238 replies to this topic

[SuicidalBaby]

Yey, We have STICKY STATUS.
w00t, Gimmie some of that..... yeah boi. doing the happy dance.....



 

Edited by SuicidialBaby, 29 March 2011 - 12:22 AM.

[Att3r0]

no slacking then! Put up a list of rune sockets for companions avaible per act
sockets act - I - II - III
Anders - 0 - 0 - 1?
Aveline - 0 - 1 - 1 *(bugged)
Fenris -- 0 - 2 - 3
Isabela - 0 - 1 - 2
Merril --- 0 - 1 - 2
Sebastian 0 -1 -2
Varric --- 1 - 2 - 3
Aveline from act 1 can use a shield with runes so you can assume a +1 when it comes for stacking rune of fortune

Edited by Att3r0, 30 March 2011 - 05:31 AM.

[SuicidalBaby]

dont you mean fortune?

and what do you mean by bugged?

Edited by SuicidialBaby, 29 March 2011 - 11:06 PM.

[WelshWarden]

Avelines final upgrade has a habit of not working and leaving you out of pocket without it's effect

[SuicidalBaby]

ahh ty

Updated main post with all links possible to all subjects discussed through the walk through.

Edited by SuicidialBaby, 30 March 2011 - 12:54 AM.

[SuicidalBaby]

Att3r0 wrote...

no slacking then! Put up a list of rune sockets for companions avaible per act
sockets act - I - II - III
Anders - 0 - 0 - 1?
Aveline - 0 - 1 - 1 *(bugged)
Fenris -- 0 - 2 - 3
Isabela - 0 - 1 - 2
Merril --- 0 - 1 - 2
Sebastian 0 -1 -2
Varric --- 1 - 2 - 3
Aveline from act 1 can use a shield with runes so you can assume a +1 when it comes for stacking rune of fortune

If you add where the rune upgrades can be purchased for each companion I will add it to the main post. It would be slackish for me to add it without such information. ;p

[knownastherat]

Bethany, Carver

Armor Upgrades:

    * Act 1: Carver: Fereldan Girded Plating can be found during the Quest: “Birthright.”
    * Act 1: Bethany: Heirloom Amell Protective Sigils can be found during the Quest: “Birthright.”


Aveline

Armor Upgrades:

    * Act 1: Underpadding – Guardsman Pattern at Armor Stand in Lowtown.
    * Act 2: Impact Plating – Guardsman Pattern at Armor Stand in Lowtown.
    * Act 2: Flex-Chain – Guardsman Pattern can be found during the Quest: “Raiders on the Cliffs.”
    * Act 3: Deflecting Joints – Guardsman Pattern can be found during the Quest: “Favor and Fault.”

Varric

Armor Upgrades:

    * Act 1: Inscribed Leather Harness can be bought at Apparel Shop in Lowtown.
    * Act 2: Coat Lining with Concealed Pockets can be bought at Shady Merchandise at the Docks.
    * Act 2: Silverite-Reinforced Buckles can be found during Quest: “Family Matter.”
    * Act 3: Drakeskin Leg Straps can be found during the Quest: “Finding Nathaniel.”


Andres

Armor Upgrades:

    * Act 2: Armor Suits can be bought at Lirene’s Ferelden Imports in Lowtown.
    * Act 2: Lyrium Weave can be bought at Mage Goods in Gallows Courtyard.
    * Act 2: Spirit Essence can be found during the Quest: “Dissent.”
    * Act 3: Sigil of the Mage Underground can be found during the Quest: “Best Served Cold.”


Merill

Armor Upgrades:

    * Act 2: Samite Lining can be bought at Robes by Jean Luc in Hightown.
    * Act 2: Carved Ironwood Buttons can be bought at Ilen’s Crafts in Sundermount.
    * Act 2: Silver-Threaded Dalish Embroidery during the Quest: “Top of Sundermount.”
    * Act 3: Halla Horn Buckles during the Quest: “A New Path.”

Isabela

Armor Upgrades:

    * Act 2: Rigid Boning can be bought at Apparel Shop in Lowtown.
    * Act 2: Supportive Corselet can be bought at Robes by Jean Luc in Hightown.
    * Act 2: Lambswool Insoles during the Quest: “To Catch a Thief.”
    * Act 3: Boiled Leather Plates during the Quest: “A Murder of Crows.”

