GameBanshee Forums

Ok I got a clean installation of DA:O. I do not have Awakenings and wondered if I should get something else besides pachtes?
I read somewhere that patch 1.03 introduces new bugs and 1.04 doesn't fix them. Should I upgrade to 1.02 only then?
Should I get DLCs? Do they add much to the OC?
Any mods recommended?

You should find answers to your DLC questions here.

third party mods are discussed in the 'DragonAge mod guide' sticky.

As to whether to patch to 1.04, unless you do your questions about at least some DLC and many mods are mute, as many of them require it.

I patched to 1.04, and the only problem I've experienced is a tendency to crash to desktop after an hour or two's play. It may crash more often depending on how much RAM you have, I have 4GB, with less it may CTD more frequently.

Personally I'd recommend Return to Ostagar, but that's about it. Shale isn't worth it apart for some extra XP and a couple of items, likewise Warden's Keep. You do get more items in WK, a couple of extra merchants and a storage chest. If it's a toss up between Shale and Warden's Keep, go for Warden's Keep; for a start Shale is a crap NPC.

Can upgrade from 1.00 to the latest patch immediatly or do I need the previous patches?

Don't know. Likely possible, thru Bioware's Social network, I think.

As for Shale, MY biggest complaint is that the thrown boulders from across the battlefield tend to knock my chars flat on their "prat", so to speak. And since I figured out how to make Shale throw at least one, and often 2 boulders in each combat.....

Using a Mod called Advanced Tactics, and some default settings, I found a sweet spot for this one. Tank or ranged, Shale rocks, not least because golems are made of rocks

To get Shale to throw rocks, automatically, use the above mod, and have one tactic set to activate Rock Mastery when enemies are between medium and long range.

To get Shale to use Quake (also fun), set another tactic to activate Pulverizing Blows when enemies are at short range (or surronded by 3+ enemies, whichever you like).

Then get ready for a pounding.

NOTE: I play on easy mode, so I tend not to get damaged by friendly fire. At normal mode and above, Friendly fire will kill you as quickly as enemy fire.