Kajana

The general rule is to play the game the first (or even second or third based) without mods, then you get a feeling for the game and what you would like to mod in future playthoughs. However the big exception to this (at least for me) in the dialogue and other fixes, which is most of what you have listed. I would also recommend Dialogue Tweaks, you can get compatible versions of ZDF and MRP, or at least with a bit of effort make all three work together. Regarding both Advance Tactics and Combat Tweaks, they are both great and I have both and have not any significant problem with each. However they do add a level of complexity to the game. Which is great if you have played the game and are familar with the combat and tactics, but it might be a bit overwhelming for someone new to the game. I would recommend playing it the first time without both. The added benefit to waiting is that after you have played the game a few times you add CT and it is like playing for the first time. IA is a wonderful mod, for me it is essential and would never uninstall it, but I have heard that it can cause problems if you ever need to. The thing is that it doesn't change anything essential, it enhances the world. It is nice but doesn't change anything. And most of the changes are things that you wouldn't notice on a first playthough. Best way to think of it as looking at a picture of the moon, at first all you see is the moon, only later do you see the stars, IA adds stars. I would recommend playing the first time without it, then if what it does appeals to you, you can do the research and see if the risk is worth it. Again for me it is essential, but each person is different. I know that this is long, and that I have said a couple times about what to do on a first playthought, which of course assumes that you will play it a second or third time. But if this is your thing, you will. Probably 75% of the people on this site have played the game a half dozen times at least. It is a game with wonderful replayability. And if it isn't your thing, the mods aren't going to help that. I hope this helps. Wanted to add a thought... I was thinking about what I would say to someone on their second playthough regarding 'essential' mods, and in truth there are none. There are popular ones, but really each individual has there own set of what they consider to be 'essential' What I would say is this, as you play the game for the first time, if you ever have the thought about 'boy I wish I could do this' or 'why don't they have this?' or 'I want something to do that' or 'Dear Maker, why do they do that?' remember that and write it down. and when you start modding, start with that list. For me personally, I desperately wanted a storage chest, so that was the first mod I installed; for me playing as a female rogue, I hated the available hair, now for a male character, may not be a big deal; I wished the dog was a different color and that there was better looking rogue armor; if you play as a warrior or mage, won't matter to you, etc. Don't just install a mod because it sounds cool or is popular, you can have too many mods, consentrate on the ones that matter to you and will enhance your game.

Thanks for the response. I hadn't thought of that. I did try it but same problem, although this time in follow up conversation Faryn will acknowledge that he already told you where the sword is (before the conversation would start over) but the quest still does not update and no option to talk to Dwyn about the sword. I am at a bit of a loss. EDIT: It worked. I took your advice a step farther and took Sten to talk to Dwyn even though the quest had not updated but the dialogue options showed, he gave key, sword in chest!!! Sten is very happy. Thank you so much for taking the time to respond, and for your great idea. Had not even occured to me to try that. Thanks again!

I have the Awakening talents and specializations already installed, I don't care about crafting the runes I just would like to be able to buy the runes from someone in Origins. If anyone has any ideas, I would appreciate it. Thanks.

I would agree to play the game mod free the first time or two or even three, by then you will know what you would like to change or try and understand what the mods do to the game. However, I would make an exception to this for the dialogue fixes. In a game with this much dialogue there was no way everything would work perfectly and the dialogue fixes allow you to enjoy the game the way it was meant to be. It was an odd experience for me to have characters doing and saying things that didn't seem to make sense only to find out later the dialogue was bugged! I would recommend DT (Dialogue Tweaks), ZDF (Zeveran Dialgue Fixes) and MRP (Morrigan Restoration Patch), they are compatible with each other (may be some minor changes that you will need to make to override, or download specific version of the mod, be sure to read the 'read me' and descriptions for all) and don't change anything about the game only fixing bugged dialogue and restoring scenes that are part of the game but don't play in the vanilla version.

This maybe something that is in the toolset, which I don't have. If so if someone could let me know that I would appreciate it. But I am trying to write some scenes using dialogue spoken by characters in game, specifically DAO. Currently looking for a list for Alistair, if anyone has any info that would help I would be grateful. Thanks.

