Dragon Age: Origins Preview

GameSpot has published yet another preview for Dragon Age: Origins, and this time they finally dive into the game’s character skills and talents.

Rogues and warriors share a few combat style-related talent trees, including dual weapons and archery (both of which include four talent trees with four unique lines of skills), though only warriors may also use the weapon-and-shield and two-handed weapon talents. Dual weapons talents include three individual trees pertaining to more-skillful wielding of two weapons, additional attacks, and sweeping attacks that strike all enemies in range. Archery includes three talent trees that focus on increasing the usefulness of archery in battle (especially at close range, where archery is normally at a disadvantage); precise single shots; and rapidly firing multiple arrows.

Weapon-and-shield style includes three different talent trees that focus on skills that provide shield-bashing melee attacks that stun enemies; a defensive stance that defends against missile attacks; and a melee defense stance that eventually affords the warrior additional protection from flanking and rear attacks. The two-handed talent tree includes three lines of talents for a line of stunning attacks; a debilitating set of attacks that reduces enemies’ armor and attack skills; and a set of skills that focuses on swinging huge, powerful swings that deal enormous damage.