Dragon Age: Origins

[Ansha]

Dragon Age: Origins (http://dragonage.bioware.com)

I was a huge fan of Baldur's Gate 2. It's still the standard by which I judge other RPGs. Dragon Age is supposed to be just as immersive (and since it's medieval fantasy, complete with elves, it's the right kind of immersive to me). I'm seriously considering pre-ordering the deluxe edition on Steam.

There is currently a downloadable Character Creator for the game on Steam too (free), so you can get an idea of what characters will look like in the game.

[Vyn]

Oh yes yes yes. DO WANT.

This game looks terrific. I loved the NWN games and the Baldur's Gates.

[Grayslin]

It's Bioware... they rarely go horribly wrong with single player RPG's. I think I've already got it in my gamefly queue somewhere near the top.

[Serenity]

I've been following this around for months. Definitely gonna grab the character creator.

[Boudika]

you just said Baldurs Gate....great...now I have to dust them off and play them again...as well as pre-order this!!!

[Chikt]

It cannot get here fast enough, SO looking forward to it.

[Agnarr]

I'm afraid it won't play on my PC. It's dying a slow, lingering death.

[Szordrin]

Yeah. Same here... Afraid it will be super choppy on PC so I would rather opt for PS3. But, I am a little afraid of getting it for PS3 after seeing how everyone who bought Fallout 3 on PS3 got fucked out of DLC.

So, yeah.. Still unsure if I should preorder for my ps3 or let this one slide cause.. there is no way this will run on my PC.

[Anthek]

And I'm pretty glad I just got a new laptop.

[Ryoku]

I'm concerned for my compy as well.

The only thing I got is a laptop that (as far as laptop speccs go) completely screamed when I bought it last january.

However, I've been reading the speccs and where as far as minimum reqs I'll be completely in the clear but my graphics card and processor are about a step behind reccomended.

There's no question though. Baldur's Gate and Neverwinter Nights are completely timeless (Hell, to this day I still load up NWN and play through a campaign on occassion). I will be buying this (collectors edition!) even if my book can't run it. Chances are that when I do earn up the funds to buy myself a new box, it'll be just as badass as ever.

Also, fuck 360 / PS3 versions. As badass as playing the game on my Dad's 72" TV would be, Bioware did way too good of a job with the NWN toolset for me to buy a neutered version with no/shitty DLC.

[Karkarov]

I spoke to a tester for bioware who lived this game for almost 6 months. He advised me the game is the best single player RPG Bioware has done since baldurs gate and the first playthrough should easily take 60-80 hours depending on how much you invest. He also advised either being a human noble or a city elf as your origin claims they have the best overall stories in his opinion.

Meanwhile in other news you upload the character you make with the creator you get a ring in game that is +1 to all stats. Pre order you get special armor for in game and a card that lets you get the sci fi version of it in Mass Effect 2. Also there is already a DLC you will get free when you buy the retail box at release and a second DLC for 7 bucks.

The game annoys though because I know from my buddy that the game was actually finished 3 months ago, at least for PC and 360. The reason it isn't coming out until 11/03 is because the PS3 version took longer to make and fix up since it isn't based on a windows OS and they delayed a little extra just for closer to holiday release.

Lastly there is a tactical system ala NWN and BG where you can pause then issue specific commands. The skinny is this. The tactical system will be PC only apparently. Meanwhile last I checked Gamestop already sold out of all PC versions.

[Ansha]

Preordered it on Steam today.

[Leoren]

I advise getting the game from Steam, you can purchase the digital deluxe version which comes with the extra DLC as well as exclusive in game items in addition to all the aforementioned goodies.

[Sörröw]

www.dragonagejourneys.com

Just to quench your thirsts of DA:O you can play this flash game that will actually unlock a few pieces of gear in Dragon Age: Origins.

It's a pretty fun little flash game.. takes a good 2-3 hours from what I've been hearing and lets you in on what some of the talents will act like and how they'll work in DAO.

Enjoy.

[Abric]

I'm wondering what the big difference is going to be between the PC and the consoles.

I typically get these sort of games for the PC, just because I enjoy my keyboard and mouse a lot more than I do a controller... but I changed my tune when Mass Effect and Fallout 3 came out - they just worked well with the 360. Also, I typically hate shooters on consoles, but I loved World at War on the 360 and saw little difference between it on the 360 and Modern Warfare on the PC (the core mechanics).

... sometimes I hate decisions like that. I would really be displeased if I got it for 360 (as I am going to) and find out that the PC version is heads over tails better, and I'm stuck with just being satisifed I get achievements to pleasure my ego over better graphics, controls, and just an all around gaming experience.

[Szordrin]

Yeah, that's pretty much my dilemma too, Abric. I feel like if I get the PS3 version which will run incredibly smoothly, I will get fucked out of DLC. If I get the PC version, I will be stuck with choppy as hell gameplay.

Le sigh.

[Sörröw]

From what I've been reading and seeing.. the only real drawbacks to the Console versions are that they won't have as much on screen at once as the PC Versions -can- (IE: Higher settings)

I don't know if this is a hard line draw distance (can't see far out (landscapes etc.)) or if it's just directly related to NPC's (as I've heard some of it doing with big cities and not drawing as many NPC's)

Other than that.. they had a PS3 and Xbox360 demo up and they both looked rather good (though they weren't side by side so no comparison shots).. but they did seem to make the controls fairly easy to use for each console.

The only thing that I would say in comparison with the PC version.. is that you have hotkeys with the games now (mass effect worked tons better than console for pace because of this) and of course.. tactical view (top down) with scrolling across the landscape.

They may have something in place for this (maybe the right analog to scroll about the area) but it seems like it would be much better for this particular game to be played on the PC (that.. and it was developed for the PC if it makes a difference for those of you who hate ported games)

Either way.. a lot of time is going into all the versions and I see each of them being very successful.

[Karkarov]

To put it in the words of the guy I know who tested it for 6 months "I have played it on all three versions and plan to buy it on PC when it releases. That version is how the game is meant to be played."

[Ansha]

I advise getting the game from Steam, you can purchase the digital deluxe version which comes with the extra DLC as well as exclusive in game items in addition to all the aforementioned goodies.

This is what I did, actually.

[Sörröw]

Seemingly all versions come with 'something'

The boxed versions coming with in-game items and The Stone Prisoner DLC and Digital versions coming with in-game items and Warden's Keep DLC.

From what I've been seeing a lot of people are simply pre-ordering and grabbing the Collector's Edition.

While I would probably do the Steam version also (my internet connection sucks now.. so I can't) I'll most likely be getting a CE.

For those of you who don't know there are also 2 novels that lead up to the game.. Dragon Age: The Stolen Throne and Dragon Age: The Calling (more directly before the game).

[Karkarov]

Seemingly all versions come with 'something'

The boxed versions coming with in-game items and The Stone Prisoner DLC and Digital versions coming with in-game items and Warden's Keep DLC.

From what I've been seeing a lot of people are simply pre-ordering and grabbing the Collector's Edition.

While I would probably do the Steam version also (my internet connection sucks now.. so I can't) I'll most likely be getting a CE.

For those of you who don't know there are also 2 novels that lead up to the game.. Dragon Age: The Stolen Throne and Dragon Age: The Calling (more directly before the game).


Just as a protip I think warden's keep costs less to buy than the stone prisoner.... So that is one great reason to get a retail box. Also I don't see how they could digitally distribute the items packed in the retail collectors. Maybe in pdf form or something...

[Sörröw]

All of the in-game content is going to be DLC. Whether it's the first couple of rings you get from the Collector's Edition or the Dragon Armor.

There are codes supplied in the box or through email for Digital Distribution.

Cloth map/Bonus DVD's or whatever else will be Box only, I'm sure.

[Karkarov]

Ok so this came out yesterday and I felt like posting a first impression.

1: It handles a lot like NWN 2 does. The first thing that struck me though and it did big time was how much smoother it is than NWN 2 though. NW always gave me wierd issues, graphical bugs, odd music stutters, framerate problems at odd moments.... DA:O has done none of this, in fact it is graphically superior without a doubt and I have it's settings maxed (aside from AA) and it actually plays BETTER on my PC than NWN 2.

2: Origin system is actually a little weak in my opinion. It is very cool how it sets up the game and I am told that based on your origin it will have a huge impact on how you are treated in the game world... However.... there aren't enough options. If you want to be a mage you must be a tower mage. If you want to be human but not a mage you must be a Human Noble. Dwarves and Elves get a commoner option why not humans? Not a big deal but this is a pet peeve.

3: God sakes take my advice, I don't care what you play pick up lockpicking asap. I had to walk past upwards of 20 treaure chests because for the first 8 hours of game no one in my party had any lockpicking skills. Beyond this the talent system and skills system are very neat and frankly a great change of pace from the D20/D&D system. In fact the way characters can be decked out and customized is just very well refined from the get go.

4: The dog is the man. That is all.

So anyway post your thoughts if you have picked the game up and as I get further I may expound a little more... maybe not. So far though it has been a very enjoyable experience.

[Leoren]

This game is a glorious time bandit.

I think I'll continue to be absent from WoW for a little bit because of it >.>.

[Kaldore]

This game is a glorious time bandit.


I think this is the best blurb I have heard about this game :)

[Ansha]

Took me two days to download it, and it did something to my computer monitor that required fiddling with to restore. But I will finally be able to play it now!

[Maithanet]

I think I've spent just as much time playing all the openers as I have playing through the game.

Dwarf Noble was the shit. I love the Dwarves in this game. I'm playing my main playthrough as a Dalish Elf with Morrigan as my sweet sweet lurve interest...

Yes, it is my boob love.

Oh hello 4pm. My, my, I havent slept in............ a long time... I should do that now.

[Agnarr]

I downloaded it last night. I expect to be diving in to it this evening when I get home. Assuming it plays on my weak-old machine.

[Ryoku]

Anyone with a not top-of-the-line PC got this and tell me how it's running? I'm just curious.

Also curious whether the bonus stuff in the collectors additions are worth the extra money. Already bought it so whatever. XD

[Swerto]

I'm still deciding between xbox and pc version.

[Kaldore]

Why?

I'm not being snarky here, I have not purchased my copy yet and every review I've taken a peek at seems to say that PC is the way to go, is there something for the 360 that is going to be better?

[Swerto]

Didn't say it would be hard decision, just htat there would be one.

[Ryoku]

Xbox version will unfortunately likely be pretty well neutered. Especially considering the fact that the game is going to have a toolset, which to some can bring as much entertainment as actually playing the game.

Mine comes Tuesday. I'll post here how it runs on my speccs that fall slightly under the reccomended for people who are on the fence because of the "Dunno if I can run it" thing.

[Ansha]

Here's an interesting snag I've run into.

I pre-ordered the Digital Deluxe edition of DA:O. As a result, I should have access to The Stone Prisoner DLC, the Wardens Keep DLC, the Blood Dragon Armor item, and the three in-game items (Bergen's Honor, Grimoire of the Frozen Wastes and Final Reason).

Every time I try to register either my Preorder or Digital Deluxe CD Keys, I am told they are invalid. (I can still play it, though.)

Apparently, I'm supposed to get the codes for the various DLC in an email, but I have yet to receive it, and I pre-ordered back on Oct 22.

Anyone else had any issues like this?

[Chikt]

"There's nothing quite like a brush with death to... really make you not like death."

[Leoren]

Here's an interesting snag I've run into.

I pre-ordered the Digital Deluxe edition of DA:O. As a result, I should have access to The Stone Prisoner DLC, the Wardens Keep DLC, the Blood Dragon Armor item, and the three in-game items (Bergen's Honor, Grimoire of the Frozen Wastes and Final Reason).

Every time I try to register either my Preorder or Digital Deluxe CD Keys, I am told they are invalid. (I can still play it, though.)

Apparently, I'm supposed to get the codes for the various DLC in an email, but I have yet to receive it, and I pre-ordered back on Oct 22.

Anyone else had any issues like this?

Are you registering those CD keys on your Bioware account? I had a bit of an issue myself until I figured it out. You basically need to follow the instructions in game, enter the codes on their website verifying your account is entitled to the DLC and then log into that account while in game to start the downloads.

[Maithanet]

Between this, Borderlands, Torchlight and AC2... What's MMO's again?

[Ansha]

Are you registering those CD keys on your Bioware account? I had a bit of an issue myself until I figured it out. You basically need to follow the instructions in game, enter the codes on their website verifying your account is entitled to the DLC and then log into that account while in game to start the downloads.

Yeah, that's when I keep getting told "That code is invalid for this game."

[Szordrin]

Call customer service, IMO.

[Abric]

Went with the 360 version. While it was pretty difficult decision (had to make it in 30 minutes before the store closed) I do get to sit on the comfort of my couch and go to town. The load times are not bad, which I'm sure on the PC they are longer, and the graphics and interface isn't too bad.

I am playing a warrior. I'm sure if I was playing a mage, I'd love to be able to cast one of my ... what ... THIRTY spells I can potentially get? Hell, might even get more than thirty. Hm... rough thinking, yeah - more like sixty.