Fenris

Armor Upgrades:

    * Act 2: Tevinter Spirit Symbol can be bought at Robes by Jean Luc in Hightown.
    * Act 2: Lyrium Scales can be bought at Shady Merchandise at the Docks.
    * Act 2: Reinforced Straps can be found during the Quest: “A Bitter Pill.”
    * Act 3: Enchanted Resin can be found during the Quest: “Mine Massacre.”


Sebastian

Armor Upgrades:

    * Act 2: Enchanted Articulation can be bought at Armor Shop at Gallows Courtyard.
    * Act 2: Reinforced Bracers can be bought at Olaf’s Armory in Hightown.
    * Act 2: Mail Undertunic can be found during the Quest: “Repentance.”
    * Act 3: Protection of the Faith can be found during the Quest: “Best Served Cold.”


---
Source (not, personally, verified): www.videogamesblogger.com/2011/03/08/dragon-age-2-companions-locations-guide-xbox-360-ps3-pc.htm

[Att3r0]

Carver/Bethany ups dont give sockets.
all the info is on wiki
dragonage.wikia.com/wiki/Companion_armor
Some digging would need to be doen to make a proper info for all chapters
For example
act1: Go buy Varric armor upgrade from Apparel Shop in Lowtown

act2: I used Merrill Aveline and Varric - did as follows bought the up for merril from Jean Luc in Hightown. Went to wounded coast south and did Raiders on the Cliffs quest. that gave me rune socket up for aveline as well as robe for my mage with +coin drop and socket
Then went for plot quest Blackpowder Courtesy after taking back to Arishok Varric side quest unlocked that gave me second rune socket in his armor.
That was it for me for act2.

Edited by Att3r0, 30 March 2011 - 02:18 PM.

[SuicidalBaby]

i think ill just drop the link in and be happy with what weve accomplished.

[Icy Magebane]

This is a fantastic guide... thanks for creating it! It's good to know the specifics about Fortune runes.

[naughty99]

This is great info - thanks to all who have contributed to this thread.

Has anyone calculated the total additional gold they received over the course of the game as a result of loading up on RoF's?

I may be adding this up wrong, but from what I can tell, for a good portion of the game the maximum additional coin you can earn from RoF's, coin drop amulets, etc. would be in the range of 10-20%.

I'm wondering if the net result is still positive after you factor in the cost of making all those RoF's and buying all the companion armor upgrades, etc.

[thendcomes]

Right now it's not a money guide, it's a walkthrough to get fast RoF crafting, aside from a couple tips. If you really want to expound upon it, here's a few things that would improve the guide:

* Needs a list of the +gold gear with % increase
* Should have a list of the better equipment drop gear, despite not knowing the exact %. This certainly will increase gold output.
* Include the tip to consistently stash your potions and injury kits. They are 4 silver each and loot constantly if you're under the threshold.
* Story/quest choices which will grant you more gold, as you did with the tip about bribing the merchant and killing Frederich.
* Is it clear which armor upgrades actually provide the rune slots? When there are multiple upgrades for a companion in one Act, it's difficult to know which upgrades to shoot for first.
* You provided a walkthrough for Act 1, but not Acts 2 or 3. Acts 2 and 3 walkthroughs could be as simple as where to locate the companion armors that have rune slots.
* OP assumes party includes Aveline, which is misleading. Just by following the steps in the walkthrough you'll have Merrill available. I know I dump Aveline right away as a Warrior in NM.
* Gear recommendations for the hero would be very helpful. Should I put the RoF into the Blood Dragon Armor or am I about to get a good piece soon? etc.
* The list of big bounty treasures is a great idea and should be included, if only to warn people to bring their RoF gear before opening
* Companion recommendations to provide the most money possible. It seems that a party of Varric, Aveline, and whoever in Act 1, then Varric, Aveline and Fenris in Act 2 would be the best, with the option to replace Aveline with Isabela, Merrill, or Sebastian in Act 3 upon receiving their upgrades. Aveline can trump them with 10% + 3.75% x3 = 21.25%, but it requires a 3 slot shield and Aveline kind of sucks anyway.

[SuicidalBaby]

did you read the faq? your first 2 points and the Aveline Shield discussion are exactly there. as a money guide that lays the ground work for the entire game, I'll call it whatever I wish, thank you very much....

