Reapers (Mass Effect)

The Reapers
Mass Effect race
3D model of a Reaper Destroyer, as presented in The Art of the Mass Effect Universe (2012).
First appearanceMass Effect (2007)
Last appearanceMass Effect 3 (2012)
Created byDrew Karpyshyn
In-universe information
Created byThe Catalyst
LeaderHarbinger

The Reapers are a fictional fleet of sentient starships that serve as the main antagonists of the Mass Effect trilogy. The design of the Reapers was inspired by H. P. Lovecraft's Cthulhu Mythos deities. Within the series, the Reapers cause galactic-level mass extinctions every fifty-thousand years. The Reapers and their technology are capable of brainwashing organic life through a mind control process called indoctrination. The Reapers employ servants who are often altered into synthetic-organic life forms.

Notable Reapers include Sovereign, first mentioned in the 2007 novel Mass Effect: Revelation, and Harbinger, a major antagonist of Mass Effect 2, and leader of the Reaper invasion on Earth in Mass Effect 3. Sovereign and Harbinger are voiced by Peter Jessop and Keith Szarabajka, respectively.[1][2]

The Reapers were generally well received by critics, and regularly feature on lists of the greatest video game antagonists.

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  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference BTVAME2 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).