The new forums will be named Coin Return (based on the most recent vote)! You can check on the status and timeline of the transition to the new forums here.
Please vote in the Forum Structure Poll. Polling will close at 2PM EST on January 21, 2025.
Dragon Age 2 anti-hype thread [PLEASE POST IN NEW THREAD]
surrealitychecklonely, but not unloveddreaming of faulty keys and latchesRegistered Userregular
edited November 2010
I wouldn't go so far as to say that Willpower is completely useless.
It's less useful for Mages because they have Lyrium potions to fall back on, though you'll want to have a moderately sized mana pool for the fact that keeping your sustains active can add up in mana reserved and fatigue penalty. Unless you're going Blood Mage and plan to use your health as an alternate mana pool, you'll still want to be able to cast spells between chugging potions.
I played the entire game with zero points in willpower, running spell wisp AND spell might in every single fight and had basically zero mana issues. 95% of fights I didn't even need to pot. Seriously, willpower is really a waste of a point on mages :<
It's moderately important for Two-Handed Warriors, Sword and Board Warriors and Archers, who don't get Stamina Draughts until Awakening (unless you've installed the Awakening in the OC mod!) and are dependent on their abilities to deal a good portion of their damage. Plus extra stamina increases the damage calculation of certain abilities like Final/Killing Blow.
So no, Willpower is not completely worthless, though it's worth varies depending on what sort of character you're building.
If you use abilities, sure. But you shouldn't really unless you're using a very low magic party.
I've played all of the origin stories except for dwarf commoner, and I still think dwarf noble is the best starting story. Not only do you get a crapload of money to start out and that awesome discount, but you also get to (Orzammar spoilers)
I've played all of the origin stories except for dwarf commoner, and I still think dwarf noble is the best starting story. Not only do you get a crapload of money to start out and that awesome discount, but you also get to (Orzammar spoilers)
Backstab your brother who got you exlied
See, I feel exactly the opposite
I hate playing a Dwarf Noble because then it's hard to support Bhelen, who is by far the more sensible choice for King.
Meeting King Cailan for the first time at Ostagar allows for a fantastic "Wait, what?" moment as the City Elf.
Yes, this was hilarious. So, what brings you here?
The rape of everyone I know, p. much.
Oh...well...
It did make for some good motivation, as someone else said. Even though not part of the actual game, I chose to distrust and hate most humans for a good portion of the game. I actually naturally and organically grew to like Alistair, which was pretty cool
You know, I should play through the Dwarf origins for shits and giggles. Also so that I hopefully have some fucking idea what on earth is going on with the two guys you have to choose from. I've never had any idea who is actually better to support: They both seem like gigantic tools.
Well, if you want why the dwarf noble story relates to the dwarf king stuff
Harrowmount is the "good" choice, and Bhelen is the "evil" choice. However, Bhelen is a better leader than harrow, he's just a huge dick about it. Bhelen also killed his oldest brother and framed the 2nd oldest, leading to him being exlied. If you do the dwarf noble origin, that second son that gets exiled is you.
You know, I should play through the Dwarf origins for shits and giggles. Also so that I hopefully have some fucking idea what on earth is going on with the two guys you have to choose from. I've never had any idea who is actually better to support: They both seem like gigantic tools.
They are. One is a slightly nicer, but regressive jerk, the other is an even bigger,
Yeah, I picked Harrowmount on my Dwarf Noble, on 'he was the only guy who believed me' basis, and the end game epologue slide for Orzammar was a huge slap in the face. Ugh.
Yeah, I picked Harrowmount on my Dwarf Noble, on 'he was the only guy who believed me' basis, and the end game epologue slide for Orzammar was a huge slap in the face. Ugh.
Especially when you're made a paragon for fostering improved relations with surfacers o_O
Yeah, I picked Harrowmount on my Dwarf Noble, on 'he was the only guy who believed me' basis, and the end game epologue slide for Orzammar was a huge slap in the face. Ugh.
Especially when you're made a paragon for fostering improved relations with surfacers o_O
Does anything change if you are pro-golem enslavement?
