Dragon Age: Origins.

[AndreaDraco]

Yes, there's a mod that allows you to bypass the Fade. It teleports you right after the confrontation with Sloth.

I actually like the Fade part, because it feels like a giant puzzle, but I can understand why other players find it jarring. However, if you're on XboX and simply want some help, here you can find the optimal strategy to beat the Fade as soon as you possibly can.

Today, in preparation of Dragon Age 2, I completed Witch Hunt with my second character, Lahearl, and I'm preparing to finally finish the Deep Roads with my third character, a Human Noble Warrior by the name of Hadryan. I've also a four playthrough in the run, with a Female Mage, whom I intend to use to unlock the Ultimate Sacrifice, but given the ending I planned for her, I won't play her through all the other DLCs and Awakening and, as such, she can wait

[Tawmis]

Yes, there's a mod that allows you to bypass the Fade. It teleports you right after the confrontation with Sloth.

Now you tell me.

The only good to come the FADE is the bonus things you find for Strength, Dexterity, etc.

I actually like the Fade part, because it feels like a giant puzzle, but I can understand why other players find it jarring. However, if you're on XboX and simply want some help, here you can find the optimal strategy to beat the Fade as soon as you possibly can.

Playing it on PC this time.

[AndreaDraco]

Are you playing a dual-wielding rogue or an archer? And who you're travelling with this time?

[Tawmis]

Are you playing a dual-wielding rogue or an archer? And who you're travelling with this time?

Dual. I like the up close combat.

As for traveling - I keep swapping out every time I go somewhere new. Kind of want to see/hear what different people say while walking around. (The Alistar/Wynne convos are still some of my favorites).

I am also using the Dog Mod. Which I love.

[AndreaDraco]

I am also using the Dog Mod. Which I love.

The one that allows you to have Dog always in your party as a fifth member? Doesn't it make the game a bit too easy, since he can become pretty strong?

Anyway, if you think the Fade is boring, wait until you arrive to the Deep Roads. They are so looooong. And after a while I find the color palette irksome.

[Tawmis]

I am also using the Dog Mod. Which I love.

The one that allows you to have Dog always in your party as a fifth member? Doesn't it make the game a bit too easy, since he can become pretty strong?
Anyway, if you think the Fade is boring, wait until you arrive to the Deep Roads. They are so looooong. And after a while I find the color palette irksome.

Having the Dog does make the party powerful. But really the dog has no real powers, other than threaten and knock down that are overly useful. I just have him in the party since I am playing a Human Noble (Rogue... which, really doesn't make much sense... since if you're a noble, why would you be a rogue?) Other than being spoiled, and you had everything, so that's why you became a rogue type... but figured that the dog is always getting in trouble (when you do the noble origin) - that rogue and dog have a strong bond.

Besides, this is about my fifth or six play through for Dragon Age. At this point, it's all for fun, and to sedate my hunger until Dragon Age II comes out.

And trust me, I remember the Deep Roads. At least it was fairly simple (in terms it's almost all combat)... rather than trying to remember which mouse hole led you to which spot in the Fade. (Which was honestly the most irksome part... once you got the Burning Man, Spirit Mage and/or Colossus, then the Fade isn't that bad... it's just that initial time as a mouse, trying to figure out where to go).

[Tawmis]

My thought on MODS is that they SHOULDN'T be used, until you have beat the game legit - since that's how the game was made and developed. Because even the Respec Crow or whatever you want to call it (another popular Mod, one I haven't used yet) is a way of cheating the game. Some would argue, "Well it's because I don't like the spec after all" - well, I'd counter and say, those are life choices made in the game. But after you beat the game - I say load up the mods - bring in the Dog, constantly respec and see what works for you. Just beat the game legit first.

[AndreaDraco]

I partially agree with you, Tawmis.

