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[CBGB]

You're in for a treat. And because the game has grown through changes and addtions, I've compiled this set of resources to make it easier to begin.

INSTALLATION

DAO has six story additions available through DownLoadable Content, and one after-story expansion, Awakening. There are also several item DLC's, none essential.

If you've installed the Ultimate Edition, you have all the content additions, plus Patch 1.04, the latest as of this posting. Patch 1.05 is reported to move from beta testing to the official page soon, and you may want it if experiencing long load times or struggling with a bug where the Ultimate Edition can't find the CD-Key.

If you have another edition, you'll want patch 1.04, and you may purchase any other content you wish through the Downloadable Content option in the main game menu. I highly recommend the Stone Prisoner/Watchers' Keep DLC, the best integrated and earliest of the additions, included in many versions of the game.

The others are entirely optional. Return to Ostagar adds a short questline that can be played in the middle of the game; it's fine but not essential.

The other three are 'stand alone' stories that take place before or after the main campaign; access them through the Other Campaign option in the main game menu. All offer bonus items that can be earned for your character in the main campaign: nice, but not essential.

Golems of Amgarrak is a combat campaign with little story, and Darkspawn Chronicles is similar, played from the perspective of a campaign enemy. Neither is highly regarded, especially the latter.

Witch Hunt does link to the story about your companion Morrigan and is generally done after the main campaign, as you have the option to import your character. You can certainly wait to see how much you wish to learn (a very little bit) more about Morrigan.

Lelianna's Song is a short prequel. To my mind, as for many other players, it's the best of the bunch - well-written, lively, and fun. At $7 and about 3 hours, it can't compare in hour-to-dollar value with the main campaign, and it isn't essential. But if it does interest you, it's mildly simplified game mechanics and quick pace make an excellent introduction to DAO.


Having trouble installing DLC? The Unofficial Troubleshooting FAQ is excellent. I've found sections 3.3 to 4.2 handle any issues I've had.


MODS

There are many fan-made modifications available for the game, but since many address story content, I'll mention only three basic, spoiler-free options here.

• The No-Helmet Hack, a welcome cosmetic option. If it sounds odd, wait 'till you see your first mage hat.
• Bibdy's Detailed Tooltips, which expands and corrects the information about hundreds of items in the game.
• The Raven Respecialization Mod. I hesitated about linking this, since respecs can make it easy to unbalance the game, especially with regard to your companions, who arrive with their own strengths and weaknesses. But it is helpful, so go forth and use your power wisely.

Next: Resources

Modifié par CBGB, 02 décembre 2011 - 03:02 .

[CBGB]

RESOURCES

This Forum remains the best place for information. DAO is now a couple years old, half a lifetime in the gaming world, so responses aren't lightning-fast, but they are more likely to be helpful, friendly, and accurate than anyplace else I've found. The Forum How-To answers formatting questions.

Beyond that, The Wiki is the best place for specific game information. It's incomplete and occasionally incorrect but still hugely useful.


A Brief Intro to Using the Tactics Screen can help make your companions more independent.

Those curious about mechanics may want to see the Poison-Making Guide and the theory-heavy (but excellent) DPS Calculations for a DW Rogue, also listed in the outdated (but still useful) Forum Guide to Guides. Detail-curious mages may enjoy my own Mage's Handbook. If this sort of theory discussion isn't for you, don't worry: you can enjoy and complete DAO without number-crunching.


Spoiler-Heavy Resources (errrr... warning? Spoilers in the linked pages)

Epilogue: results of choices. Doesn't get much more spolierish than that. Stay away if you can.
Exploits. Because in a single-player game, only you can see the line between fair and foul.
Fade Guide. Don't ask. It'll find you.
Gauntlet Guide. As above.
A Money Making Guide Just remember to have fun, too.
Forum Roundup: Best of the class Guides for class-specific tips.


Finally, I always like to play games without a guide my first time through, but in case you want them, here are four good

Walkthroughs
Gametrailers Walkthrough has clear, simple maps.
Gamepressue Walkthrough is less thorough but has even better maps.
The Gamebanshee Walkthrough is concise and covers the DLCs, and
Dave Milward's Walkthrough is text-based and easy to follow.

Modifié par CBGB, 02 décembre 2011 - 08:02 .

[CBGB]

GAMEPLAY TIPS

Many good gameplay tips contain spoilers, so please do see the (forthcoming link to the Spoiler Section) Low-Spoiler Tips. Here, these basics can help.

• The TAB key reveals clickable items I can't believe how long I played without knowing. Yes, yes, it's in the manual. You did read the manual?
• One rank in poison lets a character use any poison. Higher levels are needed only for crafting them. Poisons aren't a big deal in the game, but if you want them, they're there.
• Trap Disarming is NOT done with the Trap-Making Skill It works through Device Mastery, a rogue talent, combined with the thief's Cunning skill.
• You can buy Inventory (Backpack) expansions from Vendors. More info the above Low-Spoiler link.
• Bonus to Healing items do not work, so don't put faith in them (at least as of patch 1.04). Similarly, if you have the DLC Memory Band, throw it in a lake.
• Under game settings, you can turn off Persistent Gore  if, like me, you prefer companions with handkerchiefs.
• You can change Difficulty settings at any time. The biggest difference between Easy and Normal (on the PC; between Normal and Hard on consoles) is 'friendly fire' to your companions from, say, that fireball you just cast. Other differences noted in the Wiki
• You can pause the game. Do it every battle if you wish, while you choose the actions of your party. Or let it run, whatever suits you best.

Finally, if you're new to RolePlaying Games, it's worth knowing that you can go far in DAO with the 'Holy Trinity' of a Tank, a Healer, and a Damage-dealer. Here, that's a warrior with a shield, a mage with healing, and whoever else you like for the other slot. Oh - and you.

That's not essential. You can complete the game with any combination of companions you prefer. But the basics are a great place to start.

Modifié par CBGB, 02 décembre 2011 - 02:58 .

[Laser Beam]

Wow. You worked hard on this! Thanks!

[BASARAfreak]

I brought my game through an online retail shop so now where can I buy the pre-order items?

Modifié par BASARAfreak, 03 décembre 2011 - 07:24 .

[Snargelfargen]

Man, I wish I had this when I first installed the game. Nice collection of resources.

@BASARA the pre-order items can't be purchased anywhere. To be honest, you won't be missing out on much.

[Penarddun]

This is a great source of information. Bookmarked it, for when I start playing the PC version. Thanks.

[TanyaT]

Brilliant! What a lot of work you've doen

Can I add UHS for hints and tips? nothing's revealed if your don't want it to be

-------

And a query:
I
really loved one of my wardens, her looks, her stats, her voice (not
Queen ****'s) and want to slowly play through with her again.
Is
there a simple way to extract her DNA from a saved game? because her
earliest save (unusually I haven't got a "Starting Game" save) has
already got Alistair weak kneed, but she's only just starting her first
treaty quest



edit: wow! here lady dog is an asterisked word!

Modifié par TanyaT, 16 décembre 2011 - 05:41 .

[CBGB]

TanyaT wrote...
really loved one of my wardens, her looks, her stats, her voice...
there a simple way to extract her DNA from a saved game?

Good question. This was easy with the pre-launch Character Creator, a small Bioware program that let you design your characters for import into DAO. For characters made within DAO, is there another method?

In MassEffect, you could write down the numeral string associated with your combination of choices, but there's no obvious equivalent in DAO. I wonder if anyone has a workaround?