Presidents Play Dragon Age Origins: Part 16- Obama Finds Wynne's Regret

[@VadeaShepard]

I'm Commander Shepard and this editor's Birthday is my favorite day on The Citadel. Happy Birthday!!!! And Varric is my favorite companion by far.

[@CommanderFawkes]

Thank you and Based Varric take!

[@BelieveIt1051]

Leliana is my favorite companion for her relevance to the game with her story-telling/knowledge of certain areas, as well as her ability to detect and disarm traps for my Cousland warrior. She's also one of the major characters who (in DA2) acknowledges the male Cousland as king and not the goofy title of "prince-consort". She has also appeared in all three games. And though I didn't pick this option on my canon playthrough, Leliana's possible threesome with Isabela makes her one of the most dynamic party companions in the series. She also has different story arc outcomes in Origins. Although this is reset in DA2 and Inquisition, the Inquisitor can also guide her down one of three paths to set her personality, as well as decide her future as Divine or just keeping her as her own woman.

[@CommanderFawkes]

Joe approves this message and Leliana certainly has the most steady growth of any character and has the most agency in her morality and ending too

[@eriksproul7454]

Strange as it may seem, my favorite is the dogs. Sure there may not be any deaper story to them but the interactions we do get always seem to bring a smile to my face. That said if I had to pick a humanoid I'd say The Iron Bull. While he brings a lot of lore and perspective both about the Qun and as the leader of a merc band, his personallity and sassy additude had me in stitches. Its like someone took all my favorite parts of Wrex and Garrus and distilled them down to one badass soldier.

[@CommanderFawkes]

Dogs are a super valid choice and Freddie Prinze Jr. is a goat voice actor he did great work on iron bull

[@Iceisnice1]

So many great companions to choose from, but if I had to choose my favorite, it has to be the one that defined the series from Inquisition forwards: the man, the myth, the egg - Solas the goddamn Dread Wolf. His character arc and the twist at the end was so well done in Inquisition, and all the little hints you can get about his real identity from party banter that you can never piece together on your first playthrough, yet seem so obvious on a second run. All of it was masterfully crafted. That, coupled with the fact that he is truly unique as a villain who isn't motivated by power or megalomania, but a deep love for his people and regret for how he failed them. The respect he shows towards the Inquisitor in those final moments of Trespasser, as well his compassion towards the people he knows he will inevitably hurt, and his willingness to sacrifice his own well-being and shoulder that burden alone... I mean, what kind of villain, when told he should stop, responds with "I would treasure the chance to be wrong once again, my friend."? The goddamn Dread Wolf, that's who. I really, really hope that the Veilguard won't screw up what they've built with Solas. I'm not a fan of the Johnny Solashand idea it sounds like they're going with, but I guess we'll have to wait and see. Maybe they'll execute it really well and my fears will be unfounded. I would treasure the chance to be wrong once again, BioWare.

[@GeorgeGale-zs8id]

My favorite companion is definitely Dorian. He is a much needed look into Tevinter after two games of nothing but generic villian and evil quests surrounding them. His personal quest is also one of the more heart breaking ones for me to play as it's easy to understand both sides. Dorian has every right to hate his father but you can also tell his father has serious regret and wants to make amends. Also happy birthday you legend of an editor.

[@CommanderFawkes]

Finnally Some Dorian Love he is definitly top tier in inquisition and his interactions in Redcliffe are amazing

[@oohforf6375]

Not to mention he's hot as fuck

[@gabrielledickinson4530]

Picking a favorite companion is difficult, part of me wants to pick one of my main romances, like Fenris or Cullen, just on character development alone. But I think I'd have to go with Morrigan. I could not stand her on my first playthrough since I wanted to make the good choices, and she always seemed to have a problem with that. However, after befriending her as a Cousland who marries Alistair, I've come to appreciate her more. The little speech she gives about thinking of you as sister always chokes me up, and you can tell from some her dialogue that she hates having to leave the Warden behind, even when you don't romance her. There is also some extra drama having her as a friend when you marry Alistair, since you have to agree to them banging just so you and him get a happy ending. I wish my Warden and Morrigan could have gotten a chance to sit down and hash out the tension that would inevitably be there since Morrigan got to have something that Cousland could not, a child with Alistair. I also love seeing her growth if Kieran is in Inquistion, I usually hate stories where women having kids makes them better/complete people but with Morrigan it fits perfectly. The line "I am many things. But I will not be the mother you were to me." is one of my favorites in the whole series.