Harrowmont's an even bigger ass. Behlen's tyranical overlord
LokiDon't pee in my mouth and tell me it's raining.Registered Userregular
edited November 2010
I saw it like this - I was choosing for the Dwarf race, not picking my favorite. Harrowmont wanted to keep Dwarves below ground and loved the caste system. Bhelen wanted to get rid of the caste system and also open up to outsiders. He was a cunt, but he was better for the Dwarves as a race.
It would have been nice if there was some really hidden stuff in DA. The chest part of the Juggernaut armor should have been harder to get. They need to make some areas deep underground that you are afraid to go into.
That's remarkably complex for Bioware. Normally your choice is "Eats puppies for breakfast" and "Giant pussy who wouldn't hurt a fly".
I would no call it complex. If there had been foreshadowing and more nuanced choices then I would have accepted it as a decent conclusion.
As it is, the story is more in line with the Starcraft 2 choices, only instead of whichever choice you make being the right one, it is the wrong one. No matter who you choose the one you ignore will turn out to be a murderous blackmailing bastard during the main game who has no qualms about sending dozens of their most loyal men to certain death fighting the grey warden that seems to be the only hope Ferelden has against the darkspawn, as well as personally attacking in the council chamber with the intention of murdering most of the dwarven leaders. Bhelen gives every sign of being evil while Harrowmount at least seems reasonable and neutral, and since the warden is giving no information that might lead him to question his choice the "you barely had a choice, but the one you made fucked everyone up!" really does feel like a kick in the nuts.
That's remarkably complex for Bioware. Normally your choice is "Eats puppies for breakfast" and "Giant pussy who wouldn't hurt a fly".
I would no call it complex. If there had been foreshadowing and more nuanced choices then I would have accepted it as a decent conclusion.
As it is, the story is more in line with the Starcraft 2 choices, only instead of whichever choice you make being the right one, it is the wrong one. No matter who you choose the one you ignore will turn out to be a murderous blackmailing bastard during the main game who has no qualms about sending dozens of their most loyal men to certain death fighting the grey warden that seems to be the only hope Ferelden has against the darkspawn, as well as personally attacking in the council chamber with the intention of murdering most of the dwarven leaders. Bhelen gives every sign of being evil while Harrowmount at least seems reasonable and neutral, and since the warden is giving no information that might lead him to question his choice the "you barely had a choice, but the one you made fucked everyone up!" really does feel like a kick in the nuts.
I dunno. Harromount steps down gracefully, and then Bhelen orders his execution if he's king, and Bhelen chucks a hissy fit and attacks the assembly if he loses. Also, Harromount is repeatedly said to be very traditional, whereas Bhelen's whole thing is constantly saying that the current dwarven system is broken and untenable. Harromount thing comes as a kick to the nuts a bit, but the first time I played it, I was a dwarven commoner, and Bhelen seemed like the right choice.
The fade is so bad that it makes me not want to play the game through again. Does that count?
It seems to me that the Fade was poorly realized. If it is a dream world, you should have some really crazy and wondrous stuff going on. It is also kind of horrible that demons can parade around their subconscious like that.
The fade is so bad that it makes me not want to play the game through again. Does that count?
It seems to me that the Fade was poorly realized. If it is a dream world, you should have some really crazy and wondrous stuff going on. It is also kind of horrible that demons can parade around their subconscious like that.
Being able to stomp around as a golem wasn't fantastical enough? Of course, I'm one of those people who actually thought switching to some soloing microing for a couple hours was a fun change of pace....
The fade is so bad that it makes me not want to play the game through again. Does that count?
It seems to me that the Fade was poorly realized. If it is a dream world, you should have some really crazy and wondrous stuff going on. It is also kind of horrible that demons can parade around their subconscious like that.
Being able to stomp around as a golem wasn't fantastical enough? Of course, I'm one of those people who actually thought switching to some soloing microing for a couple hours was a fun change of pace....
The danger of the Fade, especially during the Sloth Demon part, is that it's supposed to be believable. It's not just that you're trapped in an illusion, but rather you don't realize it's an illusion to begin with. That's one of the big disappointments for me - the devs never even tried to make any of it seem plausible. We know from the outset that it's all wrong - Duncan's appearance, let alone his voice and mannerisms, and the environment itself all screams 'not right', and therefore negates the idea of the Warden having to fight against his better judgment and wishes. In other words, unlike with the other party members, the Warden doesn't really need to be convinced that the illusion is wrong. It's obvious from the outset, and therefore boring as there's no legitimate internal conflict.
