Alistair Two-Handed Build - Dragon Age: Origins (DAO)

Alistair Two-Handed Build

So using one of the most popular companions would usually direct you towards making it a heavy armored tank. However, as Alistair is obtained very early in the game you can make it into almost any other setup. One of those is Two-Hander.

The build relies on active abilities to constantly use talents like Two-Handed Sweep, War Cry, Critical Strike, etc. This means that you will depend a lot on stamina. I will offer some variations or ideas on how to adjust the build.

To manage stamina well, you would think you need a lot of Willpower. But it is the opposite - you need good gear with good bonuses. So the build does rely on some specific items to make it perform at 100%. However, it will be very satisfying to see, when Alistair is surrounded by enemies and all of them are thrown around from the huge weapon swings.

The build does perform the best in short fights as stamina drain will take a toll on which abilities you can use. This is one caveat to have in mind. It can also become a full-fledged tank with investment into Taunt. Indomitable makes it very easy to withstand even punches from Ogre or other knockback effects.

Attributes

In this section, I would like to review the recommended attributes for Alistair Two-Hander Build. You will be required to pick them every level up, so optimizing and not wasting any of them will prove vital for the build.

What about other attributes? Dexterity investment would help with avoiding attacks, however, this would weaken your melee hit damage. Willpower can be useful for stamina improvement, but I would rather recommend equipping good gear and not falling for a few points of stamina trap. So anything besides strength detracts from landing your hits for maximum damage.

Skills

This section will go through recommended skills to optimize the character. These unlock general utility actions or improve combat capabilities in terms of new talent levels or tactics slots.

Specializations

I would like to also mention Champion. If in some way you can afford all 4 talents and get a Superiority upgrade for War Cry, this is the best pick. However, with Alistair having some of them already spent on Weapon and Shield tree, Berserk is a bit better as it needs a 1-3 points investment.

Talents

In this section, I would like to go through the recommended talents for Alistair Two-Hander Build. They are important in optimizing the various bonuses and what actions are unlocked.

Templar

Berserk Tree

The goal is to get Berserk. The upgrades can be delayed until you cover the Two-Handed tree.

Warrior

Powerful Tree

Overall. this tree is a very low priority. You will not be concentrating on drawing aggro, and bonuses here are average. So prioritize other talents.

Precise Striking (optional)

These talents can be perfect if you want to have Alistair as a dedicated tank so that he could generate threat in a large area.

Two-Handed

The core skills of the build unlocking important passive and active talents.

Pommel Strike tree

Sunder Arms Tree

Due to the limited amount of talent points, I do not go deeper here.

Mighty Blow Tree

Equipment

The gear you use with Alistair Two-Handed Build will play a crucial role in combat. There are various combos that you can go with. I would recommend going with either Heavy or Massive armor pieces as these will provide a substantial boost to armor.

Below, you will find the gear that should be used with the build. Generally, the lower the item is in the table the lower its priority and the earlier you can get it. So the top ones are the best picks.

Weapons

Item	Description
Chasind Great Maul	Gives a significant boost to stamina and damage. I think this is the best pick for the build both in terms of damage and improvement to talent usage.
Nug Crusher	A cheaper version of Chasind Great Maul gives a significant boost to total stamina for active ability usage.
Dragonbone Cleaver	Gives a decent damage boost and +8 willpower for a significant increase in the stamina pool for active skills.
Starfang (Greatsword)	This is the best two-handed weapon in terms of pure damage.
Chasind Flatblade	The best pick for the early game can be obtained in Ostagar. Change to the better ones as you improve your strength.

Helm

Item	Description
Helm of Honnleath	The only helmet to give direct damage and survivability boost in one. However, it will probably be used by the main character.
Corruption Helm	Gives a significant boost to Dexterity which will improve hit chance and damage with daggers. The spirit resistance is also big. Sadly, the helmet is obtained very late in the game.
Executioner’s Helm	Gives +25 stamina for an additional use of active talents.
Bergen's Honor	Although does not improve stamina as Executioner’s Helm, it does provide bonus armor and improves attack for a higher hit chance.
Cailan's Helm	Use the helmet together with the Cailan's armor set. The helmet gives bonus armor and mental resistance
Helm of the Deep	Boost to the constitution for a bigger HP pool. A great helmet as you earn it for free early in the game

Armor

Item	Description
Wade's Superior Dragonbone Plate Armor	Part of the Wade's Superior Dragonbone Plate armor set. This will increase Alistair's stamina and stamina regeneration. Moreover, it will reduce fatigue with the total set.
Evon the Great’s Mail	The Wade's Superior Heavy Dragonscale armor set is lighter in terms of fatigue stats but has less armor. Still, with Evon the Great’s Mail which can be used instead of Wade's Superior Heavy Dragonscale Armor, you will get additional armor, making it a very close contender, to Wade's Superior Dragonbone Plate Armor but this will cost a lot of gold.
Wade's Superior Heavy Dragonscale Armor
Armor of the Legion	Legion of the Dead armor set is best in terms of damage potential as it gives a flat boost. Still I would rather prioritize the fatigue reduction from other sets.
Warden Commander Armor	This armor can be excellent if obtained early. The negative aspect is that it will have lower-tier materials which will be outclassed later on. Equip together with the Warden Commander armor set.
Cailan's Breastplate	Use the armor together with the Cailan's armor set. The chest piece gives additional armor and physical resistance

