How does approval as a result of quest conversations work in DAO?

[coo]

Maybe getting the answer to this could be a bit of a spoiler, but I would like to know. Of course I am doing my best to build up my approval with everyone in my party. But I notice that the outcome of my conversations, for the moment in Redcliff, with the plot related characters is making me lose approval with Morrigan and Sten. Is the change in approval based on the outcome of what I decide to do (e.g. find the lost son, enter the castle to rescue the daughter)? Or is the change in approval influenced by my choice of answers in the conversation?

[EA Latium]

It could be either depending by the circumstances, normally when presented a choice there is an impact (like for example if you need to choose siding with X or Y). As you carry on will be much more intuitive to predict how your companions react.

[coo]

Well, what I am asking is whether the amount of disapproval that I earn from, for example Morrigan, when I try to help in a quest, for example saying I will rescue the daughter in the castle, can be different if I choose different intermediate answers in the conversation. I of course assume that I could get Morrigan to approve instead of disapprove if I decided not to search for the daughter, but I don't want to take that pathway.

[EA Latium]

Oh, I get you now. Usually it just depends by the choice itself, but there may be some outliers. Normally that applies when talking directly to them (like at the camp). There are times you can interact with them regarding a choice though, giving a different opinion outcome.

[bstangeby]

I guess best answer is to safe before conversation and see which choice give least amount of opinion loss with Morrigan. Personally I do not care. Morrigans reply at "are we going to save kittens from trees next" is always funny.
Minor spoiler.
If going to recruit templars. Change Wynne with Morrigan after the fade part. Wynne will attack you if decide to recruit templars. If changed with Morrigan you can recruit templars and Wynne will still remain with you.
Destroying sacred ashes will have Leliana and Wynne attack you if part of the team during quest. If not with you I think Leliana will leave you no matter what.
If going to support Branka and have golems as allies do not take Shale with you. That golem paragon will cause Shale to turn against you.

[EA Latium]

Those are not exactly minor spoilers man.

[coo]

This is why this game is so re-playable. So many different outcomes, depending on the party and how you play. Love it.

[coo]

I actually don't want to piss Alistair off too much, but I can't help but wanting to choose all of the very snide remarks and replies in the conversation choices with him. :)

[briarroot]

Achieving a high approval level with your companions enables you to unlock their personal quests - with the exception of Morrigan whose personal quest is unlocked when you find a certain object and give it to her. The personal quests are simple (more or less) side-quests which allow you to gather more XP and loot.

Sten is all business, and his business is combat, so he's unlikely to appreciate anything that diverts your attention from fighting Darkspawn. At one point he'll even challenge your leadership because he thinks you're wasting time by engaged in building an army rather than directly attacking the Archdemon.

Morrigan is simply hard-hearted and reacts negatively to you doing good deeds.

I don't think losing a few points of affinity here and there is worth worrying about. It's easy to build up your "friendship" level with your companions by giving them gifts and solving their personal quests. There are also romantic possibilities (read: SEX) if you boost your relationship with Morrigan, Leliana and/or Zevran high enough.

It's supposedly possible to alienate a companion to the point where they leave your party but I've never had that happen.

[psychotron666]

It really doesn't matter cus with the dlc you have full control over approval with unlimited gifts (and prank gifts for lowering approval) that cost almost nothing. If you piss them off, give them a few thoughtful gifts and you're all good.

[briarroot]

Originally posted by psychotron666:

It really doesn't matter cus with the dlc you have full control over approval with unlimited gifts (and prank gifts for lowering approval) that cost almost nothing. If you piss them off, give them a few thoughtful gifts and you're all good.

While that's certainly true, I would avoid giving them the "Feastday" gifts sold by the dwarf merchant in camp because they're too powerful. You'll miss out on a lot of truly humorous conversations between various party members. After you've finished the game a few times they night be useful as a short cut to high approval but IMO they also remove a lot of the fun of the game.

[psychotron666]

Originally posted by briarroot:

Originally posted by psychotron666:

It really doesn't matter cus with the dlc you have full control over approval with unlimited gifts (and prank gifts for lowering approval) that cost almost nothing. If you piss them off, give them a few thoughtful gifts and you're all good.

While that's certainly true, I would avoid giving them the "Feastday" gifts sold by the dwarf merchant in camp because they're too powerful. You'll miss out on a lot of truly humorous conversations between various party members. After you've finished the game a few times they night be useful as a short cut to high approval but IMO they also remove a lot of the fun of the game.

I agree. I don't know why they made that dlc because it feels like cheating. Makes the approval system and dialogue actions pointless and without consequences really.