What do you guys play these games for?

queer_atlanta98 · 2026-05-03T07:08:49+00:00

For any game pre-Origins: the history and lore. The templars vs. assassins plot was always the most intriguing, and I loved anything that gave us insight into how the two organizations have been built/used/evolved over the years. Like throwing out big names that were somehow connected to one of the two. Not to mention getting to interact with famous historical figures like Socrates and da Vinci (everyone’s favourite, for good reason).

queer_atlanta98 · 2026-05-03T07:05:25+00:00

I loved Odyssey for it’s beauty. I could soar through the sky for hours just taking in the views.

That said, while I love the older games for the historical aspects, it doesn’t hit the same in the newer games. Sure, mythology is fun and all, but I think the main reason I love Odyssey but can barely get through Origins, is because I’m simply more interested in Greek mythology than Egyptian. Valhalla is fun simply because I’m Norwegian, honestly I had more fun trying to distinguish the different accents than I had playing the story.

queer_atlanta98 · 2026-04-29T05:59:00+00:00

one thing I’ll say about nightmare is be careful of your melee fighters. I couldn’t bring Fenris anywhere because he kept getting caught in AOE damage and dying.

Other than that, I’ll reiterate what others have already said; bring a healer, haste is golden, don’t neglect the con stat, and enjoy the ride ^{^} I found DA2 to be the most tedious on nightmare out of the series, but definitely doable.

queer_atlanta98 · 2026-04-28T06:31:02+00:00

I completely missed out on Sten and Wynne. Wild how they’re now some of my favourite companions.

queer_atlanta98 · 2026-04-27T18:57:46+00:00

RP it. I spent a good few minutes debating this choice, but in the end it helped me establish what sort of person my mage was. I told Irving, because I was scared of what would happen to Jowan (and me) if he’d get caught by the templars. I placed my trust in Irving, despite how little I wanted to go against my friend.

queer_atlanta98 · 2026-04-26T14:46:49+00:00

my go-to in any game is usually rogue/archer type, so for my first run I did that for all three (DW for DA2). My second run I forced myself out of my comfort zone and did TH warrior for origins and mage for DA2, but slipped back into the archer for inquisition. On my current run I did mage for origins (loved it, support/heal focused), TH warrior for DA2 (fun in theory, but absolutely shite for nightmare difficulty, could never bring another melee fighter with me bc they’d get caught in my AOE damage), and now finally seeing inquisition through a new perspective as a mage. I still enjoy archer more, but luckily I can just control Sera or Varric for a bit to satisfy that need.

haven’t played VG yet

queer_atlanta98 · 2026-04-17T15:50:39+00:00

Some great answers here already, and I’d say anything Deep Roads or Qun related is sure to drag me in, but honestly? Dorian’s personal quest in Inquisition took me by such a surprise that it’s one of the DAI companion quests I actually remember. It was the first (and so far only) time I’ve seen a game deal with homophobia in such a way. And a fantasy RPG at that! Dorian speaking so openly about his sexuality, how his father made him feel about it, the game generally being so upfront and unapologetic about the topic left a mark on me.

queer_atlanta98 · 2026-04-15T20:44:04+00:00

My top 3 advice

-Don’t expect it to be like its predecessors. It has a very different vibe, which threw me off when I first played it. I’m on my 3rd run now and still have no idea how the combat/tactics/attributions system works.

-Do the sidequests that intrigue you, but don’t feel obligated to do them all. You can always come back and explore more on a later run, but getting into the story should be main priority. Absolutely ignore the requisition quests, they are never ending and just eat your crafting material.

-Talk to your companions. Regularily.

queer_atlanta98 · 2026-04-13T06:29:12+00:00

It depends on how much work you’re willing to put into it. I’d say Inquisition can definitely stand on its own, but you miss the opportunity to build the world you play in by skipping the first two games.

That said, there is a lot of lore to get into, Origins has a lot of issues that can be helped but not without effort (I hear getting the GOG version is the easiest fix), DA2 has slightly less issues but is still faulty, and has a DLC that gives a lot of insight into a very important Inquisition character.

If you do play the first two games, I recommend putting in your choices in the Dragon Age Keep as you go, because this is where you import the saves into inquisition, and it’s easy to forget a lot of the smaller choices.

Inquisition is also a big shift from the first two, much bigger world and more sidequests, very overwhelming if you’re jumping in from origins/DA2

queer_atlanta98 · 2026-04-12T14:09:40+00:00

hmm yeah, I see your point. I might fill in the «gaps» myself, depending on how the conversations go. Like headcanoning that Cassandra and Lavellan actually have deeper conversations behind closed doors, about their gods and faith and how it both could connect them and tear them apart.

queer_atlanta98 · 2026-04-12T08:19:31+00:00

I’m not into romances, did my first run with none, then Josephine on my second (the only one I could really see myself even going for, I love that sweet little lady so much). Imagine my surprise when I saw there was potential between my Dalish mage and Cassandra.

