26 réponses à ce sujet

[ElementalFury106]

So throughout both games so far your non-mage companions have always had their trademark weapon styles. Although you could change them in Origins (and now in Inquisition) they came with the weapon sets and abilities they were  originally designed for by the time you recruited them. In Dragon Age 2, their trademark weapon styles were not changeable. Aveline was always S&S, Fenris was always 2 handed, Isabela always dual wield, Sebastian and Varric always archery.

 

I always enjoyed the fact that these characters have their own preference/design with these weapons. Having a big ol' shield just seemed to fit Aveline so well, for example.

 

So I've been wondering if the character design team has established Blackwall's initial/trademark weapon style. In his original concept art, he was rocking a sword and shield, looking very tanky. However, in all the trailers he's been featured in, they've portrayed him with a 2 handed sword. We've since began to think that they changed his style to 2 handed, but then in gamescon demo they've showed him once again rocking a sword and shield.

 

They even made him the poster-warrior for the "Which Sword and Shield Abilities will you use?" further implying that they've went back to their original plan of him being a S&S tank.

 

So I'm wondering, are they doing this intentionally to put emphasis on the fact that it's our choice? Or do you think they made a group decision to change his weapon style back to his original concept art?

 

I know it doesn't matter in the end, seeing as we could change it at our request. Still, I enjoy letting my companions always using their initial preferences when it comes to weapons. In my first playthroughs, I always let them rock what they came with (when that was an option, at least).

 

Personally, I always saw Blackwall as more of a Sword and Shield kind of warrior, as implied by his persona and even his name. A game who stands in the thick of battle and protects others. I mean come on, his name has "Wall" in it haha. When I saw him in the gamescon demo with a shield, it just looked right. 

 

What do you guys think his initial weapon style will be? Which do you see him more as?

 

[I SOLD MY SOUL TO BIOWARE]

I think sword and shield seems more fitting to me, probably specced as more of a team-player warrior like Aveline. Plus I plan on speccing Cassandra and Iron Bull as two handed, along with my Inquisitor, so I'll have two-handed warriors in excess I think. 

[Ryzaki]

I'll probably make him a 2HD warrior depending on if I want Bull in my party or not.

[Beliar86]

Grey wardens are supposed to be recruited from the very best with only the exceptional being able to survive the joining in the first place. Him being a decently high rank in the order to boot with lots of experience he should be adept at both.

[andar91]

I tend to think of the default as...

 

Cassandra: Weapon and Shield

Blackwall: Weapon and Shield

Iron Bull: 2 handed

 

Varric: Archery, duh

Sera: Archery

Cole: Daggers

 

Vivienne: Staff (FIRE MAGIC)

Dorian: ....Staff (can't pin him down)

Solas: ...also Staff (and Spirit spells)

[Cyonan]

I would probably guess sword and board so the defaults of companions have more tanks.

 

Or one who could go either way right from the start, similar to how Shale was in Origins.

[AlexiaRevan]

Hum...I rather have him go with giant 2 handed sword......or a giant Axe . Or if with shield..then small axe+shield . 

[Spectre slayer]

I don't think it really matters much what their default is, it's going to be up to us to decide what we want to do with them and what party compositions you want to try or use.

[AshenEndymion]

I don't think it really matters much what their default is, it's going to be up to us to decide what we want to do with them and what party compositions you want to try or use.

 

I think it matters a little what the default is.  Especially if, when you recruit them, some of their ability points are used.

 

I mean, if Blackwall already has 1-2 points in the S&S branch, it'd seem kind of silly, to me, to say it doesn't matter what his default is.

[AtreiyaN7]

Like Alistair, he might default to being a sword and shield-style tank, but I don't see why we can't spec him or other companions in any way that we want like we have in the past. Maybe they'll even have some form of respec option so that you can start from ground zero if you want.

[Smoolio]

I hope that the companion's unique trees are spec independent, don't like feeling forced to take the 'best' tank on every harder playthrough.

