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[Brashnir]

I played on normal and admit during one key battle

Spoiler

Anvil of whatever

I had to turn it down to easy. I just didn't have the right party and there was no way to win.

I haven't reached that part yet, but I've run into one of these in every modern Bioware game I've played. I never played Jade Empire, but it seems like they intentionally include a fight or two where a specific skill or combination of skills is required, and if you don't have it, you can't win.

I remember being completely unable to beat the final boss in KOTOR, even after dozens of attempts. I couldn't even get him under half health, even when reading multiple guides (which told me to use skills X, Y or Z - none of which I had) so I finally turned it down to easy to beat him. On my second playthrough, I destroyed him without even lifting a finger, since I knew which skills I needed to have. I ran into similar issues with a mid-game boss in Mass Effect.

I'm not sure if I like that element of their games, but it is what it is. I wish they'd stick to keeping this sort of encounter as a part of sidequests rather than having them at story choke-points, but that's just me.

 

[El-Suave]

I encountered a crash bug on my PS3 version last night. After I won the Landsmeet and the

Spoiler

duel against Loghain

, my PS3 (US launch 60GB) wouldn't load the next cutscene. I couldn't even access the XMB anymore!
I played through all the dialogue options but nothing would help, the only way to continue was to switch to "causal" (didn't try the harder than normal options) before the Landsmeet. Thankfully that let me continue - I was pretty worried all the hours I had invested were for nothing.

 

[deim0s]

2nd- Is there an easy way to get back to camp, heal up and buy supplies? Also, why am I limited? Buying 4 lesser healing kits doesn't do it in a game like this!!

Go back to camp and buy flasks, forest elf for elfroots... they're cheap enough for x99 of them and start clicking madly to craft those lesser health poultices. Add a tactics rule for your party to gulp them up at 50% health.

* * *

Anyone tried to not call all the races in the treaties? I'd like to leave the dwarves to rot with their squabbles (

Spoiler

they'll be screwed anyway either with bhelen or harrowmont

).

 

[Ventrue]

Anyone tried to not call all the races in the treaties? I'd like to leave the dwarves to rot with their squabbles (

Spoiler

they'll be screwed anyway either with bhelen or harrowmont

).

It doesn't work. Arl Eamon will not call the Landsmeet until you've assembled everyone.

 

[lsslave]

Go back to camp and buy flasks, forest elf for elfroots... they're cheap enough for x99 of them and start clicking madly to craft those lesser health poultices. Add a tactics rule for your party to gulp them up at 50% health.

* * *

Anyone tried to not call all the races in the treaties? I'd like to leave the dwarves to rot with their squabbles (

Spoiler

they'll be screwed anyway either with bhelen or harrowmont

).

ACTUAL SPOILER! Don't read if you don't want to know the answer.

Spoiler

Bhelen gets rid of the caste system, before my mage I was working on a Dwarf Commoner so he was the obvious choice. He may have the makings of a tyrant but overall his rule is seen as good at the end of the game so he feels like the right choice

Spoiler over; now a question:

Is it actually possible to not get them all? I figured it was mandatory for the game.

 

[Footos22]

I got this game for christmas along with a few others.
Nothing else has touched my ps3s lovely slot since.

Addictive as hell i was up till 3 am this morning playing it and i had work at 7.

Went as a human noble warrior, for my first playthrough
im about 17 1/2 hours in doing a load of quests in denerim.

using lelani as an archer, think i friendzoned her even though she only -3ed me when i said i sporked morrigan

morrigans doing the healing and freezing everyones asses and shales good just to soak up the damage which he does a treat and hes funny as hell.

Playing on normal the only boss i had trouble with so far was uldred in the mages tower.
then i remembered the gambit system and owned him in about 2 mins
Missed out on jowan i think as hes now locked up in the dungeon until the arl gets better.
Wanted him really as there is a massive lack of mages at the moment. will definetely go for a mage on my next playthorugh.

