Hobbies And Interests
Study MMORPG Party Dynamics
Despite being a console RPG, it's important to understand that combat in "Dragon Age" plays very similarly to massively multiplayer online RPGs like "World of Warcraft." Typical parties will consist of four characters, including the player. Each character fills a specific role, with the three paramount roles being Tank, Healer and Damage. Tanks keep enemies distracted from the other party members, while healers keep the whole party and particularly the tank healthy. Damage dealers are there to simply rack up as much damage as possible and help finish off enemies quickly. Battles in "Dragon Age" are far more difficult than they need be if you don't understand these crucial roles and build your party accordingly. Ideally, a party consists of a single tank, a single healer and two damage-dealers.
Identify Play Style
A key factor in how your game will play out and how you should build your character is how you prefer to play. Do you like to sit back and blast your enemies with magic from a safe distance, or do you like to dive in and hack them to pieces? Do you prefer single combat or tackling large groups single-handedly? Your play style will directly determine your ideal starting class, so think about it carefully before you begin.
Identify Base Class
"Dragon Age" features three preliminary classes, which can later gain two additional class specialization through the course of the game. Warriors are basic heavily fighters. They can take and dish out damage, and form the basis for tanks and melee damage dealers. Rogues are stealthy and skilled at close and long-range combat, as well as featuring many utility skills like lock-picking. They are purely a damage-dealing class -- ranged and melee. Mages are the most versatile class, ideal for dealing ranged damage and healing. With proper specialization, they can even be geared to tank or as a close range combatant.
Select Ideal Race
"Dragon Age" gives characters the choice of three races at the beginning of the game, and a further selection between origin stories for that character. The races are Humans, Elves and Dwarves. Humans can start as Nobles or Magi, while Elves can start as Dalish Elves, City Elves or Magi. Dwarves are available as Commoners or Nobles. Each race and origin sets up for a more idealized character in one role or another. Dwarves are the only race that can't become mages, and so are suited only for warrior and rogue builds. Selecting the human or Elf mage will preclude you from other origin stories, although City Elves, Dalish Elves and Human Nobles can all be tailored to fit warrior or rogue builds.
Learn Build
Where do you spend stat points? What kind of weapons and armor should you equip? What abilities should you learn? What two class specializations should you take when the time comes? Each build will have different answers, and will require a comprehensive plan. Otherwise, you can easily develop severely flawed characters and make the game that much harder. Perusing various guides is an excellent way to build a fundamental understanding of character development and gameplay in "Dragon Age," although be warned some of them do contain spoilers regarding the game's plot.