Current Events > I think I might play through Dragon Age: Origins again (spoilers)

(+) Yeah! (+)

I've done the main stuff before, but never did the DLC, so don't spoil that. Gonna go as a gung-ho mage who likes killing stuff. I haven't done the Fade in forever, so I'm not going to skip that...a decision I'm sure I'll regret.

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/user_image/6/0/2/AABhrNAAE2NK.jpg

The girl looking like Dana Scully is coincidental, but not unpleasant. I accidentally hit "quick play," so I dunno if there was further skill-tweaking stuff to do.

Such an outstanding game. Loved every moment of the game and all the DLC when it came out. After completing the game and reading the post script of what all the characters did it really hit me emotionally on Alistair. Like to the point of actually impacting me. What great writing/lore that game had. An absolute gem of a game and the highlight of the series.

Though I have to say for all the hate it gets I highly enjoyed Inquisition as well and though it was a pretty good game. Just never reached the heights Origins did. Wasn't overly fond of 2 though.

Probably the game with the most back to back to back playthroughs I've ever had. I loved exploring every inch of that game.

I never hated DA2 or Inquisition as much as others but they are admitted step downs.

Actually, now that I think about it, I did the golem DLC many years ago on 360. I forget whether Shale (I think he's in that one) is super awesome or not. I really want to do Awakening, but since I haven't played through in forever, I figure I might as well. But yeah, the Fade blows and I almost want to install that Fade-skipping mod just to get it over with.

archizzy posted...

An absolute gem of a game and the highlight of the series.

Ehhhh, I like Inquisition the most.

[LFAQs-redacted-quote]

If Kelsey Grammar were a bigass rock person.

Shotgunnova posted...

Ehhhh, I like Inquisition the most.

Gross

Shotgunnova posted...

Actually, now that I think about it, I did the golem DLC many years ago on 360. I forget whether Shale (I think he's in that one) is super awesome or not. I really want to do Awakening, but since I haven't played through in forever, I figure I might as well. But yeah, the Fade blows and I almost want to install that Fade-skipping mod just to get it over with.

Shale is great. Definitely my favorite of all the Origins DLC. Awakening and Warden's Keep are ok. As for the rest, they're not terrible I guess, but not worth spending extra money on.

Quaxlyote posted...

Gross

If DA:O wanted to be the best, it should've had Dorian from the start.

SoIidLegacy posted...

Shale is great. Definitely my favorite of all the Origins DLC. Awakening and Warden's Keep are ok. As for the rest, they're not terrible I guess, but not worth spending extra money on.

The Ultimate edition is $4.50 on Steam right now, so I figured I'd just buy it again for the hell of it. I've heard some DLC sucks, though, like Leliana's, but it's no big deal, I guess.

DrizztLink posted...

If Kelsey Grammar were a bigass rock person.

That sounds like a glowing recommendation. I hadn't really thought about my future party composition yet, outside of maybe Morrigan, since Morrigan is bae -- mostly 'cause of Claudia Black.

did that screenshot get murdered by gamefaqs? I don't remember the graphics looking like Oblivion >_>

Shotgunnova posted...

I've heard some DLC sucks, though, like Leliana's, but it's no big deal, I guess.

The Deep Roads one I've still only ever played once and I gamed the fuck out of it to get the achievements that time.

You end up getting free stuff on every new character that way, including a shitty mace that sells for insane cash.

Like over 300 gold.

I think the game chose to have the lowest graphical settings by default. It looks alright if you turn 'em up.

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/user_image/6/3/9/AABhrNAAE2Nv.jpg
https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/user_image/6/4/0/AABhrNAAE2Nw.jpg
https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/user_image/6/4/1/AABhrNAAE2Nx.jpg

Anyway, I already did the lame-ass Fade part and am back at the Chantry, which, if I recall, is going up like a towering inferno soon. Maybe that weak-willed dork who's my "friend" sides with a demon or something. I forget if that mage companion shows up here or I have to get her through some other method -- it'd be nice to have a dedicated healer for when I'm shooting magic missiles all over.

I forgot Cullen was in the first game, though. He's not quite a stuttering goofus in DA:I, thankfully.

3 way tie for greatest RPG of all time, with New Vegas and Disco Elysium

Shotgunnova posted...

I forgot Cullen was in the first game, though.

I think he's a bit less awkward if you play a dude.

Pick blood mage
Learn Blood Wound
Win game

Yeah, I was looking at specializations and would probably go Blood Mage again. I think there's one other offensive mage option to choose, though.

DrizztLink posted...

I think he's a bit less awkward if you play a dude.

Yeah, I figured he was...distracted by my X-Files beauty.

Dungeater posted...

