45 replies to this topic

[emma_mca]

Okay so I've been at this stupid quest for a solid hour and I cannot beat it. I get stuck during the second part where I have to aim the trebuchet. I'm a level 10 sword/shield warrior and I keep dying. I have Bull, Vivienne and blackwall as my companions. Should I get to a higher level or what?

[DarkAmaranth1966]

Change to Solas instead of Vivienne and, be sure Solas has wal of ice. Make him use it to keep them off you as much as possible. Change Bull to Cassandra, Bull is a bit squishy at such a low level.

 

I assume you've sided with the mages since if you are dying that easily, you must be dealing with Capt. Denham. Whatever you do, don't let those red lyrium walls he throws up hit you. Best fought from range, or stay back until the red wall is up, then run in and beat on him. When he moves, back off until the wall is up again.

 

Pause as needed to have whoever take potions.

[PapaCharlie9]

Bee grenades if you have them, a lot of running and kiting if you don't.

[emma_mca]

I switched Vivienne for Solas and ungraded my potions. It helped a lot having him be able to shield us and I used a lot less potion. I kept iron bull but I updated his character report. I got it on my second (okay technically it was like my 30th, but second after the changes) try. Thanks!!

[emma_mca]

I switched Vivienne for Solas and ungraded my potions. It helped a lot having him be able to shield us and I used a lot less potion. I kept iron bull but I updated his character report. I got it on my second (okay technically it was like my 30th, but second after the changes) try. Thanks!!

[PhroXenGold]

Change to Solas instead of Vivienne and, be sure Solas has wal of ice. Make him use it to keep them off you as much as possible. Change Bull to Cassandra, Bull is a bit squishy at such a low level.

 

Given that this is pre-specialisations, does it really matter which mage you use? You can easily just give Viv Wall of Ice...

 

Likewise, Bull specced to be sword and shield is only slightly different from Cass (Vitaar vs helmet).

[sjsharp2011]

Given that this is pre-specialisations, does it really matter which mage you use? You can easily just give Viv Wall of Ice...

 

Likewise, Bull specced to be sword and shield is only slightly different from Cass (Vitaar vs helmet).

 

 

Sometimes it's best  to leave them specced in the areas they'er specced to though I know I tend to do leave them specced where they're trained. Otherwise it means spending extra money on tactical renewals. It depends on your budget and whether your happy to spend extra on such things. Personally I wouldn't bother and just use the tactical renewals on myself and use the budget elsewhere. I know they'er not that expensive but money is stil money that can be used wherever the player wants but they won't be able to use it if they'er using it on those. Also early on in the game as we are here money I have to admit is thin on the ground. So personally I ewouldn't advise doing things like that so early in the game. Besides it sounds like they've solved their problem now anyway.

[PhroXenGold]

Well, the first respec only costs 1, and even the later ones are only 300 or so, which is pocket change. It's not like there's much to actually spend money on anyway.

 

And IIRC, Viv starts with nothing spent, so you spec her how you want, so the idea of dropping her for Solas still makes little sense.

[capn233]

I don't even really fight the bosses.

 

Also, I agree with utilizing respec since it is relatively affordable.

[RandomVombat]

Solas might already have an amulet at this point while Viv's come later so that's +25% range resistance in favour of Solas...

[sjsharp2011]

I don't even really fight the bosses.

 

Also, I agree with utilizing respec since it is relatively affordable.

yeah I agree it's affordable as I said it's up to the player I was just saying it depends on where you want to spend your coins though. Personally I don't bother as I end up spending my coins in other areas usually at that point in the game but there are multiple different ways you can play it. It's just not what I usually do because I usually use thosee resources elsewhere at that point. I don't really fight the bosses either I just help fight the foot soldiers  til it looks relatively clear then turn my attention to the trebuchet

[RedLens37]

As with most of the fights in this game, if you develop your team around a given strategy and follow it, you can trivialize combat. With this fight, it's even easier because you can control how many enemies come at you, by slowly advancing the wheel on the trebuchet.

 

It doesn't matter who is in your party.

 

The point is deciding what you want each of them to do. If you're running Blackwall, Viv, and Bull with your sword/shield warrior, then you could do something like the following:

 

Blackwall-You're building your party around him, so give him the best armor available and spec him into as many guard-generating abilities and constitution passives as possible. Set his tactics to prefer the ability which will generate the most guard the most often, and set his behavior to follow the controlled character.

