30 replies to this topic

[ThomasBlaine]

Playing a female Hawke during act 2. Had a fling with Isabela earlier in the act emphasizing that it was a casual hookup, am now trying to romance Fenris. It seemed to be going well, but then I went and did the A Bitter Pill quest and he doesn't respond to flirting at Hawke's mansion afterwards.

 

I've since become aware that it's best to max his friendship/rivalry meter and do the Questioning Beliefs thing before A Bitter Pill, but I haven't paid any real attention to friendship/rivalry because it's retarded from a roleplaying standpoint leaving him pretty much in the middle. I have no saves from before A Bitter Pill that will result in less than 7 hours of gameplay lost, and he disappears from the party after finishing it so I can't just take him to farm friendship points on quests before meeting him at the mansion.

 

Am playing on the xbox, so no console cheats. This situation has totally taken me out of the game, and I'm frankly rather pissed.

 

I have saves from before the talk at Hawke's estate, and read somewhere that asking him not to go somehow closes off the option to pursue him in Questioning Beliefs. Any idea how to proceed to get into his romance? Can I even still do it? Or is this game just too much of a mess?

[Catilina]

Are you sure you closed Isabela romance? If the answer yes, you can romance Fenris, if not, you can't.  He go away, after your Hawke said, "you don't need to go"? He said, "it will be better for both of us this way"? (Then your Hawke still in romance with Isabela, I think) 

 

Rival or friendship? (My opinion: both working with Fenris) Mage or templar side? (The rival/friendship system maybe sounds stupid for you, but you can't ignore, because all of Hawle's companion's loyality depends from it.)

[ThomasBlaine]

 

Are you sure you closed Isabela romance? If the answer yes, you can romance Fenris, if not, you can't.  He go away, after your Hawke said, "you don't need to go"? He said, "it will be better for both of us this way"? (Then your Hawke still in romance with Isabela, I think) 

 

Rival or friendship? (My opinion: both working with Fenris) Mage or templar side? (The rival/friendship system maybe sounds stupid for you, but you can't ignore, because all of Hawle's companion's loyality depends from it.)

 

 

No, I'm not, I figured that her asking if I wanted feelings involved and me answering in the negative closed it off. If not, how do I close it? I can't even start a damn conversation with her. Yes, that's what he says.

 

Definitely friendship, if I can get there. My Hawke genuinely likes and respects Fenris a great deal. I'm on the fence about the Mager/Templar issue. Judgemental about blood magic, kill insane mages without remorse, won't turn innocent ones over to explicit mistreatment if I can avoid it. I intend to side with the mages at the end on account of Bethany being a circle mage and Meredith being a lunatic. If that becomes too much for Fenris to take then I'm more or less okay with Hawke and him breaking up by the end, but I really want them to have a connection throughout the game.

 

I ignored it because how the hell am I supposed to manipulate the approval system when the dialogue options are so ridiculously vague, and even downright misleading? I thought that open appreciation for his strength, company and appearance, sympathy for what he's been through, honest concern for his well-being and total understanding of his anger would be enough to start something, and he used to respond well to flirtation, but no, apparently you have to turn the mages over to the insane templars as well as the sane ones to catch his eye.

[Catilina]

No, I'm not, I figured that her asking if I wanted feelings involved and me answering in the negative closed it off. If not, how do I close it? I can't even start a damn conversation with her. Yes, that's what he says.

 

Definitely friendship, if I can get there. My Hawke genuinely likes and respects Fenris a great deal. I'm on the fence about the Mager/Templar issue. Judgemental about blood magic, kill insane mages without remorse, won't turn innocent ones over to explicit mistreatment if I can avoid it. I intend to side with the mages at the end on account of Bethany being a circle mage and Meredith being a lunatic. If that becomes too much for Fenris to take then I'm more or less okay with Hawke and him breaking up by the end, but I really want them to have a connection throughout the game.