I am really liking the game, there is a lot of content. I've only gone through the Redcliffe area and am in the middle (I think) of the Circle of Magi, and I still have the dwarves and elves to speak to!

The only thing I'm getting annoyed with is my people not attacking the fucking MAGES! The guy in the back, annihilating the shit out of me with lightning and frost, and here they are shooting at the warriors. GAH! Been trying to fiddle around with the combat tactics, but so far no success. Mass Effect seemed to have a bit of a smarter system on attacking the 'right guys'. Then again, combat is always easier with an assault rifle.

I also need to find out how to make more money. I'm always scrapping the bottom of the barrel. Being a Grey Warden ain't a life of luxury.

DOOM!

[Abric]

... I'm also browsing if anybody has already made a gifts guide, as I am tired of saving and reloading items. I demand everyone to like me.

LIKE ME! LOVE MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

[Szordrin]

.....what?

[Maithanet]

.....what?

The game has a system in it wherein you can give gift items to your other characters to improve your reputation with them. The game states that certain gifts go over better depending on who you give it to.

He wants to maximize his sweet sweet gift giving.

[Leoren]

I'm trying to stay as clean as possible on the guides front myself, it's one of those rare games where I can appreciate even the mistakes on my part. If anything, it adds to the already gargantuan amount of replayability in the title.

[Grayslin]

Since my PC will never be able to run this, is it still worth picking up on the 360?

[Agnarr]

My PC wouldn't play it. Said my video card wasn't supported (even though from looking at the specs, I thought it should).
So I spent most of yesterday evening copying it to the laptop I play WoW on, which is technically more powerful (even though not a "gaming" laptop).

Kind of choppy on my less-than-ideal system, especially when there's a lot of fuckers on the screen. That aside, I was up to 1:30 playing it, knowing full well I had to get up at 6AM for work.

I started a city elf (I know, I know, but I'm tired of humans and dwarves are still dwaves) rogue, because they're cool and someone mentioned something about locked doors and chests above. Even with that, there were still a couple of doors in the intro part that I couldn't open. Also, stealth seems to just suck. Sneak sneak sneak, ooh, guards, cue the chatting back and forth which brings you out of stealth.

Maybe once fights aren't scripted it'll be useful. I hope so. I want to gank the fuck out of everyone.

Some of the chat options just make me laugh. While I want my guy to be a sort of pissy bad-ass, some of those are just downright "ah fuck it, let's just kill this guy" sort of negotiating.

[Chikt]

I'm trying to stay as clean as possible on the guides front myself, it's one of those rare games where I can appreciate even the mistakes on my part. If anything, it adds to the already gargantuan amount of replayability in the title.

We've got a hardcover, 400 page Dragon Age guide at work.

I've put it on lay-by for myself, just because it looks -so awesome-.

[Karkarov]

Gifts are fairly common sense. Like when you find "Alistair's mothers pendant" I wonder who would want that item? Morrigan right? Just give gifts that appeal to their senses. Like religious nuts are going to like things that are religious, people who like jewelry will like... jewelry....

Couple complaint I have now that I am 20 hours in...

The challenge is out of whack. No really. If you don't specialize your characters from the second you make them you will be getting destroyed later in the game. You need to play this game like it is a MMO as stupid as that sounds everyone in your team must be a hyper specialist or they will be ineffective long term. It is already bad enough I have run into fights where I am literally outnumbered 3 to 1 plus half the enemies are casters and archers but when your tank can't last 10 seconds without a heal your basically already dead in high level DA:O. Forget about the traps they put everywhere too ;p.

Rogues suck, and more than usual. Other than picking locks plus disabling traps they are absolutely useless. I cant even let the AI control them they won't even attempt to get behind an enemy for backstabs. Their damage output it laughable compared to a duel wielding or two hand spec warrior and they are barely more durable than a mage who can out damage them (single target and aoe), heal, and do crap tons of cc to boot. Basically they make imoen from baldur's gate look bad ass.... nuff said.

Last thing and a bit disappointing... the game is too scripted. Don't worry about ambushing your enemies or outsmarting them... you won't. It is designed so you can't. I have found traps placed in such a way you can't disarm them even when you spot them. I have met enemy groups that are so far away I can't even click them but if I aggro a group nearby they add on too. Stealth outside of area's laden with traps you want to disarm before you fight is useless and even then you are only getting one trap tops. Most of them time when you enter an area with an enemy encounter they see you as soon as you enter the area no matter what you do and even later in the game crap tons of encounters are scripted so that you have to deal with talk first etc.

Healing items are way too rare. When the amount they heal is based on a stat your tank is never going to stack you are going to need a reasonable amount of them to see any result. The game simply put, is not going to give you a reasonable amount. You must have a dedicated healer in your team or you will get rolled by even routine fights later on simply because poultices do not keep up with damage dealt and you don't have enough of them.

In short like I said you have to play it like it is an MMO which is actually sort of irritating to me. You must have a tank, a "dps", a aoe/cc, and a healer in your party or you are going to die so often it isn't funny. Also it sucks but the tactics system is too anal and situational to get good results you almost always have to micromanage every tiny aspect of the fight. Which means you will be pausing roughly once every 10 seconds tops.

[Chikt]

Healing items are way too rare. When the amount they heal is based on a stat your tank is never going to stack you are going to need a reasonable amount of them to see any result. The game simply put, is not going to give you a reasonable amount. You must have a dedicated healer in your team or you will get rolled by even routine fights later on simply because poultices do not keep up with damage dealt and you don't have enough of them.

WHERE THE FUCK IS A GODDAMN HEALER?!

This has been the MOST frustrating thing for me so far. I've been running around trying to find a healer, but do you think I've picked up one in my party? I'm several hours in, and losing fights playing it on normal difficulty because I A) Am dependent upon the healing salves or B) my squad is so damn melee heavy.

Seriously. I would do anything for a rogue to join my team that used a goddamn bow and arrow, but no, it's all melee. I have found 3 warriors, 3 Rogues (including my character), and 1 mage for my team so far.

SO fucking frustrating. I hate having to push back my difficulty to actually pass an area in a game, makes it feel so cheap. But I don't have a healer, and the moment I find one the game is going to be cake.

I've given up playing on Normal until I get a healer on my team. I'm currently out on the deep roads and because Dwarves seem to hate selling healing salves or the materials to make them, I've got 6 Lesser Healing Salves to fight hordes of Darkspawn.

EDIT: I'm tempted to start over, google where the goddamn healer is, and grab them the first chance I get.

[Karkarov]

WHERE THE FUCK IS A GODDAMN HEALER?!


In all honesty I will spoil this for you since it frankly needs to be unless you want the game to be a nightmare. You have a few options...

1: Make your main a mage or perhaps use Morrigan... then gain access to the spirit healer special class for mages.

2: Recruit Wynn in the Tower of Ishtal I think it is, AKA the place where they train all the mages. You have to go there sooner or later anyway on the main questline. I strongly advise doing this like... immediately? For those of you who want to play evil or bend the rules a bit I feel sorry for you, she is a sanctimonious old bat and will pretty much turn on you sooner rather than later. Considering the strategy guide says she is a "must have member of your party" this is sort of harsh.

As for bow users Leiliana (sp?) actually comes with more bow skills than melee which constantly blows my mind because her ai set up even when turned to "archer" causes her to constantly go into melee and put her bow away. This even persists after I gave her the talent to negate all the penalties you get for using a bow while in melee. It is mind boggling and very very irritating.

Honestly this is one game I would actually advise you buy the guide if only to read the class sections on recommended builds etc. I personally own it and I can tell you now the warrior class entry is longer than the entire section describing the questline for redcliffe village. That is pretty telling on how complicated the game gets long term and how easy it is the screw your characters up.

My advice Dio is do the same thing I am. I am 25 hours in and restarting my game tonight.

[Vyn]

Whelp, I haven't played this, but looking at the reviews from ya'll... it sounds like the kind of game I won't enjoy.

Things I like in an RPG:
Difficulty - It has to be hard
Berzerkability - If I can't charge in like a motherfucker and do reasonably well (based on lucky timing and skill) I won't like it
LACK OF A PARTY - I hate managing any more than one character other than myself
Awesome Factor - I want something that makes me feel awesome.

Things I don't like
Anything not on that list.

So, based on the fact that ya'll are managing several characters and are unable to just charge in and be effective, I won't like it. Based on the apparent difficulty, I will.

However, I will probably wind up having this game, because the guy I live with thinks this is the best thing since sliced bread, and will get it as soon as I tell him it's out. It's his kind of game perfectly, because you have to follow a formula to get anywhere with your character. Fuck min/maxing. I just want to min.

[Kaldore]

I bet the sky tastes delicious where you live.

[Leoren]

I specced Morrigan into healing as soon as it was possible. Nothing fancy, just the core healing talents. The moment I got her a healing spell things did get smoother, however I don't feel like healers will make the game -easy- by an margin. They go OOM fast. Unlike WoW there isn't much in the way of large mana pools or regen ( as far as I've gone yet ) so mostly it will still come down to how many healing pots AND mana pots you have. Healers seem to really just afford you a grace period in the beginning to close the distance / thin their numbers. If your DPS can't take down most their numbers in this time, it won't be pretty. Though, Morrigan specced with some heals on top of her CC AND Wynne as a dedicated healer I've found to be pretty powerful when supporting my 2h warrior and tank.

Something I advise is simply not engaging enemies where they first are. Lure them back into somewhere you've already cleared. If you can Line of Sight them into an area you can control, that helps alot. Even ranged enemies will give up their advantage to chase you around to attack. Wherever possible I try to bottle neck hordes of them into door ways, keeping my casters / healers / ranged safe with collision.

I've been playing on Hard difficulty and it's been a beastly ride, but quite satisfying when you prevail. This is -not- a game you want to leave up to the AI where you can, so if you're wanting a more real time action oriented expierience the console versions were tuned to that end. The tactics system is pretty awesome if you're clever enough to set it up, but it'll only take you so far on its own.

Edit: I know what you mean about rogues. To be effective they seem to require the most micro managing, I definitely wouldn't recommend them to a novice player. Rogue archers? Okay. But the ones who engage in melee combat seem to act like any other warrior, and approaching something head first without the same kind of armor? Not good.

[Chikt]

Edit: I know what you mean about rogues. To be effective they seem to require the most micro managing, I definitely wouldn't recommend them to a novice player. Rogue archers? Okay. But the ones who engage in melee combat seem to act like any other warrior, and approaching something head first without the same kind of armor? Not good.

This is why I actually enjoy playing with my main character being the rogue in the team.

They DO require the most micro management (after all, you have to move them around to flank and backstab) but my rogue is the one member of my team that I actually separate from the rest of my team in many fights.

I will always lead my team with my rogue. I'll have him in stealth and walking ahead. Whenever he runs into a group of enemies, the other party members usually stop out of range of engaging them. This means I can move my rogue in, see what the situation is like, and then start positioning party members. What usually ends out happening is I keep my rogue where he is while the rest of my party draw away the melee. Then I have my rogue take out casters and ranged in the back of the group that have stayed where they were. It works really well, since I can usually maneuver him in such a way that he can take out all the ranged without difficulty.

The parts that have been overwhelmingly difficult is when enemies seem to continuously spawn. I've faced one 'boss' fight with 1 orange, 1 yellow and 2 white difficulty mobs. Taken out the whites first (to stop their damage) but most of the time the tank in the group get 2-shot by the orange mob. I spent 3 hours on one such fight today before I gave up and set the difficulty to Easy, and even then I got through only with one character because I ran out of healing salves. Thank god it was Morrigan that survived, she makes kiting easy.

EDIT: I just found out why rogue damage is so terrible right now.

Rogues are MEANT to use Dexterity for their dagger damage. But they are using Strength as a damage modifier, and Dexterity is giving them nothing. It's something they'll be patching.

/facepalm

[Leoren]

EDIT: I just found out why rogue damage is so terrible right now.

Rogues are MEANT to use Dexterity for their dagger damage. But they are using Strength as a damage modifier, and Dexterity is giving them nothing. It's something they'll be patching.

/facepalm

... Holy crap that explains a few things. Whenever I bring Leliana, it feels like her damage is ass and fail. I always wondered if I was gimping myself or not.

[Chikt]

... Holy crap that explains a few things. Whenever I bring Leliana, it feels like her damage is ass and fail. I always wondered if I was gimping myself or not.

Nope. Daggers are meant to draw 50% from Strength, 50% from Agility. Right now, they draw 100% from Strength.

From what I'm reading right now, I should be using two longswords instead of two daggers because of the glitch.

And because of the way I've built my rogue... well, he's fucked until it's fixed, lets say that much (33 Dexterity, 15 Stamina, 23 Cunning)

There's some people actually with Rogues not using ANY dexterity, just going for Strength, and are running around with two longswords IN PLATE.