Just doing the sacred ash quest now. before i go off to see the dalish elves.

ive got 3 drake scales. Wade said hell make me an armour. is it worth giving him the 10 gold to do it quicker? As i did that before i saved it and it makes a pretty lame leather armour.
does it matter how many scales i have?

the wardens keep dlc is pretty fun!
made a starfang sword out of meteorite, got some bad ass looking wardens armour and that commanders sword in his secret stash was pretty good up until i made the starfang.
(looks super bad ass)

 

[Peff]

ive got 3 drake scales. Wade said hell make me an armour. is it worth giving him the 10 gold to do it quicker? As i did that before i saved it and it makes a pretty lame leather armour.

Yes, but only if you follow this order: 3 drake scales+10 gold -> 1 Dragon Scale without gold -> 3 drake scales without gold, so that you can have the good armors he makes and save money (the second time it's 20 gold).

does it matter how many scales i have?

Nope. Three and three.

 

[viewtifulsub]

So im currently working on the last of the 4 treaties/story detours with the dwarves in Orzammar.

I've reached the 3rd area, The Dead Trenches (?) where a Forge Master and some voices are being heard.
The fade in the magic circle was bearable, but this endless gauntlet is rather tiresome.

Please tell me the end is within an arm's reach.

 

[Pancakes]

So im currently working on the last of the 4 treaties/story detours with the dwarves in Orzammar.

I've reached the 3rd area, The Dead Trenches (?) where a Forge Master and some voices are being heard.
The fade in the magic circle was bearable, but this endless gauntlet is rather tiresome.

Please tell me the end is within an arm's reach.

You're almost there .

 

[Acidote]

Finger's reach more like it.

 

[Ricker]

You're almost there .

And this is a part of the game,battles wise, that the first few times I thought, how the hell am I going to beat this,so hard compared to the trek up/down there...awesome room though.

 

[Leatherface]

What class are you playing as and what's your party makeup? These games revolve around having a tank, healing, and crowd control.

Make sure your tank (warrior with beefy armour) has the taunt ability. It is AE and makes all the enemies focus on him.

Mages have a raft of crowd control abilities, like cone of cold, sleep, paralysis, etc etc. If you're having trouble handing large groups of enemies, you should look at getting some of those spells so you can disable large groups of enemies.

For healing, you have a few options. The vendor at the forest camp has unlimited elfroot, so you can make a crapload of healing potions from that. You pick up a dedicated healer party member when you do the Mage Circle quest, so you could leave and go get her if you want. You will have to finish the Mage Circle quest before coming back though because it locks you in. If you're a mage yourself and have a specialisation point to spend, you could buy the book in Denerim to get the spirit healing specialisation. It gives you group heal which is pretty great. You could also give Morrigan a few healing spells, but you might be better off focusing on crowd control with her.

Yeah, it's a long run back from the dungeon, but just go out from the forest camp into the world map and your camp is at the top right. You don't get random encounters going to and from your camp either.


I always felt like the game tried to push me to do Redcliffe first, but you don't have to. Like I said above, if you think you need a healer above all it can be handy to do the Mage Circle first. It's entirely optional though. I think the difficulty you're having is just a matter of getting the hang of the combat system. There's a lot going on.

Great tips, thanks! I feel like such an ass because I just realized that I've been going back to the camp to buy health pots but they were always sold out. I ended up doing most of this dungeon with no heal pots or injury kits at all. lol. After awhile though, it's way too much to survive with no healing. So yeah, the elfroot tip alone will help a ton. :lol

As for my party make up- I'm a dwarf tank specializing in sword and sheild, there's another tank, a rogue/archer and a mage (so no heals yet). Not the perfect group by any means. I also found this guy in a cage that murdered 3 families. I decided he would be a good fit for my group but I haven't used him yet since I'd have to gear him up and I've been to lazy. I do want to find a healer though. I'm going to do that whole quest line you mentioned and pick one up. Thanks much for your help!!

 

[Sielys]

Nightmare play through: Complete!
I want to know what everyone used for their party.
(Note: I used the respec mod on some party members)

The Warden: Arcane Mage / spirit healer, heavily specced in Dex and magic. Smallish mana pool, nigh unkillable by melee, mages got crushing prison slammed on them. I like this more than my previous bloodmage/arcane warrior.

