Since DAO, I've been partial to playing as rogues. I hate walking by a chest that I can't open. 
But playing as a mage does add a new level to DA2's story. I know the writing gets a lot of criticism when it comes to how unbelievable the circumstances become with a mage Hawke, but I like to use the gaps to make my own headcanons. A mage Hawke who sides with the templars and becomes viscount is one of my favorite outcomes.
2H Warrior. Pro-Templar. Aggressive personality. He's unstoppable and doesn't care about anything.
Rogue master race.
Rogue master race.
Actually, for me.. it's Female Rogue Master Race. 
I don't know why, but I can't play male here like DAO/DAI.
Mage. I always play mages through all 3 games (even my kids make fun of me now - oh gawd mom another mage, really? lol). I just like using magic- can't do it IRL so I figure I will do it in game. I always try to go rogue but I fail at rogues. I'm great at wizardry however.
(and the unbelievable factor of Hawke being a mage in Kirkwall is officially hand waved my me since it' also really stupid that I can walk into people's bedrooms, stare at them and steal stuff from their chests).
Carver is just too much fun to pass up.
Warrior, Sword and Shield. Aveline is the party's only other tank and something of a bore, you feel more justifiably champion-ish by being an actual warrior allowed to show your power in public, both rogues and mages have lost a bunch of their flavor since DAO while warriors have just gotten faster and more dynamic, and Bethany being a circle mage lends far greater credence to Hawke feeling protective of the circle than Carver being a templar does for the templars.
Also, I'm getting a kick out of "The Hawke Sisters" as my canon Hawke and Bethany are collectively known as. Carver is just a whiny little boy, and he's so bloody slow and fragile with that two-handed sword compared to Fenris.
Warrior, Sword and Shield. Aveline is the party's only other tank and something of a bore, you feel more justifiably champion-ish by being an actual warrior allowed to show your power in public, both rogues and mages have lost a bunch of their flavor since DAO while warriors have just gotten faster and more dynamic, and Bethany being a circle mage lends far greater credence to Hawke feeling protective of the circle than Carver being a templar does for the templars.
Also, I'm getting a kick out of "The Hawke Sisters" as my canon Hawke and Bethany are collectively known as. Carver is just a whiny little boy, and he's so bloody slow and fragile with that two-handed sword compared to Fenris.
Carver much more interest, than the good, nice Bethany. Mage Hawke relationship with his/her Templar brother more dynamic, and connote more difficult choices. (For example one of my Hawkes at the finish sided with templars, for Carver – okay, just one...)
Carver much more interest, than the good, nice Bethany. Mage Hawke relationship with his/her Templar brother more dynamic, and connote more difficult choices. (For example one of my Hawkes at the finish sided with templars, for Carver – okay, just one...)
Helping an angsty teenager grow up isn't on my list of things that make a playthrough more interesting. Carver is a complete caricature, Bethany's feelings and opinions are far more complex - and certainly not always good or nice. And Carver being a Templar doesn't motivate you to join them, he enlisted specifically to distance himself from you and still won't raise a finger against you even if you go batshit on the order.
The dynamic and conflict you're talking about just isn't there, whereas Bethany remains a strong and powerful motivator for Hawke to stick his/her neck out for the mages even if s/he principally agrees with the Templars. Much deeper.
Helping an angsty teenager grow up isn't on my list of things that make a playthrough more interesting. Carver is a complete caricature, Bethany's feelings and opinions are far more complex - and certainly not always good or nice. And Carver being a Templar doesn't motivate you to join them, he enlisted specifically to distance himself from you and still won't raise a finger against you even if you go batshit on the order.
The dynamic and conflict you're talking about just isn't there, whereas Bethany remains a strong and powerful motivator for Hawke to stick his/her neck out for the mages even if s/he principally agrees with the Templars. Much deeper.
I played with rogue Hawke, then Bethany had become Warden. I do not see reason that Hawke why left at home his/her mage sister. If Bethany at his/her side, s/he can take care of her. In the Deep Roads relatively few Templar lives, therefore it safer place for an apostate, than Kirkwall ... Do not forget: you can already see in Act1 too, that the Circle is anything but not safe.