3 way tie for greatest RPG of all time, with New Vegas and Disco Elysium

I should really buy New Vegas again one of these days. I'd probably mod that one out, though.

Huh, I could've sworn that little bastard burned the tower down and I had to fight through the flames to do something. Must be what happens on the "ally with Jowan" route or something. I straight-up betrayed his ass the whole time, haha.

I was really digging Inquisition and even did pretty much all of the hinterlands but as soon as I got to the Ball and had to change my gear around between every fight and every dancing session I said fuck it and stopped playing

Pretty sure it plays out exactly the same, save Urving? Being disappointed in you and then being forcibly recruited or something.

The skill/item bar, you can drag out to extend it across the bottom of the screen. Helps with managing placement of your skills so you don't feel crowded or don't accidentally misclick

Alright, I did the Ostagar stuff, then the Lothering stuff, and got to my first campsite visit with my new friends. Upgraded my spells so I can drop a huge-ass fireball to open most battles...although for a deadly projectile, it's kinda slow. I have to lead the target a little to account for foes' speedy approach every time you fire it.

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/user_image/1/0/9/AABhrNAAE2VF.jpg
https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/user_image/1/1/0/AABhrNAAE2VG.jpg
https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/user_image/1/1/1/AABhrNAAE2VH.jpg
https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/user_image/1/1/2/AABhrNAAE2VI.jpg
https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/user_image/1/1/3/AABhrNAAE2VJ.jpg

Re: Inquisition ball. I don't remember too much sucking in this part, other than your...masquerade rating (???) dropping when you were away from festivities too long. Remember when you go to side passages and stuff to loot and the rating drops? Yeah, I'm okay with switching outfits if it means avoiding that stuff.

Re: Urving. That's the templar guy, right? To be honest, I'm okay with that douche burning to charcoal for just about any reason, from evil apostate hijinx to "this sandwich is way too hot!!"

Re: Skillbar. I did move it over. I thought the game would adjust it accordingly with the resolution options for some reason, but I had to do it manually. Extending it gives more room for stuff off the numeric keys, like sustain abilities and items I don't want to accidentally use/toggle.

Not naming Dog, Dog

I wanted to give him a title representing his inner beauty.

Shotgunnova posted...

Yeah, I was looking at specializations and would probably go Blood Mage again. I think there's one other offensive mage option to choose, though.

Replayed it earlier this year to finally get the platinum in it. Discovered that Blood Mage is the one job I didn't have unlocked and you can't unlock it with another job. Didn't affect my game, but it is annoying to know there is that one option still not available on my playfile.

Don't you ask Morrigan to teach you about it? I forget how to unlock anything. There's some manual that dwarf merchant sells, though, so maybe that's one of the methods.

Shotgunnova posted...

Re: Urving. That's the templar guy, right? To be honest, I'm okay with that douche burning to charcoal for just about any reason, from evil apostate hijinx to "this sandwich is way too hot!!"

Maybe? I meant the head mage guy. Don't remember his or the temple's offhand.

Just that head mage is sad you didnt spill the beans.

Ohh, you meant the guy who cared about whether I'd stolen from the storeroom or held the escapees' secret. He'd probably kick my Fade-blessed ass to the curb either way, so I'm not too mad. I assume the method with more battling would result in more XP for me, but it's not that critical so early on.

Man, I forgot how lame that nighttime defense at Redcliffe is.

I have been itching to play da:origins again. I only played like 30min of it. Its nice to see the dragon age series again on sale. I got da2 and dai while on sale back when origin was the ea launcher. After all this time i nearly bought the series again cause i forgot i owned them on the ea app lol

Shotgunnova posted...

Don't you ask Morrigan to teach you about it? I forget how to unlock anything. There's some manual that dwarf merchant sells, though, so maybe that's one of the methods.

No. Most other jobs you learn from asking party members. Blood Mage is unlocked by making a deal with the demon in the fade, which only a mage character can do.

During the tutorial? Damn, I missed the boat.

Anyway, I sacrificed all the militiamen, then stabbed my BFF and a child. How'd you guys make out today?

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/user_image/4/1/5/AABhrNAAE2Z3.jpg
https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/user_image/4/1/6/AABhrNAAE2Z4.jpg
https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/user_image/4/1/7/AABhrNAAE2Z5.jpg
https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/user_image/4/1/8/AABhrNAAE2Z6.jpg

Shotgunnova posted...

During the tutorial? Damn, I missed the boat.

No, later on.

But seems you missed out the way to do it by killing the child.

Id suggest playing Baldurs Gate 1 and 2 if you havent, because Origins is like a better looking but objectively worse BG2 in many ways.

