Best non DLC Armor and 2 Handed Weapon in DAO

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The trouble is that the character I imported in Awakening was well into that level range.

I don't want to hijack Munchkin Blender's thread but I think that Rogues got the best of Awakening. Both specializations are just awesome. Although I would never take the Legionnaire Scout specialization with a non-Dwarf character.

Btw I think you're referring to Shadow Striking. I have to complete DAO with my Rogue to get to enjoy all those new abilities.

I haven't tested the Archery tree yet but it sure looks like it'll make Archery a valid alternative to the melee lines.

I've given Unending Flurry a try though and it is absolutely monstrous.

 

So was mine... That's why I can't remember.

Btw, Munchkin, sorry if we hijacked your thread! I really hope the link I gave you in regards to the Guardian and Spirit Warrior specializations helps!

Edit - looked up the rogue tree and the talent I was going for is a pure rogue talent - Flicker. "The rogue's deadly speed is unmatched. Within a targeted area, the rogue disappears in a blur, sprinting from target to target to backstab each of them."

 

I was drooling when I first saw its description but the requirements are steep... To get Flicker you need a level 26 Rogue with 52 points in Dexterity...

It's the main reason why I'm giving up on my finely honed Cunning based Rogue build.

In any case, I don't see Munchkin's Dwarf as a Spirit Warrior. Dwarves are not linked to the Fade so it wouldn't make a lot of sense but I'm pretty sure the Guardian specialization would fit a Dwarf template rather nicely.

 

As far as Flicker - first time I played Awakening, I didn't get it until near the end and so didn't get too much time to play with it... 2nd runthrough I used a PC who was well above the normal end-game level in Origins, modded her a bit more for Awakening, so she had it from nearly the beginning... oh it's so heavenly a talent

And I have to agree with you in regards to SW not quite fitting a dwarf templar - but then again, think about it - dwarves are supposed to be lyrium immune in a way already due to lyrium mining so being a templar already doesn't quite fit what a dwarf would be... and I think SW fits rather nicely with its abilities when paired up with those of a templar when you think of Willpower and such... but for someone who wants to go a bit more traditional and fit more with what a dwarf would be, then yes, Guardian would be the better choice.

 

I thought Munchkin's character became a Templar because he had a man crush for Alistair.

It doesn't really matter anyway since the game is devised in a way that allows non traditional characters (and that is a good thing). If we think about it that way it makes the character very special and unique, the only Dwarf who has been able in all recorded time to harness the secrets of lyrium despite being immune to its effects. So yeah, why not after all?

Just go for it Munchkin, you have my support.

Now I need to come up with some kind of explanation for a City Elf Rogue who'd take the Legionnaire Scout specialization. Wish me luck.

 

The dwarf PC has absolutely no man crush on Alister. He hated Alister until recently; Alister met his sister and she treated him like crap. After that Alister has grown up and is no longer a cry baby. After Alister and the PC had a talk and Alister helped the PC learn the Templar ways to fend off the darkspawn mages that were doing serious damage to the PC.


Don’t forget you don’t need lyrium to use the Templar power; lyrium just increases the effect of the Templar powers. Alister never used lyrium.

 

That's correct.

So what are your plans for your Dwarf in Awakening? Which specialization are you going to choose?

 

I'm not sure; maybe he will become a Spirit Warrior; who knows...

 

Despite my former reservations it could be a fun game to play. Like CD posted Templar + Spirit Warrior look rather nice together.

 

He might just be a bersker as well because Orgen is growing on him; after nothing wrong with two dwarf's in the party...

 

You're going to just love Awakening then. My favourite Awakening NPC is a Dwarf. I won't post more because I don't want to spoil your fun once you get there.

 

I did play Awakening on its release date for about 2 hours total. I tested the Orelian origin and played the Dwarf Noble I'm using now for about 10-15 minutes. I decided to wait until I finish Origins to see how much info does carry over into the expansion.

After I complete my Dwarf Noble origin I still have to complete a Dwarf Commoner, Dalish Elf, and Elf Commoner origin. I will also replay the Human Noble and Mage origin as well. I want three of the six origins completed on each of the PS3 I have...

 

I haven't completed Awakening myself although I did spend some time playing it. I've decided to start over and build a new character that would fit and benefit from all the Awakening stuff.

It seems to me that you're going to be very busy playing DAO. But who am I kidding... I'm pretty busy myself: I've got many unfinished games (the chronic restarter syndrome hit me hard after my first playthrough) and three different games at the moment (Elf Mage, Human Warrior and City Elf Rogue). I need to complete my Mage game first.

 

I've already beaten DAO three or is it four times. I ended up deleting all of my saved game where I finished the game. This time I don't plan on doing that. I want to complete each origin and have 3 of the origins on each of the PS3 I own.

I have to say that after playing all 6 origins now I like how each has their own issue to resolve. Of them all the Dalish makes the most sense given that the PC will die if he does not do the joining. The funny thing is that the joining will only extend a person life to up 30 years vs. going insane and dying sooner.

My second favorite origin is a tie between the Dwarf Commoner and Elf Commoner.

My forth favorite is the Mage origin if you betray Jowan because becoming a GW is a reward for your efforts in assisting the circle.

My fifth is the Dwarf Noble

My least favorite is the human origin

All are good but the Dalish makes the most sense for the PC to become a GW.



I find being a warrior to more challenging than a rogue or wizard. The only part I like about the warrior is they have an easier time equipping the armor thanks to their higher STR. Other than that; I prefer the special abilities of the rogue or the mage spells.

