The Dragon Age II DLC We Almost Got (Exalted March Cancelled DLC)

[@ExaltedMarch]

Who said my name 👀

[@MikeMafiaII]

maybe weird, just wanna say i dig your shit man! pls make more content (:

[@Nagram_]

''It was supposed to end with Varric's death'' I don't like this chief.

[@ColossalSwordFormAndTechnique]

That repeating crossbow is badass, need to make it in real life.

[@Nelo_Wolf]

The quintessential hero has to die, that being varric since kirkwall is his home

[@Celestria277]

*hears him talking about the dlc* "oooh (:" *Hears him mention that Varric would have died in said DLC* ":("

[@blackwings724]

Bioware: So, with this expansion, we'll have a proper send off with Hawke with one last amazing adventure that will challenge their moralities, set up the next game, and even tie everything together for Hawke in a nice little package. They can also marry their LI. Players: You had me at "So..." Bioware: Great!! We're also planning on wrapping up Varric's arc with his heroic death in a poetic- Players: *already gone* I would have LOVED that expansion! But to trade off Varric? Arguably the most popular companion of the DA series?? Not like this....not like this.

[@AlliCassandra]

The real reason we didn't get this DLC: too many people would have hated it on the sole premise of Varric dying with no way to save him. 😂

[@the_yeehaw_way]

literally, just going to ignore that varric bit lol

[@EmoBearRights]

Seriously had they're been an option to save yourself or Varric or someone or Varric that would have been great. Both my first playthrough Hawke and canon Hawke would have sacrificed themselves so their best and truest friend got to live.

[@the_yeehaw_way]

@@EmoBearRights yep, it would sound perfect then honestly. if there was an option to have varric live, i would want that dlc in a heartbeat

[@green-space-dorito]

@@EmoBearRights Nope, It's only Varric died in the end option. Because he's a party's dwarf... And the party needed to destroy red lyrium piece, that eventually infected Varric and he died on Hawke's hands... so drammatic

[@MmmLentils]

Bioware: Pick... Do you want Varric to live, or do you want to marry your LI? You can't have TWO nice things!

[@flamesofchaos13]

Wouldn't fit the theme of the game if you could in all honesty. It never worked like that in DA2 anywhere.

[@SuicideJade]

Bros before hoes. I’m saving Varric.

[@Sektus69]

Why do I have a feeling Scout Harding was supposed to be companion in DA:I if DLC with Varric's death would really happen? Or maybe Bianca? Just a random thought.

[@LostFoundling]

Supposedly, Harding was a late addition to Inquisition. They originally had a random generic scout in each area but they decided it didn't invest players in the events enough. They added Harding to tye it all together.

[@mystification19]

I would have loved this dlc.. But not the varric death thats too cruel even for bioware 😰

[@TarotMage]

I've always felt that warrior Hawkes got shafted in DAII, DLC-wise. "Legacy" was definitely themed for mage Hawkes and "Mark of the Assassin" was great for rogue Hawkes. It would have been nice for a DLC that would be attuned to warrior Hawkes.

[@terridicenza8076]

Well though I would of been heart broken that my favorite trusty friend would of died , it would of been interesting to see Fenris’s face when hawk asked him to marry him or her .

[@chuckwells62]

It is very nice to have the curtain pulled back so that we can see in a small way, what the original Exalted March dlc would have looked like. I do wish that they had elaborated somewhat on what Varric's death would have entailed?

[@JackdawYT]

Agreed, my initial thought was his death being apart of the Conclave explosion? But that's not exactly heroic is it? lol

[@BelieveIt1051]

It could have been something like how the Herald stayed behind in Haven so everyone could escape.

[@Shadow-jc9kt]

I love DA 2 who says a game needs over 100 hours to be good

[@Marco_Onyxheart]

DA2 is just not a good part 2. But as a small-scale interim story, I love it. It's an excellent game in that way.

[@heyitsevie]

So many people hate on it, but tbh it's my favourite game in the series so far!

[@blankflank3488]

@@heyitsevie Same! I would LOVE to get a remake someday of the game given proper development time. I know it'll likely never happen, but stiiiiiill.