Lellina: Assassin / Duelist. Full stealth points, set to stealth when gained aggro.

Morrigan: Bloodmage / spirit healer. Specced deep into Entropy, few points in creation.

Alistair: 2 handed champion / reaver. A godamn Juggernaut, rackin up damage like it aint nobodies business!

Anyhoo, I was tanking, and somehow I managed to keep threat most of the time and have some of the highest party damage (hovered around 47 %)

I didn't put much into willpower because I was only backup healing, and the only reason I'd like a big mana pool then is for shimmering shield, but I tried to use it as little as possible on this playthrough, sort of break my dependence on it.

 

[Leatherface]

(Note: I used the respec mod on some party members)

omg.. tell me more about this respec mod!!

 

[Doytch]

omg.. tell me more about this respec mod!!

http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost.php?p=18797188&postcount=10872

 

[Sielys]

omg.. tell me more about this respec mod!!

Mod for PC dragon age, lets you redistribute you and your party members stats as you please. Let me see if I can find the link...

Nevermind, Doytch got it, thanks.

 

[Leatherface]

you guys rock! thanks!

 

[Sielys]

Wow, I lost any respect I had for...

Spoiler

Alistair's an idiot, I chose to spare Loghain for the first time (after like 4 playthroughs in which I restarted before the lands-meet, and killed him on the one playthrough I went through with) and Alistair acts like a complete selfish brat about it. I can't believe he would walk out when you need him most, when ARL EAMON needed him most, and when the Grey Warden's needed him most. Even Duncan's beliefs on doing whats necessary to stop the blight.

As far as I'm concerned, Alistair is the worst possible traitor because he walks out on his staunch beliefs so easily when he was such a jerk about them before with all the disapproval he gives for every damn deed I do when he's too much of a coward to lead because "I don't want to be responsible for people's lives!" (he says this to Morrigan in a conversation when she asks why he wasn't in charge if he was the senior Warden) -_-;

Yeah.. not like following me shows your support for my actions, certainly not.

I'm really starting to dislike Alistair the more I think about it.

Anyone agree, disagree?
I have a bad habit of being... extreme in my beliefs on character, (even fake ones:lol) but I found what Alistair tried to do to be rather selfish (try to become King after not wanting the throne JUST so he could have Loghain executed, and that's pretty much the only reason -_- I'm going to recruit Lohgain every time from now on. And strip Alistair naked before he leaves, he took my goddamn wardens keep armor. He robbed me!

Whew, long spoiler box, sorry.

 

[pr0cs]

Great game, finished it over the holidays on PC (finally got around to building another PC).
I really liked the characters that I ended up playing with I thought the banter between the characters helped personalize the experience so for me it was probably the best RPG I played since Ultima 4 on Amiga.
Liked:
- the realtime/tactical gameplay
- the characters, story, voice acting
- graphics, artwork, layouts
- length, even though I do have gaming ADD

Dislikes:
- few game play items that can be fixed via mods (respec, characters leaving and taking your armor/etc)
- being forced to take certain characters with you and leaving your other characters behind (should have let you have 5 controlable or shit, 4 and let the 'required' character be a tag-along NPC)
-

Spoiler

Morrigan leaving unless you bang her at the end, I specc'd her as the main healer and left me fighting to try and figure out how to use Wynne the same way

- the end seemed a little easy, at least compared to a few other 'random' fights in the game
- magic/mages are too powerful, there a party of 3 enemy mages is more difficult than 8-10 melee classes
- almost no need to create a balanced party, as long as you have 1 mage you can get away with mostly anything else
- archery being broken (still)

 

[luxarific]

Wow, I lost any respect I had for...

Spoiler

Alistair's an idiot, I chose to spare Loghain for the first time (after like 4 playthroughs in which I restarted before the lands-meet, and killed him on the one playthrough I went through with) and Alistair acts like a complete selfish brat about it. I can't believe he would walk out when you need him most, when ARL EAMON needed him most, and when the Grey Warden's needed him most. Even Duncan's beliefs on doing whats necessary to stop the blight.

