Dragon Age: Origins, II

[econ21]

Do different areas have preset difficulty levels, or do they level up with the player?

I think the four areas you can go in the mid-game are probably supposed to be the same difficulty and mobs do level up with the player, but it's rather well done and not as jarring as in, say, Oblivion or Neverwinter Nights OC where mobs scaled rather too well/seemingly not at all respectively. However, I suspect whatever area(s) you do later will feel easier because your party's power outstrips your opponents. In particular, tanks seem rather gimped early on - they can't hold aggro very well and they die easily if by chance they get it on too many mobs. Plus, offensive mages eventually become powerhouses with end tier spells and combos of spells.

[econ21]

In fact, some of them (namely the Dwarven Kingdom/Underdark-ish Quest-Line and the Haunted Elven Forest Quest-Line) are much, much easier at lower levels.

Those were the two I did last, but I don't recall finding them difficult whereas Redcliffe without a healer was too daunting for me.

The hardest stage of the game for me was the one Swordsmaster is at - just before and at Ostragar, before my tank got the invulnerability to flanking and I picked up a second mage. I guess I might still have been on the learning curve at that point too, though.

[SwordsMaster]

Ok, lots of good stuff here guys, thanks. I like the party camp system.

I have picked up Sten and Liliana (could there be more directly opposite characters?), and have worked through Lothering, and the Circle as has been suggested. (Reloaded a couple of times here, as the first time I got into a fight with Wynne), and have done Redcliffe up until the Fade section - not sure who is best to enter the Fade with (saved Jowan). Any suggestions?

How do you get influence with Sten? So far he had only 1 or 2 comments, and is basically this large lump of angry meat with a pointy stick....

I really liked the 'avatar' creation in that you can set up the character icon for the rest of the game. Now my Warden looks permanently drunk. Liking the game very much so far - only one frustrating encounter as of yet - Flemeth. I had to hide behind cover, my whole team died, and I had to resort to the cheapness of running around in circles, potion up, and shoot arrows like Rambo. Not enjoyable. More an endurance test than anything else.

[Vladimir]

How do you get influence with Sten? So far he had only 1 or 2 comments, and is basically this large lump of angry meat with a pointy stick....

Cookies. He likes cookies.

[rajpoot]

How do you get influence with Sten? So far he had only 1 or 2 comments, and is basically this large lump of angry meat with a pointy stick....

Act tough with him. Don't give in during dialogue, and tell him he's funny when you get the chance.

Liking the game very much so far - only one frustrating encounter as of yet - Flemeth. I had to hide behind cover, my whole team died, and I had to resort to the cheapness of running around in circles, potion up, and shoot arrows like Rambo. Not enjoyable. More an endurance test than anything else.

If you liked that then you'll love the Arishok encounter in DA2.

[SwordsMaster]

Hehe, thanks lads.

Played some more - finished the Redcliffe missions, and the Circle, recruited Zevran too, and finished off the Brecilian Forest. The question now is, what next? Should I go to Denerim? do the Urn of Sacred Ashes? or Orzammar?

From the story point of view, the Urn is the logical choice.. so unless there is something i don't know about, that's where I'll be headed.

[SwordsMaster]

Ok, GC, thanks, might just do that.

Another question: I have now 2 romances with the 2 females ongoing, and one of them (Liliana) is starting to act jealous. Does this affect the storyline? Or will it be Mass Effect style where it's mostly cosmetic?

[Kekvit Irae]

I think the four areas you can go in the mid-game are probably supposed to be the same difficulty and mobs do level up with the player, but it's rather well done and not as jarring as in, say, Oblivion or Neverwinter Nights OC where mobs scaled rather too well/seemingly not at all respectively. However, I suspect whatever area(s) you do later will feel easier because your party's power outstrips your opponents. In particular, tanks seem rather gimped early on - they can't hold aggro very well and they die easily if by chance they get it on too many mobs. Plus, offensive mages eventually become powerhouses with end tier spells and combos of spells.

The game areas do, indeed, have a level range. This is most prevalent when you save after Ostagar and testing out each area (reloading after going through one). The Circle Tower is the easiest and has the lowest level range, while (I believe) the Sacred Ashes quest has the highest minimum level.

[SwordsMaster]

Hmmm.... Got into Orzammar just for kicks, but still intend to do the Urn first... What would be the best team for the Urn? 2 mages +1 tank? My Warden is a rogue, so that is covered... Or 2 tanks+healer?

[rajpoot]

Hmmm.... Got into Orzammar just for kicks, but still intend to do the Urn first... What would be the best team for the Urn? 2 mages +1 tank? My Warden is a rogue, so that is covered... Or 2 tanks+healer?

Don't know gameplay wise....stuff's all easy enough that I don't bother much that way, but if you want the best party story wise, then saving the Urn for the end is best. Without spoiling, you get to watch a question answer round that sometimes gives some neat insights into your companions character. And if you have a certain dwarf with you he can make some comments about the Ash's powers.

Anyway before doing Orzammar I'd say take Leliana, Wynne and Alistair (They're the most devout) for 'good' decisions, or take Morrigan, Sten and Shale for 'bad' ones.

[SwordsMaster]

Dwarf? Where do you get the dwarf?

[rajpoot]

Dwarf? Where do you get the dwarf?

Play on Macduff.

[Kekvit Irae]

>Shale
>'bad' decisions

Seriously? No, really. SERIOUSLY?
This is the part where you WANT Shale in your party if you want to be a goody two-shoes.

[rajpoot]

Seriously? No, really. SERIOUSLY?
This is the part where you WANT Shale in your party if you want to be a goody two-shoes.

I meant as in she is not as 'believing' in the Urn's powers as the rest, and if I remember rightly makes some comments about it.
Obviously the comments made about her are different.
Or am I forgetting something.....

[SwordsMaster]

Ok, but seriously, how do you get the dwarf?