Dragon Age Origins Question

[NuclearPenguin]

Well, after getting the game and seeing the "Class Specializations" so I was wondering how they work, do I have to pick one of them and only do one of them. Say I want to be a SUCESSFULL melee mage using atleast some kind of good armor and weapons and heal would I be able to do it? I understand the Arcane Warrior is the melee mage.. But do I actually have much freedom?



EDIT: Please look at my newest post.

 

[oliveira8]

Yes.

Inside each class you have 4 specializations. You can pick 2 if you train them. One at level 7 and another at 14.

So you can be Arcane Mage and Spirit Healer.

 

[NuclearPenguin]

Yes.

Inside each class you have 4 specializations. You can pick 2 if you train them. One at level 7 and another at 14.

So you can be Arcane Mage and Spirit Healer.

Well then. Goodbye to my life. Hello Dragon Age. Thankyou for making my day.
*Gets on knee*
Will you marry me?!

 

[Phase_9]

But first, you need to either find NPC's that have that class to teach it to you, have one of your allies who already has a specialization teach you (Wynne is Spirit Healer, Morrigan is a Shapeshifter), or find a shopkeeper with a manual that teaches you the specialization (they are usually expensive)

 

[RavingPenguin]

Well, after getting the game and seeing the "Class Specializations" so I was wondering how they work, do I have to pick one of them and only do one of them. Say I want to be a SUCESSFULL melee mage using atleast some kind of good armor and weapons and heal would I be able to do it? I understand the Arcane Warrior is the melee mage.. But do I actually have much freedom?

You can pick whatever class you want and arrange there stats to what you want. However each class has talents suited to different stats. Example: A rogues skills such as lock picking and back stabbing are based on the skills of dexterity and cunning. You could create a rogue that specializes in strength and constitution. You wouldnt be a great rogue but its all up to you.
As for the Arcane warrior, you have to unlock it first but it is perhaps one of the most versatile classes in the game.

 

[NuclearPenguin]

But first, you need to either find NPC's that have that class to teach it to you, have one of your allies who already has a specialization teach you (Wynne is Spirit Healer, Morrigan is a Shapeshifter), or find a shopkeeper with a manual that teaches you the specialization (they are usually expensive)

..Does this mean im screwed or what? And if I dont take one at level 7 will it damage my character, like say losing out on bonus stats. Say if I was to get +2 willpower each level as a regular mage and then +3 as a spirit healer, would I lose out on any extra points that I wouldnt be able to get back later? (Taking that as an example)

 

[DazZ.]

Now that that question is done, can I ask one? Yes? Danke.[hr]Pc versions DLC, what do you need to be logged into to get it/use it?
If I buy it from Steam will the DLC be downloaded from steam and not need a third party?

I really can't decide to get it from Steam or retail, it seems like the kind of game I want a box of, but I don't know how the DLC is handled.

 

[Onyx Oblivion]

Arcane Warrior. Now that's how you make a gamebreaking class. Pump into magic, as it doesn't use Strength. Just a warning, so you don't screw up.

 

[NuclearPenguin]

Arcane Warrior. Now that's how you make a gamebreaking class. Pump into magic, as it doesn't use Strength. Just a warning, so you don't screw up.

... Doesnt use strength!??! I wanted to use a two handed weapon and heal... This game seems to be dissapointing with the class system. And confusing..

 

[oliveira8]

Yes.

Inside each class you have 4 specializations. You can pick 2 if you train them. One at level 7 and another at 14.

So you can be Arcane Mage and Spirit Healer.

Well then. Goodbye to my life. Hello Dragon Age. Thankyou for making my day.
*Gets on knee*
Will you marry me?!

No. But the dog you get in game will.

Now that that question is done, can I ask one? Yes? Danke.
[hr]
Pc versions DLC, what do you need to be logged into to get it/use it?
If I buy it from Steam will the DLC be downloaded from steam and not need a third party?

I really can't decide to get it from Steam or retail, it seems like the kind of game I want a box of, but I don't know how the DLC is handled.

You need to have a EA/Bioware account to activate it, even with STEAM. It's not very complicated.

When you enter the main menu you can log/create the account or you can head down to EA/Bioware website and create it there.

 

[Hurr Durr Derp]

But first, you need to either find NPC's that have that class to teach it to you, have one of your allies who already has a specialization teach you (Wynne is Spirit Healer, Morrigan is a Shapeshifter), or find a shopkeeper with a manual that teaches you the specialization (they are usually expensive)

..Does this mean im screwed or what? And if I dont take one at level 7 will it damage my character, like say losing out on bonus stats. Say if I was to get +2 willpower each level as a regular mage and then +3 as a spirit healer, would I lose out on any extra points that I wouldnt be able to get back later? (Taking that as an example)

No, you're not screwed. You get exactly the same amount of points if you take the specs at level 7 and 14 than if you would take them both et level 20.

