10 Best Mass Effect-themed Mods for Skyrim
This post may contain affiliate links. If you buy something we may get a small commission at no extra cost to you. (Learn more).Few games can command the attention of the masses quite like Skyrim and Mass Effect – so why not bring them together with mods?
Sci-Fi and medieval fantasy have a surprising lot in common when you think about it.
Messy romance stories, poignant portrayals of racial conflict, and world-ending menaces beyond human comprehension are some core aspects shared by these two franchises.
They’ll start to share much more as we bring characters, weapons, and armor from the Citadel into Skyrim with mods. Hopefully, the Galactic Government will let it slide.
10. Mass Effect 3 Followers (LE)
If you’re a Legendary Edition purist, you’ll find a lot to play around with in this ranking.
First, you must check out Mass Effect 3 Followers by Artie Higgins.
Once installed, you’ll be able to take iconic ME3 characters Ashley Williams and Jack (AKA Subject Zero) with you on your fantastic adventures.
You’ll also find Commander Shepherd (female version) having a drink at the Bannered Mare.
These followers look fantastic and will make your Skyrim playthrough into the weirdest medieval fantasy-inspired Mass Effect DLC ever imagined.
9. Thane Krios Follower (LE)
One of the most badass-looking aliens in Mass Effect is Thane Krios, a Drell assassin known across the galaxy for his extremely high success rate and remarkable combat ability.
This mod brings Thane Krios into Skyrim to serve the Dragonborn – who also happens to be a Thane.
It might get a little confusing when you and your follower walk into an official event, and the guy at the door announces, “The Thane of Whiterun and his companion, Thane Krios.”
Has anyone heard of Krios hold?
Whatever the case, this ruthless killer is a definite asset for any daredevil Dragonborn.
8. More Alien Skyrim
The first Special Edition mod we’re looking at is not precisely a Mass Effect mod – but it’ll help inject your game with sci-fi charm.
More Alien Skyrim replaces the textures of the night sky and the moons Masser and Secunda for something a lot more “alien.”
That means you’ll see more stars, nebulae, and large moons.
The mod also applies a SweetFX preset that helps these textures pop out and makes spending the night under the starry sky much more magical.
Your Mass Effect-inspired characters will feel right at home in this brave new world.
7. Oldrim Armor Ports: N7 / Dead Space / Halo
Regrettably, much of the best sci-fi content available for Skyrim remains Legendary Edition-exclusive.
Luckily, creators like Fairace are willing to work to port these mods to Special Edition.
The Oldrim Armor Ports pack includes weapons and armor based on Dead Space, Halo, and Mass Effect.
Instead of featuring a Spartan armor and an N7 uniform, it blends them into an N7-branded Spartan armor.
It’s unusual, but it looks superb – and it makes much sense in the Mass Effect universe.
6. ME3 Reckoner Knight Armor (LE)
The Reckoner Knight Armor is the most medieval-looking outfit in the Mass Effect franchise.
It was introduced to Mass Effect 3 during a cross-promotional event with Kingdoms of Amalur, which explains the medieval fantasy inspiration.
According to the lore, it looks like that because it’s a military-grade version of a sports team’s themed outfits for the Urban Combat Championship of 2186. They were the Rhode Island Knights, so it makes sense.
You’ll find the female version of the armor here.
5. N7 Assassin’s Creed Armor (LE)
But if you want something that’s almost 100% lore-friendly and period-accurate but still shows your love for Mass Effect, check out the N7 Assassin’s Creed Armor.
This unusual gear set takes Ezio Auditore’s Assassin Robes and dyes them the colors of the N7 – the elite forces of the Systems Alliance military.
My explanation for this bizarre crossover is that an N7 operative needed to find a way to blend into a medieval pre-spacefaring society but also show their authority to any authorities on-site.
4. Biotic Spells in Skyrim
Suppose you’re roleplaying a Systems Alliance officer stranded on Tamriel.
You can’t really use your weapons – as it would probably break intergalactic law – and you have no idea how to use this world’s magic. What are you supposed to do? Learn to fence?
The Biotic Spells in Skyrim mod offers you an alternative: use your Biotic powers and tell the locals you’re casting spells. Nobody will bat an eye.
This mod features all your favorite Biotic abilities, including Barrier, Reave, and Biotic Charge. You’ll get 12 new spells and 6 weapon enhancements based on Biotics.
3. ME3 Cerberus Armor (LE)
The Cerberus Assault Armor was introduced in Mass Effect 2 as shock trooper equipment able to take and dissipate damage that would pulverize an unprotected warrior.
According to the lore, the weight of this armor is enough to train your body just by wearing it. You’ll go in wanting to shed a couple pounds and come out a week later with a six-pack.
I guess those Heavy Armor perks will come in handy…
Hopefully, such armor is enough to withstand dragonfire.
Click here for the male version.
2. Tali Armors (LE)
Tali’Zorah nar Rayya is one of the most beloved characters in the entire Mass Effect series.
Her species, the Quarians, travel the galaxy on massive nomadic colony ships collectively known as the Migrant Fleet.
When one reaches maturity, they must make a “Pilgrimage” to prove themselves and get to know the outside world. That’s how we meet Tali.
This mod lets you bring Quarian style into Skyrim by copying Tali. It features three different-colored Quarian armor sets with bonuses suited for different playstyles.
Skyrim is as good a place as any for a Pilgrimage.
1. ME3 Equipment Package (LE)
We’ll close off this interplanetary ranking with the ME3 Equipment Package.
This add-on introduces three full-body armor sets based on Mass Effect 3, including five distinct armor sets ported straight from the game in very high quality.
Four look like the standard military fare, even if their design is quite varied, but my favorite is the fifth and final set.
It features an interesting hood that partially covers your visor, giving you the look of an Assassin from the spacefaring future – or just a covert operative with an edgy fashion sense.