[@CommanderFawkes]

Morrigan is an amazingly based choice her growth in the series is incredible and I hope they keep expanding on it in Veilguard!

[@Laurynhenderson99]

It's a hard choice between all the characters (which gives credit to how many fantastic writers have been involved in the whole Dragon Age series), but I have to give my favorite to Solas. Although the romance is often what is credited as Solas's best moments, I admire how well hidden his true identity is throughout Inquisition regardless of your relationship to him. It is very rare for an antagonist to be hidden in plain sight for a whole game, giving us guidance, enjoying our company, and helping save the world. I can't imagine how torn he must have been, remembering every once in a while that everyone will die by his hand should he succeed. It is even more astonishing how BAD of a liar Solas is. Replaying the game, he is practically telling on himself the whole time. And yet, even though I don't agree with Solas's goal at the end of Trespasser, I am saddened to think of how tragic his "hero" story is. To him, he is the protagonist who is trying his best to redeem his mistakes, and yet he is only a man at the end of the day. To know who the man was behind the legend of the dread wolf was such a fascinating twist and to call him a friend going into the next game is compelling beyond belief. Of course, I do think Solas shines the most in his romance if that's what you are into (his high approval friendship is just as good and his low approval is literally hilarious). I find the idea that this near god, capable of destroying everything our protagonist holds dear, still has a beating heart in his chest that yearns to be loved, to be seen, and to be accepted. To nearly stop his plan for the sake of love and still go through with it *chef's kiss* An absolutely god-tier move for making a compelling and complex antagonist. If only we didn't have to wait 10 years in suspense. (p.s. love the series! I'm a lore head myself so shout out to obama! Imma ride this train till veilguard!)

[@CommanderFawkes]

Aye we have reached out to a solas stand finally ! Glad my lore dumps are entertaining to you all !

[@painof7]

My favorite Dragon Age companion??? Aw damn. That’s tough as fuck

[@lewd2851]

Man you really loaded that comment question this time, its the simplest one you could ask but its so difficult to answer. Personally its a heavy tug of war between Morrigan and Iron Bull for me, Morrigan has my absolute favorite romance in the trilogy, from meeting her to breaking down her guarded personality to loving her to having a child with her, all the way up to Inquisition when you get the backstory of how your Warden spent their time raising Kieran , its feels like such a well written and complete romance story and thats super rare in the RPG world. To say nothing of her importance to Origins' narrative, her connection to Flemeth and the absolutely stellar character development shes absolutely a top tier character. Bull on the other hand is such a likable and well written character that hes always up there among my favorites, he gives a lot of great details into the Qunari lore, hes written as a great bro to the Inquisitor (sort of reminiscient of Oghren) who keeps you down to earth and always has your back, has (AFAIK) the only instance in the trilogy where a companion can get together with another companion romantically, and his romance is absolutely hilarious. The only thing holding Bull back is the fact he only appeared in the 3rd game, and therefore doesn't have as much presence as Morrigan., but thats no fault of the character at all. I suppose if i was forced to choose, it'd be Morrigan, but only by an insanely small margin, and that margin was already small enough with so many great characters in the trilogy already. Happy birthday my man, enjoy yourself, best wishes!

[@CommanderFawkes]

Morrigan and Iron Bull are both badass characters story wise and mechanically so that's a valid choice

[@austinsams9773]

Gotta say my favorite companion is actually oghren his dialogue at the end of the game and in urn of scared ashes is just so unbelievably deep for him and shows his true self when hes not hidding his pain

[@highlordlaughterofcanada8685]

Mark Meer had more than two roles in Origins. He voiced the merchant in Lothering as well as an unnamed surface dwarf at the Frostback Mountains. He also voiced the Cocky voice for dwarf characters

[@codysing1223]

I'm here like always for dominant Don's Grindset.

[@CommanderFawkes]

Next ep Don is certainly going to grind!

[@codysing1223]

@@CommanderFawkes The Don never disappoints, Sleepy and O-bomb'na don't understand the Dominant Don's path to greatness.

[@Coloringschadows]

Oblviously Tower Guard is the best companion, no competition.

