepard imo. Would fit with their previous interactions before ME3. Alas, I guess Garrus is just too dense when it comes to her.

[@mortemtyrannus8813]

I mean, it's either that or the other Tali option. "Garrus? But your with Shepard? Oh, the three of us?"

[@rednovastrum2475]

garrus is dense to a lot of things it seems

[@austinbutcher8106]

I imagen when garrus popped tht merc grabbing her in the head she got off to it

[@skywingnight]

Mrs Chakwa is like d mother figure for the group

[@teaz3139]

If you play as Fem!Shep romancing Garrus, Tali swaps her coy "Oh, nothing..." for a cheeky "Watch yourself, Shepard!"

[@otta999]

Fun fact : Dr. Chloé Michel is obviously french, and if you're french like me, you will sometimes hear that she performs like real french trying to speak with english accents but not succeding on all consonants and vowels, with a french accent :D This detail made my day

[@ladychrya9379]

I recruited Michel a few times hoping that something would happen between her and Garrus. But like everything to do with her, Bioware did not develop on it

[@kamata93]

Been waiting for this for quite a while!! Thanks brother!

[@NormandySR16]

Funny enough in Mass Effect Andromeda, if you leave the default first name of Ryder as Scott or Sara (depending on gender) there'll be occasions where NPCs in game will call you by your first name. I always thought that was a neat touch.

[@OwlsPoniesDragonsandWolves]

I discovered while playing fallout 4 that there are some names for the sole survivor that codsworth will say. I had been playing as nora and named her ruby during my 5th playthrough and was genuinely surprised when he actually called her miss ruby

[@Vherstinae]

@@OwlsPoniesDragonsandWolves I'm a little surprised you didn't know. When Fallout 4 was first announced, one of the early marketing things was that they had over 700 names programmed into the game so you could be addressed by name. Of course, much later they revealed that only Codsworth was programmed with those names. But the VA did get to record the line "Mister Boobies," so that's fun.

[@OwlsPoniesDragonsandWolves]

@@Vherstinae Well i didnt get f4 till last year

[@v4enthusiast541]

Same with Stronghold (~2001). You'll get greeted at the main menu page

[@imogensullivan2210]

7:51 if you choose the default names in andromeda, characters (primarily SAM and the love interest) will refer to them by first name

[@RayneBlood]

Can you reject both Dr's and have no medical on the Normandy? I've never tried to see, I've always had Chakwas on the team.

[@robertgadling7217]

Nothing happens, other than you missing out on the Medi Gel upgrade.

[@darth-severus]

You can, but it kinda makes Shepard seem like an idiot given the circumstances

[@quinaquen298]

I had to rewind a few times to make sure I did not mishear Dr. Chocolates. That is incredible and I will now only refer to her as such.

[@JCaristaTTV]

This implies Dr Michel is on the citadel when the reapers take it. Which implies recruiting her effectively saves her life

[@wyatttyson7737]

I hope if the leak/rumor is true and Shepard is still alive in the new Mass Effect game, Chakwas should be given the Codsworth treatment and have a list of names she can say and let her be the only one who has a chance to say the player's first name.

[@angel8fingers]

Y’all are nuts. Dr Chocolate is canon Dr on Normandy. Period. Canon!

[@brainconqueror8095]

In an actual navy, Chakwas would be rotated out anyway, so … actually not quite canon!

[@angel8fingers]

@@brainconqueror8095 hush your blasphemy you blasphemer you!

[@yunghghhue]

@@angel8fingers😂😂

[@steph7054]

In Mass Effect Andromeda if you keep the default name, they will say your name

[@HondEpic]

I didn't even know this was an option if I'm being honest with you...and I've played Mass Effect 3 (as well as the whole trilogy) multiple times 😂, I wonder what else I've missed. I always take Chakwas cause: (a) It feels wrong rejecting (b) She's family, feels like the mother figure on the ship (for me anyways), can't let her go.

[@FungusFetty]

They do address the first name in Andromeda but only if you chose one of the starting names. Which I thought was pretty cool

[@Gamer1990100]

I didn't even know you can pick Michel

[@nae_bae_blade]

I liked what they did with Ryder's name in ME:A. You could change their name and everyone would just call them Ryder but if you left it as Scott or Sara people would call them their 'original' name in intimate moments. It's always made me sad your lover cant even call you by your first name in the original trilogy lol! I'd prefer a name I didnt like over a non existent name and if people still want a unique name they have the option! 😄😄

[@MattRowland]

Literally played this trilogy through a 100 times or more and I never knew this was possible.

