The Ultimate Vanguard: Hubris
The Ultimate Vanguard: Templar (Nexus Golems Wares)
The Ultimate Vanguard: High Dragon
The Ultimate Vanguard: Varterral
The Ultimate Vanguard: Rock Wraith
The Ultimate Vanguard: Arishok
The Ultimate Vanguard: First Dragon (low definition with music)
The Ultimate Vanguard: First Dragon (high definition no music)
The Ultimate Vanguard: Xebenkeck
The Ultimate Vanguard: Vanguard Duel
Overview
Vanguards are highly skilled warriors who know that the best defense is a good offense. The Ultimate Vanguard outlines my personal style of using an offensive warrior to effectively complete a no-pause nightmare playthrough. If you enjoy the added challenge of making split second decisions while steamrolling through nightmare then I welcome you to my guide.
Abilities
The abilities I chose were based on two things, fun factor and effectiveness. The vanguard tree is the most important part of this build and I chose it because I enjoy the high risk, high reward gameplay of an offensive based character (just like the vanguard from Mass Effect 2).
Act 1. Aquire the core abilities of the Ultimate Vanguard. You can substitute 1h and shield abilities for 2h abilities if you prefer that fighting style.
Level 0: Ability Name (minimum level to aquire)
Level 1: Pommel Strike (default) replace this skill at level 5 with Bolster by using a Maker's Sigh potion
Level 2: Mighty Blow (2)
Level 3: Giants Reach (3)
Level 4: Control/Might
Level 5: Scythe (5) + Bolster (3) by using Maker's Sigh potion and replacing Pommel Strike
Level 6: Control/Might + Cleave (6) by using a tome of physical technique
Level 7: Whirlwind (7) and choose the Reaver specialization
Level 8: Blood Frenzy (7) + Second Wind (8) by using the elixer of physical technique
Level 9: Destroyer (7)
Level 10: Claymore (10)
Deep Roads. Complete the Vanguard tree, and upgrade key abilities. At level 13 The Ultimate Vanguard is complete.
Level 11: Sunder (4)
Level 12: Reaper (9)
Level 13: Killer Blow (6) + Massacre (12) by using tome of physical technique bought in Act 2
Act 2. Choose a second specialization. Everything from here on is up to you. The Ultimate Vanguard is essentially complete at level 13 and you are free to specialize however you want from here on out.
Additional Abilities Worth Getting.
Specialization Abilities (Reaver or Berserker or Templar)
Cyclone
Tornado
Deep Breath
Last Push
Talent Synergy Reference
Giants Reach: -Mighty Blow -Scythe -Whirlwind
Bolster: -Active Abilities
Second Wind: -Active Abilities
Sunder: -Destroyer -Tornado -Cross class Combos
Cleave/Claymore: -Any type of burst
Claymore: -Cross class Combos
Destroyer: -Sunder -Tornado
Blood Frenzy: -Tanking
Attributes
Go pure strength until you have 19 strength, then go pure constitution until you have 19 constitution so you can wear decent armor like blood dragon. Afterwards I personally like to maintain a ratio of about 60% strength to 40% constitution with just enough willpower to use all of my actives in one burst. A 60/40 ratio means that if you have 20 constitution you would have 30 strength. At level 7 put 1 point in willpower and at level 8 put 3 points in willpower so that your base stamina is 125 which allows you to sustain might and have exactly 100 stamina available for a full burst. If you decide to go templar or berserker at level 14 then consider investing a few more points in willpower at those levels so that you can use the abilities.
Use a maker's sigh potion as early as possible to respec yourself and any companions you plan to use. Don't spend money on anything else besides the elixer of technique, tome of technique, and makers sigh potions or you wont have enough money at the end of act 1 to get into the deep roads. Below is a list of places you can get bonus attribute points.
Makers Sigh: +2 points taken from willpower and cunning (Act 1)
Avernus Draught: +2 points from Dark Epiphany Quest (Act 1)
Greater Tome of Mortal Vessel: +2 points from Trinkets Emporium (Act 2)
Night Terrors Quest: +3 points from solving barrel puzzles (Act 2)
Night Terrors Quest: +6 points from siding with a demon (I do not negotiate with demons so I did not recieve this).
