Dragon Age II: Cross Class Combo Guide by zeusodinra
Version: 1.1 | Last Updated: 2011-03-31 | View/Download Original File
Version: 1.1 | Last Updated: 2011-03-31 | View/Download Original File
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v1.1
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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0. QUICK COMBO QUIDE
1. INTRODUCTION
2. BRITTLE
3. DISORIENT
4. STAGGER
5. CLOSING WORDS
6. REVISION HISTORY
To jump to a section: search for "X." For example if you want to jump to the
STAGGER combos, press Ctrl + F then type in "4." ie. the number and the dot.
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0. QUICK COMBO GUIDE
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BRITTLE: +50% Critical Damage
DISORIENT: -50% Defense
STAGGER: -25% Attack, -25% Defense
BRITTLE: Winter's Blast
Deep Freeze
Dessicate
-> Warrior Shattering Blow 300% dmg, 200% force
Reaper 200% dmg, 200% force
Claymore 100% stun chance
-> Rogue: Shattering Arrow 600% dmg, 400% force
Punishing Lance 150% dmg, 400% force
Annihilate 400% dmg
DISORIENT: Disorienting Shot
Overpowering Fog
Chaos
Disorienting Criticals
-> Warrior Disperse 300% dmg
Battery 400% dmg
Insatiable 300% dmg, 300% regen
-> Mage Golem's Fist 200% dmg, 200% force
Spirit Strike 200% dmg, 200% force
Corrosive Walking Bomb 200% dmg
Virulent Walking Bomb 200% dmg, 200% force
STAGGER: Sunder
Pummel
Aftershock
Pommel Blow
Claymore
Voracious
-> Rogue Merciless Strike 400% dmg
Maim 100% bleeding chance
Blood Feud 300% dmg
-> Mage Chain Reaction 600% dmg, 200% force
Paralyzing Prison 200% dmg, 100% paralyze chance
Paralyzing Hemorrhage 900% dmg
Maker's Hammer 900% dmg
EXAMPLE COMBO CHAIN:
Fatiguing Fog (Impenetrable = Obscure, Overpowering = DISORIENT)
-> Devour (Insatiable = DISORIENT bonus + Voracious = STAGGER)
-> Merciless Strike (DISORIENTS while Obscured with Disorienting Criticals)
-> Disperse/Battery or a Mage finisher
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1. INTRODUCTION
=================
Dragon Age 2 introduces wicked cross-class combos between Warriors, Rogues
and Mages. Warriors are able to STAGGER enemies, Rogues can DISORIENT them while
Mages turn some foes BRITTLE. All of these status afflictions enhances the
effects of various techniques of the other two classes, encouraging tactical
team play.
Ever wanted a comprehensive list of these combos? Well, here it is! See
section 0. above for the quick guide, and the respective sections for more
detailed info.
Note that NEARLY ALL cross-class combos require upgraded talents both in the
initiating and finishing techniques. For example, you need Disorienting Shot
(upgraded Pinning Shot) to DISORIENT the foe, then you need Disperse (upgraded
Scatter) to complete the combo. The exception to this is Sunder and the talents
from Specialization trees.
So what are the best combos?
The most rewarding has to be the STAGGER combos with either a Primal or
specialized Mage. STAGGER can be easy to set up by using Pummel or Sunder plus
Claymore and can be quickly followed up with Chain Lightning (Reaction upgrade)
or the unique Bloodmage/Forcemage spells for 600% or 900% damage.
DISORIENT combos are a bit tricky to set up. Techniques are either not too
useful, like Chaos, or has many factors like Disorienting Criticals. The rewards
for completing the combo are also dubious. Disperse and Battery are both Weapon
& Shield talents commonly used by tanks who often have mediocre DPS. The bonus
to Insatiable is excellent though!
BRITTLE has some of the best synergies. Winter's Blast followed by Shattering
Blow or Assassinate is great against tough single targets. Deep Freeze can cause
BRITTLE to a line of enemies which can be exploited using Punishing Lance.
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2. BRITTLE
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+50% Critical Damage
BRITTLE is caused by Mages, specifically the Elemental cold spells once they
have been upgraded and the Primal upgraded Petrify.
Sources
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# Winter's Grasp + Winter's Blast
Freeze chance: 100% vs. normal enemies
BRITTLE chance: 40% for frozen targets
# Cone of Cold + Deep Freeze
Freeze chance: 60% vs. normal enemies
BRITTLE chance: 20% vs. frozen targets
# Elemental Mastery (passive)
BRITTLE chance: now 100% vs. frozen targets
# Petrify + Dessicate
BRITTLE chance: 100% vs. normal enemies
Combos
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WARRIOR:
# Two Handed: Mighty Blow + Shattering Blow
Physical damage: 300% vs. BRITTLE targets
Physical force: 200% vs. BRITTLE targets
# Two Handed: Scythe + Reaper
Physical damage: 200% vs. BRITTLE targets
Physical force: 200% vs. BRITTLE targets
# Vanguard: Cleave + Claymore
Stun chance: 100% vs. BRITTLE targets
ROGUE:
# Archery: Bursting Arrow + Shattering Arrow
Fire damage: 600% vs. BRITTLE targets
Elemental Force: 400% vs. BRITTLE targets
# Archery: Archer's Lance + Punishing Lance
Physical damage: 150% vs. BRITTLE targets
Physical force: 400% vs. BRITTLE targets
# Assassin: Assassinate + Annihilate
400% physical damage vs BRITTLE targets
Best Combos
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# Winter's Blast / Dessicate -> Shattering Blow / Annihilate
This is a massive single target killer. Imagine a 400% Annihilate with
+50% damage to the auto-critical.
