On the Redcliffe courtyard: Spoiler: show spoiler hide spoiler On normal difficulty I was getting repeatedly wiped by the revenant and his skeleton crew until I realized I could sprint to the gate lever and let in Ser Jory et al. Then it was pretty much all over but the hacking.

Redcliff: Spoiler: show spoiler hide spoiler FUCK the revenant. That fight is complete bullshit. I... I thought that fight was awesome? Spoiler: show spoiler hide spoiler Morrigan was the last person standing and we basically slugged back and forth trading spells until the Revanent died first. I had a sliver of a sliver of health left. Spoiler: show spoiler hide spoiler This is why they have a "spellshield" and anti-magic line. With that and a few mods, you can pump your spell resist high enough that they can't just stun and own you by whipping you around. I love fights against other magic-using enemies. Nothing beats using magic resistance, dispelling their spell shield, supressing their retaliation magic with entropy magic, keeping them on their butts with fireball, and hitting them up close with cone AOE when they turn and run for it.

conversation with wyrnn about the battle of the grey wardens: Spoiler: show spoiler hide spoiler Look, does this story have griffons in it or not? Good heavens, its like talking to a child!

Sacred Ashes spoilers Spoiler: show spoiler hide spoiler Jesus Christ I am never touching a gong again. Also these banter dialogs are fucking gold. I was running back and forth the same area to hear a whole bunch of them at once.

I was thinking that I'd go 2 rogues (1 melee, 1 ranged), a tank and morrigan on hard. Is that too impossible? The bow is there because, well, a bard rogue sounded useful, and ranged attacks are great to have in RPGs. Edit: Also do you gain damage from several attributes at the same time contrary to D&D? So a rogue can gain damage on daggers for dex and strenght? Or is it the classical "The highest one goes"? Daggers say they gain 50/50 from Str/Dex, however it's actually bugged. It's 100% strength, though it wasn't supposed to be that way. Not sure if this means it becomes 100% Cunning if you have Lethality or not. Does anyone know? There is a mod out already that fixes the dagger 50/50 thing. I don't have a link for it, but if you check the social site projects, it's in there somewhere (search for dagger). Doesn't help me, I'm on the 360. Doh, sorry. Well, for any PC players, there is a mod out that fixes the 50/50 str/dex dagger split. I'm also curious if the lethality talent takes over 100% of the damage... In that case using dual sword seems more effective than dual daggers. Lethality does take over 100% of the damage, which is why Bioware themselves play down the dex/str bug as being more or less inconsequential, since you're apparently intended to forego daggers entirely once you get Lethality. Level 4 DW spec seems to be there for warriors mostly as they can then use their strength to take advantage of larger weapons. I see a rogue as designed to go dex / cunning using daggers. The armor penetration of daggers in addition to the cunning they will be pumping should equal very consistent as well as fast damage regardless of opponent.

On the Redcliffe courtyard: Spoiler: show spoiler hide spoiler On normal difficulty I was getting repeatedly wiped by the revenant and his skeleton crew until I realized I could sprint to the gate lever and let in Ser Jory et al. Then it was pretty much all over but the hacking. Spoiler: show spoiler hide spoiler On my successful attempt (normal difficulty) I ran over to the corner next to the stairs. This got the attention of the archers above but not the revenant and his funky bunch. Quickly dispatched them, then stayed there and had allistair shoot a bow at one of the corpses or whatever by the revenant, and managed to get them to come in ones and twos. As long as I didn't walk in front of the stairs I didn't risk being overwhelmed. After they were all dead I pulled the big guy. I had alistair tanking him, Morigan spamming cone of cold, dog and my MC rogue would run in, hit from the back, then run out when it was time to COC again. Lost the dog but managed to whittle him down, he was frozen most of the time. Then as we all dance and party and group orgy in celebration of our mighty victory I see the gate lever. Oh well.

I assume you guys have seen the "girls of Dragon Age: Origin" page on maxim's website? They have pics of the real woman the 3d models are based on, and the character model. Yes. The real Morrigan is extremely hot. Edit: Link http://www.maxim.com/girls/girls-of-...gons-agei.html I want to do so many bad bad things with Victoria.

Is there anyway to share a public version of the bioware social profile? I want to show it to people but it sounds like they have to register.

