Compulsive Indecisiveness Syndrom

[gothxtreme]

Okay, to break it down simply I have the worst habit not being able to decide which road I want to go down when it comes to....well really anything! But especially with this game. I also am very anal (haha I know -_- ) when it comes to dungeon diving and treasure finding...I mean I have to find everything! lol to make an example I have unlocked every beginning storyline achievement in the game and I have barely made it past Redcliffe (went there right after Lothering) as with several other achievements such as the ones you earn from talking with companions. I was wondering what would be the ideal choice for a new player to start off with as far as class (including types of builds) and other aspects go. Also was wondering should I learn all I can right from the get go about my party or space it out through the game? I mean I literally spent a couple hours in the first camp to get every piece of dialog out of them, is that necessary?

 

Please some tips would be nice ^_^ Also if you have the same problem as me share your story and tell me what you did about it if anything!

[ell46]

I'd never played an RPG where their was romance and friendships like this, so for me the first time round was a completely new experience, I've now played... I don't know how many times I've lost count including games abandoned half way through for various reasons. Looking back at my first game I can't believe how stupidly I played and the mistakes I made.

 

It's just a game go with it and do what feels right for you, enjoy the experience there is no right or wrong it's your game and I would say stay away from spoilers, I made that mistake and sometimes was left wondering if I was even playing the same game. Just because someone thinks X is great doesn't mean you will or their outcome will be the same for you. Perhaps it will work the same for you as it did for me, play the game through and when you play again as a different character you might think 'I'm not asking all those questions again' or make the same decisions. Each time you play I am sure you will learn something new, so personally I wouldn't have more than one game going at any one time, but you might be the sort of person who likes that.

 

I also found that the knowledge gained about certain characters did effect my choices and decisions in the following games, I won't say more because it will become a spoiler.

 

One last thing if you mess things up completely and I don't think that's possible, who's to know unless you tell anyone :biggrin:

[danscott84]

I agree with ell46 on this one. My fiance and I apporach this game like an interactive movie. Play it first without mods and checking on spoilers, just go with it and have fun. The second, third, fourth, etc playthroughs will still have many things you didn't see before. Since you have already played all the origins, just pick one and stick with it for the first time through the game. Also, don't worry about achievments. They will come, but trying too hard to get them the first time through will only frustrate you. Enjoy the story as you go. It was well written and thought out, so just enjoy the rollercoaster. ;)

[RustyBlade]

Okay, to break it down simply I have the worst habit not being able to decide which road I want to go down when it comes to....well really anything! But especially with this game. I also am very anal (haha I know -_- ) when it comes to dungeon diving and treasure finding...I mean I have to find everything! lol to make an example I have unlocked every beginning storyline achievement in the game and I have barely made it past Redcliffe (went there right after Lothering) as with several other achievements such as the ones you earn from talking with companions.

Seems to me like you decided to try every origin, you decided to be a greedy little pack-rat lol, you decided to try out all the origins before moving on with the game and you decided to go to Redcliffe first. You're not as indecisive as you think.

 

I was wondering what would be the ideal choice for a new player to start off with as far as class (including types of builds) and other aspects go.

You played all the origins, you've sampled all the classes; which do you feel more comfortable role-playing? Or better yet, which one do you identify with more? What works for me (city elf rogue 80% of the time) may not work for you.

 

Also was wondering should I learn all I can right from the get go about my party or space it out through the game? I mean I literally spent a couple hours in the first camp to get every piece of dialog out of them, is that necessary?

You should definitely learn all you can about your party, when you do that doesn't really matter as long as you are able to get the information needed to fulfill their personal quests prior to the final battle. With some characters like Sten and Oghren it can be better to wait until you have gifted them up to 30-40 approval before engaging in any dialogue as it seems to raise the chance of getting a positive response. I usually have almost all characters at 90 or higher (and have had sex with at least two of them) by the time I get to the landsmeet.

 

Best thing to remember about this game is there is no right answer and no wrong answer for any question, it's all about cause and effect and the way it affects the background story. Ultimately there are two endings, you die a hero's death or you live on as the hero of Ferelden to eventually succumb to the effects of the taint and wander off into the deep roads to meet your end in battle. It's that background story that your decisions make that makes the game the experience that it is. You can always play it again and do it differently. Carpe Diem!

[elooocin]

I agree with what everyone said, just play the game first without worrying about anything and then go back and be totally anal. If you have only made it to Redcliffe then you have not even started to experience all this game has to offer and are missing out by trying to achieve everything all at once.

 

In fact, you can't achieve everything at once. You must do multiple playthroughs in order to get every achievement since often there are different achievements for different choices you make and it is impossible to get them all in one game.

