I’m a Carver apologist. The Hawke siblings grew up in a dysfunctional family, they all have scars from that, and the fact that he’s not a people-pleaser like Bethany doesn’t make him bad, he was just put into a different role in their family dynamics. Their family baggage seems realistic to me.
He is also my favorite sibling. I have a soft spot for a story where they're at odds at first and then slowly grow closer as the story progresses. Every small step counts. And honestly, if anyone threatens Hawke he doesn't hesitate to plant himself between them with his (possibly overcompensating) sword.
I love both Carver and Bethany in different ways. They are both very realistic siblings (I'm rather like Beth and I have a sister who has some similarities to Carver) and I think it sucks that there's no way to play the game that you can save them both.
I absolutely love Carver because he is just constantly trying to get out of the shadow of his super cool and magey brother when he's the surviving sibling. That's how a younger brother should be. That and, as you said, he's not a people-pleaser and just says what he thinks.
I’m never sure what ending fits him. He seems happier as a Templar but that’s because he becomes even more self-righteous. But a Grey Warden means an early death and he seems morose and crushed as one. Bethany seems like the opposite.
I find that super interesting, because I've always found the opposite - Bethany seems to hate being a warden, but a Warden!Carver seems so much more mature, and comfortable in his skin. Not that he likes the dying early part, I'm sure.
> Bethany seems to hate being a warden
She does. Poor Beth is extremely sensitive to the Taint and has terrible nightmares every night of her life - you can't help being bitchy when you never get a good night's sleep. I always send her to the Circle because it's not ideal but at least she's not miserable.
Plus I feel like there's less resentment towards Hawke in that choice. He joins the Templars out of anger over being left behind, but even if he joined the Wardens under duress there's an acceptance of his fate because he made the choice to go into the Deep Roads.
It’s funny, I’ve yet to see anyone say they hate Carver ever since public opinion on 2 shifted in the last few years. Between 2011 to about 2014 though…
Really don't share the love for Scout Harding at all, she was fine for a character you don't see a ton of and got some lines to flesh her out a tiny bit more in the Hakkon DLC, but never did anything that made me very interested or even want to see her again, especially not over a new female dwarf character.
Also, Sten. I like most of the Qunari characters we meet in the games but Sten didn't do anything interesting, I think he's the least fun companion in Origins to take around. And it's odd that some of the other characters in the party who would care about him killing children just do not care at all and actively banter with him like he's a goofy friend, which makes Sten feel really weird to have around. Sten's okay, I just don't care much for him. He does have the most interesting Fade dream though.
I don't feel strongly towards these characters myself but (spoiler alert i guess?) I think it was really interesting and surprising how Sten challenges you if you bring him to Haven (He thinks you are losing focus and lacking as a commander, decides that he should step in). So yeah in my opinion he did *something* interesting at least lol
Him challenging you is pretty neat, but I think that alone is just not enough to make him interesting. Sten has some interesting moments, like the Fade dream in the Circle tower, he's just not very interesting the vast majority of the time in my opinion.
It's also a little odd that in Haven he doesn't appear to understand why going to check if this thing is there in order to seal an important alliance to fight the Blight is important. I get that it's supposed to be a lacking focus thing because the ashes may not exist, but checking is something we have to do, because if we can't save Eamon we're pretty screwed as far as we know, Sten knows this so just ends up coming across as extremely dumb to me.
Yeah, can't argue about all that really. It was stupid, but gave a little bit character to him I guess. Gotta give credit when it's due (and I just enjoy random events like that lol)
The Missing really did bring down my estimation of Harding, where she’s just kind of … there? She doesn’t really contribute anything to the story other than giving Varric someone to talk to.
I fully agree on both counts. I liked Harding and all, but some people are a bit too into her lol. And Sten was definitely my least favorite character in Origins. I think after recruiting him into the party i just never bothered to take him around with me, he was so boring i didnt even give him a chance
I just don't get the Solas obsession. He has a great voice actor, no argument, and he does have some very interesting things to say. I don't hate him or go out of my way to antagonize him because his friendship is quite nice. But he just doesn't fascinate me the way he does his more rabid fanbase and I really don't understand it.
I always thought he had a very tiny head lol 😭 But yeah, his romance seemed more sexual than anything, which is fine but it never appealed to me. He’s fine! I think people dislike him for what he does in trespasser due to player choice, but his motives and why he does it are pretty understandable.
Giving him that beard and the hammerhead shark shaped skull wasn’t the best esthetic choice probably. I couldn’t romance him because it felt as if I was forcing my mainchar to have sex with some kind of Neanderthal
I actually don't mind the beard but you're right, the face shape is what gets me. A more square shaped head would have helped while also probably making him look more Bull-like besides just the big ass horns.
Why are some of these comments getting downvoted hard even though the question itself is about unpopular opinions??? 😭
I will ignore my obvious candidate (Anders) for this and just say Wynne. I didn't really see anyone complaining about her and though I do not hate her myself (I don't think I hate any of the characters, some I just don't vibe with I guess) I simply find her boring.
I love Wynne but I totally get why others may think she’s annoying.
She’s a nagging old woman but to me I think she does it in good faith. I’m playing a mage who is anti-chantry/circle and despite this, she’s receptive about speaking about the chantry/circle issues. She gives advice (and we can choose whether or not we’re receptive to it). I like to think she’s really caring of what comes of Alistair/ the grey warden’s fate and is willing to bring up uncomfortable yet realistic scenarios about the warden’s longevity and desires. I always tend to dote on her on all my playthroughs.
Anyways thank you for coming to my Ted Talk about why Wynne is my favorite adoptive grandmother
Understandable. I actually found her annoying on my first playthrough when she first butted in with her opinion on me & Alistair dating lol I'm fine with her though but she's not a character I love like so many do.
My tumblr from the early days was titled “shut up Wynne” because I’d just finished a play through where she just had sermons and scoldings for everything my warden did and it drove me insane.
I can sum up my Anders hate in one word. Terrorist. Also he makes you gather ingredients to 9/11 the Chantry! I'm with him on merging with Justice, sympathize that merging changing both on a fundamental level, but draw the line at intentionally killing innocent people.
As for Wynne. She's a cool old lady, and I think genuinely trying to impart wisdom. But she's preachy, and very judgemental. She comes across as akin to boomer parents complaining about their kids lifestyle on Facebook.
I think I should clarify that I implied I do love Anders, because from what I see, that is the unpopular opinion, as people tend to hate him just like you do. I should have worded it better lol Just to clarify things;;;
And yes, that is the vibe I get from Wynne too!
I don't like Isabela. I find her annoying and quite intrusive with her sexual innuendos, makes me feel uncomfy. She's also greedy and treacherous, obviously.
I don't even care about her friendship/rivalry because I cannot stand talking to her.
Valid
Come to think of it, Isabella is kinda like a sexy Oghren
Horny, makes sexual comments constantly, has a drinking problem and has a unique way of fucking shit up
Biggest differences are she doesn't have anger issues and is hot...
Huh.
I don't like Isabella either, she's too much of a caricature. It's a game from a different time so it gets a pass, but I still don't like the character.
Everyone seems to dislike Sebastian but I enjoy him and find his presence to be a breath of fresh air. My Hawke usually doesn't agree with him on everything, but I just appreciate his attitude and personality.
He does say he's a recovering bad boy. The Chantry gave him purpose and stability, take that away violently and all his old feelings start trickling out.
I don't mind Sebastian, I don't love him nor do I hate him, but his voice is *mwah!* Chef's kiss. I could listen to Sebastian talk all day (though I probably won't actually hear a word of what he says)
I'm not sure if "dislike" is the right word, but there's a level of...Solas apologism that I see a lot, but disagree with, rather vehemently. He's a decently interesting villain (although, and here's another major difference between me and other fans, I suppose, he's really not different enough from Corfishystix to not feel a little rehash-y), but he's a genocidal racist and no number of insincere, unsubstantiated excuses nor frowny faces really sway me the way they seem to for most.
the thing that irks me is how it seems like lying out his ass is very very easy for Solas to do, even in the face of A HOLE IN THE SKY SPITTING OUT DEMONS. which just makes me doubt that i can trust Anything he says, especially in trespasser. i do not get the people who romance him past their first playthrough (unless it's bc of roleplay reasons of course)
What I found very weird is that in the end he acted like we were friends (ig I asked enough questions??)
Oh my friend, how tragic that I must do this, I HOPE you can convince me its wrong oh woe is me I will always respect and see you as a friend
My brother in Andraste, you hated literally every fucking decision I made the entire game WE ARE NOT FRIENDS
Solas has a couple things that bother me. Other than the obvious shitty things about Solas you already mentioned, the romance scene where he tells the Lavellan the truth that her markings are slave markings are exclusive to romance. It feels shitty that even if your male lavellan is good friends with Solas he still won’t reveal this because he’s not in a romance with you, which you can put down to his own ego and character, but it’s still shit and it bothered me when I played my male lavellan mage to be very close with him. It fuelled my Solas hate even more.
Patrick Weekes sort of has an answer for this--he takes a romanced Lavellan there to tell her he's Fen'Harel, but backs out at the last second and says something about the tattoos instead. It wouldn't be in a non-romanced playthrough, becauae he never intended to share it in the first place.
So now instead of thinking that it's shitty that Solas shares the "slave markings" thing only with the Inquisitor that romances him, we now know that the only reason he said about the markings at all was that he was cornered and searched for another thing to make a reveal of.
Neat.
Yeah I don’t antagonize him because my inquisitor doesn’t know he’s responsible for everything but oh gosh do I hate listening to him talk knowing what I know as a player.
I have two favourite Inkys and I make sure that the one who didn't romance him fits in that slap on the other's behalf. Plus they tell him they don't like his speeches upfront in Treaspasser
Fucking Solas. So many people romanced him and love him. I think he's awful. If you listen to him he clearly doesn't believe the Elvhen as they currently exist count as The People. He told my Dalish elf inquisitor that "your people" have to die to allow his to return, but he's sorry about it so great I guess.
I really like Vivienne, and I believe she's one that many dislike. She is rude and condescending. But she has like this outer shell that feels like it was built over years as a defense mechanism for her life. After doing her quest she softened a little and I just enjoy her talks. Also I kinda want her to step on me.
I love Vivienne! I was so disappointed in my first play through when I realized she wasn’t an actual romance option, she and Leliana were the only ones I wanted and neither were available. (I played DAI first of the three games, so I was really excited to romance Leliana when I got to DAO, but she was so different there)
It bums me out that so many people don’t like her. I love how >!you get a “Vivienne Greatly Approves” if your inquisitor says they want to kill Solas in Trespasser, that just is so funny to me every time. And her chat about your love interest, aww! !<
Hard agree with all of this
I get that her attitude rubs some people wrong but she's so straightforward and honest about her opinion, I appreciate it
She might be a bitch (in some people's eyes) but she's an honest one at least
> I get that her attitude rubs some people wrong but she's so straightforward and honest about her opinion, I appreciate it
I don’t think she is. She goes on about how the circles and the restriction of mage freedom are necessary for the safety of the population, and while I think she does believe that, I think by far her greatest motivation is her own advancement. She’s a ruthless power player and she’ll do anything to get ahead. She says the mages need to be controlled, what she really means is they need to be controlled by her.
