Dragon Age 3: Inquisition announced

[PenguinPower]

OK but I am level 10 and last night (because I wasn't paying attention) I had two areas open from the war room quests that are explorable I think (it asks me if I want to gather my party and venture there). I didn't know if I should go to every area or if there were important ones that I should definitely not miss because of some materials or items available there.

Also, does each area have a dragon? I am gonna go back to the hinderlands and kill that one but I was curious if each area had one somewhere on the map. Just for future reference when I decide yo hunt them all down for materials.

You won't kill the dragon in the Hinterlands at level 10 unless you play on Casual and are lucky.

Not every area has a dragon, but almost. There is one in the Hinterlands, one on Storm Coast, one in Crestwood, three in Emprise du Lion, one in Emerald Groves, one in Western Approach, one in Hissing Wastes (the one I didn't kill since I never went there), and one in the Exalted Plains.

 

[cmdrdredd]

You won't kill the dragon in the Hinterlands at level 10 unless you play on Casual and are lucky.

Not every area has a dragon, but almost. There is one in the Hinterlands, one on Storm Coast, one in Crestwood, three in Emprise du Lion, one in Emerald Groves, one in Western Approach, one in Hissing Wastes (the one I didn't kill since I never went there), and one in the Exalted Plains.

I didn't say I was gonna do it at lv10. I was just trying to figure out if I would have to go back to every area as I level to get them all or if there were areas that I needn't bother searching for it.

 

[zinfamous]

By 'resources' I don't mean materials, etc. but agents. You get to select different agents for different missions and ultimately open-up different things to do. I like that.

As for perks, I have had a lot of success opening-up ones that provide dialogue options for magic, history/royalty or underworld. That gives some cool quests and additional operative options too.

Oh, OK--so nothing that that i'm not seeing. I read that you could somehow spend resources or influence on missions to gain additional rewards/resources when opening maps or doing those council missions.

I guess if I look more at the other influence perks, for the Inquisition council people, each one of those people would have better success/rewards when they complete them...

 

[escrow4]

OK but I am level 10 and last night (because I wasn't paying attention) I had two areas open from the war room quests that are explorable I think (it asks me if I want to gather my party and venture there). I didn't know if I should go to every area or if there were important ones that I should definitely not miss because of some materials or items available there.

Also, does each area have a dragon? I am gonna go back to the hinderlands and kill that one but I was curious if each area had one somewhere on the map. Just for future reference when I decide yo hunt them all down for materials.

If you visit all the areas and do as many (not necessarily all) quests you will get more points for perks, better equipment, and a stronger team. In an RPG I can't see how you can willingly skip a location . . . . .

 

[bystander36]

It's not a single-player RPG...it's not an MMO but it's not a 'single adventurer' RPG (like ES series), you have a team. Tactics are a lot of fun to try-out different parties, rather than just power-groups (mages, for example, in the first game). Games where you just plow-through them are pretty boring IMHO. Try that method in BG1/2 or ID1/2 and see how far you get.

I had a lot of fun almost soloing most of DA:O with my rogue, but splitting the team and exploring with the controls and choices is rather poor this time around, unfortunately.

I played BG1 & 2, NWN1 & 2, and a few other spin offs of those and I played them all at the toughest difficulties without mods. I did not pull to a far away distance in any of them. I would possibly setup just outside the area of combat, and initiate a fight, and I still can with this game. But long pulls are just never something I've done unless desperate. I don't believe the encounters were designed to do that, and it feels a bit like cheating. I do pause a lot and micro manage my groups, as well as making sure to have a solid tank, rogue, mage, and cleric setup (DA has had me make a healer mage and 1 crowd control/damage mage). This game, my mage is a Knight-Enchanter with the Barrier tree nearly full (they work well together), which includes a resurrection spell.

I get what you are trying to do, it just never was a method I liked. It's a bit like cheating, and require more management than I like, but I always wanted to try and make a trap rogue in DA: Origins, but never got around to it.

