Let's Rank All the DA Companions

Sure, why not

Adored:

1 Anders
2 Dorian
3 Nathaniel
4 Cassandra
5 Alistair

Loved:

6 Solas
7 Carver
8 Wynne
9 Fenris
10 Velanna
11 Varric
12 Sebastian
13 Sera
14 Avelinne

Liked:

15 Vivienne
16 Merrill
17 Sten
18 Sigrun
19 Shale
20 Zevran
21 Justice
22 Cole

Disliked:

23 Oghren
24 Leliana
25 Bethany
26 Blackwall


Hated:

27 Iron Bull
28 Isabela
29 Morrigan

Did not recruit (and had no wish to)

Loghain

It’s easy to criticize the author of the article, but she did manage to write all those sketches… so I’ve tried to emulate with at least a few. Well, for the two of my favorite characters that really eclipse all others. EDIT: three, actually.


1. Anders

Anders is great take on the anachronistic yet appealing concept of a revolutionary attempting a “propaganda by the deed”, a concept harkening to the late nineteenth century France and Russia.

It is a risky character concept in the Western world that is spooked by the specter of terrorism. However, it produces the kind of an enigmatic, passionate, on the brink, controversial character as the real men and women that once espoused those views. An average Westerner cannot fully empathize with Anders, precisely because his mindset is condemned by the public opinion by the decades that elapsed since Bakunin was the thing, and we are so cautious in trying to sort out our feelings in respect to freedom fighters, terrorists, anarchist, just wars, etc. Anders hits closer to modern times and he is more “real” than the more cartoonish and easy to digest typical bad boys (and girls) of the BioWARE games with bad childhoods, edgy and rude dialogues, and redemption between the sheets.

Anders is not like them, because from the beginning to end, he is a kindly character openly demonstrating compassion, the need for attachment, the ability to love, depressive streaks, and yet, in the end, he is still driven to commit his act of provocation. I am not hot on the fantastic element of Anders’ road towards revolution, as I believe it often is used by the players to try to ignore that it is his nature, not Justice’s.

In the end, I got the feeling, if Anders was not throwing himself at the players’ mercy, he’d be on the streets trying to heal those he’d inadvertently injured.

Because of that feeling the game created, I feel that the risky, complex character like that deserves the #1 on my list.

2 Dorian

If Anders belongs in the late nineteenth century, Dorian is more of a guest from the eighteenth and the twentieth. Some of his attitudes bring the inquisitive spirit of Enlightenment to mind, but cautious respect towards the major religion as something on which intellectual peace treaty was reached long ago, and post-Imperial hangover is from the twentieth.

Dorian’s most incredible quality for me is how well he captures and brings to surface multiple issues that lay hidden in many a person’s soul and we don’t speak of it because we are afraid that we’ll encounter eye-rolls and open hostility from the rest of the society.

If you are like me, you’ve just buried these issues, and moved on with your life. But when Dorian talked, and talked passionately, I found myself nodding along and listening, because a character in a video-game is literally the only construct that “gets it”.

I am not talking about his sexuality. I hope he strikes the cord there with gay players; it makes me feel compassionate. Where Dorian attracted me beyond reasonable expectations from a video-game character, was everything else. His resentment of his countrymen clutching to the Imperial past, while not even appreciating it. His outrage at hypocrisy of politics and ideology. His disillusionment with things he was taught as a child, but his need to still defend it in the face of the criticism and abject hatred from the outsiders. His self-imposed exile, because there is not much he can do to change Tevinter.

Dorian’s return to Tevinter in Trespasser, and him put on the path of evidently enacting the reforms in a glossy sort of way is why he is #2, not #1. Anders’ story, and the eventual futility of his efforts, is way more realistic and poignant. Honestly, if PC is going to help Dorian “fix” Tevinter in DA4 to the acceptable government model, Dorian is going to drop down on my list, though I understand the need for the plot in a video-game, and the need to “fix” Tevinter most players probably do experience by the end of Inquisition.

For the passionate dialogues that made me feel something long-forgotten and a touch of nostalgia for having pride once when I was young, Dorian is #2 on my list.

3 Nathaniel

Nathaniel Howe is more of a standard fare of the video-games, brooding, attractive and an archer, wanting to exact revenge for the wrings inflicted upon his family. A pleasant twist to this character is that that revenge is against the player, and that he is surprisingly open minded about the classic situation.