[Thalevia]

I'm only 5 hours in but I started as a mage and so far it's made things so much easier. That first fight against the ogre in the tower sucked and even with heals took me a couple tries to figure out the best way to combine damage plus strategic heals.

I'm playing the 360 version and my only real complaint is not enough buttons for the ton of abilities.

I did have a few issues. I ended up not touching any buttons after interacting with a statue and my character just rather gracefully slide through the terrain during the first mage quest resulting in me having to start from scratch when I couldn't unstick her. Then my xbox locked up right before I got to the boss encounter of that first area resulting in another restart. I lost an hour to both.

Complete and utter time thief though, I had to force myself to stop playing when I noticed it was 3am.

[Draekon]

I don't like the way quests are setup. I think they're too vague at times.

As far as making the game easier? What Leo said. Morrigan having healing spells and 'face pulling' a couple mobs at a time helps alot. Setting up ambushes is also nice. A trap in the door way, plus an AoE spell, followed by a aoe stun and your tank engaging them so they can't make it through while your DPS flanks on either side is a great tactic.

My character is a 'tank', with a two-handed DPS and the dog (I WANT ONE) up front with Morrigan in the back. That gives me two aoe stuns (Morrigan's and the Dog's dire howl), plus knock downs from the warriors.

[Ansha]

I'm about 20 hours in, myself. I have done well for myself so far on Normal difficulty with my main (mage who went up the Frost and Disorient lines first; Winter's Grasp, Cone of Cold, Sleep and Waking Nightmare are all amazing aoe CC) and left Morrigan in as a dps/cc herself. Only after I did the Circle of Magi area did I finally pick up Wynne, the spirit healer mage.

AND I have a tendency to run out of poultices and lyrium potions. I tend to kite a lot, and Cone of Cold/Winter's Grasp to keep threats frozen in place while my party beats on them.

I actually like the way the game is designed. I don't think healing is as necessary as an MMO (thankfully), though I certainly would like it more if healing were even rarer. (Yeah, in my D&D campaigns, I always liked running with no healer.)

[Abric]

Ug, so many words - too early.

Healers aren't required, they are just really nice. If you want to just run in and play this like an FPS - then a healer is required. Want to fight with some thought behind your tactics? Healers are nice... but poultices are wonderful.

You also have an herbalism-marked person, and they can make you stuff. While it will take a bit of silver to get you going, you can essentially be your own poultice factory.

I would recommend doing the Circle of Magi portion of the storyline first to everyone, just to the simple fact you get a metric button of stat enhancers and a lot of the playability of it lets you "save up" on your abilities, if you so wish. If you are having problems choosing which route you want to go (like I did) you shouldn't feel so "rushed" to pick it.

And... you get that healer that baby Karkarov needs, because he's a baby. Back in my day, we used to mend our wounds with spit and mud... and STICKS!

[Karkarov]

Back in my day I soloed 60-80 for the most part as a prot warrior. Abric = a nancy.

In other news I restarted. I am going with the same "concept" I had originally (warrior two hand dps build) but this time I am not being as moderate as I was before. I am going pure dps screw defence and making Alister the exact opposite. So far the game is tons easier because I am killing things much faster because my main hits much harder and has more early offensive abilities and Alister is much more durable. In fact I one shot the ogre this time with only needing 1 poultice on Alister. Too bad he still died in the last few seconds but thats life.

To give an idea of how much more effective I have been this time... I left lothering in my first game having done every quest there with maybe 3 regular healing poultice and 13 lesser. This time? I have 25 lesser and 8 regular.

[Sejarki]

Just got it last night, loving it. I'm being very indecisive about what sort of character to make, played the first 10 minutes of a Dwarf warrior, and then committed some more to a Dalish Elf warrior. But now I want to make some sort of Human archer. Oh jeeze. Between this and Torchlight, I barely want to touch WoW.

[Chikt]

I got Wynne.

She makes the game SO MUCH EASIER.

[Szordrin]

Does anyone know how well this runs on a less than stellar computer???

Maybe someone can give me a tip or two?

Here's my set up:

Dual-Core 64bit Processor, 2.0GHz, 2x512 cache (whatever that means)
2 gigs of membory
Nvidea Geforce 9600 GSO
I have an updated power supply but I dont remember what it is, anyway it supports this

Computer is 4 years old with minor upgrades.

[Swerto]

Yeaahhhhh

Nvideo Geforce 9600 ain't gonna cut it, that's what I used to run.

[Szordrin]

Are you serious? It's a new graphics card.. well, new as in a summer ago.

[Thalevia]

Are you serious? It's a new graphics card.. well, new as in a summer ago.

It should be fine. The game runs nicely in bootcamp on a macbook pro with the 9600 in it.

[Szordrin]

Yeah. I just double checked the reqs. I was more expecting someone to say my processor might be questionable.

Since, you know.. the minimum req is 6600 and recommended is 8800

[Jeedup]

I got Wynne.

She makes the game SO MUCH EASIER.

I just played....who the fuck is Wynne?

[Chikt]

I just played....who the fuck is Wynne?

The healer you pick up at the Mage Tower.

[Jeedup]

The healer you pick up at the Mage Tower.

Oh definatly not that far at all.

[Agnarr]

There's some people actually with Rogues not using ANY dexterity, just going for Strength, and are running around with two longswords IN PLATE.
Mine has one long sword and a dagger, and chain armor. >.>

[Chikt]

Mine has one long sword and a dagger, and chain armor. >.>

See, I'm just starting to get my Strength up there now to use Long Swords really well, and so my rogue is now using 2x Long Swords and has become possibly one of the most powerful members of the team (next to Shale). Now that I can do ungodly amounts of damage and block one in five attacks - melee OR ranged? My rogue has taken out squads of enemies by himself with little difficulty.

I still won't use chainmail though. My rogue doesn't have enough willpower to make it work.

[Roth'rili]

This game is incredibly addictive, setting Aion aside to play through it since a day after release(slow arse steam download). I am playing through with a City Elf/Rogue/Duelist and I can see where a lot of people say this game is pretty difficult. I kind of went with how the story line was pushing me in certain directions not knowing I got a healer if I did mage tower first. So I ended up doing that harder then heck Redcliffe chain where you seem to fight undead endlessly and kept dieing till I decided to use the none weak NPCs up top to help out. Leaving the poor weaklings at the bottom to be massacred. Ended up draining almost all my health pots that fight and things just got harder.

What helped me a lot is I went online and I have found one thing thats been working very well for me. If you equipped anyone really with a range weapon and shoot at MAX distance you will only pull like one enemy, or maybe two, and just train them into your guys in waiting. It really doesn't help through scripted fights still or on activation fights so the thugs in Denerim always wipe me with overwhelming numbers. Also I like to use Morrigan and the War Dog and other character abilities to setup some stunlocks to buy time.

For rogues being piss poor...have no idea what people are talking about, yeah my rogue was decently weak at start but I mainly pumped str a little so I can use a longsword/dagger combo. What I noticed is once I got Lethality my rogue started hitting like a truck then got Coup de grace for auto backstabs on stunned targets (works well with my stunlock tactics) and I can burn through single targets really quickly. (unless they have high armor or are yellow/orange) But if they want to buff us more by all means I'll take it.

Its been mentioned too but its definitely worth repeating, make sure to specialize your people right away! It was hell for me running Alistiar with just fricken threaten, I got taunt and it was a god send, got Morrigan a heal spell zomg she is one of my biggest hitters AND my best healer. (though I am finally doing mage tower after Redcliffe and Dalish >.>)

The only thing right now I am having a hard time with is the character relationship with Morrigan. Cause she is so self-centered and love hating she hates when my character does good things and I play him as a good guy. Thinking about switching interests to the Bard girl I seem to get gifts suited for her up the wazoo and she as higher rating then Morrigan does and I have only got 1 or 2 gifts Morrigan really likes.

[Karkarov]

Just so people know Abric is definitely right, you REALLY want to go mage tower first. Even throwing Wynne out there is a ton of exp, some really nice loot, you get massive free stat boosts near the end, and it is easier than the other main quests I have done.

The advised order is Mage Tower, Redcliffe, Brecalian wood, and Orzamar. However there is a ton of side quests from the various mercs, chanter's boards, mage collective guys, etc etc to do. I would suggest investing time in those early and you will be alot better off.

On my second play I just killed a dragon, that finally forced me to seriously consime healing items. I think I went in with like 25 of regular and lesser and left with like 15 and 19 plus had to take like 6 or 7 lyrium potions. I will say this if you find yourself burning alot of heals early DO NOT save your game. Re do the encounter until you can get through it with less consumables. Later on you will thank yourself. There is already some good combat advice in the thread too on how to make many encounters easier, Leoren particularly had some good tips about choke points.

[Chikt]

Orzamar and the deep roads are rough. Redcliffe was doable without a healer.

I also got my rogue specced into Duelist and - as I said earlier - he's wielding full sized weapons in each hand, and my god, talk about awesome. I've really learned how to use positioning and set up ambushes that my rogue triggers (stealth into a group, stun the mage, run like fuck back to squad mates waiting around the corner. Stealth again, go back and kill the mage as it's running to help its friends). Doing backstabs with a 2 handed sword is amazing (I jumped suddenly from doing 15 damage with a dagger to doing 45 damage with a longsword on backstabs). And enchantments are amazing. Invest in some good +Elemental Damage glyphs, or - even better - look out for the Grandmaster glyphs that can stun, slow, or paralyze on hit. I've got a grandmaster glyph that paralyzes on my sword, and it procs. A lot. And when you have the talent that allows you to do backstabs from the front on targets that are stunned or paralyzed...

Not to mention with the Duelist stuff you become practically untouchable.

I loved the quest for the ashes. That was really cool. And I was kinda surprised about how things turned out. I think that had to do with the choice I made though.

[Abric]

Dragons are still kicking my ass.

** SPOILERS **

Except for that little fucking dragon in the forest. I ate him alive. I'm coming for your mommy, bitch! I'M COMING, and hell is coming with me!

** END SPOILERS **

Fuck you, dragons.

[Draekon]

.......The loading times are...Terrible.

I have a good rig. (3.2 GHZ Quad-core processor, 8 gigs of ram, 1 TB of hard drive space, and a Radeon 4850 HD graphics card.) I'm not sure why the hell it takes so long to load. It does 'chug' a little bit now and then, but usually unscrews itself after a moment or two. I guess its all up to me running it at the highest settings its got, but seriously, 5 minute loads? What the hell? This game better be glad its so good.

[Chikt]

.......The loading times are...Terrible.

They're not TERRIBLE for me, but they are pretty bad. Having such long loading times on saves is a bitch, though.

EDIT: My character (http://social.bioware.com/playerprofile.php?sku=dragonage1_pc&nid=2266922174)!

[Abric]

30 second load times, MAX, on the 360! MWHAHAHAHAHAHA!

[Draekon]

30 second load times, MAX, on the 360! MWHAHAHAHAHAHA!

Too bad my computer out preforms 360s in graphics.

[Sejarki]

I guess its all up to me running it at the highest settings its got, but seriously, 5 minute loads? What the hell? This game better be glad its so good.

5 minute load times? You better be exaggerating. I'm getting nowhere near that, maybe 20 seconds max. It could just be your computer but it really doesn't sound like it.

[Maithanet]

I did the Wood first, and found it really easy. Hardest thing about the wood was trying to work out why I knew the voice of the Keeper (Why hello there Tuvok).

[Chikt]

I lol every time I walk into a room full of traps and my Dwarf starts yelling.

LOOK THERE! A CUNNING TRAP!

IT'S A TRAP!

[Nadea]

They're not TERRIBLE for me, but they are pretty bad. Having such long loading times on saves is a bitch, though.



Yeah, loading times have been -awful- for me. My computer isn't that bad, but I'm running very little memory in it, so things in general just load very slowly. I also have to run my graphics at a low setting because of it. Sad panda, since the graphics are beautiful.

Thats really my only complaint though, at least so far. I'm not nearly as far in as I'd like to be, but I was too busy playing intros to work on my main right away. City Elf Rogue, and I'm having a blast with her.

[Leoren]

For those with loading issues, what operating system are you guys using? I have less RAM and a slower processor than Draekon for example, but I've -never- had that long a loading screen. Using Windows 7 myself, loving it so far.

[Karkarov]

There is a memory leak just like every other game bioware makes for the PC. I can't believe you guys never noticed it on previous titles. The longer you play the worse loads get. For me when I start I get like 30 second loads sure but after 2 hours they become more like 50 seconds, yesterday I played I think for 5 hours and by the end I was taking like a minute and a half.

Orzammar is by far the hardest area I have done so far, I started it at level 11 (by the end I was like 13 almost 14) and still had some issues in the late encounters in the chain. Unless the forest (the only one I have left) is totally insane challenge wise I am definitely going to have to go down as advising Orzammar last. Oghren is hilarious as all get out though when you pair him with Wynne and Morrigan.

My best moment so far in the game though did come from a loading screen. I like to read the tips see and one time the tip was "When all else fails go for the eyes!!!" If you are a Baldur's Gate fan you know why that is funny.

