Ive signed up to be a warden, and finished the first little town. I then went off to the city (whose name I can't recall) but I am finding that while I am winning the fights, it is often after several of my party go down. I'm running low on healing potions and methods to cure the more permanent injuries. I can't buy enough of those things and don't seem to be making a profit over time. I have no one with healing magic. I seldom see experience gained in the fights. Maybe I just missed it? This is seeming more difficult than it should be and the long term injuries are becoming brutal. Is this normal? Did I miss something critical early on that would have been a big help?
First sign your post. Secondly have you got it on hard difficulty? Once I played the game and that happened to me when it turns out I was on Nightmare mode accidently. If you are on Casual or Normal difficulty I do not know why that is happening to you. Maybe a glitch. Dragonage17101996 (talk) 09:24, July 12, 2011 (UTC)
Would help if you recalled the city name, because if it's Denerim then yes, you are a wee underleveled. Dorquemada (talk) 09:33, July 12, 2011 (UTC)
You can head to the Circle Tower to recruit Wynne, a party member designed to be a healer. Also don't forget you can talent Morrigan to have healing spells as well, in fact you can get a heal on the next talent point you spend, check the Creation school. It does sound like you either have it on hard/nightmare mode though. If you pay attention to your tactics and talent each party member for offense it's very difficult to die on easy/normal.195.240.236.190 (talk) 10:05, July 12, 2011 (UTC)
"Little town", you mean Lothering? I recall running low on healing potions around this time, too, and that was on normal (though mainly because of my lousy battle tactics). Got better after I gave Morrigan herbalism to make her own potions, and the basic heal spell. Of course, Wynne is a much better healer, but I could do without her through Redcliffe, Sacred Ashes and Deep Roads, quite comfortably. --Ygrain (talk) 11:04, July 12, 2011 (UTC)
There is an "ideal order to follow" [1] based on the levels of the enemies you encounter in the different maps. Going straight from Lothering to Denerim means that you've followed the hardest route, so it's not unusual that you're having difficulty! Check the link for a detailed explanation. :) -Sophia (talk) 11:12, July 12, 2011 (UTC)
Excellent post by -Sophia. I find Lothering to Denerim the most fun (for shits and giggles...and the micromanaging), it's an insane route to follow if you're new to Origins. Incidentally, OP, what class are you playing as? Assuming you have Alistair in your party, or are an S&S Warrior yourself, you might want to check out [2]. It's a page on Tanking effectively, which your Warrior(s) should be doing, keeping your squishies away from being turned into mincemeat. In Leliana's case, tasty, tasty mincemeat.
Origins IS a bit daunting at first, so I'd recommend playing on Casual for a few quests until you get the hang of it, then pushing it back to Normal. It's what I did when trying a new class. Quirkynature (talk) 12:01, July 12, 2011 (UTC)
- But it feels such an achievement, when finally there comes a fight where no-one dies :-) I went Lothering - Redcliffe - Denerim, and came across that maleficar den, which I stubbornly decided to cleanse. Everyone had a couple of red icons when I was over (Alistair five, I think), but I did learn a lot about micromanagement and strategy. And, uh, I left Leliana guard the camp and took just the tanks with Morrigan - you know, you can bring Leliana afterwards and impress her with the description of the heavy fight you had right _here_ while she's busy with the locks :-)--Ygrain (talk) 12:14, July 12, 2011 (UTC)
- That maleficar den is my favoritest dungeon in the entire game. Possibly because I hit it around level 9 (I think) and by then I'm exactly slightly too weak to coast through. Cue the micromanaging and vehement swearing. Love it.
- My first ever (I mean EVER) party consisted of my Warden, Leliana, Morrigan and Sten. I'd seen the Sacred Ashes trailer and thought 'hey, if BW thinks this is a good party, well it must be'. My Warrior couldn't keep any threat off anybody and Sten was invariably the first to...die. Then Morrigan and lastly Leliana. Then I subbed in Wynne for Sten and things changed. Then only Wynne and Morrigan died. Then I subbed in Alistair for Morrigan and it went fine after that. By the time I'd subbed in Alistair, I was on my 394838292984848292929384th restarted playthrough and finally gotten the hang of the mechanics of Origins (lol still haven't completely but I like saying it for kicks).
- Impressing Leliana. You know, before DA2, I couldn't stand the thought of romancing her. After DA2, I couldn't stand the thought of NOT romancing her. I guess it's the Merrill effect. And with the mod to make vanilla Leliana (eww) look like Sacred Ashes Leliana (helllllllo), it's like I actually pay attention to what she says instead of keeping my thumb on Esc: "blah blah blah Maker said so blah blah blah"...Massive Cunning unlocked. Done. Oh, Morrigan...where art thou, Morrigan?