Would like to put in a request for a set of queen's armor to match Cailan's armor and a set to match King Alistair's armor from Awakenings, based on the heavy armor model of the Diligence armor or the Dwaren heavy armor. I would really appreciate it if it was listed as medium with stats for a rogue (ie low strength requirement etc) or perhaps two versions of each one for rogues and one for warriors. In short a dilligence or dwarven heavy armor model with two color schemes, one for Cailan's and one for King Alistairs, with rogue friendly stats and requirements. Thank you in advance!

I only got the game on pc a couple months ago and have just now figured out to install all the mods I want. I am temped to learn how to use the toolset if for no other reason than to fix this and perhaps a few others such things. I am surprised however that someone hasn't done something like this, in that a lot of people marry Alistair and like I said it isn't the most romantic thing ever. My big concern would be making it IRS-A compatible, since I love that mod and can't do without it. I am hoping that someone who know what they are doing can do so, but if not maybe I will be inspired enough to try. If you ever are considering giving it a whirl, let me know. I will do whatever I can to help. p.s. one other such thing I would like to fix is the ritual converation. I know, one of the best in the game, Alistair's response to telling him about the child, is priceless. But outside of one opportunity to tell him you love him, the conversation is the same for someone in a relaitonship with him and someone with high approval. I would think there could be a more romantic-oriented dialogue option there given what you are asking him to do, imo.

Only helmet affected is the visor with the plumage out the back, called soilder's heavy helm. It comes with king's armor, heavy plate, etc. At ostagar and with IA a few of the knights have full sets of king's armor on and none of the helmets have any color at all. I also got a set of heavy steel plate for sten in Redcliffe and his helmet has no tint either. I've got my game modded to the extreme but haven't had this problem before. My question is where do I start looking, I don't know what that file name is or I would look through my override to see if anything conflicts or at least try to find an override to give them some color. It isn't enough of an issue to put too much into it but if someone could provide any ideas I would appreciate it. Thanks. EDIT: Started a new game and helmets are just fine. Have no idea what issue is/was but all good now.

There should be an update to combat tweaks listed on the site that you have to manually install into your override folder. It isn't the mod addition but listed as an update.

GW's are supposed to be able to sense darkspawn, so why doesn't your warden ever develop this ability? Alistair does say that it takes time to develop this sense, but he has it (at least to some degree) and he has only been a GW for less than six months. It could be based on the survival skill, as in there being 4 tiers of increasing strength. But instead of it being a skill you spend points on have it tied to level. Gain one level for each 4 levels after Ostagar. So if you get to Lothering at level 5, then at levels 9, 13, 17, 21 you gain a tier, or have it at set levels (so not penalized for getting out of Ostagar at a higher level) 8, 12, 16, 20, etc.

It would seem to me that there has to be a better way for the HFN to marry Alistair besides just blurting it out in the middle of the Landsmeet. And for the romantics out there we totally get cheated out of any kind of proposal. IMHO it should have worked out something like this: if you want to marry Alistair for political or even political/romantic reasons you have to talk to him about it before the landsmeet. Instead of suggesting he marry Anora, suggest he marry you (take some of post landsmeet conversation and have it before). Then at the Landsmeet right before the vote, have someone say something about how Alistair has no experience, then you can say that you will rule beside him, and that should also get you a point for winning the landsmeet (and for equality's sake you could do the same if he is going to marry Anora, which should also get you the point.) The rest of the landsmeet plays out like any other origin. Now if you don't do that and then Alistair is king, you get the breakup conversation in which you have to pass the persuation checks. If you have a hardened Alistair, HFN with whom he is in love, and pass the two checks then after the "do what I want and marry who I want" and "can you forgive me" comments there could be an extra line where you ask him what he wants and he then proposes. Now I know that it would have to be recycled dialogue, but given that it is an imprompto proposal the awkward wording could work. Wouldn't have to be long but something, anything would be better than it is. I know nothing about modding or I would try to fix it myself. But am willing to help in anyway to get this done. I hate this almost as much as the Fade! Thanks.

Got Sten's personal quest, talked to guy at lake then went to see Faryen. He told me where sword is, but quest never updated. Talked to him a few times, tried every dialogue option but quest never updated. When I went to talk to Dwyn there is no option to ask about sword. Help!