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Dragon Age: Origins: Dragons and Dalish and Darkspawn Oh My! (Gameplay tips in OP)

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Posts

  • BlackjackBlackjack Registered User regular
    edited December 2009
    Wynne is great. She has some awesome lines.
    PC: How did you become a mage?
    Wynne: I set a boy on fire.

    Blackjack on
    camo_sig2.png

    3DS: 1607-3034-6970
  • DragkoniasDragkonias That Guy Who Does Stuff You Know, There. Registered User regular
    edited December 2009
    Yeah. I mean it is kind of...strange when I find the GILF to be the best female in your party.

    Dragkonias on
  • Alfred J. KwakAlfred J. Kwak is it because you were insulted when I insulted your hair?Registered User regular
    edited December 2009
    Taramoor wrote: »
    Egos wrote: »
    Does anyone know, have of of those crazy internetters tried soloing the game yet?

    Arcane Warrior on Nightmare seems the popular one

    I've seen reports of Ranger/Bard Rogue on Nightmare being relatively easy.

    Or warriors with 100% spell immunity.

    Alfred J. Kwak on
  • fmz65fmz65 Registered User regular
    edited December 2009
    Wait, you can *ahem* romance Wynne?

    Hello next playthrough...

    fmz65 on
    daleyk.png
  • Eat it You Nasty Pig.Eat it You Nasty Pig. tell homeland security 'we are the bomb'Registered User regular
    edited December 2009
    man she is like a million years old

    so creepy

    Eat it You Nasty Pig. on
    NREqxl5.jpg
    hold your head high soldier, it ain't over yet
    that's why we call it the struggle, you're supposed to sweat
  • Delta AssaultDelta Assault Registered User regular
    edited December 2009
    fmz65 wrote: »
    Wait, you can *ahem* romance Wynne?

    Hello next playthrough...

    Um, nope.

    That's the thing, we're all wishing we could...

    Delta Assault on
  • Delta AssaultDelta Assault Registered User regular
    edited December 2009
    Dyscord wrote: »
    man she is like a million years old

    so creepy

    Dude, it's like eating Lucky Charms...

    She's magically delicious!

    Delta Assault on
  • Torso BoyTorso Boy Registered User regular
    edited December 2009
    I'd hit it.

    Torso Boy on
  • RanadielRanadiel Registered User regular
    edited December 2009
    LOL, I'm finally having trouble with Redcliffe!
    Nothing major, just annoying. It's like, at least one person in the militia will die, screwing me out of my perfect score. And it's usually someone I want to keep alive, like Lloyd. Fuck!

    Ranadiel on
  • Fondor_YardsFondor_Yards Elite Four Member: Hydra Registered User regular
    edited December 2009
    So PAers, I cannot decide on the last spot in my party. I have me *Dual Weapon Warrior*, Sten, and Oghren. Right now I'm liking both Shale and Morrigan *respecced into Arcane Warrior* as the last spot, and most likely as my tank. Convince me who to use.

    Fondor_Yards on
    Secrets, lies, and tragedy. The trifecta.
    3DS Code: 5043-2172-1361
    Xbone Tag: Salal al Din
  • SurikoSuriko AustraliaRegistered User regular
    edited December 2009
    Dragkonias wrote: »
    Yeah. I mean it is kind of...strange when I find the GILF to be the best female in your party.

    Older characters tend to be more mature and reasonable.

    In Wynne's case it's also helped by just being a bit bland, rather than outright unlikable.

    Suriko on
  • KlatuKlatu Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi OiRegistered User regular
    edited December 2009
    So PAers, I cannot decide on the last spot in my party. I have me *Dual Weapon Warrior*, Sten, and Oghren. Right now I'm liking both Shale and Morrigan *respecced into Arcane Warrior* as the last spot, and most likely as my tank. Convince me who to use.

    Shale as buffer and just have the 3 melee tear it up.

    Klatu on
    Steam id:Klatu - PS id: Klatu_PA - 3DS FC: 0920-0528-6680
  • KlatuKlatu Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi OiRegistered User regular
    edited December 2009
    At some point in the future I'm going to try a buffer shale, 4th song Lel and healer Wynne for my either DW warrior or 2h warrior. That will probably last for all of 1hr and then I'll go Sten, Og, buffer shale and my warrior.