[@CommanderFawkes]

Give tower guard and circle mage the joining jug 🗣️

[@painof7]

Ngl, the ending to Wyne’s character quest is probably one of the best tangible rewards you get at the end of a quest line - (I’m not counting story on this one). Yeah, it’s nice that if you do Morrigan’s quest line she learned one spell for the storyline, but it is a little upsetting that like she doesn’t develop any cool spells or enhance her kit at all when she completes the story arc. The fact that Wyne becomes a roguelote character with a full hp 1 up is in-fucking-sane. Especially if you make Wyne a Spirit Warrior. Aka busted fucking class 2.0 bc now the tank wizard who is healing her whole squad and dpsing is going to rez herself and hit the fucking gridding on the Archdemon

[@Slinky343]

Happy Birthday Fawkes! As for my favorite companion, I've gotta give it to Varric. He's just a bro through and through, with some great depths about him relating to his family and his outlook on world changing events. It's like he thinks of himself as a small time adventurer who is out of his depth in Inquisition, but in reality he's the one of the most competent, experienced, and world-changing characters in the series. I could gush about the various romances in the game all day, but in the end, none of them can outpace my bro Varric.

[@CommanderFawkes]

Thank you sky! And Varric is a super based take he might be the overall winner among the viewers !

[@michaelgilbert1472]

My favorite Companion is definitely Merril. I found her light hearted behavior really relieving and reminded me of some I have lost in life.

[@CommanderFawkes]

Merril is a top tier waifu and has the best quest chain in 2 overall ! Good pick

[@DaNationKingGaming]

While not my favorite, the more so interesting is Fenris. Kinda underwhelming I know but his markings and how he acquired them are super interesting, I feel like Astarion is similar to Fenris in their terms of backstory and how they both find people who take an interest in them. Also, I know it’s not part of the comment question, but a Ferelden werewolf companion would’ve been super cool. A tough loner/or vengeful forest creature with a sweet tooth and storytelling. Similar to Sten and Liliana/Varric.

[@CommanderFawkes]

Unique Choice with Fenris and a werewolf companion would have been amazing and it would have added a lot of agency and interactions to the dalish quest overall if their was a companion offered

[@GriffinManticore]

For me, my favorite companion is Morrigan. She's a great character and that goes without saying, but her romance really puts her over the top. I can't think of another optional romance in a video that's as fulfilling as hers. You legit get see her 2 games later with your son as a family, which personally made me realise just how awesome vudeo games can be. And even if you didn’t romance her and Alistair was Kieran's father you hear that she makes sure that his father is good man. I genuinely can't think of a romance in all of gaming that's as complete and rewarding as Morrigan's. She really is a one of kind character.

[@CommanderFawkes]

Morrigan's development in inquisition easily won me over to ranking her top 5 in my opinion !

[@Dessie542]

My favorite companion is hard to say, I think my absolute favorite companion has to be Varric. Maybe this is a basic bitch choice but I think that he perfectly incapsulates the "Jester" archetype for me in that he is a jokester that uses his unique position to give critical commentary of pretty much everyone in his surroundings. He is a perennial examiner of the people around him and has a soothing effect on every party he is in. If you have him and Cole in the same party Cole comments on this asking him how he interacts with others, saying, "You talk and the fear fades, slipping to sleep, not always happy but not angry." to which Varric says, "Most people are like cats, they are either puffing up to look dangerous or crouch down and hope you don't see them. You show them you are not a victim or a threat, and they are purring in your lap, happy to see you." He understands others better than he understands himself, which makes his interactions with Cole especially interesting, since while he spends the entire time trying to teach Cole how to be a "Better human" Cole is often showing him a reflection into himself that he has to stop and think about. I think that overall, Varric has the best written banter and dialogue with the other party members, that uses humor to illuminate how people view each other in the midst of dangerous and bleak circumstances. Also I think he is by far the best "Bard" in the series in that his stories usually not only have good narrative cadence but generally produce some kind of moral or thought provoking element that leaves other characters with something to think about. I am just saying, there is a very good reason that Varric keeps coming back as a companion in so many games. His history, personality, and insight are integral to the series in my opinion. His inclusion is a companion is what made Dragon Age 2 for me, despite all its flaws, still a great game. The very narrative structured around his position as the unreliable narrator giving a retelling of the accomplishments of a dear friend. My favorite romance on the other hand is Isabela for males, and Solas for females. Isabela has a complex romance that is equal parts romance and drama, and bucks a lot of trends with female characters that had existed in the time DA2 came out. Her devotion to Hawke after he comes back for her despite her betrayal is endearing and good to see. Solas on the other hand has so many complex emotions in his romance that it's hard to deny how well written he was, it would be impossible to expound on that in a single comment.

[@CommanderFawkes]

Varric is always a based choice nothing wrong with that!

[@aucapricornus]

Happy birthday! This episode was quite fun.

