Mages in Dragon Age and the Psi Corp from Babylon 5.

[Morgan]

Just started playing a Mage in Dragon Age. They've borrowed heavily
from the Psi Corp in
Babylon 5. Right down to referring to non-magic uses as 'mundanes.' Not
a criticism, just an observation.

[Vincenzo Beretta]

Just started playing a Mage in Dragon Age. They've borrowed heavily from
the Psi Corp in
Babylon 5. Right down to referring to non-magic uses as 'mundanes.' Not a
criticism, just an observation.

I'm four hours into the "human warrior" campaign, and it borrows with both
hands (and even a foot) from "A Game of Thrones" by Martin. Let's say that
the game is full of "homages" :^D

[EMan]

Post by Vincenzo Beretta

Just started playing a Mage in Dragon Age.  They've borrowed heavily from
the Psi Corp in
Babylon 5.  Right down to referring to non-magic uses as 'mundanes.' Not a
criticism, just an observation.

I'm four hours into the "human warrior" campaign, and it borrows with both
hands (and even a foot) from "A Game of Thrones" by Martin. Let's say that
the game is full of "homages" :^D

I thought the origin of the Darkspawn was similar to the Nazgul in
LOTR. I'm playing the Human Warrior too, but, I don't see much
resemblance to A Game of Thrones. At least not plotwise. Unless your
comparing Grey Wardens to the Night's Watch. Grey Wardens are almost
mystic more Jedi-like while the Night's Watch aren't exactly a
respectable order and mostly outcasts and criminals. The dogs and the
werehounds are similar, but the hounds represent much more than just
the meat shields that the dogs are.

[Vincenzo Beretta]

I don't see much resemblance to A Game of Thrones.
At least not plotwise.

SPOILERS ON BOTH AGOT AND DA































- The "good" fiefdom on the far south/north of the main continent. The
"good" fiefdom on border of the frigid wilderness/forest inhabited by "the
horrors". The order of wardens who, er... ward against "the horrors". The
"good" family betrayed. The betrayal that weakens the human knigdom and, as
it happens, generates turmoil exactly when a much more powerful and ancient
evil chooses to wake up. The weak king... This in the first four hours.

[Insane Ranter]

Post by Vincenzo Beretta

I don't see much resemblance to A Game of Thrones.
At least not plotwise.

SPOILERS ON BOTH AGOT AND DA
- The "good" fiefdom on the far south/north of the main continent. The
"good" fiefdom on border of the frigid wilderness/forest inhabited by "the
horrors". The order of wardens who, er... ward against "the horrors". The
"good" family betrayed. The betrayal that weakens the human knigdom and, as
it happens, generates turmoil exactly when a much more powerful and ancient
evil chooses to wake up. The weak king... This in the first four hours.

Eh. Everything takes from everything now. Nothing is made in a vacuum

[Werner Punz]

Post by EMan

Post by Vincenzo Beretta

Just started playing a Mage in Dragon Age. They've borrowed heavily from
the Psi Corp in
Babylon 5. Right down to referring to non-magic uses as 'mundanes.' Not a
criticism, just an observation.

I'm four hours into the "human warrior" campaign, and it borrows with both
hands (and even a foot) from "A Game of Thrones" by Martin. Let's say that
the game is full of "homages" :^D

I thought the origin of the Darkspawn was similar to the Nazgul in
LOTR. I'm playing the Human Warrior too, but, I don't see much
resemblance to A Game of Thrones. At least not plotwise. Unless your
comparing Grey Wardens to the Night's Watch. Grey Wardens are almost
mystic more Jedi-like while the Night's Watch aren't exactly a
respectable order and mostly outcasts and criminals. The dogs and the
werehounds are similar, but the hounds represent much more than just
the meat shields that the dogs are.

I agress with the Nazgul comparison, I am not very far into the game
yet, but the entire beginning settings after the first part reminds me a
lot on Helms Klam, and the Darkspawn or lets say it the entire enemy
setting is very Tolkienish.
The entire magic part is very strongly borrowed from the Eartsea trilogy
in my opinion.

[Nostromo]

Post by Morgan
Just started playing a Mage in Dragon Age. They've borrowed heavily
from the Psi Corp in
Babylon 5. Right down to referring to non-magic uses as 'mundanes.' Not
a criticism, just an observation.

Any association with B5 could only be a good thing...errr, right? :-/

[Ceowulf]

Post by Morgan
Just started playing a Mage in Dragon Age. They've borrowed heavily
from the Psi Corp in
Babylon 5. Right down to referring to non-magic uses as 'mundanes.' Not
a criticism, just an observation.

lol yea I noticed that.

