Question about the DA:O DLC

[owlmoose]

I am not sure if this really counts as gameplay, but I can't think of anything else to tag it. If mods have other ideas, please let me know.

So I finished Awakening last night (reaction shots here, here, and here), then finally gave in to the inevitable and ordered DA2 this morning. But the game won't be here for several days (it will, in fact, probably arrive while I'm on vacation next week), so in the meantime, I'm eyeing the Origins Downloadable Content. I bought the Ultimate Edition of DA:O, so I have everything, and I plan to play all the expansions eventually, but I'm not certain where to start. Any advice? Does it matter at all which order you play the DLC in, or do they all stand alone?

Some possible mitigating factors: I've already played Darkspawn Chronicles and all the in-game quests. I have Very Strong Feelings about experiencing a series in its proper order, but I've been getting mixed messages regarding whether I should play the DLC before DA2.

Any and all thoughts are welcome! But no DA2 spoilers, please; I hate spoilers, and I have managed to stay pretty free of them so far. Thanks. :)

Comments

[amhran_comhrac]

Warden's Keep and Return to ostagar are set during the main campaign. Return to Ostagar, in particular, has some very different dialogues if you do it after the Landsmeet and bring Loghain, so it's worth doing twice.

Leliana's song is completely stand alone, as is that darkspawn piece of shit.

The actual order, for the others, is Main campaign, Awakening, Golems, and finally Witch Hunt.

[owlmoose]

Thanks for the advice!

I might have a save from before the Landsmeet, but I'm pretty sure I *don't* have one from before RTO, so I'll have to save that for a replay. I should probably do endgame with Loghain at least once anyway, for completeness sake.

[sinthe]

I've tried to do that for the same reasons... and I just can't bring myself to stick to the decision. I even tried recruiting Loghain and the going back to a pre-Landsmeet save... and I lost the damn achievement. I'm such a loser.

[miri1984]

Leliana's Song has nothing to do with the main plot... really. So you can do it any time. Golems is FREAKING HARD, so I did that last, and also has practically nothing to do with the plot. The only one that has any bearing story wise (and it's negligible) is witch hunt.

I did Leliana's song, then Witch Hunt, then Golems. I think Bioware intended for Witch hunt to go last, but it was so much easier than Golems... *shrug*

[owlmoose]

So playing Golems last lets you run through it with a higher level character? That makes sense. I've heard from other sources that Golems is really difficult, so anything to make it more manageable is good with me...

I think, even if the effect on story is small, I will want to play the expansion before DA2; I know it's silly to be so picky about things like that, but I can't help it.

Thanks for the info!

[sakuratea]

Between Golems and Witch Hunt, I don't think the order really make a huge difference plot-wise. I would say that you might simply consider the unlockables from each. When I play a new DA:O game I play RTO and Warden's Keep early for their leveling loot, so those should be played first, I guess? If you haven't done that and all the quests from Stone Prisoner (which you probably did as part of the main campaign) those would be before Awakenings. Leliana's song is a prequel, so its order doesn't matter. Leliana's song, Witch Hunt, and Golems were mostly useful for the loot which they give you in another DAO campaign.

[owlmoose]

I did play RTO, Warden's Keep, and RTO within the main storyline, although in future replays I will probably do Warden's Keep, at least, a lot earlier -- the infinite storage box is just too darn useful.

I didn't realize that the loot from the other games carried over into a new game. Does that work if you import a DA:O character, or do you have to have started from scratch.

[sakuratea]

The loot from Leliana's Song, Golems of Amgarrak, and Witch Hunt are in your inventory in a new DA:O, DA:A, Golems or Witch Hunt game. And that works whether you create a new character or you just import your warden from DA:O to one of the sequels (not to DA2, though. That's a wholly different place on the old hard drive).

[owlmoose]

Ah, cool. Good to know!! Thanks. :)

Also, let's just pretend that one of those RTOs up there is actually Stone Prisoner. Yeah.

[sleepyowlet]

Not to forget the Darkspawn Cronicles... you get a very good sword for completing this DLC - and it's fun being the Darkspawn for a change...
It has nothing to do with the main plot, it's just an AU thing with the Darkspawn winning the Battle of Denerim (and it's got a few hilarious easter-eggs...)

Not to mention that I immensely enjoyed kicking Alistair's butt, spoiled child that he is (or at least acts like).

[jenna_thorn]

I was actually a little surprised in playing Darkspawn Chronicles at how strongly I reacted to fighting the game companions, particularly Wynn at the gate. I had to pause and get my head back in the game, because a not insignificant part of my brain was so used to putting her at my back to protect her.

[owlmoose]

Yeah, I'm with you: I found fighting the companions quite affecting, and some of the NPCs as well. It was jarring, because I approached them just like I would take on any boss, thinking about their weak points and the best way to subdue their allies, but all the while a part of me was aghast at what I was *actually doing*.

[jenna_thorn]

Yeah, though I'll admit to being gleeful at taking on Herren and Wade when Herren cut loose with ... something, fireball? I think? There I am shouting gleefully at the tv, Herren's a mage! and he nearly killed me.

8-)

I get waaaay too into this game.

[owlmoose]

Oh, that was such a great moment! And then Herren turns into a Desire Demon and whisks his love away...

I get waaaay too into this game.

I resemble that remark. :D

[sinthe]

I was, too. I'm all "blah blah, just pixels... NOOOO!! ZEV!! *sob*"

[sakuratea]

I usually sell it as soon as other equivalent blades become available, but other than being ugly, it's a good enough sword.

[niniane]

I had great fun with the Darkspawn DLC, too. I agree that it's great fun being able to slaughter the companions. (I also loved piecing together what choices Alistair must have made on his own. All I can say is that it's probably good that he wasn't leading...)

[jaebility]

Ooooh you're getting DA2! Look forward to reading about your play-through!

[owlmoose]

Oh, like you thought I was going to be able to resist. ;)

[sleepyowlet]

Hm... I was cautious and rented DA2 before deciding if I wanted to buy it or not - and I was so glad I did that. I didn't like the game at all - the most depressing gaming experience I ever had, for various reasons. To each their own, chances are you'll have a lot of fun - but be prepared for something completely different than DA:O.

[owlmoose]

Thanks for the cautionary note; I appreciate the thought. :) I have heard enough mixed things about DA2 -- some who loved it, others who hated it, several who enjoyed it but with very mixed feelings -- that I think I've been able to keep my expectations pretty reasonable. Maybe this is strange, but I think it actually helps that I loved DA:O so much, because I can't imagine that DA2 will be able to measure up. I guess I'll find out soon!