[Maithanet]

Real question is here... What would Andraste do?

[Chikt]

Real question is here... What would Andraste do?

Get burned into a pile of healing ashes and put at--

Wait. Right. Spoilers.

Andraste would die. Like a fucking noob.


Oghren is hilarious as all get out though when you pair him with Wynne and Morrigan.

It's even better when he gets drunk at the camp. That was... interesting.

[Maithanet]

I laughed so hard when they said that.

I also laughed when Leliana got pissed at my relationship with Morrigan.

[Szordrin]

Hm. If the load times are that bad I might just go with PS3 version.

[Ansha]

It depends for my computer (duo-core AMD Athlon 64 X2 5800+ 3.0GHz Alienware with 4GB RAM and an ATI Radeon 4800 graphics card) . Zone transitions take a minute or two. Transitions within a zone take a second or two.

Also, I restarted a campaign on Hard instead of Normal. And it seems to be easier. I don't know if that's because I know what I'm doing now, or what.

[Draekon]

I think I located my problem. I installed the game but never restarted. Gonna test that theory now.

[Draekon]

Yep.

Note to self: Remember to restart computer....Daily.

[Chikt]

Okay, I have to post up these screenshots. Be aware they contain potential spoilers.

Screenshot 1 (http://s145.photobucket.com/albums/r217/DMDyet/?action=view&current=DAOScreen1.jpg)

Screenshot 2 (http://s145.photobucket.com/albums/r217/DMDyet/?action=view&current=DAOScreen2.jpg)

Screenshot 3 (http://s145.photobucket.com/albums/r217/DMDyet/?action=view&current=DAOScreen3.jpg)

Screenshot 4 (http://s145.photobucket.com/albums/r217/DMDyet/?action=view&current=DAOScreen4.jpg)

Links should work. Descriptions are on the pages.

[Ryoku]

Dio, your Dwarf looks just like you.

:D

[Chikt]

Dio, your Dwarf looks just like you.

That WAS the intention.

[Sejarki]

Also, I restarted a campaign on Hard instead of Normal. And it seems to be easier. I don't know if that's because I know what I'm doing now, or what.

Yeah, I've been playing on hard from the beginning and it's been fairly intense. Though I'm also playing an archer, so that's probably not helping. But I like it anyway, every battle feels significant.

[Szordrin]

I'm going to make a Save the Dragons Association of Azeroth. SDAA.

[Chikt]

Yeah, I've been playing on hard from the beginning and it's been fairly intense. Though I'm also playing an archer, so that's probably not helping. But I like it anyway, every battle feels significant.

Rogues are hard when you first start off, let alone an Archer. I don't know how that will work.

I've been playing on Normal, and at several points with my Rogue I had to put the difficulty back to easy. It's been pretty rough.

Now, however, that I have gotten specializations and am able to wield main hand weapons in each hand, I'm the strongest member on the team. I could easily pump the difficulty up to hard, because right now it feels like it's easy.

[Abric]

Drop it to easy? You aren't a dwarf, Dio. You're an ELF! DOOM!

I am on the last guy ... and he is ROCKING me. I go back on what I said earlier; baby Abric needs healer badly!

[Swerto]

A gold farmer's guide (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HqA0HXIeCcU&feature=player_embedded#at=240)

[Chikt]

Drop it to easy? You aren't a dwarf, Dio. You're an ELF! DOOM!

Level a Rogue with the intention of using daggers.

It doesn't work.

[Maithanet]

I did some sniffing, and this game has, like.... Five billion endings.

FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF

[Thalevia]

I did some sniffing, and this game has, like.... Five billion endings.

FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF

Replay value!

[Cristok]

Whats DLC mean?

[Agnarr]

downloadable content

[Nadea]

I need to quit my job so I can get through this game.

[Karkarov]

Dio please tell me that isn't a pic of wynn using red steel heavy chain ;p

[Leoren]

It's the dragon scale stuff. Arcane Warrior. Stuff is beastly. Surely you knew that Kark?

[Chikt]

Dio please tell me that isn't a pic of wynn using red steel heavy chain ;p

It's the Dragonscale set. Which provides a set bonus that lowers fatigue cost.

She has less fatigue wearing this than she did wearing her robes. I shit you not.

EDIT: I just finished. My ending made me happy and sad all in one. It does a really nice job of going over what happens to everyone after the game is over, and I have to admit, I was surprised at the result of several events. Some pretty interesting stuff.

And then there was the continuation on the story of Shale. That... that made me lol.

[Maithanet]

Picking up Shale on my "Super duper good guy" runthrough.

I really enjoyed the ending. It was frankly excellent. Right now I'm doing the "evil" version of my normal playthrough. Then I'll move on to playing the game the other way.

Question for you Dio, had you picked Morrigan or Leliana as your interest, if you picked any at all.

[Chikt]

Picking up Shale on my "Super duper good guy" runthrough.

I really enjoyed the ending. It was frankly excellent. Right now I'm doing the "evil" version of my normal playthrough. Then I'll move on to playing the game the other way.

Question for you Dio, had you picked Morrigan or Leliana as your interest, if you picked any at all.

I'd ask what happened in your ending but spoilers. XD

My character picked neither. Leliana never really came on our trips (she was a rogue, and even though she is an archer, my character was also a rogue and as such it felt like a mistake to take her). As for Morrigan, other characters seemed to comment a lot about her relationship with my character but there really was none. My character made a choice that made Morrigan pretty unimpressed towards the end of the game, and she left my team.

I plan to make a City Elf Warrior next. He'll be my "love interest" character. Not sure which of the ladies it will be. Probably Morrigan.

[Maithanet]

City Elf got a much better Origin than Dalish Elf, but I found I liked the lore of the Dalish a lot better.

Also, I apparantly pushed my Leliana rep high enough that the game thought I was trying it on with both of them, even though I flat out told Alistair I wasnt interested and nothing was going on, nor did any of the romance choices with her.

Breaking up with someone I never dated sure is odd.

[Agnarr]

Leliana never really came on our trips (she was a rogue, and even though she is an archer, my character was also a rogue and as such it felt like a mistake to take her).

Ah, glad there's another rogue party member out there, especially an archer. I only just got through the beginning "joining" thing, and was sad to see my pinning shot guy go away (very handy vs. casters that just run away when you try to get close) since my rogue is more melee-based.

[Ansha]

City Elf got a much better Origin than Dalish Elf, but I found I liked the lore of the Dalish a lot better.

This.


Also, I apparantly pushed my Leliana rep high enough that the game thought I was trying it on with both of them, even though I flat out told Alistair I wasnt interested and nothing was going on, nor did any of the romance choices with her.

Breaking up with someone I never dated sure is odd.

I'm annoyed Morrigan isn't in to women, and Leliana is. >_>

But Ansha slept with Zevran while "talking" to Leliana in party camp, then persuaded Leliana that Zevran was lying about it.

I want to see just how many characters Ansha can sleep with in the same runthrough.

[Maithanet]

You're going to regret that.

And I think the answer is three. At least, it is for the guys. I was actually painfully loyal to Morrigan.

[Abric]

And here I thought Morrigan only loved me ... that whore! I think you are fine so long as you tell folks it is a one time thing. Or, if you are just looking for achievements ... revert back to the save previous to speaking to them. Free achievement, free conscience.

The witch will never know ..

[Karkarov]

It's the dragon scale stuff. Arcane Warrior. Stuff is beastly. Surely you knew that Kark?

Haven't unlocked it and don't really care to either. I like my casters casting when I do fights right they never get hit to begin with. Wynne especially has no mp issues considering her specific power which is horribly op.

[Lythas]

GODDAMMIT, ALISTAIR. YOUR RESISTANCE ONLY MAKES MY PENIS HARDER. >:| I don't want the skanky elf, ffs. I get enough of that on WoW, tyvm.

[Chikt]

YOUR RESISTANCE ONLY MAKES MY PENIS HARDER.

That was a great anime.

Alistair is great. Actually, all the characters in DAO are awesome. Alistair, however, is a favorite along with Shale. I had some awesome conversations with Alistair on my character, joked with him at the most inappropriate moments.

[Vyn]

Wait, you can sleep with your party?

BEST. GAME. EVER.

Also, is there a multiplayer in this?

[Chikt]

Wait, you can sleep with your party?

BEST. GAME. EVER.

Also, is there a multiplayer in this?

No Multiplayer, no.

[Lythas]

No Multiplayer, no.

The world would implode from the ridiculous amount of amazing that would be.

[Vyn]

Yeah, even if it were just a local multiplayer in which the other person(s) controlled members of your party.

[Ryoku]

I read something in the faq awhile ago where they hinted they were interested in multiplayer, but didn't want to involve it since this is the first Dragon Age game created. I don't really blame them.

I've been playing it, and the playstyle reminds me of KoTOR, except on steroids. Way more micromanaging than I had anticipated, and I love it.

Oh, I said I'd do this, so here are the speccs on my laptop (underlines emphasize numbers you actually care about):

-AMD Turion Dual Core2.2 Ghz, 2MB L2 cache
-ATI Mobility Radeon 3650
-4GB DDR2 RAM
-Windows *fucking* Vista Home edition

I run the game on the 1200ish-720 resolution with the graphics on high. There is lag in some instances so far (bridge overlooking the battle in Osgola-whatever) but really, it's not all that bad. Loading screens have gotten annoying but it isn't really a terrible problem.

So, if you're looking to play, I'd say chances are you're pretty dandy on speccs.

As for the game, I started as a city elf 1h/shield warrior and actually found it mildly boring. The skills feel linear, and less choosy. The badassery of knocking someone down with your shield loses it's appeal after awhile, plus I found that tanking companions were quite abundant.

So I'm starting again as a mage with the idea of going towards arcane warrior. I'm enjoying it so far, and am actually happy that I'm coming upon the age where I am actually spending some time at the level up screen because I'm not -quite- certain that I -really- want to pick that spell over that -other- spell over there.

Such a fantastic game. Already I'm thinking about yet another playthrough as a rogue archer.

[Vyn]

Wow. Yeah, that sounds like more micromanaging than I can handle. My tiny brain can only do so much, and, while I understand the benefit of that spell over this spell, I still haven't evolved the ability to pick the one that doesn't do more damage and look pretty.

But then again, I would probably just run around and knock stuff down with my shield.

[Ryoku]

Wow. Yeah, that sounds like more micromanaging than I can handle. My tiny brain can only do so much, and, while I understand the benefit of that spell over this spell, I still haven't evolved the ability to pick the one that doesn't do more damage and look pretty.

But then again, I would probably just run around and knock stuff down with my shield.

The micromanaging is actually something I find that makes the game fun.

It's also nice that they give you a pause feature connected to the spacebar. I'm not a big fan of this "tactic" thing that makes Alistair automatically open up with a shield pummel (stun) and follow it up with a shield bash (knockdown) on a random target when I'd much rather have him save it for the spellcaster I want locked down. Maybe I'm just doing it wrong but I've found turning off all the "auto-use" stuff and using the pause screen fairly effective. It's gotten me through hard so far.

[Chikt]

I played around a bit in the starting City Elf campaign, decided it wasn't for me, and made a Human Warrior that I've stuck with, just to see the effect that it has on the campaign later on down the line. The human story seems to be one of the most interesting. I found with the Dwarven Commoner campaign that the reasons I was joining the Grey Wardens were kinda... sketchy, at best. But the Human Campaign seems far more driven.

[Agnarr]

I just got to...whatever that shanty town is you go to after getting Morrigan to join up. Allistair drops so easily. :( Some tank.
I kind of wish you could have more than 4 members in the group, since it seems like every group you're facing are like 1.5-2x the numbers. The micromanaging is a neat function, but at the same time I want to play an RPG, not an over-the-shoulder RTS.

The conversations some of the party members have while wandering around are great. I forgot how much I liked that from the Baldur's Gate games.

[Kelven]

So far I'm loving Dragon Age, Bioware has rewarded my fanboy leg-humping yet again. I will try to contain my gushing praise to a few remarks.

The voice acting is really impressing me so far. The occasional recognizable cameos ("Is that - is that Captain Janeway? ... IT IS!") really tickle me and there are a few characters I could just listen to forever.

Right now I'm playing through as an elven mage who is sweet and kind and as pure as the driven snow. People give him crap for being a mage, or for being an elf - and then he is so relentlessly nice to them they eventually fold and apologize. Everyone learns an important lesson about tolerance. He's like an after-school special that can shoot lightning.

[Maithanet]

Kate Mulgrew / Captain Janeway didnt really get a cameo per se. Flemmeth is a core DA lore character up to this point in time and probably a returning villian too. Might even get her own origin.

[Kelven]

Kate Mulgrew / Captain Janeway didnt really get a cameo per se. Flemmeth is a core DA lore character up to this point in time and probably a returning villian too. Might even get her own origin.

Okay, granted, her role is a little more extensive than "cameo", but still I wasn't expecting to hear her. I'm not that far into the game yet, I can only hope she comes back.

