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Dragon Age Thread - [Please post in new thread]

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  • TexiKenTexiKen Dammit! That fish really got me!Registered User regular
    edited March 2011
    So Act 3, the bone pit mission:
    that high dragon, what's the best lineup? What really gets me is when it flys away and just pew pews fireballs while dragonlings are everywhere.

    TexiKen on
  • Delta AssaultDelta Assault Registered User regular
    edited March 2011
    TexiKen wrote: »
    So Act 3, the bone pit mission:
    that high dragon, what's the best lineup? What really gets me is when it flys away and just pew pews fireballs while dragonlings are everywhere.
    I took two Mages, because they have heavy magic resistance, which helps protect them against the fireballs. Unfortunately, dragons are resistant to fire, so that means no fire spell DPS. Last companion's a rogue archer.

    Delta Assault on
  • AspectVoidAspectVoid Registered User regular
    edited March 2011
    TexiKen wrote: »
    So Act 3, the bone pit mission:
    that high dragon, what's the best lineup? What really gets me is when it flys away and just pew pews fireballs while dragonlings are everywhere.
    I took two Mages, because they have heavy magic resistance, which helps protect them against the fireballs. Unfortunately, dragons are resistance to fire, so that means no fire spell DPS. Last companion's a rogue archer.
    That's how I did it the second time. The first time was 1 mage and 2 rogue archers (I had to respec RogueHawke to Range for that fight and then back to melee when it was over). I would say 1 Tank (to keep agro for when the High Dragon is on the ground) and then three range characters to do damage. A mage with healing will keep your tank standing, but you don't need it if you can get the High Dragon's attack patter down and dodge most of its attacks. You should definitely control the tank.

    As for the dragonlings, get them grouped around the tank and then drop a couple of AoE spells on them. That should kill them quick. Then keep the rest of your party moving to avoid fireballs until the High Dragon flies back to ground level.

    AspectVoid on
    PSN|AspectVoid
  • ZarathustraEckZarathustraEck Ubermensch now with stripes!Registered User regular
    edited March 2011
    TexiKen wrote: »
    So Act 3, the bone pit mission:
    that high dragon, what's the best lineup? What really gets me is when it flys away and just pew pews fireballs while dragonlings are everywhere.
    The way I took care of it was to bring a tank (Aveline in my case), MageHawke, Merrill, and Anders. Aveline kept the dragon's attention and taunted the dragonlings as needed. Everyone else kept bunched up to take advantage of Panacea.

    ...then the High Dragon flew up to its perch and nuked the hell out of us.

    *reload*

    I went home, threw Fire Warding runes in my party's gear, then came back and it was pretty damned easy.

    ZarathustraEck on
    See you in Town,
    -Z
  • Fizban140Fizban140 Registered User, __BANNED USERS regular
    edited March 2011
    I think all the high DPS classes in this game are primarily auto attack, especially considering the way stamina/mana is used.

    Fizban140 on
  • FiarynFiaryn Omnicidal Madman Registered User regular
    edited March 2011
    You make your lives so much harder than they have to be, bringing so many mages. Bring some real DPSers, make the fight shorter.

    Mages are awful at boss fights, especially at higher levels.

    Fenris and Varric come to mind as people who can put out some real damage. Isabella too.

    Fiaryn on
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  • BlurblBlurbl -_- Registered User regular
    edited March 2011
    So I just finished Witch Hunt, and wrapped up my DA2 import. My god, that was such an anticlimax. I can see why people who were expected DAO and the Warden's story to end with a bang would hate it.

    Question about DA2, is a 1h/Shield PC fine to play as? I kinda remember something in this thread about Aveline or whoever completely upstaging a tank PC.

    Blurbl on
  • Delta AssaultDelta Assault Registered User regular
    edited March 2011
    Blurbl wrote: »
    So I just finished Witch Hunt, and wrapped up my DA2 import. My god, that was such an anticlimax. I can see why people who were expected DAO and the Warden's story to end with a bang would hate it.

    Question about DA2, is a 1h/Shield PC fine to play as? I kinda remember something in this thread about Aveline or whoever completely upstaging a tank PC.

    I think they're fine to play, yeah. They've got the same closing attacks, so you just slam into people with your shield, and it's very satisfying. As long as you have Shield Defense turned off, that is.

