Dragon Age: Origins – Awakening Preview

IGN was able to get their hands on an early copy of Dragon Age: Origins – Awakening, and have since produced a two-page preview detailing the expansion pack’s new content.

Your existing characters are likely to have already unlocked and purchased at least two specializations, but Awakening may have you considering saving those respec points and trying out the two new specializations offered for each class. And since you get another specialization point at level 22 now, you can go into battle with three different specializations under your belt. As before, there are unlock requirements, either based on completing certain story elements or simply passing a level restriction.

Mages can learn to become Keepers, assuming they haven’t been soured on the whole idea after figuring out what was really going on the Brecilian Forest. As Keepers they focus on the traditional protective, nature-oriented styles of Dalish magic. Mages who often find themselves in the thick of the action might prefer to train as a Battlemage. Not only does it grant a minor health regen during combat, but it also opens up some nice protective and close-fighting spells.

Warriors can shift towards mages by selecting the Spirit Warrior specialization, which allows them to use certain Fade abilities during combat. The warrior trained as a Guardian will excel at protecting allies with group buffs.