[Ryoku]

So far I'm loving Dragon Age, Bioware has rewarded my fanboy leg-humping yet again. I will try to contain my gushing praise to a few remarks.

The voice acting is really impressing me so far. The occasional recognizable cameos ("Is that - is that Captain Janeway? ... IT IS!") really tickle me and there are a few characters I could just listen to forever.

Right now I'm playing through as an elven mage who is sweet and kind and as pure as the driven snow. People give him crap for being a mage, or for being an elf - and then he is so relentlessly nice to them they eventually fold and apologize. Everyone learns an important lesson about tolerance. He's like an after-school special that can shoot lightning.

My mage is an elf too. I'm going for that intellectual bitch with a heart of gold appeal. She'll chew you up in a convo, but as far as moral choices go she always does the innately "good" thing.

That's the one thing that got me about most games that encompass morality, they don't offer much decision for the person who wants to walk the line. You make good karma and evil karma choices to balance things out.

Also Dio, I found the City Elf origin interesting. Once you get passed that whole "Arranged marriage" deal, there are some pretty dark underlays involving the relationship between humans and elves in this Universe.

[Abric]

Concerning the Tactics ... you just have to take a good sit down to understand exactly what you have to do. Playing through this a second time (as a dwarf, as it should everyone), there are a lot of things that I wish I would of "picked up" a lot faster the first time around.

Playing on the 360, I let my folks go and do their own thing and hope for the best. When I would pause it and make them go after the caster ... right when I switched to somebody else they would go back to hit the little punk ass who is just sitting there shooting his baby arrows. It was pretty aggrivating. Mostly to the fact I forgot about the "select all" feature, and with a simple click of "A" they would all bum rush that caster.

Also, casters are overpowered. Watching Lascivious go through a mage and do the Earthquake/Tempest combo disgusts me. Mostly out of jealousy.

[Ansha]

You're going to regret that.

And I think the answer is three. At least, it is for the guys. I was actually painfully loyal to Morrigan.

I was really hoping for multiple romances at once, but apparently I may actually have to break someone's AI heart in order to reach my goal. Sadness.

[Maithanet]

I was really hoping for multiple romances at once, but apparently I may actually have to break someone's AI heart in order to reach my goal. Sadness.

I warned ya kid... Or would have, had I know in advance how slutty you intended to be.

Fucking pervert.

[Karkarov]

You think thats bad abric you should see what happens when you pair up blizzard or cone of cold with a person who casts stonefist or 100% crit attacks "if they hit". If it aint a boss it is going to die.

The game actually plays closest to Neverwinter Nights 2 in all but the "ruleset". Conversations are handled the same, every person but you is voiced, the layout/controls are almost identical, same tactical/over the shoulder views, similar party member "rep" tracking, etc etc. Basically DA:O is just the most polished version of the game engine they created with Baldur's Gate 1.

[Ansha]

I warned ya kid... Or would have, had I know in advance how slutty you intended to be.

Fucking pervert.

>_>

<_<

I'm playing the most evil, promiscuous version of Ansha ever. Even became a Blood Mage for the mind control.

[Ryoku]

You think thats bad abric you should see what happens when you pair up blizzard or cone of cold with a person who casts stonefist or 100% crit attacks "if they hit". If it aint a boss it is going to die.

The game actually plays closest to Neverwinter Nights 2 in all but the "ruleset". Conversations are handled the same, every person but you is voiced, the layout/controls are almost identical, same tactical/over the shoulder views, similar party member "rep" tracking, etc etc. Basically DA:O is just the most polished version of the game engine they created with Baldur's Gate 1.

All Bioware games are like this.

KoTOR, NWN, Baldur's Gate, Jade Empire, and though I haven't played it I assume Mass Effect as well.

They haven't really done much to break out of this sort-of style, but it damn well works, and this is probably the best they've ever done it.

[Abric]

I'd be afraid of this game being multiplayer. I'd feel it would be some sort of multiplayer like Fable 2 was trying to be a multiplayer.

Now, if it was a bit independent - like built from the ground up of you taking as different Wardens... that could be cool. Kind of the mission oriented "Ok, you go to Orzammar to help the dwarves. I'm going to Redcliffe to help the cry babies. We'll meet in the middle, and fight some dragons. Deal? Let's gooooo!"

Actually, that would be a pretty damn interesting game to play; but then you'd have to dedicate your entire play time to somebody else being there to do their part. Like ... scheduling for a group or something. But we all know that's unrealistic with gamers these days.

Pft, show up at the same time to complete one task in an alloted period of time. Just outrageous.

[Sörröw]

Even on the main forums for the game there's a lot of "Don't touch my Single-player game because Multiplayer will suck!"

But, the game is already made.. out.. and people love it. If they added in multiplayer support I fail to see how that changes anyone's single-player game.

On that note.. the only type of multiplayer I would feel comfortable with in this game currently is co-op by allowing someone else to join my game or I join their own and take control of one of their party members.

[Thalevia]

All Bioware games are like this.

KoTOR, NWN, Baldur's Gate, Jade Empire, and though I haven't played it I assume Mass Effect as well.

They haven't really done much to break out of this sort-of style, but it damn well works, and this is probably the best they've ever done it.

If it isn't broken, don't fix it?

[Ryoku]

I'd be afraid of this game being multiplayer. I'd feel it would be some sort of multiplayer like Fable 2 was trying to be a multiplayer.

Now, if it was a bit independent - like built from the ground up of you taking as different Wardens... that could be cool. Kind of the mission oriented "Ok, you go to Orzammar to help the dwarves. I'm going to Redcliffe to help the cry babies. We'll meet in the middle, and fight some dragons. Deal? Let's gooooo!"

Actually, that would be a pretty damn interesting game to play; but then you'd have to dedicate your entire play time to somebody else being there to do their part. Like ... scheduling for a group or something. But we all know that's unrealistic with gamers these days.

Pft, show up at the same time to complete one task in an alloted period of time. Just outrageous.

I prefer this kind of game as a single player as well, honestly. The playstyle would be clunky for multiplayer imo.

Though if Bioware decided to make a game built from the ground up for multiplayer, or even an MMO with this storyline, I'd be for it.

And yes, Thal, if it isn't broke don't fix it, but they obviously have no problem refining it. :p

[Leoren]

The 'multiplayer' I was hoping this game would have would sort of be like what NWN2 had, in that it would be like an attempt at recreating a table top expierience in game. I never got into that game, but I heard that expierienced dungeon masters could create content and dialogue responses by NPCs on the fly for your online party. What's not to love about that?

Anyway, we'll see in time what people cook up with the game editor.

[Chikt]

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r217/DMDyet/Book.jpg

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r217/DMDyet/Signatures.jpg

So totally worth it.

[Ryoku]

The 'multiplayer' I was hoping this game would have would sort of be like what NWN2 had, in that it would be like an attempt at recreating a table top expierience in game. I never got into that game, but I heard that expierienced dungeon masters could create content and dialogue responses by NPCs on the fly for your online party. What's not to love about that?

Anyway, we'll see in time what people cook up with the game editor.

At first I was kind-of thinking that they were going to be going that path for dragon age as well, seeing as they claimed they were "getting back to their roots."

I'm not bothered though. I'd love it if the series went the route of a heavily revamped NWN, and it might be a direction they're looking to head, but we'll just have to see.

Also Dio, is that a strategy guide?

[Abric]

Have they even said they will be making more or is that just speculation, hopes, and dreams? Mass Effect 2 is coming out in January, and that is a pretty anticipated release to a pretty successful game.

Though I guess the question is ... will Dragon Age have a sequel, or will we be bought off like cheap whores for 20 dollar DLC's for an extra 1-2 hour gameplay that is hit and miss that we feel we're in a Fallout 3 vortex.

[Lythas]

Though I guess the question is ... will Dragon Age have a sequel, or will we be bought off like cheap whores for 20 dollar DLC's for an extra 1-2 hour gameplay that is hit and miss that we feel we're in a Fallout 3 vortex.

Hey, for this game, I'll be whatever it wants me to be. *stands on Bioware's corner*

[Draekon]

Well, I would say DLC probably would happen, but its more likely to get a full sequal.

The sub-title is Origins.

[Maithanet]

Have they even said they will be making more or is that just speculation, hopes, and dreams? Mass Effect 2 is coming out in January, and that is a pretty anticipated release to a pretty successful game.

Though I guess the question is ... will Dragon Age have a sequel, or will we be bought off like cheap whores for 20 dollar DLC's for an extra 1-2 hour gameplay that is hit and miss that we feel we're in a Fallout 3 vortex.

Both?

[Ryoku]

Have they even said they will be making more or is that just speculation, hopes, and dreams? Mass Effect 2 is coming out in January, and that is a pretty anticipated release to a pretty successful game.

Though I guess the question is ... will Dragon Age have a sequel, or will we be bought off like cheap whores for 20 dollar DLC's for an extra 1-2 hour gameplay that is hit and miss that we feel we're in a Fallout 3 vortex.

Actually yes they have said that they plan to make a sequel. I can't find the quote, but it was along the lines of calling Origins the first of a series.

The game didn't flop in any regards, so I would assume they're going to stay on that track.

DLC is probably inc though, and I will be there. Hell, I payed 7 extra bucks for that Warden's keep. ><

[Chikt]

Also Dio, is that a strategy guide?

It is. A highly lore oriented strategy guide that doesn't go over much in the way of strategy and more in the way of guide.


Though I guess the question is ... will Dragon Age have a sequel, or will we be bought off like cheap whores for 20 dollar DLC's for an extra 1-2 hour gameplay that is hit and miss that we feel we're in a Fallout 3 vortex.

Bioware have said they have 2 years worth of DLC lined up. Which is plenty of time to work on a sequel.

[Abric]

I hope to god it is a sequel. I'm not a fan of DLC's, just to the fact ... why didn't they add that in at the beginning! While I am not one to go crying out about people trying to milk me for my money (they are), I'd prefer they try to earn my money through their hard work and creativity. Yes, I like the suit ... but I don't want to buy the fucking 40 dollar cuff-links to go along with it!

[Agnarr]

btw, I believe daddy abric was looking for a guide to making friends, as his interpersonal skills fail enough that he has to rely on gifts.
http://www.justpushstart.com/2009/11/07/dragon-age-origins-gifts-giving-guide-raise-approval-ratings/

[Chikt]

I hope to god it is a sequel. I'm not a fan of DLC's, just to the fact ... why didn't they add that in at the beginning! While I am not one to go crying out about people trying to milk me for my money (they are), I'd prefer they try to earn my money through their hard work and creativity. Yes, I like the suit ... but I don't want to buy the fucking 40 dollar cuff-links to go along with it!

DLC got a bad name because of what EA did with the whole Oblivion Horse Armor fiasco.

At the same time, I think you underestimate just how much work can go into one single hour of content. The fact that Bioware have made a game that can last upwards of 40 hours is nothing short of spectacular. I would not expect DLC that added 10, 5, or even 3 hours of gameplay.

[Abric]

Yeah, Aerdir sent me one in a PM. I believe Aerdir was desiring to earn cred with me privately - so not to have its soul eaten in the upcoming Rapture.

... I like friends. I have money.

[Agnarr]

Also, how does one get to dual wield long swords? Every long sword I've found so far states main hand.

[Abric]

DLC got a bad name because of what EA did with the whole Oblivion Horse Armor fiasco.

At the same time, I think you underestimate just how much work can go into one single hour of content. The fact that Bioware have made a game that can last upwards of 40 hours is nothing short of spectacular. I would not expect DLC that added 10, 5, or even 3 hours of gameplay.

Never played Oblivion past the out of the box release, so my opinions are my own!

I also know how much it takes to make a video game (as much as one can without being in the business). But, that is their job and their role. I feel DLC's make an easy-out way to filter a bit more money from a release without going back to the drawing board. I love more content for good games... I really do. But, I also like a full game experience. If I am spending 10-30 dollars for 1-3 hours of my time ... compared to 40-60 dollars for 20-40 hours of my time - I don't see that as an investment coming back to me. Essentially, I'm paying them extra money for less effort and content. What's up with that?

Guess it's about pricing ... but fuck, regardless of my feelings of DLC, if they make it for Dragon Age, I'm buying it. I support capitalism ... and I'm a whore. A dirty, dirty whore.

Give me the fix, you lazy money-grubbing fucks! My addiction DEMANDS IT!

[Chikt]

Also, how does one get to dual wield long swords? Every long sword I've found so far states main hand.

You have to talent for it, then every Longsword will change from being Main Hand to One Hand.

[Agnarr]

Bitchwhores. Where is that talent?

[Chikt]

Dual Weapon Mastery, top tier talent in the 3rd chain of the Dual Weapon tree.

[Leoren]

Just finished my first playthrough.

Without spoiling anything, I'm amazed how gut wrenching it all was. Absolutely stellar game which grips you right until the ending. Walking away from it, I feel emotionally drained. I don't think a single player game has ever done that to me before. When the bloody credits inspire hints of meloncholy, you know the game was worth every penny.

