Forum:The Iron Bull vs the Sten

Forums: Index > Lore DiscussionThe Iron Bull vs the Sten

Note: This topic has been unedited for 3390 days. It is considered archived - the discussion is over. Do not continue it unless it really needs a response.

Which of the 2 qunari companions is a better character?Andrzej.lewinski.351 (talk) 19:25, January 6, 2015 (UTC)

Iron Bull, as a character, is more interesting to me. He has a lot more development than Sten, who doesn't change that much over the course of Origins. They also have VERY different perspectives on the Qun and the world outside of the Qun, with Sten being aloof, far more contemptuous of 'bas', and very dogmatic. Iron Bull, on the other hand, is more accessible, better acquainted and understanding of non-Qunari society, and doesn't have anywhere near the level of contempt for 'bas' that Sten has. However, part of this is due to the Qunari, at the time of Origins' development, not having been as fully fleshed out as they have come to be over the course of Dragon Age II and Inquisition. In Origins, they were a far off, unknown, mysterious people about whom little was known, except for their antagonistic relationship with Thedas. --TheFereldenMagister (talk) 19:45, January 6, 2015 (UTC)

The Arishok (Sten) is the better character because he accurately reflects what he is; Qunari. Iron Bull may be more "fun", but he's also a hypocrite. He claims to be of the Qun, but he breaks its tenets all the time in multiple ways. Sten is clear-minded and duty-bound. He can also be evasive in a unique and cleaver way. Sten is just better written. He phrases things better, and he's much wiser. Iron Bull is okay, but he may as well be a dwarf. Believe it! (talk) 20:20, January 6, 2015 (UTC)

Though I generally agree with you, I think it's that contradictory behaviour that adds a certain complexity to Iron Bull's character. They both don't share the same personality obviously, which leads to such behaviour. Both are good representatives of what people are in fact like in our own world in the past, present and definitely the future. But yeah, I'm generally on the side of Sten here. I admire him more. 01:37, January 7, 2015 (UTC)

I find Sten the better character since he is more fleshed out in my opinion: Unlike Iron Bull, he questions your Warden's choices and isn't afraid to voice his opinions, even if it leads to conflict and violence. That makes him wiser than most. Second, like mentioned above, he is clear-minded and duty-bound. And the work to gain his respect in order to learn more about him had me intrigued. He is not like most characters.

Nice observation about Iron Bull, Believe. Those traits is typical of a dwarf, even then, Oghren outshines him there, too. --NobleHumanRocks (talk) 20:52, January 6, 2015 (UTC)

Almost makes me think they originally planned Oghren to be in our party. Why would we care about his relationship in the Keep if he wasn't going to come back? Oh gods... imagine a party with Varric and Oghren...

Still, I will agree, Sten just felt very different, which is what the Qunari are supposed to feel like. Even though he didn't have the horns, he made up for it with a pure sense of where he belonged. Which is exactly what the Qun is all about. Don't get me wrong, Bull is awesome. But Bull could have easily been Tal-Vashoth from the beginning, which he almost is. King of Noobs 20:57, January 6, 2015 (UTC)

I think the difference in their characters is due to the amount of time they have spent around non-Qunari. When the Inquisitor meets the Iron Bull, he has been undercover so long that he is starting to go rogue. I believe, based on in-game conversations, Iron Bull was once as dogmatic as the typical Qunari but has not been able to reconcile everything he has seen with what the Qunari teaches. As a result, he is becoming more like his cover than the Qunari he appears and is supposed to be.

Sten had just recently arrived in Ferelden before being imprisoned and knows next to nothing outside the Qun when the Warden finds him locked up. Sten interprets everything in the context of the Qun, so there is almost certainly going to be more conflict with the player character. Leliana reveals a softer side to Sten in party banter, though, which I think is rather humorous. DemonyThings (talk) 22:02, January 6, 2015 (UTC)

Just want to point out that it is not the Sten, just Sten. On topic I find Sten the more fascinating character, which should answer your question I think. Caspoi (talk) 01:27, January 7, 2015 (UTC)

Sten was so boring. --Elshiro (talk) 03:26, January 7, 2015 (UTC)

If by vs you mean in a fight, then Sten, considering he got promoted to Arishok. If you mean who is a more interesting character, it would have to be a tie. If you mean who's a better Qunari, then again, Sten. Diain (talk) 17:21, January 7, 2015 (UTC)