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Newbie Questions

Discussion in 'Dragon Age: Origins' started by dmc, Jul 11, 2011.

  1. dmc

    dmc Speak softly and carry a big briefcase Staff Member Distinguished Member ★ SPS Account Holder Resourceful Adored Veteran New Server Contributor [2012] (for helping Sorcerer's Place lease a new, more powerful server!)

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    Remove all ads!
    So the game arrived this week (what with my folks visiting and other stuff, I didn't even know it was here until today). There are all these additional content packs that it came with. Is there any reason not to just unlock all of them right now?
     
    dmc, Jul 11, 2011
    #1
  2. Blackthorne TA

    Blackthorne TA Master in his Own Mind Staff Member ★ SPS Account Holder Adored Veteran Pillars of Eternity SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!) New Server Contributor [2012] (for helping Sorcerer's Place lease a new, more powerful server!) Torment: Tides of Numenera SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!)

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    Nope. Go ahead and do it.
     
    Blackthorne TA, Jul 11, 2011
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  3. dmc

    dmc Speak softly and carry a big briefcase Staff Member Distinguished Member ★ SPS Account Holder Resourceful Adored Veteran New Server Contributor [2012] (for helping Sorcerer's Place lease a new, more powerful server!)

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    As long as I'm going to be asking no-spoiler newbie questions, let's put them in one place.

    My normal MO in RPG's is to make my first character a warrior type as I generally find spell systems to have the steepest learning curve. Any no-spoiler advice on this?
     
    dmc, Jul 11, 2011
    #3
  4. Blackthorne TA

    Blackthorne TA Master in his Own Mind Staff Member ★ SPS Account Holder Adored Veteran Pillars of Eternity SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!) New Server Contributor [2012] (for helping Sorcerer's Place lease a new, more powerful server!) Torment: Tides of Numenera SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!)

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    As I've put in at least one other thread, this system is new so you probably won't be used to the best build for a warrior type. I can't stress enough that Dexterity for avoiding getting hit is more important than Strength for armor, especially early on. My second playthrough was completely different and much easier once I learned that.

    As I mentioned before, Alistair routinely got his ass kicked in my first playthrough because I prioritized Strength over Dexterity; in my second playthrough I did the opposite and he kicked major ass.
     
    Blackthorne TA, Jul 11, 2011
    #4
  5. Marceror

    Marceror Chaos Shall Be Sown In Their Footsteps Adored Veteran Pillars of Eternity SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!) Torment: Tides of Numenera SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!) BoM XenForo Migration Contributor [2015] (for helping support the migration to new forum software!)

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    You will want to have at least 1 mage, 1 rogue and 1 warrior in your 4 person team. You will find companions of all classes, so feel free to make your main character whichever class you wish. You'll be able to create a balanced party regardless.
     
    Marceror, Jul 11, 2011
    #5
  6. dmc

    dmc Speak softly and carry a big briefcase Staff Member Distinguished Member ★ SPS Account Holder Resourceful Adored Veteran New Server Contributor [2012] (for helping Sorcerer's Place lease a new, more powerful server!)

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    So here are a couple more:

    Does the game scale the difficulty depending on level? I went to deal with the Circle of Mages right out of the gate and felt that the battles were pretty tough, but not outrageous. In looking back on it, though, it seemed to me that those fights could/should have been a lot more painful. Thus, I'm wondering if the game scaled them to my level.

    I was very appreciative of all the free stat points, don't get me wrong.

    Also, scripts. My warrior PC has the nasty habit of switching between sword/shield to bow when standing in combat, which sucks. I'm making him a part timer between bow skills and sword/shield skills, so I don't want to completely disable ranged combat from his scripts, but I might have to if he's that stupid.

    Game's quite fun, although the fact that every female NPC (joinable or not) could work in the porn industry (don't get me started on the demons) is kinda funny.

    Right now, I just dealt with Redcliffe and am tooling around exploring and doing side quests.

    My main group is me, plus Leilana, Wynne and Alistair or Sten. I'm tempted to put Morrigan in Wynne's spot, but I really like the healing and am making a melee party for now.
     
    dmc, Jul 27, 2011
    #6
  7. Marceror

    Marceror Chaos Shall Be Sown In Their Footsteps Adored Veteran Pillars of Eternity SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!) Torment: Tides of Numenera SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!) BoM XenForo Migration Contributor [2015] (for helping support the migration to new forum software!)

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    Most battles do scale, yes. A few key battles do not. I usually do the mage tower very early too, for the boosts you mention.

    How is his AI set? Is he set as an "archer?" If so, he will switch to bow at the first opportunity. Make sure to set him to a "defender" or a "scrapper" or something similar. Then you can use archery only when you're controlling him, and it's appropriate to do so.

    I guess Bioware figured that as long as they had the mature rating, they might as well make the most of it. The desire demons are pretty messed up.

    Sounds like you're off to a good start. In fact, I envy you in a way, having such a great game to play through for the first time. Have fun! :cool:

    ---------- Added 0 hours, 4 minutes and 0 seconds later... ----------

    Also, with regards the the switching to bow situation, as I recall, there is another AI category that includes categories like "aggressive, cautious, ranged" and a few others. Make sure you don't have that one set to ranged.

    I don't excactly recall what these categories are called because I haven't played the game in so long. Hopefully my comments will help to steer you in the right direction anyway.
     
    Marceror, Jul 27, 2011
    #7

  8. pplr Gems: 18/31
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    Morrigan is neat to have around but I found Wynne worth it many times, healing is useful.
     
    pplr, Jul 27, 2011
    #8
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