I appreciate your eager desire to improve it further. If you so choose to, post what you feel is missing. If I feel it contributes, I will include it in the OP or provide a link to your post in the OP.

For the most part I believe my job is done. But, as I said, provide any info you wish.

I'm wondering if the net result is still positive after you factor in the cost of making all those RoF's and buying all the companion armor upgrades, etc.

If you keep the same group your net gains will increase. Some have claimed 300 in total pick ups over the span of the 3 acts.

Edited by SuicidialBaby, 30 March 2011 - 08:07 PM.

[naughty99]

Inscribed Leather Harness (RUNE SLOT)Act 1 Varric
Apparel shop (Lowtown)

Flex-Chain Guardsman Pattern (RUNE SLOT)Act 2 Aveline
Found on Fell Orden during Raiders on the Cliffs quest

Lyrium Scales (RUNE SLOT)Act 2 Fenris
Shady Merchandise shop (Docks)

Tevinter Spirit Symbol (RUNE SLOT) Act 2 Fenris 
Robes by Jean Luc shop (Hightown)

Supportive Corselet (RUNE SLOT) Act 2 Isabela
Robes by Jean Luc shop (Hightown)

Samite Lining (RUNE SLOT)Act 2 Merrill
Robes by Jean Luc shop (Hightown)

Silverite-Reinforced Buckles (RUNE SLOT) Act 2 Varric
Found in Bartrand's Estate during Family Matter quest

Sigil of the Mage Underground (??RUNE SLOT??) Act 3 Anders
Found during Best Served Cold quest

Deflecting Joints Guardsman Pattern (??RUNE SLOT??) Act 3 Aveline
Found on Jeven during Favor and Fault quest - Bugged, doesn't drop (confirmed on XBOX 360, PS3 and PC)

Enchanted Resin (RUNE SLOT) Act 3 Fenris
Found on Dragon during Mine Massacre quest

Boiled Leather Plates (RUNE SLOT) Act 3 Isabela
Found during A Murder of Crows quest

Halla Horn Buckles (RUNE SLOT) Act 3 Merrill
Found on Pride Demon during A New Path quest

Protection of the Faith (??RUNE SLOT??) Act 3 Sebastian
Found on Templar Lieutenant during Best Served Cold quest

Drakeskin Leg Straps (RUNE SLOT) Act 3 Varric
Found during Finding Nathaniel quest

Edited by naughty99, 30 March 2011 - 08:26 PM.

[naughty99]

SuicidialBaby wrote...
Some have claimed 300 in total pick ups over the span of the 3 acts.

Is that 300 total gold accumulated?

or 300 additional gold in excess of what they would have earned without the RoF/coin drop items)?

[SuicidalBaby]

they claimed accumulated.

nice work btw you get the link.

[Tristran Hawke]

Mmmm i'm about 16 hours in to my first play though and i've just reached level 10, i've picked the rogue class for Hawke and i'm really enjoying it. I've only bought about 10 potions in 16 hours the rest i get from mob drops, not that i need that many as i'm doing my first run through on normal difficulty.

I've generally got my team set up as Bethany (with healing) Meerill (mage) and Avellane (sword and shield spec for tanking) I try and use all my party's abilitys to controll a fight and play out their strengths. Its worth taking a look at the Tactics as well to help you in your fights.

I found my first real boss fight in The Bone Pit with the mature dragon, i tried this once with little interaction to my other chars, i reloaded when i died and tried a couple of times and no matter what i did the team wiped... Just as a tip the way i got round this with only useing 2 health potions and a stam draught was to use ONLY Avellane in tank spec (sword and shield) and kited the dragon, if you keep the dragon taunted on you and run round the circle of the map then you take very little damage and only one of the team ended up dead. (this was my fault as i got distraced lol)

Some of the quests may seem a little out of your ability... just remember, there not going anywhere. Go back to the map, select a new quest and complete it if you can. This give you more exp, extra level's more equipment etc and helps you prepair for the harder challanges. This works much better then using lots and lots of consumables to best an encounter.

All of that does have a point... I've got currently 50gold i'm not sure what "act" this would class as, but if it continues i can't see gold being to much of a issue and personally i'd rather think about what i'm buying then just buying everything that is an upgrade. And the "special" items which cost hundreds of gold should be hard to get, i'd rather have 1 or 2 exceptional items which aid me then be fully kitted in all the best gear making the game extramly easy. But, thats just me. )

P.S. Sorry about my spelling etc, i'm not great at it. Hopes this makes sense and you can see my point.