Alright, I'm having fun with this game, I'm not very far in, but I feel like I'm not quite "getting" the combat. This isn't my usual genre, wondering if anyone can answer a few basic questions (360). These have probably already been answered, but I'm lazy. Spoiler: show spoiler hide spoiler 1. I heard something about being able to zoom out for an overhead view, but this doesn't appear to be a function on the 360 version? This would probably solve a lot of problems for me, regarding combat strategies. 2. I keep hearing how combat is supposed to be tactical, but pretty much every encounter turns into a giant scrum, with my mage firing shit from the outside. I have two dudes serving as tanks right now, and I usually just go around behind whoever they're attacking and backstab. I'm guessing this will change when I fight better enemies? 3. The default AI setting says the character will avoid AOE attacks, but that certainly hasn't been the case so far. Is there any way to get them to stop hacking away at a huge enemy that's about to crush them? Is there any kind of "regroup/send to target/etc" command shortcuts that I'm missing? (like Mass Effect) I suppose I really haven't had that much experience with combat. Hell, I played for like 6 hours straight yesterday and maybe an hour of that was in combat. Not that I mind, the conversations are fun. On a side note, I love being able to read about how much of an asshole I am in the completed quests section. Spoiler: show spoiler hide spoiler You found an unconscious elf in the forest, smothered him in his sleep, looted his valuables and left his body for the animals. Also, right near the beginning: "We don't have time for this" (party members object) [reach down and snap soldier's neck] "We don't have time for this."

I was thinking that I'd go 2 rogues (1 melee, 1 ranged), a tank and morrigan on hard. Is that too impossible? The bow is there because, well, a bard rogue sounded useful, and ranged attacks are great to have in RPGs. Edit: Also do you gain damage from several attributes at the same time contrary to D&D? So a rogue can gain damage on daggers for dex and strenght? Or is it the classical "The highest one goes"? Daggers say they gain 50/50 from Str/Dex, however it's actually bugged. It's 100% strength, though it wasn't supposed to be that way. Not sure if this means it becomes 100% Cunning if you have Lethality or not. Does anyone know? There is a mod out already that fixes the dagger 50/50 thing. I don't have a link for it, but if you check the social site projects, it's in there somewhere (search for dagger). Doesn't help me, I'm on the 360. Doh, sorry. Well, for any PC players, there is a mod out that fixes the 50/50 str/dex dagger split. I'm also curious if the lethality talent takes over 100% of the damage... In that case using dual sword seems more effective than dual daggers. Lethality does take over 100% of the damage, which is why Bioware themselves play down the dex/str bug as being more or less inconsequential, since you're apparently intended to forego daggers entirely once you get Lethality. Which is ridiculous since Lethality only works when your Cunning is higher than your Strength, and you need something like 30 strength for the best longswords, and 36 Dexterity to even get the ability to dual swords instead of a dagger in the off hand, even if you pump all of the remaining points into Cunning, it would only be a little bit higher than Strength at that point.

Alright, I'm having fun with this game, I'm not very far in, but I feel like I'm not quite "getting" the combat. This isn't my usual genre, wondering if anyone can answer a few basic questions (360). These have probably already been answered, but I'm lazy. Spoiler: show spoiler hide spoiler 1. I heard something about being able to zoom out for an overhead view, but this doesn't appear to be a function on the 360 version? This would probably solve a lot of problems for me, regarding combat strategies. 2. I keep hearing how combat is supposed to be tactical, but pretty much every encounter turns into a giant scrum, with my mage firing shit from the outside. I have two dudes serving as tanks right now, and I usually just go around behind whoever they're attacking and backstab. I'm guessing this will change when I fight better enemies? 3. The default AI setting says the character will avoid AOE attacks, but that certainly hasn't been the case so far. Is there any way to get them to stop hacking away at a huge enemy that's about to crush them? Is there any kind of "regroup/send to target/etc" command shortcuts that I'm missing? (like Mass Effect) The 360 version doesn't have the tactical overhead view, only the PC version does. I also don't think you can pause and then give a command to each party member like you can on the PC.

Alright, I'm having fun with this game, I'm not very far in, but I feel like I'm not quite "getting" the combat. This isn't my usual genre, wondering if anyone can answer a few basic questions (360). These have probably already been answered, but I'm lazy. 1. I heard something about being able to zoom out for an overhead view, but this doesn't appear to be a function on the 360 version? This would probably solve a lot of problems for me, regarding combat strategies. 2. I keep hearing how combat is supposed to be tactical, but pretty much every encounter turns into a giant scrum, with my mage firing shit from the outside. I have two dudes serving as tanks right now, and I usually just go around behind whoever they're attacking and backstab. I'm guessing this will change when I fight better enemies? 3. The default AI setting says the character will avoid AOE attacks, but that certainly hasn't been the case so far. Is there any way to get them to stop hacking away at a huge enemy that's about to crush them? Is there any kind of "regroup/send to target/etc" command shortcuts that I'm missing? (like Mass Effect) I'm going to unspoiler your stuff because they are in no way spoilers. The 360 version doesn't have the full Baulder Gate's style camera. Also the game is suppose to be easier on the 360, with enemies coming in waves as opposed to all at once. I think the tactics you are hearing are people talking about the PC version. On normal, AOE spells don't have friendly fire on the 360 version.