    Klatu on
    Steam id:Klatu - PS id: Klatu_PA - 3DS FC: 0920-0528-6680
  • TaramoorTaramoor Storyteller Registered User regular
    edited December 2009
    Klatu wrote: »
    At some point in the future I'm going to try a buffer shale, 4th song Lel and healer Wynne for my either DW warrior or 2h warrior. That will probably last for all of 1hr and then I'll go Sten, Og, buffer shale and my warrior.

    I think if you could go BufferZone Shale and have the other three spots taken up by Zev, Lei, and a Rogue MC all decked out with some hefty archer Spec, you could do something downright magical. Especially since you can get Far Song and Falon'Din pretty early on.

    In fact, I think I've just decided what my Dwarf Commoner Rogue playthrough is going to be (right after I finish my current Dwarf Noble playthrough).

    Taramoor on
  • Delta AssaultDelta Assault Registered User regular
    edited December 2009
    Has anyone ever tried to just do Wynne with three shield warriors? Ya know, the whole slow and steady approach. Seems like it might work.

    Delta Assault on
  • Eat it You Nasty Pig.Eat it You Nasty Pig. tell homeland security 'we are the bomb'Registered User regular
    edited December 2009
    verrrry slowly

    Eat it You Nasty Pig. on
    NREqxl5.jpg
    hold your head high soldier, it ain't over yet
    that's why we call it the struggle, you're supposed to sweat
  • Fondor_YardsFondor_Yards Elite Four Member: Hydra Registered User regular
    edited December 2009
    Klatu wrote: »
    So PAers, I cannot decide on the last spot in my party. I have me *Dual Weapon Warrior*, Sten, and Oghren. Right now I'm liking both Shale and Morrigan *respecced into Arcane Warrior* as the last spot, and most likely as my tank. Convince me who to use.

    Shale as buffer and just have the 3 melee tear it up.

    As in have him use the totem/aura thing?

    Fondor_Yards on
    Secrets, lies, and tragedy. The trifecta.
    3DS Code: 5043-2172-1361
    Xbone Tag: Salal al Din
  • PancakePancake Registered User regular
    edited December 2009
    Dyscord wrote: »
    verrrry slowly

    Not really. Weapon and shield warriors are capable of some pretty decent damage, especially with high tier equipment in the late game.

    Pancake on
    wAgWt.jpg
  • KhavallKhavall British ColumbiaRegistered User regular
    edited December 2009
    I'm trying a party this time that's a fun makeup. 3-mage, one tank. PC Mage takes damage spells and only damage spells. Pretty much primal, mana clash tree, drain life... damage damage damage. Morrigan takes debuff spells and only debuff spells. Wynne takes heal/buff spells and only heal/buff spells.

    It's pretty awesome. Though I'm considering turning Morrigan or wynne into an AW spec tank and bringing Shale along for aura.

    Khavall on
  • Mandalorian RoosterMandalorian Rooster Registered User regular
    edited December 2009
    So if I'm wearing wearing Knight-Commander Armor (40% spell resistance) and have the Magister's Shield (30% spell resistance) do they stack, does one overwrite the other, do they cap at some percent, or does anyone even know?

    Mandalorian Rooster on
  • Delta AssaultDelta Assault Registered User regular
    edited December 2009
    So if I'm wearing wearing Knight-Commander Armor (40% spell resistance) and have the Magister's Shield (30% spell resistance) do they stack, does one overwrite the other, do they cap at some percent, or does anyone even know?

    You must mean The Spellward. They do stack. Here's a nice setup if you wanna be uber:

    Dwarf (10%)
    The Spellward (30%)
    Knight Commander's (40%)
    Ancient Elven Gloves (4%)
    Antivan Leather Boots (4%)
    Key to the City (4%)
    Havard's Aegis (4%)

    Add in a rune and that gets you to 100%

    Delta Assault on
  • KlatuKlatu Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi OiRegistered User regular
    edited December 2009
    Klatu wrote: »
    So PAers, I cannot decide on the last spot in my party. I have me *Dual Weapon Warrior*, Sten, and Oghren. Right now I'm liking both Shale and Morrigan *respecced into Arcane Warrior* as the last spot, and most likely as my tank. Convince me who to use.

    Shale as buffer and just have the 3 melee tear it up.

    As in have him use the totem/aura thing?

    Yeah that's the one. Worst case you get to change shale to the dps mode/tank mode/ranged mode and win that way too. By level 20 you will have filled up shales skills so you can do all 4.

