12 réponses à ce sujet

[Dalakaar]

Heyas

 

So I'm starting up Origins. Again. I've played through the game three separate times and each time I just lose interest by about 2/3's of the way through.

 

This time, I'm wanting to get a solid run through and move onto DA2/DA:I. I'm in the mood for a fantasy RPG with this style of combat (vaguely reminiscent of BG)

 

Haven't decided if I'm going to be good, or less good. What class to play, nothing really. I've spent a lot of time playing the ME series (Mostly MP lately) and every once in a while we get some new guys asking questions there. I know from that experience that there's a tonne of knowledge you can't learn in a day, but I also know there are, well... some good sources of info, and some pretty damn solid suggestions to learn from people with a lot of experience in the game.

 

So basically, I'm giving a very broad open ended question to this forum as a complete newbie to the franchise.

 

Here's what I'm looking for.

 

A fun run through the game with a great storyline. A minimum of micro but decent macro. Entertaining companions. Fluid gameplay. On the surface maybe an overpowered party but that doesn't necessarily have to be so for the game to be smooth. I still want a tactical challenge I'm just hoping to get it to the point where I'm not pausing as often as possible. My feeling is that a spellcaster might not be the best option for this. Then again I could be dead wrong.

 

I don't really need to worry about the character, so shoot me any ideas you think will fit. I can make it work, I'm a long time GM for my old group of PnP RPGers and can fit a character into my head easily.

 

I have access to Shale, don't think I have any other DLC. I'm not opposed to dropping a few bucks if there's another DLC you think the game requires to compliment what I'm looking for though.

 

I know the question is fairly vague, but I'm asking it because I'm at the point where I don't know what questions to ask yet. It's been a loooong while since I tried a play-through and barely remember anything about the game at all. (Which might turn out to be a good thing)

 

So, if you were new to the game, and it was essentially your first play-through, what would you recommend to yourself way back when?

 

***

 

To put it in context, if I was to tell my old self what class to start up in ME1, I wouldn't have picked the Infiltrator. Even though it was my first kit for all playthroughs and now has tonnes of nostalgia I would've picked something different. The mechanics weren't as fluid and fun as the Adept or Sentinel or even Engineer. I know I'd stay away from the Vanguard due to all the battles where Biotic Charge is broken.

 

Info like that, is what I'm looking for. Benefit from your experience essentially.

 

/shrug. kk done rambling.

 

And if you don't have anything constructive to say or tl;dr? Post funny gifs. I'll start.

 

 

Cheers

[ArcadiaGrey]

Hiya, don't know how much help I'll be but I'm happy to offer my perspective.

 

I first picked up Dragon Age a year ago and have since play Origins and DA2 3 times each (have just started DA:I)

 

Classes - I've played so far...a dual wielding rogue, an archer rogue and a two-handed warrior.  Archer rogue and two-handed warrior have the same flaw, in that they both run out of spells 2/3 of the way thru so you can't get really really strong at either.  They both bored the crap outta me as they had so few things to do and I was just standing there most of the time.

I'd go with a dual wielding rogue as you can survey the battle, watching what your companions are doing (and controlling them if needed) then strike when it suits you.  For me at least it lended itself to more of a team fight than just focusing on myself, while still letting me just play my character if I felt like it and be all swishy swishy ninja murder knife and whatnot.

 

As a tank you'll be stuck in the middle with no idea what the mages are doing further away so, if you want a little micro-managing, maybe not the best idea.

 

Make the effort to learn the basics of what your companions can do so you can fully understand and make use of the tactics section (obviously, but duh...it took me ages to do that haha)

 

And as for me I vary my team all the time, I never have just 3 ppl. I always mix it up and use all different combos.  This is especially awesome in Origins as it gives you great banter between them all.  Recruit everyone if you're only playing once, there are some great conversations and opportunities so don't walk away from any potential companion.