[@leonmellor6056]

00:13 why did that tickle me so much 😂😂

[@angelganon8213]

I always bring chakwas. She's been through too much with my crew to just abandon her plus she's like the mom of the group who looks after and cares for everyone

[@liamclarke91]

7:50 Mass Effect Andromeda also has people use Ryder's first name if it's the default. It's a pleasant surprise whenever it's used.

[@mythos8787]

In Mass Effect Andromeda, multiple npcs will refer to your character by first name if you keep the default name.

[@zachthurston9933]

Mass Effect Andromeda will have characters use the first names of either Ryder twin if they're not customized

[@WolfyFancyLads]

Honestly, it's a shame we couldn't pick between reporters we took on board. It's a different kettle of fish, given we know Michel and she's nice enough, as oppose to Allers who we literally never met until 3, but I would've loved to have had Emily Wong on the ship. Imagine it, she'd be excited, terrified, almost like a little sister because "Oh my god, this is going to be an insane scoop! 'Inside the Nomandy: A battle for the galaxy'. This will be the greatest story I EVER report!". You could talk about old times, how you may or may not have helped her, what she's been doing, and she'd still be a side character so not much additional writing would be required. Hell, get a VO and you could make it a mod! Seriously, if this was an option, I think players would've loved it more. Instead, we got "GOOD GOD, THE REAPERS GOT HER FACE!" Allers and Wong got killed off on Twitter. -_-

[@Elora445]

One of the things I will never forgive BioWare for: Killing off Emily Wong via Twitter. Just...why? They should have known how popular she was. Allers must be one of the most disliked characters in the trilogy. Partly because they killed off Wong because of her.

[@WolfyFancyLads]

@@Elora445 I know, right? I only found out while reading through the wiki! Otherwise, I never would've known she was dead! Wong had a naive charm to her, but Allers feels like a cheap KZbin review show. That and people were horrified by her face to the point they made memes and even modded it out. I mean, Vega was new, he was likeable. Javik, Eve, that turian primarch I've forgotten the name of, they were all new and I still didn't mind them around. But Allers you could remove from the game and, other than some EMS, it means nothing. Hell, the reporter you punch is more popular than her!

[@Elora445]

@@WolfyFancyLads If I remember correctly, the voice actor for Allers was working for IGN at the time. So everyone thought BioWare did that just so they would get a positive review from the paper. Didn't exactly help the character's popularity. But yeah, new character doesn't mean that everyone will dislike that character. A badly written character will do that, do. Allers was just so bland and had a voice actor that wasn't very good (to say it politely). But yeah, Khalisah al-Jilani was definitely more popular than her. The most "love to hate her" character in the game, probably.

[@WolfyFancyLads]

@@Elora445 Oh yeah! I completely forgot about that. That explains why it felt familiar when I typed that "youtube review" comment, must've been a vague memory. Maybe they shouldn't have got the IGN girl, they likely stereotyped her and dumbed down Allers to match the fashion that IGN reports in (standing still, talking to a camera, facts only). I mean, a poor character model you can ignore, but not a poor personality. She needed spunk, something to make me want to talk to her and not just tick off a checklist. Hell, if I had a decent mic, I'd rerecord all her lines myself and try find someone who wanted to do a male Allers mod just to give make her more likeable. Also, small bug bear for me, her outfit was stupid. She's a reporter on a battle ship and she picks... A dress. Like, not anything functional, like a shirt and cargo shorts or even hot pants if she wanted to be "sexy"? Something she can run in? She's in high heels, for Christ's sake! Most of the deck she's on in the Normandy is GRATED FLOORS! Again, there's a mod that fixes this, but I just always found her get up poorly picked.

[@Elora445]

@@WolfyFancyLads Well said. Her whole design was just poorly made. Like they had a week to create the character. So a stereotype was all their oh so bright minds could come up with. No, I don't have any high thoughts about the BioWare developers and writers after the ME3 debacle. I was there, I saw how Walters and Hudson behaved. Impossible to respect them after that.

[@DannyBReviews]

7:52 I mean....Mass Effect Andromeda acknowledges your first name 😅

[@awashington8447]

I recruited Dr Michelle one time just to switch things up and instantly regretted it smh Chakwas has been there since the beginning, so there's emotional Investment between her and Shepard, Dr Michelle isn't that way; you basically haven't seen her since Mass Effect 1, so there's no emotional Investment there, which is why she doesn't say much when you talk to her 🤔

[@philippedion7520]

Yeah you're right, I'm of french origin so I hired her once since she has a french name and I was like "I don't like her" not making that choice again

[@CivilWarMan]

Regarding NPCs using first names, NPCs in Andromeda will sometimes refer to Ryder by their first name if you keep the default name (Scott/Sara). It's mostly Sam who does that, but I vaguely remember some other characters doing it on occasion. I haven't played it since it first came out, though, so I could be remembering that last part wrong.

