(2/2/2010): Return to Ostagar
It's been said several times that it's impossible to reach the Level 25 cap without exploiting or using design oversights, mainly:
A. Completing quest loops repeatedly, like Duncan's darkspawn vial quest or the Lothering trap quest (fixed in 1.02)
B. Zoning in and out of certain quest locations over and over, like the Mountaintop near Ruined Temple, which gives about 500 xp every time you zone in and out
C. Donating elfroots/gold repeatedly to the emissaries at Party Camp
D. Using the console and/or mods
However, it is possible to gain Level 25 without exploiting any of these things (you still have to zone into the Mountaintop twice in order to enter and exit the Gauntlet). This is using only the DLC provided at release (Stone Prisoner and Warden's Keep). It relies partly on being a perfectionist, and partly on what seems to be another design flaw:
*Killing friendly NPCs gives XP.
On my last playthrough as a Human Mage, I hit Level 25 during the last phase of the Archdemon (I was 800xp into Level 24 entering the burning city of Denerim). I took several things into consideration during that playthrough:
1. Kill everything. Especially with friendly fire.
Since friendly fire is 100% on the PC version for Hard or Nightmare, I played on Hard difficulty in order to kill friendly NPCs as quickly as possible. This includes:
-All the NPCs who fight at Redcliffe during the Nightfall quest (remember to recruit Lloyd, Berwick and Dwyn's thugs). Even if Dwyn is dead, you can still do Sten's companion quest as the chest will be unlocked by the time you get there.
-First Enchanter Irving/Knight-Commander Gregoir, Arl Eamon, and possibly Kardol during the Archdemon fight
-Your summoned Archdemon allies (in my case, 50 Dwarves, 50 Redcliffe Soldiers, 50 Elves, 12 Mages and 4 Golems)
-Wynne's Mage friends (Petra, Keili, Kinnon) at the Mage Tower. You can kill them doing the Watchguard of the Reaching quest.
-The friendly nobles in the Chamber of the Assembly (at the end of the Paragon quest)
-The nobles' soldiers at the Landsmeet (when you attack Loghain, before the duel)
-The elf defenders in the Alienage during the Final Battle (make sure to talk to Shianni after clearing the Alienage for an extra +2000 XP).
2a. Archivist's Sash
I was worried about the challenge level scaling freezing the area level by going to Denerim immediately after Lothering, but I traveled there anyway. I avoided any battles (including Ser Landry) to buy the Archivist's Sash at Wonders of Thedas, which gives an extra +25 XP for every Codex you find.
2b. Bodahn's Wares (Party Camp)
This is likely to be a bug, but Bodahn at Party Camp will refresh his stock once after your first meeting. Thus, you can actually buy two sets of tomes off of him if you are able to afford the first set of tomes (or just one tome) after traveling from Lothering for the first time. It is likely that only a Dwarf Noble who took Lord Dace's bribe will be able to buy both tomes.
This doesn't result in a level, but as another talent point it is effectively an extra level. Hopefully this is a bug and will be fixed in a later patch.
3. Origin Story
This actually makes a difference, as each origin story gives varying amounts of XP.
-Magi results in ~2600 XP into Level 3 (almost Level 4) by Ostagar. This includes the single respawns of Wisps in the Fade that happen after talking to the Spirit of Valor (who you kill) and the Sloth Demon.
-Male Dwarf Noble Rogue results in around ~1600 XP into the next level even with the five Proving Grounds fights (including the challenge against Lord Dace), but the Male Dwarf Noble also gets an extra quest ("Of Noble Birth").
-Male City Elf Rogue results in about ~2300 XP if you accept Vaughn's bribe (which is an extra 100 XP), while female City Elf is around ~2000 XP.
-Being a Rogue PC allows you to open the locked chests at Ostagar, Redcliffe Castle (before and after Arl Eamon is revived) and Arl Eamon's Estate in Denerim.
4. Bonuses for Kill Shots
The character that gets the killing blow gets a slight (105% XP) bonus per kill. Also, if your main character is dead, the subsequent XP gains from kills that your other party members make while dead is 90%. Thus, if you really want the maximum XP allowable, your character needs to stay alive at all times and get every single killing blow.
5. Area Level Scaling
I'm not sure if this made a difference, but I chose to do Orzammar first, seeing as that it is most difficult of the treaties to accomplish at a low level. This may be due to the fact that some of the enemies there still don't scale down in level after patch 1.02 (especially the enemies before the Orzammar gate). Also, since enemy level freezes upon entering/killing things in the area, I made sure to complete and kill everything in an area before leaving it and coming back to finish other side quests.
