Oghren build – the Drunkard - Dragon Age: Origins (DAO)

When Oghren joined my party and started conversations with Wynne and Leliana, my jaw dropped. I would stop from moving and listen to what new shenanigan this Dwarf would think of. I think he is a great addition to the party with his drunk talks.

Attributes

For this build, your aim is to concentrate on Strength. However, if you feel that you are missing too many hits, put some points into dexterity every two levels

• Dexterity: enough so that you will not miss the attacks. A minimum value of 30 should be sufficient for most of the game

• Strength: +3. Al other points should go here, for maximum damage.

Skills

• Tactics: 3-4 levels

• Combat training: Max

If you will have any points left, you can invest them into survival

Specializations

Oghren comes with Berserker specialization. The second one should be Champion. These specializations should provide good synergy. The Champion specialization will give access to Warcry and Rally. While with Berserker you will obtain talent to increase your damage

Talents and spells

• Warrior: get a whole Powerful row, additional kills will restore your stamina

• Two-Handed You should aim to get Powerful Swings as this is the idea of the build. Hitting with strong attacks but they have a higher chance to miss. As you level up you should have all two-handed skills

• Berserker: all skills

• Champion: all skills if you will have skill points left

Here is in what order I recommend to spend the ability points:

Order	Skill	Description
1	Powerful Swings	The main sustained ability that Oghren will have activated. It will greatly increase damage with each weapon swing
2	Two-Handed Strength	Will decrease penalty to attack from Powerful Swings
3	Stunning Blows	There is a chance that each swing with a Two-handed weapon will stun an enemy
4	Constraint	Reduces the penalty for stamina regeneration while berserk is active
5	Critical Strike	Guarantees a critical hit if the attack connects. Extremely strong ability
6	Final Blow	Very strong ability, that Oghren can use at the beginning of the fight against a strong enemy. It drains all stamina but gives bonus damage.
7	Sunder Armor	Weakens enemy armor. Especially useful against strong enemies, that have large amounts of HP.
8	Destroyer	Each normal hit can sunder enemy armor.
9	Two-Handed Sweep	Extremely good ability, that allows Oghren to knock out enemies in wide AOE.
10	Death Blow	A passive ability that after each kill will restore some stamina for Oghren.
11	War Cry	An optional ability that can be used so that Oghren could weaken enemy defenses. This way he can be sure to hit them while Powerful Swings are active

Gear

In this section, I will go through what gear you should equip on Oghren to make him shine. Your priority should be increased stamina as you will use a lot of talents to deal damage

Weapons

have in mind that dexterity is extremely important for you. It will increase your chances to hit while Powerful Swings are active

Item	Details
Chasind Great Maul	An extremely good maul. It provides increased damage, three rune slots, and an increase in stamina. Perfect for a build that uses many active abilities
Nug Crusher	If you play Return to Ostagar early, you can get this Maul. It gives increases dexterity and stamina.
Starfang (Greatsword)	This greatsword increases your attack, perfect synergy with Powerful Swings
Dragonbone Cleaver	To get this axe you will need to play WItch Hunt DLC and kill Varterral

Helms

Item	Details
Helm of Honnleath	This is the best helmet in the game. It is THE BEST option. It will increase Oghren's damage and stamina
Corruption Helm	Although this is an extremely good helmet, you obtain it close to the end of the game. It will boost dexterity allowing Oghrento avoid more enemy attacks, especially if you chose him as a tank.
Cailan's Helm	Use the helmet together with the Cailan's armor set. The helmet gives bonus armor and mental resistance
Executioner’s Helm	This helmet provides bonus stamina so that Oghren could use more active abilities
Bergen’s Honor	Great helmet that you can buy in the Party Camp. Not only does it boost your defensive stats but it also provides a bonus attack. This results in fewer attacks being missed while Powerful Swings are active
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

Armors

There are many good options with armors that Oghren can pick. My best recommendation would be Legion of the Dead armor set. It increases damage directly and has tier 7 material.

