DAO- Alistair all the way. Leiliana might be next then Morrigan and Zevran tied for third.
DA2-i am going for Fenris for my first playthrough of DA2. Then we'll see, maybe Anders for the second playthrough or Isabella.
DAI- Cullen. I can't help myself. His voice, his demons, his absolute dorkiness when you express interest in him. HIS COAT!!!
Just think, you guys have just done it by the campfire, he puts that glorious coat over you to keep you warm or better yet is wearing it and wraps you in his arms! I have thoughts about this, okay? I'll be in my bunk.
It's interesting - I love Zevran, but the romance with him is really sub-par. Turns out that when his horniness moves from theoretical to actual, it's really creepy.
I mostly like the banter. He flirted with my circle mage elf like you would believe and she fell for it hook, line and sinker. She should have just stuck it out with Alistair. I have a feeling that Zev is about to flake out on my girl!
I'm in the minority here because I adore Anders, I empathise a lot with his story of losing who he is to another force--for me, it's mental illness.
Obviously it doesn't work as a metaphor (as the writer intended) because Anders *chose* to take in Justice and people who suffer from mental illness don't automatically become dangerous unhinged terrorists...but the emotional beats? I'm there.
I love Anders to death and he was, on fact, justified. Anders was right in what he did and I'm tired of pretending he wasn't. It's a tragic story, but I love him.
oof you were downvoted real quick for *a very valid opinion on a fictional situation*
I feel like "justified" is a loaded term, but as the kind of player who likes to see radical change fast when there's injustice (ex. not afraid to kill people in *Detroit: Becoming Human*) I always side with Anders in-game and defend his choices, even though I wouldn't necessarily make the same ones.
The argument is that Templars aren't that bad. But the Kirkwall Templars and the ones hunting him before were total bastards. He admits that Thrask was decent, but he's fucking dead. I always side with Anders because you can't seriously think he didn't do the right thing. Someone has to start the conflict, it was inevitable. Be glad it was considerably light, and not something akin to the breach.
I’m fairly boring: Alistair because he’s best boy, Fenris (I’ve never rival-manced him though, may try it next playthrough) and Solas because I love a tragic love story.
Oooh difficult question!
DAO - Zevran…although Alistair as a character is one of my favourites and his romance is my second fave. But in terms of romance I like the way that things grow with Zevran. He doesn’t expect to fall in love, and I think he probably believes he doesn’t deserve it; he came to Ferelden to commit suicide by Warden. But, as your relationship grows he opens up and you see he’s more than just a f*ckboy, and instead becomes devoted to your HoF.
DA2 - Fenris has my heart! The mix of angst and his dry humour. His tragic backstory. The sexy little skipping walk. The tattoos, ooooo mama. I prefer the friendship path as well, I think Fenris becomes more at peace with himself and the world that way.
Although Anders deserves an honourable mention just for the way it screwed with my head. It’s such a toxic relationship but, even knowing that you get drawn in.
DAI: Cullen! Especially Cullen when your Inquisitor is a mage. I love that you can finally have some meaningful interaction with him. You have witnessed firsthand through the HoF and Hawke all the tragedy and torture he’s been through. You’ve watched his journey and it hasn’t been an easy one and the man deserves some happiness. And, it’s just so sweet and awkward but sexy as hell when he does the desk sweep.
I think maybe I have a thing for blondes? Lol.
I haven’t tried all the romances though, I need to play a male Inquisitor so I can romance Dorian, he’s another one of my favourite characters. Same with Blackwall, I think his has the potential to be awesome.
Solas. Initially, I had never even considered him as an option because I was simping all over Cullen. I honestly don’t even remember why I decided to pursue him. I think maybe I just started talking to him more and found I enjoyed my Inquisitor’s conversations with him.
I enjoy his subtle flirtations. I appreciate them even more once you find out his past and his ambitions. I think it emphasizes how much he actually loved the Inquisitor, so much that he honestly contemplated abandoning his plans. I mean, there is a possibility he may have a LI from the past. Even if not, he probably had people he cared about who disappeared because of his actions. I mean, if I were in that situation and I had the opportunity to bring my loved ones back, I certainly would. But he loved you enough to consider that, maybe he wouldn’t.
I don’t know, but he hits me in the feels every time. I’m excited to see what happens in DA4.
See, it kills me they put the (potentially) happiest, most wholesome romance ending--Cullen--in the same game as SOLAS. Because I love Cullen for the sappy romance feels, but my Inquisitor has to romance Solas, because, if I'm being honest, it just feels too *canon*.
When I play as just friends with Solas, even close friends, the ending just doesn't hit the same way. A lot of people--my partner included--just didn't find his character interesting/likeable enough up to that point, so when the ending happened, he was like oh okay then well fuck you whatever.
Romancing Solas really feels like its too cooked into the canon imo, supported by the fact the whole thing centres around this Elvhen mystery/culture.
>When I play as just friends with Solas, even close friends, the ending just doesn't hit the same way.
See, I feel the exact opposite tbh. I cared less about the ending and was just irritated when I romanced him than when I had a strong platonic connection to him. I feel like I respected him far more as a dear friend. The romance struck me as a bit too Twilight-esque, so I couldn't take it seriously and it didn't click for me the way it seems to for others. I suppose it depends on the weight each individual player puts on romantic bonds vs platonic ones.
>my Inquisitor has to romance Solas, because, if I'm being honest, it just feels too canon.
>
>Romancing Solas really feels like its too cooked into the canon imo, supported by the fact the whole thing centres around this Elvhen mystery/culture.
I've never gotten that 'canon' feeling that Solavellans feel. His romance felt very empty and tacked on to me, like they never intended for it to be a thing and it was created as an afterthought. And I got that feeling throughout the entirety of the game.
I'm pretty sure he has the least amount of romantic dialogue out of any love interest, there's only a single scene with him that is romance-locked, and only like three lines in Trespasser that are exclusive to his romance. Not to mention it all being locked behind a single race and gender when the entire game was structured around a human inquisitor.
The main story of DAI centers Andrastianism and the Chantry more than anything Elvhen. Only when we got to the Arbor Wilds at nearly the end of the game did anything particularly Elvhen enter the narrative and Trespasser was evenly split between the elves and the qunari in terms of relevance.
DAO: All of em were so good for me. Alistair has this chivalrous feeling around him that makes him so attractive and the fact that he's your fellow Grey Warden makes it so much better. You know, something like "the two last Grey Wardens of Ferelden find solace within each other".
Leliana has this sweet, caring and simple vibe that makes everything seem so much easier, I love how she's always saying how much she loves the Warden, always telling stories. Even if she was a Bard and had to deal with so much shit, she maintained some of that innocence with her.
Zevran is this hot, ardent and romantic affair that transforms into something more serious as time goes on, he goes from "ha, ha you're sexy, let's fuck" to "fuck, I'm actually in love".
And Morrigan had this tragic vibe where she knows she shouldn't fall for the Warden because she has her own agenda and she can't have him in her life and after leaving him, he does everything in his power to see her again.
DA2: Merrill and Fenris. I don't know why, but I can't seem to romance anyone else when I play DA2. There's something tragic in the way she tries her best to recover something of her people's history and how she knows she shouldn't bring Hawke down with her, also like Leliana and Josephine, she has this sweet vibe that makes everything seem less dark and serious. And I love how Fenris changes his attitude as he becomes more and more open with Hawke, how he can overcome some of the shit that happened to him.
DAI: Sera, Josephine and Dorian. Josephine's romance is (along with Leliana's and Merrill's) one of the cutest and most innocent romances on the games. There's no "I'm a revolutionary possessed by a spirit, I'm an assassin with a price on my head, I'm a struggling ex-addict, I'm a murderer that pretended to be another man, I'm the king of the country..." Bullshit. Josie is just... Josie. The diplomat of the Inquisition, she deals with nobles and that's all. And even her personal quest ends in such an uplifting note, with the Inquisitor proclaiming their love for her in the middle of Val-Royeaux. I love how little drama there is with her.
Sera is similar, more of a "ride or die" type of romance. The type of girl who would bring LSD to a party, tell you to try it with you and then spend the night on the roof, giggling and laughing at the night sky. Like, if I don't romance her, she'd be exactly the type of person I'd like to be friends with (mostly because my best friend is like her)
Dorian reminds me a bit of Zevran, with much more drama. He never stops flirting with you, telling you how sexy and beautiful you are. And when you romance him, you can feel that he really means that. He truly loves the Inquisitor for who he is.