Eh well, I don't feel like reloading an old save that brat. I'm with Morrigan and Sten and they don't like touchy-feely, heartstring-pulling, d'awww-inducing actions. In fact, stabbing that kid gave extra Sten approval, haha.

PraetorXyn posted...

Id suggest playing Baldurs Gate 1 and 2 if you havent, because Origins is like a better looking but objectively worse BG2 in many ways.

I've always had a hard time getting into early Baldur's Gate games, which might be part of the reason why I never loved DA:O that much. Now, if it played like Dark Alliance (more Diablo-esque) games, then we'd be cookin'.

Well, getting blood magic requires you to sacrifice the child, so thankfully no saving involved!

You're missing out by not using the Karma Companion mod

All the Origin story sidekicks and Bann tegan can join your party as companions.

There's also a fun voiced Ser Gilmore mod too.

Shotgunnova posted...

I forgot Cullen was in the first game, though. He's not quite a stuttering goofus in DA:I, thankfully.

He's only like that if you're female

Cullen actually has the best character arc in the series IMO

Funkydog posted...

Well, getting blood magic requires you to sacrifice the child, so thankfully no saving involved!

This. But if you reload a save after you do it, you can still use it I think.

Probably a better game than BG3, but thats because it rips off from the song of ice and fire.

PraetorXyn posted...

Id suggest playing Baldurs Gate 1 and 2 if you havent, because Origins is like a better looking but objectively worse BG2 in many ways.

"Objectively" eh

What does that even mean?

Anyway I disagree. BG2 is worse in pretty much every way. Plus it's coasting on DnD lore while Dragon Age invented its own and it's lore is fantastic.

PraetorXyn posted...

This. But if you reload a save after you do it, you can still use it I think.

This is true for descreating the Urn of Sacred Ashes for Reaver as well

Once unlocked once, it stays unlocked on your account for all playthroughs. Even reloading saves

Hmm, maybe I'll reload to get Blood Magic, then -- should have a save right before I go upstairs. I'm guessing you just do some kind of "I'll save the kid" option after the desire demon battle, then cut a deal somehow, right? I hope there are no persuasion checks, 'cause I only bring two reliable diplomats into battle (my fists).

On second thought, the only other option is going to the Circle of Magi to save this kid, so I'm not doing all that crap first. I was hoping I could just pop in, do the boss battle again, and presto! I regret coming to Redcliffe so early, but I couldn't remember if the darkspawn surge went north quicker if you travelled farther away, so I didn't think much about it, haha. I'll just take that other offensive mage specialization whenever it appears.

Although I did read that you can buy the Blood Mage manual in the Awakening DLC. Never done it before, but I hope it works the same way (buy item, read book, get specialization, reset, ????, profit).

Shotgunnova posted...

On second thought, the only other option is going to the Circle of Magi to save this kid, so I'm not doing all that crap first. I was hoping I could just pop in, do the boss battle again, and presto! I regret coming to Redcliffe so early, but I couldn't remember if the darkspawn surge went north quicker if you travelled farther away, so I didn't think much about it, haha. I'll just take that other offensive mage specialization whenever it appears.

Did you kill Jowan?

You can go into the fade without the circle, you just need to sacrifice Isolde

Although I did read that you can buy the Blood Mage manual in the Awakening DLC. Never done it before, but I hope it works the same way (buy item, read book, get specialization, reset, ????, profit).

Yeah it's universial

I'm pretty sure you can use your own mage and use Jowen to go in and then cut a deal without going to the circle.

If he's dead or gone then yeah, have to go to the circle.

I stabbed Jowen without any hesitation, yeah. Dude's just an idiot. At least make him a fat, jolly friend like Ramus or something if you want me to care about his wellbeing.

Jowan did nothing wrong

Dude broke his phylactery, so I can't realistically just let him run off into the wild blue yonder again. I only regret not being able to betray him a second time! I missed out on a specialization because of this stuff, though, so I'll have to put this in the ol' memory banks. Maybe I'll go to the Circle and see if there's any involved quests; if it's really, really short, I'll load an old save to become a Blood Mage.

Shotgunnova posted...

Dude broke his phylactery, so I can't realistically just let him run off into the wild blue yonder again. I only regret not being able to betray him a second time! I missed out on a specialization because of this stuff, though, so I'll have to put this in the ol' memory banks. Maybe I'll go to the Circle and see if there's any involved quests; if it's really, really short, I'll load an old save to become a Blood Mage.

Its 100% worth it whatever you have to do. Being a mage without Blood Magic is garbage in comparison.

I have a save right before going to the world map, so I'll have to see what's up later/tomorrow.

Blood magic and arcane warrior. Now the hardest difficulty is easy mode.