Mass Effect’s Most Resilient Antagonists Have To Come Back For Mass Effect 5

The Mass Effect universe is full of interesting characters and factions, but few are as memorable and unsettling as Cerberus. Unlike the Reapers, who are a major, overwhelming threat, or the Collectors, who are temporary, Cerberus represents a continuous and hidden danger that arises from twisted human ambition. While other enemies have been defeated or disappeared, Cerberus has shown itself to be a resilient organization, especially under the leadership of the Illusive Man.

Their ability to adapt and survive through wars and investigations highlights a strong ideology that goes beyond any single person. They aren’t just after power; they genuinely believe in humanity’s place in the universe and are willing to use brutal methods to secure it. This strong belief and their decentralized structure make Cerberus a perfect enemy to bring back in Mass Effect 5. Their story isn’t finished and leaves room for a new, frightening development.

Cerberus Operates In Cells, So Even If The Head Is Gone, They’re Fine

Illusive Man’s Death Means Nothing

In Mass Effect, Cerberus is strong not just because of its resources or technology, but because of its decentralized command structure. While the Illusive Man was the main public figure and the mastermind behind it, the organization was made up of independent groups, each with its own leaders and goals. While that seems silly, it’s the best way to operate a group that wouldn’t fall if the Illusive Man was taken out.

This makes Cerberus very resilient and allows them to remain a constant threat, ready to come back at any time. A great example of this is Shepard’s team in Mass Effect 2. Shepard handled the crew and how missions were handled. He operated as a cell in Cerberus, which meant they could still go after their goal to destroy the Collectors even if they lost contact with the Illusive Man. They also had no idea what other cells were doing. That’s why it didn’t matter that the Illusive Man died in Mass Effect 3.

This setup meant that even if their founder was lost, the organization wouldn’t completely fall apart. Each group often got orders from their leaders instead of the Illusive Man directly. This compartmentalization protected the organization from major disruptions; if one group was discovered or taken down, others could still operate without issues. The beliefs and goals lived on in the individual groups, not just under the guidance of one person.

The Money Didn’t Come From The Illusive Man

Cerberus Has Deep Pockets

In Mass Effect, the Illusive Man was Cerberus’ clever and influential leader, but the organization’s finances didn’t depend solely on his wealth or power. Instead, Cerberus had a complicated mix of funding sources that ensured it could survive and thrive. Rich supporters, many of whom were connected to the military and major industries, regularly provided significant money and resources because they believed in Cerberus’ mission. They trusted that the Illusive Man’s leadership would help put humanity in a dominant position in the galaxy.

Additionally, Cerberus operated several front companies that helped hide its financial activities, allowing them to discreetly gather money for their secret operations. Some legitimate and some not, these businesses provided a steady income that didn’t rely on the Illusive Man’s personal wealth. This variety of funding sources allowed Cerberus to keep going, acquire new technology, and maintain its operations, even if it lost its top leader. As a result, the organization remained a powerful player in the galaxy.

Related

Mass Effect 5 Could Benefit From Using The Indoctrination Theory

The Indoctrination Theory isn’t currently canon, but making it the true ending for Mass Effect 3 could be beneficial for setting up Mass Effect 5.

Cerberus likely didn’t lose much money from the assault by Shepard in Mass Effect 3. Many believe in Cerberus’ mission and can use other fronts to donate to the cause. The collection of money is not going to stop just because the main base was taken down, and money keeps every organization alive.

Cerberus Wasn’t Here To Hunt Reapers In Mass Effect

Humanity First, At Any Cost

There is a prominent view of Cerberus as just a group focused on fighting the Reapers. That is a big misunderstanding of their true goals. Cerberus didn’t start because they wanted to help the galaxy or work together to stop the Reapers. Instead, they wanted to raise humanity to a position of power in the galaxy. While the Reapers play a significant role in the Mass Effect trilogy, Cerberus sees them more as an obstacle to overcome or to control in their quest for human dominance.

At its core, Cerberus is all about promoting human superiority and is willing to cross any moral or ethical line to achieve that, making it one of Mass Effect‘s most evil organizations. They don’t see the Reapers as enemies to be fought alongside other species but rather as a means to help humanity gain control. This shows that Cerberus’s purpose goes beyond just battling threats like the Reapers.

Related

Mass Effect 5 Should Use These Mechanics From Mass Effect: Andromeda

Mass Effect: Andromeda is frequently derided, but it introduced some mechanical changes that the series’ next game would be wise to adopt.

Even with the Reapers gone, Cerberus remains a significant and dangerous force. The group can move on and find other ways to make sure humanity stays on top at the cost of alien races. This makes Cerberus a perfect villain in a Mass Effect story. Their ambition doesn’t fade without the Reapers; it just changes how they pursue their goals.

Cerberus Has Everything They Need To Be A Huge Mass Effect 5 Villain

They Can Come Back For The Next Game

Cerberus has the potential to be a major villain in Mass Effect 5, even without the Illusive Man. Although he was the main face of the organization, he planned for Cerberus to go on without him. The group has many different branches, each with its own goals and leaders, meaning they can still function independently. They’re loosely connected by a shared belief system, which makes it hard to eliminate them completely.

The Illusive Man probably had backup plans for what would happen if he died, possibly even several people ready to step in and keep things running smoothly. This isn’t just about one strong leader; it’s a movement. Their ability to bounce back is thanks to their advanced technology, gained through unethical experiments involving Reaper and Collector tech, which gives them a strong military advantage over other groups in the galaxy.

With their tech and numerous operatives working separately, Cerberus could easily return as a powerful threat in the next chapter of Mass Effect. What’s worse is that with a new leader, Cerberus could be even deadlier, as the Illusive Man was smart enough to keep the organization from destroying others at its own cost, which made it less dangerous than it could have been. Still, maybe another leader wouldn’t be above that.

Your changes have been saved

Mass Effect: Legendary Edition

Released

May 14, 2021

Developer(s)

BioWare

Publisher(s)

Electronic Arts

Engine

Unreal Engine 4

ESRB

M for Mature: Blood, Drug Reference, Partial Nudity, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Use of Alcohol, Violence

Expand