[@CommanderFawkes]

Thank you!

[@LYeroc4596]

While Morrigan is my favorite romance, Alistar is my favorite companion. He always seems to have something to say, he's pretty much pre-built to be the tank (so I don't have to lol), he cracks jokes, and he's fun to have around Morrigan.

[@TidyGamer21]

Does the Darkspawn Messenger in Awakenings count as a unique companion? He teams up with you to save Amaranthine. The epilogue about him is cool. I hope the lore on him expands in the future. But if he doesn’t then definitely Varric is my favorite companion.

[@CommanderFawkes]

Dark spawn messenger is such a unique out of left field answer Ill allow it lol

[@supercoolfacething]

Dog is a Tier 0 companion. Easily the best in the game. Certain items are only accessible through Dog. Dog has a truly unique playstyle and is a great companion since he's entirely immune to Overwhelm bullshittery and can use it himself. Running around the map as Dog is fun. Dog is good. Sten is the best sapient companion. He can double as tank or DPS depending on how you build him. Personality-wise he is the most grounded of all companions without coming off as preachy... unlike that other companion. Sten's sense of honour and duty is superb. He even has his own humorous moments that are so delightfully dry and blunt. Compare with Alistair who is a toothless, weak-willed coward and has a forced, smug sense of humour that he uses to avoid any responsibility.

[@alexcollins71090]

It's cliche, but just like the Presidents, my favorite companion is also my favorite romance: Alistair. I romance him as a human noble, and in DAO Alistair gets some nice extra dialogue and story options with this origin. He's witty, intelligent, practical, devoted, strong, tender, you share the burden of being a Grey Warden with him, he's a fucking badass in battle, etc. The Landsmeet payoff is incredible, and when playing a noble, you can also easily headcanon relating to his reluctance to accept his kingship. Not to mention that seeing his character development over time via cameos in the later games/books/comic has really been a treat!

[@CommanderFawkes]

Alistair is a amazing choice he is our deuteragonist and a reliable friend that sticks behind the warden through almost everything

[@Rebelnutt]

Alister all the way even in Mass effect he feels like a real person who's now in the worse days of his life. At worse his a yes man yet he'll question your actions and disapprove of them on the switch he'll thank you for doing your best for everyone like a true Grey Warden. He is still soft and will follow your lead his got nobody else even trying to get in touch with his step-sister then you a fellow warden telling him "Everyone is out for themselves" with that coming from the human noble it hits hard.

[@CommanderFawkes]

Glad to see a few strong Alistair supporters in the comments

[@Dragonage2ftw]

So, btw, I don’t wanna be ‘that guy’, but werewolves show up in 2, in Act 2, in one of the Outskirts of Kirkwall locations, if you side with the werewolves, an NPC elf’s quest ends with him getting dragged off by a werewolf and Fenris references LotR. My favorite is Varric. Speaking as an award winning author, he’s a very cleverly written authorial character in the sense that while he has talent, he definitely doesn’t write a masterpiece every time, and he clearly has opinions on his own work even if he doesn’t agree with how the audience perceives it all the time (He really liked the book he wrote about Kirkwall, even if the rest of Thedas did not.) He’s also an interesting subversion of Dwarf tropes and a good ‘best friend’ character.

[@Dragonage2ftw]

Oh and happy birthday!

[@CommanderFawkes]

Thank you and and I know about the sundermount quest but I have never heard about the guy getting dragged off thats interesting. I more so ment like seeing and battling werewolves in the later games but you are correct that bioware hasn't completely forgotten about them

[@sharemation5339]

Uf, that a tough one... Hard to pick one for all three games. If I get pressed to a wall, I'd say Morrigan. But if "by game", then Morrigan, Varric, Cassandra. As been said, Morrigan have most in games global story relevancy out of all companions.

[@CommanderFawkes]

Based takes, and morrigan seems like the overall winner among the viewers

[@Hawaiian_Pizza_Enjoyer]

I once failed the card game with Isabella so many times without calling out her bluff that she refused to interact with me further on account of how unbelievably stupid I am. I never fully recovered from that.

[@CommanderFawkes]

Biggest ouff

[@jetdathreat]

And just like that it's over 😢. Happy Birthday!!!

[@CommanderFawkes]

Thank you!

[@sharemation5339]

Ah, god damn it. MIssed it again.

[@CommanderFawkes]

Next Friday man same time I promise!

[@Ubersupersloth]

My favourite companion has to be Alistair. Because of course it is.

