Even though I've already finished the game once, I've had this craving of playing it again recently. I think it's because of all the fantasy books I've been reading lately (Song of Ice and Fire, Name of the Wind, etc).

Anyways I started a new game since I didn't like some of old choices (like taking Morigan's offer) and I just picked up the Ultimate edition since I haven't played Awakening or most of the other DLC.

What's the proper quest order. I just finished Lotherin but I'm at a loss as what to do next. I know you should do the Mage Tower before Redcliffe, but do I need to do the Elves before that? If there's no set order, what is the preferred one?

Also I want to sacrifice my character in the final battle since I feel like that is the proper ending, but will that effect the Witch Hunt DLC? Has Bioware mentioned what the canonical ending should be? I want a good save file for DA2...

" @Tearhead: Thanks! That was exactly what I was looking for.  Although it still doesn't answer my question about Witch Hunt. I'm gonna romance Morigan but I don't want to use the Dark Ritual ending since it just feels cheap so I was not even going to talk to her so she never brings it up and doesnt leave my party, so how will that work in the Witch Hunt DLC? I tried googling for it, but I don't want to spoil what happens so I keep hitting a wall. "

I don't think you can avoid the dark ritual coming up.  She's just going to walk into your room at the end and see if you want to get it on regardless.

I don't believe there is a proper quest order. I usually go in order of however I characterise my Warden. ;P Getting the Circle of Magi outta the way is more than often a top priority, though.

" I don't believe there is a proper quest order. I usually go in order of however I characterise my Warden. ;P Getting the Circle of Magi outta the way is more than often a top priority, though. "

" @Enigma777 said:

" @Tearhead: Thanks! That was exactly what I was looking for.  Although it still doesn't answer my question about Witch Hunt. I'm gonna romance Morigan but I don't want to use the Dark Ritual ending since it just feels cheap so I was not even going to talk to her so she never brings it up and doesnt leave my party, so how will that work in the Witch Hunt DLC? I tried googling for it, but I don't want to spoil what happens so I keep hitting a wall. "

Unfortunately, the conversation is forced, and if you don't take the deal, then she leaves. I know that if you try to import your dead Warden into Awakening, the ending will be retconned. I don't know how that affects DLC, though. You could always let Alistair kill the Archdemon. "

The game scales depending upon your level so there isn't a set order though doing the mage's tower first for the bonus stats is nice, you get Wynne and it makes Redcliffe easier in some ways.  And Ozammar tends to be difficult if you go there right away.  But there is no right way.

I would recommend you do the Mage Tower first. This is because you acquire Wynne during this quest who is the game's designated Healer. Unless you're playing a mage yourself, it is nice to get a healer as soon as possible.

I'd say start with the elves, then the mages. 

Well, I finally finished my second playthrough (96% completion - 75 hours) and I must say, the Ultimate Sacrifice ending was much, much more satisfying than the Dark Ritual one!  
 
However now I face a new problem. I've still got Awakening to play, so I'm tying between importing my current save file (and thus retconing my ending) or starting with a new Warden. Now I would normally start with a new character, but I heard when you import your save, you get all your gold back and I have over 500 gold! I worked real hard for it and it's so tempting...

"@Enigma777: I can't remember where, but i read that the dark ritual is the cannon ending. It makes sense if you ask me, just by the existence of awakening. I don't think they would have made it if the cannon ending was you dying. the whole part of making a new warden was just shoved in so that people who did sacrifice themselves could still play it. Everything about the expansion pack was made with your character living in mind.  but in the end i don't think you can play witch hunt if you die, I've played it and the whole thing is centred around your history with her. without spoiling it i can say that witch hunt was intended for the people who both romanced her and did the dark ritual.  "

Or for those who just felt like

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