Mass Effect's variety of races is comparable to those of larger universes like Star Wars or Warhammer 40K. And just like those universes, Mass Effect's galaxy is anything but a peaceful place, with most of its inhabitants competing for power and influence. But while some species attempt to grow their influence via economical or diplomatic means, most of them have at one point or another resorted to military force to expand their empires.

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Ranking Mass Effect Legendary Edition's races by military power is a bit tricky since a lot of things change as the story develops. To give everybody a sporting chance, we'll only take into account the strength of fleets and armies when they were at their peak throughout the trilogy. Whenever possible, we'll also eliminate player choices that can result in the destruction of a large part of a race's forces. In other words, we want everybody at their best.

14 Rachni

Rachni on Tuchanka

The Rachni used to be the bane of the galaxy back before humanity became a space-faring species, but by the time the events of Mass Effect 1 roll around they’re nearly extinct. Shepard does encounter a few representatives of the species on Noveria and can choose to either kill or spare their queen. Regardless of Shepard’s choice, the Rachni will return to Mass Effect 3 in greater numbers than before.

Aside from the queen, the Rachni we encounter in Mass Effect Legendary Edition are little more than mindless beasts, far from the advanced space-faring civilization that once terrorized the galaxy. If the queen is spared and given enough time, the Rachni could eventually become a force to be reckoned with under her leadership.

13 Elcor

Elcor on the Citadel

The gentle Elcor are one of the galaxy’s most peaceful races, so it’s hard to even imagine them on the battlefield. The Elcor mostly rely on sophisticated VI combat systems to do the fighting for them, but they will sometimes engage their enemies directly on the battlefield. When they do, they’re said to function more as weapon platforms than infantry, which earns them the moniker “living tanks”.

Mass Effect Legendary Edition briefly mentions the Elcor navy, and it makes it sound pretty unimpressive. Their fleet is apparently made up mainly of cruisers and carriers, which are used more for transporting troops than anything else. It is unknown if the Elcor built large military ships like dreadnoughts, but it seems unlikely given their preference for diplomacy rather than war.

12 Hanar

Hanar on the Citadel Mass Effect Legendary Edition

This is a bit of a two-for-one deal since the Hanar relies heavily on the Drell to do most of the fighting for them. The Hanar are predominantly an aquatic species that struggles to function on land without the use of mass effect technology and their limbs are not strong enough to carry anything bigger than a pistol. Unless they’re fighting underwater, the Hanar aren’t exactly suitable for war.

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Now, the Drell, on the other hand, are very capable fighters that train as saboteurs and assassins from a young age. While the Drell don’t technically serve the Hanar, they’re more than happy to fight for them when needed. The Drell aren’t numerous, but they are very skilled and can be considered the Hanar’s greatest military asset. In addition, the Hanar also have a small navy they can rely on, though its exact capabilities are unknown.

11 Volus

Volus in Mass Effect Legendary Edition

The Volus are a physically weak race that relies on the Turians for protection most of the time. But when push comes to shove, the Volus are capable of defending themselves and have been known to go to war alongside their Turian allies on more than one occasion. The “Biotic God” we encounter in Mass Effect Legendary Edition is only partially a joke as some Volus are indeed capable of employing devastating Biotic powers in combat.

However, the Volus are generally not big fans of boots-on-the-ground combat, preferring instead to rely on air superiority while the Turians do most of the leg work. The Volus possess several flotillas of heavy-bomber frigates that have been successfully used in the war against the Reapers. In addition, the Volus also produced a dreadnought that’s said to be remarkably well-armed.

10 Batarians

Batarian terrorists Mass Effect 1

Batarians can be encountered all throughout the trilogy, and yet little is known about their military prowess. We learn at various points during Mass Effect Legendary Edition that the Batarians used to have a strong empire that eventually crumbled. Despite that, however, the Batarians remain feared throughout their galaxy and have a reputation for engaging in piracy, slavery, and terrorism.

Before the Reaper invasion, the Batarian Hegemony was known to have possessed at least one dreadnought along with a number of cruisers. Not much else is known about their fleet, but it may have been a bit stronger than the Citadel races gave it credit for considering the Batarians were able to survive for a long time outside of Council space at the edge of the galaxy.

9 Collectors

Collectors in Mass Effect 2

The Collectors are a mysterious alien race that serves as the main antagonists of Mass Effect 2. We learn throughout the course of the game that the Collectors are actually Protheans that were twisted and cybernetically modified by the Reapers to serve as their agents. While the Collectors are nowhere near as powerful as their predecessors were at the height of their empire, they’re definitely not to be underestimated. On the field of battle, the Collectors deploy a variety of troops ranging from mindless Husks to lethal Pretorians.

This species relies primarily on hit-and-run tactics and would probably not fare well in a conventional war against a proper army, however, the Collectors are very deadly during small-scale engagements. Little is known about the Collectors’ navy, or if they even have one, but they do possess a number of sizable cruisers. The ships are primarily used for transportation, but they do come equipped with devastating particle beam weapons.

8 Krogan

Krogan on Tuchanka ME Legendary Edition

The Krogan are merely a shell of their former selves in Mass Effect Legendary Edition, but they're still strong enough to be seen as essential for the war effort against the Reapers. If the genophage is cured, and with Wrex in charge, it's safe to say that the Krogan are likely to form another powerful empire at some point, albeit probably a slightly more peaceful one.