 

DLC's - Return to Ostagar is a favourite for me, nostalgic feelings from the battle.  I like leaving it till late in the game, recruiting Loghain, and taking him with.

Warden's Keep - Meh.  It's okay but the story isn't exciting for me.  You could totally just watch it on Youtube or read up on it to make your keep choices.

Leliana's Song - Fun, not necessary tho.  Also goes against the lore from Origins which bothers me, re-writes some of her history :/

Witch Hunt - Boring.  Watch the last 2 minutes on Youtube, but otherwise nope.

Shale - Awesome.  Freaking awesome.  Talk to her as much as you can, she's a peach.

Darkspawn Chronicles - Still traumatised tbh....oh god.....the carnage.

Awakenings - In the minority here, I hate it but others love it.

 

If you get bored 2/3 of the way thru, then I suggest ignoring all small side quests.  Stick to the main stuff to shorten the playthru.  None of it is important, but you could be guided by the Keep.  So when you're in Orzammar, check what's in the Keep and just do that stuff, ignore the rest etc etc.  You could pick up as many as you want but only complete what's convenient and don't go off for an hour trying to find a little thing for example.  I managed to avoid all the Dalish side quests for instance, by siding with the werewolves and killing them all!  So, you know, that was handy  

 

The zones are level specific tho the game doesn't tell you that.  So it's Redcliffe and/or Mages Tower first, then to the Brecillian Forest, then Orzammar/Urn of Sacred Ashes, then Denerim (tho you can go to Denerim any time you like for other stuff, but killing will be harder there)

 

Mods - Now if you're on PC there are a couple of mods you should really get, all from Nexus mods.  If you don't know them I'll list them...

Extra dog slot - allowing dog to be, well, in a fifth slot so you still get 3 companions with you.

Skip the Fade - some ppl hate that section of the Mage's tower so it skips straight to the boss fight, keeping all loot and perks you would have gotten if you'd done it

Morrigan Restoration Patch - restores some of her dialogue that got cut

A Year with Sten - I chose a face for Sten here, and it links to another patch that makes all Qunari in the game look like the DA2 Qunari.  Works great and is good for continuity between the games

Zevran ASAP - Gets Zevran after you leave Lothering, instead of much much later in the game.  

 

There's also the ZDF Dialogue Fix and Improved Atmosphere.  They're fantastic, highly recommended, but they're big and take a little effort to get them to work together.  I managed it tho so it can't be that hard.

 

I can also recommend some for DA2 (including this crucial one for the plot flags importing over - DA2 Import Fixes ) if you want, and some for Origins to vastly improve the Alistair romance should you be doing that.

 

 

Character - As for story I've just played my third world and damn it was great.  It's a pro-Templar world where I make every choice against magic that I can.  Now i expected to hate it, to be a big bad magic hating Nazi ******...but it was awesome.  I started with a dwarf noble.  Didn't fancy being a dwarf tbh but the Origin is really good.  I played her as a plucky little dwarf who loved fighting, and never had an arguement that couldn't be won with a punch in the face.  She was blunt, terrible at diplomacy and a bit thick, but loyal, passionate, hornyhornyhorny, and always tried to help.  She saved Loghain, Alistair ended up in exile, so to expand on that I got to the Landsmeet asap so that Loghain could travel with me as I finished up extra quests and DLCs.  I did a Zevran romance which I wasn't in to I have to say.  Thought he was creepy but went with it and it was so so good.  Totally recommend it, or if not try a Morrigan romance.   I haven't done that yet but it is, or so I've heard, super tied in with everything and really good too.

 

That's a theme of this world (I have 4 DA worlds).  Yes my protagonists want to help, so they're good people, but my dwarf warden, then Hawke, then dwarf Inquisitor all have an attitude of 'if there's a spider on the wall, go get a huge old mallet and whack the little bugger.  Sure, the wall falls down and the pipes burst, but hey!  I got the spider!'

