# The Dragon Age thread **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [November 3, 2009, 12:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-dragon-age-thread/516156 "2009-11-03T12:34:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 10
**Author:** ![cckerberos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f0a364/32.png) [@cckerberos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cckerberos)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2009, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-dragon-age-thread/516156/181 "2009-11-10T14:07:08Z")
Finally beat it; it took me 52 hours on Normal difficulty (no patch) as a Warrior. I’m tempted to start a new playthrough as a Mage, but I may put that off for a few days. I’m a little burned out. ---
**Author:** ![cckerberos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f0a364/32.png) [@cckerberos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cckerberos)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2009, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-dragon-age-thread/516156/182 "2009-11-10T14:09:04Z")
> [@Tamerlane](#): > > One difference I’ve seen listed is that on “normal” difficulty on the PC, friendly fire does half damage. On consoles it is zero, the same as on the PC “easy” difficulty ( on “hard” or worse it is apparently full damage on all platforms ). Even taking into account controller difficulties, that’s a huge difference as far as difficulty goes. ---
**Author:** ![Crowbar\_of\_Irony\_3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f08c70/32.png) [@Crowbar\_of\_Irony\_3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crowbar_of_Irony_3)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2009, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-dragon-age-thread/516156/183 "2009-11-10T14:32:06Z")
Well, there’s another perk for being good guys. I like how they handle the good guy/bad guy approach: At Lothering, if you fight the bandits instead of scaring them off, you lost the opportunity to do 2 side-quests with the Elder and the nervous lady who wanted you to make traps. Not sure how that matters in the long run. ---
**Author:** ![Athena](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/35a633/32.png) [@Athena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Athena)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2009, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-dragon-age-thread/516156/184 "2009-11-10T15:56:35Z")
So what’s with the specializations? I’m level 10, have one specialization point, but none of the specializations are available to me. Did I miss some important part of the game? Shouldn’t I have stumbled across one of them by now? ---
**Author:** ![D\_Odds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/d_odds/32/2882_2.png) [@D\_Odds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Odds)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2009, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-dragon-age-thread/516156/185 "2009-11-10T16:18:12Z")
Well, I finally found out how to make myself a special class, but those books are frakkin’ expensive! WTF? As I need to spend every penny on staying alive (no good loot drops, and I have to suck red and blue potions as if I’m trying to get drunk on Coors Light), just how am I ever going to be a ranger? And is there anyplace that actually tells you what a ranger or duelist gets? I can’t take delving into the game forums - to many min/maxers power gamers and power gamer-wannabes being assholes to those of us who play maybe an hour a day and don’t want to re-roll everytime we find out some new mechanic that means that our character’s utility if far less than optimal (like taking poison on an archer, or even knowing that archery is currently in line for a fix, or that daggers were bugged for a dual-weapon rogue). ETA: **Athena** , certain merchants have books for specialization, but as noted above, they are expensive. I don’t know if they can be found as loot, or if there are other options. ---
**Author:** ![cckerberos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f0a364/32.png) [@cckerberos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cckerberos)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2009, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-dragon-age-thread/516156/186 "2009-11-10T16:50:57Z")
> [@Athena](#): > > So what’s with the specializations? I’m level 10, have one specialization point, but none of the specializations are available to me. Did I miss some important part of the game? Shouldn’t I have stumbled across one of them by now? You unlock them through buying very expensive manuals or through conversations (mostly with characters in your party). Depending on what specialization you’re looking for and the order you do the various parts of the game, you might have to wait a while… I wanted the Champion specialization but didn’t unlock it until I hit level 19 or so. ---
