CREATING HAWKE
Varric, our narrator, has told this story once or twice before. He has a certain way of remembering Hawke
that, er, might not be wholly consistent with the facts. After all, who would you find to contradict him?
But there are a few basics for which even Varric can’t get away with lies. You can’t say that a woman was
actually a man, or a warrior actually a mage, and expect your audience to still take you seriously.
CLASS
Hawke’s class determines which abilities he or she can learn during the course of the game and has a
profound effect on combat. Class—and gender, of course—also affects how characters in the story respond
to Hawke.
Warrior
Warriors are front-line fighters, the backbone of any party under assault. Some heft an enormous two-
handed weapon that strikes several foes at once. Others pair a one-handed weapon with a shield that
doubles as a bludgeon.
Mage
Mages command arcane spells and hurl bolts of magic from their staves. Although mages are vulnerable
when fighting toe-to-toe with enemies, they deal immense amounts of damage and heal their allies when
protected by the party. Because they risk demonic possession, mages are either persecuted or carefully
supervised in most nations in Thedas.
Rogue
Rogues are crafty combatants who wield a dagger in each hand or rain arrows from a distance. They are
particularly adept at tearing down individual opponents and are the only class that can pick locks or
disarm traps.
Class Comparison
Warrior Mage Rogue
Starting attribute
bonuses
+3 strength +3 magic +3 dexterity
+2 constitution +2 willpower +2 cunning
+1 willpower +1 cunning +1 willpower
Starting talents/spells
Pommel Strike Mind Blast Miasmic Flask
Starting health
160 100 125
Starting stamina/
mana
105 160 130
Stamina/mana
regeneration
With each kill Continuously With each hit
IMPORTING THE EVENTS OF
DRAGON AGE : ORIGINS
A few minutes into Varric’s retelling, his interrogator demands more specifics. Did Hawke truly look as Varric
describes? And how was Hawke connected to the events of the Fifth Blight, which ravaged Ferelden until a
Grey Warden slew the archdemon atop a fortress in Denerim?
At this point, you can import a save from Dragon Age: Origins to ensure that Varric’s story remains consistent
with your own recollection of history. Alternately, choose one of three pre-written histories that represent
common paths through Origins.
You can import any save from Dragon Age: Origins, the Dragon Age: Origins Awakening expansion, the
Golems of Amgarrak stand-alone downloadable content, or the Witch Hunt stand-alone downloadable content,
regardless of whether you completed the game with that save. If you did not complete the game, Varric will
presume that the remaining events of Dragon Age: Origins match the rumors he has most often heard.
CONVERSATIONS
When it’s Hawke’s turn to speak in a conversation, you see a dialogue wheel that offers several options for
what Hawke can say. The options presented often vary based on your choices earlier in the game.
The text you see is a short paraphrase of the longer line that Hawke will speak if you pick that option. Each
paraphrase is accompanied by an icon in the middle of the wheel, indicating the type of response or the tone
in which it is intended.
ICONS
Indicates that Hawke will be helpful or particularly nice.
Indicates that Hawke will take an agreeable, tactful position.
Indicates that Hawke will be wry, humorous, or witty.
Indicates that Hawke will act charmingly.
Indicates that Hawke will speak or act aggressively.
Indicates that Hawke will speak directly or rudely.
Indicates that Hawke will initiate a fight, or strike/kill someone in conversation.
Indicates that Hawke will deputize a companion to act or speak instead.