I liked Mage more.
Story-wise: I vastly prefer Carver over Bethany, and being a sarcastic mage telling dumb warriors off just rocks.
Practically: because you can have another healer besides just Anders. It sucks that Merill doesn't even get a healing spell.
Like beeing a mage myself, mainly going the rebel route. I just wish you could actually plan a rebellion with Anders, have a few more choices squished in. Also like supporting the templar as mage, then again i am a sucker for irony.
I like playing as a mage, but the rogue class in this game is just bad arse. Plus, i think Bethany is more powerful than a mage hawke.
Storywise: Carver is great! Bethany is not bad. Although, i wish you can have them both (like that scene in Rise of Power Trailer).
I don't know, this game confuses me. I get annoyed at playing mage, because of the story...so i always end up going back to my rogue, but then Carver is really written well...sigh
Guest_StreetMagic_*
I like playing as a mage, but the rogue class in this game is just bad arse. Plus, i think Bethany is more powerful than a mage hawke.
Storywise: Carver is great! Bethany is not bad. Although, i wish you can have them both (like that scene in Rise of Power Trailer).
I don't know, this game confuses me. I get annoyed at playing mage, because of the story...so i always end up going back to my rogue, but then Carver is really written well...sigh
Bethany is not even close to more powerful. I still don't think mage is the "best class" or whatever, but no one is a better mage than Hawke. They get more points and access to every tree.
I think it's more enjoyable as a warrior or rogue because if you're a mage no one really acts like you are a mage. What's the point then? Everything is almost the exact same as playing a rogue or warrior. You may as well play warrior/rogue, and then at least the story makes more sense that way.
I think it's more enjoyable as a warrior or rogue because if you're a mage no one really acts like you are a mage. What's the point then? Everything is almost the exact same as playing a rogue or warrior. You may as well play warrior/rogue, and then at least the story makes more sense that way.
This is exactly what I came here to say... I just can't get past how obvious it is that Hawke is an apostate, and how often this is ignored by Templars who seem to be rabid hounds with regard to every other mage in Kirkwall. IMO the story is better as a rogue or warrior with Bethany (possibly Anders or Merril if they are an LI) as your connection to the mage/templar conflict.
I feel the same way. I prefer to use stealth classes when I play, and my first Hawke was rogue, but I didn't care all that much about the situation because I'm not a fan of Merrill, Bethany died in the Deep Roads, and I was pissed at Anders, so to me it just didn't feel that personal.
I enjoyed the game much more with my mage Hawke, and I found the combat more fun than in Origins (I like how you can hit enemies with the staff if they're close enough) so that helped too.
This is exactly what I came here to say... I just can't get past how obvious it is that Hawke is an apostate, and how often this is ignored by Templars who seem to be rabid hounds with regard to every other mage in Kirkwall. IMO the story is better as a rogue or warrior with Bethany (possibly Anders or Merril if they are an LI) as your connection to the mage/templar conflict.
Probably one of my biggest beefs with the game was this. I understand after ACT 2, no Templar would be foolish enough to bring in the Champion of Kirkwall, but at least hint at Hawke being hunted prior to that. That, and just how little backstory there is on the Hawke family during their time in Ferelden.
Guest_StreetMagic_*
Yes, at least the whole "apostate" feels more significant with other mages. Anders is freaking out and paranoid.. Bethany is recognized right away by Wesley in the beginning, and once you dock, she has a little banter with Aveline, saying she didn't recognize Wesley from the Lothering chantry. Then Aveline says "Were you familiar with every templar?" Bethany says "How else was supposed to know when to run and hide?"
THAT right there captures what it's like to be a fugitive or in hiding. The planning.. the knowing of names and Templars, the general paranoia and watchfulness. It's the same kind of watchfulness you have if you're a weed smoker or something, and knowing when to knock it off or when cops are around. Or whatever. There's a general mentality to being in hiding.
