Summary
Few developers have cemented their names inthe history of RPG gaminglike BioWare has. Their catalog of games reads as a must-play list for many gamers, withMass EffectandDragon Agecoming out on top as their landmark releases. The originalMass Effecttrilogy took players on a galaxy-spanning adventure as Commander Shepard with his/her crew fighting to save everyone from the Reapers.
Meanwhile, the fantasy seriesDragon Ageintroduced players to the continent of Thedas, where religious zealotry, dark blood magic, and high adventure are everyday occurrences. BioWare has always included strong and complex female characters in their games, with a few becoming true icons for fans around the world.
Only characters from games developed by BioWare will be considered here.
Updated on July 31, 2025, by Andy Chapman: BioWare is responsible for some of the game industry’s most beloved action RPG titles. Bringing complex narratives, engaging characters,and immersive worlds, players can easily lose themselves in titles such as Dragon Age and Mass Effect. While the developer may have had a few critical failures over the last few years, the upcoming Dragon Age: Dreadwolf and Mass Effect sequel has given fans new hope. This article has been updated with additional entries to show BioWare’s standout ability to create strong and memorable female characters throughout its impressive game catalog.
Star Wars: Knights of The Old Republicis a landmark RPG set within theStar WarsUniverse 4,000 years before the forming of the Empire. In the game, players can create their characters and choose their path. They can go towards the light side or the dark side if they wish.
Throughout the game, players will meet different characters they can recruit as companions. One such character is Mission Vao. Mission is a young Twi’Lek who is discovered in the Undercity on the planet Taris and has high stats in Dexterity, Stealth, and Demolitions. Vao’s rise to fame was meteoric, from living on the streets to being named one of the saviors of the galaxy by the Republic. She started the first part of her life surviving with her brother, who would teach her everything but eventually abandon her. These painful early experiences would not break her though, as she would form a close bond withthe Wookie Zaalbar.
Ashley Williams is a human companion in theMass Effectseries, who becomes a powerful ally for Commander Shepard. Players first meet Ashley on Eden Prime during a large-scale invasion of Geth. Shepard meets her at a particular low point, helping her after her entire unit is killed. Ashley decides to continue to fight with Shepard againstSarin and the Geth. She is a capable soldier and becomes a loyal friend to both Shepard and the crew of the Normandy.
She appears in all threeMass Effectgames, as a companion in the first and third games, and as a cameo in the second. However, players can also choose to sacrifice her in the first game. The character is a voice of reason for Shepard and also a potential romance.
Aveline is a powerful warrior who becomes a close ally of Hawk throughout the story. Players will first meet Aveline when she and her husband are fleeing from Darkspawn in Lothering. Hawk will save Aveline, but it will betoo late for her husband. She later becomes a member of the city guard, rising to the rank of captain.
Aveline lives by a strong moral code. She is powerful and confident in battle yet a little socially awkward in her personal life. She is a likable character in the game, with some of the best humor coming from her side quests. In combat, she is a tank that can deal large amounts of damage.
Leliana is one of the key returning characters in theDragon Ageseries. She first appears inDragon Age: Originsin the early game and can be recruited into the player’s group. Leliana isan Orlesian Bard, who is a skilled performer and deadly warrior. She is an expert with her duel blades and a master archer.
The character features throughout theDragon Ageseries, making only a brief appearance at the end of the second game. However, it is only inDragon Age: Originsthat she is a playable character. InDragon Age: Inquisition, she takes on the role of spymaster for the player, proving her talents in politics and subterfuge. Leliana is one of the central characters in the series and has become one of the most influential in the setting.
Released in 2005,Jade Empirewas an action role-playing video game by BioWare based on ancient Chinese mythology and history. In the game, players control a character known as The Spirit Monk. This character can be either male or female, and players can choose between six different character archetypes for a playthrough.
InJade Empire, the player will come across many different characters, some of whom can be recruited to become followers. Dawn Star is a potential follower and romantic interest for male characters in the game. She is a skilled fighter and can replenish the player’s Chi.
8Dr. Liara T’Soni (Mass Effect 1, 2, & 3)
An Ambitious, Intelligent, And Passionate Companion
Liara is an Asari, a powerful galactic species that appears to be entirely female. Members of the Asari race are naturally powerful biotics who can manipulate dark energy at will. Liara is a leading scientific voice in theMass Effectuniverse and an expert on the ancient race known as the Protheans.
Throughout the series, Liara is a romantic option for either male or female Commander Shepard and can be recruited as a party member in the first and third games. DuringMass Effect 2,she becomes an influential information broker who helps Shepard in the quest to stop the collectors. In the DLC,Lair of The Shadow Broker, it is possible to help Liara further her influence and become the mysterious Shadow Broker herself.
First introduced inDragon Age 2to investigate the lead character, Cassandra is the Right Hand of the Divine. The Divine is the leader of the dominant religious order in Thedas. During the events of the third game, Cassandra joins the Inquisition and becomes an integral part of the story.
She is a powerful warrior who is dedicated to her mission and loyal to her friends. Cassandra is an extremely religious individual, with much of her morality coming from this fact. She is also aromantic option for playersinDragon Age: Inquisition.
Before Larian Studios took over theBaldur’s Gatefranchise and created one of the most critically acclaimed RPGs in recent gaming history, BioWare created the original foundation.Baldur’s Gate 2was released in 2000 and was once again set in theDungeons and Dragonssetting of The Forgotten Realms.
Available to recruit in chapter one ofBG1and chapter two ofBG2, Viconia Devir is a neutral-evil Cleric who is a perfect anti-hero companion in the game. She is a Drow (or Dark Elf) who has strong magic resistance and high dexterity. She is a skilled warrior who can use several different melee weapons, and she can be a romantic option for certain males. She alsoappears inBaldur’s Gate 3in the Cloister of Sombre Embrace.
5Flemeth (Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, & Dragon Age: Inquisition)
A Powerful And Secretive Witch Who Has Lived Many Lifetimes
Flemeth is a powerful NPC character who appears in all three of theDragon Agegames. Within the lore of the setting, she is a long-lived character who has appeared in many ancient legends. She goes by many different names, including the Witch of the Wilds and Asha’bellanar by the Elves.
While never being an outright hero, she does give aid to the player, most notably inDragon Age 2byrescuing the protagonist at the start of the game. InDragon Age: Origins, she is also a minor antagonist to her daughter Morrigan. On top of that, she is one of the most powerful characters in the series.She is a shapeshifterand can take on the form of large creatures, including dragons.
4Morrigan (Dragon Age: Origins & Dragon Age: Inquisition)
A Dangerous Apostate That Plays Her Own Game
InDragon Age: Origins, the first entry in the long-running fantasy series, Morrigan is one of the first playable companions players will discover.Morrigan is an apostate witch, a sorcerer who is not under the control of the ruthless Templars of the Chantry. She is a powerful magic user and shapeshifter who becomes an integral part of the story.
Morrigan is a morally gray character. Her backstory with her mother is complex and interesting, and she is also a romantic option within the game. Morrigan is one of the most memorable characters in the entire series and also plays an important role in the story ofDragon Age: Inquisition.