[@heyitsevie]

@@blankflank3488 that would be SO good, but definitely not gonna happen any time soon :C

[@dracotias]

The story is fine and I love the characters but like just the lack of differing environments always kinda makes it a bit of a slog for me, Especially when it's so obvious that you're running through the same dungeon with a slightly altered path for the 10th time

[@inkdagger2251]

Unpopular opinion: I wish Exalted March had happened because there's A LOT about Inquisiton that feels like "We skipped something and part of the story is playing catch-up". Corypheus always felt weird because he wasn't all that important to DA2 and, even when he was, he was important *to Hawke*. Even if the Inquisitor showed up, getting Cory started during Hawke's story would have been a bit better in my mind. Or the utter character snafu that is Anders might have been avoided had Exalted March occured. Now... I think it's too late; the fandom is utterly split over Anders and I don't think we can do anything with him without pissing the other-side off. I have my reservations about "Redeemed Warden", but I'd have been willing to give it a chance compared to the "Forever dangling unresolved thread" he's at now. And for Varric... I hate to say it but... yeah, kill him. Fans love him. I love him. He's fun and snarky and great. But I felt bored by him in Inquisition. He had nowhere to really go. He felt like that character who's story was done but "He's popular! Keep him around" dictated that the story keep him around even if he didn't actually contribute anything to it. Varric's character had nowhere to go during Inquisition. And I say that with all the love I have for him, but I never felt like he added much to Inquisition's story besides relief comedy and sarcasm. Varric as a character had no reason to be there besides he happened to stick around with Cassandra post-DA2 for reasons and just kept sticking around. I know the fandom will rake me over the coals for that, but whatever.

[@killercarzilla]

I'm so glad that Varric wasn't killed off even though the dlc sounds like it would've been awesome. The character interactions in DA2 were truly some of the best. I love that rag-tag group of misfits

[@vinx3078]

Kinda wish they had something similar to this cause corypheus coming back in inquisition felt a bit arbitrary since he wasn't that important in the story of the second one

[@plumededragon]

Can’t say that I really regret. Tho, my Hawke marrying Fenris did sound good...

[@mos4396]

Don't you dare kill varric, bioware!!!

[@heyitsevie]

Killing Varric is akin to killing a dog. You just don't do that.

[@Alcarie]

yeah! Telltale Games did that and look what happened to them!

[@gatorchannel9502]

@@Alcarie to be fair that Tell Tale dog was an arsehole in the first place

[@Palpad100]

I would be fine with Varric dead, tbh.

[@ChloesDragons]

I joined the series because of DA2 I then went back and played DAO, therefore 2 will always be amazing to me.

[@GrassJelly101]

That's exactly how I joined, too! A friend of mine was kind enough to let me play his copy of DA2 😊 I was hooked instantly!

[@adeptdamage3669]

Origins was so much better.

[@Edhys]

Varric's death would've been too cruel to handle... but as someone who romanced Anders in DA II (and kept him alive), seeing his redemption would've been wonderful! And I agree with you on DA II getting a lot of flak undeservedly. I enjoyed it a lot, the story and the characters were wonderful, and it delivered exactly the entertainment and feels that I was looking for. Thankfully, before I played it, I was warned by good friends who were also fans of the game about the bad points of the game, so I played it knowing what to expect instead of anticipating at least the same as Origins as people playing it upon release did.

[@flamesofchaos13]

If people simply kept their expectations low or reasonable they would never have been disappointed. It's a good game I'd even argue a great one simply not as good as its predecessor which is okay. They told completely different storylines one about saving the world and you actually can even if at great or low cost, While the other is about you can't really save the world nor is that the goal it's about people simply trying to survive in a world utterly corrupted by fanaticism from every sect and faction with the majority of characters being extremely prejudicial including your family and allies...Letting you decide what you believe in and questioning whether you're any different from the supposed "monsters" in the world. One is a theme of Hope and the Greater Good and possibly Redemption, The other is a tale of Hopelessness and Desperation turning good people cruel and possibly Moral Self-Examinations. One is about a Hero for better or worse, The other is about a Failed Hero that couldn't truly save anything just live through it and evolve. Inquisition is the one that intermixed these Lighter and Darker views of the world of Thedas perfectly explaining how they could co-exist and how good intentions simply aren't enough to end all evil in world or save the people from themselves.

[@onyxrose4349]

@@flamesofchaos13 Honestly DA2 hits me harder emotionally than either Origins or Inquisition. It's not even that the story is darker or anything like that, Origins and Inquisition have their fair share of darker or more intimate moments. It's honestly the fact that Hawke is more of an actual character, especially compared to the Warden. Having so many origins makes it hard to make a narrative connected directly to the player. Hawke being Hawke made me more connected, like with Shepard in Mass Effect. The two scenes that always get me is if you take your sibling into the deep roads(with or without Anders) and the death of Hawke's mother. The second especially gets me.

[@Fantasygirl2001]

lol the funniest thing is that they made a point of stating when they worked on Dragon age 2 and inquisition that there were some players that were extremely surprised to see Lilliana in those two games considering for some reason or other she had supposedly died in their playthroughs of Origins I was not among those players but several of my closest friends were there is no telling way of knowing that the same would have easily been said if they had done the DLC that they would have founds a way for Varric to have survived that exhalated march as well since we have seen something similar down with Lilliana from origins and since both are rogues of a sort and it seems like a theme in the Bioware blood to make rogues almost unkillable.