 

Vivienne-Her sole responsibility is to provide as powerful a barrier as possible. Spec into the spirit tree into anything which improves her barrier. Set her tactics to prefer barrier, and behavior to defend Blackwall.

 

Bull-He's going to kill things. Spec him into two-handed abilities. and Challenge from the vanguard tree. Set tactics to prefer Challenge Set behavior to defend Blackwall.

 

You-Kill more things. Spec into the sword/shield tree. Let Blackwall and Bull do their thing while you pick off ranged enemies or anything threatening Vivienne.

 

This is just a suggestion. Figure out what works for you.

 

tldr: It's not about who you bring in your party, but what you expect of them as a team.

[sjsharp2011]

As with most of the fights in this game, if you develop your team around a given strategy and follow it, you can trivialize combat. With this fight, it's even easier because you can control how many enemies come at you, by slowly advancing the wheel on the trebuchet.

 

It doesn't matter who is in your party.

 

The point is deciding what you want each of them to do. If you're running Blackwall, Viv, and Bull with your sword/shield warrior, then you could do something like the following:

 

Blackwall-You're building your party around him, so give him the best armor available and spec him into as many guard-generating abilities and constitution passives as possible. Set his tactics to prefer the ability which will generate the most guard the most often, and set his behavior to follow the controlled character.

 

Vivienne-Her sole responsibility is to provide as powerful a barrier as possible. Spec into the spirit tree into anything which improves her barrier. Set her tactics to prefer barrier, and behavior to defend Blackwall.

 

Bull-He's going to kill things. Spec him into two-handed abilities. and Challenge from the vanguard tree. Set tactics to prefer Challenge Set behavior to defend Blackwall.

 

You-Kill more things. Spec into the sword/shield tree. Let Blackwall and Bull do their thing while you pick off ranged enemies or anything threatening Vivienne.

 

This is just a suggestion. Figure out what works for you.

 

tldr: It's not about who you bring in your party, but what you expect of them as a team.

yeah that's the main reason why I like Bioware's RPG's more than others because it's about dealing with situations as a team as ME plays exactly the same way. Games like the Witcher series and Deus Ex you fight through solo through most of them so you have to figure out how to deal with the situations best on your own. as you get very little if any help in those games. So in Bioware's games you're not straining trying to get out of a situation on your own as teammates provide cover.

[Jukaga]

The Red Templar version seemed harder to me, especially the mutant Knight-Captain guy. Enchanter Fiona shows up in the Venatori version and before a character can quip 'hey it's Fiona' she's dead.

[capn233]

The Red Templar version seemed harder to me, especially the mutant Knight-Captain guy. Enchanter Fiona shows up in the Venatori version and before a character can quip 'hey it's Fiona' she's dead.

 

Yeah, some of that depends on composition.  Also RT has higher armor IIRC, so if you are fighting them with physical attacks you might want some AP/Sunder, which you might not have from passives yet at that point in the game.

 

In either case, like Papa said above, Bees are great early game and in this fight.

[sjsharp2011]

Yeah, some of that depends on composition.  Also RT has higher armor IIRC, so if you are fighting them with physical attacks you might want some AP/Sunder, which you might not have from passives yet at that point in the game.

 

In either case, like Papa said above, Bees are great early game and in this fight.

yeah Bees are quite useful in Dragon fights too I find

[PapaCharlie9]

The Red Templar version seemed harder to me, especially the mutant Knight-Captain guy. Enchanter Fiona shows up in the Venatori version and before a character can quip 'hey it's Fiona' she's dead.

I had the opposite experience, though part of that might be because first PT was on Normal (sided with Mages, thus fought RT in Haven) and second PT was on Hard (sided with Templares, thus fought Venatori in Haven). Those damn fire mines of the Venatori wiped out my team before Fiona even showed up.

By the time I was doing NM runs standard, I was doing what others have said above: respec as needed and plan tactics for each major battle, regardless of who was in the party. I'd spec my characters for CoJ/iHW first, then respec for the Haven raid, then respec everyone again as soon as I got to the Undercroft in Skyhold.

