How To Tell If Alistair Is Hardened: A Guide To His Personality

This approach encourages Alistair to be more self-reliant and less trusting. It’s about helping him understand the harsh realities of the world and the need to be prepared for anything. By pushing him to think about his own survival, you can help him develop a tougher, more resilient mindset. Remember, this is just one part of a larger process of character development. To truly harden Alistair, you’ll need to consider other aspects of his personality and guide him towards a more independent and self-sufficient path.

Keep in mind that hardening Alistair isn’t about making him cold or uncaring. It’s about equipping him with the skills and mindset to navigate a challenging world. By fostering a sense of responsibility and self-reliance in him, you can help him become a stronger, more confident individual.

Let’s dig a little deeper into this. Hardening Alistair essentially makes him more pragmatic and less idealistic. He’s seen the darker side of the world and understands that sometimes, tough choices need to be made to ensure the greater good. This pragmatic perspective is what allows him to consider marrying Anora, even if he doesn’t have romantic feelings for her. He sees it as a way to secure the stability of the kingdom and ensure the continuation of the royal line.

An unhardened Alistair, on the other hand, is guided by his ideals of justice and righteousness. He believes in personal convictions and would never compromise those for political expediency. Marrying Anora, for him, would be seen as a betrayal of his principles, even if it meant securing the throne for a just ruler. His refusal to marry Anora stems from his unwavering commitment to his personal beliefs, even if they conflict with the needs of the kingdom.

In essence, hardening Alistair doesn’t change his fundamental personality, but it does make him more adaptable to the harsh realities of the world. This adaptability allows him to see the value in political alliances, even if those alliances don’t align with his personal feelings.

This might seem a little confusing, but it’s all about Alistair’s feelings about Loghain. If you spare Loghain, Alistair will be conflicted. He doesn’t trust Loghain and believes that Loghain betrayed the kingdom. If you haven’t hardened Alistair, he’ll still feel betrayed and hurt by Loghain’s actions. He won’t feel comfortable marrying Anora because she is Loghain’s daughter, and he’ll worry about what this means for his relationship with her and her family. It’s basically a huge conflict of interest for him.

To resolve this conflict and allow Alistair to move forward with marrying Anora, you need to harden him. Hardening Alistair means making him confront his feelings about Loghain and the events of the Blight. This can be achieved by choosing certain dialogue options and actions throughout the game. Once Alistair is hardened, he’ll come to terms with Loghain’s actions and move past his anger and resentment. This will make him feel comfortable marrying Anora, even if she’s Loghain’s daughter.

Remember, hardening Alistair is about helping him process his emotions and reach a place of understanding. It’s not about changing him or forcing him to accept Loghain. It’s about giving him the strength and clarity to make decisions that are right for him, even if they are difficult. Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide how you want to handle Alistair and Loghain. Whether you choose to let Loghain live or not, and whether you harden Alistair or not, remember that your choices will affect the outcome of the game, including the fate of Alistair and Anora’s relationship.

The impact of this choice on Alistair’s personality is not immediate. It’s a subtle nudge that shapes his outlook. By choosing this option, you’re essentially planting a seed of self-reliance in his mind. As he faces challenges later on in the story, this seed will sprout, influencing his decisions and reactions. Alistair might become more cautious, less vulnerable to manipulation, and more willing to take charge of his own destiny.

Think of it like a character arc. Every choice you make influences the direction your character takes. Alistair will grow and change based on the choices you make for him. Think about the kind of person you want Alistair to become. Would you want him to be more independent or more trusting? The choices you make during conversations like this will help shape his personality, making him a more complex and engaging character in your story.

It’s important to note that hardening Alistair doesn’t change his core personality or make him a more ruthless ruler. It simply allows him to be more assertive and confident in his leadership, which can be helpful in certain situations. If you prefer to see Alistair as a more compassionate and empathetic king, you can choose not to harden him.

Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to harden Alistair is up to you. There’s no right or wrong answer, and both options lead to a satisfying ending. If you choose not to harden him, you’ll see a different side of Alistair’s character and witness him rule with a gentler touch. He may not be as forceful as a hardened king, but he will still be a just and fair ruler.

Hardening Alistair will make him more assertive and willing to take charge. This can be helpful when dealing with the difficult choices he’ll face as King Consort. He’ll be more likely to stand up for himself and his beliefs, even against the wishes of the other nobles.

On the other hand, if you choose not to harden Alistair, he’ll remain more hesitant and uncertain. He’ll be more likely to defer to others and follow their lead. While this might seem like a weakness, it can also make him more open to compromise and negotiation.

Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to harden Alistair is up to you. There’s no right or wrong answer, and both choices have their own advantages and disadvantages. The best choice depends on the kind of King Consort you want Alistair to be and how you want him to behave during the game’s later events.

Alistair’s relationship with the female human mage Warden is a complex one, and many players find themselves drawn to this pairing. They have a strong connection, built on shared experiences and mutual respect. However, in the game’s mechanics, their romance is ultimately not a possibility.

Here’s why: Alistair’s path to becoming King is tied to his lineage. As a Grey Warden, he’s not meant to rule, and he’s torn between duty and desire. He views marriage as a political tool, a way to secure his position and ensure the stability of Ferelden. The female human noble Warden, through her lineage, provides a more suitable political partner. Her background helps him navigate the complexities of court life and solidify his claim to the throne.

While the female human mage Warden might be a more interesting and challenging romantic partner for Alistair, the game’s design limits their relationship to a platonic one. This is perhaps a missed opportunity for a more nuanced and complex storyline, but it does make sense from a narrative perspective. Alistair’s journey is about navigating his identity and fulfilling his destiny. His choice to marry the female human noble Warden is a reflection of his responsibility to Ferelden and the choices he makes in pursuit of his duty.

Hardening Alistair is a significant decision that affects his personality and his future as a ruler. During his personal quest, you’ll face a choice: to harden Alistair or to encourage his softer side. Hardening him essentially means pushing him to be more assertive and less emotional. This makes him more likely to embrace his responsibilities as king and rule with a firm hand.

The decision to harden Alistair is not just about his personality; it also influences his relationship with the player character. If you harden him, he’ll become more independent and less likely to rely on the player character for emotional support. This can be a good thing if you want a strong and independent king, but it can also create distance between you. Ultimately, the choice to harden Alistair is a personal one that depends on your desired outcome for him and your relationship with him.

For Leliana, Hardened provides a more compelling character arc for her future appearances in the Dragon Age series. It allows her to develop a deeper understanding of the world and her place within it, which ultimately makes her a more nuanced and interesting character.

Hardening Alistair has a profound impact on his role as King of Ferelden. By embracing this path, he becomes more proactive and dedicated to learning the intricacies of statecraft. This, in turn, allows him to become a more effective leader, capable of truly guiding his people. Whether he marries Anora or the Warden, this path helps him to evolve into a truly capable ruler.

So, what exactly does “Hardened” mean?

The Hardened choice essentially reflects a character’s decision to embrace the harsh realities of the world, to learn from the hardships they face and become stronger through experience. In the case of Alistair, it means embracing the responsibility of being a leader and learning to navigate the complexities of politics and warfare. For Leliana, it means acknowledging the brutality of the world and finding a way to live with it, while still maintaining her compassion and sense of justice.

The Hardened path is not without its challenges. It can lead to a more cynical outlook on the world and even a darker, more ruthless approach to achieving one’s goals. However, it also allows characters to develop a greater understanding of the world and to become more resilient in the face of adversity.

Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to harden a character is a personal one, based on your own vision for their character arc. For me, Hardened is the best choice for both Alistair and Leliana, as it allows them to achieve their full potential and become truly memorable characters in the Dragon Age universe.

