Dragon Age 2, still not riftFollow

I wonder what happens if you import your Awakenings history but, in Awakenings, refused to take Anders with when you first meet him. Or are you forced into him later if you do that? I know you can tell him "Nice for you, see ya" and not have him join in the beginning but I reloaded and grabbed him just for the party numbers. That means no Anders with you to become a Warden or meet Justice or get his cat or anything else.

I'm far too lazy to replay Awakenings and DA2 and see though.

Fenris is fun. SpoilerYou get to slam each other up against a wall. It's all hate-fuCkery.

Yeah, like I'd sweet-talk that jerk.

Well, not playing a mage, anyway.

Finally finished up all the sidequests prior to the Deep Roads in Act 1 (or all the ones I found, at least), leaving Merrill and Anders for last. Ended up around level 9 and with 75+ gold.

I'm getting better at playing a mage; Force and Primal on Hawke is pretty sweet for control, though I frequently find myself wishing I had more damage. Likely my next few points will go toward spell upgrades, rather than new spells. I'm looking forward to exploiting the Stagger statuses that Fenris aseems to inflict all the time.

I'm having a tough time choosing a party now that I have more character options. ***** Carver; don't like him. Aveline seems to be the default tank character, making her rather necessary; it kinda bites that you can't romance her although she's not much of a looker. Varric is my only rogue, making him necessary for trap disarmament and chest unlocking... he also happens to pump out great DPS, although he pulls threat like no one else. I really like Fenris for his damage, off-tanking, and background, but his personality makes him... tough (as I'm a mage, and generally like magey things). I have no desire to hate sex him up though.

And now I just got Merrill and Anders. Merrill I like for her personality and romance potential, but there's a noticeable lack of DPS compared to Varric or Fenris. I haven't used Anders yet but I disliked his personality in Awakenings and haven't had much need for a healer yet; my own heal spell and careful use of potions has been plenty for the bosses and strong enemies so far. But from what I hear his healing makes things a lot easier later on, so I may be forced to use him... thus lowering my DPS even more.

And later on I'll be getting Isabela and Sebastian, so there are even more choices to make!

Obviously a lot of subsequent playthroughs are going to have to occur. I foresee my party being Aveline, Merrill, Isabella, and me playing a gimped healer; potentially replacing Merrill with Anders if needed. Who does everyone else run with?

You HAVE to recruit Sebastian and Isabela before the Deep Roads, or you don't get them at all.

Started playing DA2 last night and I miss DA:O.

To get Isabella, just go into The Hanged Man bar. I'm not sure what exactly triggers her event in there, but if you've recruited everyone else you should be golden. I have no idea about Sebastian, since I don't have that DLC.

Into the Deep Roads, with Carver, Varric, and Anders!

... my mom is TOTALLY biased in what children are her favorite.SpoilerBethany dies? CRYYYYYY!!! BLAAAAAME!!! Going into the Deep Roads? Beg Carver not to go... just a look at me. Seriously, I hope the Deep Roads gives me enough gold to hire a good psychiatrist. After how Mommy is acting, I feel like Hawke might need one! I'm regretting bringing Anders with me now, as I know Spoilerhe'll let Carver live... the jerk.

About Mommy issues:

SpoilerIt's cool, she dies later on. Murdered horribly, incidentally.

Appalling, as in the scene was badly written and reminded you of Troll 2, or appalling as in pretty huge emotional impact?

Lol, the latter.

You thought it was subtle?

Don't go knockin' on Troll 2.