Army picker

[Kasey24]

I've just strated the final battle (first play through). I apparently have the ability to pick an army (elves, mages, dwarves, etc.) and deploy them once each.

 

That's all very good, but I find the explanation wanting. Without completely spoiling the outcome, I am looking for some guidance on how and when these armies are to be used. Maybe that's an impossible question, but I found the directions severely lacking in the codex explanation.

 

Is there a little more info available to us that I'm missing?

[Sync182]

Not really. :confused:

 

The Army Picker allows you to deploy x number of units in the final battle areas; 50 (I think) each of men, elves & dwarves, and 12 mages. There's no right or wrong way to deploy them - it's personal preference. I personally prefer to use the elves through the Alienage, the dwarves at the castle gates, men through Denerim, and the mages on the rooftop against the Archdemon.

 

The effectiveness of those troops depends in part on how much you handed over to the supply crates while you were in camp (the area behind the tents which are behind Leliana) before you get to the Final Battle. ;)

 

This thread also might be better served in the Spoilers section, perhaps...? >.>

Edited August 25, 2012 by Sync182

[ThingTheWiz]

Hi

As Sync 182 says - you've grasped the main principles. At the end of the day it comes down to what support (if any) you prefer to have with you at different points in the final battle sequence - look at the situation and decide what type of firepower would be most helpful and complementary to your own attacking tactics - do you want skills that are melee/constitution, /dexterity/archers, fragile/powerful magic wielders or a mixed bunch ?

 

You may want to save just before each key stage and try it with different types of support to see how it goes.

 

Personally I prefer the challenge of taking the final battle sequence without the army picker but I can imagine it could be useful if your party is not well balanced.

 

Enjoy and let us know what you think!

[Thandal]

Let me add that I finished my first two play-throughs without realizing that there even were these allies to be employed! I just didn't understand the on-screen control, and ignored the Picker. :facepalm:

 

Now, (another 12+ play-throughs further along) sometimes I do, and sometimes I don't. Just depends on how I feel...

 

So you can use who you want, when you want, or not. Final result is about the same! :thumbsup:

[Sync182]

Just read something extra that I missed before...

and deploy them once each

Not quite. You can only deploy one army per area, but each army can be used more than once (so long as you have troops left to deploy... ;) ) Edited August 27, 2012 by Sync182

[Kasey24]

Thanks for the tips.

 

Does this mean that there is no point in saving all the armies until the archdemon shows up? I think I read above that you can only use one army per area. I was kinda hoping to save all the armies for the final showdown. :unsure:

 

I've already fought my way through the market and have just entered the alienage without using any army support, but at the rate I'm using my potions and poisons, I may need help soon.

[xneseyx]

there are certain parts that are more difficult than others - I find that the place right after the palace district, at the bottom of fort drakon, is where I need the most help. I never use any of my armies before that. and just to let you know, if your persuasion is high enough, after the deep roads/dwarves quest, you can talk the legion of the dead guys to help you out. they don't show up in the army picker, they just randomly show up in places.

[Thandal]

@Kasey24; You are correct, only ONE army-per-area. So no sense "saving them all up" for the final battle unless you plan to use them sequentially. (After all of a particular type are gone, you can then pick another.) :thumbsup:

[Kasey24]

Great help, guys. Thanks for all the help.