Spoiler: show spoiler hide spoiler I was thinking that I'd go 2 rogues (1 melee, 1 ranged), a tank and morrigan on hard. Is that too impossible? The bow is there because, well, a bard rogue sounded useful, and ranged attacks are great to have in RPGs. Edit: Also do you gain damage from several attributes at the same time contrary to D&D? So a rogue can gain damage on daggers for dex and strenght? Or is it the classical "The highest one goes"? Daggers say they gain 50/50 from Str/Dex, however it's actually bugged. It's 100% strength, though it wasn't supposed to be that way. Not sure if this means it becomes 100% Cunning if you have Lethality or not. Does anyone know? There is a mod out already that fixes the dagger 50/50 thing. I don't have a link for it, but if you check the social site projects, it's in there somewhere (search for dagger). Doesn't help me, I'm on the 360. Doh, sorry. Well, for any PC players, there is a mod out that fixes the 50/50 str/dex dagger split. I'm also curious if the lethality talent takes over 100% of the damage... In that case using dual sword seems more effective than dual daggers. Lethality does take over 100% of the damage, which is why Bioware themselves play down the dex/str bug as being more or less inconsequential, since you're apparently intended to forego daggers entirely once you get Lethality. Which is ridiculous since Lethality only works when your Cunning is higher than your Strength, and you need something like 30 strength for the best longswords, and 36 Dexterity to even get the ability to dual swords instead of a dagger in the off hand, even if you pump all of the remaining points into Cunning, it would only be a little bit higher than Strength at that point. Well of course it's ridiculous. It's Bioware Balance after all. I love Bioware to death but they just can't get balance right.

Alright, I'm having fun with this game, I'm not very far in, but I feel like I'm not quite "getting" the combat. This isn't my usual genre, wondering if anyone can answer a few basic questions (360). These have probably already been answered, but I'm lazy. 1. I heard something about being able to zoom out for an overhead view, but this doesn't appear to be a function on the 360 version? This would probably solve a lot of problems for me, regarding combat strategies. 2. I keep hearing how combat is supposed to be tactical, but pretty much every encounter turns into a giant scrum, with my mage firing shit from the outside. I have two dudes serving as tanks right now, and I usually just go around behind whoever they're attacking and backstab. I'm guessing this will change when I fight better enemies? 3. The default AI setting says the character will avoid AOE attacks, but that certainly hasn't been the case so far. Is there any way to get them to stop hacking away at a huge enemy that's about to crush them? Is there any kind of "regroup/send to target/etc" command shortcuts that I'm missing? (like Mass Effect) I'm going to unspoiler your stuff because they are in no way spoilers. The 360 version doesn't have the full Baulder Gate's style camera. Also the game is suppose to be easier on the 360, with enemies coming in waves as opposed to all at once. I think the tactics you are hearing are people talking about the PC version. On normal, AOE spells don't have friendly fire on the 360 version. Ah, I just wanted to make the post smaller, anyway. Sucks to hear about the limited tactical options of the 360 versions, but eh, what can you do? (My PC is crap). For the AOE stuff, I meant the enemy rearing up to knock everyone back (and usually leave them stunned on the ground for like 10 seconds while my mage dies). I'm not really familiar with any of the terms, I'm just winging it.

Oh, here is the user-made dagger stat fix.

Hey dudes. I'm wondering if some people could give me some spoiler-free advice on where to find some specialization classes. Spoiler: show spoiler hide spoiler So after completing the quests in the first village, I went straight to helping the Elves. I'm now done with this and I've just entered Redcliffe. My guy is a mage and I'd like him to specialize in arcane warrior and blood mage. The only thing I've found is some quest item, a scroll that discusses blood magic, in the elven ruins, but it seems useless. Am I far away from getting the ability to acquire these specializations? Could you give me a general direction of where I need to go to obtain one of them? I'm level 9 and I don't want to put any more skill points into anything cause I really should be investing in my specialization class at this point. Spoiler: show spoiler hide spoiler Arcane Warrior is in the elven ruins. You find a phylactery in a small side chamber, the spirit asks you to destroy it and gives you arcane warrior in exchange. Blood mage is unlocked in Redcliffe, its hard not to be spoily, but fair warning you have to be a dick. You actually have to follow some specific steps to get it as well. I will put them here in a spoiler. Spoiler: show spoiler hide spoiler In the castle dungeon, free Jowan. let him send you in the fade, its important you go, not morrigan. When you finally face the demon, agree to let it possess the boy at a later date, ask for knowledge in exchange. IT will unlock blood mage for you. remember you can save before making the choice and restart after unlocking it and it will still be unlocked, if you decide you dont want to be an asshole. Spoiler: show spoiler hide spoiler Damn, I just picked up the phylactery and destroyed it on the spot, then a Revenant popped out. I am a sad panda now.