    2 Handers innately perform frontal AOE attacks, which is great for tanking multiple mobs. With sword and shield, it's not quite that easy, there's a much smaller attack arc. You've gotta rely on Scatter for that, which uses stamina and has a cooldown.

    Sword and Shield makes for an easier time tanking bosses, while 2H is an easier time tanking regular mobs.

    Delta Assault on
  • ValiantheartValiantheart Registered User regular
    edited March 2011
    The one issue I have with tanking is regardless how you spec your Hawke you will still be inferior to Aveline. Nothing compares to that 15%-25% damage reduction she gets.

    Valiantheart on
    PSN: Valiant_heart PC: Valiantheart99
  • Regina FongRegina Fong Allons-y, Alonso Registered User regular
    edited March 2011
    Grendel72 wrote: »
    The Templars rape the mages? Where did you get that from?

    Anders mentions it at one point, and you see first hand evidence in the quest where you try to help a mage escaping from the gallows. that's what sends Justice over the edge, as a matter of fact.

    Yeah, Justice...
    aka, the guy who turns around and murders the "rape victim" (dubious claim there, all the templar says is that she'll do whatever he wants once she's tranquil. You have to *want* to read that sexually to see it that way) unless you choose the correct conversation option (3/4 options has Justice executing her on the spot).

    Regina Fong on
  • SmrtnikSmrtnik job boli zub Registered User regular
    edited March 2011
    The Templars rape the mages? Where did you get that from?

    One of Anders' quests has you show up in the nick of time to stop one such incident (and it's implied to be a regular thing)

    Smrtnik on
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  • AspectVoidAspectVoid Registered User regular
    edited March 2011
    Smrtnik wrote: »
    The Templars rape the mages? Where did you get that from?

    One of Anders' quests has you show up in the nick of time to stop one such incident (and it's implied to be a regular thing)

    No, actually, it's not. It is never stated, and the only way its implied is if you take it that way. There are plenty of people (including myself) who did not take it that way, and didn't even know people did until it came up here.

    AspectVoid on
    PSN|AspectVoid
  • Gaming-FreakGaming-Freak Registered User regular
    edited March 2011
    Basil wrote: »
    Some men just want to watch the world burn.
    Are you comparing Anders to Kefka!? You are, aren't you!? No, just NO.

    Gaming-Freak on
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  • Jealous DevaJealous Deva Registered User regular
    edited March 2011
    Man, fuck DA2 combat. Whoever thought just spawning waves and waves of enemies right next to your mages in a game emphasizing tank and spank mechanics needs to be beaten with a rubber hose.

    Jealous Deva on
  • Gaming-FreakGaming-Freak Registered User regular
    edited March 2011
    Go away, troll.

    Gaming-Freak on
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  • Delta AssaultDelta Assault Registered User regular
    edited March 2011
    Basil wrote: »
    Some men just want to watch the world burn.
    Are you comparing Anders to Kefka!? You are, aren't you!? No, just NO.

    Ummmm. That quote isn't from Kefka.

    Delta Assault on
  • Gaming-FreakGaming-Freak Registered User regular
    edited March 2011
    Basil wrote: »
    Some men just want to watch the world burn.
    Are you comparing Anders to Kefka!? You are, aren't you!? No, just NO.

    Ummmm. That quote isn't from Kefka.

    The quote is referring to Kefka, though.

    Gaming-Freak on
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  • Iron WeaselIron Weasel Dillon! You son of a bitch!Registered User regular
    edited March 2011
    Evangir wrote: »
    I'm not gonna lie: I'm not really sure what makes a good 2H DPS build, either (I'm really awful at figuring out good builds) - but this is very helpful, thanks. Right now I'm wearing the Blood Dragon armour; I'll keep my eyes peeled for better kit. Time for a trip to the Emporium for a tasty respect potion.

    The general look is 7-10 2H talents, 6 in Vanguard to get Cleave/Claymore/Massacre/Destroyer, and then specializations. For my 2H warrior, I ended up with 1 in Reaver for Blood Frenzy, and 6 in Templar for Holy Smite (+ Upgrades), and all the skills up to the 50% magic resist passive. I also had Taunt and Bravery plus Bravery's upgrades. As far as stat points, I ended up with a reasonable amount of Constitution/Willpower (Enough Con for 420 health with the Champion armor set, and enough Willpower to reach 180 stamina with Bravery active). Think I finished at 70 Str/40 Con/40 Will, including items.