The order in which I did the quest chains were:
Orzammar → DLC → Mage Tower → Redcliffe → Brecilian Forest → Denerim
There might be a more optimal order for gaining experience, though. Probably this:
Orzammar → Redcliffe → Shale DLC → Mage Tower → Brecilian Forest → Denerim → Warden's Keep DLC
6. Almost always attack an NPC if he doesn't continue a quest afterwards
I avoided using Persuade or Intimidate unless it required completing a quest for more XP. Examples:
-Killed Master Ignacio after I was done with the Trial of Crows quest
-DON'T kill the White Falcon mercenaries for Sergeant Kylon's first quest, otherwise you won't get Cristof taking revenge for chasing you out and Kylon won't be agreeable to giving you the next quest.
7. Almost always demand a reward during dialogue
Several quests allow you to be the good guy and walk away with nothing. However, it seems most of the time you will get much more XP if you demand a reward (especially if it's gold). Such as:
-The Mabari Hound – demanding a reward from the Mabari caretaker in Ostagar nets you +500 XP.
-The Tortured Noble – demanding a reward from Bann Sighard nets you 40-50 gold and XP.
There are a couple of more quests that are like this, but I don't remember the others.
8. Die during the fight against Ser Cauthrien and escape from Fort Drakon
During the Rescue the Queen quest, you have a choice between surrendering and attacking Ser Cauthrien at the castle. If you attack and die, you don't go to the game over screen – instead, you get sent to Fort Drakon as if you would when you surrender the first time. To get the most XP from this, kill Ser Cauthrien and then AoE the entire room with your party still in it (that way, everyone dies, including you). You get the XP from killing her army then, the XP from escaping Fort Drakon, and then more XP from killing her and her army as she sits outside the Landsmeet.
9. Crime Wave quest line
In order to do the Crime Wave quest line (which gives a significant chunk of XP by the end where you infiltrate Bann Franderel's estate twice), you do not need to be a Rogue. However, your main character does need one point in Stealing and you need another character with Stealth (Zevran/Leliana). Make sure to fight your way through instead of stealthing whenever you have the option in order to gain more XP.
Added Note: For the very last quest (getting revenge on Bann Franderel and his estate), the second to last room contains two deactivated golems and 5 traps. Stepping on any of the traps activates the golems that give XP. The trap in the center of the room gives the least XP for disabling it, so disable the 4 traps around the room and intentionally step on the center trap for the most XP!
10. Stealing and Random Encounters
Stealing from certain cities results in random encounters during your travels. This includes:
-Denerim guards (there is more than one patrol)
-Melora and the Dalish Elves
-Templars at the Mage Tower
11. Gifts with Dialogue
Certain plot/dialogue gifts such as Alistair's Amulet give about 200 XP when you hand it to your companions.
12a. Ostagar XP Maximizers:
-Elven Messenger - Lying to him to get Ser Garlen's Sword - 100 xp
-Talking to Jory/Daveth before talking to Alistair - 450 xp
-The Hungry Prisoner - Killing him for the key - 100 xp
-The Mabari Warhound - Demanding a reward - 500 xp
-Turning in vials quest before finding the treaties - 700 xp
-Friendly-fire killing the second ballista-loader when the battle begins - 45 xp
-Friendly-fire killing the three dogs in the Tower of Ishal - 45 xp each
-Friendly-fire killing the soldiers before the Tower - 15 xp each
12b. Lothering XP Maximizers:
-Demanding a reward from Ser Donall about the fallen templar - ~25 extra XP
-Donating 50 silver to the robbed elf family - 100 XP
12c. Warden's Keep - Side with Sophia to kill Avernus; after Sophiafixes the rift, kill Sophia. I'm pretty sure this nets the most XP since Avernus summons more enemies from his own hiding spot than Sophia does.
13. The Broken Circle - Follow through with the whole tower, getting the Litany of Adralla and reaching the Harrowing Chamber. Tell Cullen you're going to try to save the Mages (at least, so you don't lose Wynne). Let Uldred turn every Mage until an Abomination (that you kill) EXCEPT for Irving. Leave Irving alive so you end up siding with the Mages. Although you get some bit of XP from killing his abomination and a bit more XP if you planning on killing your own Denerim army, you seem to lose the Apprentice Mages random encounter as well as an XP reward from Dagna's An Unlikely Scholar quest.
