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Origins | Ostagar | Lothering | Circle Tower | Warden's Keep (DLC) | Return to Ostagar (DLC) | Stone Prisoner (DLC) | Brecilian Forest | Redcliffe | The Urn of Sacred Ashes | Orzammar | Deep Roads | Denerim | Final Onslaught |
PROVING GROUNDS
Proving after Dark
I make my way across the bridge and enter the Proving Grounds. I then head to the north side and speak to the Proving Armsman for some side action.
The first fight is against a Blood Mage and a few Dwarven warriors. The key target is of course the Blood Mage, so Aldarion takes him out instantly with Mana Clash. Once the Blood Mage has fallen, the Dwarven warriors easily follow.
The next fight is against a few Dwarven warriors led by a Champion. The obvious concern here is the ability of the Champion to use War Cry to knock everyone off their feet, but it can be toughed out. Aldarion helps matters along with a Cone of Cold.
The next fight is against a group of Dwarves led by an Arcane Warrior. Mana Clash doesn't work this time, since the Arcane Warrior has protected himself with Spell Shield. I therefore have to improvise and train Aldarion and Alistair on the Arcane Warrior to take him out first and foremost. It becomes a mop up once that objective is accomplished.
The next fight includes both a Champion and a Spirit Healer. I get rid of the Spirit Healer right away with Mana Clash. It then becomes straight physical combat afterwards.
The final reward for completing the fights is the Blood Ring (improves Blood Magic, +5% spirit damage), which is perfect for Morrigan and will be one of her rings for the balance of the game.
Varick
A Wall Carving in the hallway leading south yields a Codex Entry for "The Proving" and 50xp. I then speak with Varick, who's in the central room. He can offer some background information on the Provings.
Seweryn
Aldarion used to rely on the Cailan's arms set to recoup his mana. But now he has Death Syphon, which recoups mana whenever an enemy dies within its radius. This allows Aldarion to pursue a different set up, Spellweaver plus the Redcliffe Elite Shield (which will eventually be replaced with the Fade Wall).
Now he participates in the official Provings. His first fight is against Seweryn, which is easily won after a Crushing Prison.
Myaja and Lucjan
The next fight is against Myaja and Lucjan. I get them both with Cone of Cold. I then make sure to take down Lucjan first. He has less hit points, and this way I remove flanking and backstabbing possibilities. I then concentrate on Myaja, and seal her fate when I've regained enough Mana to use another Cone of Cold on her.
Roshen
The next fight is against Roshen, and I again easily get the jump with Crushing Prison. By analogy, Rogue or Warrior talents like Dirty Fighting or Pummel should work in a similar way for you if you don't have a Mage as your Grey Warden.
Lord Darvianak Vollney and Olaniv
The next fight is a paired combat against Lord Darvianak Volney and Olaniv. I choose Leliana as my second. Aldarion hits both enemies with Cone of Cold. and Leliana waits a moment, and then takes up a flanking position so that she can use her backstabs. Olaniv is brought down quickly, and so is Lord Darvianak afterwards.
Piotin Aeducan
Next up is a team fight against Piotin and his warriors. I get the jump right away with Grease and Fireball. I make sure to take out his Right Hand and his backstabbing Henchman first, since he himself has a lot of health. He becomes easier to kill afterwards. The remaining archer is then easy pickings.
Political Attacks
I now leave the Proving Grounds. At this point, there will be a few points where I get attacked by Harrowmont Fanatics because publicly I am still viewed as being allied with Prince Bhelen. If I had been publicly allied with Harrowmont, I would instead be getting attacked by Bhelen Fanatics. These battles show a few tactical finesses.
The first battle is just east of the bridge. Wynne puts a Grease at their feet before they even go hostile. I then trigger the slippery effect of the Grease by going forward so that the Fanatics go hostile. Wynne then hits them with a Fireball. This action earns her a lot of aggro, but Aldarion negates it by encasing Wynne with a Force Field. The party thereby gets a free hand to cut down the Fanatics.
The second battle will take place in the Diamond Quarter near the Royal Palace. Wynne gets the jump with an immediate Fireball. However, the Fanatics surround Aldarion, prompting his script to activate the Shimmering Shield. Keep in mind that the Shimmering Shield drains Mana quite quickly, so Wynne uses Rejuvenate on him so that he can keep his Shield active long enough to last through the battle.
I now head over to Dust Town, the entrance to which is on the east side of the Commons.