[@flamesofchaos13]

Leliana's survival in the world states where she was killed is a massive retcon about her becoming a Lyrium Ghost. It's shitty writing and disliked/hated by a good chunk of the fanbase pretty much anyone that went that route. They wouldn't want to do that to Varric or any other character in the series again it'll just get more people pissed or bored. Plus with the way that story was thought out nope Varric's death was the end of him no going back it would make no logical sense to bring him back. In fact they could easily have replaced him with another Dwarf like Scout Harding or Dagna or Oghren for the empty party member slot.

[@meg3785]

So they have spared Varrick and now they're going to take it out on Solas, aren't they? 😅 Also, 'recruiting various factions, having to choose between Isabela's Armada and the Qunari, splitting loyalties and risking relationships in the process' sounds a bit like what we can get in DA4. Maybe I'm reading to much into it but it made me think about Isabela's cameo and Harley Qun and a 'lord of fortune' as possible companions that we saw in the BTS trailer 🧐🤔 I loved the video, thank you for sharing the story! :D

[@eastbow6053]

lol please Bioware dont kill Solas q-q my heart still hurts but i love him

[@martinab676]

Oh, they're most definitely taking it out on Solas, I can feel it in my bones. Such a beloved and tragic character cannot be left alive, what of the drama? What of the tears?

[@eastbow6053]

@@martinab676 FUCKING BIOWARE T^T

[@martinab676]

@@eastbow6053 They feed on our blood and tears

[@meg3785]

@@eastbow6053 Same here, I'm like: Bioware, please give me drama but then let me have my happy ending with Solas alive and well ^^ but most likely we'll get some kind of a bittersweet ending. at best. and mostly bitter. They really do feed on our tears and they don't even try to hide it, 'it would have broken so many fan hearts, something that writers on DA notoriously enjoy' lol

[@LeisurelyPanda]

Not gonna lie, I'm torn on this. It sounds amazing, and while I like Varric, I wouldn't say that I love him enough that killing him would influence my enjoyment of the series. If anything, it would have been nice for Hawke's involvement in Inquisition to have a more central role rather than limit them to a single main quest.

[@nicolecline8584]

Still sad we didn't get a proper Sebastian romance... The DLC sounded great! As much as Varric's death would've broken my heart, I like that they were willing to kill off a popular character. There's wrong ways to go about it, sure, but I respect when writers are will to do that.

[@nuworldpress]

I too consider myself something of a DA 2 apologist. On top of that, my personal favorite scene in all of Dragon Age is what Varric has to say if Alistair dies at Adamant Fortress. His remarks on his death is quick, subtle and beautiful. It really speaks to how wonderful the entire series is. So, I'm glad we didn't lose Varric for sure.

[@Mizuiorimoto]

I would have loved this DLC, Varric death and all (I'm a sucker for drama lol), And really I could have married my LI??? Bruhh ;-;

[@crazyplantkatie]

As a Sebastian fan (hello anyone else out there?) who didn't agree with his views on mages but still thought he was super sexy, I would have loved this DLC.... without Varric's death. BioWare we deserve nice things dangit this isn't a toxic relationship!! XD

[@the_yeehaw_way]

da2 is my favourite dragon age game and i was nodding all along until the VARRIC BIT?!?!! hell no, kind of glad it didn’t happen lol

[@williamwatson4354]

I love DA2 like I do the two others. I got my first pc in 1978. Back then the only games were text adventures. Any games with graphics was a major advancement. So the fact that they reused locations never bothered me.

[@silentinfinity]

So thankful you appreciate DA2 as well. I love all it added and have enjoyed playing it many times!

[@cuppapablo]

I also loved the DA2 characters. The game did have it's issues... those repetitive dungeons, but storywise and characterwise it was amazing. It was so well done, that it was a hard choice to sacrifice Hawke in Inquisition.

[@TAndRDInSpace]

There were only 2 things I didn't like about DA2. The overly reused maps and I wish we had more dialog with LI. Other than that I absolutely love the game, though not as much as I love DA:O.

[@briancatoni7000]

Call me a monster if you must but I personally may have traded varrics life for this if I knew it was a good death (Specifically pre trespasser) In the main game he seemed exhausted/directionless and to be around to lose more friends and go through more betrayal...I'm so glad they gave him a win in trespasser by giving him Kirkwall

[@TheRoguePrince0]

Once the mass effect trilogy remaster is out we need a dragon age origins&2 remaster for ps5

[@MyNindo2000]

Let's Go

[@Eco-pu2zs]

Hawke is unique to dragon age as he exist by default. I hope he would be included in the future in some way, he is my favorite character. I always sort of hoped he would end up with the Hero of Fereldon.