14. Nature of the Beast - When you get up to the Gatekeeper werewolf in the Lair of the Werewolves and he wants to make a deal, kill him and clear out the adjacent rooms. You will still be able to talk to the Lady of the Forest. Tell her that you will bring Zathrian, but side with Zathrian and wipe out the werewolves in the lair. After you have obtained Witherfang's heart, you will get a dialogue option where you find out that Lanaya is able to perform the ritual without Zathrian's help, allowing you to attack Zathrian and his Wild Sylvans. Return to camp and head to the Brecilian Forest once again, where Panowen will ask where Zathrian is. Attack her for more XP.
(Friendly-fire option) Optionally, you can kill Zathrian during your fight with Swiftrunner, effectively being able to kill him twice. You can also make the fight against the Lady of the Forest MUCH easier by AoEing the werewolves that are standing around before you go up the stairs to talk to Zathrian.
Added Note: When doing the Elven Ritual, do it improperly by drinking the entire jug. It will summon shades the very first time that you can kill for more XP.
Added Note: Do the Grand Oak's quest to return the acorn (and not the Hermit's quest to kill the Grand Oak). Trade for everything *except* the acorn and then have the Hermit attack you by reaching into the tree stump. He will also summon two fire demons, which gives more XP than you would if you attacked the Grand Oak instead.
15. Paragon of Her Kind - After receiving both tasks from Vartag and Dulin, complete Vartag's quest all the way until you get up to Lord Dace in the Aeducan Thaig. However, DO NOT talk to Lord Dace. Instead, go and *betray* Bhelen and complete the Proving Grounds (both official and unofficial) to help both of Harrowmont's soldiers. If you're able, you can use Harrowmont's soldiers to fight with you in the last Proving and AoE them to death as well. After you complete Dulin's first task, Vartag will approach you. Persuade him that you will act as a spy for Bhelen to *betray* Harrowmont. Dulin will also be wary of you because you slandered Harrowmont from the first Vartag quest. Persuade him that you will act as a spy to *betray* Bhelen. Assuming this doesn't cause the quest to crash (it didn't for me), you will continue working for Harrowmont as a spy for Bhelen until the very end. Side with Branka for the Paragon quest (so you get golems you can kill with friendly fire later on). Once you get the crown, triple-cross Bhelen by betraying him and giving the crown to Harrowmont. Bhelen and the nobles will attack you, allowing you to slaughter the entire Assembly with AoE. If you avoided fighting the fanatics in the city until now, you WILL run into both Bhelen's and Harrowmont's fanatics for even more XP.
Added Note: By killing Bhelen, you can go back to the Royal Palace and kill Vartag and his guards. You will also get a random encounter from Bhelen's fanatics on the World Map.
Added Note: By betraying Bhelen, Piotin, his henchmen, Myaja and Lucjan will attack you at the Proving Grounds when you talk to them again.
Added Note: When you rescue Shale, DO NOT talk to Shale at camp until you have enough Coercion to lie to her about killing Caridin. Otherwise, you won't get Shale's personal quest.
15a. Orzammar Side Quest Notes
A. Caged in Stone - In the Orzammar Royal Palace, there are secret switches around the throne room that, when activated, summon the mini-dragonboss. You will not be able to do this once you have selected a King.
B. The Gangue Shade (Legion of the Dead) - Wear the full Legion of the Dead set and right-click on the relic in the room where you get the Helmet of the Legion to fight the Gangue Shade.
C. Thief in the House of Learning - You get nothing but appreciation if you return the book to the Shaperate, but you get about ~75 XP and money if you sell the book to Jertrin right after you loot it.
D. Asunder - Kill the summoned demon. It doesn't net you any gold, but it does get you some XP.
E. Precious Metals - ((Coercion must be LESS than Coercion 4 in order to get full XP)) - When you get to Godwin in the Mage Tower, you can persuade him to give you more money for the lyrium. Failing or passing the persuade check for 75 gold (or 65 + dagger, rather) or accepting only 50 gold gives 100 XP. However, if you persuade him for 60 gold, you get no XP from him whatsoever. When you get back to Rogek, if your Coercion is at 3 or less, you can fail the last persuade check (asking him for a 30 gold fee) and then tell him you'll beat 20 gold out of him. You'll get more XP from killing Rogek with his thugs.
F. An Unlikely Scholar - ((Must have sided with the Mages by killing all abominations/Mages except for Irving to get XP)) - 100 XP only if you saved the Mage Tower and asked Dagna for a reward.
G. A Mother's Hope - Talk to Ruck first and buy what you need; you can ask him questions again and get a dialogue where you can kill him (~60 XP) after buying from him. Lie to Ruck's mother and tell her he died a hero for the reward and quest XP.