In fact, on your first playthrough it's pretty likely that you won't unlock your first spec before level 7 anyway, but as I said you won't lose anything in the long run, so don't worry.

 

[Slycne]

But first, you need to either find NPC's that have that class to teach it to you, have one of your allies who already has a specialization teach you (Wynne is Spirit Healer, Morrigan is a Shapeshifter), or find a shopkeeper with a manual that teaches you the specialization (they are usually expensive)

Interesting trick, bug or exploit based on how you view it, but specializations unlock for your whole game and subsequent play-throughs once you have them unlocked. They however are completely unlocked for your whole game once you unlock them. So you can save, buy the book and load that save with the specialization unlocked and still have your money back.

 

[CD-R]

In theory you should be able to. If I remeber correctly as an Arcane Mage you use your magic score in place of the strenth score for equipping weapons and armor. I don't know how good it is since I haven't played as a mage yet. A mage doesn't start out with any of the weapon skills of a rouge or warrior so I don't know if Arcane Mage gives you any.

When playing as a mage you pick from three magic skill sets when developing your charecter. Regular offensive magic (fireballs etc.) Debuffs. And healing and buffing spells. Theres no cleric class perse. The spirit healer specialization basically adds a couple of group heal and buff spells. So being a good healer is no problem.

 

[Hurr Durr Derp]

Arcane Warrior. Now that's how you make a gamebreaking class. Pump into magic, as it doesn't use Strength. Just a warning, so you don't screw up.

... Doesnt use strength!??! I wanted to use a two handed weapon and heal... This game seems to be dissapointing with the class system. And confusing..

Arcane Warrior basically relaces STR with MAG for most purposes.

So if you've got a 2-handed sword that needs 30 STR to equip, an AW can equip it with 30 MAG.

 

[Slycne]

Arcane Warrior. Now that's how you make a gamebreaking class. Pump into magic, as it doesn't use Strength. Just a warning, so you don't screw up.

... Doesnt use strength!??! I wanted to use a two handed weapon and heal... This game seems to be dissapointing with the class system. And confusing..

Arcane Warriors have a skill that allows them to substitute their Magic stat for their Strength stat, thus allowing them to wield large weapons and wear heavy armor despite having low Strength. You will however still have the heavy encumbrance from the armor making you spells cost more mana.

 

[NuclearPenguin]

Another question, should I put points in regular healing abilities at the start of the game or wait until the spirit healer specilization

EDIT: And thanks for all answers.

 

[Onyx Oblivion]

Arcane Warrior. Now that's how you make a gamebreaking class. Pump into magic, as it doesn't use Strength. Just a warning, so you don't screw up.

... Doesnt use strength!??! I wanted to use a two handed weapon and heal... This game seems to be dissapointing with the class system. And confusing..

Okay, well the arcane warriors doesn't get any of the talents for any weapons, so you can use whatever weapon you want. But it doesn't use strength stat, because the magic stat acts like the strength stat for an Arcane Warrior, thus not forcing you to weaken your magic...Win-win for mages. You don't sacrifice spells for swords, you get both.

 

[Hurr Durr Derp]

id watch out with arcane warrior cus armor actually creates alot of aggro but if you can take the damage by all means

The extra aggro created by heavy armour isn't as much as that of a dedicated tank, but even if it was, Arcane Mages can get so much defense it's silly really. They can outlast any tank in the game if you play them right.

Mages are so overpowered in this game...

 

[Slycne]

Another question, should I put points in regular healing abilities at the start of the game or wait until the spirit healer specilization

EDIT: And thanks for all answers.

The Spirit Healer specialization only gives you a small stats boost and a new line of skills. You are still going to primarily be using Heal and Regeneration from the regular Healing tree, so yes grab those.

 

[DazZ.]

Now that that question is done, can I ask one? Yes? Danke.
[hr]
Pc versions DLC, what do you need to be logged into to get it/use it?
If I buy it from Steam will the DLC be downloaded from steam and not need a third party?

I really can't decide to get it from Steam or retail, it seems like the kind of game I want a box of, but I don't know how the DLC is handled.

You need to have a EA/Bioware account to activate it, even with STEAM. It's not very complicated.

When you enter the main menu you can log/create the account or you can head down to EA/Bioware website and create it there.

Cheers for quick reply, if it's the same wherever I get it I think I'm going for retail.