[Forsythia77]

Okay so I've been at this stupid quest for a solid hour and I cannot beat it. I get stuck during the second part where I have to aim the trebuchet. I'm a level 10 sword/shield warrior and I keep dying. I have Bull, Vivienne and blackwall as my companions. Should I get to a higher level or what?

 

You don't actually have to beat Knight Captain Denham.  Put yourself on the trebuchet.  Crank the crap out of that thing.  Have your mage spam barrier on you.  Drop off on occasion and kill a templar or two who gets too close to you.. But focus soley on the trebuchet.  I've only ever actually killed Denham once.  Once you finish cranking the trebuchet, the cut scene happens and then you are done. 

[sjsharp2011]

You don't actually have to beat Knight Captain Denham.  Put yourself on the trebuchet.  Crank the crap out of that thing.  Have your mage spam barrier on you.  Drop off on occasion and kill a templar or two who gets too close to you.. But focus soley on the trebuchet.  I've only ever actually killed Denham once.  Once you finish cranking the trebuchet, the cut scene happens and then you are done. 

 

 

Yeah that's kind of what I do stand neqar the wheel and when noone is charging at me turn it because I know the others in my party will keep them busy

[PapaCharlie9]

Yeah that's kind of what I do stand neqar the wheel and when noone is charging at me turn it because I know the others in my party will keep them busy

Agreed. It's very handy to lock Cass or Blackwall on the boss target and spam a Taunt skill (Challenge or War Cry) to keep them distracted while you turn the wheel. Or, if your IQ is the most resilient, control the more fragile companion and turn the wheel.

[CorniliuS]

Constant spec, turning the trebuchet before you kill Denham, spaming barrier and over tactics is for people who do not know how to play this game. You don’t need any of that, play fair and if you die It means you're doing something wrong, analyze your battle and change tactics\equipment accordingly. This video I recorded 5 months ago and if you turned on trials it will play differently, however now you have new powerful abilities too.

[PapaCharlie9]

Constant spec, turning the trebuchet before you kill Denham, spaming barrier and over tactics is for people who do not know how to play this game. You don’t need any of that, play fair and if you die It means you're doing something wrong, analyze your battle and change tactics\equipment accordingly.

But, you know, only in the ways that CorniliuS approves of.

Which appear to be: level up 2 levels above the nominal experience level (I usually start IYHSB at level 7), spend most of your ability points to get the most OP skill and upgrade in your class (Throwing Knives/Precision Targeting), craft so that nearly every hit is a critical hit, and finally, let the rest of your party do most of the heavy lifting with Denham.

Sarcasm aside, all your video proves is that there are many different, completely legit and fair ways to approach the tactics of IYHSB. Saying one way is ignorant and another smart is just silly.

[almasy87]

A bit too late to the party, but you actually don't need to really fight. As long as you focus on turning the Trebuchet while you keep all your companions on the enemies, the scene will end.

Used this trick when I was doing the "reach Skyhold at lvl 5 or less" because I was scared killing the guy would give me too much exp ;P

[CorniliuS]

But, you know, only in the ways that CorniliuS approves of.

Of course without my approval nobody here have permission to play this game.

Which appear to be: level up 2 levels above the nominal experience level

 

Recommended Levels: 8 to 11

spend most of your ability points to get the most OP skill and upgrade in your class (Throwing Knives/Precision Targeting), craft so that nearly every hit is a critical hit, and finally, let the rest of your party do most of the heavy lifting with Denham.

 

You can show us how you playing on level 7. Chose most ineffective skills, craft most ineffective equipment and take down everyone yourself. Make a video of this glorious battle and post it in here. Fun no?

Sarcasm aside, all your video proves is that there are many different, completely legit and fair ways to approach the tactics of IYHSB. Saying one way is ignorant and another smart is just silly.

 

 

True, but there is a difference between weaseling your way out and confronting every challenge.

 

[Mike3207]

How do you rescue the survivors on Haven? My first go around, it took my warriors some time to rescue the blacksmith, and I lost two others shortly after i entered the gate.

 

Also, what party composition is best for the rescue, and is it possible to lower the difficulty after starting the game. I might need to move it to Casual to rescue all of them.

 

Finally, what level is recommended for this quest. I tried at 8, but it might be better at 10-11.

 

Just noticed I have some operations.quests like Apostates in Witchwood to do first, so I'll work on those at minimum before continuing.