| Samara | |
|---|---|
| Mass Effect character | |
&sq=Qlik&lang=&file=File:SamaraMassEffect.jpg) Samara as she appears in Mass Effect 2 | |
| First game | Mass Effect 2 (2010) |
| Voiced by | Maggie Baird |
| In-universe information | |
| Race | Asari |
| Class | Justicar |
| Skill | Biotics |
Samara is a fictional character from BioWare's Mass Effect franchise, who serves as a party member (or "squadmate") in Mass Effect 2. She is an asari, a feminine species in the Mass Effect universe who are naturally inclined towards biotics, the mental ability to manipulate dark energy and generate various psychokinetic effects. Samara is a member of a highly respected and feared ascetic order of mystic warriors known as the Justicars. Samara's features were based on model Rana McAnear, and she is voiced by American actress Maggie Baird.
During his time working on Mass Effect 2, video game developer Brian Kindegran developed lore about the Justicar Code as well as biological deviants in asari society known as the Ardat-Yakshi, and used these story elements to build Samara's backstory. Samara's loyalty mission involves her daughter Morinth, an asari afflicted with a genetic condition that makes Ardat-Yakshi like her aggressive sexual predators and voracious killers. Depending on the player's actions, either Samara or Morinth will be killed, and the survivor will stay with the team and be loyal to player character Commander Shepard. Samara may also appear in a small role in Mass Effect 3 if she survives the events of Mass Effect 2.
Samara has received varied commentary from critics, with some noting that her extremist stance and complex motivations contribute a more interesting character element to the series narrative, while others consider her character to be underdeveloped or falls short of its potential, partly due to her rigid commitment to her Justicar Code.