    Klatu on
    Steam id:Klatu - PS id: Klatu_PA - 3DS FC: 0920-0528-6680
  • V-timeV-time Registered User regular
    edited December 2009
    So if I'm wearing wearing Knight-Commander Armor (40% spell resistance) and have the Magister's Shield (30% spell resistance) do they stack, does one overwrite the other, do they cap at some percent, or does anyone even know?

    You must mean The Spellward. They do stack. Here's a nice setup if you wanna be uber:

    Dwarf (10%)
    The Spellward (30%)
    Knight Commander's (40%)
    Ancient Elven Gloves (4%)
    Antivan Leather Boots (4%)
    Key to the City (4%)
    Havard's Aegis (4%)

    Add in a rune and that gets you to 100%

    There are other ways to achieve it as well but thats the way a anti-magic templar is possible. Kinda sad that this isn´t the case for the NPC ones. It would be nice to give the mages a fuck you moment at least once.

    Edit : Which one is better as a tank for my sniper squad : Zevran (since i can´t respecc on PS3), Dog or Ranger pet?
    Granted i will take leliana, Zevran, Dog and my Dalish warrior archer along.

    V-time on
  • KlatuKlatu Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi OiRegistered User regular
    edited December 2009
    So if I'm wearing wearing Knight-Commander Armor (40% spell resistance) and have the Magister's Shield (30% spell resistance) do they stack, does one overwrite the other, do they cap at some percent, or does anyone even know?

    You must mean The Spellward. They do stack. Here's a nice setup if you wanna be uber:

    Dwarf (10%)
    The Spellward (30%)
    Knight Commander's (40%)
    Ancient Elven Gloves (4%)
    Antivan Leather Boots (4%)
    Key to the City (4%)
    Havard's Aegis (4%)

    Add in a rune and that gets you to 100%

    Depending on how much you wanted to rune your weapon you could change out dwarf or items. But you wont be able to do too much of that. You can rune up to 24% spell resist, maybe more, I can't remember if there is more than 1 Grandmaster/master rune (30% if you can find 3 GM runes).

    edit: And I'm definately doing a dwarf this way at some point!

    Klatu on
    Steam id:Klatu - PS id: Klatu_PA - 3DS FC: 0920-0528-6680
  • Wet BanditWet Bandit Registered User regular
    edited December 2009
    So I've finally started playing this. Unfortunately my only option is the 360 version. Playing last night I managed to make it to the start of the mage's tower, my first treaty quest. Overall, I'd say the game is good. I'd imagine, though, that the PC version is somewhere between very good and great. Being able to play with the tactical view and being able to re-spec would be really nice.

    Wet Bandit on
  • TubeTube Registered User admin
    edited December 2009
    So here is something I think is neat
    Get Loghain in your party and run across the bridge to the provings a few times. They gave him party dialogue, just like everyone else. The way he interacts with dog in particular sheds a lot of light on his character. It's fantastic that he goes from a glowering supervillain to simply misunderstood and damaged.

    Tube on
  • TubeTube Registered User admin
    edited December 2009
    Also is there any origin that starts you with two hander specs?

    Tube on
  • DrunkMcDrunkMc Registered User regular
    edited December 2009
    So here is something I think is neat
    Get Loghain in your party and run across the bridge to the provings a few times. They gave him party dialogue, just like everyone else. The way he interacts with dog in particular sheds a lot of light on his character. It's fantastic that he goes from a glowering supervillain to simply misunderstood and damaged.

    I got that about him just during the Landsmeet. Once I heard his P.O.V. I was like...........yeah, I can see that.

    Maybe if they were able to put more regretful emotion in his face when he walked away, or tleast said something like, "I wish you listened to me....." under his breathe before sounding the retreat, you could have understood what he was doing.

    Once he explained himself at the Landsmeet, I was like, yes, ur a giant dick, but atleast u really were acting for the good (in his head) of the land.

    DrunkMc on
  • BlackjackBlackjack Registered User regular
    edited December 2009
    Also is there any origin that starts you with two hander specs?
    I think I read that Dwarf Commoner Warrior does.

    That's not the most helpful sentence I've ever written, but.

    Blackjack on
    camo_sig2.png

    3DS: 1607-3034-6970
  • Eat it You Nasty Pig.Eat it You Nasty Pig. tell homeland security 'we are the bomb'Registered User regular
    edited December 2009
    DrunkMc wrote: »
    So here is something I think is neat
    Get Loghain in your party and run across the bridge to the provings a few times. They gave him party dialogue, just like everyone else. The way he interacts with dog in particular sheds a lot of light on his character. It's fantastic that he goes from a glowering supervillain to simply misunderstood and damaged.

