Leliana Dual Wield Build - Dragon Age: Origins (DAO)
Contents
Leliana Dual Wield Build
Leliana is encountered in Lothering's Tavern where she will help the Warden to fight a few mercenaries. She is a Chantry sister and from the get-go she poses some questions about her motivations.
Now, the build goes all in with Dual weapons, creating a very powerful setup. With Haste, Momentum, and high Cunning you will be shredding foes one after another. The major problem with rogues is backstabbing.
However, thanks to Dual Striking, the build can attack with both weapons at the cost of disabling the backstab mechanic. This is not the problem, as AI is not able to go behind the enemy's backs efficiently. So you are better off increasing normal hit damage and not worrying about this mechanic.
Leliana will still maintain her Bard core, so Song of Courage will play a vital role in maximizing the party's combat effectiveness.
Attributes
In this section, I would like to review the recommended attributes for Leliana Dual Wield 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.
| Attribute | Description |
|---|---|
| Strength - 18-20 | You need 20 to wear the best light armor. However, 18 might be enough as you can get some bonuses to strength from various gear in the game. Leliana should come with this by default. |
| Dexterity - 30 | Enough dexterity to wear the best weapons and unlock all required Dual Weapon talents. Moreover, it will allow you to sustain a good hit rate. |
| Cunning - MAX | The most important late-game stat. It will boost dual weapon damage thanks to the Lethality talent. Moreover, sustained ability - Song of Courage depends on it. |
You could argue that higher strength would allow wearing better weapons - Starfang (longsword), The Veshialle, etc. However, Leliana is already limited on the stat allocation and I would not spread them more.
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.
| Skill | Level | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Pickpocket | 4 | As Leliana starts with Pickpocketing, I do not see a reason not to take this further. This can help with some lucrative targets. |
| Poison-Making | 2 | Allows using coatings to improve damage. To be fair I do not use this much as I usually control the main character. |
| Combat Training | 4 | The most important skill, which improves attack and defense but also unlocks higher tier talents for the Dual Weapon tree. |
| Combat Tactics | 2 | Unlocks new tactics slots. The build does not need a lot, but having a few more will make it easier to optimize for various combat situations. |
Specializations
| Specialization | Description |
|---|---|
| Bard | The specialization that Leliana comes with. It is also the core of this build allowing to improve damage based on Cunning with Song of Courage. |
The second specialization is kind of a big decision. I would go with Assassin. The Leliana build is already strapped for talent points, so here are my logic and recommendations:
| Specialization | Description |
|---|---|
| Assassin | This is a perfect specialization for characters with high Cunning and using Dual Wielding. Leliana will be in close range, making it perfect use for the Mark of Death. |
| Duelist | This is also a decent pick. You get a passive boost of +1 damage. However, to get the most out of it, the specialization will require a 3-point investment to get Dueling + Keen Defense. |
Talents
In this section, I would like to go through the recommended talents for Leliana Dual Wield Build. They are important in optimizing the various bonuses and what actions are unlocked.
Bard
| Talent | Description |
|---|---|
| Song of Valor | So the mana regeneration rate is pretty average. You can use it in the early game, but it will be outclassed by the next song. |
| Distraction | Taken for progression. |
| Song of Courage | The core ability of the build, gives improved damage, attack, and critical chance values based on how high your cunning is. |
Assassin
In my opinion, only one pick is relevant here, as others will not be utilized due to the AI not attacking with Backstabs.
| Talent | Description |
|---|---|
| Mark of Death | Increases all damage against the target by 20%. Excellent against bosses or Lieutenants. |
Rogue
Dirty Fighting tree
| Talent | Description |
|---|---|
| Dirty Fighting | The base talent that Leliana has unlocked. It is excellent against enemies that come into melee range. |
Below the Belt tree
| Talent | Description |
|---|---|
| Below the Belt | Can be used as a swift attack at close range, otherwise nothing special. |
| Deadly Strike | Taken for progression. |
| Lethality | One of the core talents, as this enables you to use Leliana's high Cunning for weapon damage calculations instead of strength. |
Deft Hands tree
| Talent | Description |
|---|---|
| Deft Hands | These 3 will ensure that you can unlock all the chests in the game. You will also need 30 Cunning, which will be reached by Leliana in about the mid-game. I do not recommend the 4th level as you will be limited on skill points. |
| Improved Tools | |
| Mechanical Expertise |
Dual Weapon tree
Dual-Weapon Training tree
| Talent | Description |
|---|---|
| Dual-Weapon Training | Improves the off-hand weapon damage. |
| Dual-Weapon Finesse | Gives bonuses to attack and defense when dual-wielding to improve combat performance. |
Dual Striking Tree
Due to the limited amount of talent points, I do not go deeper here.