Here’s a deeper look at why hardening Alistair is the key to his accepting kingship. Think of it like this: Alistair starts off as a young man, perhaps hesitant about the responsibilities of being a ruler. He’s likely more focused on his personal growth and adventures. Hardening him through trials and challenges, much like a blacksmith hammering steel, makes him stronger. This strength isn’t just physical, it’s mental and emotional. He develops the resilience and determination needed to lead, to make tough decisions, and to face the complexities of ruling a kingdom.

Unhardened Alistair might be overwhelmed by the weight of the crown. He might feel inadequate or unprepared, making him prone to doubt and hesitation. Hardening him builds his confidence and allows him to embrace his destiny. This doesn’t mean he’ll become cold or ruthless. It means he’ll be a more decisive and capable leader, ready to guide his kingdom with the wisdom and strength he’s gained through his experiences.

But hardening Alistair isn’t about making him a ruthless, uncaring individual. It’s about helping him understand the harsh realities of the world. Alistair, being a noble, grew up with a sheltered perspective. He believed in chivalry and honor, but the world can be a cruel place. By choosing the option Everyone is out for themselves. You should learn that, you are pushing Alistair to confront these realities. It forces him to question his naive beliefs and helps him understand that survival requires strength and cunning. This isn’t about making him cynical or cruel. It’s about making him more realistic and less vulnerable.

Think of it as preparing Alistair for a world where relying on blind trust and idealism can be dangerous. He needs to learn how to navigate the complexities of political maneuvering, understand the motives of those around him, and make tough decisions to protect himself and his allies. This hardening process doesn’t make Alistair lose his moral compass; it simply adds layers to his character, allowing him to face challenges with a more pragmatic and resilient approach. He still believes in doing what’s right, but he now has a deeper understanding of the world and the challenges he faces. It’s important to remember that even hardened characters like Alistair can still be good and compassionate. He simply learns to balance his idealism with a dose of realism.

How do I know if I’ve hardened Alistair? – Dragon Age: Origins

Once Alistair’s approval reaches Friendly or Adore, then the next time you speak to him (as long as your approval remains high enough) he will comment that he’s been thinking about what you… GameSpot

How do I tell if Alistair is hardened? – Dragon Age: Origins

He starts with “ask away” instead of “something on your mind”, that means he’s hardened. If your PC is female and romancing him, his start line is “something on GameSpot

How can I tell if Alistair is hardened? *spoilers* – GameFAQs

It’s been a while since his personal quest, and I think I chose the right option, but is there any way I can tell now if he’s hardened or not? I’m currently just before the Alienage gamespot.com

how do you know if alistair or leliana is hardened?

Alistair will later tell you that he agrees with you. He needs to look out for himself more and stop letting everyone else run his life. This is Alistair hardened. GameSpot

[DAO Spoilers] Harden Alistair or not? : r/dragonage – Reddit

IMO, yes, both Alistair and Lelianna should be hardened (for Lelianna, it provides better character progression for her future appearances). Alistair makes for much better king Reddit

[DAO Spoilers] Hardened Alistair Question : r/dragonage – Reddit

A hardened Alistair will be willing to seize the opportunity and make the most out of it. Unhardened Alistair never reconciles himself to it, so if you’re planning to make him Reddit

Is there a way to check if Hardening Alistair worked?

In order to get the cutscene where Alistair is hardened, you need to pick the dialouge “everyone is out for themselves, you should know that by now” and have his Fextralife

[DAO Spoilers] How do I “Harden” Alistair? : r/dragonage – Reddit

-the first after leaving his sister’s house, you must tell him * we are all alone, you should know * -The second is when he tells you that he thought about what you told him and he Reddit

How to Harden Alistair on “Dragon Age: Origins” – It Still

If Alistair isn’t hardened, he’ll insist that you kill Loghain on account of his betrayal at Ostagar, as it’s the only honorable thing to do. A hardened Alistair will still be It Still Works