 

[bystander36]

OK but I am level 10 and last night (because I wasn't paying attention) I had two areas open from the war room quests that are explorable I think (it asks me if I want to gather my party and venture there). I didn't know if I should go to every area or if there were important ones that I should definitely not miss because of some materials or items available there.

Also, does each area have a dragon? I am gonna go back to the hinderlands and kill that one but I was curious if each area had one somewhere on the map. Just for future reference when I decide yo hunt them all down for materials.

So far I have only run into three dragons. Well, one was an arch demon, and I haven't actually fought him. The one in the Hinterlands, which I just killed last night, was another. I had an itch to go back to see what he was about. It's worth it, the loot was good.

I don't feel a need to visit every area. I'm treating this game more like Skyrim. Every area is optional, unless it has a major quest line going through it.

 

[escrow4]

So far I have only run into three dragons. Well, one was an arch demon, and I haven't actually fought him. The one in the Hinterlands, which I just killed last night, was another. I had an itch to go back to see what he was about. It's worth it, the loot was good.

I don't feel a need to visit every area. I'm treating this game more like Skyrim. Every area is optional, unless it has a major quest line going through it.

Then you'll rip through the game rather unfulfilled. One of the main points is the extra areas and the stuff you discover. That is where you get XP, schematics, lore, etc etc etc. I've spent around 7hrs in the Exalted plains so far and it will take a few more hours to polish off the remaining bits. 33hrs or so in and nowhere close to finishing. I doubt I'm even at 50%. They were not lying when they said 80-90hrs to get a decent grip on the game . . .

That said, DA: 4 really should be open world like the Witcher/Skyrim with cities the size of Paris in AC: Unity. Rubbish consoles would likely choke up though. Sadly. Chunks of the world/hubs are a nice way to get around the limitations but still.

 

[bystander36]

Then you'll rip through the game rather unfulfilled. One of the main points is the extra areas and the stuff you discover. That is where you get XP, schematics, lore, etc etc etc. I've spent around 7hrs in the Exalted plains so far and it will take a few more hours to polish off the remaining bits. 33hrs or so in and nowhere close to finishing. I doubt I'm even at 50%. They were not lying when they said 80-90hrs to get a decent grip on the game . . .

That said, DA: 4 really should be open world like the Witcher/Skyrim with cities the size of Paris in AC: Unity. Rubbish consoles would likely choke up though. Sadly. Chunks of the world/hubs are a nice way to get around the limitations but still.

Well, I'm 54 hours in, and doubt I'm half way through. There are tons of quests everywhere. Tons of quests related to your companions. I fully explore major quest zones, but I don't obsess about it either. I go, have fun, and when I get bored, I move on.

If you tried to finish every quest in every zone, you'd probably need 500 hours. I'd rather just take the meaty quests, rather than all the junk. Not that I don't do any of them, but I leave a lot too.

 

[Bateluer]

So the character I'm playing is a Dalish Elf, which apparently has a canned 'Hunter' background. Does it bother anyone else that this Dalish warrior doesn't know how to hold a bow? Or that he has enough physical muscle to throw a chain and drag creatures several times larger than he is several meters towards him? Seems silly.

 

[Bateluer]

http://vgmmdi.com/peta-attacks-bioware-over-mistreament-of-animals-in-dragon-age-inquisition/

“It isn’t just their latest game that’s known for this,” states Dan Mathews, Senior Vice President of PETA. “Throughout the history of Dragon Age, these amazing and majestic beasts have been pushed to the edge of extinction due to bloodthirsty humans hunting them down, and destroying their nests. Now they encourage you to find them and kill them as if it was a fun thing to do.”

After its release, thousands of YouTube videos have been uploaded showing titles such as “My first dragon killed” or “Epic dragon combat” which has many PETA members disgusted by the complete lack of respect for these wonderful, and oftentimes, misunderstood, beasts.

Is it Satire? Is it an actual PETA press release? You just don't know.

 

[QuantumPion]

I'm surprised feminists haven't complained that men have replaced women in all the romantic relationships in the game lol.

 

[Rhezuss]

Well, I'm 54 hours in, and doubt I'm half way through. There are tons of quests everywhere. Tons of quests related to your companions. I fully explore major quest zones, but I don't obsess about it either. I go, have fun, and when I get bored, I move on.