That's how I play that world and it's so much fun.  Blunt, to the point, companions rolling their eyes in the background, but eventually they love me anyways despite my bull in a china shop demeanor.  I'll work with shady ppl, give them a second chance (Sten, Loghain etc.) be respectful to the Chantry but all mages are probably dodgy so better safe then sorry.

 

Both my warden and Hawke in that world are dwarves because I find it much easier to be anti-magic as a dwarf.  A human would be anti-magic out of hate or fear, but my dwarves just. don't. get. it.  It's weird surfacer hinky sparklyness that makes them feel odd and they don't like it, so better safe than sorry.  They respect the Templars and the shitty job they must do and help them with it, and are guided by them.  So anti-magic.  And it actually worked out great.

 

Went sword and shield Templar warrior with Hawke.  She was aggressive/sarcastic, had a rivalry with Varric and Isabela which were SO good.  It was dodgy with both till act 3 then when you get 100% rivalry you end up best mates.  I know, doesn't sound like it makes sense but it did.  Best friends with Aveline and Fenris.  Ignored Anders and Merrill entirely.  Ended up loving this Hawke to bits which surprised me.  She was pro-templar throughout,  tho she did save Bethany at the end cause she didn't hate magic, just BLOOD magic.

 

 

I hope some of that rambling is helpful.  I'm not all about the best specs, is all about characters for me, but maybe there are a couple of useful tips in there for you.

 

Good luck  

[Dai Grepher]

Cousland. For relevancy.

 

Dual-weapon warrior. For fun.

[Dalakaar]

Wow awesome post Arcadia. Tyvm. Couldn't have asked for a better reply. I am on PC and already use Nexus for a few games (notably a tonne of skyrim mods) so that sounds like a step in a good direction.

 

Cheers

[ArcadiaGrey]

No probs!

 

Glad it was helpful, good luck wandering in the spiralling depths of Origins Nexus mods.  No doubt you'll drown in a sea of tattoos, freckles and super crazy but somehow mesmerizing modded hair dos and never be seen again....

[Dalakaar]

Think I've settled on...

 

Morrigan: Probably my L.I. I'm a confessed sucker for the voice actress. Restoration Modded. Probably give her a potion to bump her healing up a bit.

 

Zevran: ASAP, and I feel like I need a rogue in any RPG. Going through BG1/2 without one was always a trial.

 

Shale: Tank, and I remember liking her characterization.

 

Just gotta decide what I want to be now. >.<

[springacres]

The only tip I can give is to say that if you're romancing Morrigan, don't play a pro-Circle mage - or any character who automatically views non-Chantry-sanctioned magic as bad, actually.  I haven't romanced her yet, but I may try it on one of my Dalish or dwarven playthroughs because they seem more likely to be skeptical of the Chantry.

[ArcadiaGrey]

Think I've settled on...

 

Morrigan: Probably my L.I. I'm a confessed sucker for the voice actress. Restoration Modded. Probably give her a potion to bump her healing up a bit.

 

Zevran: ASAP, and I feel like I need a rogue in any RPG. Going through BG1/2 without one was always a trial.

 

Shale: Tank, and I remember liking her characterization.

 

Just gotta decide what I want to be now. >.<

 

Cool, can't argue about Claudia Black, her voice couldn't be more perfect for Morrigan.

 

If you're sticking to a 3 person crew then I'd absolutely recommend cycling through character combos in Denerim, Orzammar & Redcliffe purely to hear the different banter.  There are some really funny moments like Morrigan and Sten...that's *ahem* eye watering.  And touching moments like Loghain talking to Dog.  Whenever I'm in Denerim I run in crazy circles here there and everywhere purely to go through a banter point and initiate a convo.  Damn I wish Inquisition had more of those.....  /sadface

[springacres]

Cool, can't argue about Claudia Black, her voice couldn't be more perfect for Morrigan.