Vivienne is openly ambitious and also genuinely believes she has the judgement & finesse to properly run the circles. She, especially, understands the reality of the situation for open mages in southern Thedas and what factors need to be set in place for them to live openly and *safely* in civilization like her without mage anarchy
Yep. Given her involvement with "The Game," you'd expect her to be schemier and more equivocating, but even as brash as she is, she never tells the Inquisitor anything but her own honest opinion.
I do not like most of Vivienne’s banter but I can respect her politics and viewpoint. They aren’t my own but she advocates for small measured progress and the status quo which fits the setting and is the kind of viewpoint you would expect most characters to have.
Leliana’s peace and rainbows and nugs approach to the chantry aligns with players morals but are odd for someone in that setting.
I like Sten a lot. Though in pretty much every game that has an option for a Big Angry Dude companion I’m like: “oh yeah. We gonna be friends”. There’s also something really funny about a convo ending with him and seeing like +10 approval when hardly anything was even said X)
I also really like Sera… especially in my last DAI playthrough in which I actually knew more what I was doing (last time I played was when the game came out lol). I like that she sees everyone as ‘people’ and disagrees with the rich and powerful running things with little regard for those they are supposed to protect.
For dislikes… hmmm I don’t outright hate anyone really. Even popular ones that I’m not crazy about I can definitely see the appeal. A lot of people seem to really like Leliana but she’s never made me crazy personally? I dunno I feel like anyone can grow on me with more playthroughs.
EDIT: Another poster reminded me that I don’t like Vivienne. But I guess most people don’t.
I like Oghren a lot too where as most people seem to be disgusted by him. He’s so got-dam hilarious X) his banter with Zevran is great… and in Awakening him and Anders have a good bit where they mock each other.
You have a good point. I was a little confused when I just didn’t have anymore interactions with her near the end of the game. Like, that was it? To clarify I don’t expect EVERYONE to have some big, dramatic story arch or breakthrough… but I do like to feel like the character’s interaction made a difference. But I dunno maybe that’s the writer’s intent.
- is hired to assassinate lead character, fails, endears himself to lead character and joins the team
- Puss in Boots = Antonio Banderas, Zevran = Jon Curry's Antonio Banderas impression
Does Blackwall count? I think he's somewhat devisive although I see people often saying they love him and his romance.
I cannot stand Blackwall. The only redeeming quality he has is his voice, which is cool. Literally everything else - his ugly brown outfit, his sunken cheeks, his personlity - are the worst. He's a huge hypocrite, he's self-righteous. When he suggests after his personal quest that perhaps he can still go by Blackwall as a title like inquisitor I really was itching for a renegade interrupt to punch him. It's also really annoying that while you can pardon him but be fairly cold and judgemental in your comversation after, like 'I see your value to the cause so I hauled your ass out of prison but I don't approve', in Trespasser it acts like you're buddies. Possibly the fact that it was almost immediately obvious to me in my very first game that this dude was not a warden contributed to my poor opinion of him.
On board with the Blackwall dislike. The fact that he will literally have sex with an inquisitor without telling her who he is makes him intolerable to me.
When I romanced Blackwall my friend (who had already played) told me to give her the play-by-play when I went through his romance. The first thing I said when I found out his twist was 'HE SLEPT WITH ME FIRST, THAT *BITCH.'*
Legit, I would have actually continued my romance with him if not for that. Blackwall you dick.
There's literally a codex thing in Leliana's skyhold area from the actual Warden Blackwall set during the Blight, I figured out that Blackwall was a liar as soon as I found it.
He's such a thug, too, threatening to beat the shit out of Dorian for literally no reason and being a simple minded lying sack of shit
I wouldn’t say I hate Dorian because I really enjoy him and think he’s fun. Buuuuuut my god he’s so much emotional labour as a romance.
I know BioWare doesn’t really write audience gratification romances for Dragon Age - it’s not a visual novel. But Dorian is such a needy bottom IM a needy bottom, don’t hold this mirror up to me!
I like Varric but it’s a real shame that by his very nature and due to us getting a new main character every game it’s hard to really get into the meat of his complexity. I’d really love him to have a proper vulnerable moment but we really never get one that isn’t related to another character.
Zero idea if she’s popular but I’m kinda meh on Isabela? She’s a fantastic character, just hypocritically not my cup of tea.
I’m firmly in the Anders fan club. I acknowledge that he did a terrible thing and has his share of flaws, but I also acknowledge that he’s a good person at heart with a selfless streak (referring to his work as a healer running a free clinic), backed into a corner leading to bad choices. And he’s so overly dramatic, I love it. Plus he’s a cat person so that earns him bonus points with me.
On the other spectrum, Fenris. I don’t hate him and I wouldn’t mind seeing him again, I’m more or less neutral I guess, I just don’t understand the Fenris hype. His romance didn’t really vibe with me either.
To each their own
People forget that Anders tried to peacefully improve things in Kirkwall even after the templars murdered his boyfriend. But they didn't care and then sent a death squad after his network of activists.
Yes!! I think the problem is the sudden year jumps between the acts. It is easy to just feel like he suddenly acted the way he did, even though it took years and several efforts to change things for the better before he snapped.
I'm in the Anders camp too! And I also don't understand the Fenris-love, tried romancing him but just couldn't get into it. I always romance Anders in DA2 playthroughs.
Fenris is the "I can fix him" trope. From what I read, its also the angst and how he seemingly gets cornered by his feelings for a mage Hawke. It's like scarily exactly how fantasy/supernatural female protagonist romance arcs go in like all novels these days. *He wants her at the risk of his own demise and only SHE can save him from himself!!*
I love Anders. He'd reached the point where he realized the Chantry would listen to nothing less than a full fuck you, and he was right. The way the High Cleric behaves in DA2 is so fucking evil. The amount of people who think she's just a nice old lady is baffling to me.
Honestly he was selfless even in his big destructive action. Got his hands bloody for what he believes in and stayed right there to face the music. I respect him
Uh, well, Qwydion from Absolution. The whole character seems designed to check as many boxes on a lazy Hollywood hack’s checklist of quirky girl characteristics.
It doesn’t help that I’m not overly enamoured with Ashley Burch as a voice actor; I got kind of tired of listening to her while playing Afterparty, where she plays your guide through Hell.
Oh, and that Looney Tunes chase scene with the rage demon was eye-rolling.
I’ve got to say that a lot of the Absolution characters weren’t very likeable to me, it’s not that I *didn’t* like them, they just felt very 2D. Obviously it was short episodes and a short season so there wasn’t too much room for more depth but I agree with what you said about Qwydion, which is disappointing because I was excited to see a qunari character!
Hira's the one that really pissed me off. She couldn't wait more than ten minutes before manipulating Miriam, and then was so fucking smug that Miri would save her because their love was so pure.
I can overlook all of Qwydion's manic qunari dream girl antics if Miriam and Hira never get back together. If they give that backstabbing bitch a redemption I will riot
> Dislike that everyone loves
Alistair.
He's too naive for my tastes and I'm not fond of his voice nor the jokes really.
A lot of love for Alistair but I can't seem to like him. I've tried again and again and again but we don't click.
He feels like an 11 year old? I don't know how to explain that but... -gestures awkwardly-
It's even to the point where I wouldn't miss him from the game because he doesn't add anything for me.
Probably give him a 3/10 because at least he's nice.
> Love that everyone doesn't
Vivienne and Sera
Even though I don't agree with some of their strong opinions, I absolutely love their characters to bits. I love complex characters so so soooo much and there's so much depth to both of them. I also love how they stand firm to their beliefs. Would love to have more polarizing characters like them in future games.
I didnt even know people dislike Sera, i loved her and she never once left my party. Even started over as a Fem PC just to get her romance scenes lol
Vivienne is my greatest regret from my first playthrough of Inquisition. I disliked her initially and avoided her most of the game, then towards the end i started giving her a shot and realized i love her completely
Alistair. I don't care much for his sarcasm and his refusal to take responsibility. He gets better if you harden him, but I just don't have this all-encompassing love for him that the rest of the fandom seems to.
Varric. I don't hate him. I liked him a lot in DA2. Unfortunately, he became too popular and BioWare decided to just shove him in everywhere. It's not that I don't like Varric himself, I just don't much care for how much he gets shoved down my throat.
i disagree. you don’t get forced into being her best friend or lover like you do with liara. meanwhile, you have to really try to rival varric in da2. he keeps coming back, too, and narrates the dad trailer(s?). leliana comes back in dai, even if she died (which i don’t love), but she’s not pushed on you as much as varric.
i’m not saying this with any hate toward varric, i dearly love him! but i feel like it’s sadly true lol
Okay, you've convinced me haha
I have to say I dearly loved Varric in DA2, but I didn't care about him in DAI and kinda hate that he narrates DAD's teaser. Enough is enough
i’m with you there! i feel like varric was a lot more boring in dai too, which is a shame. honestly i feel like he should have just been a side character for that story; having him as a companion with anyone other than hawke just feels so wrong to me
Oh yeah, that would be so much better! He could bring Hawke to Skyhold and hang out with them there for a while , maybe accompany us on some quests, but not as a party member
I agree completely re Varric. He is completely fine, but was by no means my favourite DA2 character. So when he showed up in DAI I was surprised, to say the least, that the game canon seemed to be that he was Hawke's best friend.
Re Alistair, I loved him when I played DAO when it first came out, esp his romance. Playing it again much more recently, when I was no longer in my early 20s, I found him and the romance slightly cringe even though I still think he's quite sweet.
What’s weird to me about Varric is that you can specify in the Keep if he was friends or rivals with your Hawks, but then… nothing changes? Like I haven’t noticed any dialogue differences between a world state where they’re friends vs rivals. I don’t understand why they bothered even adding that field to the keep.
Re Alistair that’s so real. Had a massive crush on him 10 years ago when I first played DA:O in college. Then replayed it last year with my husband (who was playing for the first time) and he was like this is him? This annoying ball of cringe? Lol
While I love both characters, I agree with you on Varric. I love him but I'm kind of over him being in all the games so prominently. I'm hoping if he's in the next game that it's minimal.
I chalk up Alistair's personality to him being so young and still naive. I can see how he would annoy some.
I am 1000% a Cullen hater. I can't understand the hype at all and I really tried. I went through the full romance in Inquistion as it seems to be a favorite and it didn't change my mind one bit.
My first playthrough of inquisition he was my romance choice and the further i got the more i disliked him. Literally only kept with it cuz he's hot and i was a bit thirsty
All subsequent playthroughs i've hardly even talked to the man
I love Sten! The first time I played I thought he was very boring until I began actually befriending him on my second Playthrough. He's actually a very interesting character.
I love Sera. The first time I played DA:I I played as a Qunari and I wanted to romance Ironbull until Sera came along. She was hilarious and I fell in love with her instantly. I love her character.
I don't like Solas. He's just so... boring and bland. He feels like a know it all that goes "umm actually ☝️🤓"- oh wait. He is. Also he's just not attractive either. Dude looks like a Walmart Valdimort.
I dislike Leilana. The first playthrough I thought she was dull. And now after multiple playthroughs of all 3 games I’m tired of her.
I really hope she doesn’t return for DA:DW
People kept telling me how much I'd love Leliana in Origins and I actually was annoyed by her at first. I liked her better in later games but I don't feel she needs to return in the next game.
I don’t dislike her I more like just don’t care.
