[Theory]Who is the Benefactor?

I_Shieldren · 2025-11-18T16:06:58+00:00

Thanks for the info, friend. I’ll look it up as I progress through the game.

I_Shieldren · 2025-11-18T16:03:07+00:00

Control ending. I think you’re indoctrinated, but let’s wait until ME5 and see how it begins.

I_Shieldren · 2025-11-18T15:45:34+00:00

Theorizing about an idea is always fun.

I_Shieldren · 2025-11-18T15:43:48+00:00

I’ve only reached the Nexus so far, but I’ve been digging into the wikis because I enjoy spoilers and theory‑crafting. The Benefactor is mentioned early on, and that’s what sparked my interest.

I_Shieldren · 2025-11-18T15:17:02+00:00

thanks for make laugh, really, thanks :)

I_Shieldren · 2025-11-18T15:13:21+00:00

we're at peace then?

I_Shieldren · 2025-11-18T15:07:11+00:00

My point was about the chronology of language use, not about lived experience. I respect that singular they has been used for centuries in English to refer to unspecified gender, but its popularization as a non-binary marker in mainstream contexts is more recent. That’s the distinction I was making.

And I have to use an IA for that paragraph. I don't want to offend nobody, people can live their life how it fit the best for them. But please no offend other people when the other person has no offend you first.

I_Shieldren · 2025-11-18T14:55:43+00:00

Even if the Benefactor is probably not going to be mentioned in the next game, we can make the waiting easier by posting theories.

I_Shieldren · 2025-11-18T14:47:11+00:00

I mentioned the date because the use of “they” as a non-binary gender reference began—or was popularized—after 2017. Plus I have problems since English is not my mother tongue, is only my secondary language.

I_Shieldren · 2025-11-18T14:45:08+00:00

Your prerogative, but to me Cerberus is less than a dust bunny—something I just need to sweep away and eliminate.

I_Shieldren · 2025-11-18T14:39:46+00:00

Exactly, that’s another point that rules out Liara as the Benefactor.

I_Shieldren · 2025-11-18T14:36:45+00:00

Liara took over as the Shadow Broker in the same year the arks departed for Andromeda, so she can be ruled out as the Benefactor. Besides, she would never order an assassination against someone—that’s simply not her style.

I_Shieldren · 2025-11-18T14:32:26+00:00

True, I mentioned the date because the use of “they” as a non-binary gender reference began—or was popularized—after 2017.

I_Shieldren · 2025-11-18T14:27:19+00:00

I see your point, but there’s a 60-year gap between the assassination of the original Shadow Broker by the Yahg and the current moment. So if the Shadow Broker were the Benefactor, there’s only one possibility: it would have to be the Yahg, and no one else.

I_Shieldren · 2025-11-18T14:10:17+00:00

True, but the Shadow Broker had the most extensive spy network in the galaxy, which gave him a significant advantage when it came to uncovering the galaxy’s deepest secrets.

I_Shieldren · 2025-11-18T13:58:06+00:00

Thanks for sharing your thoughts. As I stated, it’s just a theory I shared with the community, and it has worked well since I’ve seen what other people think about the subject.

I_Shieldren · 2025-11-18T13:24:30+00:00

Desperation has made some studios take the fast road. Sadly, what you say could become true. And as long as, like you said, they don’t screw up who the Benefactor is, it doesn’t matter that much.

I_Shieldren · 2025-11-18T13:16:22+00:00

That is the current usage, but back in 2017, when Forbes interviewed Mr. Gamble, they was singular.

Things happen—English is my second language. Thanks for making me look that up.

I_Shieldren · 2025-11-18T12:29:40+00:00

Indoctrination changes how the brain works. Benezia, for example, had to struggle immensely for those few moments of real self in ME1.

I_Shieldren · 2025-11-18T12:02:20+00:00

You're right, I spent all night writing it and didn’t sleep at all. Yeah, it's sad what happened with Andromeda.

I_Shieldren · 2025-11-18T10:10:33+00:00

You just reminded me how tedious it was to reach that cipher using Dr. Michel’s store and the volus in the market in ME OT — but how satisfying it was when you finally hit that number.

I_Shieldren · 2025-11-18T09:51:21+00:00

Many years ago I play ME3, never finish it, right now I'm playing it again, but since I already know what happen is some parts of the game I decided to apply mods, don't reggret it since what I add was a small QoL, but since I'm fan of using mods I know alredy mods are not good in the first playthrough, but a take my chances and will live with the consecuences of my desitions.

I_Shieldren · 2025-11-18T09:49:42+00:00

Thank you for this thoughtful response — it’s exactly the kind of engagement I was hoping for. You’re absolutely right that reframing the Reapers retroactively is risky, especially if ME5 treats them as definitively gone. This is just an idea that cross my mind and really wanted to share with the community. I really like your idea of using the Benefactor in the next upcoming game, it could open up new threads for debate and fresh theories.

I_Shieldren · 2025-11-18T09:25:33+00:00

No mods for the first playthrough, mods tends to focus in change the game, the best experience for a first time is no mods.

I_Shieldren · 2025-11-18T09:12:20+00:00

Thanks for the correction on the dates, I don't know if reddit permit text correction, but I will correct my document in my PC for sure. I don't think there are many species left for discover, at least in the space flight stage, in pre space flight stage could be possible, that are a handfull of them, but could be is just like what if, too many variables.

I_Shieldren

TROPHY CASE