[@CommanderFawkes]

Our main homie in command finally got mentioned in the comment section!

[@Reganon690]

I love dragon age and appreciate a walkthrough with the presidents. But I’m sorry. Get in touch with PrimeRadiancy and his Mass Effect vids. Idk how but he is god tier with the AI voice work.

[@Zathurious]

Hey! I've never done it with Isabella, the pirate queen. I don't do girls, ever! I really like Dorian, but if I have to pick just one as a favorite: I'm another Fenris simp. And happy birthday Mr. Editor.

[@painof7]

True good shit Donald

[@Dessie542]

Banger Alert

[@CommanderFawkes]

Sadly obama fumbled the banging part

[@gwendolynmattison7804]

My favorite from origins is zevran because while he is easy to get into your tent, his trust is not so easily earned. Its the same reason i like Isabella and fenris from 2 . And iron bull and Dorian.

[@CommanderFawkes]

Zevran may be easy but he does have layers to him just like Isabella valid take

[@Bushidowarrior1000]

Could never pick just one, so here is one from each game. DA:O Morrigan, because she is, in my opinion, probably the most important. DA2, Varric, mainly cause i like to think it is canon he was with Hawke every step of the way, since he is telling Cassandra the tale of his friend. DA:I probably Solas, because of all we learn about him in trespassers Solas being the Dreadwolf, he was the one who created the veil, and robbed elves of their immortality.

[@CommanderFawkes]

Very based takes morrigan and Varric seem to be the top 2 choices among viewers !

[@painof7]

THAT IS SO ANNOYING about awakening. I’m simultaneously talking to him about his kid from Origins and he’s treating me like he doesn’t know me.

[@techlorknight338]

Morrigan best girl/companion. Plus, Morrigan is voiced by Claudia Black, which is an absolute win as well.

[@CommanderFawkes]

Claudia black is amazing its true

[@awesome27677]

Happy birthday!

[@CommanderFawkes]

Thank you!

[@Playerblu11]

My favorite character is tied between all 3 games lelianna in origins varric in exodus and Cole in inquisition

[@CommanderFawkes]

Based takes and based exodus naming

[@linkster362]

It’s a bit cleche, but my favorite is varric. He went through a lot of bad stuff, but is always there when you need him

[@CommanderFawkes]

Cliches are their for a reason Varric is a really solid companion !

[@mycastephens4987]

Happy birthday

[@CommanderFawkes]

Thank you!

[@darrylwalker3976]

My favorite companion is leliana she has some funny dialogue and is a good storyteller. And she’s my romance in this game I also like her accent

[@CommanderFawkes]

*Joe approves of this messege*

[@painof7]

I’m gonna pray the golf bit is just a bit. Plz tell me they didn’t ….

[@CommanderFawkes]

I watched the debate twice for content it was absolutely not a exaggeration

[@painof7]

Hello, I’m Zevran’s fan.

[@CommanderFawkes]

Based

[@JohnZaun]

Funny i agree with two Obama takes this episode. First Isabella is one of my least liked characters in this series and lets just say that the Darkspawn aren't the only blight we have to worry about. And Cassandra is my favorite character in the series. Though again funny i romances her with my male Inquisitor, how could i not? But not my main/ cannon one. And i just love how complex she is, bad ass warrior with a soft side. Religious and sometimes it gets in the way but still pretty respectful of other people's beliefs. She is just awesome.

[@CommanderFawkes]

Cassandra is amazing because she's someone I started off not liking from dragon age 2 but the fact she is still one of my favorites from inquisition says a lot

[@JohnZaun]

@@CommanderFawkes I honestly kind of liked her in 2. Her looks, demeanor, and archetype suggested she was a character I really thought I'd like. And she didn't disappoint

[@privatepenguin8291]

Morrigan is to DAO what Varric is to DA2.

[@CommanderFawkes]

Good point but the more important question is which one is hotter ?

[@ConAirAmvs]

Ngl Iron Bull might be my fave he's a fun character loyal to a fault to ppl who are close to him and Freddy prince kinda killed it also the scene where everyone walks in on him naked will never not be funny as hell to me js

[@CommanderFawkes]

Iron bull is amazing and Freddie Prinze Jr. is a goat voice actor

[@JudasGoats]

DAO - Morrigan or Loghaine DA2 Anders or Merrill DAI Blackwall or Viv

[@BlackMegas]

10:05 Big L right there. And not going to lie I kinda hate elves. I’m just tired of them.