Hawke never quite vocalizes any of this. The general personality works better as a protector of his or her sibling.
Probably one of my biggest beefs with the game was this. I understand after ACT 2, no Templar would be foolish enough to bring in the Champion of Kirkwall, but at least hint at Hawke being hunted prior to that. That, and just how little backstory there is on the Hawke family during their time in Ferelden.
Carver tells you that Hawke is too rich and influential after Act I to even touch. And before that Varric is stopping the Templars, and before that the Red Iron/Smugglers. Hawke is untouchable from the first day of the boat. Nobody is hunting Hawke because nobody can hunt Hawke.
Guest_StreetMagic_*
Carver tells you that Hawke is too rich and influential after Act I to even touch. And before that Varric is stopping the Templars, and before that the Red Iron/Smugglers. Hawke is untouchable from the first day of the boat. Nobody is hunting Hawke because nobody can hunt Hawke.
That all works fine and well enough to play a mage, but it's all done in the background. These kind of big plot points need more to really give it life though.. shoving it in the background doesn't make hiding from the Templars very interesting or colorful or dramatic. With Bethany, the actual mage plight comes to the forefront more (if she ends up in the Circle, that is).
If that makes sense.
edit: It would've gone a long way to actually have more hiding from Templar type of quests earlier in the game. Instead of stupid quests like blatantly WORKING with them and dealing with Cullen and all that. I think they planned that too at one point. Not sure what happened.
That all works fine and well enough to play a mage, but it's all done in the background. These kind of big plot points need more to really give it life though.. shoving it in the background doesn't make hiding from the Templars very interesting or colorful or dramatic. With Bethany, the actual mage plight comes to the forefront more (if she ends up in the Circle, that is).
If that makes sense.
edit: It would've gone a long way to actually have more hiding from Templar type of quests earlier in the game. Instead of stupid quests like blatantly WORKING with them and dealing with Cullen and all that. I think they planned that too at one point. Not sure what happened.
That's probably because Hawke doesn't really care about the "mage plight" by default, and even then there's no reason to design an entire side plot for one of three class choices.
Guest_StreetMagic_*
That's probably because Hawke doesn't really care about the "mage plight" by default, and even then there's no reason to design an entire side plot for one of three class choices.
If there's no reason to design that side plot, then there's no reason to play an apostate. Either make it mean something or change the story (and the best way I change the story is not to play a mage. It flows better for me, and that's why I disagree with the title of this thread. It's not more "enjoyable". I break immersion far more with a mage).
You don't need these kind of quests in games like DAO or DAI where a mage has open recognition and commision... but here.. they missed an opportunity to present what it might be like on the run better.
I think the life of an apostate is a story that needs to be told still, but I don't think DA2 was it. They can do a mage centric game better than this. I'm sure of it.
Carver tells you that Hawke is too rich and influential after Act I to even touch. And before that Varric is stopping the Templars, and before that the Red Iron/Smugglers. Hawke is untouchable from the first day of the boat. Nobody is hunting Hawke because nobody can hunt Hawke.
It might be better to say that Hawke isn't worthy the cost. The Templars under Meredith show an inclination to trying to maximize their gains while minimizing their costs: though it gets harder and harder for nobodies to bribe their way around the Templars, Hawke is just ahead of the power curve the entire time.
Mages can be crazy deadly if you build it right and Carver does have a more fulfilling character arc.
Love Bethany to death but her entire character seems to be "Magic is dangerous and I'm kinda sad about that, still gotta keep on keeping on!" to "I should totes stand up for myself because Meredith is **** Crazy"
Still upset about Harvestino.
Mages can be crazy deadly if you build it right and Carver does have a more fulfilling character arc.
Love Bethany to death but her entire character seems to be "Magic is dangerous and I'm kinda sad about that, still gotta keep on keeping on!" to "I should totes stand up for myself because Meredith is **** Crazy"
Still upset about Harvestino.
I pretty much feel the same way.