[@radogen7845]

I bet everyone in the comments will be like:"You could recruit Michel?!"

[@spritemon98]

I recruited her by accident on my first time

[@projectpat8807]

I knew about it since the game originally released. I had to wait a couple weeks on the mail to get my copy of the game (so much for pre-ordering the game and all that, and I pre-ordered some special edition of the game, meaning I couldn’t exactly just buy the game digitally and stuff), so I was reading up on stuff about the game while I waited for the game to arrive. Came across “how to get the most war assets.” The guild or whatever you want to call it said to recruit Dr. Michel to the Normandy since Dr. Chakwas will award you some war asset points and Dr. Michel won’t. So I knew the option was there and have known about it since within the first week of the game releasing.

[@Jxjon117]

If you use the default name in Andromeda they sometimes use it

[@SupremeKai4233]

I'm sticking with dr. Chocolates..

[@j.rileyindependentproductions]

ME3 was the first Mass Effect game I played, and I did it on the WiiU (now you see why it was the only one, lol). So, having no personal attachment to Chakwas, the dialogue suggested to me that she would be better in the labs, not knowing how minimal of an effect it would have. So, I left her behind. You can ALSO go without a doctor in ME3... though I've always given in before the coup.

[@brainconqueror8095]

The way I see it, Dr. Chakwas has lingering PTS from her abduction. She reveals as much while talking to Engineer Adams. She even tells you that the ordeal shook her up a bit too much if you talk to her right after the mission. So, I decided to rotate her out into a safe R&D assignment and let someone else take her place. Also, the actual navy rotates people between combat deployment tours aboard ships and shore duty tours every three years, so Chakwas is due to be rotated out. Plus you gain 10 war assets. Good for you! Good for her!

[@gatzmajortz5033]

Your PTSD argument has a lot of merit, especially when you consider that Kelly Chambers refuses to come back to the Normandy in ME3 for that exact reason.

[@projectpat8807]

I always went with that it was best to recruit Michel since at least there would be someone that I could trust that is helping on the building of the crucible (Chakwas). Well, I think that’s where she went. But you never know. Maybe someone could mess up on building the crucible, whether it was someone making a simple goof that they didn’t mean to make, or someone was trying to sabotage the crucible. Chakwas could be there to catch the mistake being made, preventing a sabotage or an easy to make error. Plus she could be there to prevent a delay in the construction because they had to backtrack some stuff due to sabotage or making a goof.

[@billsutherby]

Mass Effect Andromeda had some NPCs recognize your first name

[@prodtetch]

I always recruit Dr. Michelle in ME3 because my main romance is Tali (ikr, shocker), so Garrus is left alone in almost all my playthroughs. But as you know, Dr. Michel has the hots for Garrus. I'd like to think that they become a couple sooner or later.

[@derpderp21]

For the side mission the doctor gives on the citadel for the medical supplies, if you have Doctor Michel instead of Chakwas you get a +1 medigel capacity from completing it with the speech check on the turian guy.

[@KaskoXeroVlogs]

The fact that you made a whole channel just for mass effect made me sub

[@tywulf6432]

Dr. Michal should be on the Normandy, Chakwas gives some War Assets if she goes to the Crucible as a researcher.

[@dexterous187]

Obviously you pick Dr Chocolates, she's used to taking it from the back, a very respectable position.

[@AdmiralBison]

Michelle, should have been one of the doctors to have departed for the Andromeda Initiative that way you could have had a familiar face from the ME trilogy.

[@K-Bronz15]

Just started my ME3 playthrough for like the 50th time. I never knew this existed. thanks for the heads up!

[@varricrandustrevelyan6705]

With the point of the names, in Andromeda choosing the default Scott/Sara name will have several characters referring to you as such

[@Reezy596]

While i had already done this out of curiosity I still wanted to see your take

[@Isaacisaperson4677]

I love how when you recruit Chocolates, Michel is just lurking in the background

[@GOODYGOODGOOD789]

I tend to recruit Chakwas unless I'm playing a Commander Shepard who wants to limit his/her connections to friends so he/she isn't put in a position where he cares about someone too much and that'll endanger the mission. Regardless of who comes to Normandy, one thing is always certain Commander Shepard hates needles. 2:20 That's untrue because no matter how many missions you complete between the crew being abducted, and rescuing the crew she will never die no matter what. Though, she will die if you don't send an escort.