Still, which paths do you go down? I love the fact that if you read all
the spells you'll notice that there are a lot of potential combos out there.

Very Mild Spoiler Alert

















E.g. the last primal frost spell (Paralyse) and a final spell from the
spirit tree which creates a telekinetic prison... mmmm sweet. I
originally was going to focus primarily on entropic spells, but when I
noticed this potential combo I couldn't resist, mind you it's going to
be a while before I get it :p

Ceo-

[Vincenzo Beretta]

Post by Ceowulf
Still, which paths do you go down? I love the fact that if you read all
the spells you'll notice that there are a lot of potential combos out there.

Not only with spells but with talents too. Shield bash followed by precise
striking on the grounded opponent for example.

Ah, the old struggle between role-playing (what my character would choose
given the way I see him/her) and min-maxing :^D

[Magnorff]

Post by Vincenzo Beretta

Post by Ceowulf
Still, which paths do you go down? I love the fact that if you read all
the spells you'll notice that there are a lot of potential combos out there.

Not only with spells but with talents too. Shield bash followed by precise
striking on the grounded opponent for example.
Ah, the old struggle between role-playing (what my character would choose
given the way I see him/her) and min-maxing :^D

Easily solved by roleplaying a min-maxer

M

[Vincenzo Beretta]

Post by Magnorff

Post by Vincenzo Beretta

Post by Ceowulf
Still, which paths do you go down? I love the fact that if you read all
the spells you'll notice that there are a lot of potential combos out there.

Not only with spells but with talents too. Shield bash followed by
precise striking on the grounded opponent for example.
Ah, the old struggle between role-playing (what my character would choose
given the way I see him/her) and min-maxing :^D

Easily solved by roleplaying a min-maxer

Somehow I don't see my warriorette afflicted by OCD...

[Ceowulf]

Post by Vincenzo Beretta

Post by Ceowulf
Still, which paths do you go down? I love the fact that if you read all
the spells you'll notice that there are a lot of potential combos out there.

Not only with spells but with talents too. Shield bash followed by precise
striking on the grounded opponent for example.
Ah, the old struggle between role-playing (what my character would choose
given the way I see him/her) and min-maxing :^D

This is exactly my struggle, well put! I got my spells wrong too, it was
petrify and imprisonment, where the imprisonment has a chance of
completely destroying the petrified foe. This just sounds like gravy for me!

My problem is however my choices of NPC's.

Spoiler alert again I suppose...












Anyway, I love the dog. Yes he adds little in the way of conversation,
and his skill tree is limited (I wonder how that affects late game?),
but I just love the fact that I can have him. He reminds me of a beefier
Dogmeat :D

So despite my love for the dog I realise he will not be enough to tank,
so I'm keeping Alistair (he really is a funny bastard) and I see him as
a bit of a must. My dog is essentially just physical dps, Ali is the tank.

Then my problem arises, Morrigan. Damn what an outfit and personality,
she is a good choice for a first romance canditate and I figure since
I've got a mage another mage is a good choice for a first run through.
The problem here is that she is a shape shifter already and has zero
healing ability to start off with and probably wont make a good primary
healer. So my plans to go a war-mage kind of got stomped when I realised
you NEED a proper healer.

Ah well, I'll go a spirit healer who also dabbles in petrification I
suppose ;)

My other main concern so far is that Morrigan and Alistair do not get
along. Since I want to get into Morrigans er, loin cloth?, I'm favouring
her even though she's a bit pragmatic sometimes. Which sucks because
it's bloody hard to NOT like Alistair, so every time you disappoint him
off by going along with her slightly less idealistic approach it's a bit
of a downer.

Anyway, the fact that I'm having these dilemmas is pretty damn awesome,
I haven't had these problems since BG2 and KOTOR!

Ceo-

[Frank E]

Post by Ceowulf

Post by Vincenzo Beretta

Post by Ceowulf
Still, which paths do you go down? I love the fact that if you read all
the spells you'll notice that there are a lot of potential combos out there.