| Talent | Description |
|---|---|
| Dual Striking | This is one of the core talents of the build. It will allow Leliana to attack with both weapons and forgo the Backstabbing mechanic. This will make her stronger in normal encounters and circumvent the bad AI pathing. |
| Riposte | One of a few talents that can stun enemies and apply control. |
Dual-Weapon Sweep Tree
| Talent | Description |
|---|---|
| Dual-Weapon Sweep | Mainly for progression, but can be useful in the early game for dealing damage. |
| Flurry | Only for progression. |
| Momentum | Drastically improves attack speed. However, if you have a mage with Haste, check the recommended mods that address high attack speed bugs. |
| Whirlwind | Late game pick, which allows you to instantly take out or damage multiple enemies surrounding Leliana. |
Equipment
The gear you use with Leliana Dual Dagger Build will play a crucial role in combat. There are various combos that you can go with. The build relies on light gear and daggers.
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 |
|---|---|
 The Rose’s Thorn |
The best dagger in the game giving good bonuses and three rune slots. |
 The Edge |
One of the best daggers that you get very early. It gives a big direct damage boost and only needs 26 dexterity to wear. |
 Dead Thaig Shanker |
Gives a significant boost to cunning - the main damage stat. |
| Duncan’s Dagger |
Very good dagger, especially if you can obtain or upgrade it to a higher tier for 3 rune slots. The +10 damage to dragons is amazing against dragon bosses. |
| Thorn of the Dead Gods |
This dagger depends on the tier at which you obtain it. At tier 6, it is one of the best picks. |
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. |
 First Enchanter's Cowl |
Can be used together with other dodge items to greatly boost survivability. |
 Quicksilver Arming Cap |
+2 Cunning which will improve both damage and aura effect. |
| Free Scout Arming Cap |
+2 Dexterity boost. This improves your dagger damage and increases defense. |
| Longrunner’s Cap |
Improved stamina regeneration is a good bonus if you do not have any of the above headwear. |
Armor
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
 The Felon’s Coat |
Boosts dexterity, increasing your damage. It will also increase stamina regeneration, allowing it to sustain Momentum for much longer. |
| Battledress of the Provocateur |
A safer option, that also gives a +15% chance to dodge, giving a significant boost to survivability. In addition, you get bonus dexterity and armor. |
| Wade’s Superior Drakeskin Leather Armor |
I only recommend equipping this together with Wade's Superior Drakeskin armor set. The armor by itself provides a bonus to dexterity |
| Shadow of the Empire |
A decent early-game armor, that gives bonuses to dexterity and strength. I would recommend delaying this and obtaining other powerful ones unless you have plenty of gold. |
| Dalish Armor |
Best pick for the early game armors. Moreover, you can equip it with other items for the Dalish Leather armor set bonus. |
Gloves
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
 Gloves of Guile |
Gives a significant boost to armor penetration. |
| Wade’s Superior Drakeskin Gloves |
Give's +1 to Dexterity. Best to wear with Wade's Superior Drakeskin armor set, but can be worn alone |
 Qunari Siege Gauntlets |
Gives 1.5 point armor penetration bonus |
 Dalish Gloves |
Use these gloves together with Dalish Leather armor set |
Boots
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
 Silverhammer’s Tackmasters |
Gives +2 to Dexterity. Best boots for the Rogue in terms of damage. |
| Wade’s Superior Drakeskin Boots |
You can also wear them without Wade's Superior Drakeskin armor set as they give bonus Dexterity. |
 The Lion's Paw |
Provides a bonus dodge chance, which can improve the build's survivability when in close range combat |
| Bard’s Dancing Shoes |
A decent boost to defense, to make it easier to avoid enemy attacks. |
| Dalish Boots |
Great early boots that you can obtain cheap in Dalish Camp. Use these boots together with the Dalish Leather armor set |
Accessories
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
 Andruil’s Blessing |
The best belt available all around. Still, this will probably be used by the main character. |
 Guildmaster's Belt |
+3 Cunning, which is a significant boost to damage and also provides a bonus chance to dodge attacks. |
 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. |
| Dalish Hunter's Belt |