[@xtra35cent]

I always go for chakwas cause for my shepard being an earthborn, she's the parental figure he never had. I like to think she's like a mother to him.

[@666SAVAGES]

Love your content bro, I stay excited and ready for every single upload regardless of the game🙏🏼 KEEP IT COMING

[@adrianleong8537]

Thanks for the video, I have never played a game without Chakwas in the Normandy.

[@diegoprodriguez]

I like the idea of Tali, Geras, and Shepard, during a dangerous mission, can have a moment of levity. Been through a lot those three

[@spino4313]

in Andromeda some npcs refer to you as Scott if you didn't change ryders first name (don't know about femryder)

[@LyraniaLothar]

5:29 I can relate to Garrus on so many levels, because I too am more dense than depleted Uranium. I can now remember at the very least 3 occasions in which a girl outright hit on me, with one of them touching my shoulder and looking coy, it completely went over my head but to my credit she had previously told me that she had a boyfriend. A few weeks pass by and one day she told me that she and her boyfriend broke up all the while smiling at me, again being dense af I told her how sorry I felt for her because she spoke highly of him, not to mention I was working at a fast food restaurant and her ex was a firefighter. The other two girls that I met in high school were different. Looking back it was a combination of both my low testosterone, I mean I looked like a middle schooler, and my chronic addiction to videogames. They would hint at me but I was simply too dense thinking that they just wanted to be friends. I am sure that they were a few others but they wouldn't hit on me, those 3 were the ones I am certain I lost my chance. Oh well, serves me right, I just wish I had a father I could have mention this to, maybe he could have spelled out to me.

[@KalinaHitanaVTuber]

From what I've seen and remember from the old days, there is one reason why it would be prudent to pick Michel over Chakwas. When you get the sidequest to negotiate the medical supplies for your ship's doctor, the reward apparently changes based on who the doctor is. If it's Chakwas, you get the Medi-Gel Efficiency upgrade which makes it so there's a chance your medi-gel isn't consumed when used to revive people. If it's Doctor Michel on the other hand, you get a +2 to your Medi-Gel Capacity. Additionally, the medi-gel upgrade you get from Michel is supposed to carry over into New Game+

[@theinvisibleguardian]

It's also worth noting that the medi-gel upgrade you receive from any doctor differs depending on who's with you (either the total amount or the efficiency).

[@VisheshPillai]

almost 10 years of playing Mass effect and I still find surprising things like this

[@khinzaw77]

In Mass Effect Andromeda, if you pick the default first names of Scott and Sara for Ryder, people will address you by your first name at times.

[@resnik20]

In ME2, if you don't get to the collector base on time Dr. Chocolates is turned into cocoa...

[@michaelrobertson4562]

I honestly didn't know this was an option!🤯

[@serendipity_hunter3974]

I always remember from the first encounter with Michelle is that she even states that she doesn’t like the idea of just working on soldiers . While chak says she’s loves working on a ship especially working on soldiers

[@thehucklebillyfenn]

As well as fallout 4, Mass Effect Andromeda will sometime refer to Ryder by the default names (Scott and Sara) It’s incredibly inconsistent and you will have the same characters that will say your first name call you Ryder much more often than not.

[@ethanwilson4833]

You mentioned Fallout 4 being a game where they try to use the name you use for your customized character. I’d like to add that in Mass Effect Adromeda, if you keep the default name (Scott or Sarah), some characters will actually refer to you by your first name as opposed to Ryder.

[@DoctorTalon]

A missed opportunity is being able to set up your friends with each other. Garrus and Michel would go great together, but I wanted to set him up with Samara in Mass Effect 2. Archangel can come out of retrirement and have an ideal partner to clean up Omega. I have that head canon in mind mainly because Samara considered fighting the crime in Omega if you bring her there and hear her comments at certain locations.

[@waterinmyotter6245]

I didn’t even know you could recruit a different doctor. I saw Chakwas, I saw the option to invite her to serve on the Normandy again, and then like any sane individual I selected said option.

[@jojo7146]

In Mass Effect Andromeda, if you leave the default first name (Sarah and Scott) the NPCs will regularlly call the MC by is first name and not Ryder or Pioneer

[@jaksilver3656]

I like Chakwas so much I never even realized anyone else could be selected