As far as I'm concerned, Alistair is the worst possible traitor because he walks out on his staunch beliefs so easily when he was such a jerk about them before with all the disapproval he gives for every damn deed I do when he's too much of a coward to lead because "I don't want to be responsible for people's lives!" (he says this to Morrigan in a conversation when she asks why he wasn't in charge if he was the senior Warden) -_-;

Yeah.. not like following me shows your support for my actions, certainly not.

I'm really starting to dislike Alistair the more I think about it.

Anyone agree, disagree?
I have a bad habit of being... extreme in my beliefs on character, (even fake ones:lol) but I found what Alistair tried to do to be rather selfish (try to become King after not wanting the throne JUST so he could have Loghain executed, and that's pretty much the only reason -_- I'm going to recruit Lohgain every time from now on. And strip Alistair naked before he leaves, he took my goddamn wardens keep armor. He robbed me!

Whew, long spoiler box, sorry.

In my playthrough

Spoiler

I practically had to hold a sword to Alistair's throat to get him to agree to be king. I mean he really, REALLY, did not want to be king. I feel bad that my character essentially browbeat him into a job he most emphatically did not want to do. I actually wondered whether the ending I picked was the "right" one since Alistair complained so much about me not letting him sacrifice himself.

I liked Alistair a lot though (great dialogue plus great voice-acting will win this girl's heart any day), so I might be biased. I hope he shows up in the DLC, but I'm thinking he probably won't, alas.

Alistair <3 <3 <3

 

[CitizenCope]

Don't play these games too often so I've been easily confused. At least in Oblivion I new where the hell I was supposed to go. I feel even though I mark something as my current quest, half the time it gives me no clue where to go on the map. Yes I was looking for a little hand holding but it looks like I'm not going to get it in this game.
Last night I put the game down and said I'm trading it in before I play it again but I lied to myself and will give it another go tonight.

 

[ntropy]

i like leliana the best. "she bites." :lol

 

[Xapati]

In my playthrough

Spoiler

I practically had to hold a sword to Alistair's throat to get him to agree to be king. I mean he really, REALLY, did not want to be king. I feel bad that my character essentially browbeat him into a job he most emphatically did not want to do. I actually wondered whether the ending I picked was the "right" one since Alistair complained so much about me not letting him sacrifice himself.

I liked Alistair a lot though (great dialogue plus great voice-acting will win this girl's heart any day), so I might be biased. I hope he shows up in the DLC, but I'm thinking he probably won't, alas.

Alistair <3 <3 <3

Spoiler

You can "harden" alister in his sister sidequest. When you come out of the house you can say something like all people are out for themselves. And then when you talk to him later at camp say you meant what you said. A hardened Alister does not whine about becoming king (although he still doesn't like the idea)

 

[roxya]

There was something I found stupid. Sort of spoilers about the final fight run...

Spoiler

Played on Normal. Throughout the game, all of the 'normal' (white) darkspawn at least take a little effort to kill. All of a sudden, you're killing them all in one hit? My healer could snipe every single enemy down from ridiculous range, or one Blood Wound would take out everything that wasn't elite or higher!

Thought it was pretty silly.

 

[lsslave]

There was something I found stupid. Sort of spoilers about the final fight run...

Spoiler

Played on Normal. Throughout the game, all of the 'normal' (white) darkspawn at least take a little effort to kill. All of a sudden, you're killing them all in one hit? My healer could snipe every single enemy down from ridiculous range, or one Blood Wound would take out everything that wasn't elite or higher!

Thought it was pretty silly.

Well, you are fighting a ridiculous amount of enemies. I think it was so that the end wasn't seen as impossible by people or something like that.

 

[Gamer @ Heart]

Which bothers me because he's the best choice for king in the epilogue! The other dude creates a total shitstorm between the dwarves and the other races.

Thats what pissed me off the most really.

 

[clashfan]

i like leliana the best. "she bites." :lol

What do you mean by that?

 

[Sielys]

What is this!?

Spoiler

If your romancing Morrigan, she won't offer to do the ritual to save your life???

 

[lsslave]

Thats what pissed me off the most really.