**Author:** ![Kobal2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kobal2/32/20_2.png) [@Kobal2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kobal2)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2009, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-dragon-age-thread/516156/187 "2009-11-10T16:54:05Z")
> [@D\_Odds](#): > > Well, I finally found out how to make myself a special class, but those books are frakkin’ expensive! WTF? As I need to spend every penny on staying alive (no good loot drops, and I have to suck red and blue potions as if I’m trying to get drunk on Coors Light), just how am I ever going to be a ranger? And is there anyplace that actually tells you what a ranger or duelist gets? I can’t take delving into the game forums - to many min/maxers power gamers and power gamer-wannabes being assholes to those of us who play maybe an hour a day and don’t want to re-roll everytime we find out some new mechanic that means that our character’s utility if far less than optimal (like taking poison on an archer, or even knowing that archery is currently in line for a fix, or that daggers were bugged for a dual-weapon rogue). > > ETA: **Athena** , certain merchants have books for specialization, but as noted above, they are expensive. I don’t know if they can be found as loot, or if there are other options. The Prima Guida has the specifics of specializations. Because of course, that couldn’t be in the manual :mad::mad::mad: Anyway, the Ranger gets pets. That’s it. Level one is a wolf, level two is a bear, three is a spider, and four is an upgrade to all three previous pets by turning them into the Dire version. Still, I guess a fifth party member/damage sponge could get useful. Not that the other Rogue trees are any more spectacular, really. Duelist has attack and defense sustained buffs and a short “all criticals” ability, turning it into a tank-light (without the armor and shield :/) ; Assassin has a single target resistance debuff, a DoT and a backstab damage boost ; and Bard is .. well, a Bard 😛 ---
**Author:** ![cckerberos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f0a364/32.png) [@cckerberos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cckerberos)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2009, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-dragon-age-thread/516156/188 "2009-11-10T16:54:28Z")
> [@D\_Odds](#): > > Well, I finally found out how to make myself a special class, but those books are frakkin’ expensive! WTF? As I need to spend every penny on staying alive (no good loot drops, and I have to suck red and blue potions as if I’m trying to get drunk on Coors Light), just how am I ever going to be a ranger? And is there anyplace that actually tells you what a ranger or duelist gets? I can’t take delving into the game forums - to many min/maxers power gamers and power gamer-wannabes being assholes to those of us who play maybe an hour a day and don’t want to re-roll everytime we find out some new mechanic that means that our character’s utility if far less than optimal (like taking poison on an archer, or even knowing that archery is currently in line for a fix, or that daggers were bugged for a dual-weapon rogue). > > ETA: **Athena** , certain merchants have books for specialization, but as noted above, they are expensive. I don’t know if they can be found as loot, or if there are other options. Duelist can be gotten from a woman in the brothel in Denerim. Isabella, I think her name was? I don’t know the other way to unlock Ranger. ---
**Author:** ![Redwing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/dfb087/32.png) [@Redwing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Redwing)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2009, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-dragon-age-thread/516156/189 "2009-11-10T17:25:55Z")
> [@D\_Odds](#): > > ETA: **Athena** , certain merchants have books for specialization, but as noted above, they are expensive. I don’t know if they can be found as loot, or if there are other options. Arcane Warrior Arcane Warrior can be gotten for free in a little room in the warewolf dungeon. Look for the broken altar. ---
**Author:** ![Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e480ec/32.png) [@Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Least_Original_User_Name_Ever)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2009, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-dragon-age-thread/516156/190 "2009-11-10T17:38:21Z")
> [@Redwing](#): > > Arcane Warrior > > Arcane Warrior can be gotten for free in a little room in the warewolf dungeon. Look for the broken altar. To be fair, it’s not IN the werewolf lair. It’s in the level above it. I started up with a mage, plunked almost literally every point I got into magic strength, came into this quest, found the Arcane Warrior perk, and now I’m running around in my super sweet-ass Blood Dragon armor, casting spells and smashing shit with a giant maul. ---
**Author:** ![mlees](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba8739/32.png) [@mlees](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mlees)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2009, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-dragon-age-thread/516156/191 "2009-11-10T19:15:44Z")
> [@Athena](#): > > So what’s with the specializations? I’m level 10, have one specialization point, but none of the specializations are available to me. Did I miss some important part of the game? Shouldn’t I have stumbled across one of them by now? I saw some merchants offering them for sale. ---
**Author:** ![Jragon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e19b73/32.png) [@Jragon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jragon)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2009, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-dragon-age-thread/516156/192 "2009-11-10T19:45:14Z")
You can get all specs from books or character interactions, with a few that are only obtainable in one way. So far I only know the mage ones: Shapeshifter - From Morrigan, or a book in the Dalish elf village store. WARNING - there is currently a bug with Morrigan that will prevent her from ever teaching it to you under currently uncertain circumstances. I hear the bug is either after you kiss her or after you sleep with her. She won’t do it in my game. Arcane Warrior - Book above the werewolf lair, I don’t think there’s any other way. Blood Mage - If you go into the fade to rescue Collin in Redcliffe Castle the desire demon will offer you a favor in exchange for being allowed to return to the boy after you’re done with him, one of these favors is being taught “specialized blood magic” which unlocks the spec. There is no other way, but if you buy Warden’s Keep you can get two free talents by drinking from the vial in the tower. **BEWARE: becoming a Blood Mage apparently will make Wynne attack you if she catches you using it.