Who did you pick? And why?

I didn't pick in advance. Try to be as little spoiler as possible. My first PT I slept with everyone but Fenris. I felt like Merrill was oblivious to ALL flirting until the "get together" scene and then it was a bit over the top. Maybe she's different with a male Hawke but for a fem Hawke, that's what it felt like, and it was a turn off for me.

Isabelle replied to each flirt with a flirt of her own, but she flirts heavily with Fenris and anyone else who isn't an idiot. Then we get to the big scene, and it's implied strongly that it was just a bit of fun? I mean... I know you can turn it into more than a fling without argument (have only seen full romance online)... but if I sleep with someone and they play it off as meaningless... I don't feel very loved?

Then I hit Anders. He responded to each flirt with understanding and never casual sexy like. Then he gets really passionate, almost overwhelmed, and makes it clear that he's been into you all along. It's just intense and seems like a real relationship (as much real as it can get). Also, a scene later about a family member event, he's got the best lines for. Everyone else is awkward.

I'm doing Fenris now. He respectfully accepts your flirts, seems almost shocked that you would give him attention... and compliments you in a very cool way. He's got hangups, and you have to more patient with him than I suspect you have to be with Isabella. But I think he's worth it for the right Hawke. And his smexy scene is very...energetic.

I don't pick them in advance anymore. At least not for the first playthrough. I tried that with both DA2 and DAI and both times I ended up romancing a different character. So I like to just wait and see which one my character has chemistry with and what would make a good story for them. Same goes for which companions I end up liking and taking with me the most.

There were some things that had already been spoiled for me before I got the game, so when I first played, I had a fairly good idea who to romance (Anders) and what path to follow with him (Friendship). Now I can safely say that his romance is one of my two favourite ones (the second one being Fenris'). In fact, every time I play Dragon Age 2, it's hard for me to reject him (and when I do, it still makes me feel rather guilty). Others before me have talked about the romance, so I'll just say that I like how he's romantic, passionate about his beliefs and about his love for Hawke and isn't afraid to say how he feels. Sure, there are some lines here and there that, under different circumstances, they would have been dismissed as rather cheesy, but Howden (Ander's VA) nails them (his cry when Hawke gets KO'ed is heartbreaking). And that kiss... whew.

With that said, I actually thought that he worked better with a Male Hawke, due to some lines that are exclusive for that option and give the romance some unexpected gravitas.

Fenris... I'll keep it brief, though there are a lot of things that I would have liked to say about it. Suffice to say, I like his romance for different reasons, though the passion is definitely there, especially in Act 2 and 3. There's something sweet about having the chance to earn his trust and love step by step. He's cautious and guarded for very good reasons and finally seeing him lower the barriers for Hawke - especially if they're a mage - is quite beautiful. Both paths work for him, and Rivalmance is very hot, but I prefer the Friendship path with him.

I've romanced Isabella and Merrill a couple of times, and I did enjoy them, too, especially Isabella's - she seemed to click with my warrior Hawke.

I still have to do a few romances simply because I keep going for Merrill. She is just to adorable. I just started a whole Origins and on set of playthroughs so hopefully when I get back to DA2 I can do something different... but I don't know...

I don't pick ahead of time (I don't typically even know who the the LIs might be) and instead go with the one I fancy, or who pairs well with my character. DA2 was rare in that I already knew by accident that Anders was available.

…And I went with Anders my first play (friendship) and he is my favorite. He easily clicked with my cheeky rebel-mage Hawke and I was not disappointed. But I had also adored him since Awakening, so that was an extra boost for me liking him. Like others said, he is very passionate and also compassionate and his romance, for me, felt genuine in part because, yeah, he’d been crushing Hawke all along. I do enjoy the romance more with a male Hawke because of some exclusive content which makes it feel even deeper and stronger, but it’s still worthwhile with a female and just as special -- though some of the flirt dialogue with femHawke can be a bit cringe. I also love how open, unabashed he is with his affections. Hell, he’s the only LI in the game to give Hawke a sweet pet-name which he uses often.   Once I started seriously romancing Anders I didn't look back. Me and him against the world? No problem.


Only after my first playthrough do I start constructing characters and their romances because I have a better understanding of what’s going on (though I flirted with everyone the first time, except Isabela because I read about and her one-night-stand and didn't want to complicate matters). So I've romanced everyone and sincerely enjoyed all of them (although Merrill's romance, while sweet, didn't hit me like the other 3 -- though she does have the cutest goddamn romance armor. (As an Andersmancer I'm jealous of the other LIs because he doesn't wear anything special.)) I think they’re all worth waiting for but it shouldn’t be forgotten that we take the good with the bad, because none of them are perfect.

All my romances so far have been friendships, so I can’t comment on the rivals.

I usually pick who i plan to romance well in advance of playing a game. I've only played Dragon Age 2 once and romanced Isabela simply because i liked her and her personality the best out of the two female options. I would only use friendly romance as i have no desire to be a rival to anyone on my team.

The only time i've played the game i got everyone up to max friendship except for Fenris.

I did a rivalry romance with Merrill once. It is easy to do but for me it was difficult. I felt bad at some points.

Nice or insincere? Do not get me wrong, it's not a bad way (I have a pro-mage, who romanced Fenris on 100% friendship), just I curious, that your Hawke how much compromise is forced to conclude with Fenris or Anders for example.

But Fenris stayed at your side, if I understand correctly, or not?

Unless you friendshipped him and than sided with the mages, in which case he'd try to kill you for your deed... 

Yes of course, you're right (you know ), just I asked (was a similar thread on the old Bioware forum).