 

As for the companions, I, personally, like to space things out a bit - but that is after I have beaten the game around 5 times and played buttloads of almost completed games. My first playthrough I was so excited to have these people with me that I exhausted all early conversations with Morrigan, Leliana & Alistair before I even left Lothering, :laugh:

 

But as everyone says - Play the first time without mods and trying to be 'perfect', just enjoy it! Then go through and nit pick the next time you play it ... and the next ... and the next ... ... and the next ... and the next ... :wacko:

[gothxtreme]

Wow everyone thanks for the info :sweat: Yea the game from what I have played so far is AMAZING!!! Excuse my caps but I haven't been this drawn in to a game since the release of FFVII (my first RPG) and a special thank you for assuring me that I cant get every achievement the first time around because dammit I probably would try if I knew I could. I was wondering though as far as I can tell this is a free roam rpg and there is no "Set" path. Is this true? For example if they say we should go to redcliffe next could I go to the Tower of Magi and continue to progress through the story? Thanks again guys and gals keep the stories or info coming ^^

[elooocin]

It is totally free roaming, which is what makes it great.

 

The game will lead and direct you if you desire it too, but most often you pick and choose where you want to go and when. Most people go directly to Redcliffe their first playthrough then Circle of Magi or Sacred Ashes since those are the two directions you are led after Redcliffe.

 

I, personally, usually start out with Circle of Magi and then the Dwarfs next but that is for two reasons - 1) The Magi quest gives you a lot of attribute stats in The Fade, you just have to explore every room and I want to toss you lots of luck for the maze that is The Fade!! lol! And 2) Dwarfs next because it is the longest quest of the game and I want to get it out of the way, plus you pick up so freaking much loot that I usually need it for the gold earlier in the game. But that is just how I go about things ... and only after completing the game 3 times did I start that routine, lol!

 

But gosh, does anyone else wish they could go back to their first playthrough without all the knowledge we have now? I sometimes do since I was so excited and nervous my first time!

 

Good luck goth, and keep us updated on your progress, I want to know how things are going in your game and choices you make etc. So fun being your first time! *gives you cookies and wiggles off*

[RustyBlade]

But gosh, does anyone else wish they could go back to their first playthrough without all the knowledge we have now? I sometimes do since I was so excited and nervous my first time!

 

One can only be a virgin once :blush: Pity...

[Thandal]

It is totally free roaming, which is what makes it great.

 

The game will lead and direct you if you desire it too, but most often you pick and choose where you want to go and when.

 

Exactly! There is no "right" path from the player's decision-making perspective. The game itself will allow/offer certain opportunities, and regardless of the route chosen it will eventually lead to "the Final Battle".

 

Like you, Goth, I am one who wants to accomplish everything possible. The two achievements of which I was most proud when I finished my first game were: "Easily Sidetracked - Completed over 75% of the Sidequests" and "Perfectionist - Set foot in every area of the game".)

 

It is inherently impossible to accomplish all achievements in a single go. Many are mutually exclusive (e.g "Supported Side-A vs. Side-B" in particular situation.) Others apply only to certain classes and sub-specialities (e.g. a mage will never be able to achieve "Killed 50 enemies with the Punisher talent", as it is restricted to Warriors.)

 

I echo those who recommend that one play the first time without mods or spoilers. After you kow the overall story-arc, feel free to use as much of either as you like. (Full Disclosure: After almost an hour of trying without sucess, I used Google to look-up how to cross a certain bridge, and printed the solution for reference during all subsequent play-throughs.)

 

Now, for example, I personally use a rather complicated mod that allows me to skip one entire section of the game because after doing it three times, I absolutely *HATE* wandering around that area. (If you've finished the Circle, you know the one I mean!) Others really, really enjoy that stretch...

 

I don't use any gold-, item-, or capability-enchancing mods. (Except that, I guess technically, "EqualLove" and "Polygamey" might be considered "capability-enhancing" ;D )

 

The mods I do enable are either for bug-fixes (e.g. broken dialogue branches, Pickpocketing after patch 1.03) or are strictly for aesthetic changes ("du_no_helmet" is a must have for me, as well as "Pinappletree's Vibrant Colours".)

 

It's really has been as rewarding for me the fifth time through as it was the first. Since I now understand "how things work" a lot better, I do lot's more of "Let's see what happens if I do this..." and enjoy both the silly and the somber results.

 

But most of all remember, it's a game so have fun!

[grannywils]

I'm pretty much with Rusty Blade on this one. Play the game all the way through at least once before you attempt too much experimentation. You can begin with any origin story you want. You can go to any area first. Some are easier than others. It just depends on how you have developed your character. Learn as much about your companions as you can as early as you can. Don't necessarily start "relationships" with them too early in the game, but let that aspect sort of develop naturally (sort of like in real life). Once you have run through your first game, you can try another character, and another, and another, etc., etc. And then there are the mods. . . .