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On the battlefield, few races are as fierce and deadly as the Krogan. A single well-trained and well-armed Krogan is more than a match for a dozen soldiers of other races. Krogan are extremely difficult to kill, can live for over 1,000 years, and can survive in the harshest conditions imaginable. But while they may be almost impossible to defeat in a conventional ground war, the Krogan have no warships, let alone a fleet.

7 Quarians

Quarians aboard the Migrant Fleet

The Quarians have the largest fleet in the galaxy, mostly out of necessity than anything. After being exiled from their home world by the Geth, the Quarians became a nomadic species that travels the stars using a large collection of vessels known collectively as the Migrant Fleet. Quarians are widely known for being some of the best techies in the galaxy, possessing some of the most advanced anti-synthetic weapons.

The Migrant Fleet is mostly made up of civilian ships, but they do have hundreds of warships they can call upon at any moment. In addition, almost every civilian ship is equipped with some type of weaponry and is more than capable of defending itself. The Quarians’ affinity for tech means that their fleet is almost impervious to hacking or sabotage.

6 Salarians

Mordin Solus in Mass Effect 2

The Salarians are Mass Effect's smartest species, and they put their superior intellect to good use when waging wars. Salarians follow a military doctrine that says war should be won before it even begins. Salarians don't follow traditional rules of engagement and are always the ones to strike the first blow, often without officially declaring war beforehand. While their tactics may seem dishonorable, it's hard to argue with their effectiveness.

The Salarians possess a considerable naval force that includes 16 dreadnoughts, some of them with stealth capabilities, a feat that hasn't been replicated by any of the other races so far. Salarian ships, in general, are highly advanced and come equipped with the absolute best technologies currently available. The same goes for their operatives, especially members of the infamous STG, which served as the blueprint for the Council's Spectre program.

5 Humans

Commander Shepard on the Normandy

Humans are the newest species to join the galactic community when Mass Effect Legendary Edition takes place. Despite not being the strongest, the smartest, or the most technologically advanced race in the galaxy, Humans were able to progress in leaps and bounds, achieving in a couple of generations more than what other races achieved over the course of a few centuries. Humanity's unparalleled ambition and rapid rate of progress caused other species to view them with suspicion, fear, or even hate.

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Humans are known for coming up with innovative tactics and technologies that give them an edge in battle. On the other hand, Humanity is divided into independent nations and organizations, only some of which respect the authority of the Systems Alliance. Cerberus is the best example of a powerful organization that's a hindrance rather than an asset to the Alliance. Despite that, the Alliance was able to put together an impressive navy comprised of hundreds of warships, including nine dreadnoughts and several carriers.

4 Asari

Justicar Samara Mass Effect Legendary Edition

The Asari were the first species to discover the Citadel and are widely known as the galaxy's diplomats. However, for every Asari diplomat, there's another Asari that chooses to become a scientist, criminal, or warrior. Although they usually try to resolve conflicts through diplomatic means, Asari are no strangers to warfare and can make short work of entire enemy squads with their powerful Biotics.

The Asari have one of the most powerful navies in Citadel space, second only to the Turians. Their fleet features 21 dreadnoughts, including the colossal Destiny Ascension, the Citadel Fleet's flagship. On the other hand, the Asari military is described as resembling a collection of war bands without a proper central command structure. Units are organized at a community level while soldiers are not required to wear uniforms.

3 Geth

Geth troops

The military capabilities of the Geth are very difficult to ascertain due to their reclusive nature. The Geth are a race of AI that uses physical bodies as weapon platforms and employ on the battlefield the equivalent of scouts, infantry, and artillery as well as various other roles. An obvious advantage of the Geth is that, unlike organics, they don't require sleep or nourishment and are unaffected by fear or low morale.

Geth possess several fleets, each of them comprised of thousands of vessels of all shapes and sizes. Exact numbers are unknown but in theory, the Geth could have a nearly endless amount of warships since they're not limited by as many factors as organics.

2 Turians

Turians on the CItadel

The Turians are a militaristic race that serves as the peacekeepers of the galaxy during the events of Mass Effect Legendary Edition. While not actively hostile towards most other species in the galaxy, the Turians won't hesitate to get involved in wars to protect their interests or those of their allies. Turian society is a hierarchical meritocracy where every citizen is instilled with a sense of discipline and civil duty from childhood. Most Turian citizens have weapons and take basic training courses whether they join the armed forces or not.

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On the battlefield, Turians are known to be extremely well organized and never break formations even when facing insurmountable odds. As far as the Turian navy is concerned, it absolutely dwarfs those of most other species. The Turians have 32 fleets composed of around 40 dreadnoughts, several fighter carriers, and a plethora of other warships.

1 Reapers

Reapers invading Earth in Mass Effect 3

The Reapers are by far the strongest military force in the galaxy in Mass Effect Legendary Edition. Up until the current cycle, no organic race was capable of withstanding the terrible influence of the Reapers, let alone their military might. The current cycle is a bit different from previous ones but even with all their forces combined, the organic races of the galaxy paid a heavy price for their pyrrhic victory against the Reapers. The Reaper forces are vast and split into multiple categories, the most impressive of which are undoubtedly the Capital Ships.

A Reaper Capital Ship makes a dreadnought look tiny by comparison and is capable of destroying entire worlds all by itself. However, the main goal of the Reapers is harvesting not straight-up destruction, which is why they also employ smaller ships and various ground troops and vehicles to soften up enemy forces and prepare them for processing. Facing even the ground troops in battle is terrifying enough, let alone a towering sentient ship twice as big as a skyscraper.

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