Forbidden Knowledge Quest: +2 points from destroying every evil tome except the final grimoire (Act 2)
Arcane Tome of Mortal Vessel: +1 points from Korval's Blades (Act 3)
Greater Elixer of Mortal Vessel: +2 points from Black Emporium (Any Act)
Purchases
Act 1
4-5 Makers Sigh potions (The Black Emporium)
Tome of Technique (Hubert’s Fine Goods, Hightown)
Elixer of Technique (The Black Emporium)
Varric Armor Upgrade (Apparel Shop, Lowtown)
2 Backpacks (Robes by Jean Luc, Hightown & Apparel Shop, Lowtown)
Act 2
Tome of Technique (Ilen's Crafts, Sundermount)
Elixer of Greater Mortal Vessel (The Black Emporium)
Tome of Greater Mortal Vessel (Trinkets Emporium, Lowtown)
2 Anders Upgrades (Mage Goods, The Gallows & Lirene's Fereldan Imports, Lowtown)
- Note: Fereldan Imports is inside a buidling, not a stand
Varric Upgrade (Shady Merchandise, The Docks)
2 Merril Upgrades (Ilen's Crafts, Sundermount & Robes by Jean Luc, Hightown)
2 Sebastian Upgrades (Armor Shop, The Gallows & Olaf's Armory, Hightown)
2 Backpacks (Mage Goods, The Gallows & Robes by Jean Luc, Hightown)
Warden's Coif (Armor Shop, Lowtown)
Etched Ring of the Twins (Nexus Golem, Sundermount)
Act 3
Ring of No Wishes (The Black Emporium)
Backpack (Robes by Jean Luc, Hightown)
Design: Rune of Frost (Lirene's Fereldan Imports, Lowtown)
In Act 2 I got The Brothers End Sword very early and used it throughout the act.
In Act 3 go to sundermount first thing and get the rune of valiance and the elemental weapons Bloom and Celebrant. I got Bloom from Sundermount super early, and loaded it with frost runes. The hardest enemies in the game are weak to frost so Bloom is your main weapon against bosses like the High Dragon and Meredith. Her Son and The Celebrant are also found nearby and are awesome backup weapons to use against the select few enemies who are not weak to frost. As a main weapon for non bosses I think limbtaker and basrath kata are the best since they do physical damage and you dont have to keep switching weapons for new enemies. I actually ended up using the blade of mercy the most because it does physical damage making it very versatile, I dont have to keep switching weapons, and it has 2 rune slots which is perfect for the lyrium rune and a devastation rune. You also want to do Varrics companion quest ASAP to get the primeval lyrium rune. I missed the rune of valiance in most of act 3, but came back and found it later. Its in a pile of bones near the exit opposite of where u enter. The rune of valiance is worth nearly 10 levels worth of attribute points, its insane and I cant believe I nearly missed it my first playthrough.
Fighting Style
The Ultimate Vanguard is a master of burst fighting, AOE damage, lunge attacks, and cross class combos. Bursting allows you to maximize your damage by using all of your damage causing active abilities while under the effects of cleave/claymore. You will want to use varying burst techniques against different types of opponents. In between bursts you should fight with basic attacks or lunge attacks without using your damage causing active abilities (aside from pommel strike) so that the abilities are available during your cleave. You can also avoid some very hard hitting melee enemies by kiting (staying out of their range until you are ready to burst again). In between bursts you want to recuperate your stamina by finishing off enemies who are low on health with basic attacks or use abilties like Bolster or Second Wind.
Active Sustains: Control up to level 5, Might up to mid game, No sustains at all after becoming a templar
My Favorite Ability: Scythe
Primary Burst:
-Charge in with "attack nearest target"
-Activate Cleave/Claymore (20 stamina)
-Scythe (30 stamina)
-Mighty Blow (20 stamina)
Full Vanguard Burst:
-Charge in with "attack nearest target"
-Activate Cleave/Claymore (20 stamina)
-Scythe (30 stamina)
-Mighty Blow (20 stamina)
-Whirlwind (30 stamina)
100 stamina combo
Full Vanguard/Templar Burst:
-Charge in with "attack nearest target"
-Activate Cleave/Claymore (20 stamina)
-Scythe (30 stamina)
-Mighty Blow (20 stamina)
-Whirlwind (30 stamina)
-Holy Smite (35 stamina)
135 stamina combo
Vanguard/Templar Ultra Burst:
-Charge in with "attack nearest target"
-Cleanse (20 stamina)
-Silence (25 stamina)
-Activate Cleave/Claymore (20 stamina)
-Scythe (30 stamina)
-Mighty Blow (20 stamina)
-Whirlwind (30 stamina)
-Holy Smite (35 stamina)
180 stamina combo
Use second wind when stamina falls under 20%. Use bolster when second wind isnt available to get more stamina for an ability or two.