[@bryanabbott6169]

Considering they switched from the Champion to the Inquisitor for the third game, I think having the Champion being able to marry for that DLC would have been a nice send off to the character.

[@chromlowell7976]

I also agree that the writing is strongest in DA2 and the characters. Alistair and Morrigan aside, DA2 is my favorite cast in DA. Thinking of this Varric dead alternate universe... Sera is instead the returning DA2 party member? (Or the almost/Sera girl) and we get a new rogue party member? Or maybe that girl wouldn’t become Sera, and Isabelle would have returned? But she’s a dual wielder like Cole

[@hjgjhl]

If they add Fenris to 4 I will forgive them for cutting 2 short. I just discovered Blue Wraith and I'm excited to see how that gets integrated. Though I would have loved to marry Bethany and Sebastian.

[@blankflank3488]

Same, I desperately hope Fenris is in DA4.

[@adrianmarb9727]

I'm kinda happy we didn't get this one. Nothing can excuse Varric's death. Nothing.

[@cupuscakus5440]

Headline reads "Frostbite Foils Fan Favourite Dwarven Rogue Fatality" and I'm glad he was saved too. Without it we would never have had the seriously tense fight between Varric and Cassandra upon reaching Skyhold nor Cassandra getting the new book and reading from it at the end! My favourite protagonist will always be Hawke though and I'd have liked to see them settle down properly but maybe this means we could see more from them in the future. Thanks for sharing that with us. I'd never heard that they planned another expansion that got canned.

[@fatimapalacios2292]

Thank the Maker they didn't kill Varric.. Yet. I bet they will break our hearts with the death of one of our Inquisition companions like Cassandra, Dorian or Varric himself in the next game. I have my bet in turning Leliana as the major villain for the next game. She will go full Darth Vader no matter what you do... Maybe because that's just who she is.

[@sheilamyers1217]

If they kill Dorian then I will never play DA again, I will never be able to forgive BioWare bc that would break my heart

[@fatimapalacios2292]

@@sheilamyers1217 I would still play because I am a masochist like that.

[@AquaswanOfficial]

this makes me wonder if they still have plans to end his tale later down the line...

[@icedmangotea4267]

Bro as long as varric didn't die I would have LOVED this dlc!!! I would have also really loved to see the Conclave. I also find it interesting that they took this idea and pretty much just made trespasser. Also..that character that was the precursor to what we know as sera today...that was a mage.... INTERESTING

[@doodlebugfour7070]

"Mage Sera" was a prototype concept design for Bethany.

[@joshualanhan9267]

Da2 was a great game. I was stuck at home due to an injury and a little loopy on pain pills when I played it at the time, but I still think it was great!

[@MicahLetsPlay]

OMG Jackdaw I got my book!!! I'm so glad BioWare didn't kill off Varric. I love the story of DA2 and I agree with you. I never understood the way it has such a bad reception with fans. Even though the game had a lot of recycled backgrounds but not even that killed the immersion for me. Dope video as alway my friend. P.S. There is so much good stuff in this book, I am going crazy with ideas!!

[@darraghmcb]

If there's ever an option in future games that could mean Varric dies....it will only be selected by the same people that shot Mordin in the back

[@WolfofEzo]

Thanks for the info about the cancelled DLC! I'm totaly agree about DA 2 doesn't deserve to be hated or underestimated. The characters, stories and the whole lore is abloslutely wonderful! And it is so breathtaking when you meet the Champion of Kirkwall and Corypheus at DA Inquisition! It wouldn't be the same feeling without DA 2. Varric? No, I definitely wouldn't be happy to have this extra DLC released if Varric's going to die there... He's one of the key characters I am thrilled to follow through the games.

[@Ferrilsblood]

I would have loved a DLC that explored Kirkwall's fallout. it could've been Leliana or Cassandra's story as they work to assemble the cast for inquisition. Trying to find Hawke, but he manages to get away. Getting the Trevelyans on board, hiring the Valo kas... striking deals with the carta... recruiting Cullen. Learning more about Divine justinia. Dealing with the mage/templar war and bringing it to a standstill. Ending with the Conclave going boom! It would not be a grand game but it would've been an awesome concept.

[@Fox_Tek]

Dragon age 2 will always have a special place in my heart, I still remember playing the shit out of it and origins before Inquisition came out! Great game, great series, GREAT fandom! Dragon Age❤

[@AlliCassandra]

Sweet, a video on my birthday!! 💝

[@terridicenza8076]

Well happy birthday

[@vicente2044]

Happy birthday

[@JackdawYT]

Happy birthday!