[ElementalFury106]

I think it matters a little what the default is.  Especially if, when you recruit them, some of their ability points are used.

 

I mean, if Blackwall already has 1-2 points in the S&S branch, it'd seem kind of silly, to me, to say it doesn't matter what his default is.

 

That's where a Maker's Sigh potion comes in handy

[Scarlet Rabbi]

So can Varric dual wield daggers in this one?

[ElementalFury106]

So can Varric dual wield daggers in this one?

 

Yep. But he can't use any other bow/crossbow except Bianca.

[rocsage]

just as samurai training includes both swordsmanship and archery, I really don't see how Blackwall, or any other character, for that matter, can only use one style proficiently.

Maybe assign him some sort of shield specific perks, but it really doesn't have to be a binary scenario with two mutually exclusive choices.

in terms of game play, both origins and 2 had some shortcomings.

In origins, 2h means lower overall dps, greater likelihood to oom, and comparatively higher vulnerability.

While the aa aoe in 2, in conjunction with vanguard buffs, made 2h machines of destruction, the purely offensive nature inevitably makes players wonder the possibilities of defensive 2h use, such as keeping enemies at bay better by increasing tremor radius for 2h users, or putting a 10x or 15x force multiplier in defense tree.

I hope Blackwall knows champion by default? Or loghain could teach it in Orlais.

[TheJediSaint]

Bioware missed a real opportunity not making Blackwall's signature combat style Beard Fu.

[MarchWaltz]

I'm not sure...but I am VERY happy we can customize their weapon load out, just like DAO

 

I mean, it is boring if they have set weapons...meaning Aveline is ALWAYS a tank and Anders is ALWAYS a healer.

 

For Inquisition, I plan to have different tanks/weapon setups for each of my play-through.

 

Also, it gives us more choice. Blackwall is going to be my main's tank.

[davidselite737]

I personally enjoy doing the "tanking" myself. Let my companions do the do while i aggro everything and laugh in its face.

[Spectre Impersonator]

I much prefer that they give us the freedom to choose combat styles as in DAO. I also wish warriors could dual-wield.

[Scarlet Rabbi]

Yep. But he can't use any other bow/crossbow except Bianca.

That is amazing. I know who my melee rogue is now.

[Ina]

I've a couple of opinions in general on having fixed vs flexible signature weapon styles as well as general character class design.

 

On the one hand, I agree that it adds to the depth if companions have clear design choices. It makes them unique and not just the puppet of the PC. 

 

On the other hand, having defined roles constantly forces you to take the same character again and again on certain playthroughs which I don't find that enjoyable. Mostly this issue arises with tanks or healers, but is not limited to them. 

 

So I'm a little conflicted. I do hope that Blackwall has a fixed weapon style that he prefers, but for gameplay reasons I also would be more than happy if he can fill a dual role so I can swap between him and Cass if I'm not myself a tank. Or swap between him and IB if I want a damage dealer.

[Darkly Tranquil]

Bioware missed a real opportunity not making Blackwall's signature combat style Beard Fu.

He could have been the Pai Mei to the Inquisitor's Beatrix Kiddo.

[Sylvius the Mad]

I think a 2H suits Blackwall more. But I also think Iron Bull should dual-wield, so perhaps I'm not the best person to ask.

[Bayonet Hipshot]

His name is Blackwall.

 

Blackwall.

 

There are no "Walls" in Two Handed Tree.

 

There is however, "Shield Wall" in Sword & Shield Tree. 

 

So I will most likely make him a Sword & Shield Wielder. 

 

 

[raziel1980]

I think sword and shield seems more fitting to me, probably specced as more of a team-player warrior like Aveline. Plus I plan on speccing Cassandra and Iron Bull as two handed, along with my Inquisitor, so I'll have two-handed warriors in excess I think. 

 

Same exact way I will be playing my first playthrough...though I may keep Cassandra as S&S since she will be my LI and thus go with me EVERYWHERE...