Controls and Key Bindings
I recommend controlling Hawke the majority of the time and setting up excellent tactics so that your party is effective in the absence of your control. Always hold down the right mouse button to enable mouse look (like in first person shooters). These keys were picked for ease of use and efficiency. I use ESDF movement which is similar to WASD movement, but in my opinion slightly better because it frees more keys like Q, A, and Z. All keys are easily accessible by the left hand.
E: Move Forward
S: Move Left
D: Move Backwards
F: Move Right
W: Attack Closest Target (This is your most important key. Use it all the time)
A: Cleave/Claymore
Q: Second Wind
2: Bolster
1: Dog
R: Scythe
4: Mighty Blow
T: Whirlwind
5: Cleanse
G: Silence
Y: Holy Smite
Z: Health Potion
V: Select all teamates
B: Select all teamates
You want to push your "attack closest target" key immediately before and immediately after using any abilities. The "attack closest target" key does not switch targets for you until your target dies, making it an ideal key to be pushing repeatedly. Pretend that autoattack doesn't exist and get in the habit of constantly pushing it, you'll be amazed how quickly you attack after using abilities and how quickly you can switch targets after defeating an enemy. If you need to switch targets before an enemy is killed, I recommend double right clicking on your new target, then hitting "attack closest target" and it will now attack your new target. Mastering this key is essential to being effective in a nightmare no pause playthrough. Against bosses where positioning is important, you need to master the use of the select all party members key.
Party Composition And Talents
You want a party that synergizes well with your vanguard. A defensive support mage is the most important companion to the Vanguard due to the Vanguard's lack of a strong defense. The ability to keep everyone alive with heals, and improve fighting ability with spells like Valiant Aura and Haste makes the defensive support mage your most valuable companion. Bethany is a good choice until Anders becomes available. Once Anders is available you will want to bring him on every single mission you go on and only use Bethany as a backup incase Anders is not available..
The second most important teamate is an offensive support rogue (Varric). The rogues job is to redirect threat towards Hawke as well as deal focus fire damage onto Hawkes target. The rogue is extremely important because the vanguard does not use taunt. Varric is an awesome choice and a great companion to always have with you due to his comedic value and high ranged damage.
The third companion is personal preference. Merril is probably the most powerful third companion but Sebastian is also a very good choice. Companions that use melee attacks like Isabella, Aveline, and Fenris are hard to use properly because of the large AOE damage of the Vanguards active abilities. You can still use them but have to be very careful with using abilities as they often run into melee range at the worst possible moment.