It seems like a good practice of don't judge a book by its cover, although the Dwarf Nobles I am sure hated him :lol

 

[timetokill]

What is this!?

Spoiler

If your romancing Morrigan, she won't offer to do the ritual to save your life???

Yes, she will. Happened for me at least.

 

[Sielys]

Yes, she will. Happened for me at least.

I can't get her too ):

Looks like Lohgains makin' the sacrifice again.

 

[timetokill]

I gotta say, going in my 2nd playthrough now... I hate the Mage's Tower/Fade thing most of all.

 

[Dennis]

I gotta say, going in my 2nd playthrough now... I hate the Mage's Tower/Fade thing most of all.

Yes, this and the Deep Roads dragged on to long.

 

[Macmanus]

What are the best grenades? I've been using the acid flasks and fire bombs, but considering they are second tier in poison making there must be superior ones.

 

[Nemesis_]

New achievement has been added! It's a secret but it's probably just for completing the new DLC that launches tomorrow.

Another question GAF - do I need to finish four playthroughs to get the all endings achievements or can I save before choosing between keeping a certain someone alive and just replay that?

 

[WanderingWind]

Wait...new DLC tomorrow?

 

[Silent Death]

Wow, I lost any respect I had for...

Spoiler

Alistair's an idiot, I chose to spare Loghain for the first time (after like 4 playthroughs in which I restarted before the lands-meet, and killed him on the one playthrough I went through with) and Alistair acts like a complete selfish brat about it. I can't believe he would walk out when you need him most, when ARL EAMON needed him most, and when the Grey Warden's needed him most. Even Duncan's beliefs on doing whats necessary to stop the blight.

As far as I'm concerned, Alistair is the worst possible traitor because he walks out on his staunch beliefs so easily when he was such a jerk about them before with all the disapproval he gives for every damn deed I do when he's too much of a coward to lead because "I don't want to be responsible for people's lives!" (he says this to Morrigan in a conversation when she asks why he wasn't in charge if he was the senior Warden) -_-;

Yeah.. not like following me shows your support for my actions, certainly not.

I'm really starting to dislike Alistair the more I think about it.

Anyone agree, disagree?
I have a bad habit of being... extreme in my beliefs on character, (even fake ones:lol) but I found what Alistair tried to do to be rather selfish (try to become King after not wanting the throne JUST so he could have Loghain executed, and that's pretty much the only reason -_- I'm going to recruit Lohgain every time from now on. And strip Alistair naked before he leaves, he took my goddamn wardens keep armor. He robbed me!

Whew, long spoiler box, sorry.

Spoiler

Logain for all intent and purposes had them killed at Ostagar(sp), if it were not for Flemeth. Left his so called best friends’ son, oh and by the way, King, to get killed. Sabotaged a battle that could have ended the Blight before it could begin, because he didn't like the Grey wardens getting the glory. Then slandered the Grey Wardens and put a price on their heads. That's just the crap that involved Alistair. Let’s not forget the whole slavery ring and the blood mage incident with Arl Eman. Seriously, how could you expect someone to want to fight alongside someone who tried to kill them and framed them for killing the King? There should have been another way to resolve this rather than turning Alistair into a drunk. He had good cause not to want to fight with Logain. Maybe they should have had the Denuirum(sp) gate play out with Alistair refusing to go farther with Logain in the party and you then separate the party between Alistair and the MC, with Logain going with the MC.

 

[Hasphat'sAnts]

Just finished it. Fantastic game, warts and all.

Can't really grasp what makes it so interesting, but it definitely held my attention better than any RPG since Bloodlines.

 

[kai3345]

Fuck the Fade, goddamn.

How the fuck am I supposed to fucking Solo an Ogre? I tried to sneak past as a rat, but I can't open any doors since I'm in combat. I would be able to kill him as the burning guy if it werent for that fucking move where he picks you up and rapes you for about 2 minutes straight.