    In the 2H tree I ignored the upgrades to Mighty Blow and Scythe that give bonus to Brittle, since I only had Petrify causing the effect, and there was no reason to waste the Brittle on an attack that wasn't Archer's Lance. I also skipped the Whirlwind cooldown upgrade. Saved me enough points to get the important Templar talents by level 25.
    Oh hey, thanks for this!

    Iron Weasel on
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  • Regina FongRegina Fong Allons-y, Alonso Registered User regular
    edited March 2011
    Smrtnik wrote: »
    The Templars rape the mages? Where did you get that from?

    One of Anders' quests has you show up in the nick of time to stop one such incident (and it's implied to be a regular thing)

    Actually it's pretty strongly implied that Ser Ulrik is a lunatic outlier whose ideas have been rejected by the chantry. His demeanor suggests advanced lyrium madness to me, not "rape vibes".

    Regina Fong on
  • finnithfinnith ... TorontoRegistered User regular
    edited March 2011
    Man, fuck DA2 combat. Whoever thought just spawning waves and waves of enemies right next to your mages in a game emphasizing tank and spank mechanics needs to be beaten with a rubber hose.

    Why don't you just put your mage closer to your warriors then?

    finnith on
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  • Delta AssaultDelta Assault Registered User regular
    edited March 2011
    Basil wrote: »
    Some men just want to watch the world burn.
    Are you comparing Anders to Kefka!? You are, aren't you!? No, just NO.

    Ummmm. That quote isn't from Kefka.

    The quote is referring to Kefka, though.

    I think it's referring to some diamond thief in the forests of Burma. Alfred probably wasn't referring to this guy.

    Delta Assault on
  • Fizban140Fizban140 Registered User, __BANNED USERS regular
    edited March 2011
    Man, fuck DA2 combat. Whoever thought just spawning waves and waves of enemies right next to your mages in a game emphasizing tank and spank mechanics needs to be beaten with a rubber hose.

    This game doesn't emphasize "tank and spank"

    Maybe if you quit using that phrase you could play the game like it was suppose to be played, tactically.

    I like how all these people whine about the combat, were they the same people whining that DAO wasn't tactical enough?

    Fizban140 on
  • Gaming-FreakGaming-Freak Registered User regular
    edited March 2011
    Ignore him Fizban, he's a troll.

    Gaming-Freak on
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  • WolfprintWolfprint Registered User regular
    edited March 2011
    So, the Bone Pit Act III:
    Thanks to some fine advice in this thread, I managed to slay the dragon. Stocking up on Runes of Fire Warding do wonders. I managed it with my Mage Hawke spamming Heals and Horror, Anders doubling up as a Healer and Haste caster, Fenris and Varric as DPS. Spamming AOE spells and some Whirlwinds made short work of the dragonlings.

    Wolfprint on
  • SirsonSirson Registered User regular
    edited March 2011
    Man, fuck DA2 combat. Whoever thought just spawning waves and waves of enemies right next to your mages in a game emphasizing tank and spank mechanics needs to be beaten with a rubber hose.

    Man the worst of this on my hard playthrough is the fake "Barraks" in Hightown, holy crap that fight is insane, you'll get at least 2-3 waves of like 10 mobs only of which 2-3 are the weaker normal type enemies. Not that I'm complaining cause it was fun, but if you want to talk about waves and waves of bad dudes. The game just went total ninja gaiden at that point.

    Sirson on
  • Gaming-FreakGaming-Freak Registered User regular
    edited March 2011
    So I'm almost at the Deep Roads again for my second playthrough. My intended party:

    MageHawke (Magic DPS)
    Varric (Archer/Required)
    Carver (Sub-Tank/2hWarrior)
    Anders (Healer)

    If this is anything like my previous playthrough, everything should go just fine.

    Gaming-Freak on
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  • Jealous DevaJealous Deva Registered User regular
    edited March 2011
    Fizban140 wrote: »
    Man, fuck DA2 combat. Whoever thought just spawning waves and waves of enemies right next to your mages in a game emphasizing tank and spank mechanics needs to be beaten with a rubber hose.

    This game doesn't emphasize "tank and spank"

    Maybe if you quit using that phrase you could play the game like it was suppose to be played, tactically.

    I like how all these people whine about the combat, were they the same people whining that DAO wasn't tactical enough?

    Yes tactical combat.