[@AlliCassandra]

@@JackdawYT thank you Jack!! Loved the video!

[@The_Nightsong]

:O My Hawke could have married Fenris?! :O at least my Raven got to marry Cullen :P

[@MrGrimlocksmash]

So mad we didn’t get this. I cherish dragon age 2 as much as origins and would gladly pay for a remaster on ps5. Xbone it is I guess.

[@4Thessia]

Prediction: Varric will die in the next game.

[@moooonlightttt]

I finally got to play all Dragon Age 2 after playing DAI and DAO and honestly DA2 really doesn’t deserve the amount of hate it get. Especially once you know the development process of the game. They team was able to create an amazingly tragic story that sets the world of Thedas into the events of DAI. If this DLC had been release it would have been the perfect bow similar to how the trespasser dlc brought a solid end to DAI

[@heatherbelletete7980]

I like Varric as a character, but I never really used him in Inquisition. I enjoyed playing rogue too much in DAI, so all the rogues got benched. As far as the DLC, I would have loved to see an exalted march. I always felt like that was a major thing that got left off. DA2 is my favorite game. I replay it the most. The writing is so good that you can enjoy playing Hawke as mean, funny, or good-natured and really enjoy the way your attitude affects your companions. I didn't enjoy that nearly as much with DAO or DAI even though I really enjoyed playing both those games...replay just wasn't as fun. (Of course, replay of DAI would have been a LOT better if banter happened more often. Who cares if there are hours and hours of banter? If you're not playing the game, you're not hearing it, because you quit...because you got tired of feeling like you were by yourself...lol)

[@aprilmayjane3832]

DA 2 was my most FAVORITE🙌🙌🙌

[@aprilmayjane3832]

I wouldve married the FLUFF outta Fenris 🙌😎😂. But they just can't kill off Varric!! So Im glad it was scrapped👍

[@ColossalSwordFormAndTechnique]

I just want to be able to play as another giant venatori brute commander, like Duhaime in dragon age 4. The 8 foot venatori brute boss, but now a comrade or protagonist.

[@BelieveIt1051]

I had a similar idea for DA4. A Tevinter general, as a warrior or a new 4th class.

[@flamesofchaos13]

Cool idea for a companion or Warrior-spec/origin story for the New Protag.

[@ColossalSwordFormAndTechnique]

@@flamesofchaos13 Yeah. We would bow be allowed to see the perspective of the opposing side. Not everyone has to be an enemy, even of they are from different factions. Like in fire emblem, you can recruit a unit from the enemy side.

[@flamesofchaos13]

@@ColossalSwordFormAndTechnique We've always had the option to see the other side's pov. In Origins making Loghain a Warden, In DA2 choosing the other side next time and/or looking at Fenris pov or Anders pov or Seb's or Merrill or Tallis, In Inquistion being allowed to spare the Venatori or Red Templar leader and/or looking at The Iron Bull or Blackwall or Cullen or Dorian or Solas pov's. So yeah having an (Ex-)Venatori companion alongside let's say a Qunari Loyalist and Ex-Dread Wolf Cultist would be on par with that.

[@Darkrai1201]

NOOOOOOOOOOOOO. Let me and Merrril be happy together Bioware. You can't go from almost letting me marry her in DA2 to the forcing me to chose between the lives of Hawke or Alistair in Inquisition. Stop breaking my heart Bioware!!

[@st4ne4rmthevill63]

I was excited for Exalted March. It would have been the perfect cap on my Hawke to have a marriage ceremony with Merrell. Me & her had a crazy relationship lol Varric dying would have *killed* me tho. Now I have a sinking feeling that Varric is going to die in the next game.

[@mysticonthehill]

Glad to bring good suspicions. I would guess that is going to be very unlikely. I don't think any of our companions from the south are going to be very present in DA4 and if there is its likely its ones who haven't had the limelight as much as Varric. It is also my feeling Hawke's death was something of a trade off for Varric not dying.

[@flamesofchaos13]

@@mysticonthehill Shale, Oghren, Velanna, Nathaniel, Anders, Dorian, The Iron Bull, Isabela, Warden Carver or Bethany, Cole and Fenris all possible cameos or roles in the storyline of Tevinter and the Grey Wardens living right next door the concept art showcasing an Warden Fortress, An voice actor playing a Warden Soldier in the teaser, Inquisition directly hinting at a Grey Warden Civil War storyline to be followed up on. Also that's not even going into the fact that Sten became the Arishok in the comics, Tallis could also come into play...Given the Qun is actively invading the Tevinter Imperium and winning the war seizing lands for themselves. Leliana or Vivienne or Cassandra could also come into play as the Divine given we might see renewed conflicts even new Exalted Marches between the South and the Imperium after the events of Inquisition a Tevinter Darkspawn Magister murdering the previous Andrastian Divine and a Cult of Tevinter Radicals helping it who still remain inside of Tevinter politics/government. Solas is already confirmed. So actually there's potentially a lot of companions that could come into play in DA4 depending on the storyline they wanna tell. If they delve into Tevinter Politics or Grey Wardens or an Exalted March or Chantry Reunification or the Qunari invading All of Thedas like they've always wanted leading once again to the South and the Imperium teaming up like they did before which the Andrastians have cause to do given the Qun's Terrorist Attack against the majority of Southern leadership in Trespasser.

