In the vast universe of Mass Effect, where there seems to be no shortage of employment opportunities—from ruthless mercenaries to bureaucratic roles—there’s a lot that goes into keeping the galaxy running. While Commander Shepard and the crew are constantly in action, there’s a surprising amount of bureaucracy that keeps Council Space from descending into chaos. But as fans on Reddit have recently discussed, not everyone in the galaxy is particularly good at their job.

The Galaxy’s Biggest Underperformers

A recent Reddit thread sparked a lively debate among Mass Effect fans about which characters in the series are the worst at their jobs. The discussion began with a humorous critique of a bartender in Mass Effect 3‘s Purgatory. This character, instead of taking drink orders, spends her entire shift dancing non-stop. While her stamina is commendable, it’s clear she’s not exactly fulfilling the duties of a bartender. Perhaps a career in the Citadel Olympics would be more fitting?

Kai Leng: A Liability to Cerberus

Kai Leng, one of the most despised characters in the series, was frequently mentioned. Despite his high-profile mission to eliminate Commander Shepard, Leng’s track record is filled with failures. Not only did he fail to stop Shepard on multiple occasions, but he also inadvertently leaked the locations of two secret Cerberus facilities. While he did manage to kill Thane Krios, many fans view him as more of a liability than an asset to Cerberus.

The Illusive Man’s Questionable Leadership

Another character that came under scrutiny was the Illusive Man, the enigmatic leader of Cerberus. While his most notable achievement was reviving Commander Shepard, this move ultimately led to his downfall. The Illusive Man’s experiments frequently went awry, resulting in the deaths of numerous Cerberus operatives. His grand vision of human advancement often backfired, making him one of the least effective leaders in the galaxy.

Liara T’Soni’s Oversight as the Shadow Broker

Interestingly, Liara T’Soni, a fan-favorite character, was also mentioned. As the Shadow Broker, Liara was expected to be aware of every significant event in the galaxy. However, she failed to predict Donnel Udina’s alliance with Cerberus and his subsequent betrayal of the Council. Given the Council’s suspicions about Udina, Liara’s oversight was seen as a significant failure in her role as the galaxy’s top information broker.

Final Thoughts

The Mass Effect universe is filled with characters who excel in their roles, but as this discussion highlights, not everyone is as competent as Commander Shepard and the crew. Whether it’s Kai Leng’s string of failures, the Illusive Man’s misguided leadership, or Liara T’Soni’s rare oversight, these characters remind us that even in a galaxy teeming with talent, there are still those who fall short of expectations.

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