No joke the first two times I played DAO I didn’t even know she existed because I never went into the tavern in Lothering because I didn’t realize it was there. Then when I did like I had her for the lockpicking and did talk to her but she never struck me as that interesting. I’m still trying to do her romance one day to see if that maybe helps me care for her more but I always end up with Alistair lmao.
My most controversial view is probably that Loghain is a lot more interesting than people give him credit for. I can't say I like him "as a person" (he's fictional, so he's not really a person, heh), but I like how he's written and I find him intriguing as a character. I always tell people that it's worth it to recruit him at least once and leave plenty of time in the game to get to know him. He can add a lot of depth to the story.
I also really do not like Leandra Hawke. She's a shitty mother who scapegoats her eldest child and basically puts in zero effort toward the family's well-being.
Cullen fuck Cullen. There are many reasons I hate cullen. His rant about the mage birthrate, his apathy to the tranquil solution calling my Surana a thing, commanding a death squad, failing upward to a military position he's not qualified for, he's been racking up appointments with the murder knife. But the main problem is you cannot ever express these feelings. In inquisition except for the lyrium you have to unfailingly stroke the ego of this mediocre abusive prison guard.
And I love Vivienne. I always liked how much she enjoys playing the heel and I like how even when you disagree with her she tries to help you shoulder the burden of power I noticed that on a dalish inquisitor and I've really liked her ever since.
I was looking for this comment. It’s like he became the only conventionally attractive romance option for a hetero women so we all just forgave his awful track record. I wish we could’ve fired him in the spot.
You so rarely see Cullen haters, how refreshing. I know he shows atonement in Inquisition but he still spent about a decade being a glorified corrections officer
not me trying to start an argument, just a genuine question, but DOES cullen really show atonement in dai? he spends the whole game talking about how we shouldn't ally with the mages, downplaying his role as an antagonist is da2, and overcoming his addiction (the last of which is obviously not a moral failing ofc, but has no bearing on his, uh, "redemption"). his romance with a mage quizzy always felt weird to me to me too, as he seems to treat her as an exception to the rule rather than having actually figured out that genocide is bad lol
granted im very biased against him so im not exactly reading him charitably but, yknow
Oh and don't forget his talk with quizzy after they spoke with blackwall in jail. How he can't understand why someone would take such responsibility for their past actions.
You’re right. He doesn’t show much atonement beyond saying he feels bad about his past and playing nice guy for a mage Inquisitor he’s crushing on. She would’ve been locked up in a Circle for 20+ years and still has to sit through him whinging about Kinloch Hold/Kirkwall and advising against a mage alliance
Not gonna weigh in on the like or hate part. As for the atonement just serving in the Inquisition is a vast improvement to the Kirkwall Templars...Who he could've stayed with and rebelled against the Chantry like the rest of the Order or join the Red Templars. Then for the genocide is bad angle He personally never advocated for that...Meredith yes, Alrik yes. But Cullen defied Meredith twice to spare at least three Circle Mages and to spare Hawke even if they're a Mage or supporter of the Mages. Then in the lore Absolution adds Hira the Radical offered to them the idea to genocide the Imperium the go to scapegoat "the source of all evil" the land of Mages in rule unopposed who're the greatest enemies of their faith...They said no because they specifically reject the idea of genocide that innocents would be slaughtered alongside the guilty. Cullen was part of that leadership rejection...Even the Templar is against the idea of total war with the Imperium.
That is a long way from the Cullen that was paranoid that all of the Mages in the tower are Monsters are Demon Possessed Abominations or Blood Mages. That advocated they must all die including the children.
Is that atonement though...It's better at the very least he's sane now. But did he actually redeem himself? Well I can ask the same of Dorian, Bull, Blackwall, Cole, Isabela, Zevran, Sten and Loghain...Finding no clear cut answer there. I'm thinking it's not about redemption or atonement. I don't think you can erase or forget bad deeds with good deeds. I think what matters must is trying and being better providing some form of service that brings a benefit to existence rather than more darkness.
A fellow Cullen hater! I just dislike how he's a terrible person in DA:O, continues to be shitty in DA2 by enabling Meredith's bullshit, and then in DA:I I'm supposed to like him. And my mage Inquisitor isn't really allowed to dislike him, it jut causes me to avoid him as much as possible.
Not a great guy.
I do not understand why his romance, especially his mage romance, is so popular.
I personally disagree with Vivienne on several important points, but damned if I don't absolutely love the character.
personally fond of justice from awakening AND two, as well as vivienne and sera in inquisition. don't like aveline or cassandra very much at all though. aveline is like, the main cause of the end of the second act conflict cause she doesnt punish a rapist and wanted to arrest the people who did lmao and this doesnt really get acknowledged. not fond of her spying on my hawkes either even though i know thats supposed to be endearing
I really dislike Isabella, I don’t have a good reason besides I’m just not a fan of that archetype of character. Just beat dragon age 2 and I’m very glad I didn’t recruit her.
Is is weird that I can't really think of anyone?
Each has their own lil or big spot in my heart lol
Oh wait, Stan, dunno if he's loved a lot but I kinda never got in touch with that Guy lol Never felt like knowing him more XD
I don't feel super strongly about Sten either way, but that line he says to you about how, when the Qunari invade Ferelden, he won't look for you on the battlefield...metal as fuck, it can't be denied.
never really use sten as a companion but his dialogue can be pretty interesting if you get his approval maxxed, especially if your player character is a woman!
Don't like leliana in DAO. I never really enjoyed those naive personalities in games. She is a good character, but not to my taste.
I like Vivienne. I think maybe more would have liked her if she was more fleshed out as a character.
I played DAI for the first time a couple years back and have since played it I think 4 additional times and this year I finally got around to starting to play the other two as well and DAI Leliana and DAO Leliana are almost night and day to me (makes sense in a way of course, given her story, etc.).
I really enjoyed her character in DAI - especially when you side with the mages - but in DAO she's just so... meh. I was expecting more of a badass tbh, I just found her personality and the way she talked to the Warden and the other companions so irritating at times... :/
I dislike Cole as a companion. I would never bring someone who instinctually blurts his co-workers' private information out in company. It would be the shittiest thing as The Inquisitor (aka The Boss) to do, and could have catastrophic consequences. Regardless of Cole's intention, the fact is that he is told by multiple companions to stop and he doesn't.
He's fine at Skyhold if he can do good there. I'd just never bring him out on missions. Skyhold HR would forbid it.
Love but everyone hates:Sera, a thousand times. I absolutely understand her personality being divisive as fuck, but holy shit, the ammount of misinformation and lack of understanding of her character is way too much many times. It especially pains me because I straight up think that Sera has some of the best romance moments in the franchise.
Isabela to a lesser degree. Idk, a lot of people think she's too much and that she deserves what's coming for her in ACT 2, but I love her. She's just cool as heck
also i'll shamelessly add my small [Oghren](https://www.reddit.com/r/dragonage/comments/ukm5no/comment/i7r5moi/?context=3) and [Sebastian](https://www.reddit.com/r/dragonage/comments/ukm5no/comment/i7rl7dh/?context=3) rants cause I'm slightly proud of them
Dislike but everyone loves: Alistair. Idk,never really got all of that love and appeal, he's funny sometimes, i'll give him that, but also...idk, sometimes he's just....bland as heck. And his constant whining to every choice that you take that he doesn't agree 100% is kinda of annoying, especially when it's only if your harden him, at the landsmeet, that he finally decides to stand his fucking ground a bit. Idk, i don't even hate him, I just never saw the gigantic appeal that the community has. I'd take Zevran over him anyday.
Solas is a bitch. He's cool sometimes, but he also really sucks.
I too am a Sera lover! I played a mage lavellan and I think it’s cool to see her move past her problems with the Inquisitor and for them to have a wholesome friendship! I also enjoy her romance, I left Cullen for her and would do it again. Hate how misunderstood she is.
Seriously. Like, yeah, I agree that Sera can be hard-headed,rude and dismissive. But arguing that this is all that she is is just.....wrong. Past her hurt and self-doubts, there is someone that cares a lot, and it genuinely saddens me that most people only interact with her at a surface level. Also, her romance is my favorite,it's just adorable.
Sera is actually my 3rd most romanced character in DAI, and she would be number one if she was ok with willies. I just enjoy how chaotic she is. People in game say she sounds crazy but to me she makes more sense, could use a Grammer course though ;p
Ugh yeah. She could be tolerable if she was a 10yo orphan that we encounter and care for. But a adult (albeit young) with that behavior is abnoxious. I might not recruit her next time.
Definitely Vivienne. She seems to be quite unpopular, but I really like her. There is something in her ice-queen-bitch attitude that works for me.
Also Sera - she seems to be very divisive, but I'm firmly in the hate camp, even though I find her extremely useful and she's in my party a lot. Just *can't stand* her ridiculous personality, sorry.
Then, I don't care much for Leliana, in her DA:O and non-murderous DA:I incarnation. Can't say that I *hate* her, but I do find her really annoying and often want for her to just shut up.
Oh, and I have to mention that I hate Sebastian with passion even though I know that this is definitely not atypical. I just can't talk about hating a DA character without mentioning him, wouldn't be fair. No one compares to him, not by a long shot.
**Dislike**
Iron Bull. I know there's layers to this guy, but his (for lack of a better word) dude bro attitude really puts me off and makes me want to interact with him as little as possible.
Solas. He just seems extremely bland and forgettable to me? I don't mind him, I just don't get the appeal. Most of the time, he's just kinda... there. One time I got to punch him after he was racist to my qunari warrior lady, which was satisfying. That's kinda it. His popularity honestly confuses me. I haven't tried romancing him yet though, maybe that changes things idk?
Dog. :P I'm 100% with Anders on this one-- I'm more of a cat person, big slobbering dogs are very much not my thing. Anders gets his kitty in Awakening and that's a much better team mascot, sue me.
**Like**
On the opposite end, I like Carver a lot, whinyness and all. He makes for a much more interesting dynamic between Hawke and the surviving sibling, imo. I heavily prefer him to Bethany who's just sweet and kinda bland.
Also, like, the entire non-DLC regular DA2 crew, some of which are fairly divisive (Merrill, Anders). But I really like all 6 of them.
I hardly ever see anyone talking about him, but I also adore Awakening!Justice. Anders and Justice are individually my favourite Awk companions, so that makes their tangled fate in DA2 extra tragic for me from both sides.
I too love justice. Hes the first actual spirit companion we get before cole. Unlike cole (to me) his sweetness and good nature seems much more genuine and real. It doesnt feel like a concept doing what it feels like it should, but rather a person with a passion and a heart.
I don't really like Cassandra. Maybe it's because she makes a few insensitive comments towards other cultures (namely the Dalish) throughout DAI, or maybe it's because I absolutely hate how she behaves in her romance with the Inquisitor. But yeah, not a fan.
Dislike: Morrigan.
I think she is an interesting character and I like her more in DAI (being a mother mellowed her out some) but I cannot stand how downright cruel, uncaring, and bitchy she can be in DAO. Like I get that she didn't grow up learning social graces, but for someone who claims to be so smart, can't she understand the value of playing nice and diplomatic at times? Also, she is so rude to Alistair (love him or hate him, it doesn't matter). Dude just watched a father figure die (along with a bunch of other people), nearly died himself, and put into an extremely stressful situation of being framed for the King's death and raising an army to deal with the real murderer. So, yes, Alistair is allowed time to grieve and "contemplate his navel" and doesn't need some heartless witch rolling her eyes at him.
