How Important are Stat Choices and Builds? Good Places for Builds?

[Just Another Jinx Main]

Hello all! I say in the title I'm playing for my first time, and while technically not true, the last time I played was 8-10 years ago and I remember nothing and didn't get too far, so I'm coming in with a fresh (newbie) mindset.

Anyway, I've been looking a little into builds as I play (only about 1-2 hrs in) and I've got some questions about builds, and really, questions about how important they are.

I see that classes tend to have one or two main stats, with a third stat for dumping usually. How important are these? I'm doing a dual-wield warrior for my main character for example and made the "mistake" of dumping a few points into my con, and leveling up my str and dex about even (level 5 atm). This isn't going to gimp me down the road is it?

Also, how important are the abilities I take? I've just been taking what looks good for my dual-wielder (have dual-striking, precise-striking, riposte, flurry, and D-W sweep), and I'm starting to worry I'm not specializing enough, or picking the right abilities. IS this something I should worry about much?

Lastly, are there any good guides or places to look for build information that is as current as the DLCs, assuming the DLCs made changes to builds?

Is there anything else I should consider or know?

Thank you!

TL;DR: How important is it to min/max my stat and ability choice? Is it really possible to "mess up" that hard? Ofc, I'm not taking magic as a warrior for example, but what about that I put points into con earlier without thinking? Also, are there any good, still relevant build guides out there? Anything else to consider or know? Thank you!

[briarroot]

That's a whole lotta questions!

Dual-wielding warriors are a lot of fun. Go for the Momentum talent next and you'll become a virtual threshing machine!

Here's a site with a lot of great advice for just about every build possible where you should find answers for most of your questions.
https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/pc/920668-dragon-age-origins/faqs

Since you're only level 5, I wouldn't worry too much about how you have distributed your attribute points thus far. You're going to gain a heck of a lot more by the time you reach high level. If you're interested however, there is an excellent "Respec mod" available at nexus mods which will allow you to retain your level but redistribute all your attribute points and select a different of skills and/or talents if you feel you've made a mistake.

[ADEC Inc]

Minmaxing is completely unnecessary and builds aren't a big deal as long as you're making sensible choices. You can prioritize getting useful things earlier if you're in-the-know, but you'll end up with enough talents to fill out a couple of trees. You may want to use all books on your main character, since no one else will import their stats into Awakening.

Awakening increases the level cap and adds new talents. Golems of Amgarrak and Witch Hunt carry forward those changes.

[briarroot]

Originally posted by ADEC Inc:

Minmaxing is completely unnecessary and builds aren't a big deal as long as you're making sensible choices.

Exactly.

And I would add: ...as long as you're having fun!

[The Dude]

TL;DR: How important is it to min/max my stat and ability choice? Is it really possible to "mess up" that hard? Ofc, I'm not taking magic as a warrior for example, but what about that I put points into con earlier without thinking? Also, are there any good, still relevant build guides out there? Anything else to consider or know? Thank you!

Min maxing in this game and worrying about build quality is silly given how exploitable it is.

Modding the patch level backwards by moving the last four erf files out of the packages/core/patch directory and you have access to the old level up screen stat exploit that gives you 99 stat points to spend and you can move the erf files back after you complete the level up.

If you aren't willing to do that, you just need a character that can get to the Fade where you can exploit the engine's input lag to give yourself 200+ stat points in everything from the essence fonts, more if you have an autoclicker/programmable mouse.

Magic, however, is useful for all classes as it affects the amount of health healed by potions. Something you notice with super-high constitution.

[Vashra]

The only points I've ever misapplied to the point it affected gameplay were Skill points.

Warriors only get 8 to mess around with. If you're committing 3 (or even 4) to Coercion so that you have access to the widest possible range of quest and dialogue choices, you're down to 5. On the bright side, other than the 4 combat slots which you are *going* to need, Warriors don't necessarily *need* that many skill points. You can throw survival for enemy detection on some other party member, and use companions in the party (or even in your camp) to make poisons/traps/potions for you.

Plan *now* to have someone always in your party with deft hands to handle chests and locked doors for you. Make sure you keep their skill up. Leliana is the obvious early choice, or you can tweak things to see to it that Zevran is in your party as early as possible....