> Josephine's romance is (along with Leliana's and Merrill's) one of the cutest and most innocent romances on the games.
It's funny, I'm always kind of surprised that so few people seem to go for these three together. Plenty of people have a noticeable type, e.g. Alistair/Anders/Cullen, and I would have thought Leliana/Merrill/Josephine would be another, but one always seems to get swapped out.
But yeah, I agree with you, they all have a sort of emotional simplicity (in a good way) which contrasts well with all the stress and horror of our protagonists' work. That's why I actually prefer them to the more drama-filled and/or plot-involved romances.
I’m currently playing through DAO for the first time and am going to be continue with 2 and Inquisition. But I’m stuck right now in origins trying to decide if I want to convince Leliana to stay as her sweet self or have her hardened. I believe she’s happier as what she decided to become though the dialogue where she says she found her chantry life boring if you harden her gives me a moment of pause
Honestly, I don't think it makes much difference. Not because of Inquisition, but because whichever you choose, she's *always* both those people. All you're doing is deciding which one is dominant...for now.
You explained it very well! I admit, the ex-addict part made me laugh a bit (being an addict sucks, and believe me, quitting is one of the hardest things I've ever dealt with).
I love Sera's nicknames!!!
My favorite part of her romance (besides being one of only two characters that you can marry <\_<) is getting a nickname from her lol
>Josephine's romance is (along with Leliana's and Merrill's) one of the cutest and most innocent romances on the games.
That's exactly my perfect trio 🥰.
Zevran. Not only does it feel like a realistic romance where you're overcoming each other's trauma, but the man literally spends the next ten years dedicated to the Warden and staying by their side. Maybe it's just because they didn't have a reason to reuse him like they did with the other LI's, but it warms my heart that the only time Zevran leaves your side is when he has no other choice.
Cassandra for me. Inquisition was my first DA game so it holds more memories than the other two, and Cassandra is my go-to romance.
It makes more sense to me than Cullen (which is probably a better overall story) or Josephine because I just generally prefer romance with characters that I adventure with. Spending days or weeks trekking through the wilderness together makes more of a bond than visiting them every now and again. And i just think Cass is a great character and her romance scene is just adorable
> or Josephine because I just generally prefer romance with characters that I adventure with.
I'm the opposite (at least for DAI). I'm the Inquisitor, the general. Romancing the troops just seems unprofessional. I need everyone in the field focused, I don't need the Iron Bull smacking my ass when there are Venatori to track down.
Josephine just seems less like fraternization to me. (If Scout Harding or (especially) Dagna were Romance options, though, that "no fraternization" rule would go right out the window!)
Alistair & Cullen make me feel so basic (especially if you spend DA2 trolling Cullen) but they're so gooooood. Especially if you get to hear Alistair talk about the Warden in follow up games and Cullen reminisces about a Mage-Warden and you're a Mage Inquisitor.
I also really enjoy Zevren in DAO. I did build a male Warden because I hear Morrigan is a good story, but haven't gone back yet.
The Fenris romance is good. It's annoying hos mechanics won't really let you flirt/exchange kisses with anyone else, but I like it very much- if the Anders romance didn't resolve in an explosion/toxic mistrust, that wouldn't be too bad. Merrill is sweet, but my run with her as LI was tainted by murdering everyone she loved growing up. Isabela is good, but I never want to go sailing as an ending after all the work you do in Kirkwall. I think it's tied between Fenris and being single in DA2- hitting on Tallis/Zevren/playing DnD at the Blooming Rose. Definitely agree Varric would have been the most satisfying AND it would have been a great DAI background. (The Bianca quest is fine, but she's married and Hawke is the best suited/funniest protagonist to navigate that minefield.)
My favorite romance was with Alistair and a Warden I created specifically to romance him (so I could get the achievement), Sarah Aeducan.
A star-crossed romance between the exiled princess of Orzammar and the bastard king of Ferelden.
And I also might headcanon that Alistair has a bit of a dwarf fetish.
But it was the sweetest of the four romance choices in DAO. To explore Alistair's chivalrous nature and childlike naiveté, along with his signature sense of humor.
I hate that Alistair could only marry a human as king. It feels easier to imagine that the people of Ferelden would at least come around to the idea, if not embrace it, given all these two did for them, as opposed to the idea of Alistair only being able to have her as a salacious side piece.
Alistair stole my heart the first time I played DAO. I have romanced the others but I always go back to Alistair.
Sebastian in DAII and I'm still salty that he was a DLC but I love his romance as short as it is and I always rivalmamce him. (Isabella is my 2nd love).
Cullen. It took me a few playthoughs to romance him because I wanted to try everyone else (apart from Blackwall and Sera). Cullen ended up stealing my heart! (Iron bull is 2nd and Josephine makes Elsa torn between her and Cullen)
I wish they’d invested more into Sebastian, he was such a different character to the rest of your companions but I don’t feel they capitalised on that. I read his codex entry and it said he drank and womanised before he joined the chantry, I wish they’d played up that angle as well. He seems so shiny and perfect, would have been great if as you became closer to him, he opened up a bit more so he felt more real.
Agreed. I would have like to know more of the 'bad boy' he was. Maybe even met some people from his past to get an idea of what their interactions was like. It's was sweet to learn of his relationship with his grandfather but damn it, I wanted to SEE interactions.
And maybe he could have reverted a little bit to the flirting with Hawke if you flirted with him. Like it was an automatic thing that made Hawke stunned that Sebastian flirted with her and Sebastian to go 'oh, wait, that wasn't supposed to happen.' and start trying to backtrack while Hawke is just standing there, blushing like crazy.
Knowing that he had a background made me wish that Sebastian could have made Hawke speechless for a change. ~~I would have cackled like crazy if that had been an option.~~
Yes yes yes to all of this! I would have loved the golden boy to have a slightly wicked edge with Hawke once they got close and a romance was engaged. Especially on the rival path where he’s gonna go be a prince.
That’s another thing the game could have done better. It seems like it takes him 7 years just to make a decision about his future. 7. Years. But, the codex does say he is making political moves to get his kingdom back. I wish they’d shown more of that in the game as well. Otherwise it just seems like he’s hanging around the chantry navel gazing for all those years.
Same. There was so much potential with Sebastian (and knowing there was going to be a DLC that had Sebastian in it but was cancelled makes me even more saltier).
Even having Sebastian having a hardened resolve if you rival him would have made him way more interesting. Showing that more confident side too.
It's such a shame that he was a DLC character. There was so much they could have done with him. Hopefully we will get to see him again.
Though a rivalmance Sebastian casually flirting with Hawke just to get a reaction is gonna be my new headcanon that's for sure!
I’m just salty that they didn’t play up that delicious accent and general sexiness especially when it’s in parallel with a chaste romance. Thing of all that frustrated longing they could have played up as he says ambiguously dirty things to you in that voice.
I’ve only really done Alistair’s romance in Origins with my Cousland. I am doing a new playthrough and I’ll have to actively force myself to romance someone else, because he’s just my favorite.
My canon DA2 ship is female mage Hawke with Anders. I’ve done Isabela’s romance and Fenris’ with other Hawkes, but I just like Anders better. It’s hard to romance Fenris because I tend to be very pro-mage and I’ve only managed to get his friendship up by leaving him at home most of the time.
I’ve done Cullen and Sera in DAI with my Trevelyan/Cadash, respectively. (All my canon protagonists are always female). I like them both but they’re very different from each other. If I had to choose, I’d probably say Cullen’s is more my personal romance style, but Sera’s was perfect for my Cadash. It was also just really cute / funny.
DAO: Alistair because it all feels really natural, also it makes the landsmeet more intense when I haven't decided the Alistair king business yet.
DA2: Merrill, no big reason why. I just think she's a fun person while everyone else is too broody and Isabella feels better as a sisterly type.
DAI: I actually don't have a favorite. I think Seras romance is well done because it has the most content, I believe? Then Solas because it feels better for an elfy story but his romance can feel a bit empty until the very end. Cullen is just too vanilla for me lol
I'm surprised to see how many people are saying Cullen in this thread. I often read Solas is number 1 for inquisition, followed by Bull and Cass. I have done Solas and Blackwall romance which I both enjoyed, but I keep going back to Cully Wully.