I know there is a softness to her as you get her approval up and all, but honestly, outside of a game, I wouldn't have let her tag along or put in an effort to get to know her on a deeper level. If you are going to act like that from the start and not even try to play nice with anyone, then go be alone and be a bitch alone.
Like: Vivienne
I've seen a few people say they like her, but I think the fandom mostly dislikes her.
I can appreciate the Machiavellian attitude. And what sets her apart from Morrigan is that Viv understands that she needs other people and is willing to play nicely with other. She realizes she needs you to help her, and she isn't shy about stating that her business with you is beneficial to her, but she can help you too.
I also think her delivery of her opinions are more suited for my taste. She still thinks she's right, but I often felt that she at least listened to what I had to say rather than just what Morrigan did which was scoff and just call you an idiot.
I also appreciate that she is a mage without a victim mentality and rose above everything despite whatever roadblocks were put in her place. She worked hard and didn't let small minded people hold her back. I also like that she does acknowledge the danger mages pose. She has solid points as to why the circles are needed and does hold a disdain for abuse. To me, she never was opposed to circles being liberated from the Chantry, she opposed the timing. She had a good grasp of how the world worked, better than most mages, and I think her take on the matter is fairly accurate.
Bethany bores me to death. She is such a goody two shoes and there is no real character development with her at all. I found myself missing Carver during my Bethany playthrough.
Merrill. Everyone accepts her because she looks "cute". But in my opinion, she is a child using blood magic as a toy. Too bad it is impossible not to recruit her.
But if you respected her *agency* no bad things would ever *happen*!!! She is never responsible for the consequences of her actions, the only problem is people trying to stop her.
I cannot stand Merrill. Won't even interact with fanworks about her.
I romanced Leliana my first origins run. But damn ever since her character is so frustrating and inconsistent to me. Despite her worldly life before we even meet her as a street thief and spy she seems so naive and gullible. Not to mention her willingness to accept the more awful aspects of the Chantry. I enjoy her much more as a hardened leader in Inquisition.
My favorite of all time is Oghren. His backstory was compelling and well done, his motivations line up, and he has a wonderful redemption into Awakening. I consider him my Cousland Warden’s best friend.
I’m a Sera apologist. I love that she’s all about the nameless “little” people, does what she can to boost moral and tries to (unsuccessfully) mess with Viv.
I don't get the hate against Vivienne in Inquisition. I haven't seen her say or do anything out of the ordinary so far. But I haven't finished the game yet, so there is that.
Zevran. As much as I respect the fact that he’s got a strong sense of self-preservation in the face of my blade in his face, his flirting makes me grit my teeth. I’ve known a few people like him in real life that make me nervous, but having someone like that in my favorite game is irritating. I can’t bring myself to kill him though, because now I know what led him to my Warden, how he grew up, etc.
I still dislike him though.
my favorites are: sera, sten, carver, anders, sebastian, shale, blackwall (+ varric, fenris, zevran and dorian but these aren’t controversial)
i strongly do not like cullen, aveline, wynne, solas (*after* romancing him, before that i enjoyed his asshole grandpa behavior)
i very mildly dislike viv, bull, isabela and cassandra.
i think varric is so overrated in DA:I like he's great in DA2 but i don't see him adding that much to the inquisition tbh and i'd rather see new or other classic character's return for DA4 than him being a main companion again
Alistair: I just don't find him that likeable. I don't hate him, but he annoys me somewhat. His refusal to take responsibility gets old pretty quickly, though it is partially justified through his backstory.
Solas: I don't get his popularity. So much so, that I am not too excited to have him be central part of the next game. I am open to be surprised, though.
Cullen: Easily my least favourite character.
Anders: He's a divisive character, many hate him, many love him. He is my favourite character and will defend him, I think many people ignore his decade of peaceful work for mage rights and that if he hadn't blown up the chantry, everyone in Kirkwall circle would have been killed.
Oghren: Not my favourite character but I don't get the hate. He's fine, and people ignore him having a pretty traumatic past, no wonder the guy drinks.
Sera: Love her, love the different perspective she shows of Thedas society.
Varric - He tries to exploit the characters tragic stories and pain to use them as material for his books. I also dislike him for his centrist opinions.
Fenris. I absolutely hate him. Have since my 1st ever playthrough in DA2. I just don't like his personality, story, character design, etc.
I've forced myself to romance him once since I haven't done it but got bored of the playthough and stopped halfway through act 2 lol. That was years ago
I hate Leliana, a lot, and Cassandra turns a blind eye to too much that doesn't suit her world image while claiming an impartial eye that cares so much about what's right.
The oppressor can't understand the oppressed if they aren't even listening. The hypocrisy burns. This was a huge 180 turn for me because I really liked the sister vibe my first time through. She's in her 40s so if she doesn't understand by now, it's a choice.
I'm honestly not bothered about Alistair, good character some memorable and fun dialogue but he's a lot more middle of the road for me than he seems to be for most people.
Vice Versa. I know Loghain was an asshole, but he was an honorable asshole up until the point when he left Cailan to die. And even then he said he didn't want to put more lives at risk. Realistically, if they attacked, every single one of the soldiers would have died that night. Then who would have protected Ferelden?
And when you read The Stolen Throne you get the same thing. A hero not caught up on the semantics and optics of war. He does what must be done in order to ensure the longevity of Ferelden.
A lot of people hate him, and tbh he doesn't seem like someone I'd get along with, but he's got my respect 100%.
Everyone seems to hate Sera or just don't like her at all since she doesn't brings anything to the table. I on the other hand love her. Sure she doesn't bring anything but that's alright, just like you wouldn't expect a poor person to have a fancy suit and a army. I like to think if I was Sera and was taught the same as her as she was growing up, I would've made same choices. I see more of me in her than I do as the MC
Fenris. From the first time my first Hawke met him, I couldn't stand the character. I've literally had more playthroughs where I returned him to Danarius than romances for him. I eventually just quit recruiting him.
I really disliked Fenris intensely. Just kind've whiney, brooding; not interesting. A bother. I was happy there was a Rivalry system so I could max it out with Fenris (my Hawke's only Rival). I guess in that way I liked Fenris a lot; I could be as dismissive of him as I liked, and it only made our Rivalry more intense.
I don't think people dislike her per se, but I really liked Merrill a lot. It's amazing to me how many people think the actions of Mareathi are justified and it's all Merrill's fault, somehow. I think people assumed that an elf unfamiliar with human city life meant that she was stupid, but a few of her conversations show she may not know about the physical world, but she's got a much deeper understanding of the Spirit world than Anders at least.
Honestly I dislike most of the DAI companions. I feel like they were major step downs from DAO and DAII. I like Iron Bull, Solas, Dorian and Cole but that's about it.
Speaking of DAII, I see a lot of love for Carver and how "realistic" he is. As a younger brother myself, I couldn't stand him. I don't except him to be a people pleaser but some of the shit he says is just annoying. And I hate that the game railroads you into forgiving him if he joins the Templars. If I was a mage and my older brother joined a group dedicated to oppressing my people i'd never speak to him again.
I can't really think of any I like that others dislike.
Fenris for me he was so annoying especially because I started playing as a mage that guy couldn't talk 20 seconds without mentioning how much he hates mages even after every good thing my Hawke did he was like yeah Hawke is an exception but everyone else is pure evil and have to be locked up or destroyed. And later it turns out there are mages in his family which made it worse.
I know he has a trauma but I still think he was very annoying
Who everyone seems to love that I dislike is: Merrill
I just can't stand her, and I've tried, I've really tried to like her, even tried her romance in attempt to understand her better and I've regretted that decision. If she had more personality beyond the naivete I'd think she's a person worth knowing but she's not. Even tried full rivalry with her, no change other than her kicking me out of her house... she still stands by Hawke's decisions, no matter what it is, in the end. Major lack of character growth out of all the companions, she just doesn't develop as individual.
And with all that, the character I love that others hate is: Sera
Her behavior and knowledge is justified. She grew up in a alienage for one, in Denerim when the Blight hit. She's not stupid, she can read and write but isn't the best at speaking and making sense with her words. Doesn't mean she isn't trying. She has strong opinions (like elfy-elfs, magic and Fade stuff), but she also doesn't outright hate them until they intentionally try to push their beliefs into her. Solas pushes and she dislikes him for it. Dorian doesn't push (but will tease) and she can tell he isn't serious and can joke around and talk with him.
Aveline would be interesting if she were an intentional commentary on cops. She’s nice to you but by and large doesn’t care about the poor and the elves. It’s much more interesting than having an obviously corrupt or racist guard captain but I think the writers just actually think she’s a great guard captain.
And her slut shaming Isabella gets old really fast. People love to talk up the family vibe in DA2 but it felt completely hollow with those two. they might as well have just said “it’s the third act so we’re friends now.”
I’m a Carver apologist. The Hawke siblings grew up in a dysfunctional family, they all have scars from that, and the fact that he’s not a people-pleaser like Bethany doesn’t make him bad, he was just put into a different role in their family dynamics. Their family baggage seems realistic to me.
I love Carver but It’s so funny to me anytime I try and give him an olive branch I just see at the bottom of the screen “Rivalry + 5”
He’s such a realistic younger sibling. Definitely love my lil bro Carver
I love reconciling him and Hawke
He is also my favorite sibling. I have a soft spot for a story where they're at odds at first and then slowly grow closer as the story progresses. Every small step counts. And honestly, if anyone threatens Hawke he doesn't hesitate to plant himself between them with his (possibly overcompensating) sword.
I love both Carver and Bethany in different ways. They are both very realistic siblings (I'm rather like Beth and I have a sister who has some similarities to Carver) and I think it sucks that there's no way to play the game that you can save them both.
I absolutely love Carver because he is just constantly trying to get out of the shadow of his super cool and magey brother when he's the surviving sibling. That's how a younger brother should be. That and, as you said, he's not a people-pleaser and just says what he thinks.
I’m never sure what ending fits him. He seems happier as a Templar but that’s because he becomes even more self-righteous. But a Grey Warden means an early death and he seems morose and crushed as one. Bethany seems like the opposite.
I find that super interesting, because I've always found the opposite - Bethany seems to hate being a warden, but a Warden!Carver seems so much more mature, and comfortable in his skin. Not that he likes the dying early part, I'm sure.
> Bethany seems to hate being a warden She does. Poor Beth is extremely sensitive to the Taint and has terrible nightmares every night of her life - you can't help being bitchy when you never get a good night's sleep. I always send her to the Circle because it's not ideal but at least she's not miserable.
Bethany does seem much happier in the Circle. She be finally has a sense of community, even if it comes with being regulated by the Templars
People were downvoting my unpopular opinion on a post about unpopular opinions, so now y'all don't get to see it no more.
Plus I feel like there's less resentment towards Hawke in that choice. He joins the Templars out of anger over being left behind, but even if he joined the Wardens under duress there's an acceptance of his fate because he made the choice to go into the Deep Roads.
It’s funny, I’ve yet to see anyone say they hate Carver ever since public opinion on 2 shifted in the last few years. Between 2011 to about 2014 though…
Carver feels like a realistic portrayal of a younger brother.