 

I ignored it because how the hell am I supposed to manipulate the approval system when the dialogue options are so ridiculously vague, and even downright misleading? I thought that open appreciation for his strength, company and appearance, sympathy for what he's been through, honest concern for his well-being and total understanding of his anger would be enough to start something, and he used to respond well to flirtation, but no, apparently you have to turn the mages over to the insane templars as well as the sane ones to catch his eye.

Sorry, it looks like you lost 7 hours of game time ... 

 

I done also friendship and rivalry romance with Fenris, both was absolutely pro mage Hawke (fuk Circle, each mage need to be free!) Even so, I see the friendship way easier (none of my Hawke likes the slavery, demons, cruelty, then my rivalry Hawke got much friendship points from him), especially if your Hawke not too big fan of mages (or accept the Circle-system) Pro-mage Hawke need a bit more tactics.

 

(If annoy of guessing what likes Fenris, here is the complete list)

[ThomasBlaine]

Sorry, it looks like you lost 7 hours of game time ... 

 

I done also friendship and rivalry romance with Fenris, both was absolutely pro mage Hawke (fuk Circle, each mage need to be free!) Even so, I see the friendship way easier (none of my Hawke likes the slavery, demons, cruelty, then my rivalry Hawke got much friendship points from him), especially if your Hawke not too big fan of mages (or accept the Circle-system) Pro-mage Hawke need a bit more tactics.

 

(If annoy of guessing what likes Fenris, here is the complete list)

 

So I won't be able to start a romance with him in Questioning Beliefs?

 

I'm not replaying seven hours of this game. I'd rather just watch the romance on youtube and fix it in Dragon Age Keep if it comes to that.

[Catilina]

Yes, Hawke need to talking with Fenris, before s/he can going to bed with him.

 

(But if you got "it will be better for both of us this way" answer from Fenris, then it probably will not succeed.)

[nightscrawl]

The Fenris romance is rather particular when it comes to trying multiple romances. In the case of those plays where people want to sleep with multiple followers, it's usually advised to do Fenris first so you don't have to worry about any problems.

 

There are quite a lot of points to be had and you don't have to bring him along on every quest, but it does help to use the DAwiki as you play for the purpose of friend/rival manipulation, particularly if you want to be pro-mage. Also, a good chunk of points can be gained during the Fade (and followup) section of Night Terrors.

 

If you are at the point of Questioning Beliefs after Bitter Pill, and the doesn't appear or has no effect when Fenris is at the Hawke mansion, then I would say you missed out on it for this play.

[vertigomez]

I second (third?) the wiki links. Knowing ahead of time how much friendship/rivalry you're going to accrue on any given mission is a big help. I replay this game frequently and I like the effects of friendship/rivalry and the idea behind it, but in practice it's a huge pain in the butt with certain companions... particularly Fenris, because it's straight-up impossible to drag him everywhere, and be pro-mage, and anti-slavery without ending up with middling approval.

So on rivalry runs, I take him along on magey quests but not when we deal with slavers. On friendship runs, I take him along to kill slavers but not when I'm out helping mages. It's common for the relationship to bug out anyway if you sleep with Isabela, so I tend to headcanon that encounter or not do it at all when I'm trying to romance Fenris.

[Catilina]

I second (third?) the wiki links. Knowing ahead of time how much friendship/rivalry you're going to accrue on any given mission is a big help. I replay this game frequently and I like the effects of friendship/rivalry and the idea behind it, but in practice it's a huge pain in the butt with certain companions... particularly Fenris, because it's straight-up impossible to drag him everywhere, and be pro-mage, and anti-slavery without ending up with middling approval.

So on rivalry runs, I take him along on magey quests but not when we deal with slavers. On friendship runs, I take him along to kill slavers but not when I'm out helping mages. It's common for the relationship to bug out anyway if you sleep with Isabela, so I tend to headcanon that encounter or not do it at all when I'm trying to romance Fenris.

I use to take him almost everywhere, do not matter, friendship or rivalry, so I need more tactics with the order of the mission and conversations. But it's possible, and fun.