H. Lost to the Memories - When you first receive the quest from Orta, do *NOT* ask her for any reward or Ortan wealth, but offer to help her. You can ask her for money only after you've retrieved the records had her move over to the Assembly to thank you (any choice will give ~150 XP, but you might as well get the 5 gold). Once you have completed a Paragon of Her Kind, travel out of Orzammar/Frostback Mountains and travel back, and you will be able to talk to her again for another ~300 XP and 10 gold.
16. The Arl of Redcliffe - Going into the Fade as your PC Mage to save Connor nets a little XP and an extra talent book from dealing with the demon (which is better than XP, technically speaking). If you do choose to do this, make sure to clear out all the rooms in Redcliffe Castle (including all of the second floor) without running into Connor upstairs. For maximum XP, clearing out the castle and battling the Desire Demon with your party is the best way. Additionally, Connor's minions allows you to quickly loot the 18 Corpse Gall needed for the Chantry Board quest.
17. Urn of the Sacred Ashes - Korgrim has more minions surrounding him when he's on the Mountaintop; therefore, you get more XP if you tell him you will pour the Dragon's Blood on the ashes. Hopefully by now you have the Persuasion to intimidate Leliana into staying with you if she's with you. If you need Wynne, it might be best to do Haven before the Broken Circle (there might be another way to keep her though).
When going through the Gauntlet, answer all questions correctly if you are higher than Level 16 (you get more XP for answering incorrectly and killing the shade IF you are 16 or below) and pass through the fire with the altar. Pour the blood on the ashes and kill the Gauntlet Guardian and his minions. When you meet Korgrim outside, go through the dragon's blood ritual. After you unlock the Reaver specialization, talk to him again and kill him (apparently you get a large XP boost for learning the Reaver specialization ritual even if you've already learned it). Up ahead you will find 2 more of his minions as well as a Drake for an extra drake scale and more XP.
18. Denerim Side Quests
A. A Change in Leadership (Blackstone Irregulars) - Killed Taoran instead of Raelnor, as Taoran has more guards.
B. Honor Bound - In Denerim, make sure to attack Ser Landry and his guards with your whole party instead of simply dueling him.
C. Pearls Before Swine - Attack the White Falcon mercenaries at the Pearl to scare them off, but also ask them to 'Empty your pockets and leave'. This nets you an additional 50 XP.
D. The Crimson Oars - After completing this quest, Sergeant Kylon will give you more gold as a reward if you talk to him later on.
E. Defying the Collective - After completing all the quests from the Mage Collective, give 10 more lyrium potions to Knight-Commander Tavish in Denerim (even if you've already completed the quest with Knight-Commander Harrith) and then hand in the evidence to him.
19a. The Alienage - When you get there, make sure to kill all the guards at the front door of the Hospice as well as the elf guard at the back. Clear the entire Alienage warehouse systematically and don't Intimidate/Persuade anyone into living or running away. For the 'Something Wicked' quest with Ser Otto, DO NOT kill Otto with AoE or you will end the quest prematurely.
19b. Return to Ostagar - When you venture to Bann Loren's lands, pick the option to attack the guards. There are a couple of traps that can be disabled and a few chests in Return to Ostagar. The DLC itself is worth about ~3530 XP.
20. The Landsmeet - You get a ~1500 XP bonus for winning the Landsmeet, regardless of whether it's by a landslide or close decision. You can still attack Loghain and his guards afterwards for more XP, both from his guards as well as the nobles' armies. There is a set limit on how many guards actually spawn, and certain noble guards are only friendly NPCs if they sided with you in the Landsmeet. Thus, if you're going for a maximum playthrough but you don't want to kill friendly NPCs, it's best to win by a close decision to give yourself more hostiles to kill while keeping the XP bonus.
Added Note: The XP received from having Alistair marry Anora, Alistair ruling alone, Anora ruling alone or from letting Loghain live are the same. The ending with hardened Alistair marrying Anora while letting Loghain live *might* be added XP, but I need to check again to be sure.
21. The Archdemon - although it seems like the Archdemon's waves of darkspawn are infinite, the gates will run out of darkspawn eventually during Phases Two and Three. For Phase Two, if you don't hit the Archdemon at all (and you kill First Enchanter Irving so he doesn't either), he will drop back down while still at 50% after you've cleared all the darkspawn from each gate.
Feel free to add anything (especially quest choices/dialogues) that results in gaining more XP than usual.
Modifié par Ecael, 02 février 2010 - 05:10 .
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