by Sheila Robinson

Created on: February 24, 2010

In Dragon Age Origins, you will have a few opportunities to add new characters to your team.  Sten is a tough and mysterious Quinari warrior that you will encounter in your early travels in Lothering.  He is locked in a cage after killing an entire family of farmers. The reasons behind his actions are not completely revealed at first, but will unfold later in the game if he is added to your team.

Sten works well with two handed weapons and can handle a lot of combat damage. He can be a good tank or another supporting fighter. His starting talents include Pommel Strike, Indomitable, Taunt, Sunder Arms, Mighty Blow, Powerful Swings , Threaten  and Precise Striking.   

To add him to your team, you will need to get the key from the Holy Mother at the Chantry to let him out. She will only agree to give you the key through intimidation or if you have Liliana with you (Liliana is also found in Lothering).

Sten is not a big talker. If you add him to your team and want raise his approval rating towards you, conversations need to be kept short with direct strong questions or answers (Approval rating is important in Dragon Age Origins since it can determine if a character will leave your party or earn bonuses to their skill statistics).  Communication with him is a bit difficult at first, since he is only happy when you are on quests that fight against the Darkspawn.  During the conversation if he seems like he wants to stop talking, don’t press him any further or risk losing points in his approval rating.

Despite his quiet and gruff nature, Sten is an intelligent man who has a fascination with art. His approval rating can be raised by giving him paintings. The Painting of a Rebel Queen, Portrait of a Goose Girl and the Silver Framed Still Life are notable gift items that will make him happy.

Sten can be a great asset to your team.  If you also have Alistair, their fighting styles complement each other. While Alistair fights and bashes effectively with sword and shield, Sten can strike hard with powerful and heavy damaging two handed sword abilities.  Don’t let Sten’s tough personality discourage you.  When it comes down to winning the tough battles, he is an ally you can use against mobs of creatures and powerful bosses.

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