Dragon Age Origins Starter Tips

[DanielPowell33]

I just picked up Dragon Age Origins last night and I'm about to start playing.

So, to those of you who have played it, got any tips to get me started, like a certain race/class/skills I should get.

I tend to be a mage in these types of games, but I'm not against a stealthy assassin type or a good ol' fashioned warrior.

Please try to avoid spoilers, and thanks for the help.

 

[Cherry Cola]

When you get too the quest of gathering blood and finding that piece of paper or whatever it is, only collect the blood. Then go back and return the quest infinite times.

And now you are max level.

 

[TheNamlessGuy]

DELETED

 

[sms_117b]

I've found once I played the Mage, I don't want to play another class, so save him for later, Warrior is a good start, simple and gets you into the game nicely.

If you've got it for the PC, press tab in EVERY room to highlight what you can look at and interact with, a simple suggestion but worth noting.

Make decisions based on what you would do in a similar situation for your first play through, my friend decided to role play a certain character type and regrets it immensely.

Be slow and thorough, you won't get everything first time around, but you can get a hell of a lot.

Don't get mods until you've played it through once.

Finally, http://dragonage.wikia.com/wiki/Dragon_Age_Wiki is useful for the second play through.

 

[DanielPowell33]

When you get too the quest of gathering blood and finding that piece of paper or whatever it is, only collect the blood. Then go back and return the quest infinite times.

And now you are max level.

Cool, is this quest near the beginning of the game?

 

[Cherry Cola]

When you get too the quest of gathering blood and finding that piece of paper or whatever it is, only collect the blood. Then go back and return the quest infinite times.

And now you are max level.

Cool, is this quest near the beginning of the game?

Yes, it is the first one you get after the origin story. You'll join a party and go into the woods. When you've gathered all the blood, instead of walking further into the woods, walk back again.

Also, this doesn't work on PS3 for some reason. But there is a guide here:

 

[DanielPowell33]

When you get too the quest of gathering blood and finding that piece of paper or whatever it is, only collect the blood. Then go back and return the quest infinite times.

And now you are max level.

Cool, is this quest near the beginning of the game?

Yes, it is the first one you get after the origin story. You'll join a party and go into the woods. When you've gathered all the blood, instead of walking further into the woods, walk back again.

Also, this doesn't work on PS3 for some reason. But there is a guide here:

Aaawww, Cruel irony. I got it for the PS3

 

[Cherry Cola]

When you get too the quest of gathering blood and finding that piece of paper or whatever it is, only collect the blood. Then go back and return the quest infinite times.

And now you are max level.

Cool, is this quest near the beginning of the game?

Yes, it is the first one you get after the origin story. You'll join a party and go into the woods. When you've gathered all the blood, instead of walking further into the woods, walk back again.

Also, this doesn't work on PS3 for some reason. But there is a guide here:

Aaawww, Cruel irony. I got it for the PS3

Oh...

Well then all I can say is: Don't mess up when downloading the stuff.

I miss-placed my DLC-papers.... couldn't get my blood armor..

 

[DragonsAteMyMarbles]

I found warrior to be easier, but then mage/rogue didn't really get hard until right near the end. If you're playing as a mage, chances are you'll want the arcane warrior specialisation - it really helps to keep you alive.

Try to keep one of each class in your party. That way, you can always unlock doors and enchant your weapons. And kick arse.

Bear in mind which gifts are preferred by your companions, so you can easily get on their good sides. If you want me to list them, tell me - but there might be the odd minor spoiler. And don't worry, I won't name the "secret companion".

 

[DormantPrune]

Why would you want to ruin the game on your first play through by glitching to max level anyway?

I can't remember what the skills name is, but make sure you take the persuasion/charm skill to open up more dialogue options.

 

[Spectrum_Prez]

When you get too the quest of gathering blood and finding that piece of paper or whatever it is, only collect the blood. Then go back and return the quest infinite times.

And now you are max level.

...does that work?
If you will excuse me, I need to go make a new character...

OT: Don't die.
I'm so helpful
No, but really, play rouge, I did.
Or, at least, have a LOT of dexterity

I tried it for my second playthrough and, yes, it does work but the effects aren't necessarily good.

Spoiler

This is because if you get your character up to a high level before you start picking up the other characters, they will come with more pre-chosen spells and abilities. In addition, because you need less XP to level up at lower levels and more at higher levels, if you go up an additional, say, 10 levels at the beginning, that doesn't mean your end character will be 20-21 + 10. So at the end of the game, the number of spells/abilities chosen by you is much smaller if you use the exploit.

The major upside, however, is that you earn a lot more money since dropped loot levels up along with you. Since higher 'tier' loot earns you more money, you get a lot more total gold by the end of the game. My stats say I earned about 800 gold on my second playthrough, but only about half that in my first.

If you really want to exploit it though, you just need to get a 3rd party add on/mod that allows you to reset Party member stats, although I'm not sure if you can do this for the console versions.

 

[Internet Kraken]

Plan out your character beforehand. Shape your party based on the roles you need fulfill to be successful. Make proper use of the tactics system to aid you in battle. Also, don't be afraid to use items in battle as it can often be very helpful. Try to stock up on as many items as you deem necessary. And don't make the mistake of thinking you can just absorb all of the enemies blows like some damage sponge. You will regret such decisions later in the game.

 

[minispike47]

Do the enemies scale to your level?

 

[Zykon TheLich]

Don't get mods until you've played it through once.

Oooh, mods, the extra awesome for any PC game...I don't suppose you could direct me to a good mod site?

 

[Spectrum_Prez]

Do the enemies scale to your level?

In general, yes. Not always well, but yes. Most noticeably they pick up new abilities - the most annoying one being scattershot.

The exception is the endgame where some enemies seem to be of the same difficulty as they were in the intro, making it an enormous cakewalk and not particularly fun.

 

[magicmonkeybars]

RUN AWAY !
The game at times really screws you over and staying put isn't going to work, choose from where you fight, position is everything.
Don't be afriad to run back into an already cleared room or part of the level to avoid archers or mages, lure them to you set up traps with a stealthed rogue let your mage fling some fire balls or plant some magic storms before you charge in.
make sure your party is on hold position mode when you do this they'llrun right at the enemie if you let them and get themselves killed.

 

[Kajt]

Roll a healer. The game gets a lot easier then.

 

[D-Cypher]

Most noticeably they pick up new abilities - the most annoying one being scattershot.

Grrr, that skill, when theres half a dozen enemy archers scattered about and your trying to deal with an Emissary/Ogre/Aplha is mind numbingly infuriating. >:/

Anyways frost magic, use it, it's essential.

 

[sms_117b]

Oooh, mods, the extra awesome for any PC game...I don't suppose you could direct me to a good mod site?

http://dragonagenexus.com/