    Lets see, I'm running through the deep roads, enter a room, theres a stone golem. Warrior sits at the doorway, with the golem, shades packed up behind them, other warrior clearing them out, mage casting ae spells. Good right? No, because 10 shades just spawned in the room behind me. You know, that same room I just cleared out?

    Tactical.


    Well, shades are demons, I guess they could have magical abilities. But wait, now I'm at a ruins with some templars. Fight the main guys, rogue on the archers, going good, but wait. Now again 20 more templar thugs have used their magical teleporter belt to appear right on the backlines, again from a previously cleared area with no point of entry.

    Amazing how Mass effect and DA:O managed to have challenging tactical combat without magical teleporters or ninja ropes.

    Jealous Deva on
  • WolfprintWolfprint Registered User regular
    edited March 2011
    So I'm almost at the Deep Roads again for my second playthrough. My intended party:

    MageHawke (Magic DPS)
    Varric (Archer/Required)
    Carver (Sub-Tank/2hWarrior)
    Anders (Healer)

    If this is anything like my previous playthrough, everything should go just fine.

    That's what I did. Should be fine.
    Although the Rock Wraith can be a bitch.

    Wolfprint on
  • 3cl1ps33cl1ps3 I will build a labyrinth to house the cheese Registered User regular
    edited March 2011
    If you hate the game, don't play it. Or turn the difficulty down to a lower setting.

    PROBLEM SOLVED

    3cl1ps3 on
  • Delta AssaultDelta Assault Registered User regular
    edited March 2011
    AspectVoid wrote: »
    Smrtnik wrote: »
    The Templars rape the mages? Where did you get that from?

    One of Anders' quests has you show up in the nick of time to stop one such incident (and it's implied to be a regular thing)

    No, actually, it's not. It is never stated, and the only way its implied is if you take it that way. There are plenty of people (including myself) who did not take it that way, and didn't even know people did until it came up here.

    Yeah, it's kinda like... remember the beginning of Star Wars, where Grand Moff Tarkin and Darth Vader use an interrogation droid to try and get Princess Leia to give them the info they want? They wanted to torture her so she'll do whatever they ask? Did anybody actually think that Tarkin and Vader were going to rape Leia?

    Delta Assault on
  • Skull2185Skull2185 Registered User regular
    edited March 2011
    Basil wrote: »
    Some men just want to watch the world burn.
    Are you comparing Anders to Kefka!? You are, aren't you!? No, just NO.

    Ummmm. That quote isn't from Kefka.
    imagesCAECBZD4.jpg

    Skull2185 on
    Everyone has a price. Throw enough gold around and someone will risk disintegration.
  • Jealous DevaJealous Deva Registered User regular
    edited March 2011
    3clipse wrote: »
    If you hate the game, don't play it. Or turn the difficulty down to a lower setting.

    PROBLEM SOLVED


    I think we've had a miscommunication here.

    What I said was "DA2 combat is flawed."

    What you all seemed to have heard was "everyone who plays DA2 has a tiny penis".

    Jealous Deva on
  • WolfprintWolfprint Registered User regular
    edited March 2011
    Some time in Act II:
    After All That Remains, you get the option to talk to Sandal. He'll start mentioning something about a creepy old woman. Is that significant in any way? Or just some throwaway remark?

    Wolfprint on
  • FiarynFiaryn Omnicidal Madman Registered User regular
    edited March 2011
    3clipse wrote: »
    If you hate the game, don't play it. Or turn the difficulty down to a lower setting.

    PROBLEM SOLVED


    I think we've had a miscommunication here.

    What I said was "DA2 combat is flawed."

    What you all seemed to have heard was "everyone who plays DA2 has a tiny penis".

    Dragon Age 2 combat is indeed flawed, Jealous Deva, but even in the state it's in it's a vast improvement over Origins. And yes, I say that "tactically". In Origins, both Warriors and Rogues were completely worthless next to the almighty god kings that were mages. Mana clash solved all enemy mage problems, Cone of Cold/Blood Magic/Glyphs CC'd everything else into the next century. Cooldownless potions meant in worst case scenario your bladder was the limit.

    Origins gameplay is a joke in which tactics consists of exploiting a couple hilariously poorly thought out class options for victory. Just like Baldur's Gate 2!