Not only with spells but with talents too. Shield bash followed by precise
striking on the grounded opponent for example.
Ah, the old struggle between role-playing (what my character would choose
given the way I see him/her) and min-maxing :^D

This is exactly my struggle, well put! I got my spells wrong too, it was
petrify and imprisonment, where the imprisonment has a chance of
completely destroying the petrified foe. This just sounds like gravy for me!
My problem is however my choices of NPC's.
Spoiler alert again I suppose...
Anyway, I love the dog. Yes he adds little in the way of conversation,
and his skill tree is limited (I wonder how that affects late game?),
but I just love the fact that I can have him. He reminds me of a beefier
Dogmeat :D
So despite my love for the dog I realise he will not be enough to tank,
so I'm keeping Alistair (he really is a funny bastard) and I see him as
a bit of a must. My dog is essentially just physical dps, Ali is the tank.
Then my problem arises, Morrigan. Damn what an outfit and personality,
she is a good choice for a first romance canditate and I figure since
I've got a mage another mage is a good choice for a first run through.
The problem here is that she is a shape shifter already and has zero
healing ability to start off with and probably wont make a good primary
healer. So my plans to go a war-mage kind of got stomped when I realised
you NEED a proper healer.

Even the 'proper' healer you run across a bit later on is still pretty
much stuck with just the heal spell and a group heal. You should be
able to get Morrigan up to that level pretty easily. At least on
normal difficulty, I don't think you need a spirit healer. There's
something to be said for an offense/defensive hybrid mage that can
also shift when she's out of mana.

Post by Ceowulf
Ah well, I'll go a spirit healer who also dabbles in petrification I
suppose ;)
My other main concern so far is that Morrigan and Alistair do not get
along. Since I want to get into Morrigans er, loin cloth?, I'm favouring
her even though she's a bit pragmatic sometimes. Which sucks because
it's bloody hard to NOT like Alistair, so every time you disappoint him
off by going along with her slightly less idealistic approach it's a bit
of a downer.

If you don't mind a save-reload, there's a workaround since you can
switch out your party pretty much anywhere. If you're going to go with
the 'pragmatic' solution, put Morrigan and Sten in your party before
you talk to the NPC. If you decide on a more noble solution, go in
with Alistair, Wynne and the rogue/bard (I forget her name). ... or
just take Dogmeat with you when you talk to NPCs, he doesn't seem to
give a damn either way. <g> Once you finish the dialog, you can switch
back to your regular party makeup.

Rgds, Frank

[Ceowulf]

<snip>

Post by Frank E
Even the 'proper' healer you run across a bit later on is still pretty
much stuck with just the heal spell and a group heal. You should be
able to get Morrigan up to that level pretty easily. At least on
normal difficulty, I don't think you need a spirit healer. There's
something to be said for an offense/defensive hybrid mage that can
also shift when she's out of mana.

Hrmmm that's a great idea thanks Frank. I find that with my main mage
I'm keeping the party up with Heal and Regenerate (the third level
spell), so adding another who can also cast both might be a good idea.
That way I can go the rest of the way with my mage. The more I look at
them the Arcane mages seem awesome :)

Post by Frank E
If you don't mind a save-reload, there's a workaround since you can
switch out your party pretty much anywhere. If you're going to go with
the 'pragmatic' solution, put Morrigan and Sten in your party before
you talk to the NPC. If you decide on a more noble solution, go in
with Alistair, Wynne and the rogue/bard (I forget her name). ... or
just take Dogmeat with you when you talk to NPCs, he doesn't seem to
give a damn either way. <g> Once you finish the dialog, you can switch
back to your regular party makeup.

Hrmmm seems a bit cumbersome and might reduce my chances of a second
play through. Might just have to put up with it. Anyway I've got myself
a replacement to Alistair (as much as it hurts, he is a good and funny
guy :)) in the form of Shale.

If you don't have this added content, well, all I can say is go get it
if you want a very interesting character indeed.

I have to include this because it's just too funny not too but I'll add
a spoiler space. It's nothing game breaking just a short cut scene with
Shale after you have him join your party. I was laughing for a good
while after I saw it.


So, spoiler space!

















You're walking out of the village where you rescue Shale and with him in
your party (not sure if it would happen if he wasn't) he is pictured as
walking behind you. He stops and looks out in a longing manner at the
world, which he has never seen before. To the side you hear a chicken
clucking, and the camera pan's to it as Shale looks at it. The next
moment you are looking at your main character and Morrigan/Dogmeat and
you hear a loud "STOMP" and squawk... Your characters turn around around
to see what's wrong and there's Shale, foot resting over a bloody
puddle. He looks back and... SHRUGS.

LOL

Ah, you have to see it, never have I seen something so humorous in a
game. Not that I'd ever condone that sort of behaviour, but hey, it's a
game and HE SHRUGS. LOL

Ceo-