I always play a mage when its an option 9/10 times as a femHawke, and I love the interactions with Carver. Reminds me of my own brothers, Bethany just grates on my nerves so I only played a rogue and warrior Hawke once. But it depends on your preference which class you play and which sibling you want.
I played with rogue Hawke, then Bethany had become Warden. I do not see reason that Hawke why left at home his/her mage sister. If Bethany at his/her side, s/he can take care of her. In the Deep Roads relatively few Templar lives, therefore it safer place for an apostate, than Kirkwall ... Do not forget: you can already see in Act1 too, that the Circle is anything but not safe.
That's ignoring how insanely dangerous the Deep Roads are to non-Wardens. Bethany isn't a dwarf or physically enhanced in any way, doesn't wear armor and she signs on as a bodyguard, nobody else aside from Merril make themselves that vulnerable to the Taint. Anyone who cared about her well-being and didn't consider the party immortal could have predicted that she would be the most likely to catch darkspawn sickness, and dragging your little sister along to face risks like that is pretty damn reckless.
"I can protect her better in the Deep Roads" isn't a realistic thought, a Hawke who is protective of Bethany has to be entirely aware of all the ways s/he can't protect Bethany in the heat of battle or on a long march through a hyper-infectious environment, just like s/he lost Carver to the ogre. It's a choice between dragging Bethany into certain and sustained danger or leaving her in the uncertain danger of having to lay low for a few weeks. And unlike Carver, Bethany herself is mostly just interested in going because her brother/sister is, and is almost relieved at being left behind.
And in the end, Bethany is much happier as a circle mage than she is as a Grey Warden. And I can't blame her, the Wardens suck ass as an order.
Bethany barely feels like a character to me. She only exists to be the little sister that needs to be protected at all times.
And Carver is just the little brother who needs to be reigned in and constantly has hissy fits. Wow, what character. At least Bethany has actual opinions and family relationships more complex than "daddy loved my sisters more, my sisters are more awesome than me, I wants tuu be sumwun twooo!! >.<"
That's ignoring how insanely dangerous the Deep Roads are to non-Wardens. Bethany isn't a dwarf or physically enhanced in any way, doesn't wear armor and she signs on as a bodyguard, nobody else aside from Merril make themselves that vulnerable to the Taint. Anyone who cared about her well-being and didn't consider the party immortal could have predicted that she would be the most likely to catch darkspawn sickness, and dragging your little sister along to face risks like that is pretty damn reckless.
"I can protect her better in the Deep Roads" isn't a realistic thought, a Hawke who is protective of Bethany has to be entirely aware of all the ways s/he can't protect Bethany in the heat of battle or on a long march through a hyper-infectious environment, just like s/he lost Carver to the ogre. It's a choice between dragging Bethany into certain and sustained danger or leaving her in the uncertain danger of having to lay low for a few weeks. And unlike Carver, Bethany herself is mostly just interested in going because her brother/sister is, and is almost relieved at being left behind.
And in the end, Bethany is much happier as a circle mage than she is as a Grey Warden. And I can't blame her, the Wardens suck ass as an order.
And Carver is just the little brother who needs to be reigned in and constantly has hissy fits. Wow, what character. At least Bethany has actual opinions and family relationships more complex than "daddy loved my sisters more, my sisters are more awesome than me, I wants tuu be sumwun twooo!! >.<"
So Bethany just a little sister, who need protection. As I see. What complex family relation? (Maybe someday I'll try again, maybe will change my mind, but I do not see a big chance.)
The fact (at least they say ...) that he feels better in the circle, gives the impression in me, Bethany does not trust herself, and expects that the other will defend her from herself. I'm sorry this is not appealing to me. I can understand her motive, but this fact just make Bethany more boring character for me.
The Warden Bethany have a chance for growing up, and defend herself.
So Bethany just a little sister, who need protection. As I see. What complex family relation? (Maybe someday I'll try again, maybe will change my mind, but I do not see a big chance.)
The fact (at least they say ...) that he feels better in the circle, gives the impression in me, Bethany does not trust herself, and expects that the other will defend her from herself. I'm sorry this is not appealing to me.