Most Important Companion Skills
Damage
Heals
Auras (heroic/valiant, elemental weps)
Revives
Goad/Corral
Armistice
Synergistic abilities and cross class combos
Primary Cross class Combos
Ultimate Vanguard Stagger (Claymore, Tornado + Sunder) ---> Mage (Chain Reaction)
Ultimate Vanguard Stagger (Claymore, Tornado + Sunder) ---> Mage (Paralyzing Prison)
Ultimate Vanguard Stagger (Claymore, Tornado + Sunder) ---> Rogue (Merciless Strike)
Ultimate Vanguard Stagger (Claymore, Tornado + Sunder) ---> Rogue (Maim)
Ultimate Vanguard Stagger (Claymore, Tornado + Sunder) ---> Varric (Kickback)
Mage Brittle (Dessicate)---> Ultimate Vanguard (Shattering Strike)
Mage Brittle (Dessicate)---> Ultimate Vanguard (Reaper)
Primary Party Members (1. Anders 2. Varric 3. Merril or Sebastian)
DefensiveSupport Mage: Anders Mag/Wil/Con Defensive Support Mage
Level 1: Heal
Level 2: Greater Heal
Level 3: Heroic Aura (3)
Level 4: Nothing
Level 5: Nothing
Level 6: Nothing
Level 7: Valiant Aura (7) + Panacea (7) + Haste (7)
Level 8: Vengeance (7)
Level 9: Aid Allies
Level 10: Swift Justice (10)
Level 11: Greater Haste (11) + Regroup
Level 12: Rock Armor
Level 13: Mindblast
Level 14: Barrier (5)
Level 15: Glyph of Paralysis
Level 16: Glyph of Binding
Level 17: Glyph of Repulsion
Level 18: Glyph of Defiance
Level 19:
Level 20:
Offensive Support Archer: Varric Dex/Cun Archer
Level 1: Evade
Level 2: Save Point
Level 3: Blindside (3)
Level 4: Armistice (4) + Chameleons Breath (4)
Level 5: Back to Back
Level 6: Goad (6)
Level 7: Rhyming Triplet (7)
Level 8: Chameleons Cloud (8)
Level 9: Bianca's Song (9)
Level 10: Brand
Level 11: Nameless Grace (11)
Level 12: Well Oiled (12)
Level 13: Embellishment (13)
Level 14: Corral (10)
Level 15: Truce (8)
Level 16: Kickback
Level 17:
Level 18:
Level 19:
Level 20:
Offensive Support Mage: Merril Mag/Con Offensive Mage
Level 1: Stonefist (default)
Level 2: Spirit Bolt (default)
Level 3: Hex of Torment (default)
Level 4: Elemental Weapons
Level 5: Mind Blast
Level 6: Crushing Prison (6)
Level 7: Blood of the First (7)
Level 8: Rock Armor
Level 9: Golems Fist
Level 10: Paralyzing Prison (10)
Level 11: Winters Grasp
Level 12: Chain Lightning
Level 13: Chain Reaction (6)
Level 14: Horror
Level 15: Despair
Level 16: Misdirection Hex
Level 17: Shackling Hex
Level 18: Death Hex
Level 19: Tempest
Level 20: Strikes Twice
Level 21: Petrify
Offensive Support Archer: Sebastian Dex/Con Archer
Level 1: Pinning Shot
Level 2: Rapid Pinning Shot
Level 3: Blindside (3)
Level 4: Speed
Level 5: Bursting Arrow (3)
Level 6:
Level 7: Guardian Angel
Level 8: Disorienting Shot (8)
Level 9: Righteous Chain
Level 10: Wounding Arrow
Level 11: Arrow of Judgement
Level 12: Holy Precision + Maferaths Advance
Level 13: Disciples Discipline
Level 14: Debilitating Arrow
Level 15: Precision
Level 16: Power
Level 17: Harmony
Level 18: Lightning Speed
Level 19: Energizing Speed
Level 20:
Non-Ideal Party Members (1. Fenris 2. Isabella 3. Aveline 4. Bethany)
Offensive Support Warrior: Fenris Str/Con Vanguard
Level 1: Mighty Blow (default) replace using Makers sigh at level 5
Level 2: Control (default)
Level 3: Rally (default)
Level 4: Elemental Aegis (3)
Level 5: Might
Level 6: Cleave (6) + Assail (5)
Level 7: Lyrium Ghost (7)
Level 8: Destroyer (7)
Level 9: Veneer of Calm (9)
Level 10: Claymore (10)
Level 11: Lyrium Spectre (11)
Level 12: Deflect
Level 13: Battle Tempo (13)
Level 14: Sunder
Level 15: Assail
Offensive Support Rogue: Isabela Dex/Cun Pirate
Level 1: Stealth (default) replace using Makers sigh at level 5
Level 2: Backstab (default)
Level 3: Evade (default) replace using Makers sigh at level 5
Level 4: Unforgiving Chain
Level 5: Lacerate (5)
Level 6: Perforate (6)
Level 7: Across the Bow (7)
Level 8: Savvy + Murder (8)
Level 9: Maim (9)
Level 10: All Hands on Deck + Experienced Hand
Level 11:
Level 12:
Defensive Support Warrior: Aveline Str/Con Support Tank (Talent Choices are a Work In Progress)
Level 1: Shield Defense (default)
Level 2: Taunt (default)
Level 3: Shield Bash
Level 4: Rally (4)
Level 5: Battle Synergy (5)
Level 6: Pummel (6)
Level 7: Perception (4)
Level 8: Unite (8)
Level 9: Fearless Synergy (9)
Level 10: Shield Wall (8)
Level 11: Heros Synergy (11)
Level 12: Immovable (7)
Level 13: Retaliation (9)
Level 14: Bodyguard (8)
Level 15: Elite Bodyguard (12)
Level 16: Serve and Protect (7)
Level 17:
Defensive Support Mage: Bethany Mag/Wil/Con Defensive Support Mage
Level 1: Fireball (Default)
Level 2: Heal
Level 3: Heroic Aura
Level 4: Elemental Weapons (4)
Level 5: Greater Heal
Level 6: Mind Blast
Level 7: Valiant Aura (7)
Party Tactics
Your primary objectives in combat are as follows (Assign tactics with these objective in mind). The tactics below are an excellent base and you can improve upon them yourself. I did not add the tactics for most skills gotten after about level 12.