If you tried to finish every quest in every zone, you'd probably need 500 hours. I'd rather just take the meaty quests, rather than all the junk. Not that I don't do any of them, but I leave a lot too.

I like reading comments like this. Looks like DA:I is up there with the best modern RPGs. Glad I bought it!

 

[zinfamous]

Question for those that are further along: are "valuables" every used for anything more than selling to merchants? Perhaps sidequests where Jimmy Sideburns is looking for a dozen toy wooden soldiers, or should I just sell them as I get them?

I finally realized that those add up to bag items as well, albeit a very small percentage.

 

[Dahak]

Question for those that are further along: are "valuables" every used for anything more than selling to merchants? Perhaps sidequests where Jimmy Sideburns is looking for a dozen toy wooden soldiers, or should I just sell them as I get them?

I finally realized that those add up to bag items as well, albeit a very small percentage.

Not from what I've seen so far. The only things that do get put in the valuables are the Research Items for enemy damage, and the Requisition Items, which your scouts at the camps ask for which gives you 1 power when you complete them

 

[PenguinPower]

Question for those that are further along: are "valuables" every used for anything more than selling to merchants? Perhaps sidequests where Jimmy Sideburns is looking for a dozen toy wooden soldiers, or should I just sell them as I get them?

I finally realized that those add up to bag items as well, albeit a very small percentage.

I've played a sum total of 65 hours now and I have never had a valuable used for anything other than gold.

 

[zinfamous]

Not from what I've seen so far. The only things that do get put in the valuables are the Research Items for enemy damage, and the Requisition Items, which your scouts at the camps ask for which gives you 1 power when you complete them

well, there are a lot more "valuables," like: "mabari wooden soldier," "silver locket," "elven glass jar" etc. Those tend to accumulate faster than the creature research items, so I wasn't sure if they had an additional purpose as with common RPGs: Griselda the HairMaden wants you to find 6 silver rings for her barbershop...for some reason.

I've played a sum total of 65 hours now and I have never had a valuable used for anything other than gold.

Ah OK, this sounds like it.

 

[Instan00dles]

Anyone playing this on a lower end system? Ive got a i3 4130 with 4GB of ram and a GTX 750 TI, wondering how it might run. I know it wont be anywhere near ultra but I imagine it will be better than playing it on my xbox 360.

 

[exar333]

well, there are a lot more "valuables," like: "mabari wooden soldier," "silver locket," "elven glass jar" etc. Those tend to accumulate faster than the creature research items, so I wasn't sure if they had an additional purpose as with common RPGs: Griselda the HairMaden wants you to find 6 silver rings for her barbershop...for some reason.



Ah OK, this sounds like it.

Please read post #1114. There ARE uses for these items.

Research specimens that get turned-in provide bonuses to fighting those enemy types and some requisition missions are looking for items that you collect as well. It's pretty easy to tell the research specimens, but the req items can be more difficult to determine.

If you don't care about req mission power, then don't bother trying to separate the items. The research specimens, IMHO, are worth-it to turn in...

 

[exar333]

Anyone playing this on a lower end system? Ive got a i3 4130 with 4GB of ram and a GTX 750 TI, wondering how it might run. I know it wont be anywhere near ultra but I imagine it will be better than playing it on my xbox 360.

Hmm, I don't see system memory benchmarks for DA:I specifically, the Frostbite 3 engine likes memory (and bandwidth too); see link below from last year.

BF4, which is less demanding than DA:I, is suggesting at least 8GB RAM and sees better performance with more bandwidth too. I would say the rest of your system is fine, but you should spend a few bucks and bump-up to 8GB or 12GB RAM. 4GB will definitely hamper your enjoyment, IMHO, if I had to guess.

http://www.corsair.com/en-us/blog/2013/october/battlefield-4-loves-high-speed-memory

 

[cmdrdredd]

Please read post #1114. There ARE uses for these items.