For more defensive options you can go with: Wade Superior Heavy Dragonscale armor set, Cailan armor set, or Warden Commander's armor set. They will decrease fatigue and allow for more talents usage: Two-handed sweep, Mighty blow, etc.

Item	Details
Armor of the Legion	Part of the Legion of the Dead armor set. The armor by itself provides 3 willpower allowing to have a larger stamina pool
Evon the Great’s Mail	Counts toward Wade's Superior Heavy Dragonscale armor set. Provides larger bonuses than base armor
Wade's Superior Heavy Dragonscale Armor	If you cannot afford Evon the Great’s Mail
Cailan's Breastplate	Use the armor together with the Cailan's armor set. The chest piece gives additional armor and physical resistance
Warden Commander Armor	Use it together with the Warden Commander Armor set. The armor provides stamina regeneration and armor
Blood Dragon plate	I recommend using this armor early in the game because you get it with the Ultimate Edition and no investment is needed. Later on, switch it with one of the armor sets mentioned above

Gloves

Match the gloves with the set that you chose for Oghren

Item	Details
Gloves of the Legion	Part of the Legion of the Dead armor set
Wade's Superior Heavy Dragonscale Gauntlets	Use it for Wade's Superior Heavy Dragonscale armor set.
Cailan's Gauntlets	Use it together with the Cailan's armor set. The gloves will be effective with a Critical Strike ability.
Warden Commander Gloves	Equip together with the Warden Commander armor set. The gloves give a bonus of 10% fire resistance

Boots

Item	Details
Boots of the Legion	Part of the Legion of the Dead armor set. unfortunately, the boots by themselves, do not provide any bonuses
Wade's Superior Heavy Dragonscale Boots	Use it together with other Wade's Superior Heavy Dragonscale armor set items.
Cailan's Greaves	Use it together with the Cailan's armor set. The boots provide additional armor.
Warden Commander Boots	Equip together with the Warden Commander armor set. The boots give a bonus of 50 stamina

Belts

Item	Details
Andruil’s Blessing	The best belt in the game provides a large boost to all stats and gives stamina regeneration
Cinch of Skillful Maneuvering	You get this belt after you finish Witch Hunt DLC. So it may not be accessible to everyone. It provides +1 to all attributes
Dalish Hunter's Belt	Provides bonus stamina regeneration. Good belt to allow Oghren to use more abilities.
Dwarven Warrior's Belt	This belt can only be obtained if your main character has Dwarven commoner origin. It provides a bonus to armor and strength
Dwarven Smith's Belt	This belt provides +1 armor. Not as good as the other options, but can be useful early in the game

Amulets

Item	Details
The High Regard of House Dace	You could call this overpowered amulet. It gives a lot of cunning, stamina, stamina regeneration, etc. However, to get it you need to finish Golems of Amgarrak DLC.
Pearl of the Anointed	+1 to all attributes, good all-around amulet
Heart of Witherfang	This amulet gives +1 to strength, although you will have to kill Witherfang

Rings

Item	Details
Key to the City	As this is one of the best rings in the game it may be taken by the main character. However, if there is a possibility, equip it on Oghren for +2 to all attributes
Dawn Ring	This ring is extremely good and provides +4 to strength. Unfortunately, it is available quite late in the game
Harvest Festival Ring	Equip this ring if you want Oghren to deal more damage and miss fewer attacks.
Ring of the Warrior	Similar to Harvest Festival Ring, however, does not provide a bonus attack
The Lucky Stone	Another good ring, that provides +1 to all attributes.
Band of Fire	A decent starter ring until you get the ones mentioned above. Gives bonus constitution

Best Tactics

As you will be heavy hitting two-handed warrior, you need to utilize yourself to the fullest.

First at the start of the combat move to the group of enemies and use a Two-Handed sweep, to knock them down. Then you can concentrate using your skills on mages or archers.

It is fairly simple but you need to execute this right, otherwise, you will be crushed by Mages.

Conclusion

Heavy-hitting dwarf build. Works well and you can have Oghren with his banter while dealing a tremendous amount of damage.

Please share your opinion on the build below!