Another nice touch with Nathaniel’s character development is his sister’s quest. After what feels like an untold multitude of sister-in-distress quests supplied by BioWARE, I was pleasantly surprised to find Mrs. Howe living a happy life with a commoner she’d married. That not-angst-ridden rogue, Nathaniel was capable to wrap his head around it without the benefit of a long therapeutic talk with the player, so all good!

In conclusion, in Awakening, Nathaniel Howe was the all-around pleasant gent with a bow, as level-headed as they come in BioWARE games, and that’s a Good Thing.

I don't really hate anyone so this list is based on: favourite to most boring.

1) Vivienne - By far the best companion. Love her voice, sarcasm, biting wit, passive aggressiveness and speech mannerisms. I'm glad that she's resolute in her beliefs and not easily swayed by anyone else. I agree with her Circle stance and she's also handy in battle by soloing dragon fights. Should've been a LI . 

2) Morrigan - I like her for similar reasons. Claudia Black's voice is a big reason why she's ranked second. I like the plot relevance of her character in Origins and Witch Hunt (although her plot relevance in Inquisition as well, seems a bit like overkill). I also like her digs at Alistair throughout Origins.

3) Leliana - Enjoyed her back story in Leliana's song. I like how her character can evolve in Origins.

4) Iron Bull - Best romance in Dragon Age so far. There's the funny scenes at first but it grows into something sweet.  

5) Dog - Faithful mabari needs to be in the top 5! Attacks anything from a wolf to an Archdemon without fail so Dog is one of the most loyal companions.

6) Anders/Justice (DA2) - I completely disagree with his line of thinking regarding the Circles but he's an interesting character. DA2 would've been a lot more boring without him. He never survives the end though.

7) Cole - Interesting and a unique character that provides useful insight on how spirits think. He has the best personal quest in Inquisition. I also like how his character can develop.

8) Sten - Like his bluntness, straightforwardness and brilliant one liners. I also like the fact that he doesn't appreciate being the walking Qunari encyclopaedia.

9) Aveline - The stabilising force whilst Kirkwall goes to hell around her. Again I like the straightforwardness of her character which can be endearing and funny at times. Her banter with Isabela is hilarious.

10) Isabela - Similar reasons to above with regards to the banter. I don't agree with her all the time but she's an interesting character.

11) Sera - I never expected to put her this high on my list because I originally disliked her on my first playthrough. She's another character which stands by her beliefs which I can respect. I like her antagonistic banter with Vivienne.

12) Carver - Annoying brother but cares underneath. I like how his character can develop.

13) Cassandra - Love her accent. She's dependable and reliant in combat and I like her awkward quirkiness.

14) Varric - Wasn't too keen on him in DA2 but he's better in DAI because you get to see another side of his happy-go-lucky nature.

15) Loghain - Interesting character and a survivor. I like the idea of him surviving the 5th Blight and Inquisition to overcome the impossible (like a cockroach).

16) Sebastian - His character added a different flavour to DA2. Should've been in the game and not as a DLC character.

17) Nathaniel - Redemption stories can be a little cliché but I like the fact that he tries to bring back some credibility to the Howe name.

18) Bethany - A nice character and I like how her character can develop.

19) Shale - Generally I like characters with witty put down so in hindsight I should've ranked her higher.

20) Alistair - Too foolish for my tastes. Ranked him here because I like his party banter with others like Morrigan and Wynne.

21) Velanna - She stands out from the rest of the DAA cast because of her aggressive nature. Although I think her character development was short.

22) Zevran - An okay character. His banter with Wynne is funny.

23) Blackwall - Found him bland before his personal quest. He's reliable in combat though.

24) Dorian - Normally I prefer sarcastic/charming companions but he took the bench because Vivienne was my go to mage. Will need to give him a chance on a future run.

25) Fenris - An okay character but too much whining.

26) Sigrun - Potentially an interesting character but didn't get to know her because she's normally benched.

27) Solas - Interesting but hardly used him because Vivienne is the mage in the party. I normally like to keep an even balanced party.

28) Merrill - Voice was grating and didn't get on with her mixed personality of naiveté and obsession. Usually on the bench. 

29) Wynne - Her skills were useful but she's too preachy.

30) Justice - Boring. He also had that irritating skill that made a throbbing noise so this means he was benched as well. I know I could manually deactivate the skill but I'm just too lazy.

31) Oghren - Not interested in him whatsoever.

32) Anders (DAA) - Found his cockiness to be irritating.