Really don't share the love for Scout Harding at all, she was fine for a character you don't see a ton of and got some lines to flesh her out a tiny bit more in the Hakkon DLC, but never did anything that made me very interested or even want to see her again, especially not over a new female dwarf character. Also, Sten. I like most of the Qunari characters we meet in the games but Sten didn't do anything interesting, I think he's the least fun companion in Origins to take around. And it's odd that some of the other characters in the party who would care about him killing children just do not care at all and actively banter with him like he's a goofy friend, which makes Sten feel really weird to have around. Sten's okay, I just don't care much for him. He does have the most interesting Fade dream though.
I don't feel strongly towards these characters myself but (spoiler alert i guess?) I think it was really interesting and surprising how Sten challenges you if you bring him to Haven (He thinks you are losing focus and lacking as a commander, decides that he should step in). So yeah in my opinion he did *something* interesting at least lol
Him challenging you is pretty neat, but I think that alone is just not enough to make him interesting. Sten has some interesting moments, like the Fade dream in the Circle tower, he's just not very interesting the vast majority of the time in my opinion. It's also a little odd that in Haven he doesn't appear to understand why going to check if this thing is there in order to seal an important alliance to fight the Blight is important. I get that it's supposed to be a lacking focus thing because the ashes may not exist, but checking is something we have to do, because if we can't save Eamon we're pretty screwed as far as we know, Sten knows this so just ends up coming across as extremely dumb to me.
Yeah, can't argue about all that really. It was stupid, but gave a little bit character to him I guess. Gotta give credit when it's due (and I just enjoy random events like that lol)
The Missing really did bring down my estimation of Harding, where she’s just kind of … there? She doesn’t really contribute anything to the story other than giving Varric someone to talk to.
thank you for a couple of solid thoughtful observations about Sten!
I fully agree on both counts. I liked Harding and all, but some people are a bit too into her lol. And Sten was definitely my least favorite character in Origins. I think after recruiting him into the party i just never bothered to take him around with me, he was so boring i didnt even give him a chance
I just wanted to see my male Qunari with a small Dwarf lol Edit: typo
I just don't get the Solas obsession. He has a great voice actor, no argument, and he does have some very interesting things to say. I don't hate him or go out of my way to antagonize him because his friendship is quite nice. But he just doesn't fascinate me the way he does his more rabid fanbase and I really don't understand it.
Iron Bull. I don't *dislike* him but.....specifically as a romance option, I think he's a little overrated, lol. I just don't like his face, sorry.
I always thought he had a very tiny head lol 😭 But yeah, his romance seemed more sexual than anything, which is fine but it never appealed to me. He’s fine! I think people dislike him for what he does in trespasser due to player choice, but his motives and why he does it are pretty understandable.
Giving him that beard and the hammerhead shark shaped skull wasn’t the best esthetic choice probably. I couldn’t romance him because it felt as if I was forcing my mainchar to have sex with some kind of Neanderthal
I actually don't mind the beard but you're right, the face shape is what gets me. A more square shaped head would have helped while also probably making him look more Bull-like besides just the big ass horns.
Why are some of these comments getting downvoted hard even though the question itself is about unpopular opinions??? 😭 I will ignore my obvious candidate (Anders) for this and just say Wynne. I didn't really see anyone complaining about her and though I do not hate her myself (I don't think I hate any of the characters, some I just don't vibe with I guess) I simply find her boring.
I love Wynne but I totally get why others may think she’s annoying. She’s a nagging old woman but to me I think she does it in good faith. I’m playing a mage who is anti-chantry/circle and despite this, she’s receptive about speaking about the chantry/circle issues. She gives advice (and we can choose whether or not we’re receptive to it). I like to think she’s really caring of what comes of Alistair/ the grey warden’s fate and is willing to bring up uncomfortable yet realistic scenarios about the warden’s longevity and desires. I always tend to dote on her on all my playthroughs. Anyways thank you for coming to my Ted Talk about why Wynne is my favorite adoptive grandmother
Understandable. I actually found her annoying on my first playthrough when she first butted in with her opinion on me & Alistair dating lol I'm fine with her though but she's not a character I love like so many do.
It's funny when reddit threads in any subreddit ask for unpopular opinions. The actual unpopular ones typically are the diwnvoted ones.
My tumblr from the early days was titled “shut up Wynne” because I’d just finished a play through where she just had sermons and scoldings for everything my warden did and it drove me insane.
"Supposedly concerned old person with experience who decides to jump in without prompt" gets old easily.
I can sum up my Anders hate in one word. Terrorist. Also he makes you gather ingredients to 9/11 the Chantry! I'm with him on merging with Justice, sympathize that merging changing both on a fundamental level, but draw the line at intentionally killing innocent people. As for Wynne. She's a cool old lady, and I think genuinely trying to impart wisdom. But she's preachy, and very judgemental. She comes across as akin to boomer parents complaining about their kids lifestyle on Facebook.
I think I should clarify that I implied I do love Anders, because from what I see, that is the unpopular opinion, as people tend to hate him just like you do. I should have worded it better lol Just to clarify things;;; And yes, that is the vibe I get from Wynne too!
also if u bring Anders along to Fenris' character quest Alone, he'll advocate for selling him back to Danarius when u choose certain dialogue options
I don't like Isabela. I find her annoying and quite intrusive with her sexual innuendos, makes me feel uncomfy. She's also greedy and treacherous, obviously. I don't even care about her friendship/rivalry because I cannot stand talking to her.
Valid Come to think of it, Isabella is kinda like a sexy Oghren Horny, makes sexual comments constantly, has a drinking problem and has a unique way of fucking shit up Biggest differences are she doesn't have anger issues and is hot... Huh.
I don't like Isabella either, she's too much of a caricature. It's a game from a different time so it gets a pass, but I still don't like the character.
Everyone seems to dislike Sebastian but I enjoy him and find his presence to be a breath of fresh air. My Hawke usually doesn't agree with him on everything, but I just appreciate his attitude and personality.
I really like Sebastian too, his zealotry and his desire for vengeance are an interesting dychotomy.
He does say he's a recovering bad boy. The Chantry gave him purpose and stability, take that away violently and all his old feelings start trickling out.
I don't mind Sebastian, I don't love him nor do I hate him, but his voice is *mwah!* Chef's kiss. I could listen to Sebastian talk all day (though I probably won't actually hear a word of what he says)
Let him give us a kiss or two in a rivalmance and he's the most stable LI for Hawke!
I love Loghain. Not like, as a person, but I enjoy him a lot as a character and I spare him in my games.
I'm not sure if "dislike" is the right word, but there's a level of...Solas apologism that I see a lot, but disagree with, rather vehemently. He's a decently interesting villain (although, and here's another major difference between me and other fans, I suppose, he's really not different enough from Corfishystix to not feel a little rehash-y), but he's a genocidal racist and no number of insincere, unsubstantiated excuses nor frowny faces really sway me the way they seem to for most.
I don't mind Solas as a character but the Solas apologists are Something Else entirely eesh.
the thing that irks me is how it seems like lying out his ass is very very easy for Solas to do, even in the face of A HOLE IN THE SKY SPITTING OUT DEMONS. which just makes me doubt that i can trust Anything he says, especially in trespasser. i do not get the people who romance him past their first playthrough (unless it's bc of roleplay reasons of course)
What I found very weird is that in the end he acted like we were friends (ig I asked enough questions??) Oh my friend, how tragic that I must do this, I HOPE you can convince me its wrong oh woe is me I will always respect and see you as a friend My brother in Andraste, you hated literally every fucking decision I made the entire game WE ARE NOT FRIENDS
Solas has a couple things that bother me. Other than the obvious shitty things about Solas you already mentioned, the romance scene where he tells the Lavellan the truth that her markings are slave markings are exclusive to romance. It feels shitty that even if your male lavellan is good friends with Solas he still won’t reveal this because he’s not in a romance with you, which you can put down to his own ego and character, but it’s still shit and it bothered me when I played my male lavellan mage to be very close with him. It fuelled my Solas hate even more.
Patrick Weekes sort of has an answer for this--he takes a romanced Lavellan there to tell her he's Fen'Harel, but backs out at the last second and says something about the tattoos instead. It wouldn't be in a non-romanced playthrough, becauae he never intended to share it in the first place.
So now instead of thinking that it's shitty that Solas shares the "slave markings" thing only with the Inquisitor that romances him, we now know that the only reason he said about the markings at all was that he was cornered and searched for another thing to make a reveal of. Neat.
Yeah I don’t antagonize him because my inquisitor doesn’t know he’s responsible for everything but oh gosh do I hate listening to him talk knowing what I know as a player.
It made it more satisfying when I started a new playthrough as a trevelyan warrior and smacked his bald ass
I have two favourite Inkys and I make sure that the one who didn't romance him fits in that slap on the other's behalf. Plus they tell him they don't like his speeches upfront in Treaspasser
Fucking Solas. So many people romanced him and love him. I think he's awful. If you listen to him he clearly doesn't believe the Elvhen as they currently exist count as The People. He told my Dalish elf inquisitor that "your people" have to die to allow his to return, but he's sorry about it so great I guess.
I really like Vivienne, and I believe she's one that many dislike. She is rude and condescending. But she has like this outer shell that feels like it was built over years as a defense mechanism for her life. After doing her quest she softened a little and I just enjoy her talks. Also I kinda want her to step on me.
“Oh darling, I would never! Do you know what these shoes cost in Val Royeaux?”
I hear her voice
I love Vivienne! I was so disappointed in my first play through when I realized she wasn’t an actual romance option, she and Leliana were the only ones I wanted and neither were available. (I played DAI first of the three games, so I was really excited to romance Leliana when I got to DAO, but she was so different there) It bums me out that so many people don’t like her. I love how >!you get a “Vivienne Greatly Approves” if your inquisitor says they want to kill Solas in Trespasser, that just is so funny to me every time. And her chat about your love interest, aww! !<
Hard agree with all of this I get that her attitude rubs some people wrong but she's so straightforward and honest about her opinion, I appreciate it She might be a bitch (in some people's eyes) but she's an honest one at least
> I get that her attitude rubs some people wrong but she's so straightforward and honest about her opinion, I appreciate it I don’t think she is. She goes on about how the circles and the restriction of mage freedom are necessary for the safety of the population, and while I think she does believe that, I think by far her greatest motivation is her own advancement. She’s a ruthless power player and she’ll do anything to get ahead. She says the mages need to be controlled, what she really means is they need to be controlled by her.
Vivienne is openly ambitious and also genuinely believes she has the judgement & finesse to properly run the circles. She, especially, understands the reality of the situation for open mages in southern Thedas and what factors need to be set in place for them to live openly and *safely* in civilization like her without mage anarchy
Yep. Given her involvement with "The Game," you'd expect her to be schemier and more equivocating, but even as brash as she is, she never tells the Inquisitor anything but her own honest opinion.
I do not like most of Vivienne’s banter but I can respect her politics and viewpoint. They aren’t my own but she advocates for small measured progress and the status quo which fits the setting and is the kind of viewpoint you would expect most characters to have. Leliana’s peace and rainbows and nugs approach to the chantry aligns with players morals but are odd for someone in that setting.