Lol @ Harvestino
Your Mileage May Vary.
...............
(Rogue and Warrior ueber alles)
If there's no reason to design that side plot, then there's no reason to play an apostate. Either make it mean something or change the story (and the best way I change the story is not to play a mage. It flows better for me, and that's why I disagree with the title of this thread. It's not more "enjoyable". I break immersion far more with a mage).
You don't need these kind of quests in games like DAO or DAI where a mage has open recognition and commision... but here.. they missed an opportunity to present what it might be like on the run better.
I think the life of an apostate is a story that needs to be told still, but I don't think DA2 was it. They can do a mage centric game better than this. I'm sure of it.
I think the real problem with making a mage-centric game is that it might require either putting a great deal more resources into this class, or removing the other classes altogether. For me, DA2 worked best when it was my apostate allies that I had to be concerned with, since the PC is pretty much immune to threats.
Guest_StreetMagic_*
I'm replaying again actually as a mage. I still stand by rogue/warrior fitting better, but it's not so bad as a mage. The Cullen missions are still silly, but sometimes there are little lines here and there that seem better suited as a mage too. Like Varric's introduction in Hightown. He talks about how the "name Hawke is on many lips these days", and if you're a mage it makes more sense. It makes Carver a little jealous. If you're a rogue or warrior, Varric still makes it sound like you're more impressive than Bethany. And that he doesn't necessarily need her on the Expedition.
Or if you worked with Athenril, she says no one can quite "work your magic.... if you know what I mean" regardless of what class you are.
hmm the mage class in da2 was alot easier for me to play then the other two classes in the game o-o
dao i was always a duelist rogue...
so mage felt more likeable, easier, speedy, blood magic ![=]](https://lvlt.forum.bioware.com/public/style_emoticons/default/sideways.png)
Guest_Caladin_*
For myself it a toss up between 2H Berserk/Templar an Heal/Force mage
Although a Vanguard/Reaver/Beserker aint very far behind
Rogue is least favourite, although still enjoyable tbh
Warrior seems the most natural for Hawke, with Beth dieing in the deep roads (with no meta gaming), an Mage a close second with Carver going the Grey Warden route.
My first play through was as warrior an my god was it a tragic hawke, very enjoyable run that tbh
Overall, thematically, I feel that a mage Hawke works best. Act one fits together better if Hawke is scrambling to obtain wealth and prestige to secure his own future, I find. Not that assisting Bethany isn't a good thing, but there's a degree less of urgency to the story (and by extension the player) when you are struggling to help a third party rather than the protagonist.
Act two I think actually works a little better as a rogue or warrior, if only by virtue of the dual at the end. It's a minor point.
Act three I've found works best logically in terms of the overarching Dragon Age story if you side with the mages, and it gains a degree of additional power if you are a mage yourself, fighting for your fellows even though many don't actually deserve the effort. And the idea of a mage Hawke becoming a rallying cry for other mages makes more sense to me, and just feels better, rather than a rogue/warrior kicking it off. Like, instead of needing a virtuous "normal" person, a mage is the face of the revolution.
This is all a manner of degrees, of course, and the fact that mage Hawke doesn't get called out more seems to really bother some people, so your mileage may vary!
Guest_Magick_*
Mage in my opinion, makes the story a lot interesting. I also enjoyed laughing at Fenris comments about how mages suck and should be purged. I decided to keep him around just so I can murder him later on. haha. My fav. part in dragon age 2. Now if only I can kill carver and varric using blood magic.
Guest_StreetMagic_*
I think it comes down to your preconceptions of the story. If you already think it's a "mage/templar" game, then mage probablt fits best.
To me, that's only part of the story until Act 3. I just don't see it being mage/templar centric game otherwise. Act 1 and 2 feel like an immigrant/"rise to power" story, and suitable for anything. If I drag Fenris and Anders everywhere, then that changes the atmosphere somewhat... they just can't help from complaining about mages and templars everywhere they go.
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