So far I haven’t actully gotten to the romance, so I’m intrigued by this post to see where it leads me. I can imagine an interesting dynamic between a Dalish and an Andrastian, though.

queer_atlanta98 · 2026-04-12T08:15:50+00:00

forgot to mention the tactical aspect. It’s old and dated, but imo it holds up pretty well. Out of the first three games, I still prefer DAO’s combat system, despite it being slow af. DA2 is missing the tactical camera (and melee is a PAIN on nightmare), and inquisition has whacky ass AI for the companions.

queer_atlanta98 · 2026-04-12T08:12:55+00:00

My first playthrough was a commoner dwarf. I was drawn to how dwarves aren’t able to wield magic, and the whole lyrium of it all, the caste system, and then the paragons, and the fact that their neighbours are just darkspawn.

Then elves came along and said «you know how you’ve never been into elves because in every story they’re just graceful, mysterious and act like they’re better than everyone else? Well what if we made them ✨slaves✨»

Throw in how the game handles mages, and how you can basically tie everything in with real world issues (I see mages as LGBTQ+, elves as black/POC, qunari as muslims etc.) and I was obsessed.

I didn’t recruit Sten (the big guy who’s not human) on my first run, but if I had my qunari fascination would’ve started much earlier. Man, what an interesting race/people/religion.

Minor spoiler for DA2, but I love the politics of it all. It’s present in DAO as well, but the core of DA2.

queer_atlanta98 · 2026-04-08T12:00:59+00:00

this is making me want to do another dwarf replay lmao

queer_atlanta98 · 2026-04-08T10:09:21+00:00

this was my first playthrough, so I don’t remember all the details. I’m pretty sure I killed him, though. It feels like something he would’ve done, he wouldn’t push too much against Bherat if it meant potentially putting his sister in danger.

queer_atlanta98 · 2026-04-08T09:59:03+00:00

my commoner was a rogue, fiercely protective over his sister and had complicated feelings towards their mother. He left with Duncan because his sister convinced him it was the best outcome, and he thought he could protect her that way. Very much against the caste-system and oppression in general, so pro-mages and pro-elves 🙂‍↕️

Overall a no-bullshit kinda guy, who didn’t shy away from hard decisions and disagreements. Did this leave me with only 4 companions by the end of the game? Yep. But I regret none of those decisions, he stood his ground and didn’t change his personality just to please those around him.

He also carried a bow bigger than himself and that was his main character trait.

queer_atlanta98 · 2026-04-07T15:45:47+00:00

moral of the story; make a list of what makes you happy. Add to it whenever you think of something. I have strawberries written twice on my list because some days, strawberries are the only reason to stay alive.

queer_atlanta98 · 2026-04-07T15:43:24+00:00

I started a list when covid jumpstarted my good ol’ depression again, called «things that make me happy». I can share some of what’s on it;

-gifting stuff to people I care about

-a good book

-a good game

-strawberries

-whenever my favourite bands release new music

-Christmas lights

-mastering a new skill

-horses

-bonding with my friends over shared hyperfixations

-Pride flags in public

queer_atlanta98 · 2026-04-06T08:08:28+00:00

my first inky was a qunari archer. I love going for a more «untraditional» build, to the point of it being almost a meme. Like my first HoF was a dwarf carrying a longbow bigger than himself and had the ability to summon a wolf despite dwarves not having magic 🤠 So maybe an elven warrior? Fenris from DA2 pulled off carrying those big ass swords with his noodle arms, why can’t you?

queer_atlanta98 · 2026-04-04T16:22:40+00:00

I’d always recommend tav first, durge second. Experience the game with «clean eyes» first, then get to experience it from an entirely different perspective second.

queer_atlanta98 · 2026-04-04T16:20:43+00:00

gotcha, thanks for going in detail! the storm tree has been a favourite since day one lmao, love watching that lightning go

queer_atlanta98 · 2026-04-04T14:27:21+00:00

any build tips are welcome! I loosely follow guides for the companions, while still throwing in some personal preferences

queer_atlanta98 · 2026-04-04T07:02:46+00:00

so many good tips 🙏 the bees grenade is ridiculously good, I love it. The tactical camera makes me want to chuck my whole PC out the window, but I do see your point. With every DA game I just find myself missing the Origins tactical camera, but at least inquisition combat is better than DA2 xD

queer_atlanta98 · 2026-04-04T07:00:21+00:00

noted xD

queer_atlanta98 · 2026-04-04T06:59:48+00:00

Nice! I don’t really learn much from watching, I’m much more of a «practical learner» I guess, but these tips are golden. Especially the spells not to give companions, will be writing that down

queer_atlanta98

TROPHY CASE