• Hey Guest. Check out your NeoGAF Wrapped 2025 results here!

Favorite Origin in Dragon Age Origins

H

Henchmen21

Banned
What's your favorite Origin in the game? Here's mine

  1. Human Noble. Because a big part of the game is about human politics, it has the closest connection with the main story which makes it better and more nuanced.
  2. Dwarven Noble. A few weeks ago, I would have said that both Dwarven origins were weak but I've really come to like this Origin.
  3. Mage. This one is not so much a favorite but I'm more indifferent to it.
  4. Dwarven Commoner. Same as mage really. Don't Hate it but don't love it either.
  5. Dalish Elf. Weird thing is my first time playing the game was as this but recently I have trouble with both Elven origins. Gets points over City Elf for being short
  6. City Elf. Probably now my least favorite origin. I've tried several times rolling a City elf but I never can finish one.

I do wish they had made Human Commoner and Apostate Mage origins.
 
Another vote for Dwarven Noble.

I liked scoffing at the King and telling my second in command to transfer my words as I am too good to talk directly to the commoner

And going home was really cool after how that origin ended
 
What was it about Dwarven Noble that finally swayed you? I personally liked the Mage origin, as the whole 'asking questions about everything' thing worked well for me from the point of view of someone who had been isolated in the Circle for so many years, and the overall Warden story feels like a good progression from that origin, ending with [witch hunt end spoiler]
following Morrigan into the Mirror
.
 
The only origin I played was Mage and it felt like it fit into the world. I didn't really enjoy the game enough to explore all six.
 
I liked Mage, Human Noble, and City Elf in that order. Was disappointed that Cullen and my hot female mage never shacked up, but there's something fun about a magical school setting. Human Noble and City Elf get points for being more relevant to the main narrative.
 
Human Noble sort of wins by default since its the only way to take over and start a reign of tyranny. I liked Dwarf noble enough to replay the game up until you return, but I was disappointed by that too.

But then all the origins were disappointing in how little they mattered. The Noble Human brother turning up at the end and the game going "Oh, hey, this guy survived too." was annoying. For whatever reasons, I had expected more then a few npc cameos.
 
Dwarven Peasant by far

Especially if you pick female, you make fun of your best friend for being a minute man. Then he's like hey I thought we were never going to talk about this again!
 
Mister_Bubbles said:
What was it about Dwarven Noble that finally swayed you?
Click to expand...

Can't really put my finger on it otherwise I would have in my post. It's just fun for me which is odd since I rarely enjoy dwarf characters (Oghren withstanding).

Bentendo said:
About how long is each Origin anyway?
Click to expand...

Not sure. Dalish elf I want to say is the shortest since it feels that way to me. I think the mage and dwarven ones are tied for longest.
 
Mxrz said:
Human Noble sort of wins by default since its the only way to take over and start a reign of tyranny. I liked Dwarf noble enough to replay the game up until you return, but I was disappointed by that too.
Click to expand...

Eh, I played a Dwarven Noble and I became a paragon and put Alistair in as my puppet for government.

Also I had a sweet ass army of golems
 
Human Noble is the best overall, it works with the plot well. but I liked Mage too, it makes the plot in the tower of magi more interesting imo.
 
City Elf is the best, with Human Noble close behind. Never played either of the Dwarf Origins, fuck Dwarves.

Dalish and Magi were both trash
 
Dwarven Noble is my favorite. I love the dwarven politics in the Dragon Age series. Dwarven Commoner and City Elf were good as well.

Dalish Elf was definitely the worst. It had no connection to the story and just felt really tacked on.
 
Human Noble, but probably coz my main save with everything done was as a Human Noble..so the whole thing felt more canon as a Human Noble.
 
Not the best, but Human Noble is the only one that have a substantial impact to the main game. The mage, however, is required to have any sort of interest in the Circle portion of the game.
 
1. Human Noble- Its maybe not the best Origin story, but a Human noble has a lot of good connections later on to things and its pretty good. And I played through it a ton with all my different characters.

2. Dwarven Noble- Its awesome and probably the best Origin story if we're talking just the Origin stories. Its got some decent political wrangling and backstabbing and its fun having your bodyguard dwarf do your dirty work in the beginning part. The problem overall with Origins as a game is that your choice of Origin doesn't make a huge impact later on in the game.

3. City Elf- Really only if you're a female city elf. Its much more interesting that way and makes more sense.

4. Mage- Its nothing too special but its neat to be in the Mage Tower before you have to come back when its all turned upside down during the course of the game. And being a mage gives you some neat dialogue in the game itself.

5. Dwarven Commoner- Honestly I don't really remember this one too well. But its better than...

6. Dalish Elf- Just a dumb Origin story. I guess it actually has a neat element in there with the Eluvian (especially if you end up playing Witch Hunt) but otherwise, it feels very odd. It was pretty short compared to the others and the manner in which you end up being conscripted into the Wardens is very flimsy, story wise.
 
I liked the intro of the city elf. But then the rest of the game proceed to completely ignore it.

I really didn't like DAO, the writing and combats were dreadfully bad.
 
Dwarven commoner is the origin of gods and champions. All you plebs can enjoy your lame ass origin stories for lame ass gamers like yourselves.
 
I have a question:

Does anything else beside the first 2 hours changed based on what origin you pick? If I get start playing dragon age origin, is it worth it to play to the end using different origin? Or just play the first 2 hours for the beginning?
 
human noble.