[@Ser-Lusacan]

I want this as a mod

[@yugifrolife]

Its already bad enough that I have to war against my best buddie (who still owes me for the gear I lend him🤣😂) Solas, Anders is still not free from the spirit of Vengeance (at this point, does he want to be? Can he be?) and Alistair only has a few years left before he hears the song of the Calling and a cure has not been found yet and if there is a cure, what must be sacrificed for it to be made or what is the side effects after taking it?😭😭😭😭 ...but then they wanted to take Verric and his magnificent chest hair!?!? That would have been too much!😨😱

[@SeventhheavenDK]

Alistair has like 20 years left. The calling comes approx 30 years after the Joining.

[@curajacaster]

Dragon age 2 was my favorite i really wish we got that dlc even if it meant not having Varric in Inquisition. I didnt really like Inquisition anyways so maybe that could've given me a different experience with it that couldve been more entertaining, especially with it tying the 2 games together a little better.

[@epicwolf3]

Personally glad Varric lived. He is one of my favorite characters in the whole series.

[@doodlebugfour7070]

That Sera lookalike was prototype concept art of Bethany.

[@avagreenoak6402]

I would have taken to the streets and riot if Varric died. What would I do with out my trusty dwarf

[@ded2thaworld963]

Literally every time i watch one of these videos i end up playing DA for days

[@amythyrstchryseum2141]

Someone please tell me what the mod for the armour the inquisitor is wearing at 5:44

[@taralynstevenson4016]

DA2 is by far my favorite! All that Fenris goodness!

[@mistycascade1811]

I can't imagine DAI without Varric ... but the DLCs tragical end might have worked with any of Hawks companions as well

[@mageside]

As a huge Dragon Age II fan this is infuriating that I was deprived one more adventure with my favorite Dragon Age Party and Protagonist...

[@Kathychis]

I am both happy and sad at the idea of playing the Exalted March DLC. On the one hand, I adore Varric. He's been my best friend, my wingman, my biggest cheerleader in both DA2 and Inquisition. I would never want him to die, on the contrary I really just want him to be happy. But I cannot deny just how much my heart yearns to see my Hawke marry their love interest and get that feeling of closure to their story, that happily ever after. And to think of the feels I would have gotten in Inquisition if I sacrificed Hawke after seeing Hawke get married, the thought of the happy future I was (most likely) taking away from them forever.... I don't have the words for just how heartbreaking that would be.

[@cwscott2010]

I definitely hate the idea of Varric dying in that DLC, but I am curious to what replacement companion would we have gotten in DAI if this DLC was released

[@thesnep4757]

Not being able to marry Fenris, that upsets me greatly.

[@ashleighmmorgan]

pov: you get to marry your LI, but your best friend dies at the end me: no thanks, I'll keep reading fanfic instead.

[@Stupornatural]

That sounds like a pretty cool DLC. I kinda wish we had gotten that if only to tie DA2 and Inquisition together more soundly. Minus Varric's death. That would have sucked.

[@lorajean64]

I would have been devastated if Varric had died! In fact, I wish they had made him a possible love interest for the Inquisitor....

[@ShaunicusPrime]

DA2 remains my favorite DA game. Because of the characters and their development alone.

[@curses0206]

Ok the wedding thing I’m sad we didn’t get because awwwWWW but varric dying ? No way bro 😔

[@BelieveIt1051]

I never liked Varric, so I would have been fine with his death, especially if Marian got to marry Sebastian. Also, Hawke wouldn't have been replaced as Viscount(ess) by Varric. Plus, more content would have filled DA2 out much better. And we wouldn't have been left hanging on Hawke's whereabouts, which mislead us to believe the Champion's disappearance was related to the Hero of Ferelden's. It also would have explained why everyone went their separate ways.

