Play order

[Ragin Cajun]

Just wondering...

Is the game similar to Oblivion where it scales the mobs to your current level or is there a more linear pattern you should follow? Just curious because after I did the Mage Tower I just picked a spot at random. Bounty hunters (wandering mobs) just killed me dead...and quickly. Trying to decide where to head now.

[Aqua-chan]

I also have been progressing in a random order. Although the game itself is challenging and rcertain fights often require several tries, so far I haven't had a main quest where it was impossible for me to proceed. I believe enemies are scaled down in part because an Ogre I came across later on in the game was significantly stronger than the first one I encountered..

[Gauda]

I wondered this myself, and did some research. Turns out they do some scaling, but nothing like oblivion, they call it persistent scaling: They give each area, with some exceptions, some level range: for example 5-8. If you're level 2, then the enemies will be at level 5, and you will most likely have your ass kicked. If you are level 7, then the enemies will also be level 7, and the challenge will be moderate. If you are level 15 on the other hand, then the enemies will be level 8, and it will be a walk in the park. I think it's nicely done.

[Ragin Cajun]

It would seem then, that the game should give you (via quests or conversation with the NPCs) some direction to head. It would be helpful to know the level of each "zone" so you progress correctly.

[Gauda]

Have to disagree with you. I think part of the magic (at least it was so for BG2) is to go to an area, be utterly and completely owned, try several times only to realise that you have to become stronger before you return. That would dissipate if you were told in advance if an area is hard/easy. Also, I haven't tried this yet, but you can get a skill called survival, which supposedly to some degree lets you tell the level of the enemy you are facing.

[fable]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gauda Have to disagree with you. I think part of the magic (at least it was so for BG2) is to go to an area, be utterly and completely owned, try several times only to realise that you have to become stronger before you return. That would dissipate if you were told in advance if an area is hard/easy.

Only if you decided to not go due to presumed difficulty level, though. You might still go because of the greater challenge. It also sounds pretty realistic in a roleplaying sense to me: "Strangers, there are giant one-eyed beasts 30 versts in the sun's direction. How many? I don't know. But go at your own risk, and may your gods attend you." That sounds about right, to me.

I'm not saying this is the way you should feel, mind you. Just that I this works well, for me, and the reasons why.

[Gauda]

Certainly, I guess I just like to be ignorant (and I feel like that is too realistic) of the general difficulty level of the area I am going to

[Revi]

I must admit the Dead Trenches boss had me wondering for the first time if I was actually high enough level to beat her. But an adjusted tactic helped immensely (adjust Wynne's AI to using all mana for healing only). I hope that if I keep following the most obvious storyline path I won't run into anything I cannot defeat.

My play order so far is Human Noble Origin > Ostagar > Lothering > Redcliff Village > Mage Tower > Redcliff > Ozrammar (thief den) > Deep Roads > Dead Trenches.

This puts me at level 15. Since I heard the 'soft-cap' is level 20, I'm not very afraid of the challenges still ahead of me.

[Aqua-chan]

It's hard for me to say which main quest should be first, but I can easily say that after doing all of them, Orzimmar should be last. Or reserved for the masochistic, because your team will eat it plenty of times if they aren't ready.

It wasn't just the boss fights; it's the fact that it's a long trek to get there, wrought with mobs and plenty of nasty mini-bosses. I ran out of healing potions and ingredients to make them twice, so I kept finding myself at an impasse when I needed help and Wynne was out of mana.

I actually went off to find the Urn first thinking that it was just a random sidequest. It was painful, but doable.

[Ragin Cajun]

So far I've done the following:

Mage origin/Ostagar/Lothering/Mage Tower (went here first to get healer)/Redcliffe/Denharim (currently here)

[stanolis]

i would suggest that people go to the mages tower as soon as they can. the stat boosts there will help you immensely early on (wearing heavier armor). however, if you are caught in the dream sequence without enough pots, you may be screwed. save before you go and never save over it.

[Ragin Cajun]

The big guide says to go to the dwarf area if you need a tank, but being that you have Alistar, your own character (if a warrior) and possibly Shale and even Sven; I think tanks is pretty deep at the early stages and would not be an issue.

Here's the suggestions that have come up in the guide as I've found things:

1. Suggested Order
*Below I've noted certain items/skills found in certain zones that could affect the order based on your class.
a. Origin Beginning/Ostagar/Lothering (must be completed in linear order)
b. Circle Tower (Broken Circle quest line)
c. Redcliffe (Arl of Redcliffe/Urn of Sacred Ashes)
d. Orzammar (Paragon of Her Kind)
e. Brecilian Forest (Nature of the Beast)
*Further suggests to go to Denerim early to open vendors and opportunities for quests and XP and to visit there often between other zones.
f. Landsmeet (Denerim) (Must complete all above main quest lines)
g. The Final Onslaught (Must declare Landsmeet to activate)

SPECIAL ITEMS FOUND IN CERTAIN ZONES (for classes)
- Broken Circle (gain Wynne, a spirit healer)
- Arl of Redcliffe (so specific NPCs, side quests will take you to Denerim (see above)
- Paragon of her Kind (gain Oghren; can be a tank or melee dps)
- Nature of the Beast (gain the arcane warrior specialization if a mage)

Hope this helps some.

[stanolis]

the golden S icon button, does spoilers text.

also, another reason to go the mage's tower early is to get a healer, if you are having battle or pot problems in game. for me, i could never find or make enough pots. i should have gone here earlier.

[Ned Flanders]

Thanks for the suggested order Cajun. As a common elf rogue, I felt like going to the Brecilian forest first because i was curious how the Dalish would react to me. My party is 8th level and consists of Alistair, Sten, and Morrigan. The quest was going along ok and then I hit a wall on Sunday and since then have been trying to figure out how to best combat some serious battles. I'll skip the specifics to avoid spoilers.

Probably will be heading back to Lothering and finding a new location to venture.