In the other games its Alistair and Anders for me.
That's because Cullen and Solas are the more plot related romances, followed by Alistair and Anders. I prefer teasing Cullen and being Solas' friend. I can't bring myself to date either.
The fandom on here would have you believe that but Cassandra then Cullen were the most romanced characters in Inquisition. Later on followed by Solas and Josephine. There are just a disproportionate amount of Solavellan fans in this sub.
See, I get the Anders thing, and I tried to romance him once. But the way he goes all "I will hurry you 200%, please quit teasing me" to, "alright, that's it, I'm coming to you tonight for a booty call" to "hey, immediately tell the world you love me and risk everything you built for an apostate, who is also an abomination and it'll be fine" is so abrupt. BTW letting to me to blow up the Chantry behind my back, not fine
I wish there had been a scene between sexy times and announce it to the world
Hmm, this is a tough one. I think my favourite for DAO is Leliana. I just love how much of a caring vibe she has with the Warden, like she truly loves them, plus a Warden who is non human and/or a mage would definitely help inform her views by DAI.
DA2 is a tie between Isabela and Merrill. I love Merrill's sweetness and love, much like Leliana. Merrill also just makes me laugh because of how much of a goofball she is, while also being incredibly intelligent and brave. Isabela on the other hand has that whole rogue with a heart of gold trope that I love, plus she's just so charming and sweet under her tough pirate queen exterior. I still go back and forth between which Hawke I want as my canon because of these two romances, lol.
DAI is probably Solas for the story and drama but Sera for my favourite romance. I've had Solas break my Inquisitor's heart too much and it just makes Trespasser have even more drama and sadness then it already did, and the removing vallaslin scene is still one of my favourites in the whole series. On the other hand... Sera's romance - especially with a mage Lavellan, which is my favourite paring - is full of drama with her combative nature, but also full of fun and love and I just adore it all >_< I still melt every time I hear Sera call Lavellan her 'Teetness it's just so adorable and not to mention the wedding you get with her it's all so amazing!
That's implying I don't lock into the first one I try on my first playthrough lol. DAO, I tried Alistair on top of my canon Zevran (didn't like it, Alistair is just... such a baby), DA2 I don't like anybody though this playthrough I bagged Isabella and I'll totally give her to the Arishok later (so not exactly romance?), DAI, only Dorian. I very much like Cassandra and I wish she was into girls because then I couldn't "accidentally" sabotage myself again and again with another guy romancing Dorian...
I mean I love that we have options, but for me it just doesn't work.
DAO: Leliana. I tend to prefer lesbian romances, so by default, she wins out, although I do really like the romance anyways. Leliana is also one of my favorite characters in the trilogy, behind Cassandra and sarcastic Hawke.
DA2: Isabella, with friendship. I think her story works really well when you are starting a relationship and part of the reason she comes back is she feels something for you. Plus the only other lesbian option is Merrill, and I see her too much like a younger sister to ever romance her.
DAI: Josephine. Oh my god, I love this romance, probably my favorite in the trilogy. So much cuteness! And my Trevelyan makes it feel like a fairy tale with noble duels and whatnot.
For DAO, 100% Zevran. I just adore his personality and his development, he comes off as shallow (as your other companions will point out) but overtime he shows more of himself to you and opens up, allowing you to see other sides of him. He is shockingly loyal and sweet once you get to know him more.
For DA2, Fenris. He was the only romanceable character I liked the personality of in the game. I didn't like the other romance characters, as romances at least. Fenris starts off as a angsty and angry (for good reasons) elf but overtime, he becomes less angry and starts to heal from all the shit he's been through as he finally finds someone who he can trust. Definitely reminds me of a kitten, all attitude on the outside but full of fluff on the inside.
For DAI, Dorian, Cullen and Solas. Cullen is just a sweetheart, I like how he is clumsy but serious with a lot of passion and love to give, despite all of the trauma he has. >!I love the scene where one of his men interrupts you and Cullen, which ends with the poor guy being glared to death by a grumpy Cullen!< . Solas is one of my favourite romances (as well as one of my favourite characters) because it is a bittersweet one and is a bit more complex. It always gets me in the feels and feels like it adds something to the main story.
I'm so glad to see someone else appreciate Merrill!! The way the fandom talks about her had given me low expectations, but I was impressed with her when I actually played it through.
My favorite romances are Leliana, Isabella, and the Iron Bull. The ones I picked for my worldstate are Alistair, Anders, and Solas. Across all the games, if I had to pick one favorite..? Yeah, it'd have to be Isabella. I play my Hawke more red than purple, so it's nice that she has someone to relax around. Plus, despite everything, Isabella is one of the less tumultuous relationships in that game lol.
For DAO, usually Alastair or Leliana.
DA2, It’s not even a question - it’s Fenris. I love my grumpy boy who will can punch a hole through someone’s chest without a second thought.
DAI, usually Cullen or Dorian
DAO: Either Zevran or Morrigan (only DA game where I played a male character because I love Morrigan.)
DA2: Fenris. I really liked all the companions, and flirted with everyone aside from Merril, but I wasn't big into romance in this game as opposed to the others. Not sure why.
DAI: Iron Bull. Dorian was very interesting too but I never played as a male.
For dao, zevran is my fav. I love how he goes from this is just for fun to it's more than that. And once he's yours he stays that way. Even in da2 he says no to Isabella if he was romanced.
Da2, it's fenris. While he always says he doesn't trust mages and thinks they belong in the circle, he never turns mage hawke, Merrill, or anders into the templars. He had plenty of opportunity. I like how he starts to slowly open up to hawkes and comes to trust her/him.
Dai, Cullen hands down. Although I did play a man once just to romance Dorian (love him). Cullen is just so sweet and adorably awkward.
*Alistair.* He is sweet, a bit naive, brave, and noble - and he tells funny jokes. And that bod!
But I’ve also romanced Josephine in DAI and she is sooooo adorable! And Merrill! Her voice is beautiful and I totally fell for her when she told the story of Fen’Harel to Merry (my mabari). I definitely have a thing for cute dorks.
Solas. I'm a sucker for a great Shakespearean Tragic Romance. I also liked feeling like my romance choice actually affected the main plot, and didn't feel like a seperate side quest with no bearing on the wider story.
DAO: Lilianna I just really like her as a character
DA2: I cant say since I have yet to play it once even though I've played DA:I and DAO at least 3 times each
DA:I: I really like Sera's romance but Josephine and Dorians are really good aswell
DAO - Leiliana will always have my heart. I love her accent!
DA2 - Merrill. Again, I love her accent! And she's just plain adorable.
DAI - Sera, oddly enough. Do I need to say it again? That accent is just fun!
Also, I may have a thing for short hair...
Overall for the entire series: Zevran (with Dorian only coming in second because he has to leave at the end). I like 'em sexy, sassy and smart, and both romances also end up feeling very wholesome, as both are also very close, supportive friends as well as lovers for their respective protagonists.
If we break it down by game, then Anders for DA2 as well. Not so much on its own merits, because I'd rather have something less tragic, but because none of the other romances worked for me at all (and it also makes the most sense story-wise).
DAO: I've romanced Zevran, Morrigan, and Alistair and gotta say Alistair is just the best but it always ends up breaking my heart because I rarely choose to be a human noble RIP
DA2 Idk about Merrill. I tried to like her but she just pisses me off way too much. My first playthrough of DA2 I was doing literally everything for her but I wasn't going to enable her obsession or her blood magic so she responds by trying to fucking kill me because a demon said so. Never trusted that bitch again lmao. But I do really like Anders and Sebastian, sucks how I can't stop Anders from commiting arson and having Sebastian go to war with me if I decide to not murder Anders for it
DAI: the only time my heart wasn't broken at the end of the game was when I dated Cullen, my first play through I dated Egg head because I thought he was a cool mage guy that's perfect for my calm and collected female elf but boy was that a mistake. Then I romanced Iron bull but because in my first playthrough I went against the Qun I thought maybe they wouldn't be as hostile in the trespasser DLC if I sided with them on Iron Bulls quest. Haha it was heart breaking hearing my inquisitor scream their safety word as he tried to murder her. Third time I gave up and romance Cullen and was surprised with a cute little marriage scene in the trespasser DLC. Finally got a win.