However, there's a mod I can't simply play without. The Detailed Tooltips. The way developers chose to write these tooltips they are absolutely useless - I don't care if Shield Wall boost my missile deflection. I want to know exactly how much does Shield Wall boost it in comparison with the other abilities. Same goes for the spells and every other ability or potion in the game. Sure, it makes the game extremaly rule-heavy, but I like it that way

[Tawmis]

I partially agree with you, Tawmis.

However, there's a mod I can't simply play without. The Detailed Tooltips. The way developers chose to write these tooltips they are absolutely useless - I don't care if Shield Wall boost my missile deflection. I want to know exactly how much does Shield Wall boost it in comparison with the other abilities. Same goes for the spells and every other ability or potion in the game. Sure, it makes the game extremaly rule-heavy, but I like it that way

Rule clarification mods (which is what I seem to understand that one does?) - are fine, because it's not actually impacting the game itself.

[Tawmis]

So I copied it to the folder it's supposed to be in (the tooltips, to see what it does)...

C:\USERS\UserName\My Documents\Bioware\Dragon Age\packages\core\override

But I don't see anything different?

[DeadPoolX]

My thought on MODS is that they SHOULDN'T be used, until you have beat the game legit - since that's how the game was made and developed. Because even the Respec Crow or whatever you want to call it (another popular Mod, one I haven't used yet) is a way of cheating the game. Some would argue, "Well it's because I don't like the spec after all" - well, I'd counter and say, those are life choices made in the game. But after you beat the game - I say load up the mods - bring in the Dog, constantly respec and see what works for you. Just beat the game legit first.

I can't say I agree.

If someone wants to play a game by "cheating" then it's their choice and nothing is wrong with it. The only time cheating is really bad is in a multiplayer game, because then you're affecting other people.

I guess this sort of thing is a pet peeve of mine.

When someone tells (or even strongly suggests) that someone is wrong for playing a single player game how they want, I'd like to know: where do they get off telling someone else how to play?. I don't see anything wrong if, on a player's first (and quite possibly only) playthrough if they want to cheat.

I wouldn't want to, but that's my decision. I can't tell anyone else how to play their game, just like they can't with me.

It's almost as bad as when people say "saving anywhere makes the game too easy." Who are you to say what is and what isn't too easy? Who are you to tell me how to play my game? If you want to give yourself a challenge, play at a higher difficulty level or limit how many times you save.

[AndreaDraco]

When you stop the cursor on the ability icons on the quick-bar, you should see in-depth explanations of what that ability does.

[Tawmis]

I can't say I agree.

Hold on, let me get my surprised face on...

There we go!

If someone wants to play a game by "cheating" then it's their choice and nothing is wrong with it. The only time cheating is really bad is in a multiplayer game, because then you're affecting other people.

When someone tells (or even strongly suggests) that someone is wrong for playing a single player game how they want, I'd like to know: where do they get off telling someone else how to play?. I don't see anything wrong if, on a player's first (and quite possibly only) playthrough if they want to cheat.

LOL! I was meaning more for myself! Everyone else in the world can do whatever they please! They can hexedit their characters to level 99 (even if 25 is the max) and run around like Gods!

But for myself, my golden rule is - play the game as it's delivered! Beat it fair and square as the designers had intended! Once that's done - then it's a free for all for me. I will download MODs and such and perhaps unbalance the game in my favor, because at that point, I have gotten everything out of the game I was meant to get! Second, third, fourth play throughts for me will be all about having fun and just doing whatever.

Sorry if it came across as I am God, and the world should listen to me about how single player games should be played!

Such was definitely not my intention!

[Tawmis]

When you stop the cursor on the ability icons on the quick-bar, you should see in-depth explanations of what that ability does.

Hrm. It looks the same. Do you have a screen shot of what it'd look like?

EDIT: Nevermind. Went to the mod page and looked at their screen shots. It matches. I see the additional info on spells and such, but not much in terms of the rogues different attacks and such.

[AndreaDraco]

Well, it's been a while since I played a rogue in the original campaign, but I remember that the tooltips greatly helped me in understanding which abilities were useful and which were so-and-so. For example, if you look at the detailed explanation of Momentum, you can't help but notice how godly this ability is