 

Warrior is not necessarily that challenging. A Warrior can take a beating when a Rogue needs more micromanagement to backstab and stay alive. The Mage is probably the easiest.

My favourite are Rogues but Warriors are not that dumb to play with. Talents make them more interesting than a simple point and click.

All origins are pretty much "join us or die" the Dalish is different in the sense that Duncan offers a way out whereas in other origins he rescues the main character but can be seen as forcing him or her to become a GW recruit.

I already pointed out in another thread that the Mage gets a lot from becoming a GW. A Mage gets to be free from the prison that the Circle Tower represents. That much account to something. What are the other possibilites? Becoming an Apostate and be chased by Templars?

The Dwarves and the City Elf have nothing to lose, without Duncan they'd die.

The Human Noble doesn't have such good reasons to become a GW. If anything that would prevent him or her from avenging himself or herself.

 

Best Armor and Weapon to carry over to the Awakening are...

Best Armor: Calin's Armor if you have it as Dragonbone. If this full set is able to be used in Awakening it provides an Armor protection of 41 and has only a fatigue value of 9% or less.

Other Armor options: Dwarf Legionare and Wade Heavy Dragonbone armor sets are the next best options.

2 Handed Weapon: Chasid Mauler after the Trademeets

Other 2H Weapons: Any of the legendary swords

Best Shields: Auduncan Shield or Calin's shield

Best 1handed Weapons: There is quite a bit here that could be used. I like going with the full Calin set.

My Dwarf Noble is at the final fight. He is very close to completing the game. After that I will take on Awakening.

I have to say that Morrigan as an Arcane Warrior is awesome especially after I modified her tatics. I ended up using her after I lost Alister and before I told her there would be no child she was the tank and heavy damage dealer when I returned to Red Cliff castle.

My next play through I'm going to be a Healer/Arcane Warrior mage. What armor set besides Calin's is good for a mage in armor. I was thinking jauggernaut, Wade Heavy Armor, etc...

 

Good suggestions Munchkin Blender. I tend to use mod items now because there are som incredibly cool looking armours (the Tower of Ivory is incredible in that regard).

I'm not sure if that is worth considering but what about the items that the Arcane Warrior drops in the temple of the Urn? The place where you get all the Drake scales. Like I said I haven't paid much attention to vanilla armours lately but I remember a rather sturdy set in that part of the game (Heavy Cultist something, not the Ceremonial armours either).

Regarding two handed weapons, what about Nug Crusher and Ser Cauthrien's sword? Or the axe you get from Kolgrim's corpse?

I really like the way these weapons look.

 

The Chasid Mauler from Gorim after you start the Landsmeet is the best weapon to by pass armor protection and is one of the more damaging weapons in the game. It also has some decent abilities along with 3 slots that I currently have filled up with Fire, Electrical, and Frost Grandmaster runes. My main character does anywhere from 75-100 points of regular damage plus an additional 5-15+ points of elemental damage.

The best pure damaging weapon in the game is the 2H Starsword. I was doing 100+ for a standard hit and around 200 for a critial hit. Since the starsword cannot be transferred to DA Awakening I sold it right after the Landsmeet and now am using the Chasid maul.

As for the other weapons they don't really compare to the Chasid maul because it has a +5 damage along with other special abilities. It is also the most expensive weapon (not staff) in the game. Any 2H dragonbone sword will do more damage on unarmored or a weak armored opponent but when the opponenet is heavily armored the sword damage is greatly reduced.

The Nug Crusher if Dragonbone does not have the special abilities or +5 damage that the Chasid Mauler has and that is why it takes second to the Chasid mualer for all the maulers in the game.

As for the Axe you pick up from doing the scared ash quest it is the best axe in the game but it doesn't even compare to the Chasid Mauler.

I believe the only other 2H weapon besides the star sword that comes close to the Chasid Mauler is the Meteor Sword (not the Starsword) but as I said above that swords loose out their effectiveness when facing heavy armored foes.

I have never heard or seen any cultist armor throughout my play throughs. Is that an add on?

What I like about Calin's armor is there is little to no fatigue penalty. I believe a mage wearing it has a bit more fatigue than a warrior thanks to the warrior talent but it isn't much more than that of the warrior. Not only that but it also provides the best AC in the game at 41. If you add in the rock armor spell that the AW can use the AW would be able to produce the highest AC in the game.

As for other equipment I have belt from the mage tower, the necklace from the merchant at camp, the ring that give 20% resistance for the various elemental damage from Denerim and the last ring is the life giver ring from Ozzamar.

My PC will be very nicely equipped when he get into Awakening. I just hope they don't down grade Calin's equipment to red steel on me when I start awakening.

 

Good post Munchkin Blender. I'll bear that in mind when I'll play my two handed weapon specialist.

I use Improved Atmosphere and it adds some items and makes many items more useful so you get more acceptable variants (it makes some items much more useful by increasing their power but it evens out if you only use the best items, the way it works you get more better items) and with improved difficulty the game is still interesting.

I don't think that Cailan's armour is going to be downgraded in any way when you'll import it in Awakening. That sounds very unlikely.

Have you got a chance to try the Axameter in game? I only got it once, it's a very nice and very rare one handed axe.

 

Is that the Axe sold by the Merchant in camp? If so Alister was using it before I told him Loghain is going to stick around a bit; a promise I made to his daughter. And my character doesn't break promises; at least in this play through I didn't have to kill Alister.