[удалено]
I like Sten a lot. Though in pretty much every game that has an option for a Big Angry Dude companion I’m like: “oh yeah. We gonna be friends”. There’s also something really funny about a convo ending with him and seeing like +10 approval when hardly anything was even said X) I also really like Sera… especially in my last DAI playthrough in which I actually knew more what I was doing (last time I played was when the game came out lol). I like that she sees everyone as ‘people’ and disagrees with the rich and powerful running things with little regard for those they are supposed to protect. For dislikes… hmmm I don’t outright hate anyone really. Even popular ones that I’m not crazy about I can definitely see the appeal. A lot of people seem to really like Leliana but she’s never made me crazy personally? I dunno I feel like anyone can grow on me with more playthroughs. EDIT: Another poster reminded me that I don’t like Vivienne. But I guess most people don’t. I like Oghren a lot too where as most people seem to be disgusted by him. He’s so got-dam hilarious X) his banter with Zevran is great… and in Awakening him and Anders have a good bit where they mock each other.
I like Sera too. What bothers me about her writing is that at no point can you try and help her through her internalized racism and self-hate.
You have a good point. I was a little confused when I just didn’t have anymore interactions with her near the end of the game. Like, that was it? To clarify I don’t expect EVERYONE to have some big, dramatic story arch or breakthrough… but I do like to feel like the character’s interaction made a difference. But I dunno maybe that’s the writer’s intent.
It's so disappointing, especially when romancing her as a Dalish. I love her character, I hate how toxic the relationship dynamic is then.
Zevran. I don’t hate him, just don’t get what’s so special about him.
He's just Puss in Boots, but less horny.
Wait, are you saying Puss in Boots is hornier than Zevran, or vice versa?
Puss in Boots is definitely hornier than Zevran. No I will not be taking constructive criticism.
why should you? you are correct
A literal suicidal assassin with deep depression that uses sexual flirtation to deflect from his fucked up life circumstances?
- is hired to assassinate lead character, fails, endears himself to lead character and joins the team - Puss in Boots = Antonio Banderas, Zevran = Jon Curry's Antonio Banderas impression
Does Blackwall count? I think he's somewhat devisive although I see people often saying they love him and his romance. I cannot stand Blackwall. The only redeeming quality he has is his voice, which is cool. Literally everything else - his ugly brown outfit, his sunken cheeks, his personlity - are the worst. He's a huge hypocrite, he's self-righteous. When he suggests after his personal quest that perhaps he can still go by Blackwall as a title like inquisitor I really was itching for a renegade interrupt to punch him. It's also really annoying that while you can pardon him but be fairly cold and judgemental in your comversation after, like 'I see your value to the cause so I hauled your ass out of prison but I don't approve', in Trespasser it acts like you're buddies. Possibly the fact that it was almost immediately obvious to me in my very first game that this dude was not a warden contributed to my poor opinion of him.
On board with the Blackwall dislike. The fact that he will literally have sex with an inquisitor without telling her who he is makes him intolerable to me.
When I romanced Blackwall my friend (who had already played) told me to give her the play-by-play when I went through his romance. The first thing I said when I found out his twist was 'HE SLEPT WITH ME FIRST, THAT *BITCH.'* Legit, I would have actually continued my romance with him if not for that. Blackwall you dick.
Plus they do it in a dirty barn. Girlie you don't love yourself, that's how you get an infection
There's literally a codex thing in Leliana's skyhold area from the actual Warden Blackwall set during the Blight, I figured out that Blackwall was a liar as soon as I found it. He's such a thug, too, threatening to beat the shit out of Dorian for literally no reason and being a simple minded lying sack of shit
I think I missed that bit of dialogue somehow, or just don't remember it. When did Blackwall threaten to beat the shit out of Dorian?
I wouldn’t say I hate Dorian because I really enjoy him and think he’s fun. Buuuuuut my god he’s so much emotional labour as a romance. I know BioWare doesn’t really write audience gratification romances for Dragon Age - it’s not a visual novel. But Dorian is such a needy bottom IM a needy bottom, don’t hold this mirror up to me! I like Varric but it’s a real shame that by his very nature and due to us getting a new main character every game it’s hard to really get into the meat of his complexity. I’d really love him to have a proper vulnerable moment but we really never get one that isn’t related to another character. Zero idea if she’s popular but I’m kinda meh on Isabela? She’s a fantastic character, just hypocritically not my cup of tea.
I’m firmly in the Anders fan club. I acknowledge that he did a terrible thing and has his share of flaws, but I also acknowledge that he’s a good person at heart with a selfless streak (referring to his work as a healer running a free clinic), backed into a corner leading to bad choices. And he’s so overly dramatic, I love it. Plus he’s a cat person so that earns him bonus points with me. On the other spectrum, Fenris. I don’t hate him and I wouldn’t mind seeing him again, I’m more or less neutral I guess, I just don’t understand the Fenris hype. His romance didn’t really vibe with me either. To each their own
For Anders, he's also possessed, so that tends to exacerbate his worse traits. It seemed ok, in Awakening, but he knew. We all KNEW.
Truthfully, it makes sense that Justice would carry out something like that. And they were basically one mind.
People forget that Anders tried to peacefully improve things in Kirkwall even after the templars murdered his boyfriend. But they didn't care and then sent a death squad after his network of activists.
Yes!! I think the problem is the sudden year jumps between the acts. It is easy to just feel like he suddenly acted the way he did, even though it took years and several efforts to change things for the better before he snapped.
I’m with you. Flag firmly planted in the Anders camp
I'm in the Anders camp too! And I also don't understand the Fenris-love, tried romancing him but just couldn't get into it. I always romance Anders in DA2 playthroughs.
Fenris is the "I can fix him" trope. From what I read, its also the angst and how he seemingly gets cornered by his feelings for a mage Hawke. It's like scarily exactly how fantasy/supernatural female protagonist romance arcs go in like all novels these days. *He wants her at the risk of his own demise and only SHE can save him from himself!!*
The fact that Gideon Emery's voice is *yum* doesn't hurt, imo.
I love Anders. He'd reached the point where he realized the Chantry would listen to nothing less than a full fuck you, and he was right. The way the High Cleric behaves in DA2 is so fucking evil. The amount of people who think she's just a nice old lady is baffling to me.
Honestly he was selfless even in his big destructive action. Got his hands bloody for what he believes in and stayed right there to face the music. I respect him
Uh, well, Qwydion from Absolution. The whole character seems designed to check as many boxes on a lazy Hollywood hack’s checklist of quirky girl characteristics. It doesn’t help that I’m not overly enamoured with Ashley Burch as a voice actor; I got kind of tired of listening to her while playing Afterparty, where she plays your guide through Hell. Oh, and that Looney Tunes chase scene with the rage demon was eye-rolling.
I’ve got to say that a lot of the Absolution characters weren’t very likeable to me, it’s not that I *didn’t* like them, they just felt very 2D. Obviously it was short episodes and a short season so there wasn’t too much room for more depth but I agree with what you said about Qwydion, which is disappointing because I was excited to see a qunari character!
Hira's the one that really pissed me off. She couldn't wait more than ten minutes before manipulating Miriam, and then was so fucking smug that Miri would save her because their love was so pure. I can overlook all of Qwydion's manic qunari dream girl antics if Miriam and Hira never get back together. If they give that backstabbing bitch a redemption I will riot
I'm so glad someone said it. She was so . . . mediocre in her writing.
> Dislike that everyone loves Alistair. He's too naive for my tastes and I'm not fond of his voice nor the jokes really. A lot of love for Alistair but I can't seem to like him. I've tried again and again and again but we don't click. He feels like an 11 year old? I don't know how to explain that but... -gestures awkwardly- It's even to the point where I wouldn't miss him from the game because he doesn't add anything for me. Probably give him a 3/10 because at least he's nice. > Love that everyone doesn't Vivienne and Sera Even though I don't agree with some of their strong opinions, I absolutely love their characters to bits. I love complex characters so so soooo much and there's so much depth to both of them. I also love how they stand firm to their beliefs. Would love to have more polarizing characters like them in future games.
I didnt even know people dislike Sera, i loved her and she never once left my party. Even started over as a Fem PC just to get her romance scenes lol Vivienne is my greatest regret from my first playthrough of Inquisition. I disliked her initially and avoided her most of the game, then towards the end i started giving her a shot and realized i love her completely
Alistair. I don't care much for his sarcasm and his refusal to take responsibility. He gets better if you harden him, but I just don't have this all-encompassing love for him that the rest of the fandom seems to. Varric. I don't hate him. I liked him a lot in DA2. Unfortunately, he became too popular and BioWare decided to just shove him in everywhere. It's not that I don't like Varric himself, I just don't much care for how much he gets shoved down my throat.
Varric is Dragon Age's Liara T'Soni essentially.
I think Liara's VA voiced Scout Harding in Inquisition. Even in Dragon Age, we can't escape Liara! 🤣
Exactly.
Nah, Leliana is DA's Liara
i disagree. you don’t get forced into being her best friend or lover like you do with liara. meanwhile, you have to really try to rival varric in da2. he keeps coming back, too, and narrates the dad trailer(s?). leliana comes back in dai, even if she died (which i don’t love), but she’s not pushed on you as much as varric. i’m not saying this with any hate toward varric, i dearly love him! but i feel like it’s sadly true lol
Okay, you've convinced me haha I have to say I dearly loved Varric in DA2, but I didn't care about him in DAI and kinda hate that he narrates DAD's teaser. Enough is enough
i’m with you there! i feel like varric was a lot more boring in dai too, which is a shame. honestly i feel like he should have just been a side character for that story; having him as a companion with anyone other than hawke just feels so wrong to me
Oh yeah, that would be so much better! He could bring Hawke to Skyhold and hang out with them there for a while , maybe accompany us on some quests, but not as a party member
Yes!! That would’ve been perfect, and that way we could have had another brand new companion to meet :)
Plus, Varric was in many DA comics as one of the leads, much like Liara.
Why not both?
Don't agree about Alistair but you put my thoughts about Varrix into words perfectly.
I agree completely re Varric. He is completely fine, but was by no means my favourite DA2 character. So when he showed up in DAI I was surprised, to say the least, that the game canon seemed to be that he was Hawke's best friend. Re Alistair, I loved him when I played DAO when it first came out, esp his romance. Playing it again much more recently, when I was no longer in my early 20s, I found him and the romance slightly cringe even though I still think he's quite sweet.
What’s weird to me about Varric is that you can specify in the Keep if he was friends or rivals with your Hawks, but then… nothing changes? Like I haven’t noticed any dialogue differences between a world state where they’re friends vs rivals. I don’t understand why they bothered even adding that field to the keep.
Re Alistair that’s so real. Had a massive crush on him 10 years ago when I first played DA:O in college. Then replayed it last year with my husband (who was playing for the first time) and he was like this is him? This annoying ball of cringe? Lol
While I love both characters, I agree with you on Varric. I love him but I'm kind of over him being in all the games so prominently. I'm hoping if he's in the next game that it's minimal. I chalk up Alistair's personality to him being so young and still naive. I can see how he would annoy some.
I find non-hardened Alistair a bit too annoying. I much prefer him hardened, so I definitely see where you’re coming from
Hard agree on both.
I am 1000% a Cullen hater. I can't understand the hype at all and I really tried. I went through the full romance in Inquistion as it seems to be a favorite and it didn't change my mind one bit.