[@flamesofchaos13]

Given the potential DLC took place outside of Kirkwall and deals with a lot of the same main plot that Inquisition did...My assumption is Hawke would of still lost their Viscount(ess) title for abandoning the City-State to go crusading. Especially if they would be forced to join either Pirates or the Qunari that would have an extremely hostile rep back home. Like it's not impossible for Bran to become the Viscount or some random Noble or that Starkhaven takes control of the city for a time like in Inquisition. The whole Warden and Hawke together MUST of been retconned. Bioware was clearly point blank stating that they were together in the end of DA2. They must of changed their minds during development realizing that the Warden/Warden-Commander would be just too difficult or expensive or both to redevelop for Inquisition so dropped it for Stroud/Loghain/Alistair instead. Would Sebastian ever marry Hawke he seemed to make it quite clear he was against that in DA2. I guess he could change his mind but it could of been like Inquisition where only some romances willing marry while others are against it. Isabela for example it wouldn't make sense to allow in any world state. Please do tell me if Sebastian would be willing to marry just not consummate it (given he's Chaste) but then it wouldn't be legal marriage I guess.

[@BelieveIt1051]

@UCwNq7UML_kqu9hAzTgoN49g Considering Kirkwall went without any viscount at all for a few years after Dumar was killed, I'd say they would have cut Hawke some slack, especially if it involved a crusade. That's what heads of state do sometimes, they wage war elsewhere. I read the original plan was to continue with Hawke into Inquisition anyway. Which wouldn't have worked, as I can attest. I have recreated my Hawke in the CCC in Inquisition, and I can say for certain that Hawke doesn't fit the storyline. In any case, I think putting Varric in the big chair was a product of Trespasser. BioWare was too lazy to continue a divergent Hawke path, so they funneled the worldstates down even more. I think the Hero and Champion were supposed to be connected by some common event, (a plot involving the Forbidden Ones was my theory) but BioWare decided to bring Hawke back, and that meant squashing the DA2 ending like it was nothing. They also basically called Leliana a liar in the process, since certain versions of her can know where the Hero was all along. She hid that from Cassandra, and even Justinia V. I doubt BioWare ever intended to bring the Hero back in Inquisition. They had too much on their plate already. Nah, Sebastian is always up for marriage to a Hawke who romances him, although it's a celibate one along the friendship path. The rival path makes it seem like he drops his celibacy vow. Also, even in the friendship path, I think he would come to his senses eventually. Lady Hawke has a comment in MotA that suggests she's working on getting him into bed with her regardless of any vow he took. And lets be real, it will end up like all his other vows to the Maker. Also, Divine Leliana revokes the celibacy rule (not that she's Divine in my worldstate anyway). Though I get the impression Sebastian wouldn't accept Leliana as Divine, nor would I blame him.

[@BelieveIt1051]

@UCwNq7UML_kqu9hAzTgoN49g I have no idea why that last post garbo'd your user name like that.

[@flamesofchaos13]

@@BelieveIt1051 It happens sometimes.

[@BelieveIt1051]

@@flamesofchaos13 Bro. Your KZbin account is jank.

[@teejay9610]

As much as I would love the wedding, upgraded character art, redeemed Anders and ending DA2 deserves.....its not worth Varric dying

[@w3ndigogames]

I’ve heard quite a lot about this DLC before and I still wonder if things would have been better with it - but Varric dead? Nah, fam

[@efrain8riveragreen868]

As MUCH as i would have liked to marry my love interest... I CANT IMAGINE MY WORLD IN DA:I WITHOUT VARRIC !!!! 😭

[@braveatheart]

Dragon Age 2 is my favourite for characters, and possibly my favourite overall. I'm so torn on this!!! Would love to have had more da2 and would LOVE to have had a wedding, but VARRIC!!

[@sethzunker2100]

my head canon for anders isnt far from what they were planning!

[@thepoppets1052]

Dragon Age 2 was made within 9 months?? What the hell?!

[@majaluning3624]

Forget the wedding, we’re saving Varric!

[@MR67UToob]

Dragon Age 2 got lots of flak, but I still felt it had its own unique charm and was in my opinion, better than Dragon Age Inquisition. It's admirable what Bioware achieved with it given that their greedy EA overlords were looking for a quick cash in on Origins and had it released just over a year after Origins (and also in March 2011 just in time for their hallowed financial year end). Think how much better this game could have been had it been given the extra year of development it deserved.

[@ThomasWarhammer]

Damn I would have loved a better tie in from DA2 to DAI.. This is a tough one

[@karredondo01]

Yessss I ADORE dragon age 2

[@intotheshadowsproject]

Oh! It's sad that we could have something like the citadel in ME, specialy with DA2 for me was the game that helped me the most with a heavy depression. I love all the games! but DA2 for me was very special. But I would not enyoy Varric's death lol xD Thank you for bring us a lot of news of DA!