    Again, Dragon Age 2 is not perfect. Nightmare difficulty is not well thought out and really just consists of abusing kiting instead of abusing a single hilariously overpowered class. On lower difficulties though, we get to see all classes contribute reasonably equally and the bladder is no longer the source of unlimited powweerrrr. I'd say that's a significant improvement.

    Oh and the animations are way better.

    Fiaryn on
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  • Delta AssaultDelta Assault Registered User regular
    edited March 2011
    Wolfprint wrote: »
    Some time in Act II:
    After All That Remains, you get the option to talk to Sandal. He'll start mentioning something about a creepy old woman. Is that significant in any way? Or just some throwaway remark?
    Yo dude, that be Flemeth.

    Funnily enough, some people have actually taken this to mean that Sandal might be Flemeth's son. Which is a little hard to fathom, since Bodahn doesn't seem like the kinda fella who'd just go into the Wilds and fuck a witch.

    I dunno, maybe he got lonely and ejaculated on a strange crystal one day. That's the only possibility I can see happening.

    Delta Assault on
  • FiarynFiaryn Omnicidal Madman Registered User regular
    edited March 2011
    Wolfprint wrote: »
    Some time in Act II:
    After All That Remains, you get the option to talk to Sandal. He'll start mentioning something about a creepy old woman. Is that significant in any way? Or just some throwaway remark?
    Yo dude, that be Flemeth.

    Funnily enough, some people have actually taken this to mean that Sandal might be Flemeth's son. Which is a little hard to fathom, since Bodahn doesn't seem like the kinda fella who'd just go into the Wilds and fuck a witch.

    I dunno, maybe he got lonely and ejaculated on a strange crystal one day. That's the only possibility I can see happening.

    Sandal isn't Bodahns biological son. He was found wandering in his present idiot savant state in the Deep Roads by Bodahn once upon a time.

    This was covered in Dragon Age: Origins and reiterated in DA2.

    Fiaryn on
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  • Inter_dInter_d Registered User regular
    edited March 2011
    Wolfprint wrote: »
    Some time in Act II:
    After All That Remains, you get the option to talk to Sandal. He'll start mentioning something about a creepy old woman. Is that significant in any way? Or just some throwaway remark?
    Yo dude, that be Flemeth.

    Funnily enough, some people have actually taken this to mean that Sandal might be Flemeth's son. Which is a little hard to fathom, since Bodahn doesn't seem like the kinda fella who'd just go into the Wilds and fuck a witch.

    I dunno, maybe he got lonely and ejaculated on a strange crystal one day. That's the only possibility I can see happening.
    You forget the part where bodahn is not Sandal's father? because he said it in the first game when you ask him about it and he tells you as much in this one.

    *beaten!*

    Inter_d on
  • Delta AssaultDelta Assault Registered User regular
    edited March 2011
    Fiaryn wrote: »
    Wolfprint wrote: »
    Some time in Act II:
    After All That Remains, you get the option to talk to Sandal. He'll start mentioning something about a creepy old woman. Is that significant in any way? Or just some throwaway remark?
    Yo dude, that be Flemeth.

    Funnily enough, some people have actually taken this to mean that Sandal might be Flemeth's son. Which is a little hard to fathom, since Bodahn doesn't seem like the kinda fella who'd just go into the Wilds and fuck a witch.

    I dunno, maybe he got lonely and ejaculated on a strange crystal one day. That's the only possibility I can see happening.

    Sandal isn't Bodahns biological son. He was found wandering in his present idiot savant state in the Deep Roads by Bodahn once upon a time.

    This was covered in Dragon Age: Origins and reiterated in DA2.

    Oh.

    Yeah alright, that's a little more plausible then. My bad.

    Delta Assault on
  • 3cl1ps33cl1ps3 I will build a labyrinth to house the cheese Registered User regular
    edited March 2011
    I want them to do something with Sandal.
    Because we have found him surrounded by corpses 3 times. WHAT THE HELL

    3cl1ps3 on
  • FiarynFiaryn Omnicidal Madman Registered User regular
    edited March 2011
    Bodahn is a pretty nice guy. His voice actor did a really bang up job selling him as a kindly, harmless merchant.

    Sandal: I want some salamanders!
    Bodahn: Don't do it! That's where the boom comes from, I think.

    Edit: I hope to god they never ever explain Sandals abilities. It works so much better as this quirky little mystery that doesn't need explaining. Making it a serious plot point would be a mistake.

    It's a joke

    Fiaryn on
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