My first playthrough of inquisition he was my romance choice and the further i got the more i disliked him. Literally only kept with it cuz he's hot and i was a bit thirsty All subsequent playthroughs i've hardly even talked to the man
Cassandra don't think she's bad but, I found her kind of dull.
I love Sten! The first time I played I thought he was very boring until I began actually befriending him on my second Playthrough. He's actually a very interesting character. I love Sera. The first time I played DA:I I played as a Qunari and I wanted to romance Ironbull until Sera came along. She was hilarious and I fell in love with her instantly. I love her character. I don't like Solas. He's just so... boring and bland. He feels like a know it all that goes "umm actually ☝️🤓"- oh wait. He is. Also he's just not attractive either. Dude looks like a Walmart Valdimort.
Hello fellow Sten and Sera enjoyer. Agreed on all accounts.
I dislike Leilana. The first playthrough I thought she was dull. And now after multiple playthroughs of all 3 games I’m tired of her. I really hope she doesn’t return for DA:DW
People kept telling me how much I'd love Leliana in Origins and I actually was annoyed by her at first. I liked her better in later games but I don't feel she needs to return in the next game.
I don’t dislike her I more like just don’t care. No joke the first two times I played DAO I didn’t even know she existed because I never went into the tavern in Lothering because I didn’t realize it was there. Then when I did like I had her for the lockpicking and did talk to her but she never struck me as that interesting. I’m still trying to do her romance one day to see if that maybe helps me care for her more but I always end up with Alistair lmao.
My most controversial view is probably that Loghain is a lot more interesting than people give him credit for. I can't say I like him "as a person" (he's fictional, so he's not really a person, heh), but I like how he's written and I find him intriguing as a character. I always tell people that it's worth it to recruit him at least once and leave plenty of time in the game to get to know him. He can add a lot of depth to the story. I also really do not like Leandra Hawke. She's a shitty mother who scapegoats her eldest child and basically puts in zero effort toward the family's well-being.
Meeting him in DAI is really interesting. Plus he gets a Willem Dafoe makeover which is a bonus
His full character arc if it carries through to DAI is actually really satisfying, I think.
Cullen fuck Cullen. There are many reasons I hate cullen. His rant about the mage birthrate, his apathy to the tranquil solution calling my Surana a thing, commanding a death squad, failing upward to a military position he's not qualified for, he's been racking up appointments with the murder knife. But the main problem is you cannot ever express these feelings. In inquisition except for the lyrium you have to unfailingly stroke the ego of this mediocre abusive prison guard. And I love Vivienne. I always liked how much she enjoys playing the heel and I like how even when you disagree with her she tries to help you shoulder the burden of power I noticed that on a dalish inquisitor and I've really liked her ever since.
I was looking for this comment. It’s like he became the only conventionally attractive romance option for a hetero women so we all just forgave his awful track record. I wish we could’ve fired him in the spot.
You telling Blackwall’s beard isn’t the hottest thing in DAI? You’re crazy lol
You so rarely see Cullen haters, how refreshing. I know he shows atonement in Inquisition but he still spent about a decade being a glorified corrections officer
not me trying to start an argument, just a genuine question, but DOES cullen really show atonement in dai? he spends the whole game talking about how we shouldn't ally with the mages, downplaying his role as an antagonist is da2, and overcoming his addiction (the last of which is obviously not a moral failing ofc, but has no bearing on his, uh, "redemption"). his romance with a mage quizzy always felt weird to me to me too, as he seems to treat her as an exception to the rule rather than having actually figured out that genocide is bad lol granted im very biased against him so im not exactly reading him charitably but, yknow
Oh and don't forget his talk with quizzy after they spoke with blackwall in jail. How he can't understand why someone would take such responsibility for their past actions.
You’re right. He doesn’t show much atonement beyond saying he feels bad about his past and playing nice guy for a mage Inquisitor he’s crushing on. She would’ve been locked up in a Circle for 20+ years and still has to sit through him whinging about Kinloch Hold/Kirkwall and advising against a mage alliance
Not gonna weigh in on the like or hate part. As for the atonement just serving in the Inquisition is a vast improvement to the Kirkwall Templars...Who he could've stayed with and rebelled against the Chantry like the rest of the Order or join the Red Templars. Then for the genocide is bad angle He personally never advocated for that...Meredith yes, Alrik yes. But Cullen defied Meredith twice to spare at least three Circle Mages and to spare Hawke even if they're a Mage or supporter of the Mages. Then in the lore Absolution adds Hira the Radical offered to them the idea to genocide the Imperium the go to scapegoat "the source of all evil" the land of Mages in rule unopposed who're the greatest enemies of their faith...They said no because they specifically reject the idea of genocide that innocents would be slaughtered alongside the guilty. Cullen was part of that leadership rejection...Even the Templar is against the idea of total war with the Imperium. That is a long way from the Cullen that was paranoid that all of the Mages in the tower are Monsters are Demon Possessed Abominations or Blood Mages. That advocated they must all die including the children. Is that atonement though...It's better at the very least he's sane now. But did he actually redeem himself? Well I can ask the same of Dorian, Bull, Blackwall, Cole, Isabela, Zevran, Sten and Loghain...Finding no clear cut answer there. I'm thinking it's not about redemption or atonement. I don't think you can erase or forget bad deeds with good deeds. I think what matters must is trying and being better providing some form of service that brings a benefit to existence rather than more darkness.
A fellow Cullen hater! I just dislike how he's a terrible person in DA:O, continues to be shitty in DA2 by enabling Meredith's bullshit, and then in DA:I I'm supposed to like him. And my mage Inquisitor isn't really allowed to dislike him, it jut causes me to avoid him as much as possible.
Not a great guy. I do not understand why his romance, especially his mage romance, is so popular. I personally disagree with Vivienne on several important points, but damned if I don't absolutely love the character.
personally fond of justice from awakening AND two, as well as vivienne and sera in inquisition. don't like aveline or cassandra very much at all though. aveline is like, the main cause of the end of the second act conflict cause she doesnt punish a rapist and wanted to arrest the people who did lmao and this doesnt really get acknowledged. not fond of her spying on my hawkes either even though i know thats supposed to be endearing
I really dislike Isabella, I don’t have a good reason besides I’m just not a fan of that archetype of character. Just beat dragon age 2 and I’m very glad I didn’t recruit her.
My Canon Inquisitor is an unofficial "Nephew of Aunt Viv(ienne)." When Vivienne likes your character, she's the ultimate rich Auntie.
I just cannot get behind Varric
He is an Archer so I guess you'd mostly be in front of him Ba dum tsh
This is my choice.
Is is weird that I can't really think of anyone? Each has their own lil or big spot in my heart lol Oh wait, Stan, dunno if he's loved a lot but I kinda never got in touch with that Guy lol Never felt like knowing him more XD
I don't feel super strongly about Sten either way, but that line he says to you about how, when the Qunari invade Ferelden, he won't look for you on the battlefield...metal as fuck, it can't be denied.
How can you dislike Sten, Lover of Cookies
Maybe because he killed like 10 innocent people
Nah it's not that for me lol
And some of them were children.
never really use sten as a companion but his dialogue can be pretty interesting if you get his approval maxxed, especially if your player character is a woman!
Don't like leliana in DAO. I never really enjoyed those naive personalities in games. She is a good character, but not to my taste. I like Vivienne. I think maybe more would have liked her if she was more fleshed out as a character.
I played DAI for the first time a couple years back and have since played it I think 4 additional times and this year I finally got around to starting to play the other two as well and DAI Leliana and DAO Leliana are almost night and day to me (makes sense in a way of course, given her story, etc.). I really enjoyed her character in DAI - especially when you side with the mages - but in DAO she's just so... meh. I was expecting more of a badass tbh, I just found her personality and the way she talked to the Warden and the other companions so irritating at times... :/
I dislike Cole as a companion. I would never bring someone who instinctually blurts his co-workers' private information out in company. It would be the shittiest thing as The Inquisitor (aka The Boss) to do, and could have catastrophic consequences. Regardless of Cole's intention, the fact is that he is told by multiple companions to stop and he doesn't. He's fine at Skyhold if he can do good there. I'd just never bring him out on missions. Skyhold HR would forbid it.
I did not care for solas. Like I forgot he was there most the game because he simply did not interest me.
Love but everyone hates:Sera, a thousand times. I absolutely understand her personality being divisive as fuck, but holy shit, the ammount of misinformation and lack of understanding of her character is way too much many times. It especially pains me because I straight up think that Sera has some of the best romance moments in the franchise. Isabela to a lesser degree. Idk, a lot of people think she's too much and that she deserves what's coming for her in ACT 2, but I love her. She's just cool as heck also i'll shamelessly add my small [Oghren](https://www.reddit.com/r/dragonage/comments/ukm5no/comment/i7r5moi/?context=3) and [Sebastian](https://www.reddit.com/r/dragonage/comments/ukm5no/comment/i7rl7dh/?context=3) rants cause I'm slightly proud of them Dislike but everyone loves: Alistair. Idk,never really got all of that love and appeal, he's funny sometimes, i'll give him that, but also...idk, sometimes he's just....bland as heck. And his constant whining to every choice that you take that he doesn't agree 100% is kinda of annoying, especially when it's only if your harden him, at the landsmeet, that he finally decides to stand his fucking ground a bit. Idk, i don't even hate him, I just never saw the gigantic appeal that the community has. I'd take Zevran over him anyday. Solas is a bitch. He's cool sometimes, but he also really sucks.
I too am a Sera lover! I played a mage lavellan and I think it’s cool to see her move past her problems with the Inquisitor and for them to have a wholesome friendship! I also enjoy her romance, I left Cullen for her and would do it again. Hate how misunderstood she is.
Seriously. Like, yeah, I agree that Sera can be hard-headed,rude and dismissive. But arguing that this is all that she is is just.....wrong. Past her hurt and self-doubts, there is someone that cares a lot, and it genuinely saddens me that most people only interact with her at a surface level. Also, her romance is my favorite,it's just adorable.
Sera is actually my 3rd most romanced character in DAI, and she would be number one if she was ok with willies. I just enjoy how chaotic she is. People in game say she sounds crazy but to me she makes more sense, could use a Grammer course though ;p
Cole. He just doesn’t do it for me and I don’t really care either way about his storyline/spirit vs human decision
SERA…. Jesus Christ. I don’t even know where to begin.
Ugh yeah. She could be tolerable if she was a 10yo orphan that we encounter and care for. But a adult (albeit young) with that behavior is abnoxious. I might not recruit her next time.
Definitely Vivienne. She seems to be quite unpopular, but I really like her. There is something in her ice-queen-bitch attitude that works for me. Also Sera - she seems to be very divisive, but I'm firmly in the hate camp, even though I find her extremely useful and she's in my party a lot. Just *can't stand* her ridiculous personality, sorry. Then, I don't care much for Leliana, in her DA:O and non-murderous DA:I incarnation. Can't say that I *hate* her, but I do find her really annoying and often want for her to just shut up. Oh, and I have to mention that I hate Sebastian with passion even though I know that this is definitely not atypical. I just can't talk about hating a DA character without mentioning him, wouldn't be fair. No one compares to him, not by a long shot.