# Deep Freeze -> Scythe Punishing Lance / Shattering Arrow
Cast the cone and then have your archer/warrior to Lance or Scythe from
the side. If foes are close together you can use Shattering Arrow too.
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3. DISORIENT
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-50% Defense
DISORIENT is caused by Rogues using multiple talents in the Archery, Sabotage
and Shadow trees.
Sources
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# Archery: Pinning Shot + Disorienting Shot
Pinning chance: 80%
DISORIENT chance: 100% vs. pinned enemies
# Sabotage: Fatiguing Fog + Overpowering Fog
DISORIENT chance: 100% vs. normal enemies
# Sabotage: Confusion + Chaos
DISORIENT chance: 100% vs. normal enemies
# Shadow: Disorienting Criticals
DISORIENT chance: 100% for critical hits when obscured
Obscure: Smoking Arrow, Chameleon Breath, Impenetrable Fog, Shadow Veil
Combos
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MAGE:
# Primal: Stonefist + Golem's Fist
Physical damage: 200% vs. DISORIENTED targets
Physical Force: 200% vs. DISORIENTED targets
# Spirit: Spirit Bolt + Spirit Strike
Spirit damage: 200% vs DISORIENTED targets
Elemental force: 200% vs. DISORIENTED targets
# Spirit: Walking Bomb + Corrosive Walking Bomb
Spirit damage: 200% vs. DISORIENTED targets
# Spirit: Walking Bomb + Virulent Walking Bomb
Bonuses apply to the explosion after the original target (victim) dies
Spirit damage: 200% vs. nearby targets if victim was DISORIENTED
Physical force: 200% vs. nearby targets if victim was DISORIENTED
WARRIOR:
# Weapon & Shield: Scatter + Disperse
Physical damage: 300% vs. DISORIENTED targets
# Weapon & Shield: Assault + Battery
Physical damage: 400% vs. DISORIENTED targets on final hit
# Reaver: Devour + Insatiable
Physical damage: 300% vs. DISORIENTED targets
Health regeneration: 300% from DISORIENTED targets
Best Combos
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# Disorienting Shot -> Golem's Fist / Spirit Strike / Battery
Great damage against a single target
# Overpowering Fog / Chaos -> Disperse
A more AOE-based solution for Rogue + Shield Warrior
# Overpowering Fog / Chaos -> Corrosive Virulent Walking Bomb + Spirit Strike
A good AOE combo for a Spirit Mage, especially if Chaos works and they
start fighting as they will then be packed close together.
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4. STAGGER
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-25% Attack, -25% Defense
Warriors can STAGGER enemies using various techniques in the Two Handed,
Weapon & Shield, Warmonger, Vanguard and Reaver talent trees.
Sources
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# Two Handed: Sunder
STAGGER Chance: 50% vs. normal enemies on a critical hit
# Weapon & Shield: Shield Bash + Pummel
STAGGER chance: 100%
# Warmonger: Tremor + Aftershock
STAGGER chance: 40% vs. normal enemies
# Warmonger: Pommel Strike + Pommel Blow
Stun chance: 100% vs. normal enemies
STAGGER chance: 100% vs. stunned targets
# Vanguard: Cleave + Claymore
STAGGER chance: 40% vs. normal enemies
# Reaver: Devour + Voracious
STAGGER chance: 100%
Combos
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ROGUE:
# Dual Weapon: Explosive Strike + Merciless Strike
Physical damage: 400% vs. STAGGERED targets
# Dual Weapon: Lacerate + Maim
Chance of bleeding: 100% vs. STAGGERED targets
# Duelist: Vendetta + Blood Feud
300% physical damage vs. STAGGERED targets
MAGE:
# Arcane: Crushing Prison + Paralyzing Prison
Physical damage: 200% vs. STAGGERED targets
Paralyze chance: 100% vs. STAGGERED targets
# Primal: Chain Lightning + Chain Reaction
Electricity damage: 600% vs STAGGERED targets
Elemental force: 200% vs. STAGGERED targets
# Bloodmage: Hemorrhage + Paralyzing Hemorrhage
900% physical damage vs. STAGGERED targets
# Forcemage: Fist of the Maker + Maker's Hammer
900% physical damage vs. STAGGERED targets
Best Combos
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# Claymore + Sunder (with Giant's Reach) -> anything
With Claymore & Sunder & Giant's Reach on the warrior, he will STAGGER
enemies quite often and possibly in an AOE. Watch out for the STAGGER
icon then quickly pause and follow up.
# Pummel -> Chain Reaction / Paralyzing Hemorrhage / Maker's Hammer
A tentative AOE option. Unfortunately Aftershock will often send foes
flying too far apart. Pummel can't really hit many enemies at once so
this can be awkward to set up.
# Voracious / Pommel Blow -> Paralyzing Prison / Blood Feud / Merciless Strike
The single target combo. There's a good chance you can pull off all five
components, it should be easier with this combo compared to other combos
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5. CLOSING WORDS
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A straightforward, short and sweet guide for you.
Heed the usual copyright stuff, don't plagiarize, etc.
Thank you to Andre Mizutani for reminding me about Dessicate and also point
out that some initiators are better for certain finishers.
Comments? Criticism? Compliments? zeusodinra at yahoo dot com
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6. REVISION HISTORY
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v1.0 30 Mar 2011 First version complete
v1.0 31 Mar 2011 Added Dessicate and Best combos
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