[@Spartanunit5]

Considering Merrill is my probably my favorite romance in any BioWare game I think I’d have preferred this dlc. I also absolutely loved DA: II despite everything. Having Hawke and Merrill’s wedding would have been worth Varric’s death. Especially because I love him too. It would have been sad but I in Inquisition sometimes I felt like I would have preferred a new character. Getting to know a character as two different protagonists felt odd.

[@Foxfire578]

In short, I'm glad it didn't happen because I love Varric. Other than that, a new DLC would have been great.

[@sjsharp2007]

Given Varric is one o fm yfavourite DA companion salong wit hLeliana I'm glad in a wa ythat it was cancelled. As it is great to have him as a companion again in DAI.

[@H240909]

I like Dragon Age 2 but I recognize that I would absolutely loath the game if Inquisition hadn't done as well as it did. Also, I got into Dragon Age after Inquisition wrapped up. So I was able to do Origins, DA2, and Inquisition in one long run rather than having to wait years between releases. Which would have damaged my opinion of 2 without a doubt. Oh and I forgot to mention... VARRIC WAS SUPPOSED TO DIE!!!? Thank GOD that this DLC never saw the light of day!

[@grelly_chan8401]

Bioware: So we were gonna have this DLC where it ties Hawke's story Me: Oh well that's too bad would probably have been goo- Bioware: Varric dies Me: OH HELL NO!!!

[@TheSpicyLeg]

DA2 was in many ways a superior way of storytelling. There’s two ways to get a person to empathize with the story. The most obvious and common way is to show something in the setting, characters, or situations that the person would recognize from their own experience. In short, getting the person to place themselves in the story. I’m a parent. I easily empathize with the Templars. If I knew that a classmate of one my kids could suddenly, without warning, become an abomination that began murdering the children, I would want some kind of defense. Others feel differently. But the other way of investing in a story is rarer, and it is why video games are so popular. That is, making the player responsible for the events taking place. DA2 made you responsible for Kirkwall. You are trying to protect Kirkwall, keep it free and safe, but no matter your strength you simply cannot be everywhere at once. Over time, you notice that there is feeling of inevitability. Something bad is going to happen. After all your work, it is still going to hell. It’s a powerful emotion, desperation. Hawke wasn’t trying to save themself, or gain some advantage. Right up to the end you’re trying to protect your sibling, your friends, your lover, your community.

[@Kleineganz]

While I do love Varric and it would have been tragic to lose him (and made Inquisition banter a lot different!), being able to marry my love interest would have been so sweet. I wonder if the marriage happens before or after the final fight in Kirkwall? How would that affect Anders? That would have been interesting, either way. 🤔

[@Absafraginlootly]

If any dragon age game would have benefited from a full expansion it would have been da2. And this one sounds great. I understand why they dropped it, so they wouldn't have to rush dai too, but it's a shame we lost it.

[@GuardiaoCinzento]

Hi, I doubt you'll see this comment at this point, but i need to ask. Would you be willing to tell me what page the information on the DLC is? I'm using this information in my Master Thesis, but sadly I don't have the money to buy it right now... It's OK if you don't feel confortable doing so though =] Thank you!

[@mme1792]

why not have him come back to life like Lilliana did if you killed her in DAO if you destroyed the ashes and she was in your party, and she came back in DA2.

[@scarcehyperion2148]

I like that Anders would’ve been redeemed as a warden. One of the reasons I killed Anders in DA2 is because if you spare him he never faced any real consequences other than the mages not liking him and then in Inquisition Varric says he just goes... somewhere? Inquisition didn’t go a great job with what became of Anders.

[@Kathychis]

I feel torn about killing Anders, even tho I take that route half of the time. It just seems like you have to choose between "DIE FOR YOUR CRIMES" and "oh, it's ok. I forgive you". Can't we have Aveline arrest him or something?

[@scarcehyperion2148]

@@Kathychis I agree I feel exactly the same. I base whether I kill him or not on whether the Hawke of that playthrough agrees with his actions or not. So if I’m playing a radically pro-mage Hawke or a Hawke who romanced him I’ll spare him but my main canon Hawke was a warrior who was pro-mage but he was fiercely protective of Bethany who was a circle mage, so he saw what Anders did as endangering her and he couldn’t let him walk after that. He was also a pacifist everywhere he could be so what Anders did was unforgivable to him and there had to be consequences no matter Anders’ intentions.

[@Kathychis]

@@scarcehyperion2148 My canon playthrough was the same. My Hawke always prioritized helping others and sparing lives whenever possible. Even though she could understand why Anders did what he did, she couldn't condone or forgive him for it. The ends in no way justified the means. There had to be SOME kind of consequences for what he did. Killing him was a bit extreme, but kicking him out wasn't even punishing him at all. I really do wish there was an option that was a bit more in between the two.