    I got that about him just during the Landsmeet. Once I heard his P.O.V. I was like...........yeah, I can see that.

    Maybe if they were able to put more regretful emotion in his face when he walked away, or tleast said something like, "I wish you listened to me....." under his breathe before sounding the retreat, you could have understood what he was doing.

    Once he explained himself at the Landsmeet, I was like, yes, ur a giant dick, but atleast u really were acting for the good (in his head) of the land.

    I think part of the problem
    is that the game at ostagar don't do a good enough job of showing you that Cailan is sort of a clueless glory hound. The only way the "justified" loghain makes sense is if he really thinks cailan's leading the wardens into certain death and that he has to preserve the army to make a stand somewhere else.

    Maybe if they did a better job of making Cailan seem reckless, loghan would come off less nutso overall.

    Eat it You Nasty Pig. on
    NREqxl5.jpg
    hold your head high soldier, it ain't over yet
    that's why we call it the struggle, you're supposed to sweat
  • TubeTube Registered User admin
    edited December 2009
    Cailan isn't a clueless glory hound. It's not as cut and dried as that. What Loghain did wasn't right, but he's not a monster either. Cailan was a good man who didn't deserve what happened to him, but Loghain's motivations are understandable.

    Tube on
  • JihadJesusJihadJesus Registered User regular
    edited December 2009
    Okay, some questions about my dual dagger rogue build:

    What exactly do dual weapon training/finess do? The descriptions say 'add a small ammount of attack', but what the hell does that mean? I'm pumping cunning so my attack/to hit will be low so these sound decent, but if I skip them I can get Riposte instead.

    Is the general idea to put one point in each of the basic skills (poisons, traps, etc) so you can use the gear you have someone else make? Is there any reason to pump one of them?

    What specialization? I'd like to go Assasin/Ranger for roleplaying reasons but I'm not sure I have any control over the pet tactics and that would bug the hell out of me.

    And lastly, how the hell do you set the tactics on the 360? I've been all over it with my Dalish buddies and can't find anyway to modify what they do and it's kind of annoying. You have a longsword and shield, attack this damn guy so I can kidney stab him already! Put that stupid bow away!

    JihadJesus on
  • TubeTube Registered User admin
    edited December 2009
    herbalism and combat training are the only really handy skills, and herbalism only until the second tier. Skills are pretty rubbish.

    Tube on
  • PancakePancake Registered User regular
    edited December 2009
    G&T is back? Oh my god!

    I've been playing around with that better archery mod and it's not really feeling overpowered or unbalanced at all, especially since backstabbing with bows is just as slow as normal archery and rapid shot now drains stamina.

    It's actually made playing an archer fun, at least.

    Pancake on
    wAgWt.jpg
  • troublebrewingtroublebrewing Registered User regular
    edited December 2009
    Blackjack wrote: »
    Also is there any origin that starts you with two hander specs?
    I think I read that Dwarf Commoner Warrior does.

    That's not the most helpful sentence I've ever written, but.

    dwarf commoner indeed does.

    (G&T back, thank the maker!)

    troublebrewing on
  • ZzuluZzulu Registered User regular
    edited December 2009
    What mod is this

    Zzulu on
    t5qfc9.jpg
  • PancakePancake Registered User regular
    edited December 2009
    Zzulu wrote: »
    What mod is this

    Better Archery

    Pancake on
    wAgWt.jpg
  • aBlankaBlank Registered User regular
    edited December 2009
    JihadJesus wrote: »
    What exactly do dual weapon training/finess do? The descriptions say 'add a small ammount of attack', but what the hell does that mean? I'm pumping cunning so my attack/to hit will be low so these sound decent, but if I skip them I can get Riposte instead.

    You're going to want up to expert regardless. You'll get better off-hand damage, attack (to-hit), defense, crit, and a DoT (mostly worthless I find).

    I don't see why you can't get both TBH.
    Is the general idea to put one point in each of the basic skills (poisons, traps, etc) so you can use the gear you have someone else make? Is there any reason to pump one of them?

