Best characters for total series run-through?

[Brian]

Okay here is my criteria (in order of importance):

- Variation: Must have different races and classes for each game. I’m thinking a female character for DA 2 but all male is fine too. Just want one of each class per game and preferably the best race type for each game (based on story). Also since this is the most important to me, I’m willing to take 2nd best options in the other categories. So if a Human rogue is vastly cooler in Inquisition, I’m willing to be something a little less cool in Origins if it means having variation.

- Gameplay: Each class choice must be the most fun for each game. For example, mage isn’t nearly as fun in Origins as it is in DA 2 and Inq. Therefor warrior and rogue make more sense for Origins.

- Story: Each character must be the most interesting for each game’s setting and plot.

Obviously nearly all of this is subjective, but I just want to know what you all think. I’ve played large percentages of all 3 games but never actually finished any of them. I was hoping to hear from the mega-fans to see what they think would be the most fun and the most varied. Then assemble those opinions into a game plan for the whole series, like a jigsaw puzzle.

So far, here is what I’m thinking but feel free to dispute my choices.

DA Origins: Male Dwarf Noble warrior (or human noble)

DA 2: Female Human Mage

DA Inq: Male Elf Rogue (dual wield) - not sure about this one because I really hate the Dalish. This is the one I’m most unsure of because Dwarf also sounds appealing here and I’d be okay with human too. Hell, I could even be persuaded to do Qunari if there is some good roleplay in it.

[Stormsong]

Hmmm, I would switch the Origins character to the rogue and DAI to the warrior. Rogue is rather versatile in Origins and time on this board has told me people seem to have a hard time finding the fun to be had with the warrior. DAI's reaver specialization is exquisitely violent and felt very fast paced. I also have a soft spot for the ol' chain and boot skill. I'd also probably make the DAI elf female, the male elves are a bit hard to look at in that game. If that's too many females for you, rock a male Hawke!

Beyond that though your list seems fun enough! I've done a playthrough just as you've described there (except made the elf Inq female. So if you do just end up going with what you've stated, it's fun, provided you like Origins Warrior. I'm rather fond of it.

As an aside, of all the games I find DA2's mage to be the most boring mechanically. It makes for a good story though, which is why I left it alone in my suggestions.

[Brian]

Yeah in terms of gameplay, it seems like Origins is the "dump stat" of the series. Meaning, the Origins character will be whatever is left over after DA 2 and Inq are decided. This is because the combat in Origins is kind of the same regardless of which class you're playing, thanks to the combat engine. It's just not varied or fast-paced enough to matter in that game.

In my almost-play-through of Origins, I was a city elf rogue. I'm not sure I want to replay that again, so yeah, warrior makes sense.

Also, isn't the mage in DA 2 basically the same gamplay as DA Inq? I thought the combat engine was basically the same.

[MaximumEffort]

For DAO pick dual wield warrior. In Awakening you can go Spirit Warrior which is basically cheating. And base game will be easy enough with the promo items you get.

In DA2 go mage. Warrior sucks since they dont do ♥♥♥♥ against armor enemies and you get plenty tanks in companions.

DAI mage is great as it has nearly unlimited range. Same with archers, but you need to place yourself better. Warrior is easy the 2nd time, once you get schematic synchs and can build end game items early.

I always go warrior, since that my preference, so take it as you wish