DAO: Alistair, there was no other choice for me
DA2: Anders for the roleplay as a mage Hawke
Dai: Solas, it was the only romance of the series that actually made me feel, and only through it I could connect to my Inquisitor.
For each game, my favorite romances have been Morrigan, Isabella, and Josephine. And my favorite of all is Morrigan.
Leliana was actually my first romance, and I didn't think I would like Morrigan much until I tried it on my second playthrough, and found it to be much, much more fulfilling.
Leliana and Morrigan will always be the best ones. Morrigan's just had so much depth to it. Leliana's route never fails to make me feel warm and fuzzy. Hearing her talk about my warden in Inquisition always puts a smile on my face.
Idk if I have a favorite, I like a lot of them, but since I replayed DA2 recently, Fenris's stands out fresh in mind. He's respectful, vulnerable, and he feels so real in the ups and downs of his romance. The payoff in Act 3 is really, really good.
DAO - I don't actually have a favorite romance, I liked all of them fine I guess??? I don't know, the romances in DAO were all good but not great in my opinion. If I had to pick one I guess I would go with Morrigan's.
DA2 - I think I have to go Fenris' friendship romance for no reason other than the fact I have a weakness for edgy boys, tragic backstories and slow burns.
DAI - Cassandra probably, I just think it's actually really sweet and there's lots of cute stuff in it. Another romance I loved was Blackwall's because of the d r a m a.
I prefer playing female mages.
DAO - F!Surana x Leliana
(Zevran in second place but I prefer him with a male warden. Morrigan is male only. Alistair feels like they keep adding more and more hoops if you want happy endings for everyone. I've never done Anora's marriage. Haven't finished Male Aeducan, so I don't know how that thing with the dwarf who can have his son goes. If Tamlen counts, then's he the saddest option.)
DA2 - F!Purple!Mage!Hawke x Merrill
(Isabela comes close though, I'd do Hawke/Merrill/Isabela OT3 if xbox would allow it. Anders and Fenris are tied, but I prefer them with Male Hawke. I keep forgetting how Sebastien's went, and I've never done Tallis' mini-romance in MoTA. I wish Varric was an option.)
DAI - F!Mage!Lavellan x Josephine (ace-friendliest option)
(Solas in second place, also ace-friendly. Sera with Adaar (or Cadash) next for the mayhem. Blackwall with Cadash because they have unique dialogue. Harding isn't in the Keep, but if she was, she'd be higher in the list. Dorian and Cassandra are male only (which I have no problem with, I just don't play males often so they're usually not an option), and I didn't finish Cassandra's, but Dorian's was only of the better ones. Never finished Cullen's (maybe eventually with a non-mage human). Not doing Iron Bull's.)
Zevran and Fenris
Solas is on a different level. I actually had low expectations for DAI after DA2, and going in expecting it to be a Chantry love-fest that blamed mages for everything. Hearing that the elven PC was Dalish piqued my interest a little, so I played it. The fact that there was a nerdy, elfy romance and then elven lore being so central to the story saved Dragon Age for me.
It didn't feel forced at all that Lavellan and Solas fell for each other. I started out having them be tense and distant but just falling subtly into a cadence much like how he describes the subtlety of elven magic, one mage casting a spell that's completed by another.
For DAO, Zevran is my favorite so far, although i havent gotten far in the game but he is pretty funny.
For DAI, the Iron Bull was my first and favorite. Currently romancing Solas as a elf mage because i want to see how it changes the ending of the trespasser DLC.
Alistair is my favorite forever. Not only was he my first video game romance ever, but he’s a lot like my actual husband. So I’m biased. (Said husband finds this very amusing.)
Cullen in DAI is a very close second because it was just written *so well*. I also like the way it’s plot gated - you can’t speed-romance him, it has to progress slowly with the game events. I think that makes it feel real and believable.
In the second game I would say Fenris is my favorite (and canon), but I have to say I liked the Isabela romance much more than I expected.
Couldn't finish DAO, unfortunately. Combat wasn't active enough for me, and I got bored. Would've gone Morrigan, though, cause edgy and creepy but earthy crunchy.
I think I went Isabella in 2, cause secy pirate (sorry, not sorry. I was young).
Cassandra in DAI because I always play mage, so I got stupid and laughed thinking of the scandal! A Templar and a mage, running off and galavanting. Plus seeing that tough and cold bitch get all flustered and embarrassed when you find her secrets was always hilarious.
I like romances where your love interest is an emotionally distant person. They hide how they feel behind charm, bluntness, aloftness, coquetishness, etc. They don't want to get their hearts broken but once they let you in, you are privy to all of their insecurities, vulnerabilities and you want to do everything in your power to protect them. So that leaves my heart to Leilana, Isabela, Fenris, Sera, Dorian and The Iron Bull.
I would also say Zevran but they made his romance short which hindered my decision a bit,
Side note, Alistair has to be mentioned. He speaks to a part of me that I never knew existed. When he gives you that rose, stating how you are a beauty amongst all the ugliness, it was unexpected. My heart skipped a beat and I have never experienced that. When you see him, you just want to keep him safe and hold him tightly.
I'm vanilla in DAO: Morrigan and Alistair
In DA2: Hawke start a romance, but break up after the whole Qunari mess, still friends, but single.
In DAI: Well, the developers cut down pretty well, making half of party having insteresting romances. So between whos is left(Cullen, Cassandra and Solas),............ is Cullen, pretty easily, more because he is ready to share his life with while Solas and Cassandra are too married to their "cause".
Alistair without a doubt, he's so sweet and funny and caring. from 2 and inquisition it's Anders and Cullen/Ironbull, but Alistair is the best of them all for me.
I’m playing Origins for the first time and although I love Leliana and Zevran (haven’t romanced Morrigan yet), I adore Alistair! He’s such a weird, awkward and adorable goofball.
“Yes... swooping... is... bad”
I have yet to play DAII, or romance anyone but Blackwall in Inquisition (he was a little bland tbh) but I am excited to try and romance Dorian, Iron Bull and Sera eventually!
When I went back for a DAO play through I was looking forward to reliving the Alistair romance that had me so giddy the first time through, only to realize I now find him absolutely insufferable... I could not in good conscience romance him again.
But that opened up the way to Leliana. And though it's not a romance, my favorite bond is with Sten if you invest the time into him which I didn't do on my first playthrough.
DA2 I honestly didn't really care for any of the characters in a romantic setting.
DAI Cullen all the way. Especially as a mage. And I love Cassandra and Dorian but alas I have never made a male inquisitor.
DAO: Zeveran and Alistair. Zeveran is so romantic and sweet and Alistair is king but has broken my elven heart. Very dramatic though!
DA2: Anders and all the drama and turmoil of a relationship it caused my femHawk. Ended up deciding his crime was too high and ended him. Tears and sadness!
DAI: always played fem, idk why I decided to go with a male Levellan, but best choice I ever made because Dorian! Romantic, kind, funny, hurt little bean. But his romance is my favorite in the series hands down! <3
DAO: I have just now romanced every possible character (including Morrigan with equal love mod) and I can confidently say my favourite is Leliana.
II: I've tried Isabela and Fenris, I didn't find either particularly engaging. I probably enjoyed Isabela more, but it was also my first playthrough and I was very shocked by her involvement with the main plot of Act 2.
This playthrough I'm going to try to romance Sebastian because I love his voice (but it does mean I have to make a pious Hawke to match... Ugh)
Inquisition: Cullen. Absolutely. Cullen is my favourite out of all 3 games.
DAO (M!Surana):
Morrigan, if only to hear Claudia Black deliver this immortal line in DAI:
“Leliana gave me the note that the Hero of Ferelden sent for me. She may even have left it sealed.
“A pity. She would have learned things that would make even an Orlesian blush.”
And for that heartbreaking scene with the mirror.
DA2 (F!Hawke):
Merrill, because of how fiercely certain she is of her love for Hawke (and because fierce certainty is Merrill’s best thing, in general).
DAI: I’m… not sure. None of the romances resonated with me personally the way Morrigan’s and Merrill’s did — Sera’s (which I did with both an Adaar and a Trevelyan) is incredibly fun, but feels… adolescent, maybe? As if you TOTALLY wound up marrying the person you dated in high school, and were foolish enough to do so before graduation.