The other part that disappointed me was, like Krathoon said, this is a dream realm, yet everything is brownish purple and follows internal logic. If any place should fuck with our perception and make us feel both uneasy and amazed, it should be the Fade. Instead, it's fairly boring, aside from a couple demons hopping around. It also feels more confined than any other setting in the game. Very linear, to the point where it feels on rails.
Yeah, it was somewhat interesting from a gameplay perspective, but the total experience was very one note. It doesn't help that it kills all the momentum of the mage tower quest.
You know, I should play through the Dwarf origins for shits and giggles. Also so that I hopefully have some fucking idea what on earth is going on with the two guys you have to choose from. I've never had any idea who is actually better to support: They both seem like gigantic tools.
Well, if you want why the dwarf noble story relates to the dwarf king stuff
Harrowmount is the "good" choice, and Bhelen is the "evil" choice. However, Bhelen is a better leader than harrow, he's just a huge dick about it. Bhelen also killed his oldest brother and framed the 2nd oldest, leading to him being exlied. If you do the dwarf noble origin, that second son that gets exiled is you.
On the other hand, if you take the Dwarf commoner story...
Bhelen is the "good" choice because he, at least, recognises that Casteless exist and may be able to actually contribute to society. Harrowmont's respect for a tradition that gave you no options to make a living besides crime, begging and prostitution, on the other hand, makes him the "bad" choice.
I've played all of the origin stories except for dwarf commoner, and I still think dwarf noble is the best starting story. Not only do you get a crapload of money to start out and that awesome discount, but you also get to (Orzammar spoilers)
Backstab your brother who got you exlied
See, I feel exactly the opposite
I hate playing a Dwarf Noble because then it's hard to support Bhelen, who is by far the more sensible choice for King.
I did initially, but actually
I was fine with it. He had status restored to my son, and then I became a Paragon. Paragons > Kings/Queens. You're still more special.
I might be trying to role play a little too much but why the hell does my mage have to be a shapeshifter, healer/shaman, blood mage or combat mage? I just want to be a standard mage, and there isn't even an option for that.
I might be trying to role play a little too much but why the hell does my mage have to be a shapeshifter, healer/shaman, blood mage or combat mage? I just want to be a standard mage, and there isn't even an option for that.
Because the mage already has 4 fully realized schools of magic at their disposal from the get go. For them, specilizations just enhance whatever school/style you chose, and if you didn't put any points into specs you would still be a awesome Mage. Compare this to the other classes, where you basically are forced to take assassin if you're a melée rogue or champion if you are a tanking warrior. Without those specs, those roles would not be fully realized.
I am tanking with Alistar because swooping is bad.
Yeah I guess, I just don't see any of the specs helping me out really, is shapeshifting cool at all? Seems kind of pointless since the mage needs to be a mage.
This is the most fun I have had with a game since ME2.
I might be trying to role play a little too much but why the hell does my mage have to be a shapeshifter, healer/shaman, blood mage or combat mage? I just want to be a standard mage, and there isn't even an option for that.
There is an option for that. It's called either not using your spec points, or using them but not learning the talents associated with the specs. You can easily put all of your talent points into the vast array of spells the Mage has at their disposal and ignore the 8 that come with the two specializations.
Barring that, you can always install a mod (if you're playing on the PC) that gives you more Mage specs. My personal recommendation is the Class and Spec pack by Offkorn, which includes a variety of different Mage specs that you "unlock" rather than drop points on.
The one that stands out to me the most is the Archmage, which has a very steep requirement to unlock, but the payoff is a focused Mage that gets neat abilities like Arcane Fire (turns all single target spells into a special spirit-based spell ) Elemental Mastery (gives you 4 new sustains that change the elemental properties of any spell you cast. All of a sudden Blizzard is doing Fire damage! It's crazy!) Counter Spell (reflects any single target spell cast on you that you resist) and finally Spell Weaving (allows total control over your AOE spells so they no longer cause friendly-fire damage).
Also how am I suppose to use AoE spells with friendly fire? Either my mage engages first with the AoE and takes all the aggro which will sometimes lead to death or my mage just shoots my tank and all the enemies which will sometimes kill the tank.