- Or is that just me? Quirkynature (talk) 04:03, July 13, 2011 (UTC)
- Just you. I was mostly meh about Leliana in DA:O, but oh bloody Maker's ass what I wouldn't give for an option to marrrrderrrr Sister Nightingale. Slowwwwly. Painfully. And not in a good way painfully, mind you. I wanted to punch my screen whenever the camera panned on her smug sanctimonious snout and kick her into teeth when she started with "bloo bloo maker bla bla Exalted March". Fucking thrall of Inquisition. :E Dorquemada (talk) 06:27, July 13, 2011 (UTC)
- Yes, oh my GOD, YES! I didn't make my Leliana to be such a sanctimonious, preachy little git! I hardened the hell out of her! I killed Genitivi in front of her! I sided with Branka! All the while she only frowned a little! Nothing more! None of that Chantry claptrap pushed in! My Warden will cringe when he sees her like this! Good thing he's married to Anora. Quirkynature (talk) 12:56, July 13, 2011 (UTC)
- Just you. I was mostly meh about Leliana in DA:O, but oh bloody Maker's ass what I wouldn't give for an option to marrrrderrrr Sister Nightingale. Slowwwwly. Painfully. And not in a good way painfully, mind you. I wanted to punch my screen whenever the camera panned on her smug sanctimonious snout and kick her into teeth when she started with "bloo bloo maker bla bla Exalted March". Fucking thrall of Inquisition. :E Dorquemada (talk) 06:27, July 13, 2011 (UTC)
On Hard, I found I could'nt just rush in and kill everything like I did on Normal, and I found including a Rogue in your party(freferably a dual wielding one) can help immensely. If the enemy has a mage that is wrecking shop, or there's a lieutenant that your warriors are having difficulty with, a rogue stealthing up behind them will make sure that they are far less of a threat. As for Denerim, doing the alley quest on hard without being a veteran is practically suicide without large amounts of potions or Shale. I would recommend grabbing Wynne as soon as possible on Hard, because While Morrigan has cone of cold, possibly the best offensive spell in the game, group heal and revival are highly recommended when going into the Back alleys at lower levels.
- I'm not a fan of the fade (Circle Tower), so I usually go visit the Dalish in the Brecilian Forest first. You can get some free goods, including Dalish Armor, which is excellent for early game play. And, if you start to get overwhelmed in the forest, you can retreat, and go elsewhere. If you do the Circle Tower and get trounced in the fade, too bad- you can't go back. I save the circle tower for later, which isn't the usual mode of doing things, but it works for me. Lothering 1, Dalish 2, Redcliffe 3, and then wherever you like at that point. Oh, and make sure you use Leliana as a ranged archer/chest opener, and let Morrigan deal damage while Alistair takes a beating. Make sure you set each character's tactics, and make your characters heal when they reach 25 or even 10% health. If they heal at 50%, you'll use way too many potions. And, if you go to see the Dalish first, you can get as much elfroot as you will ever need from Varathorn. Buy 99 (or more) flasks in Lothering and elfroot from the dalish, then have Morrigan whip up your potions. Healing solved. Enjoy. It's a great game. LVTDUDE (talk) 03:48, July 13, 2011 (UTC)
- It's a bit like cheating, but the Skip the Fade mod on DANexus is...awesome. Never play Origins without it. Never really liked the Fade. Not enough Desire Demons and too many Rage Demons. My Warden not likey. Quirkynature (talk) 04:03, July 13, 2011 (UTC)
- Sometimes I really envy you PC players; after 10 playthroughs, that place is still my least favorite in DA -_---LordRevan25 (talk) 04:28, July 13, 2011 (UTC)
- While I agree about the mod envy, I must be weird because I like the origin fade levels...if you are a rogue or warrior you get to mess around with magic for a bit to take a break from the normal flow, and you have to learn how to solo instead of relying on your group.199.115.184.6 (talk) 04:31, July 13, 2011 (UTC)
- Sure, you're relying on your group. That's part of the gameplay, isn't it? Only an Arcane Warrior or a Dexterous Rogue can solo the game effectively on Nightmare--and that's another way to play the game. I've played through the Fade enough. The first time it was extremely cool. The second, it was still awesome. Third, not bad. Fourth onward it got...tedious and boring. It's not that I can't stand the Fade. I'd rather just skip it instead. Makes the Circle a cinch to finish.