 

If you're sticking to a 3 person crew then I'd absolutely recommend cycling through character combos in Denerim, Orzammar & Redcliffe purely to hear the different banter.  There are some really funny moments like Morrigan and Sten...that's *ahem* eye watering. 

^THIS.  Zev and Oghren are comedy gold, and there's a hilarious banter that can trigger between either of them and Sten after you start Sten's personal quest.

 

There's also the interaction between Morrigan and the templar stationed at the ferry when you're trying to get to the tower before Broken Circle.  I forget the conversation option you have to choose to trigger that one, but the templar's reaction is great.

[dainbramage]

General tips:

Turn up the difficulty. Normal is quite easy... I always play nightmare, but hard is probably a decent idea if you're planning builds in advance

Make use of the overhead view and combat pause. You have 4 characters, you should be using them. This also plays into the previous point.

Use mods. But for a "first" playthrough I'd generally restrict it to cosmetic tweaks, fixes and cut content restorations. If you're craving a different experience then go for the more involved mods. So I'd recommend stuff like morrigan restoration patch, zdf, and core game fixes.

Attributes aren't particularly well balanced. Mages can safely put every point into magic. Warriors will either want enough dex for skills and the rest into strength, or else if using daggers then enough strength for skills/gear and the rest into dex. For rogues, a point spent on something other than dex or cunning is basically wasted (though getting ~20 str is OK). Constitution isn't a great attribute even for a tank - reducing the rate at which you take damage is far more important than having a bigger pool. Similar story for willpower, it's better to improve the efficiency with which you use your mana/stamina than having a higher pool.

 

PC:

The human noble is the most relevant to the main plot, particularly as the game progresses. This might keep your interest if it's waned before.

If you're already going with morrigan, zev and shale, your party's already fairly balanced. But shale isn't a fantastic tank, so you might want your pc to be able to take some heat off her. You can do that with a mage providing crowd control, or personally I'd go for a DW warrior to both take and dish out damage (though really the goal for a tank is being attacked while not taking damage...).

 

I wouldn't consider any DLC essential except for the stone prisoner, and that's the one you've got. The main benefit of warden's keep and return to ostagar are overpowered equipment, and for the latter a bit of extra story for a certain companion. Awakening is a decent expansion, but terribly balanced. The other campaigns are worth playing if you buy a bundle, just whatever you do don't pay for witch hunt.

[Tidus]

Here's a thought.. Break the rules and use three rogues and a mage.. Forget Sten,Shale,Alistair,Dog,Wynne and Orghen let them guard the camp. I prefer using a Dalish or city Elf over a Shem.

 

Zevran can become your friend and will stand by you after he joins the party-give him one  gold bar ,the Antivan brandy and the Antivan leather boots.  All rogues needs a strong sword,strong dagger and strong armor. Morrigan will need a strong staff and armor... All four are tanks ready for battle.

 

Leliana can be made into a strong rogue. Be sure to romance her.

 

Morrigan will need to become a spirit healer for group heal if needed and she will keep her battle magics . I use all four fires,ice and walking bomb skills.

 

Forget the battle camera.. Control your PC and allow the others to attack freely the battle is faster and should your PC get into trouble no worries Leliana will rush to your side. After all she is your sweetie.

 

While I play in easy due to the limited use of my right hand I find using three rogues and a mage is quite challenging. My  22 year old grandson and I had a bet I couldn't finish the game with Alistair and  two rogues and a mage.. I won.

 

BTW.The steak dinner was delicious.

[Yaroub]

I know I'd stay away from the Vanguard due to all the battles where Biotic Charge is broken.

 

 

Just go with Human noble(Cousland)two handed warrior it's kind of boring...but a solid shot for first complete playthrough. Attributes wise, pour it all into strength and taking into account the penalties you'll have to put some into constitution. I see you already decided to romance Morrigan so that's Awesome!