Now I'm just torn on what I want to play next ...

[Abric]

Dwarf. That kills things. And turns things into paste.

[Maithanet]

Just finished my first playthrough.

Without spoiling anything, I'm amazed how gut wrenching it all was. Absolutely stellar game which grips you right until the ending. Walking away from it, I feel emotionally drained. I don't think a single player game has ever done that to me before. When the bloody credits inspire hints of meloncholy, you know the game was worth every penny.

Now I'm just torn on what I want to play next ...

We probably need a spoiler thread, but I'll know most of the answers from who did you romance?

[Karkarov]

About the bioware thing, Mass Effect has a similar over the shoulder viewstyle and conversation system but thats really where the similarities end. The actual gameplay and how combat is done is much different and dare I say that generally the AI for your pc's is better in Mass Effect oddly enough. I never felt like I had to micromanage in that game even on the hardest setting beyond a "go to this cover and hold position" order here and there.

Thats the deluxe guide dio pictured. It actually has a ton of strategy in it too just confined mostly to the class sections which are very detailed and well written. Hell the first third of the book is nothing but character creation, how to tweak them for different things, and build lists. The coolest thing about that guide is definitely the massive section at the end which is all lore and exclusive to that guide. Funny thing is where I bought mine the regular guide was only 8 dollars less. It was a no brainer as the huge difference in quality was obvious.

[Roth'rili]

Yeah I put about 70 hours into this on my first toon play through >.<

Not sure about my ending though, people say they find out about everyone's adventures. (in the written out version?) But yes need a spoiler thread I am sad at a particular ending of mine and I feel like I got left out of something after I attempted to research...a better ending. Damn it I should have kept that ring in my inventory I know thats why I didn't get it!

I am pretty drained myself from just this playthrough, there are somethings I think I could have made better and the romance option I took, I don't think I could ever change through any other playthrough. I is masochist.

[Skallagar]

Just got it off steam so I can be a cool kid too!


I still say there needs to be a *headbutt* option for every answer.

[Szordrin]

I got the game for PC. It works perfectly fine, SWERTO. In fact, it looks great.

[Szordrin]

Alright. So I am playing through and every so often one of my characters as a reserve mana or reserve stamina. Why is this?

Really kinda irritating when I cant open up with scatter shot.

[Brakogar]

Awesome! I just ordered this yesterday. I saw a video review of it and was sold right away - It seems that public opinion is also very positive.

[Agnarr]

Alright. So I am playing through and every so often one of my characters as a reserve mana or reserve stamina. Why is this?

Really kinda irritating when I cant open up with scatter shot.

There are certain abilities that the dudes can keep active, and that is what causes the "reserve". So it doesn't use mana/stamina/jellybeans over time, it just gives you a debt of the amount.
Some of the folks have multiple abilities that do that, so check your Tactics settings to see if they're set to activate multiple buffs in combat and remove them if you want...or just remember to check after combat and turn off what you don't want them always using.

For example, Allistair will do the threat buff and if he gets attacked by ranged will use his shield buff (by default). Unfortunately, I don't see a way to tell them to turn those abilities off after combat, so once they auto-activate them, they stay on until you turn them off.

[Chikt]

For example, Allistair will do the threat buff and if he gets attacked by ranged will use his shield buff (by default). Unfortunately, I don't see a way to tell them to turn those abilities off after combat, so once they auto-activate them, they stay on until you turn them off.

You can edit the tactics in such a way that you don't have to worry about deactivating the 'aura' talents. But I find it is better use keeping 2 of those tactic slots free for using activated abilities than it is really having a bunch of on/off switches for Auras, and so I do those and abilities with longer cooldowns mostly manually.

[Roth'rili]

By the way how are the guides? I been thinking about investing in one if they are worth it. Say if they builds in them are pretty good I love to play optimized toons and if it helps you get a 100% completion. I went through my first game and only had 45% completion last time I checked I know I had a lot of side quests left to do.

Something were just to hard for me to do for one and probably cause my toons weren't up to snuff. I also checked your profile Dio and have no idea how you got superior wade armor set >.< I wants I only got a normal set oh well. Replaying as a mage arcane warrior or a warrior SnB or DW

[Chikt]

By the way how are the guides? I been thinking about investing in one if they are worth it. Say if they builds in them are pretty good I love to play optimized toons and if it helps you get a 100% completion. I went through my first game and only had 45% completion last time I checked I know I had a lot of side quests left to do.

It has recommendation builds and every single quest, random encounter and item you can find in the game.


Something were just to hard for me to do for one and probably cause my toons weren't up to snuff. I also checked your profile Dio and have no idea how you got superior wade armor set >.< I wants I only got a normal set oh well. Replaying as a mage arcane warrior or a warrior SnB or DW

You get Wade's superior armor by turning in another 3 drake scales after you get the first set!

[Roth'rili]

It has recommendation builds and every single quest, random encounter and item you can find in the game.



You get Wade's superior armor by turning in another 3 drake scales after you get the first set!

Son of A!! I was even like...wtf I still have 3 scales left what am I suppose to do with those never occurred to me to talk to them again -_-

Thats what I need help with the most some of the quests. One thing I found out is that the game is horrible at keeping progress with what you have done with quests. I think I was sitting on 4 banastor scrolls out of 5 in the end, never found out how to do the summon thing in the mage tower, and so forth. Also how is the juggernaut armor? I heard it was like the must get for warriors but those revenants you have to fight to get the pieces...makes me cry. Just wondering cause it could have made Alistair a lot less squishie then he was for me and is the good boy option next to the supposed omega tankness of Shale.

I been researching some builds for my toons. Supposedly AW/Blood Mage is the most OP thing out there which I might be interested in playing >.> and getting kicked in the face a lot by people that knew how to build rogues far better then I did. Don't judge me cause I never took momentum!

Also to Ansha while I have Dragon Wiki up I am not sure if its still possible but it says with Leliana when you reach the point where she gets jealous of another lover you can 'harden' her. Quote from the wiki However, it is possible to 'harden' Leliana, if during her course, you tell her "Being an assassin was good for you because it helped you kill people." (Paraphrase.) Amongst other things, this allows you to have a threesome with Zev. So your threesome might very well be possible.

I am picking up the strat guide tomorrow damn sundays and businesses opening and closing early and only one vehicle between me and the gf.

[Skallagar]

This game kinda teaches you who you really are sometimes. For instance, I just slaughtered a lot of people who could been allies for the sake of the hot witch chick.


*Wha-pish!*

[Karkarov]

Actually that isn't it at all. The superior thing is pure chance. If you do not pay him from doing the work the odds of getting it are very low, each time you pay him they go up. If you give him the dragon scale and paid him both times you are pretty much a lock to get the superior version of whatever you ask for. Juggernaut is not all that and a bag of chips. It has great elemental resistance but wades is better stamina overall and has superior fire res obviously in addition to having higher armor. There is no real "best" armor to be honest. The effort set is really good for tanking too because it is one of the coolest looking sets and it has passives that boost your hp gain on heals. Don't forget the very easy to acquire DLC armor either.

[Agnarr]

www.dragonagejourneys.com

Just to quench your thirsts of DA:O you can play this flash game that will actually unlock a few pieces of gear in Dragon Age: Origins.

It's a pretty fun little flash game.. takes a good 2-3 hours from what I've been hearing and lets you in on what some of the talents will act like and how they'll work in DAO.

Enjoy.

I had actually forgotten about this, so I tracked down this post and went back and went through it today. Got all my unlockables. :D

[Leoren]

Actually that isn't it at all. The superior thing is pure chance. If you do not pay him from doing the work the odds of getting it are very low, each time you pay him they go up. If you give him the dragon scale and paid him both times you are pretty much a lock to get the superior version of whatever you ask for. Juggernaut is not all that and a bag of chips. It has great elemental resistance but wades is better stamina overall and has superior fire res obviously in addition to having higher armor. There is no real "best" armor to be honest. The effort set is really good for tanking too because it is one of the coolest looking sets and it has passives that boost your hp gain on heals. Don't forget the very easy to acquire DLC armor either.

There is a bug in the game where any + healing recieved stats currently have no effect. I heard about it on the forums and confirmed it running my own tests in game (PC version mind you).

I love this game to bits, but it definitely feels like it needs a good patch or two.

[Agnarr]

There is a bug in the game where any + healing recieved stats currently have no effect. I heard about it on the forums and confirmed it running my own tests in game (PC version mind you).

I love this game to bits, but it definitely feels like it needs a good patch or two.

The only thing bugging me right now is is the buggy AI.
Like, there have been a few instances now when I've selected everyone, told them to attack the same thing, and then it dies and I go to heal someone only to find the jackass mage is half a mile a way standing there like a retard.

Then there's been times that Al goes and bitch slaps something backwards, and the rogue (main character) just stands there gawking, instead of taking like two steps to the side to get back in melee range.

The dog is -always- just standing there unless I'm micromanaging.

I just have to remember that even with advanced AI scripting, the party members are still idiots and are more than happy to just stand there doing nothing unless I specifically tell them to move.

[Karkarov]

Fair enough I will take leoren's word for it. Regardless it is still a decent set. There is also the Legion of the Dead set, a high end templar set, and others ;p. I used Alister as my tank and I had him ending the game in full juggernaut with duncans shield while my character (two hand spec warrior) used wades superior heavy dragonbone.

[Necroxis]

So...I've been playing it for a while...and my team really sucks.

Yes this might be a bit of a "mad cuz bad" thing but more than that I was curious as to what route people took everyone in?

So far I just need to get Orzrammar before going to the meeting of Nobles with Redcliffe's Arl, and some fights are just literally impossible for me.

My character is a Blood Mage and, just last level, I got him Arcane Warrior.

Morrigan is more of an offensive caster with Shapeshifter/Spirit Healer

Alistar is more of a tank, right now he's only templar.

Wrynne is the healer with Spirit Healer, I haven't decided what to get with her yet.

Those are the 4 I usually use, any advice?

The other 3 members I have atm are the dog, Zevran, and Sten.

I have already started a new file with a dual wield/archer Rogue, because I was frustrated from dying so much.

[Szordrin]

Could be that your running a tri-mage team. That's pretty squishy.

I generally (and I am not very far) run with Alistar, Sten, Wynne, and my character who is a Rogue Archer. I do this because Sten can throw out butt loads of dmg, my main can stun three different ways, Wynne has an AOE heal, and Alistar is a fairly decent tank.

Sort of think of it in the sense that you are making a team for WoW but youre missing a fifth. Not saying you have to go with what I ran in the mage tower (which made it ridiculously easy), but just that it seems you lack some characters with high health and CC abilities.

Also, pausing the game is very useful. Using terrain and corridors to your advantage is as well, since you have so many mages. It wouldnt be hard to lure a group of 8 back into a tiny corridor and then shoot some lightning or flame stuff on them for AoE. I did this in early in the game.

[Maithanet]

So...I've been playing it for a while...and my team really sucks.

Yes this might be a bit of a "mad cuz bad" thing but more than that I was curious as to what route people took everyone in?

So far I just need to get Orzrammar before going to the meeting of Nobles with Redcliffe's Arl, and some fights are just literally impossible for me.

My character is a Blood Mage and, just last level, I got him Arcane Warrior.

Morrigan is more of an offensive caster with Shapeshifter/Spirit Healer

Alistar is more of a tank, right now he's only templar.

Wrynne is the healer with Spirit Healer, I haven't decided what to get with her yet.

Those are the 4 I usually use, any advice?

The other 3 members I have atm are the dog, Zevran, and Sten.

I have already started a new file with a dual wield/archer Rogue, because I was frustrated from dying so much.

No healer = death. You might wanna try with Wynne as she's a healer goddess.

[Szordrin]

He has Wynne.

His main, Morrigan, Alistar, and Wynne are his group.


Wrynne is the healer with Spirit Healer, I haven't decided what to get with her yet.

[Maithanet]

He has Wynne.

His main, Morrigan, Alistar, and Wynne are his group.

I'm bad and misread. Thought he was using Dog, Sten and Zevhran.

[Agnarr]

My character is a melee rogue, so I try to bring with me a tank, a healer, and some other form of dps/off-tanking. I had good luck with Allistair (though he is pretty effing squishy) being the "tank", the Dog being melee dps/offtank/AOEstun, and then my rogue just poking what was closest to dying, with Morrigan in the back shooting and healing (I still haven't gotten to the point where I get Wynne, and from what I hear of her, she'll just annoy me. In the interim, I gave Morrigan the heal spell at one level up.

But I need variety, so I remade my team as Shale with AI set to turn his defensive stance on all the time, Morrigan (as she's still my only healer), and the bard chick as ranged DPS. Hopefully Shale can handle tanking everything so I can keep on poking it in the butt. Guess I'll find out tomorrow night when I get to play again.

Where does Zev come from? And what type of character is this person?