Research specimens that get turned-in provide bonuses to fighting those enemy types and some requisition missions are looking for items that you collect as well. It's pretty easy to tell the research specimens, but the req items can be more difficult to determine.

If you don't care about req mission power, then don't bother trying to separate the items. The research specimens, IMHO, are worth-it to turn in...

Do research specimens like essense even show up under valuables? I can't say I have ever seen a monster research item next to my "lover's knot, left side".

 

[zinfamous]

Please read post #1114. There ARE uses for these items.

Research specimens that get turned-in provide bonuses to fighting those enemy types and some requisition missions are looking for items that you collect as well. It's pretty easy to tell the research specimens, but the req items can be more difficult to determine.

If you don't care about req mission power, then don't bother trying to separate the items. The research specimens, IMHO, are worth-it to turn in...

I did read that post--and I responded to it in the post that you are replying to here.

That post mentioned enemy research items--I know what those are--and requisitions-- which so far in my experience, only focus on crafting materials.

I guess a more specific reply to my question could be: "Yes, zin--items like "mabari wooden soldier" or "silver locket (17)" will also show up in future requisitions, in addition to typical crafting materials."


Is that what you guys are saying?

If so....Is there a bank/storage chest anywhere in this game? I seem to recall one in DA:O...it's annoying to not have one, or it comes later, or I'm just blind. ><

 

[zinfamous]

Do research specimens like essense even show up under valuables? I can't say I have ever seen a monster research item next to my "lover's knot, left side".

I think they do. At least, some appear under valuables and some appear under a separate category. ...for some reason.

I've also noticed a weird delay when turning those in, which I assume is some bug. It will dump the first item in your list, then it takes another 5-10, 15 seconds or longer, and the rest of your research items will pop up as being dumped.

I assume there is also a limit that you reach for each specific item that can be turned it? Say I have 3 shadow essence, I've turned them in before and probably got the bonus for that, and now it says that I "have no research items to deposit"

 

[zinfamous]

Hmm, I don't see system memory benchmarks for DA:I specifically, the Frostbite 3 engine likes memory (and bandwidth too); see link below from last year.

BF4, which is less demanding than DA:I, is suggesting at least 8GB RAM and sees better performance with more bandwidth too. I would say the rest of your system is fine, but you should spend a few bucks and bump-up to 8GB or 12GB RAM. 4GB will definitely hamper your enjoyment, IMHO, if I had to guess.

http://www.corsair.com/en-us/blog/2013/october/battlefield-4-loves-high-speed-memory

Yep, definite memory hog. I have 16GB system, with a 280X and 3GB. DA:I is eating up 2.9GB on the GPU and 9-10 GB on system last I checked.


My CPU is shit for this (PII 960 quad), and all cores are near max. I'm running everything at High, not Ultra. I had bad drivers when first loading and testing things, but now everything is running a bit smoother with AMD beta drivers, so I might start bumping things up a bit.

I don't look at FPS in games, though. I just consider whether or not the game is playable for me (this tends to be something near 40+ FPS those times where I have checked for shits). If something stutters once per 10 minutes or more, I really don't give a rat's ass.

 

[frozentundra123456]

Anyone playing this on a lower end system? Ive got a i3 4130 with 4GB of ram and a GTX 750 TI, wondering how it might run. I know it wont be anywhere near ultra but I imagine it will be better than playing it on my xbox 360.

I have an i5 2320, HD7770 and 8 gb of ram. The game runs OK, but not exactly fluid. I get 40 to 50 FPS on the default settings, which is a mix of high and medium. Trying to run on high drops FPS into the 20s.

I expected a bit better performance, but it is quite playable on my system. Load times are quite long sometimes, and when transitioning between areas, I sometimes get stutter and 100% CPU usage for a couple of minutes, but it eventually smooths out. The game also uses a lot of system ram. With my 8 gb, I have seen up to 65% ram usage. You have a stronger gpu with more vram, but only a dual core CPU, so I expect you will on balance get similar performance to mine.

 

[Rhezuss]

Do any of you know what the chest next to the Requisition guy in Haven used for? I can "highlight" it but clicking it do nothing.