[Jman5]

All of that does have a point... I've got currently 50gold i'm not sure what "act" this would class as, but if it continues i can't see gold being to much of a issue and personally i'd rather think about what i'm buying then just buying everything that is an upgrade. And the "special" items which cost hundreds of gold should be hard to get, i'd rather have 1 or 2 exceptional items which aid me then be fully kitted in all the best gear making the game extramly easy. But, thats just me. )

End game items are incredibly expensive. If you add in the cost of all the +skill/+attributes items and various character armor upgrades, the extra money is important.

[naughty99]

I started a new playthrough, following the OPs tips above.

I'm noticing that the errors I made during my first playthrough were:

- buying lots of elfroot potions and injury kits (didn't realize injuries were automatically healed when you visit home)
- buying lots of runes that ultimately were not needed
- buying Act 1 and Act 2 items that were soon outclassed by found items
- not promptly storing or selling all the health and stamina potions (I think if you have less than 4 or 5 on Nightmare, they will continue to drop)

[Jman5]

buying Act 1 and Act 2 items that were soon outclassed by found items

I made that mistake in act 3 on my first play through. I bought one of the armors from the black emporium and then 10 minutes later champion chest piece dropped.

One of the funny things when it comes to buying equipment in the early-mid stage of any game is we hate doing it because we know it will eventually be obsolete. It feels like a massive waste because you only get back a fraction of the money when you sell it back. So instead we huff and puff with our sword of ratslaying because we want to be able to afford as many items as possible for the final boss fight.

I'm not saying that you should splurge and save nothing for act 3, but I think it's worth checking around and buying the top weapon for your character in each act. Sure you might have to make due with a ring drop instead of that 100 gold one at the Black Emporium, but at least you were kicking ass 100% of the game.

[SuicidalBaby]

Blame the poor design and what is clearly an after thought of a gear set being handed to the player. The itemization (& storyline) in this game beyond act 2 is one of the worst in all the games I have ever played. Boy and his Blob NES finished like a Shakespearean tragedy compared to act 3.

[AKOdin]

Tristran Hawke wrote...
I've got currently 50gold i'm not sure what "act" this would class as, but if it continues i can't see gold being to much of a issue and personally i'd rather think about what i'm buying then just buying everything that is an upgrade. And the "special" items which cost hundreds of gold should be hard to get, i'd rather have 1 or 2 exceptional items which aid me then be fully kitted in all the best gear making the game extramly easy. But, thats just me. )

Some people get more mileage out of a game by acquiring the "bestest" gear. Some players don't care one whit. For those that do care, even if they NEVER buy a potion or non-endgame gear, it is impossible to acquire the top-tier kit by doing an un-optimized runthrough.

This thread has tips for people who would like to maximize their coin. And as a side note, you are still in Act 1. Once the transition to Act 2 occurs, you will know.

Edit: Corrected. On the topic of editing, SB, you might want to look at this post...

Edited by AKOdin, 31 March 2011 - 10:08 PM.

[SuicidalBaby]

you may want to proof that last post

edit: touche

Edited by SuicidialBaby, 01 April 2011 - 04:49 AM.

[IN1]

SuicidialBaby wrote...

Blame the poor design and what is clearly an after thought of a gear set being handed to the player. The itemization (& storyline) in this game beyond act 2 is one of the worst in all the games I have ever played. Boy and his Blob NES finished like a Shakespearean tragedy compared to act 3.

It's a bit of an offtopic, but I really think DA2 has a significantly better storyline than DAO. DAO is generic cartoonish high fantasy with -- lemme think -- exactly two and a half memorable characters (Loghain and Shale, maybe Anora, but she's really a female version of Loghain). DA2 is darker, edgier, politically oriented. It also has much more memorable pseudo-villains (Arishok, Orsino) and much, much, much better companion storylines -- moody, ambivalent, morally questionable. The only memorable companion storyline in DAO was Oghren's, but it has nothing to do with Oghren himself: it was just generally well-written.

I refuse to comment on DAA Let's pretend it never happened.

DA2 itemization has considerable flaws, indeed. Still, mechanics/gameplay-wise this game is infinitely superior to DAO in every way imaginable, so the itemization is also much better.

[SuicidalBaby]

/self muzzled