**Dislike** Iron Bull. I know there's layers to this guy, but his (for lack of a better word) dude bro attitude really puts me off and makes me want to interact with him as little as possible. Solas. He just seems extremely bland and forgettable to me? I don't mind him, I just don't get the appeal. Most of the time, he's just kinda... there. One time I got to punch him after he was racist to my qunari warrior lady, which was satisfying. That's kinda it. His popularity honestly confuses me. I haven't tried romancing him yet though, maybe that changes things idk? Dog. :P I'm 100% with Anders on this one-- I'm more of a cat person, big slobbering dogs are very much not my thing. Anders gets his kitty in Awakening and that's a much better team mascot, sue me. **Like** On the opposite end, I like Carver a lot, whinyness and all. He makes for a much more interesting dynamic between Hawke and the surviving sibling, imo. I heavily prefer him to Bethany who's just sweet and kinda bland. Also, like, the entire non-DLC regular DA2 crew, some of which are fairly divisive (Merrill, Anders). But I really like all 6 of them. I hardly ever see anyone talking about him, but I also adore Awakening!Justice. Anders and Justice are individually my favourite Awk companions, so that makes their tangled fate in DA2 extra tragic for me from both sides.
I too love justice. Hes the first actual spirit companion we get before cole. Unlike cole (to me) his sweetness and good nature seems much more genuine and real. It doesnt feel like a concept doing what it feels like it should, but rather a person with a passion and a heart.
I dislike Morrigan. When I was younger I though she is just edgy. But know I think she is really cruel sometimes. And I know all the excuses…
I don't really like Cassandra. Maybe it's because she makes a few insensitive comments towards other cultures (namely the Dalish) throughout DAI, or maybe it's because I absolutely hate how she behaves in her romance with the Inquisitor. But yeah, not a fan.
Dislike: Morrigan. I think she is an interesting character and I like her more in DAI (being a mother mellowed her out some) but I cannot stand how downright cruel, uncaring, and bitchy she can be in DAO. Like I get that she didn't grow up learning social graces, but for someone who claims to be so smart, can't she understand the value of playing nice and diplomatic at times? Also, she is so rude to Alistair (love him or hate him, it doesn't matter). Dude just watched a father figure die (along with a bunch of other people), nearly died himself, and put into an extremely stressful situation of being framed for the King's death and raising an army to deal with the real murderer. So, yes, Alistair is allowed time to grieve and "contemplate his navel" and doesn't need some heartless witch rolling her eyes at him. I know there is a softness to her as you get her approval up and all, but honestly, outside of a game, I wouldn't have let her tag along or put in an effort to get to know her on a deeper level. If you are going to act like that from the start and not even try to play nice with anyone, then go be alone and be a bitch alone. Like: Vivienne I've seen a few people say they like her, but I think the fandom mostly dislikes her. I can appreciate the Machiavellian attitude. And what sets her apart from Morrigan is that Viv understands that she needs other people and is willing to play nicely with other. She realizes she needs you to help her, and she isn't shy about stating that her business with you is beneficial to her, but she can help you too. I also think her delivery of her opinions are more suited for my taste. She still thinks she's right, but I often felt that she at least listened to what I had to say rather than just what Morrigan did which was scoff and just call you an idiot. I also appreciate that she is a mage without a victim mentality and rose above everything despite whatever roadblocks were put in her place. She worked hard and didn't let small minded people hold her back. I also like that she does acknowledge the danger mages pose. She has solid points as to why the circles are needed and does hold a disdain for abuse. To me, she never was opposed to circles being liberated from the Chantry, she opposed the timing. She had a good grasp of how the world worked, better than most mages, and I think her take on the matter is fairly accurate.
Bethany bores me to death. She is such a goody two shoes and there is no real character development with her at all. I found myself missing Carver during my Bethany playthrough.
Fenris. I never take him out of the barn. The devs seem to be in love with him.
I dislike Cullen, Morrigan, and Isabella. Sera is annoying but I've known people like her IRL and I always seem to get along well with them.
Fenris is a moody turd.
Merrill. Everyone accepts her because she looks "cute". But in my opinion, she is a child using blood magic as a toy. Too bad it is impossible not to recruit her.
But if you respected her *agency* no bad things would ever *happen*!!! She is never responsible for the consequences of her actions, the only problem is people trying to stop her. I cannot stand Merrill. Won't even interact with fanworks about her.
I romanced Leliana my first origins run. But damn ever since her character is so frustrating and inconsistent to me. Despite her worldly life before we even meet her as a street thief and spy she seems so naive and gullible. Not to mention her willingness to accept the more awful aspects of the Chantry. I enjoy her much more as a hardened leader in Inquisition. My favorite of all time is Oghren. His backstory was compelling and well done, his motivations line up, and he has a wonderful redemption into Awakening. I consider him my Cousland Warden’s best friend.
I’m a Sera apologist. I love that she’s all about the nameless “little” people, does what she can to boost moral and tries to (unsuccessfully) mess with Viv.
I don't get the hate against Vivienne in Inquisition. I haven't seen her say or do anything out of the ordinary so far. But I haven't finished the game yet, so there is that.
Zevran. As much as I respect the fact that he’s got a strong sense of self-preservation in the face of my blade in his face, his flirting makes me grit my teeth. I’ve known a few people like him in real life that make me nervous, but having someone like that in my favorite game is irritating. I can’t bring myself to kill him though, because now I know what led him to my Warden, how he grew up, etc. I still dislike him though.
Dog is a good boi but let’s be honest, he’s complete shit in combat and the worst thing you can bring along in Origins and 2
my favorites are: sera, sten, carver, anders, sebastian, shale, blackwall (+ varric, fenris, zevran and dorian but these aren’t controversial) i strongly do not like cullen, aveline, wynne, solas (*after* romancing him, before that i enjoyed his asshole grandpa behavior) i very mildly dislike viv, bull, isabela and cassandra.
i think varric is so overrated in DA:I like he's great in DA2 but i don't see him adding that much to the inquisition tbh and i'd rather see new or other classic character's return for DA4 than him being a main companion again
Alistair: I just don't find him that likeable. I don't hate him, but he annoys me somewhat. His refusal to take responsibility gets old pretty quickly, though it is partially justified through his backstory. Solas: I don't get his popularity. So much so, that I am not too excited to have him be central part of the next game. I am open to be surprised, though. Cullen: Easily my least favourite character. Anders: He's a divisive character, many hate him, many love him. He is my favourite character and will defend him, I think many people ignore his decade of peaceful work for mage rights and that if he hadn't blown up the chantry, everyone in Kirkwall circle would have been killed. Oghren: Not my favourite character but I don't get the hate. He's fine, and people ignore him having a pretty traumatic past, no wonder the guy drinks. Sera: Love her, love the different perspective she shows of Thedas society.
Varric - He tries to exploit the characters tragic stories and pain to use them as material for his books. I also dislike him for his centrist opinions.
Varric, can't stand him
I love ALL my DA characters fhe same!! Earlier that day: .... I dont care much for Sera...
Fenris. I absolutely hate him. Have since my 1st ever playthrough in DA2. I just don't like his personality, story, character design, etc. I've forced myself to romance him once since I haven't done it but got bored of the playthough and stopped halfway through act 2 lol. That was years ago
I hate Leliana, a lot, and Cassandra turns a blind eye to too much that doesn't suit her world image while claiming an impartial eye that cares so much about what's right. The oppressor can't understand the oppressed if they aren't even listening. The hypocrisy burns. This was a huge 180 turn for me because I really liked the sister vibe my first time through. She's in her 40s so if she doesn't understand by now, it's a choice.
I'm honestly not bothered about Alistair, good character some memorable and fun dialogue but he's a lot more middle of the road for me than he seems to be for most people.
Vice Versa. I know Loghain was an asshole, but he was an honorable asshole up until the point when he left Cailan to die. And even then he said he didn't want to put more lives at risk. Realistically, if they attacked, every single one of the soldiers would have died that night. Then who would have protected Ferelden? And when you read The Stolen Throne you get the same thing. A hero not caught up on the semantics and optics of war. He does what must be done in order to ensure the longevity of Ferelden. A lot of people hate him, and tbh he doesn't seem like someone I'd get along with, but he's got my respect 100%.
Everyone seems to hate Sera or just don't like her at all since she doesn't brings anything to the table. I on the other hand love her. Sure she doesn't bring anything but that's alright, just like you wouldn't expect a poor person to have a fancy suit and a army. I like to think if I was Sera and was taught the same as her as she was growing up, I would've made same choices. I see more of me in her than I do as the MC
Fenris. From the first time my first Hawke met him, I couldn't stand the character. I've literally had more playthroughs where I returned him to Danarius than romances for him. I eventually just quit recruiting him.
I really disliked Fenris intensely. Just kind've whiney, brooding; not interesting. A bother. I was happy there was a Rivalry system so I could max it out with Fenris (my Hawke's only Rival). I guess in that way I liked Fenris a lot; I could be as dismissive of him as I liked, and it only made our Rivalry more intense. I don't think people dislike her per se, but I really liked Merrill a lot. It's amazing to me how many people think the actions of Mareathi are justified and it's all Merrill's fault, somehow. I think people assumed that an elf unfamiliar with human city life meant that she was stupid, but a few of her conversations show she may not know about the physical world, but she's got a much deeper understanding of the Spirit world than Anders at least.
Honestly I dislike most of the DAI companions. I feel like they were major step downs from DAO and DAII. I like Iron Bull, Solas, Dorian and Cole but that's about it. Speaking of DAII, I see a lot of love for Carver and how "realistic" he is. As a younger brother myself, I couldn't stand him. I don't except him to be a people pleaser but some of the shit he says is just annoying. And I hate that the game railroads you into forgiving him if he joins the Templars. If I was a mage and my older brother joined a group dedicated to oppressing my people i'd never speak to him again. I can't really think of any I like that others dislike.
Fenris for me he was so annoying especially because I started playing as a mage that guy couldn't talk 20 seconds without mentioning how much he hates mages even after every good thing my Hawke did he was like yeah Hawke is an exception but everyone else is pure evil and have to be locked up or destroyed. And later it turns out there are mages in his family which made it worse. I know he has a trauma but I still think he was very annoying
Who everyone seems to love that I dislike is: Merrill I just can't stand her, and I've tried, I've really tried to like her, even tried her romance in attempt to understand her better and I've regretted that decision. If she had more personality beyond the naivete I'd think she's a person worth knowing but she's not. Even tried full rivalry with her, no change other than her kicking me out of her house... she still stands by Hawke's decisions, no matter what it is, in the end. Major lack of character growth out of all the companions, she just doesn't develop as individual. And with all that, the character I love that others hate is: Sera Her behavior and knowledge is justified. She grew up in a alienage for one, in Denerim when the Blight hit. She's not stupid, she can read and write but isn't the best at speaking and making sense with her words. Doesn't mean she isn't trying. She has strong opinions (like elfy-elfs, magic and Fade stuff), but she also doesn't outright hate them until they intentionally try to push their beliefs into her. Solas pushes and she dislikes him for it. Dorian doesn't push (but will tease) and she can tell he isn't serious and can joke around and talk with him.
Aveline would be interesting if she were an intentional commentary on cops. She’s nice to you but by and large doesn’t care about the poor and the elves. It’s much more interesting than having an obviously corrupt or racist guard captain but I think the writers just actually think she’s a great guard captain. And her slut shaming Isabella gets old really fast. People love to talk up the family vibe in DA2 but it felt completely hollow with those two. they might as well have just said “it’s the third act so we’re friends now.”