 

[Pancakes]

Spoiler

Logain for all intent and purposes had them killed at Ostagar(sp), if it were not for Flemeth. Left his so called best friends’ son, oh and by the way, King, to get killed. Sabotaged a battle that could have ended the Blight before it could begin, because he didn't like the Grey wardens getting the glory. Then slandered the Grey Wardens and put a price on their heads. That's just the crap that involved Alistair. Let’s not forget the whole slavery ring and the blood mage incident with Arl Eman. Seriously, how could you expect someone to want to fight alongside someone who tried to kill them and framed them for killing the King? There should have been another way to resolve this rather than turning Alistair into a drunk. He had good cause not to want to fight with Logain. Maybe they should have had the Denuirum(sp) gate play out with Alistair refusing to go farther with Logain in the party and you then separate the party between Alistair and the MC, with Logain going with the MC.

I see we're back to giant black blocks :lol.

It was already mentioned a few posts above but (End Spoilers Ahoy!)

Spoiler

During Alister's personal quest, after he finishes meeting with Goldanna, tell him that "Everyone is out for themselves." After you get his approval up to 90% he will tell you that "I'm not going to be a big fat crybaby anymore"(para) and thus "hardens"

Hardened Alister will not leave Ferelden if you choose to spare Loghain however, he will stop being in your party. The way I had it end was: I got Alister and Anora to marry, sparing Loghain only to have him take the final blow. Afterwords during the celebrations, Alister tells you that there was justice in Loghain's death and he isn't mad at you anymore.

So all in all there can be a happy ending for Alister.

Fuck the Fade, goddamn.

How the fuck am I supposed to fucking Solo an Ogre? I tried to sneak past as a rat, but I can't open any doors since I'm in combat. I would be able to kill him as the burning guy if it werent for that fucking move where he picks you up and rapes you for about 2 minutes straight.

You need the Golem form, or at least that's how I managed to beat him.

 

[Pancakes]

whoops

 

[Hasphat'sAnts]

Fuck the Fade, goddamn.

How the fuck am I supposed to fucking Solo an Ogre? I tried to sneak past as a rat, but I can't open any doors since I'm in combat. I would be able to kill him as the burning guy if it werent for that fucking move where he picks you up and rapes you for about 2 minutes straight.

Crushing prison -> Slam -> Quake usually does it for me.

 

[Fredescu]

Fuck the Fade, goddamn.

How the fuck am I supposed to fucking Solo an Ogre? I tried to sneak past as a rat, but I can't open any doors since I'm in combat. I would be able to kill him as the burning guy if it werent for that fucking move where he picks you up and rapes you for about 2 minutes straight.

Nuke him with

Spoiler

burning man

and finish him off in

Spoiler

golem form

?

 

[Synless]

Fuck the Fade, goddamn.

How the fuck am I supposed to fucking Solo an Ogre? I tried to sneak past as a rat, but I can't open any doors since I'm in combat. I would be able to kill him as the burning guy if it werent for that fucking move where he picks you up and rapes you for about 2 minutes straight.

Those are the worst moves, that and when a dragon picks you up and swings you everywhere for like 3 minutes. It's fucking annoying and it kills your character if they have even a little over half their life.

 

[sublime085]

Wait...new DLC tomorrow?

Well according to a Bioware dude on social.bioware.com, Return to Ostagar has been delayed for all systems.

So I guess not.

 

[Hyunkel6]

I just finished recruiting all the allies and am about to call landsmeet. I'm assuming I did around 2/3 of the game? How many hours until the end? I want to know if I should pick up the pace since school is starting soon.

 

[Pancakes]

Well according to a Bioware dude on social.bioware.com, Return to Ostagar has been delayed for all systems.

So I guess not.

Wait......what?! Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

 

[Brashnir]

I gotta say, going in my 2nd playthrough now... I hate the Mage's Tower/Fade thing most of all.

yeah, I was complaining about that one a couple days ago. It's just awful and goes on forever. If I play through a second time,

Spoiler

I'm killing that damn kid just so I don't have to do it again.

 

[Pancakes]

yeah, I was complaining about that one a couple days ago. It's just awful and goes on forever. If I play through a second time,

Spoiler

I'm killing that damn kid just so I don't have to do it again.

Doesn't matter you still have to do it.

 

[Brashnir]

Doesn't matter you still have to do it.

oh. ugh. Probably won't be doing a second play anyway.