** The same problem doesn’t apply to the vial. Spirit Healer - Wynne will teach it to you, I think there’s also a book in Denerim somewhere you can buy. I found an FAQ on Screw Attack that quickly lists the other classes, I assume they’re correct, but I can’t give any extra details Warrior ``` * Berserker: Oghren, or a book from Groim in the Denerim Market * Champion: Arl Eamon (Finish the Urn of Sacred Ashes quest line) * Reaver: Kolgrim (Wyrmling Lair) WARNING: This requires doing a quest that will piss off certain party members to the point of them attacking you. Only do this if you have little to no regard for losing them. * Templar: Alistair, or a book from Bodahn's Wares in camp. ``` Rogue ``` * Assassin: Zevran, Alarith's Store in Denerim (after Landsmeet starts) * Bard: Leliana, Alimar (Orzammar) * Duelist: Isabela in The Pearl in Denerim * Ranger: a book in Bodahn's Wares in camp. ``` ---
**Author:** ![mlees](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba8739/32.png) [@mlees](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mlees)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2009, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-dragon-age-thread/516156/193 "2009-11-10T19:55:25Z")
Thanks, Jragon! ---
**Author:** ![wolfman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a8b319/32.png) [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2009, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-dragon-age-thread/516156/194 "2009-11-10T22:15:03Z")
Well I finished the game. I still love it. I actually started another character. Even on a harder difficulty it is much easier this time because I understand what everything is going to do. The Tower of Ishii is still a bitch however. The end game is pretty sweet but END GAME SPOILER PROBABLY DON’T WANT TO READ UNLESS YOU HAVE FINISHED. [spoiler]I kind of lost the drama of the big moment when I fell on the ground laughing after Riordan pulled a Roy, with complete ending. [http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0430.html[/spoiler]](http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0430.html%5B/spoiler%5D) ---
**Author:** ![smiling\_bandit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9a140/32.png) [@smiling\_bandit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smiling_bandit)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2009, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-dragon-age-thread/516156/195 "2009-11-10T22:16:48Z")
I wanted to repeat that apparently, once you unlock a clas, it stays unlocked. You can supposedly buy a book and then reload and you will still have access to the class, as well as any future games you play. I suppose this was Bioware’s idea of “replay value”, since you can’t actually get most fo the abilities you want when you want them. ---
**Author:** ![MOIDALIZE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e274bd/32.png) [@MOIDALIZE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MOIDALIZE)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2009, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-dragon-age-thread/516156/196 "2009-11-10T23:16:50Z")
I got to Berserker not long after I was ready for it, so I’m not complaining, but I will start buying them when I see them. ---
**Author:** ![Kinthalis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kinthalis/32/16084_2.png) [@Kinthalis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kinthalis)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2009, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-dragon-age-thread/516156/197 "2009-11-10T23:19:58Z")
Well, I got my copy of PC gamer. I haven’t read the review yet but it looks extensive and glowing. It also comes with a stand alone adventure! Problem is, they apparently screwed something up. The file should have been ina particular format that would auto instlal on your system. But it’s not in that format, so I have no idea how to install it. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2009, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-dragon-age-thread/516156/198 "2009-11-11T03:31:06Z")
Is it more KOTOR (which I loved) or more Mass Effect (which I didn’t)? ---
**Author:** ![Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e480ec/32.png) [@Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Least_Original_User_Name_Ever)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2009, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-dragon-age-thread/516156/199 "2009-11-11T03:32:22Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > Is it more KOTOR (which I loved) or more Mass Effect (which I didn’t)? It’s pretty damned sweet. ---
**Author:** ![cckerberos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f0a364/32.png) [@cckerberos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cckerberos)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2009, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-dragon-age-thread/516156/200 "2009-11-11T04:00:05Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > Is it more KOTOR (which I loved) or more Mass Effect (which I didn’t)? It is more KOTOR than Mass Effect, but it’s more NWN than either of those. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-dragon-age-thread/516156.md?page=9) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-dragon-age-thread/516156.md?page=11)