Set all party members to ranged
Keep Hawke Alive
a. Use burst/lunge techniques or kiting to minimize damage taken
b. Rely on support mage and devour for healing
Keep defensive support mage alive
a. Protect the mage using Hawke
b. Protect the mage using rogues to direct threat elsewhere
Eliminate the enemy
a. Primary damage: Hawke
b. Secondary damage: All companions attack Hawkes target for focus fire.
Primary Party Members (1. Anders 2. Varric 3. Merril or Sebastian)
Anders:
Behaviour: Ranged
Presets: Custom
Self: Any - Activate: Rock Armor
Self: Any - Activate: Heroic Aura
Self: Health < 25% - Use: Health Potion
Self: Mana or stamina < 10% - Use: Lyrium Potion
Hawke: Health < 50% - Heal
Hawke: health < 50% - Activate: Panacea
Self: Health < 50% - Activate: Panacea
Self: At least two party members below 50% health - Activate: Panacea
Self: Health < 50% - Aid Allies
Hawke: Health < 50% - Aid allies
Self: At least two party members below 50% health - Aid Allies
Self: Being attacked by a melee attack - Mind Blast
Self: Being attacked by a melee attack - Glyph of Repulsion
Ally: Dead - Regroup
Ally: Being attacked by melee or ranged attack - Use current condition for next tactic
Ally: Health < 50% - Barrier
Hawke: Mana or stamina < 75% - Haste
Enemy: Clustered with at least two enemies - Glyph of Paralysis
Hawke: Health >= 50% - Deactivate: Panacea
Enemy: Target of Hawke - Attack
Varric:
Behaviour: Ranged
Presets: Custom
Self: Health < 25% - Use: Health Potion
Self: Mana or stamina <10% - Use: Stamina Draught
Self: Any - Activate: Bianca's song
Self: Health < 50% - Use current condition for next tactic
Anders: Any - Back-to-back
Anders: Being attacked by a melee or ranged attack - Use current condition for next tactic
Hawke: Any - Goad
Merril: Being attacked by a melee or ranged attack - Use current condition for next tactic
Hawke: Any - Goard
Self: Any - Activate: Precision
(inactive) Hawke: Any - Goad
Self: Being attacked by a melee or ranged attack - Use current condition for next tactic
Hawke: Any - Goad
Anders: being attacked by a melee attack - Armistice
Enemy: Highest health - brand
Ally: Being attacked by melee or ranged - Chameleons Breath
Enemy: Nearest visible - Pinning Shot
Enemy: Target of Hawke - Rhyming Triplet
Enemy: Attacking Anders - Kickback
Enemy: STAGGERED - Kickback
Enemy: Target of Hawke - Attack
Merril:
Behaviour: Ranged
Presets: Custom
Self: Health >= 50% - Activate: Blood of the First
Self: Health < 50% - Deactivate: Blood of the First
Self: Any - Activate Elemental Weapons
Self: Health < 25% - Use: Health Potion
Self: Any - Activate: Rock Armor
Enemy: STAGGERED - Use current condition for next tactic
Enemy: Target rank is Elite or higher - Crushing Prison
Enemy: DISORIENTED - Stonefist
Enemy: STAGGERED - Chain Lightning
Self: Being attacked by a melee attack - Mind Blast
Enemy: Highest health - Horror
Enemy - Target rank is Elite or higher - Petrify
Enemy: Highest health - Hex of Torment
Ally: Being attacked by a melee or ranged attack - Barrier
Enemy: Highest health - Misdirection Hex
Hawke: Mana or stamina < 75% - Tempest
Enemy: Target of Hawke - Winter's Grasp
Enemy: Target of Hawke - Stonefist
Enemy: Target of Hawke - Spirit Bolt
Enemy: Target of Hawke - Attack
Offensive Support Rogue: Sebastian
My tactics for Sebastian currently have him performing his attack on target of Hawke and all of his abilities focus on "target of sebastian" so that he can do his chain combos properly. I have him set to use his decoy whenever he gets hit.