[R0vena]

I use to take him almost everywhere, do not matter, friendship or rivalry, so I need more tactics with the order of the mission and conversations. But it's possible, and fun.

Indeed it is.)

I second that it is quite possible to take Fenris everywhere and still have Friendmance with him while being mage supporter. I do it often.  But true, it is much easier when you already know what responses you are going to get where. In my first run with no spoilers beforehand I ended up with Rivalmance with him being mage supporter that time (still was fun, anyway). The trick is to delay your mage supporting activities as much as possible until you got a full Friendship (easily achievable about middle of 2nd Act) - and then you have a free run.)

[Catilina]

Indeed it is.)

I second that it is quite possible to take Fenris everywhere and still have Friendmance with him while being mage supporter. I do it often.  But true, it is much easier when you already know what responses you are going to get where. In my first run with no spoilers beforehand I ended up with Rivalmance with him being mage supporter that time (still was fun, anyway). The trick is to delay your mage supporting activities as much as possible until you got a full Friendship (easily achievable about middle of 2nd Act) - and then you have a free run.)

At the beginning we should really pay attention to the schedule. (At Gallows in the first visit you can gain ~25 rivalry with a honest pro-mage!)

[R0vena]

At the beginning we should really pay attention to the schedule. (At Gallows in the first visit you can gain ~25 rivalry with a honest pro-mage!)

Absolutely.

Fenris romance is tricky as it is, friendmancing him with a mage supporter makes it double tricky.)

[Catilina]

I struggled with the rivalry for the first time. Maybe because it was difficult to imagine. But it is not inconceivable, indeed!

[ThomasBlaine]

I've now tried everything I can think of.

 

I did Merril's personal quest in Act 2 to get her to sleep with me, and then kicked her out to end the Isabela romance. Ruined the immersion even more, but hey, we'll pretend it never happened. I then did every quest on the Wiki list with opportunities for friendship points with Fenris, some of which are bullshit - it doesn't matter what I say in the conversation with Hadriawhatsherface or at the mansion afterwards, I always get respectively 5 rivalry points and nothing.

 

And guess what? I'm pretty much at 50% friendship now. 5 or 10 friendship points would be all I need to trigger Questioning Beliefs, during which the wiki leads me to believe that I could have another shot at starting the romance. Except that now the only quest left that can net you any points is Demands of the Qun, assuming that you agree to face the Arishok in single combat... right before transitioning into Act 3, totally cutting me off from romances.

 

This game is so stupid, it's incredible. If I hadn't rented it - I resold my own copy almost immediately after finishing it when it first came out - I'd be tempted to pull the disc out of the Xbox,, snap it in half, puke on it, throw it in the sink, pour oil on it and set it on fire just to see what would happen. And if I hadn't already sunk 16 hours into this playthrough, I'd go right over and deliver it tomorrow, pick through dragon age keep to set it up the way I wanted and then just wait until I felt like playing Inquisition again. Ugh.

[Catilina]

I've now tried everything I can think of.

 

I did Merril's personal quest in Act 2 to get her to sleep with me, and then kicked her out to end the Isabela romance. Ruined the immersion even more, but hey, we'll pretend it never happened. I then did every quest on the Wiki list with opportunities for friendship points with Fenris, some of which are bullshit - it doesn't matter what I say in the conversation with Hadriawhatsherface or at the mansion afterwards, I always get respectively 5 rivalry points and nothing.

 

And guess what? I'm pretty much at 50% friendship now. 5 or 10 friendship points would be all I need to trigger Questioning Beliefs, during which the wiki leads me to believe that I could have another shot at starting the romance. Except that now the only quest left that can net you any points is Demands of the Qun, assuming that you agree to face the Arishok in single combat... right before transitioning into Act 3, totally cutting me off from romances.

 

This game is so stupid, it's incredible. If I hadn't rented it - I resold my own copy almost immediately after finishing it when it first came out - I'd be tempted to pull the disc out of the Xbox,, snap it in half, puke on it, throw it in the sink, pour oil on it and set it on fire just to see what would happen. And if I hadn't already sunk 16 hours into this playthrough, I'd go right over and deliver it tomorrow, pick through dragon age keep to set it up the way I wanted and then just wait until I felt like playing Inquisition again. Ugh.