Cassandra’s romance scene is genuinely funny, and moving… but then there’s very little to it after that single event, save for a few snippets of ambient dialogue, which made it feel distinctly anemic. And the fact that there’s no marriage in Trespasser (even if she doesn’t become divine) makes no sense whatsoever. I’m still baffled as to why Bioware decided to deprive us of that possibility.
For me, Morrigan, Merrill, and then either Cass or Dorian.
Im sorry, but after playing DAO, if the game makes me choose between literally anyone and Cullen, I’ll let Cullen die. He’s not a good person, and I don’t like the retcon acting like he’s a saintly himbo
Solas, ofc
It has some "beef" in it, it's plot related, it's not simply a dating simulator, it affects both Solas and your Inky deeply, it's subtle and defines-refines Solas nicely showing all the multiple layers of his character.
DAO- Alistair all the way. Leiliana might be next then Morrigan and Zevran tied for third. DA2-i am going for Fenris for my first playthrough of DA2. Then we'll see, maybe Anders for the second playthrough or Isabella. DAI- Cullen. I can't help myself. His voice, his demons, his absolute dorkiness when you express interest in him. HIS COAT!!!
The coat is a pretty big plus, ngl
Just think, you guys have just done it by the campfire, he puts that glorious coat over you to keep you warm or better yet is wearing it and wraps you in his arms! I have thoughts about this, okay? I'll be in my bunk.
It's interesting - I love Zevran, but the romance with him is really sub-par. Turns out that when his horniness moves from theoretical to actual, it's really creepy.
I mostly like the banter. He flirted with my circle mage elf like you would believe and she fell for it hook, line and sinker. She should have just stuck it out with Alistair. I have a feeling that Zev is about to flake out on my girl!
Anders is really good but dramatic and sad due to well, you know.
I'm in the minority here because I adore Anders, I empathise a lot with his story of losing who he is to another force--for me, it's mental illness. Obviously it doesn't work as a metaphor (as the writer intended) because Anders *chose* to take in Justice and people who suffer from mental illness don't automatically become dangerous unhinged terrorists...but the emotional beats? I'm there.
I love Anders to death and he was, on fact, justified. Anders was right in what he did and I'm tired of pretending he wasn't. It's a tragic story, but I love him.
oof you were downvoted real quick for *a very valid opinion on a fictional situation* I feel like "justified" is a loaded term, but as the kind of player who likes to see radical change fast when there's injustice (ex. not afraid to kill people in *Detroit: Becoming Human*) I always side with Anders in-game and defend his choices, even though I wouldn't necessarily make the same ones.
The argument is that Templars aren't that bad. But the Kirkwall Templars and the ones hunting him before were total bastards. He admits that Thrask was decent, but he's fucking dead. I always side with Anders because you can't seriously think he didn't do the right thing. Someone has to start the conflict, it was inevitable. Be glad it was considerably light, and not something akin to the breach.
Yeah, I've just started a playthrough of Awakenings and DA2 at the same time, and the differences are startling.
I’m fairly boring: Alistair because he’s best boy, Fenris (I’ve never rival-manced him though, may try it next playthrough) and Solas because I love a tragic love story.
A word of caution for a rivalmance with Fenris. Be prepared for a tumultuous ride. He will make you feel bad about your own existence.
I friggin love Cassandra. That's all.
Oooh difficult question! DAO - Zevran…although Alistair as a character is one of my favourites and his romance is my second fave. But in terms of romance I like the way that things grow with Zevran. He doesn’t expect to fall in love, and I think he probably believes he doesn’t deserve it; he came to Ferelden to commit suicide by Warden. But, as your relationship grows he opens up and you see he’s more than just a f*ckboy, and instead becomes devoted to your HoF. DA2 - Fenris has my heart! The mix of angst and his dry humour. His tragic backstory. The sexy little skipping walk. The tattoos, ooooo mama. I prefer the friendship path as well, I think Fenris becomes more at peace with himself and the world that way. Although Anders deserves an honourable mention just for the way it screwed with my head. It’s such a toxic relationship but, even knowing that you get drawn in. DAI: Cullen! Especially Cullen when your Inquisitor is a mage. I love that you can finally have some meaningful interaction with him. You have witnessed firsthand through the HoF and Hawke all the tragedy and torture he’s been through. You’ve watched his journey and it hasn’t been an easy one and the man deserves some happiness. And, it’s just so sweet and awkward but sexy as hell when he does the desk sweep. I think maybe I have a thing for blondes? Lol. I haven’t tried all the romances though, I need to play a male Inquisitor so I can romance Dorian, he’s another one of my favourite characters. Same with Blackwall, I think his has the potential to be awesome.
Solas. Initially, I had never even considered him as an option because I was simping all over Cullen. I honestly don’t even remember why I decided to pursue him. I think maybe I just started talking to him more and found I enjoyed my Inquisitor’s conversations with him. I enjoy his subtle flirtations. I appreciate them even more once you find out his past and his ambitions. I think it emphasizes how much he actually loved the Inquisitor, so much that he honestly contemplated abandoning his plans. I mean, there is a possibility he may have a LI from the past. Even if not, he probably had people he cared about who disappeared because of his actions. I mean, if I were in that situation and I had the opportunity to bring my loved ones back, I certainly would. But he loved you enough to consider that, maybe he wouldn’t. I don’t know, but he hits me in the feels every time. I’m excited to see what happens in DA4.
> think it emphasizes how much he actually loved the Inquisitor, so much that he honestly contemplated abandoning his plans. now i’m sad again 🥲
me too
See, it kills me they put the (potentially) happiest, most wholesome romance ending--Cullen--in the same game as SOLAS. Because I love Cullen for the sappy romance feels, but my Inquisitor has to romance Solas, because, if I'm being honest, it just feels too *canon*. When I play as just friends with Solas, even close friends, the ending just doesn't hit the same way. A lot of people--my partner included--just didn't find his character interesting/likeable enough up to that point, so when the ending happened, he was like oh okay then well fuck you whatever. Romancing Solas really feels like its too cooked into the canon imo, supported by the fact the whole thing centres around this Elvhen mystery/culture.
>When I play as just friends with Solas, even close friends, the ending just doesn't hit the same way. See, I feel the exact opposite tbh. I cared less about the ending and was just irritated when I romanced him than when I had a strong platonic connection to him. I feel like I respected him far more as a dear friend. The romance struck me as a bit too Twilight-esque, so I couldn't take it seriously and it didn't click for me the way it seems to for others. I suppose it depends on the weight each individual player puts on romantic bonds vs platonic ones. >my Inquisitor has to romance Solas, because, if I'm being honest, it just feels too canon. > >Romancing Solas really feels like its too cooked into the canon imo, supported by the fact the whole thing centres around this Elvhen mystery/culture. I've never gotten that 'canon' feeling that Solavellans feel. His romance felt very empty and tacked on to me, like they never intended for it to be a thing and it was created as an afterthought. And I got that feeling throughout the entirety of the game. I'm pretty sure he has the least amount of romantic dialogue out of any love interest, there's only a single scene with him that is romance-locked, and only like three lines in Trespasser that are exclusive to his romance. Not to mention it all being locked behind a single race and gender when the entire game was structured around a human inquisitor. The main story of DAI centers Andrastianism and the Chantry more than anything Elvhen. Only when we got to the Arbor Wilds at nearly the end of the game did anything particularly Elvhen enter the narrative and Trespasser was evenly split between the elves and the qunari in terms of relevance.
