Understanding Approval Ratings
Approval ratings in Dragon Age: Inquisition reflect how much each companion appreciates your choices, personality, and actions throughout the game. Approval can increase or decrease based on:
- Dialogue choices during conversations.
- Decisions made during quests.
- Actions taken in the world, such as how you handle conflicts.
Each companion has unique preferences, and understanding these can help you foster better relationships.
Importance of Approval
1. Companion Loyalty: High approval leads to companion loyalty, unlocking special quests and abilities.
2. Romantic Relationships: Certain companions can become romantic interests, but this is contingent upon maintaining a positive approval rating.
3. Quest Outcomes: The choices you make can influence how companions react to events, potentially altering quest outcomes.
4. Party Dynamics: Approval affects how well companions work together in battle and how they respond to your leadership.
Companion Approval Mechanics
Each companion has a specific approval scale ranging from -100 to +100. Here’s how the approval system works:
- Positive Actions: Completing quests that align with a companion’s values increases approval.
- Negative Actions: Making choices that conflict with a companion’s beliefs can lead to a decrease in approval.
- Dialogue Choices: Selecting dialogue options that resonate with a companion’s personality can boost approval.
Approval Thresholds
- 0 to 25: Neutral. The companion has no strong feelings about you.
- 26 to 50: Positive. The companion respects you and may open up in conversations.
- 51 to 75: High. You gain access to personal quests and can influence their storyline.
- 76 to 100: Maxed Out. You have secured a strong relationship, often leading to romance options.
Companion-Specific Approval Strategies
Each companion in Dragon Age: Inquisition has their own set of preferences. Below is a breakdown of key companions and strategies to maximize their approval.
1. Cassandra Pentaghast
Cassandra is a Seeker of Truth and values honor, duty, and justice.
- Positive Choices:
- Support the Chantry.
- Make decisions that uphold justice.
- Show compassion to the oppressed.
- Negative Choices:
- Betrayal of trust.
- Decisions that seem selfish or power-hungry.
2. Varric Tethras
Varric, the witty dwarf, appreciates humor and storytelling.
- Positive Choices:
- Engage in humor and witty banter.
- Make choices that favor the underdog.
- Negative Choices:
- Being overly serious or dismissive.
- Neglecting the importance of friendship and camaraderie.
3. Iron Bull
Iron Bull, a Qunari mercenary, values strength, loyalty, and freedom.
- Positive Choices:
- Emphasize loyalty and camaraderie.
- Show strength in battle and leadership.
- Negative Choices:
- Acting cowardly or betraying allies.
- Disrespecting the Qunari culture.
4. Solas
As a knowledgeable elf and a mage, Solas is deeply connected to elven culture and lore.
- Positive Choices:
- Show respect for elven history.
- Engage in philosophical discussions.
- Negative Choices:
- Disregarding elven culture or history.
- Making choices that harm the Fade or magical balance.
5. Dorian Pavus
Dorian, a Tevinter mage, values intelligence, freedom, and personal integrity.
- Positive Choices:
- Support progressive and liberal ideas.
- Respect his background and struggles with his identity.
- Negative Choices:
- Displaying bigotry or intolerance.
- Making decisions that reflect poorly on mages.
General Tips for Increasing Approval
While each companion has unique preferences, several general strategies can help you maintain a positive approval rating across the board.
- Be Consistent: Ensure your decisions align with your character's established values to avoid confusion among companions.
- Engage in Personal Quests: Completing companions' personal quests is one of the best ways to increase approval.
- Open Dialogue: Regularly engage your companions in conversation to understand their views better and choose appropriate dialogue options.
- Balance Decisions: Some decisions may please one companion while upsetting another. Aim for a balance based on your party composition.
- Use Gifts Wisely: Giving companions gifts that resonate with their interests can provide a quick boost in approval.
Managing Decreased Approval
Sometimes, despite your best efforts, you may find a companion’s approval has declined. Here’s how to manage and recover from decreased approval:
- Identify the Trigger: Reflect on recent choices or dialogue that may have upset the companion.
- Make Amends: Engage in discussions that address their concerns and show understanding.
- Complete Favor Quests: Some companions may have specific tasks or favors they appreciate; completing these can help regain lost approval.
- Utilize Gifts: When all else fails, a well-chosen gift can mend fences.
Romance and Approval
Romantic relationships in Dragon Age: Inquisition are heavily influenced by approval ratings. To successfully romance a companion, follow these steps:
1. Increase Approval: Aim for a high approval rate before pursuing romance.
2. Choose Romantic Dialogue Options: When available, select dialogue options that express romantic interest.
3. Complete Personal Quests: Ensure you complete their personal quests before progressing too far in the romance.
4. Respect Their Boundaries: Pay attention to their responses; some companions may need time to warm up to the idea of romance.
Conclusion
The Dragon Age Inquisition Approval Guide offers an essential blueprint for navigating the complex relationships within the game. By understanding the approval mechanics, companion preferences, and employing strategic dialogue choices, players can build strong alliances, unlock powerful abilities, and explore rich narrative threads. Whether you're seeking to maintain friendships, foster loyalty, or pursue romance, the key lies in recognizing the values and desires of your companions. As you journey through Thedas, remember that every choice counts, shaping not only your character's destiny but the fates of those who stand beside you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the importance of approval in Dragon Age: Inquisition?
Approval affects how characters interact with the Inquisitor, influencing dialogue options, potential romances, and the overall story outcome.
How can I increase approval with my companions?
You can increase approval by making decisions that align with their values, completing their personal quests, and choosing dialogue options that resonate positively with them.
What are some actions that negatively impact companion approval?
Choosing options that go against a companion's beliefs, failing to complete their personal quests, or making decisions that they disapprove of can lower their approval.
Are there specific gifts I can give to increase approval?
Yes, each companion has specific gifts they appreciate, which can significantly boost their approval when given.
How does approval affect romance options in Dragon Age: Inquisition?
Higher approval ratings with companions unlocks deeper romance dialogues and options, while low approval can prevent romance from developing.
Can I lose companion approval permanently?
While approval can fluctuate, it is possible to irreparably damage a relationship if certain major choices are made, especially during critical plot moments.
What are some dialogue choices that generally increase approval?
Choices that show compassion, understanding, and a willingness to help others tend to increase companion approval.
Is there a way to track companion approval levels?
Yes, you can view individual companion approval levels in the character menu, which shows their current approval status and any changes.
Do all companions have the same approval thresholds?
No, different companions have unique approval thresholds and preferences, requiring tailored approaches to maximize their approval.
Can I reset or change a companion's approval rating?
While you cannot reset approval ratings directly, you can improve relationships through specific actions and choices moving forward.