But this game is not that difficult.  Although I think Fenris' romance is the hardest. If you want to Fenris, Hawke's not really free to go to bed with anyone (except in the brothel...). Fenris romance is easy to mess up. By theway: you gave him the Book of Shartan?

[ThomasBlaine]

But this game is not that difficult.  Although I think Fenris' romance is the hardest. If you want to Fenris, Hawke's not really free to go to bed with anyone (except in the brothel...). Fenris romance is easy to mess up.

 

Don't even start. The game's relationship mechanic is a convoluted mess, made ten times worse by the main character never being able to express him/herself clearly or address anyone directly. And yes, you're specifically allowed to sleep with every single other companion before Fenris assuming that you end them after consummating, which I was lead to believe that I did with Isabela, me making it clear that there was nothing to the relationship and her agreeing wholeheartedly. And then there's the ridiculous, illogical and very nearly insulting Friendship/Rivalry system.

 

I was vaguely starting to get into it, but there really is no saving this atrocity of a sequel. It utterly sucks. Better just get it over with.

 

You might feel like you have a handle on it after playing it dozens of times and reading every guide out there, but I tend to think that says more about you than it does about the game. I play video games to relax and enjoy good stories after work, not to research insane point systems in order to finagle playing a forced part in hammy romance and pathetic sex scenes that are barely worth it in the first place.

[Catilina]

Don't even start. The game's relationship mechanic is a convoluted mess, made ten times worse by the main character never being able to express him/herself clearly or address anyone directly. And yes, you're specifically allowed to sleep with every single other companion before Fenris assuming that you end them after consummating, which I was lead to believe that I did with Isabela, me making it clear that there was nothing to the relationship and her agreeing wholeheartedly. And then there's the ridiculous, illogical and very nearly insulting Friendship/Rivalry system.

 

I was vaguely starting to get into it, but there really is no saving this game. It utterly sucks. Better just get it over with.

But it is not that difficult, and predictable. I have not used the wiki and has always been what I wanted. Pro-mage Hawke was on 100% friendsip with Fenris, at the Act3 begin. Of course, there are people who do not like, I understand. Sorry I could not help.

[Kayodee]

And guess what? I'm pretty much at 50% friendship now. 5 or 10 friendship points would be all I need to trigger Questioning Beliefs, during which the wiki leads me to believe that I could have another shot at starting the romance. Except that now the only quest left that can net you any points is Demands of the Qun, assuming that you agree to face the Arishok in single combat... right before transitioning into Act 3, totally cutting me off from romances.

 

Just finished my second playthrough. Got about 85% friendship with Fenris, maybe even more. Haven't romanced him, however been able to flirt with him occasionally few times.I was already involved into Isabela/Merrill relationship, so decided not to mess things up.

 

I pissed Fenris off more foten than I desired, including his sister's quest which gave me like 15 points of rivalry. I don't know whether I would be able to handle a romance with him, but I convinced him to fight for mages at the end of act 3, playing as mage myself. Fenris is a complex character, and for that I love him. My guess is that your obsession may led to disappointment, it happens and I experienced this myself with Alistair in Origins where with all my hard desire and work he ended romance.

 

Just let it go for some time and try again. You will succeed I am sure

[Catilina]

Just finished my second playthrough. Got about 85% friendship with Fenris, maybe even more. Haven't romanced him, however been able to flirt with him occasionally few times.I was already involved into Isabela/Merrill relationship, so decided not to mess things up.

 

I pissed Fenris off more foten than I desired, including his sister's quest which gave me like 15 points of rivalry. I don't know whether I would be able to handle a romance with him, but I convinced him to fight for mages at the end of act 3, playing as mage myself. Fenris is a complex character, and for that I love him. My guess is that your obsession may led to disappointment, it happens and I experienced this myself with Alistair in Origins where with all my hard desire and work he ended romance.