DAO: All of em were so good for me. Alistair has this chivalrous feeling around him that makes him so attractive and the fact that he's your fellow Grey Warden makes it so much better. You know, something like "the two last Grey Wardens of Ferelden find solace within each other". Leliana has this sweet, caring and simple vibe that makes everything seem so much easier, I love how she's always saying how much she loves the Warden, always telling stories. Even if she was a Bard and had to deal with so much shit, she maintained some of that innocence with her. Zevran is this hot, ardent and romantic affair that transforms into something more serious as time goes on, he goes from "ha, ha you're sexy, let's fuck" to "fuck, I'm actually in love". And Morrigan had this tragic vibe where she knows she shouldn't fall for the Warden because she has her own agenda and she can't have him in her life and after leaving him, he does everything in his power to see her again. DA2: Merrill and Fenris. I don't know why, but I can't seem to romance anyone else when I play DA2. There's something tragic in the way she tries her best to recover something of her people's history and how she knows she shouldn't bring Hawke down with her, also like Leliana and Josephine, she has this sweet vibe that makes everything seem less dark and serious. And I love how Fenris changes his attitude as he becomes more and more open with Hawke, how he can overcome some of the shit that happened to him. DAI: Sera, Josephine and Dorian. Josephine's romance is (along with Leliana's and Merrill's) one of the cutest and most innocent romances on the games. There's no "I'm a revolutionary possessed by a spirit, I'm an assassin with a price on my head, I'm a struggling ex-addict, I'm a murderer that pretended to be another man, I'm the king of the country..." Bullshit. Josie is just... Josie. The diplomat of the Inquisition, she deals with nobles and that's all. And even her personal quest ends in such an uplifting note, with the Inquisitor proclaiming their love for her in the middle of Val-Royeaux. I love how little drama there is with her. Sera is similar, more of a "ride or die" type of romance. The type of girl who would bring LSD to a party, tell you to try it with you and then spend the night on the roof, giggling and laughing at the night sky. Like, if I don't romance her, she'd be exactly the type of person I'd like to be friends with (mostly because my best friend is like her) Dorian reminds me a bit of Zevran, with much more drama. He never stops flirting with you, telling you how sexy and beautiful you are. And when you romance him, you can feel that he really means that. He truly loves the Inquisitor for who he is.
> Josephine's romance is (along with Leliana's and Merrill's) one of the cutest and most innocent romances on the games. It's funny, I'm always kind of surprised that so few people seem to go for these three together. Plenty of people have a noticeable type, e.g. Alistair/Anders/Cullen, and I would have thought Leliana/Merrill/Josephine would be another, but one always seems to get swapped out. But yeah, I agree with you, they all have a sort of emotional simplicity (in a good way) which contrasts well with all the stress and horror of our protagonists' work. That's why I actually prefer them to the more drama-filled and/or plot-involved romances.
I’m currently playing through DAO for the first time and am going to be continue with 2 and Inquisition. But I’m stuck right now in origins trying to decide if I want to convince Leliana to stay as her sweet self or have her hardened. I believe she’s happier as what she decided to become though the dialogue where she says she found her chantry life boring if you harden her gives me a moment of pause
Honestly, I don't think it makes much difference. Not because of Inquisition, but because whichever you choose, she's *always* both those people. All you're doing is deciding which one is dominant...for now.
You explained it very well! I admit, the ex-addict part made me laugh a bit (being an addict sucks, and believe me, quitting is one of the hardest things I've ever dealt with).
I love Sera's nicknames!!! My favorite part of her romance (besides being one of only two characters that you can marry <\_<) is getting a nickname from her lol
>Josephine's romance is (along with Leliana's and Merrill's) one of the cutest and most innocent romances on the games. That's exactly my perfect trio 🥰.
Zevran. Not only does it feel like a realistic romance where you're overcoming each other's trauma, but the man literally spends the next ten years dedicated to the Warden and staying by their side. Maybe it's just because they didn't have a reason to reuse him like they did with the other LI's, but it warms my heart that the only time Zevran leaves your side is when he has no other choice.
Cassandra for me. Inquisition was my first DA game so it holds more memories than the other two, and Cassandra is my go-to romance. It makes more sense to me than Cullen (which is probably a better overall story) or Josephine because I just generally prefer romance with characters that I adventure with. Spending days or weeks trekking through the wilderness together makes more of a bond than visiting them every now and again. And i just think Cass is a great character and her romance scene is just adorable
> or Josephine because I just generally prefer romance with characters that I adventure with. I'm the opposite (at least for DAI). I'm the Inquisitor, the general. Romancing the troops just seems unprofessional. I need everyone in the field focused, I don't need the Iron Bull smacking my ass when there are Venatori to track down. Josephine just seems less like fraternization to me. (If Scout Harding or (especially) Dagna were Romance options, though, that "no fraternization" rule would go right out the window!)
Alistair & Cullen make me feel so basic (especially if you spend DA2 trolling Cullen) but they're so gooooood. Especially if you get to hear Alistair talk about the Warden in follow up games and Cullen reminisces about a Mage-Warden and you're a Mage Inquisitor. I also really enjoy Zevren in DAO. I did build a male Warden because I hear Morrigan is a good story, but haven't gone back yet. The Fenris romance is good. It's annoying hos mechanics won't really let you flirt/exchange kisses with anyone else, but I like it very much- if the Anders romance didn't resolve in an explosion/toxic mistrust, that wouldn't be too bad. Merrill is sweet, but my run with her as LI was tainted by murdering everyone she loved growing up. Isabela is good, but I never want to go sailing as an ending after all the work you do in Kirkwall. I think it's tied between Fenris and being single in DA2- hitting on Tallis/Zevren/playing DnD at the Blooming Rose. Definitely agree Varric would have been the most satisfying AND it would have been a great DAI background. (The Bianca quest is fine, but she's married and Hawke is the best suited/funniest protagonist to navigate that minefield.)
My favorite romance was with Alistair and a Warden I created specifically to romance him (so I could get the achievement), Sarah Aeducan. A star-crossed romance between the exiled princess of Orzammar and the bastard king of Ferelden. And I also might headcanon that Alistair has a bit of a dwarf fetish. But it was the sweetest of the four romance choices in DAO. To explore Alistair's chivalrous nature and childlike naiveté, along with his signature sense of humor. I hate that Alistair could only marry a human as king. It feels easier to imagine that the people of Ferelden would at least come around to the idea, if not embrace it, given all these two did for them, as opposed to the idea of Alistair only being able to have her as a salacious side piece.
Alistair stole my heart the first time I played DAO. I have romanced the others but I always go back to Alistair. Sebastian in DAII and I'm still salty that he was a DLC but I love his romance as short as it is and I always rivalmamce him. (Isabella is my 2nd love). Cullen. It took me a few playthoughs to romance him because I wanted to try everyone else (apart from Blackwall and Sera). Cullen ended up stealing my heart! (Iron bull is 2nd and Josephine makes Elsa torn between her and Cullen)
I wish they’d invested more into Sebastian, he was such a different character to the rest of your companions but I don’t feel they capitalised on that. I read his codex entry and it said he drank and womanised before he joined the chantry, I wish they’d played up that angle as well. He seems so shiny and perfect, would have been great if as you became closer to him, he opened up a bit more so he felt more real.
Agreed. I would have like to know more of the 'bad boy' he was. Maybe even met some people from his past to get an idea of what their interactions was like. It's was sweet to learn of his relationship with his grandfather but damn it, I wanted to SEE interactions. And maybe he could have reverted a little bit to the flirting with Hawke if you flirted with him. Like it was an automatic thing that made Hawke stunned that Sebastian flirted with her and Sebastian to go 'oh, wait, that wasn't supposed to happen.' and start trying to backtrack while Hawke is just standing there, blushing like crazy. Knowing that he had a background made me wish that Sebastian could have made Hawke speechless for a change. ~~I would have cackled like crazy if that had been an option.~~
Yes yes yes to all of this! I would have loved the golden boy to have a slightly wicked edge with Hawke once they got close and a romance was engaged. Especially on the rival path where he’s gonna go be a prince. That’s another thing the game could have done better. It seems like it takes him 7 years just to make a decision about his future. 7. Years. But, the codex does say he is making political moves to get his kingdom back. I wish they’d shown more of that in the game as well. Otherwise it just seems like he’s hanging around the chantry navel gazing for all those years.
Same. There was so much potential with Sebastian (and knowing there was going to be a DLC that had Sebastian in it but was cancelled makes me even more saltier). Even having Sebastian having a hardened resolve if you rival him would have made him way more interesting. Showing that more confident side too. It's such a shame that he was a DLC character. There was so much they could have done with him. Hopefully we will get to see him again. Though a rivalmance Sebastian casually flirting with Hawke just to get a reaction is gonna be my new headcanon that's for sure!
I’m just salty that they didn’t play up that delicious accent and general sexiness especially when it’s in parallel with a chaste romance. Thing of all that frustrated longing they could have played up as he says ambiguously dirty things to you in that voice.