[Thalevia]

I've been using Alistar, dog, me (mage) and Wynne. It's been not to bad though I've only done Redcliff and the Mage tower so far. (Damn you assignments and family)

Wynne is my super powerhouse healer though shes freaking stupid sometimes and will stand there casting offensive spells when my party members are dying no matter how I set her tactics to be heal first then if everyone is at full health you can dps. I have had several instances of everyone dying but me and her and us killing the last 2 or three guys remaining between my stun, her stun and my cone of freezing death aoe.

I screwed up and missed the rogue in that first town so have been running without anyone to unlock chests and whatnot for a good while now and it sucks.

When I get some freetime after finals, I am gonna restart the entire game from scratch.

[Karkarov]

An almost all mage team is actually very very devastating if you spec them the right way and mix and match. For example what do you think happens when you blizzard a large group with Morrigan, Earthquake it with Wynne, and start dropping fireballs on your main. Add in crushing prison and stone fist (both instant kill most frozen targets), sleep, and any of the horror abilities that auto work on sleeped targets and it just gets real ugly real fast. The main problem is you need to do alot of micro managing. You may as well turn your tactics off because no ai set up will use three mages effectively.

[Ryoku]

Could be that your running a tri-mage team. That's pretty squishy.

I generally (and I am not very far) run with Alistar, Sten, Wynne, and my character who is a Rogue Archer. I do this because Sten can throw out butt loads of dmg, my main can stun three different ways, Wynne has an AOE heal, and Alistar is a fairly decent tank.

Sort of think of it in the sense that you are making a team for WoW but youre missing a fifth. Not saying you have to go with what I ran in the mage tower (which made it ridiculously easy), but just that it seems you lack some characters with high health and CC abilities.

Also, pausing the game is very useful. Using terrain and corridors to your advantage is as well, since you have so many mages. It wouldnt be hard to lure a group of 8 back into a tiny corridor and then shoot some lightning or flame stuff on them for AoE. I did this in early in the game.

Actually many sources say the best way to tear through Nightmare is with Three mages and a tank. Don't underestimate them: They're pretty overpowered.

I'm running with my PC as a sword and board tank, Alistair as a dual wield DPS/offtank (don't laugh: He's pretty brutal), Wynne as a Healer/CC, and Morrigan as a DPS/CC/Offheal. It's a pretty solid team, only lacking in AoE (easily remedied, I just wish they would at least give sword and board SOMETHING of an AoE instead of two activatables that I will never use on account of shield wall being the pinnacle of badass) and of course lockpicking.. Though I'm not shedding many tears.. Locked chest rewards haven't been all that great.

Now for help: Necroxis, I would actually have reccomended not focusing Morrigan very far into shapeshifting and instead put more focus into her actual castables. She is a pretty well built mage, and upon much expirimentation I actually have much better results from her when she is not in a shapeshift form. I usually just keep spider form on standby in case she runs out of mana so at least she's doing something other than staffbolting.

Thalevia: On Wynne tactics, just remove all DPS abilities from the tactics. She will always be dumb and do that and it's just much better to limit her DPS to staff bolting unless you order her otherwise because otherwise she'll gladly burn her mana using Arcane Bolt and Rock Fist on random mobs.

Also, I actually plan on revisiting the game with a mirror of the set-up I have now (except I'll be the dual wielder and Alistair will be the sword and boarder) for my play through on Nightmare. I've made a lot of stupid mistakes with talenting and such (seriously: Alistair is a badass dual wielder but those points in shield are just rotting) so I'm thinking I'll do it again as a "do it right" run.

[Necroxis]

Actually many sources say the best way to tear through Nightmare is with Three mages and a tank. Don't underestimate them: They're pretty overpowered.

I'm running with my PC as a sword and board tank, Alistair as a dual wield DPS/offtank (don't laugh: He's pretty brutal), Wynne as a Healer/CC, and Morrigan as a DPS/CC/Offheal. It's a pretty solid team, only lacking in AoE (easily remedied, I just wish they would at least give sword and board SOMETHING of an AoE instead of two activatables that I will never use on account of shield wall being the pinnacle of badass) and of course lockpicking.. Though I'm not shedding many tears.. Locked chest rewards haven't been all that great.

Now for help: Necroxis, I would actually have reccomended not focusing Morrigan very far into shapeshifting and instead put more focus into her actual castables. She is a pretty well built mage, and upon much expirimentation I actually have much better results from her when she is not in a shapeshift form. I usually just keep spider form on standby in case she runs out of mana so at least she's doing something other than staffbolting.

Thalevia: On Wynne tactics, just remove all DPS abilities from the tactics. She will always be dumb and do that and it's just much better to limit her DPS to staff bolting unless you order her otherwise because otherwise she'll gladly burn her mana using Arcane Bolt and Rock Fist on random mobs.

Also, I actually plan on revisiting the game with a mirror of the set-up I have now (except I'll be the dual wielder and Alistair will be the sword and boarder) for my play through on Nightmare. I've made a lot of stupid mistakes with talenting and such (seriously: Alistair is a badass dual wielder but those points in shield are just rotting) so I'm thinking I'll do it again as a "do it right" run.

I guess I just need to micromanage them better...maybe I'll restart my mage. I got Morrigan all the way up to master shapeshifter. That knockdown/maul move for "Dire Bear" is actually quite good if it hits. But yes, I do use her for casting more than Bear form, that's just normally for bosses when she gets squished and/or her spells don't do anything to the bosses.

[Agnarr]

Clearly I'm playing too slowly, as this thread dies and the ending/spoiler thread thrives. T.T

[Szordrin]

It's okay Agnarr. I'm still playing too.

[Necroxis]

It's okay Agnarr. I'm still playing too.

Yeah I restarted my mage and didn't take the shitty talents so things are going much smoother.

[Irontoe]

It's okay Agnarr. I'm still trying to get Morrigan in the sack too.

Fixed.

[Necroxis]

Fixed.

Yeah I'm doing that too xD

I was also wondering what some people found as ridiculous spell combos, since I do use Morrigan and my char (who is a mage).

Right now I've been doing Earthquake + Blizzard
Another insane one is sleep + nightmare.

And two cones of cold right after each other followed by 2 shock spells is insane.

[Agnarr]

The only combo I've used with any regularity has been the hex of weakness or w/e its called followed by a drain life. I have heard about frozen + shatter combos, but Morry doesn't have the spells to do that on her own, and she's my only mage so far.
Though I did start a second game with a mage main char...haven't gotten far with him though. Kind of annoyed me that the the first NPC you see after going through the harrowing looked just like my PC, except mine had goatee stubble. :/

[Ryoku]

Fixed.

Alistair here.

Sexy, sexy man!

[Agnarr]

Also, this is something I noticed and am not sure if I'm just doing it wrong, or if the tactic is bugged.
Trying to set a mage tactic that is like Enemy - grouped with 2 or more allies - use ability aoe hex (I forget the name).
Except when I choose the enemy - group with 2 or more, I don't get a "use ability" option. :(

[Ansha]

Personally, I like playing it through without the min/max spell combos like earthquake/blizzard. They remind me too much of the old "Wall of Fire at a chokepoint" trick in DDO. I'm more than a one-trick pony, kthx.

[Agnarr]

Those tricks may come in handy on Nightmare-difficulty.

[Necroxis]

Personally, I like playing it through without the min/max spell combos like earthquake/blizzard. They remind me too much of the old "Wall of Fire at a chokepoint" trick in DDO. I'm more than a one-trick pony, kthx.

Exactly...on Nightmare you'll get smoked so fast that shatter combos are pretty much needed (I started a mage on Nightmare and its pretty brutal - or maybe I just suck *shrugs*)

I would hardly call chokepointing enemies through a doorway where you have 2 mages set up alternating cone of cold/shock/ect not viable, it's ridiculous.

[Ansha]

Exactly...on Nightmare you'll get smoked so fast that shatter combos are pretty much needed (I started a mage on Nightmare and its pretty brutal - or maybe I just suck *shrugs*)

I would hardly call chokepointing enemies through a doorway where you have 2 mages set up alternating cone of cold/shock/ect not viable, it's ridiculous.

Never said it wasn't viable. I just don't like min/maxing like that. My run through on nightmare will have me playing the same way I played on Hard.

Actually, I take that back. I'll probably bring a healer (Wynne).

[Karkarov]

This is actually one game I will never play above normal, there is no reason to. No achievement for it really (at least not in the pc version) and it even forces a certain team combo to an extent. Normal already has enough of a blend of challenge and cheap 3 yellow mages with mass paralyze action/crushing prison to satisfy me. There is one "bragging rights" one though. It requires you clear the entire game on any setting without your main character ever going to 0 hp once.

[Lythas]

This game was teh reason why I just now renewed my WoW sub- after not playing for 18 days. And I'm still nowhere near the end. :(

[Ryoku]

Hard has been pretty good to me. I haven't tried a lower difficulty yet, but I'm finding it to be a good challenge with some "wtf" spots. Just what I like in a game. I actually kinda feel like if I dropped it to easy I'd just blow through it, and wouldn't appreciate it as much as bleeding for it.

[Agnarr]

I've noticed a pretty big difference from what tinkering I've done on a second character at the same difficulty setting. Like I'm not wiping on every fight in the first "wilds" zone you get to like I was on my first game.

[Szordrin]

I'll be honest. I've played the majority on Hard but when it came to killing the first dragon available in game, Yeah... I put it on normal cause I died.. mmm... 8 times?

[Karkarov]

I doubt there is really that huge a difference in challenge between hard and normal anyway. The dragons on normal can be nightmares already depending on how you approach them and what level you are.

[Szordrin]

Mmm. Mine started with an F and I attempted a few times at the avg level of 9. Then again at the avg level of 12. Thats when I was like "Fuck this shit" and set it down a level. Made it worlds less frustrating but still had to pause to control my retarded Wynne (regardless of the very detailed battle tactics she has)

[Omy]

Hmm I started to go healer on my mage before I got the old lady, so now....I have two. Which is actually kinda fun. I'm not far enough though that I've gotten my mage into..what is it, the spirit tree? Still haven't figured out how to unlock it... But the glyphs have been a nice boon as well as having two heals to keep my tank upright during HOLY CRAP moments.

I haven't gotten too far in myself, but I think that's just due to some odd felt obligation to pop into WoW....I dunno, and then, inevitably get caught up in some 5 hour fight against Horde. =3 ..or some RP...but it's usually the Horde. *shakes fist*

[Chikt]

http://nerfnow.com/comic/image/213

Sandal makes everything funny.

[Agnarr]

I apparantly must just suck at this game. I've lowered the difficulty to easy because I'm tired of staring at loading screens while I reload the game.

Too many times I've been "okay, here's a fight! You do this, you do this, you move over here, and you do this" and then the not-even-a-boss casts a spell and 2 guys die.

I just got to the dragon on the Ashes journey. It smoked me 4 times, best I got it so far was to around 40%. And that was just Sten and Morrigan, because Ally and my PC rogue died within a second or two of battle.

[Karkarov]

There is a definite order to the game Agnarr also there is tons of side quests and such to help. Honestly once you hit lothering do every side quest there you can and then hit up denerim and all it's options, then do the DLC's if you can. Once you exhaust every non plot mission you can do the mages tower, redcliffe village, brecalian forest, then do the urn, and leave orzammar last.

Also it is key to remember, you don't have to kill the dragon right then. You can do the urn quest, leave, and then take out the dragon later on.

[Chikt]

There is a definite order to the game Agnarr also there is tons of side quests and such to help. Honestly once you hit lothering do every side quest there you can and then hit up denerim and all it's options, then do the DLC's if you can. Once you exhaust every non plot mission you can do the mages tower, redcliffe village, brecalian forest, then do the urn, and leave orzammar last.

Also it is key to remember, you don't have to kill the dragon right then. You can do the urn quest, leave, and then take out the dragon later on.

I did Mages Tower first and THEN hit up all the side quests. So much easier that way.

[Sörröw]

Mage tower does give you quite a lot of permanent stat bonuses.

One of the Devs did release the 'scaling' the way they wanted it in the game and it suggested Redcliffe/Tower at level 6+ Brecillian Forest 8+ Orzammar/Denerim 10+

Though, I did Orzammar first.. it was a challenge to be certain.. the Deep Roads had a great feel to them.. especially that one huge mother effin bridge.. :P

[Kaldore]

Alright, Steam is downloading this as we speak.

For my first play through I always play as the Good guy, second play through I'm so very Evil.

What Race/Origin/Class would be a good choice for my first time?

[Karkarov]

Alright, Steam is downloading this as we speak.

For my first play through I always play as the Good guy, second play through I'm so very Evil.

What Race/Origin/Class would be a good choice for my first time?

Any of them but I find elves hilariously have the most opportunity to make true assholes of themselves in their origin. Particularly City Elves.

[Ansha]

Any of them but I find elves hilariously have the most opportunity to make true assholes of themselves in their origin. Particularly City Elves.

I really wish that elf mages had the option to take the two elvish origins, instead of being stuck with Magi, which sort of assumes that you're a City Elf who got ratted out by other City Elves and turned over to the Circle.