 

Just let it go for some time and try again. You will succeed I am sure

Fenris spared his sister? (+10 rivalry)  If you put  Varric in the group, Varric will help you convince Fenris, and you not gain 10 rivalry from it. (If I know right. I'm not 100% sure.)

 

80% friendship or 100% rivalry need for convince him to fight with Hawke at mage side. (With 100% friendship Fenris join to Hawke without question, at 80% he join to Meredith first, and later he left Meredith, if Hawke ask him)

[ThomasBlaine]

Just finished my second playthrough. Got about 85% friendship with Fenris, maybe even more. Haven't romanced him, however been able to flirt with him occasionally few times.I was already involved into Isabela/Merrill relationship, so decided not to mess things up.

 

I pissed Fenris off more foten than I desired, including his sister's quest which gave me like 15 points of rivalry. I don't know whether I would be able to handle a romance with him, but I convinced him to fight for mages at the end of act 3, playing as mage myself. Fenris is a complex character, and for that I love him. My guess is that your obsession may led to disappointment, it happens and I experienced this myself with Alistair in Origins where with all my hard desire and work he ended romance.

 

Just let it go for some time and try again. You will succeed I am sure

 

It's fine, I scrounged up that extra +5 Friendship by beating Justice down in Night Terrors. Did Questioning Beliefs, had the sex scene and successfully romanced and got him to 100% in Act 3. Finished the game a few days ago.

[Kayodee]

 

Fenris spared his sister? (+10 rivalry)  If you put  Varric in the group, Varric will help you convince Fenris, and you not gain 10 rivalry from it. (If I know right. I'm not 100% sure.)

 

Yeah, I could not stand and just see he kills one from his family, even though they are just connected by blood not loyalty. He spared his sister, and Varic was not in the party. Funny thing is, I did this quest with only two party members, my Hawke and Fenris. I tend to roleplay so Hawke alone met with Fenris at Danarius' mansion and they just met at the Hanged Man. I forgot about this quest and what it's like, so I fought Danarius with only Fenris at my side. 'Twas fun, but difficult. Had to re-play it few times but I did it.

 

At the end of act 3 he abandoned me, but later joined nevertheless. Took him whenever I go, as he was my main warrior during my game, love that guy and willl think to romance him one day.

[Catilina]

Yeah, I could not stand and just see he kills one from his family, even though they are just connected by blood not loyalty. He spared his sister, and Varic was not in the party. Funny thing is, I did this quest with only two party members, my Hawke and Fenris. I tend to roleplay so Hawke alone met with Fenris at Danarius' mansion and they just met at the Hanged Man. I forgot about this quest and what it's like, so I fought Danarius with only Fenris at my side. 'Twas fun, but difficult. Had to re-play it few times but I did it.

 

At the end of act 3 he abandoned me, but later joined nevertheless. Took him whenever I go, as he was my main warrior during my game, love that guy and willl think to romance him one day.

I never let Fenris to kill his sister. Fenris wants to leave behind his unmanageable anger. He also regretted that despite promises he killed Hadriana. 

(Fenris' romance one of the best in the DA-series. The other is Anders, for me.)

[Jedi Comedian]

I never let Fenris to kill his sister. Fenris wants to leave behind his unmanageable anger. He also regretted that despite promises he killed Hadriana.
(Fenris' romance one of the best in the DA-series. The other is Anders, for me.)

I always let him do it, IMHO she deserved it (that and seeing Fenris rip hearts off is cool). Wish the was an option to let him execute Anders that way.

[Catilina]

I always let him do it, IMHO she deserved it (that and seeing Fenris rip hearts off is cool). Wish the was an option to let him execute Anders that way.

Yes, fuking cool to let him kill his sister... and also to kill Anders... 

[Jedi Comedian]

Yes, fuking cool to let him kill his sister... and also to kill Anders...

The sister is Danarius pet, and Anders is an abomination out of control, my Hawke saw them as potential threats.