Leliana and Wynne tried to kill me after Spoiler: show spoiler hide spoiler I poured the dragons blood into the urn only because I wanted to unlock the reaver spec. Guess it's berserker for me! Stupid goody characters.

Leliana and Wynne tried to kill me after Spoiler: show spoiler hide spoiler I poured the dragons blood into the urn only because I wanted to unlock the reaver spec. Guess it's berserker for me! Stupid goody characters. You can unlock then load a previous save game and have it unlocked.

Duncan question: Spoiler: show spoiler hide spoiler Is Duncan well and truly dead? Wasn't there a video of him trying to negotiate with a dragon or something. Tis a shame if he is as he was an interesting character.

Leliana and Wynne tried to kill me after Spoiler: show spoiler hide spoiler I poured the dragons blood into the urn only because I wanted to unlock the reaver spec. Guess it's berserker for me! Stupid goody characters. Spoiler: show spoiler hide spoiler Just unlock the spec and reload a prior save. The spec will still be unlocked.

The mage tower bit with the sloth demon and the long-as-fuck Fade zone: Spoiler: show spoiler hide spoiler is fucking terrible and I hate it. It wasnt that long Spoiler: show spoiler hide spoiler Got in, killed wisps, talked to mouse, convinced valor to gimmie a staff without fighting him, answered sloth's riddles correctly, mouse is bear, fought rage demon, was like "fuck you mouse, you're the real demon!'' 30 maybe 40 mins tops sidenote: couldn't decide on "War Bastard" or "TFU III" for my dog's name, playing a human female mage named Daisy, so I named the dog Tim No man, not The Harrowing. The other time with all the Fade portals and such.

Codex says you need overwhelming melee damage to drop them. I have to wonder if whoever wrote that has actually ever played the game, because the last thing you want to do is fight a Revenant in melee. They do ridiculous amounts of damage per attack (I was seeing numbers of about 60-70, they can frequently one shot people in light armour as well) and they can strike 2-3 characters with one attack in melee. You'd have to be insane to fight them in melee - minding I was playing it on nightmare where they make dragons look easy. Yeah, they are pretty ridiculous. I can just barely kill one of the tougher ones on Hard by burning tons of poultices and potions; Nightmare would be awful. I would probably cry if I even tried it.

Anyone notice that +cunning attributes on items don't actually add cunning? Im sitting at 22 +3 with master lockpick and there are locks I still cant pick. These chests have been unpickable since I was lvl 8 and now I am 12. Fucking hate locks, why can Shale just smash the chests?

Just killed one of those revenant bastards. It felt like such a WoW fight. Allsiter sat there tanking, Zevran behind him stabbing. I had to keep heroic offense on them while Morrigan and I sat behind healing and shooting every chance we could. I had to keep mana up and minimize the amount of people exposed to that bastards AoE melee attacks. I still think the best way to deal with them is find a way to lower their defense and armor while upping your teams hit and damage / penetration.

The mage tower bit with the sloth demon and the long-as-fuck Fade zone: Spoiler: show spoiler hide spoiler is fucking terrible and I hate it. It wasnt that long Spoiler: show spoiler hide spoiler Got in, killed wisps, talked to mouse, convinced valor to gimmie a staff without fighting him, answered sloth's riddles correctly, mouse is bear, fought rage demon, was like "fuck you mouse, you're the real demon!'' 30 maybe 40 mins tops sidenote: couldn't decide on "War Bastard" or "TFU III" for my dog's name, playing a human female mage named Daisy, so I named the dog Tim No man, not The Harrowing. The other time with all the Fade portals and such. Spoiler: show spoiler hide spoiler How the fuck can you hate that? I loved transforming into spirit, then burning man, then golem. I totally owned the bosses thanks to the transformations. Spirit was great for the crushing prison spell, then you used burning man to cause large amounts of AoE damage and the golem was just a beast. I loved that whole section