2nd place would be the mage. it was boring at first until
jowan i think reveals himself to be a blood mage!
they should have really expanded on that more. i thought that character would become a party member too. but nope, completely disappears. i thnk you meet the character one more time in a random event, but still.
 
kiunchbb said:
I have a question:

Does anything else beside the first 2 hours changed based on what origin you pick? If I get start playing dragon age origin, is it worth it to play to the end using different origin? Or just play the first 2 hours for the beginning?
Click to expand...

There's a few extra things here and there that are different throughout the game. Some origins have more than others, but unless you really enjoy the game, one time is enough.
 
King Boo said:
human noble.

2nd place would be the mage. it was boring at first until
jowan i think reveals himself to be a blood mage!
they should have really expanded on that more. i thought that character would become a party member too. but nope, completely disappears. i thnk you meet the character one more time in a random event, but still.
Click to expand...

He was originally supposed to be.
 
Dwarf Noble - revenge factor later and can become a paragon
Human Noble - revenge factor later and can become king! (all females can become queen right?)
Um, the Elf Commoner (female only) is does a good job of setting the games dark tone as well, but you don't get as satisfactory a payoff later

Rest are eh. Not really a fan of anything Dalish lore wise as they don't feel quite as woven into the darkspawn/blight as the other 2 races even though they are.
 
I never played too much of Dragon Age origins, but I did play through all six origins. I really liked them, since they are generally good at drawing the player into the setting. Here is my ranking:

1) Dwarven Noble
It really immerses you in the culture of the Dwarves, and having the choice to play as a scheming politician was novel. It was nice to get respect from Duncan, and the escape through the tunnels was particularly epic.

2) Dwarven Commoner
The ability to mock the Dwarven caste system in the arena sells this one. The Dwarf Commoner also has a very tangible and believable reason to want to be a Grey Warden, unlike many others who are forced by circumstance or outright coercion.

3) City Elf
The arranged marriage angle was actually fairly interesting, and the conflict felt natural. The City Elf also is one of the Origins that has the best reason for the player to willingly join the Grey Wardens. Being able to bluntly tell the king what happened and cause him to double take is just a nice bonus.

4) Human Noble
This one is interesting because of how important the origin makes the main character. This origin gives the main character a lot of connection to major NPCs and events. However, this origin is weighed down by two major problems. First, the conflict within the origin feels rather random and unexplained, not flowing naturally from elements introduced within the origin. Second, it is extremely forced and against character for the player to become a Grey Warden. Duncan actually has to lay down a really stupid ultimatum to make this origin fit into the rest of the game.

5) Mage
The Mage path is really weighed down by several comprehensive problems. Most notably, the Mage-Templar conflict is easily the worst part of the Dragon Age setting. This Origin also heavily relies on a mix of ham-fisted railroading and everyone involved acting like idiots. It is also pretty frustrating that this origin is the only way to play a Mage in the game.

6) Dalish Elf
The Dalish Elf origin commits the sin of just being boring. Also, the Dalish Elves are pretty one-dimensional.
 
Of the ones I played through:

1. Dwarf noble

2. Dwarf commoner

3. City elf

4. Human noble

basically, dwarves are always awesome.
 
Human Noble is first because you can have greater sway in the end game.

City Elf for the most interesting origin story.

Dwarf Noble for 2nd most interesting origin story.

Dwarven Commoner because of how rogueish it feels, and you can feel the most like a smartass.

Mage is next for not being the Dalish origin story.

Dalish is dead last for being just awfully boring.
 
Fuck Origin

1. Steam
2. Please
3. Dont
4. Ban
5. Me
6. It was a joke. I love all DD apps/stores.

I preferred Dwarf Noble, Human Noble, City Elf, Dwarven Commoner, Mage, Dalish. In that order for the same reasons listed in the thread already.
 
I did enjoy my time as a dwarven thug, plus as a commoner you see the Dwarven royalty in a different light than you did as a dwarven noble.
 
Dalish is easily the worst. All the others have multiple characters from your Origin appear in the main game, allowing for deeper interactions. The Dalish elf doesn't get that. You get about one quick and dirty scene and that's it. Even the interactions with the Dalish elves don't really differ that much. It really feels like it was jammed in at the last minute, without a lot of care shown to it.

My favorite is probably city elf, followed by noble human.
 
Dwarven Noble = Dwarven Commoner > City Elf >> Mage >>>>>> Human Noble >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Dalish Elf


T2Y5a.jpg
Click to expand...
 
King Boo said:
human noble.

2nd place would be the mage. it was boring at first until
jowan i think reveals himself to be a blood mage!
they should have really expanded on that more. i thought that character would become a party member too. but nope, completely disappears. i thnk you meet the character one more time in a random event, but still.
Click to expand...

You do meet him again
in a cell
where you choose his final fate. I'm not sure if it's part of the original or expansion, though.
 
I loved them all but Dwarven Noble has the best and most engrossing story I think
Kind of want to replay the game now. Last truly great Bioware RPG we'll probably ever get
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

The Tape: Origins - Official Announcement Trailer
Trailer Indie 
0
94
IbizaPocholo replied
Gunship Origins - Announcement Trailer
Trailer 
1
170
IAmRei replied
Former Bioware Dev: EA Refused Funding for Dragon Age Origins Remasters or Remake
2
79
3K
Paasei replied
Report: Turok Origins Aims Release in 2026
12
683
Darsxx82 replied
Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age has been rated for Switch 2 in Taiwan
News 
43
567
rkofan87 replied
Top Bottom