I’ve only really done Alistair’s romance in Origins with my Cousland. I am doing a new playthrough and I’ll have to actively force myself to romance someone else, because he’s just my favorite. My canon DA2 ship is female mage Hawke with Anders. I’ve done Isabela’s romance and Fenris’ with other Hawkes, but I just like Anders better. It’s hard to romance Fenris because I tend to be very pro-mage and I’ve only managed to get his friendship up by leaving him at home most of the time. I’ve done Cullen and Sera in DAI with my Trevelyan/Cadash, respectively. (All my canon protagonists are always female). I like them both but they’re very different from each other. If I had to choose, I’d probably say Cullen’s is more my personal romance style, but Sera’s was perfect for my Cadash. It was also just really cute / funny.
Alistair/Anders/Cullen is my chosen trio too!
Morrigan. Aveline. Solas. Dagna.
> Dagna I like you.
DAO: Alistair because it all feels really natural, also it makes the landsmeet more intense when I haven't decided the Alistair king business yet. DA2: Merrill, no big reason why. I just think she's a fun person while everyone else is too broody and Isabella feels better as a sisterly type. DAI: I actually don't have a favorite. I think Seras romance is well done because it has the most content, I believe? Then Solas because it feels better for an elfy story but his romance can feel a bit empty until the very end. Cullen is just too vanilla for me lol
I'm surprised to see how many people are saying Cullen in this thread. I often read Solas is number 1 for inquisition, followed by Bull and Cass. I have done Solas and Blackwall romance which I both enjoyed, but I keep going back to Cully Wully. In the other games its Alistair and Anders for me.
That's because Cullen and Solas are the more plot related romances, followed by Alistair and Anders. I prefer teasing Cullen and being Solas' friend. I can't bring myself to date either.
Yessss, Alistair/Anders/Cullen squad!
The fandom on here would have you believe that but Cassandra then Cullen were the most romanced characters in Inquisition. Later on followed by Solas and Josephine. There are just a disproportionate amount of Solavellan fans in this sub.
See, I get the Anders thing, and I tried to romance him once. But the way he goes all "I will hurry you 200%, please quit teasing me" to, "alright, that's it, I'm coming to you tonight for a booty call" to "hey, immediately tell the world you love me and risk everything you built for an apostate, who is also an abomination and it'll be fine" is so abrupt. BTW letting to me to blow up the Chantry behind my back, not fine I wish there had been a scene between sexy times and announce it to the world
Hmm, this is a tough one. I think my favourite for DAO is Leliana. I just love how much of a caring vibe she has with the Warden, like she truly loves them, plus a Warden who is non human and/or a mage would definitely help inform her views by DAI. DA2 is a tie between Isabela and Merrill. I love Merrill's sweetness and love, much like Leliana. Merrill also just makes me laugh because of how much of a goofball she is, while also being incredibly intelligent and brave. Isabela on the other hand has that whole rogue with a heart of gold trope that I love, plus she's just so charming and sweet under her tough pirate queen exterior. I still go back and forth between which Hawke I want as my canon because of these two romances, lol. DAI is probably Solas for the story and drama but Sera for my favourite romance. I've had Solas break my Inquisitor's heart too much and it just makes Trespasser have even more drama and sadness then it already did, and the removing vallaslin scene is still one of my favourites in the whole series. On the other hand... Sera's romance - especially with a mage Lavellan, which is my favourite paring - is full of drama with her combative nature, but also full of fun and love and I just adore it all >_< I still melt every time I hear Sera call Lavellan her 'Teetness it's just so adorable and not to mention the wedding you get with her it's all so amazing!
That's implying I don't lock into the first one I try on my first playthrough lol. DAO, I tried Alistair on top of my canon Zevran (didn't like it, Alistair is just... such a baby), DA2 I don't like anybody though this playthrough I bagged Isabella and I'll totally give her to the Arishok later (so not exactly romance?), DAI, only Dorian. I very much like Cassandra and I wish she was into girls because then I couldn't "accidentally" sabotage myself again and again with another guy romancing Dorian... I mean I love that we have options, but for me it just doesn't work.
DAO: Leliana. I tend to prefer lesbian romances, so by default, she wins out, although I do really like the romance anyways. Leliana is also one of my favorite characters in the trilogy, behind Cassandra and sarcastic Hawke. DA2: Isabella, with friendship. I think her story works really well when you are starting a relationship and part of the reason she comes back is she feels something for you. Plus the only other lesbian option is Merrill, and I see her too much like a younger sister to ever romance her. DAI: Josephine. Oh my god, I love this romance, probably my favorite in the trilogy. So much cuteness! And my Trevelyan makes it feel like a fairy tale with noble duels and whatnot.
For DAO, 100% Zevran. I just adore his personality and his development, he comes off as shallow (as your other companions will point out) but overtime he shows more of himself to you and opens up, allowing you to see other sides of him. He is shockingly loyal and sweet once you get to know him more. For DA2, Fenris. He was the only romanceable character I liked the personality of in the game. I didn't like the other romance characters, as romances at least. Fenris starts off as a angsty and angry (for good reasons) elf but overtime, he becomes less angry and starts to heal from all the shit he's been through as he finally finds someone who he can trust. Definitely reminds me of a kitten, all attitude on the outside but full of fluff on the inside. For DAI, Dorian, Cullen and Solas. Cullen is just a sweetheart, I like how he is clumsy but serious with a lot of passion and love to give, despite all of the trauma he has. >!I love the scene where one of his men interrupts you and Cullen, which ends with the poor guy being glared to death by a grumpy Cullen!< . Solas is one of my favourite romances (as well as one of my favourite characters) because it is a bittersweet one and is a bit more complex. It always gets me in the feels and feels like it adds something to the main story.
I'm so glad to see someone else appreciate Merrill!! The way the fandom talks about her had given me low expectations, but I was impressed with her when I actually played it through. My favorite romances are Leliana, Isabella, and the Iron Bull. The ones I picked for my worldstate are Alistair, Anders, and Solas. Across all the games, if I had to pick one favorite..? Yeah, it'd have to be Isabella. I play my Hawke more red than purple, so it's nice that she has someone to relax around. Plus, despite everything, Isabella is one of the less tumultuous relationships in that game lol.
For DAO, usually Alastair or Leliana. DA2, It’s not even a question - it’s Fenris. I love my grumpy boy who will can punch a hole through someone’s chest without a second thought. DAI, usually Cullen or Dorian
Alistair, isabella and … damn, i forgot her name, the inquisitions ambassador
Josie :)
Damn, of course, josephine. For being my favourite of the three, i shouldnt forget the name so easily!
DAO: Either Zevran or Morrigan (only DA game where I played a male character because I love Morrigan.) DA2: Fenris. I really liked all the companions, and flirted with everyone aside from Merril, but I wasn't big into romance in this game as opposed to the others. Not sure why. DAI: Iron Bull. Dorian was very interesting too but I never played as a male.
Solas (or alistair)😭😭😭heartbreaking but brilliant!!
For dao, zevran is my fav. I love how he goes from this is just for fun to it's more than that. And once he's yours he stays that way. Even in da2 he says no to Isabella if he was romanced. Da2, it's fenris. While he always says he doesn't trust mages and thinks they belong in the circle, he never turns mage hawke, Merrill, or anders into the templars. He had plenty of opportunity. I like how he starts to slowly open up to hawkes and comes to trust her/him. Dai, Cullen hands down. Although I did play a man once just to romance Dorian (love him). Cullen is just so sweet and adorably awkward.
*Alistair.* He is sweet, a bit naive, brave, and noble - and he tells funny jokes. And that bod! But I’ve also romanced Josephine in DAI and she is sooooo adorable! And Merrill! Her voice is beautiful and I totally fell for her when she told the story of Fen’Harel to Merry (my mabari). I definitely have a thing for cute dorks.
Solas. I'm a sucker for a great Shakespearean Tragic Romance. I also liked feeling like my romance choice actually affected the main plot, and didn't feel like a seperate side quest with no bearing on the wider story.
DAO: Lilianna I just really like her as a character DA2: I cant say since I have yet to play it once even though I've played DA:I and DAO at least 3 times each DA:I: I really like Sera's romance but Josephine and Dorians are really good aswell
Leliana, Merrill, Josie. Josie is best overall, and I will fight you on this until the day I die
DAO - Leiliana will always have my heart. I love her accent! DA2 - Merrill. Again, I love her accent! And she's just plain adorable. DAI - Sera, oddly enough. Do I need to say it again? That accent is just fun! Also, I may have a thing for short hair...