[Karkarov]

Well the reason they don't is that a city elf would get ratted out like you said and a dalish would be forced to become a keepers apprentice which means they would not be allowed to leave their clan. In a way humans get the most ripped off since they share the mage with elves and they only get human noble. At the same time human noble is also the origin that (in my opinion) is the most connected to the actual plot.

[Ansha]

Well the reason they don't is that a city elf would get ratted out like you said and a dalish would be forced to become a keepers apprentice which means they would not be allowed to leave their clan. In a way humans get the most ripped off since they share the mage with elves and they only get human noble. At the same time human noble is also the origin that (in my opinion) is the most connected to the actual plot.

Honestly, I can see the City Elves hiding their children who show signs of becoming mages from the humans. The Dalish path would make you the Keeper's apprentice, but given the Dalish origin plot, I think it's just as feasible they would make you leave after your experience with the mirror because you'll die otherwise--they lose a Keeper's apprentice, yeah, but they lose you either way. In fact, I'd say that between the two, the Dalish Elf origin makes the most sense with a mage (as opposed to a City Elf origin).

[Skallagar]

Some fantasy world this is. Both Leliana AND Morrigan get pissed off at the suggestion of a threesome.

[Szordrin]

You're doin' it wrong.

[Skallagar]

Well, the game won't let me do it how -I- would.


Me: Morrigan, Leliana, I think I know how we can settle this. Let's all just have a drink first.


*drinks*

Me: Ok. You both just drank poison. You'll start to die in an hour. I know where the antidote is. You can have it back when we're done

*one threesome later*



Me: Wow, that was great. What's that? Oh the poison! Nah, it was just normal punch.

*flees*

[Ryoku]

Honestly, I can see the City Elves hiding their children who show signs of becoming mages from the humans. The Dalish path would make you the Keeper's apprentice, but given the Dalish origin plot, I think it's just as feasible they would make you leave after your experience with the mirror because you'll die otherwise--they lose a Keeper's apprentice, yeah, but they lose you either way. In fact, I'd say that between the two, the Dalish Elf origin makes the most sense with a mage (as opposed to a City Elf origin).

Spoilers? I kind-of wanted to go through the Dalish Elf Origin.

Anyways, there are a lot of reasons that a City Elf would get turned over to the humans for being magically gifted. There are places within the plot where it is made apparent that it is very hard to hide magical affluence. If you set someone's hair on fire because they pissed you off and you can't control your magic, chances are someone is going to find out.

Regardless, so far Elves have the most origins out of either of the other two races so I don't see why they would need more.

Honestly, I question why they didn't come up with a human commoner origin, even though the human noble is excellent.

Also Yusegarr, that's an excellent idea. You should work for bioware.

[Karkarov]

So you know it is possible to actually score a foursome heh. But not with Morrigan, she and Alister are the two people in the game who will refuse to "share". Leiana can be convinced if you handle her properly ;p.

The fact that I know this is disturbing and sad, pardon me while I go headbutt a wall until I lose consciousness.

[Ryoku]

So you know it is possible to actually score a foursome heh. But not with Morrigan, she and Alister are the two people in the game who will refuse to "share". Leiana can be convinced if you handle her properly ;p.

The fact that I know this is disturbing and sad, pardon me while I go headbutt a wall until I lose consciousness.

Do you know how much I worked with Alistair to get him to actually move from the awkward "We like eachother" stage to the "Join me in my tent" stage?

Only to finally see that awesome softcore porn scene and start bursting out laughing at how ridiculous it was.

Don't hurt yourself too much.

Also, apparently if you handle Alistair a certain way you can threesome with him too. Even if you're male.

[Agnarr]

I started with the two DLCs, then headed to Redcliff, then followed the urn trail, doing side quests as I could along the line. At level 9-10 it was painful going through the house to find the blood mage in Denerim. Fighting the end guy there is where I first turned it to easy, because he was single-handedly nuking my party. After that, I went to follow more urn-ness and now am facing that "optional" dragon at levels 10-11. And he's rocking my world on easy.

I think my biggest hurdle is I'm used to tanks being able to tank. But since it seems like every battle is like 10 vs 4, any tank I have can't handle 8 at once, even with being healed every 5 or 6 seconds or whatever the cooldown is on it.
Maybe I need to get Morrigan that rejuvination spell, too. I've been relying solely on the one healing spell I got her (as she's my only mage party member).

[Ansha]

Spoilers? I kind-of wanted to go through the Dalish Elf Origin.

Anyways, there are a lot of reasons that a City Elf would get turned over to the humans for being magically gifted. There are places within the plot where it is made apparent that it is very hard to hide magical affluence. If you set someone's hair on fire because they pissed you off and you can't control your magic, chances are someone is going to find out.

Regardless, so far Elves have the most origins out of either of the other two races so I don't see why they would need more.

Honestly, I question why they didn't come up with a human commoner origin, even though the human noble is excellent.

Sorry, I figured I left it vague enough not to spoil too much. XD

And I don't know why they don't have a human commoner origin, either.

[Karkarov]

Also, apparently if you handle Alistair a certain way you can threesome with him too. Even if you're male.

Just no..... HELL NO in fact.

[Grayslin]

Alistair can't be seduced by a male character. However he can be talked into the threesome. At least according to that fancy official hard-back strategy guide with all the nifty bonus lore info.

[Grayslin]

Oh, right, other stuff.

I'm playing through on the 360, and it's good so far, but I'm kind of starting to feel the lack of good tactical control for my characters. I wish I had a better PC so I could have picked it up where it was really meant to be played.

I'm playing on normal with a human noble warrior tank. (I've sort of become a lifetime tank convert in any fantasy setting) I'm in the mage tower atm, with my tank, morrigan, leliana and wynne

Where I'm having annoyance is managing the rest of my party. Sometimes, I know there's a group in the next room that I'm better off LOS'ing into a hallway or through a door or something. But what I want to do is set up my ranged DPS outside and then go pull them and run back so I can tank them just outside the door where my DPS can open up on them. Problem is, I don't know how to make my party stop moving and wait in one place while I'm not in combat. Even if I just have my character selected, they still keep following right behind me until combat initiates.

So what happens is, I open the door (or round the corner or whatever), get the mobs to see me and then pull back out of LOS. Only problem is, the rest of my people who were following me don't budge, now that combat has started. They stand at the door, firing into the room and I have to individually move them all back (Or grab them all and run, but that ends up with my tank at the wrong end of the group) which wastes time and is chaotic trying to get things set up, when if they would just stay PUT I could set up a great firing corridor.

Am I missing something with the tactics commands or something? Or is this just a limitation of playing on the 360?

I should clarify, that I'm managing to do ok, I've only lost leliana twice and morrigan once, but it's so damn annoying.

Also, I miss my mass effect conversation wheel and a character with an actual voice. Having all the characters speak out loud minus my character who talks in text only is... jarring to me.
Oh, and some other annoyances with the console version I've noted:
- None of this top-down zoom out I've been hearing about.
This probably could save me some of the issue I'm having above

- Save irritiations
No apparent way to delete saves within game aside from overwriting them. I have to go out to the 360 menu to do it. I also kind of wish I could name my saves, though I have no idea whether or not you can on the PC either.

- "smart" menu is not very smart.
I don't even know where to start here... The menu is a clumsy beast that does not seem to operate consistently. Trying to do anything like the summoning sidequest in the mage tower while constantly referring to a codex entry is annoying at best. Every time I want to refer back to it, I have to open my menu (which defaults to a random screen, usually whichever one I need the least, why can't it just remember the last one I was on, instead of trying to be "smart" huh?) trigger over to the quest/codex/log section, then navigate over to the codex entry. Close it, do the next step then repeat. ugh.)

Also, finding new codex entries is irritating once the thing starts filling up. The thing gets marked read as soon as you scroll onto it, and since the highlighted entry scrolls from the edge of the screen instead of the middle, I never see the "new" entry mark if it's not near the top of the list.

[Agnarr]

On the PC, there's a button to the lower right of the party members that toggles between a hand and a running stickfigure icon (keyboard "H" toggle) that tells everyone to hold their position.
Tell them to hold, use one character to lure, and then when they come through the door select all and attack (or whatever).
I would assume the 360 has that hold position command, but not sure how you'd access it.

[Grayslin]

On the PC, there's a button to the lower right of the party members that toggles between a hand and a running stickfigure icon (keyboard "H" toggle) that tells everyone to hold their position.
Tell them to hold, use one character to lure, and then when they come through the door select all and attack (or whatever).
I would assume the 360 has that hold position command, but not sure how you'd access it.
Yeah, that's the thing, I can't find one. Anyone else using the 360 version that might know? Abric? *eyes of doom*

[ColdStream]

You need to go to the advanced tab on your scroll wheel (upper right, above your spells tab)and there should be an option for your party to wait for you there. I believe it's in the upper right position of the wheel. You select it again to let them move freely.

[Karkarov]

For the record you can also name your saves in the pc version and I do remember saying in a post before the game launched a Bioware tester I know told me flat out it is designed for PC first and plays better there and only the PC version got the tactical view. Truthfully I still don't use the tactical view too often but there are some fights where it is very handy.

[Abric]

You need to go to the advanced tab on your scroll wheel (upper right, above your spells tab)and there should be an option for your party to wait for you there. I believe it's in the upper right position of the wheel. You select it again to let them move freely.

I got beat to it. Advanced is where it is at - if you are in the Mage Tower you will be utilizing that mucho much. I haven't been working much with my XBox (or Dragon Age) due to it finally wanting to shit on me.

I have, however, been watching Lascivious play it on the PC. His laptop isn't too powerful, so you can tell ... but the options are amazing. I guess Karkarov is right afterall; that game is meant for the PC.

... but for fucks sake, don't tell him that. I rather enjoy him holding the "The World of Over" sign on the side of the street. It motivates me.

[Grayslin]

Thanks guys. Of course, I've waited until I'm out of the fade and at the end of the tower to ask, so it's not going to be as much use as it would have been had I asked at the outset >.<

And now that you mention it, I remember seeing that there in the advanced tab, and totally forgot about it for some reason. Oh well, good to know for future endeavors I suppose.

On a side note, anyone know how to make my character profile update on the bioware site? It still shows her stuck at level one, which is info almost a week old. I have all that online stuff enabled in the options, but there's no upload button and apparently it doesn't do it automatically?


Edit: I realized that the one posted was the first version of my character, whom I deleted and re-rolled with the same name. Maybe that was confusing the system somehow. I deleted the old one off my profile and let's see if that fixes it.

[Karkarov]

... but for fucks sake, don't tell him that. I rather enjoy him holding the "The World of Over" sign on the side of the street. It motivates me.

You realize I can read what you post yeah? At least I am not bald.

[Agnarr]

I got to the fade in the mage tower last night. Holy crap this part is fun. I was up til 2 AM because of it.
Sooo tired at work today.

Finally killed that effing dragon the other day, still on easy. But damn. The grab ability is broken. Somewhere it states that can only be used on low HP party members, but I swear half the time he was grabbing my 3/4 health tank and tossing him around til he died (even healing him while he's being tossed around doesn't work. It just tosses him around some more).
My shit pants rogue delivering the killing blow was pretty epic though. It either played the death scene in slow motion, or the laptop I'm using couldn't handle all the blood and action and sword-through-the-braining.

[Grayslin]

Yay, my deleting the thingy worked. And I'm not even home to log into the machine. o.O


I got to the fade in the mage tower last night. Holy crap this part is fun. I was up til 2 AM because of it.
Sooo tired at work today.
This is my exact experience, right down to the time frame.

Of course... I had to be at work at 6. That part was not as fun.

[Aquizit]

Dog + Alistair = nothing even TOUCHES your ranged characters unless you get flanked by a trap of mobs.

Original runthough = me as a healer/primal mage, Alistair, Dog, Leliana as an archer.

Romanced me some Spanish elf... rawr!

[Agnarr]

Does Zev sound Spanish?

[Ryoku]

He seemed Florentine to me, especially with the way he talked about Leather.

[Karkarov]

He is more Mediterranean. Like Cicily or Rome. There are actually a few other NPC's in game that have the same accent in the Denerim markets since they are also from Antiva.

[Ansha]

He is more Mediterranean. Like Cicily or Rome. There are actually a few other NPC's in game that have the same accent in the Denerim markets since they are also from Antiva.

Master Ignacio is also from Antiva and fails to have that accent in the PC version. In fact, from the PC version, I recall that Zevran is the only Antivan to have that accent. The other two or so that hail from Antiva do not.

[Karkarov]

Strange he has it in my game. It is more subtle though.

[Aquizit]

360 version is DEFINITELY more Spanish than Italian.

[Chikt]

So I really have to say, the game is SO MUCH EASIER as a Warrior. Even playing it on the harder difficulties, it is so much smoother than playing as my Rogue. Maybe it's the fact that I know the game better, maybe it is just that Rogues are not that great - but my 2 handed Warrior is amazing comparatively.