Nope, wrong again. Bethany is perfectly capable of handling herself, potentially even better than Hawke, but the Deep Roads are much more dangerous for her than they are for Carver and the Hawkes do still have a mother to support if something happens on the excursion. You can reduce it to her just being someone who needs protecting if you really want to, but that's completely ignoring the realities the characters face. Which is pretty dumb from a roleplaying standpoint.
Bethany not trusting herself never struck me as part of her motivation. What she says is that she's tired of feeling like she burdens and endangers the rest of the family with her existence, which is a debate unto itself, and is comforted by that at least no longer being the case if she's caught by the templars. Her finding value in the circle as a school and place for mages to actually socialize is also important to fleshing out the templar cause in the second game.
As for complex family relations, her exploring their father's past - and her father actually having a past - in Legacy. coming to terms with how he viewed mages and magic when he was young, how that in turn reflected on his feelings about her and her training, how that meshes with her own opinions based on what he taught her and what that means compared to the circle's approach and how it has all touched her less favored sibling who isn't childish and bitter but who was affected by it nonetheless is all much more interesting than Carver's cliché daddy issues and inferiority complex.
Nope, wrong again. Bethany is perfectly capable of handling herself, potentially even better than Hawke, but the Deep Roads are much more dangerous for her than they are for Carver and the Hawkes do still have a mother to support if something happens on the excursion. You can reduce it to her just being someone who needs protecting if you really want to, but that's completely ignoring the realities the characters face. Which is pretty dumb from a roleplaying standpoint.
Why are they more dangerous for her? Not only does she expose less skin than Carver, she (crucially) stays out of melee range. If someone's hacking at her in melee, realistically speaking, she's probably screwed anyway, so the darkspawn taint is comparatively less of an extra danger for her than it is for Carver.
Bethany not trusting herself never struck me as part of her motivation. What she says is that she's tired of feeling like she burdens and endangers the rest of the family with her existence, which is a debate unto itself, and is comforted by that at least no longer being the case if she's caught by the templars. Her finding value in the circle as a school and place for mages to actually socialize is also important to fleshing out the templar cause in the second game.
Actually, having looked at the timeline from before, I've determined that it makes no sense for her to be so worried about this. As I said in that other topic, her family could only possibly have been on the run for 2-3 years, max, because of her; they were settled in Lothering when Bethany was 8, and I've never heard of a mage manifesting magic before 5 or so.
Nope, wrong again. Bethany is perfectly capable of handling herself, potentially even better than Hawke, but the Deep Roads are much more dangerous for her than they are for Carver and the Hawkes do still have a mother to support if something happens on the excursion. You can reduce it to her just being someone who needs protecting if you really want to, but that's completely ignoring the realities the characters face. Which is pretty dumb from a roleplaying standpoint.
Bethany not trusting herself never struck me as part of her motivation. What she says is that she's tired of feeling like she burdens and endangers the rest of the family with her existence, which is a debate unto itself, and is comforted by that at least no longer being the case if she's caught by the templars. Her finding value in the circle as a school and place for mages to actually socialize is also important to fleshing out the templar cause in the second game.
As for complex family relations, her exploring their father's past - and her father actually having a past - in Legacy. coming to terms with how he viewed mages and magic when he was young, how that in turn reflected on his feelings about her and her training, how that meshes with her own opinions based on what he taught her and what that means compared to the circle's approach and how it has all touched her less favored sibling who isn't childish and bitter but who was affected by it nonetheless is all much more interesting than Carver's cliché daddy issues and inferiority complex.
Why would the Deep Roads more dangerous for a mage than a warrior/rogue? Because a mage do not need to go near the Darkspawn...?
The Legacy (and Malcolm's will) is more interesting in terms of the mage Hawke. (And Carver feel better himself, I think it is OK.)
"Bethany not trusting herself never struck me as part of her motivation. What she says is that she's tired of feeling like she burdens and endangers the rest of the family with her existence, which is a debate unto itself, and is comforted by that at least no longer being the case if she's caught by the templars. Her finding value in the circle as a school and place for mages to actually socialize is also important to fleshing out the templar cause in the second game."
So: Bethany also whiny...? ("I am only a burden" wailing can be very tiring.)