Gloves

Item	Description
Wade's Superior Dragonbone Plate Gloves	Part of the Wade's Superior Dragonbone Plate armor set. This will increase Alistair's stamina regeneration. Use it together with the whole set
Wade's Superior Heavy Dragonscale Gauntlets	Part of Wade's Superior Heavy Dragonscale armor set
Gloves of the Legion	Part of the Legion of the Dead armor set.
Warden Commander Gloves	Equip together with the Warden Commander armor set. The gloves give a bonus of 10% fire resistance
Cailan's Gauntlets	Use it together with the Cailan's armor set.

Boots

Item	Description
Wade's Superior Dragonbone Plate Boots	Part of the Wade's Superior Dragonbone Plate armor set. This will increase Alistair's stamina regeneration. Use it together with the whole set
Wade's Superior Heavy Dragonscale Boots	Part of Wade's Superior Heavy Dragonscale armor set
Boots of the Legion	Part of the Legion of the Dead armor set.
Warden Commander Boots	Equip together with the Warden Commander armor set. The boots give a bonus of 50 stamina
Cailan's Greaves	Use it together with the Cailan's armor set. These boots are an excellent way to reduce the chance for enemies to hit you. I do recommend using it with The Spellward and other items giving bonuses to dodge.

Accessories

Item	Description
Andruil’s Blessing	The best belt available all around. The bonuses to stamina regeneration are great to counteract the sustained abilities.
Cinch of Skillful Maneuvering	You will need to finish Witch Hunt DLC to unlock this accessory. The chance to dodge is excellent for survivability improvement.
Dwarven Warrior's Belt	Improves armor and strength for slightly more damage.

Amulets

Item	Description
The Spellward	This is considered one of the best amulets, however, it will be a contender for almost all builds.
The High Regard of House Dace	I would prioritize this on rogue, with heavy investment in cunning. But otherwise, the stamina boost is significant.
Pearl of the Anointed	The +1 to all attributes is a significant boost, especially at the start of the game.
Mark of Vigilance	Provides defense and resistance bonuses.
Heart of Witherfang	This can be equipped on Alistair due to a +1 Strength bonus.
Par Vollen Willstone	A decent boost to willpower for a slight stamina increase.

Rings

Item	Description
Key to the City	One of the best rings in the game. It will be contested by many builds, so just listing it here as an option.
Lifegiver	This is a perfect pick for a more sturdy playstyle, especially if Alistair will use Taunt.
Harvest Festival Ring	Overall good ring for the Warriors, improving damage, hit chance, and defense.
Ring of the Warrior	Overall good ring for the Warriors, improving damage, hit chance, and defense.
Dawn Ring	Significantly improves strength, which results in higher damage. This is a late-game ring, so it will have minimal impact.
The Lucky Stone	Gives +1 to all attributes. Excellent ring when starting the game.
The Wicked Oath	Gives bonus stamina regeneration and armor penetration. Moreover, the critical damage increase will work with a few two-handed talents.
Band of Fire	Good early-game ring, providing a bonus constitution for higher survivability.

How to use the Build

In this section, I would like to go through some general tips on how to correctly utilize the build.

Main mechanics

In this part, I would like to go through the core mechanics of the build. Although this is a companion build it is still crucial to understand how to best utilize it in the party composition. Gladly, the Two-handed build is fairly simple, companions will mostly run around, attack and use various active talents.

Sustained Abilities

For this Dual Wield build, various sustained abilities can be used. The build does not use many activate talents, so you need a minimal amount of them.

Here is what I recommend:

1. Indomitable - the key talent in making the Two-Hander the ultimate warrior. Due to long action animations being able to withstand an attack that would knock you down is crucial.
2. Berserk - improves damage and provides additional mental resistance.

Here are some optional ones:

1. Threaten - use this if you want Alistair to generate more threat and to better hold aggro.
2. Powerful Swings - this can be activated to further boost damage. However, I would only use it once you have picked its upgrade of Two-Handed Strength.

Early Game Tactics

These are the tactics that I would use for the early game, up until levels 10-12. The game up to this point can be very hard, so you might need to do some cheesing. A few things of note:

• Active talents are very useful as they will allow Alistair to circumvent low attack values early in the game.
• I recommend starting from the Scrapper preset and updating.

Late Game Tactics

These tactics are aimed towards the late game when you have most of the build talents covered:

•  A lot of active talents for different enemy types and combat situations
• I suggest starting from the Scrapper preset

Conclusion

Thank you for reading the Alistair Two-Hander Build post for Dragon Age: Origins. The build offers a very powerful and sturdy setup for Alistair. This will deal good damage, apply strong control, and also can distract enemies with good late-game gear.

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