Both of these belts give a boost to stamina regeneration. This is a low priority but still somewhat relevant, especially in the early game. |
 Dalish Leather Belt |
Amulets
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
 The High Regard of House Dace |
The best amulet in terms of offensive power as it improves Cunning. |
 The Spellward |
Considered one of the best amulets in the game as it gives spell resistance and dodge chance increase. |
 Pearl of the Anointed |
The +1 to all attributes is a significant boost, especially at the start of the game. |
 Magister's Shield |
Improves defense and spell resistance. |
 Mark of Vigilance |
Provides defense and resistance bonuses. |
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. |
 Dusk Ring |
Sacrifice 1 point in strength (this should not be a problem in the late game) to gain +3 Cunning. |
 The Lucky Stone |
+1 to all attributes that improve all the core stats of the build. |
 Harvest Festival Ring |
Improves dexterity and strength. The ring is perfect to gain attributes to wear the best armors in the game and save attribute points. |
 Silverleaf |
+1 Cunning which is not much, but still a relevant addition to the build's core talents. |
 Ring of the Warrior |
Improves dexterity and strength. |
 Keeper’s Ring |
+1 Dexterity for improved damage, attack, and defense. |
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.
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:
- Song of Courage - one of the core talents, improving the damage of all party members. This effect stacks based on the Cunning attribute.
- Dual Striking - attacks with both weapons at the same time. This does disable critical hits and backstabbing. However, as AI cannot effectively flank enemies this is a small cost.
- Momentum - greatly improves the attack speed of dual wielder. It can be bugged if you are playing without recommended mods. So if you have a mage with Haste I would disable this.
Cunning - Damage, Lockpicking and Traps
The main stat of this build is Cunning. Thanks to Lethality it is used for damage calculation instead of strength. Why is this important?
- It improves armor penetration which results in more damage against heavily armored enemies.
- Improves the Song of Courage effect giving even more boost to damage.
- Increases the lockpicking and trap disarm capabilities.
So as you can see, with a single attribute the build receives a significant boost to damage and utility during world exploration.
Maintaining high attack speed
So I already mentioned this a few times, but there are various bugs with dual wielding and in general attack speed. The main one is that if your attack speed reaches above 50% percent you start hitting slowly. This can happen easily:
- Momentum - 30% attack speed
- Haste - 25% attack speed
Sadly, for rogues, there is no easy way to fix this. You either have to disable Haste or Momentum or install recommended mods that address this issue.
No backstabbing or critical hits
What makes this build special is that you forgo one of the core aspects of rogue - backstabs. This is an intentional step. AI is not smart enough to flank enemies and most of the time will do this accidentally.
To maximize the build damage it is better to use the Dual Striking sustained ability which improves damage by attacking with both weapons at the same time. Now, Leliana can go straight into combat, without worrying about not dealing maximum damage.
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:
- Set Behaviour to Aggressive.
- You can unlock the Dual Striking talent at level 8. Before that, I would use her with a bow or switch to Dog or Sten (if you don't need lockpicking capabilities).
- For very early in the game Lothering, Leliana can use a bow to draw enemies one by one.
Late Game Tactics
These tactics are aimed towards the late game when you have most of the build talents covered:
- Auto-attacks will make the most of your damage.
- Active talents are still useful, particularly for stunning foes or applying the Mark of Death on bosses.
- I do think that leaving Leliana to go after one enemy after another is better than following the main character. Her damage in the late game will be huge and she can take care of small fodder very fast.
Conclusion
Thank you for reading the Leliana Dual Wield Build post for Dragon Age: Origins. I think this option is a very powerful pick as dual-wield weapons come with solid damage and extremely fast attack speed. She will also provide good utilities like picklocking and trap disarming.
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