- While I agree about the mod envy, I must be weird because I like the origin fade levels...if you are a rogue or warrior you get to mess around with magic for a bit to take a break from the normal flow, and you have to learn how to solo instead of relying on your group.199.115.184.6 (talk) 04:31, July 13, 2011 (UTC)
- Sometimes I really envy you PC players; after 10 playthroughs, that place is still my least favorite in DA -_---LordRevan25 (talk) 04:28, July 13, 2011 (UTC)
- @LordRevan25 (he was awesome, wasn't he?) the Ultimate Edition for Origins is $30 on Steam which, considering the almost limitless replayability (to me, at least), is really cheap. For a more protracted experience, look up mods. I honestly recommend it. It's an entirely different experience playing with mods on the PC--for which the game was designed originally anyway. Numerous bugfixes, patches, the full experience of a new Origins. A measly $30. I'd say it's worth it. Your call, ultimately, though. Quirkynature (talk) 04:48, July 13, 2011 (UTC)
- You ain't the only weirdo here then - Fade's probably my favorite part of DA:O. 8-) Dorquemada (talk) 06:31, July 13, 2011 (UTC)
- Quirkynature disapproves </3 -40. Yeah. I went there. Quirkynature (talk) 12:56, July 13, 2011 (UTC)
- :( ...oh but hey, what if I tell you I really totally dig Anders and Exile >>>> Revan? Will it give you enough disapproval to push you all the way into full Rivalry, because - at least according to Bioware - it's just the same ol' friendship, only you go "Wazzup, you retard spawn of a broodmother" instead of "Awwww♥hellloooo my sweetest moogiewoogie!" and I prefer the former anyway. Dorquemada (talk) 14:04, July 13, 2011 (UTC)
- Anders gives you Quirkynature approves <3 +10 (only because I liked Awakening Anders) and Exile gives you Quirkynature disapproves </3 -90.
- "Wazzup, you retard spawn of a broodmother. I'll help you doing whatever you want but I won't like it and I won't-go-against-you-no-matter-what-even-though-we-have-a-difference-of-opinion-so-greatIlookonyouwithdisgustbutnotopenlyonlywhenyourbackisturned okaaaaaaaaaaay?" Achievement Unlocked: Rival. Quirkynature (talk) 14:13, July 13, 2011 (UTC)
About not seeing xp, I skimmed through and didn't see anyone answering it but I might of missed it...you will only see the xp flash up on the screen if you did the damage that killed the mob. The party member who deals the final blow get's slightly more xp than everyone else gets for that kill but everyone else still gets normal xp. I also didn't see anything about injury kits, they are always nice to carry around as they will not only relieve you of an injury but also heal you a bit like a health poultice and can be used for an emergancy healwhen you run out of the latter. But in the long run for injuries you will want a mage with the spirit healer specialization and cleansing aura which removes them automatically. 199.115.184.6 (talk) 04:22, July 13, 2011 (UTC)
- Thanks all for your help. Yes, I went straight from Lotharing to Denerim. It was a tossup between that and to look for the Arl. However, as the Arl was said to be sick, and I thought I had run across a bit of lore suggesting that the sage who knew where the ashes might be was in Denerim, I decided to go there first. Morrigan also wanted to go there first, but she's probably having a good laugh about the whole thing now. Curiously she's the one who usually survives the encounters when everyone else goes down. The Denerim back alleys are where I'm having problems. I cleared two by the skin of my teeth, but the potions are running low, and the third one looks to be a bear. I'll go see about getting a healer. Morrigan has herbalist or some such thing. (Haven't leveled her up yet, but very close!) I haven't figured out yet how to craft potions, so that is probably something to look into. Is there a penalty for quitting the city to go to party camp? Will there be more potions when I get there? -Ian
- There's no penalty for leaving. Apart from a couple of quest areas where you are 'locked in' (it'll be obvious which ones they are when you get to them) and one point near the end of the game, you can wander freely around the world map, and in and out of camp, as much as you like. -Sophia (talk) 09:12, July 13, 2011 (UTC)
There's one good reason for going to Denerim first, and that's the Wonders of Thedas. Pick up the Archivist's Sash and, if you can afford them, the Paralysis runes and Tome. Most of the Market (put one point into Stealing, no matter what your class is, to unlock several easy & lucrative quests) can be tackled by a low-level party... just make sure to skirt around the imposing fellow, hanging around outside the bar. The Pearl can, as well, but probably not on your first playthrough. Futonrevoltion (talk) 17:36, July 13, 2011 (UTC)