Non-Ideal Party Members (1. Fenris 2. Isabella 3. Aveline 4. Bethany) I hardly use them, so their tactics are not refined.
Offensive Support Tank: Fenris
If Self < 25% health then use health potion
If Self > any then activate lyrium ghost
If Self > any then activate elemental aegis
If Self > any then activate control
If Self > any then use cleave
If Self > any then use assail
If Ally > being attacked by magic then use rally
If Ally < 25% mana or stamina then use rally
If Enemy > nearest visible then attack
Offensive Support Rogue: Isabela
If Self < 25% health then use health potion
If Self < 10% stamina then use stamina potion
If Self > any then activate lacerate
If Self > any then activate savvy
If Enemy > attacking Anders then use across the bow
If Enemy > clustered with 2 enemies then use all hands on deck
If Enemy > nearest visible then use backstab
If Enemy > staggered then use attack
If Enemy > nearest visible then use attack
Defensive Support Tank: Aveline
If Self < 25% health then use health potion
If Self > any then activate battle synergy
If Self > any then activate bodyguard
If Ally < 75% health then use taunt
If Ally < 50% mana or stamina then use rally/unite
If Self < 75% health then activate shield defense
If Self > 75% health then deactivate shield defense
If Self < 50% health then activate immovable
If Self > 50% health then deactivate immovable
If Enemy > attacking Anders/Bethany then use shield bash
If Enemy > attacking Anders/Bethany then attack
If Enemy > attacking Ally then use shield bash
If Enemy > attacking Ally then attack
If Self > being attacked by melee then activate retaliation
Defensive Support Mage: Bethany
Self < 25% health then use health potion
Self < 10% mana then use mana potion
Self > any then activate elemental weapons
Self > any then activate heroic aura
Self > any then activate rock armor
Self < 50% health then cast heal
Ally < 50% health then cast heal
Ally > status can't attack then cast dispell
Hawke < 50% stamina then cast haste
Enemy > target of hawke then attack
Reccommended Mods: Mods are a great way to increase the replayability of the game. My first playthrough was completely mod free, however I will be using the following mods for my second playthrough.
Ultra Nightmare Mod: This mod does not exist but I would love for someone to make a mod that is more difficult then nightmare but still beatable.
No Friendly Fire Nightmare Mod: Friendly fire is a little over the top on nightmare and forces you into using all ranged companions. My guide is designed with the assumption that you are playing on nightmare with friendly fire active, however once you have beaten the game this way it is worth playing a second playthrough without friendly fire. While friendly fire does add many strategic elements into battle, such as forcing you to make sure that you are not reckless with AOE abilities, it also takes away from the game because it doesnt allow you to use melee teamates and certain spells/abilities that are fun.
Warden Blood Dragon Armor Replacement: Lets be honest, Blood Dragon Armor is ugly as heck and is also quite overpowered in Act 1. You can either choose not to use it or reskin it so that it looks good.
Haydor's Razer Replacement: This sword is ugly as hell and I replaced its graphic with Merediths sword.
Isabella/Sebastian Friendship Bug Fix: Temporary fix, gives you their rival bonuses for gaining friendship
High Res Texture Pack: Available from this site and makes the game look way better
Trufflesduval Texture mode: Requires high res texture pack, makes game look even better
These mods are available on the social bioware site or dragon age nexus.
Edited by Sabresandiego, 31 March 2011 - 06:47 AM.
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