Why are they more dangerous for her? Not only does she expose less skin than Carver, she (crucially) stays out of melee range. If someone's hacking at her in melee, realistically speaking, she's probably screwed anyway, so the darkspawn taint is comparatively less of an extra danger for her than it is for Carver.
Carver is wearing a gambeson - which is far more protective armor than leather - on his torso, his forearms - which are where 95% of wounds land on a swordsman - are protected by leather vambraces and he's experienced in close combat and how to keep enemies at a distance which is also one of the few things greatswords are actually suited for. And on top of that he's way more fit and healthy than Bethany, giving him a better shot at resisting the Taint than her. And even then I'd make him stay at home if he wasn't being such a baby about it.
Mages cannot stay out of melee range. It's just not possible. Enemies constantly sneak up on and swarm you and your ranged attackers all the way through the game. It's a completely moot point.
Actually, having looked at the timeline from before, I've determined that it makes no sense for her to be so worried about this. As I said in that other topic, her family could only possibly have been on the run for 2-3 years, max, because of her; they were settled in Lothering when Bethany was 8, and I've never heard of a mage manifesting magic before 5 or so.
Yeah, because growing up in a tiny religious village with a garrison or armed knights and personally forcing your family to walk on eggshells and be incredibly careful about everything they do or say for over a decade for fear of being imprisoned or even put to the sword by said knights couldn't possibly put any pressure on a young woman.
The Legacy (and Malcolm's will) is more interesting in terms of the mage Hawke. (And Carver feel better himself, I think it is OK.)
So: Bethany also whiny...? ("I am only a burden" wailing can be very tiring.)
Obviously. Hawke's short bursts of vague and extreme, inconsistent dialogue with little thought behind it totally does a personal conflict like that justice. Forget I said anything.
Uhm, no? She doesn't whine or go on about it at all. In fact, it only comes up once or twice, and she never even comes close to wailing.
Carver is wearing a gambeson - which is far more protective armor than leather - on his torso, his forearms - which are where 95% of wounds land on a swordsman - are protected by leather vambraces and he's experienced in close combat and how to keep enemies at a distance which is also one of the few things greatswords are actually suited for. And on top of that he's way more fit and healthy than Bethany, giving him a better shot at resisting the Taint than her. And even then I'd make him stay at home if he wasn't being such a baby about it.
Mages cannot stay out of melee range. It's just not possible. Enemies constantly sneak up on and swarm you and your ranged attackers all the way through the game. It's a completely moot point.
Yeah, because growing up in a tiny religious village with a garrison or armed knights and personally forcing your family to walk on eggshells and be incredibly careful about everything they do or say for over a decade for fear of being imprisoned or even put to the sword by said knights couldn't possibly put any pressure on a young woman.
Do not be ridiculous! Bethany is not a sick flower, but a mage. Mages are dangerous, you remember? (I guess, I appreciate more Bethany like you, despite you like her, and I not too much... You really like her? Or just like a flower, who need care...?)
Go Rogue. You'll spare yourself the torment of having Carver along also you don't have to suspend disbelief when running around and talking to templars in the gallows while wearing mage robes and wielding a staff. You also can like hide Bethany from the Templar in Lothering by stealth, espionage etc. Also it's the only class which neither of the hawke twins are. Moreover, rogue has very fun melee gameplay and cool armor.
Do not be ridiculous! Bethany is not a sick flower, but a mage. Mages are dangerous, you remember? (I guess, I appreciate more Bethany like you, despite you like her, and I not too much... You really like her? Or just like a flower, who need care...?)
What are you talking about? What are you even responding to?
Go Rogue. You'll spare yourself the torment of having Carver along also you don't have to suspend disbelief when running around and talking to templars in the gallows while wearing mage robes and wielding a staff. You also can like hide Bethany from the Templar in Lothering by stealth, espionage etc. Also it's the only class which neither of the hawke twins are. Moreover, rogue has very fun melee gameplay and cool armor.
Hawke do not necessary to wear mage robes: mage Hawke can look like a rogue. The staff... yes, it is a game mechanical bullshit. (But this has been discussed so many places ...)
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