 

As for the CS mod the sh*t out of the tactics to determine how much of micro you'll be getting, being a warrior whether a damage dealer or a tank gives you a plenty of space in mastering the battlefield and choosing your preference of pausing. Even boss battles have much challenge in them, as rogue and as the game progress you'll basically become a god.

 

Entertaining companions? I've got you covered. Alistair is your mate, he'll put a smile on your face and darkspwan into the grave all in style...the guy's a fine spirit he's your brother and you're in it together so have him all the time.

Morrigan's Morrigan....yeah, she's unique that one i tell you, she's in it for self interest but as you'll be getting it on layer by layer she'll reveal herself...she's like a Swiss knife many-many awesome things.

Leliana is redhead!

 

Those three are my companions of choice for most of my playthorughs. They're more relevant to the franchise than the others and have a good in-game interactions, Morrigan tend to backlash with both of them, Alistair and Leliana sometimes disagree like some choices in the circle.

Sten actually have excellent interactions and would give you more idea of the qunari way when combined with his in-camp conversations, observing his talked about methods proves interesting.

 

The others just keep standing in the camp till they got a muscle fatigue.. I personally wouldn't advice in trying different companions--->even more for first playthorugh, see who you favor and class wise tempt to balance then stick with em.

 

Using mods or exploiting glitches is your choice, but i think it's fair to have much money as you desire, i usually stock gold to the point that ima money like a national bank!

 

DLCs:

 

Darkspawn Chronicles: Before the main game. You play as darkspawn vanguard at the final stage of origins winning the battle against Ferelden. Gives you a good looking sword for the main game. Not recommended.

 

Leliana's song: Before the main game. Play as Leliana with three new companions, Experience her past and know how she ended up a Chantry sister. Gives you Battledress of the Provocateur a very good armor for the main game.<--- good armor @_@.

 

The stone prisoner: You already have it. Play it immediately after Lothering.

 

The wardens keep: My favorite in-origins dlc. Provide you with a storage chest(you can mod one in camp), Power of blood(new abilities), warden commander armor set(good for Alistair) and various unique items,tow merchants and later on "Starfang" a unique two-handed or one handed sword. Recommended.

 

Return to Ostagar: You return to Ostagar. provide you with king Cailan's armor set, Maric's blade and Cailan's shield, Duncan sword and dagger. Recommended if you're looking for a full game experience.

 

Awakening: Full expansion. Go get it.

 

Golems of amgarrak: Hated among the fandom loved by me. Challenging battles and a disco ball on nightmare, a weapon for the main game and a new boss.

 

Witch hunt: Make sense only if you romanced Morrigan. Gives you a bow for the main game, a new boss and end the first dragon age game.

 

I've listed the dlcs in the right order to play.

 

The main game is simple. After arriving to camp and getting Shale, The broken circle is the best way to start the main quests even more since you're romancing Morrigan and you'll get Wynne a spirit healer whom is needed for certain encounters. A paragon of her kind is usually last due to its difficulty.

 

Some tweaks mods,armors,weapons,looks and romance stuff can be recommended if you'd like*_*

 

 

Godspeed.

 

[Quorwyf]

DLCs:

 

Darkspawn Chronicles: Before the main game. You play as darkspawn vanguard at the final stage of origins winning the battle against Ferelden. Gives you a good looking sword for the main game. Not recommended.

 

The stone prisoner: You already have it. Play it immediately after Lothering.

 

Witch hunt: Make sense only if you romanced Morrigan. Gives you a bow for the main game, a new boss and end the first dragon age game.

 

I found Darkspawn Chronicles to be a fun distraction. It also reveals some interesting info about some of the NPCs you encounter during the regular campaign.

 

Some of the gear you find during The Stone Prisoner scales in quality based on your level so you might want to wait until you've done at least one of the main quests before you get Shale.

 

Witch Hunt is more rewarding story-wise for those who have romanced Morrigan or befriended her, but it is worth doing regardless.