Posts
I played the entire game with zero points in willpower, running spell wisp AND spell might in every single fight and had basically zero mana issues. 95% of fights I didn't even need to pot. Seriously, willpower is really a waste of a point on mages :<
If you use abilities, sure. But you shouldn't really unless you're using a very low magic party.
the only parts of the game where the absurd blood spatter actually works
See, I feel exactly the opposite
White FC: 0819 3350 1787
Steam: CavilatRest
Yes, this was hilarious. So, what brings you here?
The rape of everyone I know, p. much.
Oh...well...
Same 8-)
Well, if you want why the dwarf noble story relates to the dwarf king stuff
They are. One is a slightly nicer, but regressive jerk, the other is an even bigger,
Especially when you're made a paragon for fostering improved relations with surfacers o_O
Harrowmont's an even bigger ass. Behlen's tyranical overlord
I would no call it complex. If there had been foreshadowing and more nuanced choices then I would have accepted it as a decent conclusion.
Steam // Secret Satan
It seems to me that the Fade was poorly realized. If it is a dream world, you should have some really crazy and wondrous stuff going on. It is also kind of horrible that demons can parade around their subconscious like that.
3DS: 1607-3034-6970
I see a contradiction.
:winky:
The danger of the Fade, especially during the Sloth Demon part, is that it's supposed to be believable. It's not just that you're trapped in an illusion, but rather you don't realize it's an illusion to begin with. That's one of the big disappointments for me - the devs never even tried to make any of it seem plausible. We know from the outset that it's all wrong - Duncan's appearance, let alone his voice and mannerisms, and the environment itself all screams 'not right', and therefore negates the idea of the Warden having to fight against his better judgment and wishes. In other words, unlike with the other party members, the Warden doesn't really need to be convinced that the illusion is wrong. It's obvious from the outset, and therefore boring as there's no legitimate internal conflict.
The other part that disappointed me was, like Krathoon said, this is a dream realm, yet everything is brownish purple and follows internal logic. If any place should fuck with our perception and make us feel both uneasy and amazed, it should be the Fade. Instead, it's fairly boring, aside from a couple demons hopping around. It also feels more confined than any other setting in the game. Very linear, to the point where it feels on rails.
Yeah, it was somewhat interesting from a gameplay perspective, but the total experience was very one note. It doesn't help that it kills all the momentum of the mage tower quest.
I did initially, but actually
He is so cunning.
Harrowmont is just an old scheming softy who can't do anything on his own.
The Fade is long and boring.
The other dungeons are longer and even more boring.
If someone made a Skip the Deep Roads sign I would be on that shit like a fat man on ribs.
3DS: 1607-3034-6970
Because the mage already has 4 fully realized schools of magic at their disposal from the get go. For them, specilizations just enhance whatever school/style you chose, and if you didn't put any points into specs you would still be a awesome Mage. Compare this to the other classes, where you basically are forced to take assassin if you're a melée rogue or champion if you are a tanking warrior. Without those specs, those roles would not be fully realized.
Yeah I guess, I just don't see any of the specs helping me out really, is shapeshifting cool at all? Seems kind of pointless since the mage needs to be a mage.
This is the most fun I have had with a game since ME2.
There is an option for that. It's called either not using your spec points, or using them but not learning the talents associated with the specs. You can easily put all of your talent points into the vast array of spells the Mage has at their disposal and ignore the 8 that come with the two specializations.
Barring that, you can always install a mod (if you're playing on the PC) that gives you more Mage specs. My personal recommendation is the Class and Spec pack by Offkorn, which includes a variety of different Mage specs that you "unlock" rather than drop points on.
The one that stands out to me the most is the Archmage, which has a very steep requirement to unlock, but the payoff is a focused Mage that gets neat abilities like Arcane Fire (turns all single target spells into a special spirit-based spell ) Elemental Mastery (gives you 4 new sustains that change the elemental properties of any spell you cast. All of a sudden Blizzard is doing Fire damage! It's crazy!) Counter Spell (reflects any single target spell cast on you that you resist) and finally Spell Weaving (allows total control over your AOE spells so they no longer cause friendly-fire damage).
Also how am I suppose to use AoE spells with friendly fire? Either my mage engages first with the AoE and takes all the aggro which will sometimes lead to death or my mage just shoots my tank and all the enemies which will sometimes kill the tank.