    For the item-skills, not really. You don't need a point for potions however (to use them that is), and Morrigan or Wynne start with 2 points in them. Zev comes with 4 in poison making (or has every time I've gotten him) so as far as making shit goes... you really only need 1 guy with 4 points in traps. You only need a point in poisons/traps for guys that you plan on using poison/traps for. I found only 1 guy needed traps and it was the same guy I maxed it with (I also ended up barely ever using traps FWIW).

    I guess I should add there's an incredibly minor (IMO!) use for level 4 traps at the end of the game but that's it.

    As a rogue, especially a cunning rogue, you'll have so many skills you can pretty much dump them anywhere. You won't need to max coercion remember with your cunning score. You might want to grab a point or two just to make some of the early checks but that's it. I ended up maxing survival simply because it gave some (albeit small) benefit to me in combat (+25 nature res, +2 phys res).
    What specialization? I'd like to go Assasin/Ranger for roleplaying reasons but I'm not sure I have any control over the pet tactics and that would bug the hell out of me.

    If you're playing on console, you have no control over pet tactics and shit. FWIW, I *highly* recommend Bard for a cunning rogue. The team buff will be massive by the end of the game and it gives you some very much needed +attack. Assassin is always good for bigger back stabs.
    And lastly, how the hell do you set the tactics on the 360? I've been all over it with my Dalish buddies and can't find anyway to modify what they do and it's kind of annoying. You have a longsword and shield, attack this damn guy so I can kidney stab him already! Put that stupid bow away!

    They'll switch weapons automatically if they aren't set to "ranged" and someone comes into melee with them. If you want them to not use bows, unequip them and set their tactics to "aggressive" melee. You can do this in the menu, look for the character stat screen (it'll show str/dex/etc and health and shit). I think it's the Y button to open up the tactics menu from there.

    This is assuming they're in your party. I haven't played the Dalish origin so I dunno. If they're just NPC's and not in your party, they'll do as they damn well please :P

    aBlank on
  • TaramoorTaramoor Storyteller Registered User regular
    edited December 2009
    JihadJesus wrote: »
    Okay, some questions about my dual dagger rogue build:

    What exactly do dual weapon training/finess do? The descriptions say 'add a small ammount of attack', but what the hell does that mean? I'm pumping cunning so my attack/to hit will be low so these sound decent, but if I skip them I can get Riposte instead.

    Is the general idea to put one point in each of the basic skills (poisons, traps, etc) so you can use the gear you have someone else make? Is there any reason to pump one of them?

    What specialization? I'd like to go Assasin/Ranger for roleplaying reasons but I'm not sure I have any control over the pet tactics and that would bug the hell out of me.

    And lastly, how the hell do you set the tactics on the 360? I've been all over it with my Dalish buddies and can't find anyway to modify what they do and it's kind of annoying. You have a longsword and shield, attack this damn guy so I can kidney stab him already! Put that stupid bow away!

    In the "Character" part of the menu (picture of a head, to the right of inventory) press Y to open the tactics menu.

    Taramoor on
  • JihadJesusJihadJesus Registered User regular
    edited December 2009
    Thanks. The critical chance probably won't help me much from the higher DW expert ranks since I'll be hitting crits most of the time off backstabs/stuns anyway, so I'll probably skip that if I can find enough attack elsewhere. And I think I will go bard - it complements what I need and fits with the character collecting lore to try and rebuild the elven society.

    This is kind of what I'm thinking for lvl 20 setup. Seems like my cunning score should end up about 60 which seems low, but I don't know what I'll get from gear yet.

    Skills (10 pts+Survival starting skill; 2 left)
    Coercion --> Improved Coercion
    Combat Training --> Improved --> Expert Combat Training
    Poison
    Trapmaking
    Survival
    Stealing


    Talents (22 pts; 3 left)
    Rogue (11)
    Below the Belt --> Deadly Strike --> Lethality
    Dirty Fighting --> Combat Stealth --> Coup de Grace
    Deft Hands
    Stealth --> Stealthy Items --> Combat Stealth --> Master Stealth

    Dual Weapon (3)
    Dual Weapon --> Flurry --> Momentum

    Assassin (2)
    Mark of Death --> Exploit Weakness

    Bard (3)
    Song of Valor --> Distraction --> Song of Courage

    From what I've seen so far I'll use traps a ton: hit master stealth and hunt ahead, dropping traps in front of meleers once I find a group or enemies, and position myself behind the mage/archer. Switch over and bringup the troops, which gets the enemies to hit the traps and I backstab the mages/archers and take them out fast.

    JihadJesus on
This discussion has been closed.