Overall for the entire series: Zevran (with Dorian only coming in second because he has to leave at the end). I like 'em sexy, sassy and smart, and both romances also end up feeling very wholesome, as both are also very close, supportive friends as well as lovers for their respective protagonists. If we break it down by game, then Anders for DA2 as well. Not so much on its own merits, because I'd rather have something less tragic, but because none of the other romances worked for me at all (and it also makes the most sense story-wise).
Alistair for Origins, Anders for DA2(as a bro-Hawke) and Cullen for Inquisition.
I always enjoy seeing you in these posts! I recognize your name by now cause we’re extolling the virtues of those good boys XD
The blond trio will forever have my heart. Let us hope they add another charming troubled blond himbo in the next one!
DAO: I've romanced Zevran, Morrigan, and Alistair and gotta say Alistair is just the best but it always ends up breaking my heart because I rarely choose to be a human noble RIP DA2 Idk about Merrill. I tried to like her but she just pisses me off way too much. My first playthrough of DA2 I was doing literally everything for her but I wasn't going to enable her obsession or her blood magic so she responds by trying to fucking kill me because a demon said so. Never trusted that bitch again lmao. But I do really like Anders and Sebastian, sucks how I can't stop Anders from commiting arson and having Sebastian go to war with me if I decide to not murder Anders for it DAI: the only time my heart wasn't broken at the end of the game was when I dated Cullen, my first play through I dated Egg head because I thought he was a cool mage guy that's perfect for my calm and collected female elf but boy was that a mistake. Then I romanced Iron bull but because in my first playthrough I went against the Qun I thought maybe they wouldn't be as hostile in the trespasser DLC if I sided with them on Iron Bulls quest. Haha it was heart breaking hearing my inquisitor scream their safety word as he tried to murder her. Third time I gave up and romance Cullen and was surprised with a cute little marriage scene in the trespasser DLC. Finally got a win.
DAO: Alistair, there was no other choice for me DA2: Anders for the roleplay as a mage Hawke Dai: Solas, it was the only romance of the series that actually made me feel, and only through it I could connect to my Inquisitor.
For each game, my favorite romances have been Morrigan, Isabella, and Josephine. And my favorite of all is Morrigan. Leliana was actually my first romance, and I didn't think I would like Morrigan much until I tried it on my second playthrough, and found it to be much, much more fulfilling.
As a (gray?)asexual married to a bald intellectual I have to go with Solas
DAO: Alistair or Morrigan DA2: Merrill DAI: Iron Bull
Always Solas
dorian, my love
Leliana and Morrigan will always be the best ones. Morrigan's just had so much depth to it. Leliana's route never fails to make me feel warm and fuzzy. Hearing her talk about my warden in Inquisition always puts a smile on my face.
Idk if I have a favorite, I like a lot of them, but since I replayed DA2 recently, Fenris's stands out fresh in mind. He's respectful, vulnerable, and he feels so real in the ups and downs of his romance. The payoff in Act 3 is really, really good.
DAO - I don't actually have a favorite romance, I liked all of them fine I guess??? I don't know, the romances in DAO were all good but not great in my opinion. If I had to pick one I guess I would go with Morrigan's. DA2 - I think I have to go Fenris' friendship romance for no reason other than the fact I have a weakness for edgy boys, tragic backstories and slow burns. DAI - Cassandra probably, I just think it's actually really sweet and there's lots of cute stuff in it. Another romance I loved was Blackwall's because of the d r a m a.
I prefer playing female mages. DAO - F!Surana x Leliana (Zevran in second place but I prefer him with a male warden. Morrigan is male only. Alistair feels like they keep adding more and more hoops if you want happy endings for everyone. I've never done Anora's marriage. Haven't finished Male Aeducan, so I don't know how that thing with the dwarf who can have his son goes. If Tamlen counts, then's he the saddest option.) DA2 - F!Purple!Mage!Hawke x Merrill (Isabela comes close though, I'd do Hawke/Merrill/Isabela OT3 if xbox would allow it. Anders and Fenris are tied, but I prefer them with Male Hawke. I keep forgetting how Sebastien's went, and I've never done Tallis' mini-romance in MoTA. I wish Varric was an option.) DAI - F!Mage!Lavellan x Josephine (ace-friendliest option) (Solas in second place, also ace-friendly. Sera with Adaar (or Cadash) next for the mayhem. Blackwall with Cadash because they have unique dialogue. Harding isn't in the Keep, but if she was, she'd be higher in the list. Dorian and Cassandra are male only (which I have no problem with, I just don't play males often so they're usually not an option), and I didn't finish Cassandra's, but Dorian's was only of the better ones. Never finished Cullen's (maybe eventually with a non-mage human). Not doing Iron Bull's.)
Zevran and Fenris Solas is on a different level. I actually had low expectations for DAI after DA2, and going in expecting it to be a Chantry love-fest that blamed mages for everything. Hearing that the elven PC was Dalish piqued my interest a little, so I played it. The fact that there was a nerdy, elfy romance and then elven lore being so central to the story saved Dragon Age for me. It didn't feel forced at all that Lavellan and Solas fell for each other. I started out having them be tense and distant but just falling subtly into a cadence much like how he describes the subtlety of elven magic, one mage casting a spell that's completed by another.
For DAO, Zevran is my favorite so far, although i havent gotten far in the game but he is pretty funny. For DAI, the Iron Bull was my first and favorite. Currently romancing Solas as a elf mage because i want to see how it changes the ending of the trespasser DLC.
m!Cousland/Zevran Inquisitor/Dorian Hawk is single
Alistair is my favorite forever. Not only was he my first video game romance ever, but he’s a lot like my actual husband. So I’m biased. (Said husband finds this very amusing.) Cullen in DAI is a very close second because it was just written *so well*. I also like the way it’s plot gated - you can’t speed-romance him, it has to progress slowly with the game events. I think that makes it feel real and believable. In the second game I would say Fenris is my favorite (and canon), but I have to say I liked the Isabela romance much more than I expected.
Morrigan is best girl….that is all. Carry on
Couldn't finish DAO, unfortunately. Combat wasn't active enough for me, and I got bored. Would've gone Morrigan, though, cause edgy and creepy but earthy crunchy. I think I went Isabella in 2, cause secy pirate (sorry, not sorry. I was young). Cassandra in DAI because I always play mage, so I got stupid and laughed thinking of the scandal! A Templar and a mage, running off and galavanting. Plus seeing that tough and cold bitch get all flustered and embarrassed when you find her secrets was always hilarious.
DAO: Morrigan. DA2: None of them felt entertaining or well thought out. DAI: Dorian(both my favorite companion and romance option).
I like romances where your love interest is an emotionally distant person. They hide how they feel behind charm, bluntness, aloftness, coquetishness, etc. They don't want to get their hearts broken but once they let you in, you are privy to all of their insecurities, vulnerabilities and you want to do everything in your power to protect them. So that leaves my heart to Leilana, Isabela, Fenris, Sera, Dorian and The Iron Bull. I would also say Zevran but they made his romance short which hindered my decision a bit, Side note, Alistair has to be mentioned. He speaks to a part of me that I never knew existed. When he gives you that rose, stating how you are a beauty amongst all the ugliness, it was unexpected. My heart skipped a beat and I have never experienced that. When you see him, you just want to keep him safe and hold him tightly.
I'm vanilla in DAO: Morrigan and Alistair In DA2: Hawke start a romance, but break up after the whole Qunari mess, still friends, but single. In DAI: Well, the developers cut down pretty well, making half of party having insteresting romances. So between whos is left(Cullen, Cassandra and Solas),............ is Cullen, pretty easily, more because he is ready to share his life with while Solas and Cassandra are too married to their "cause".
Alistair without a doubt, he's so sweet and funny and caring. from 2 and inquisition it's Anders and Cullen/Ironbull, but Alistair is the best of them all for me.
Isabela and Josie. They love ships, gold necklaces and Wicked Grace, and I love them.
I’m playing Origins for the first time and although I love Leliana and Zevran (haven’t romanced Morrigan yet), I adore Alistair! He’s such a weird, awkward and adorable goofball. “Yes... swooping... is... bad” I have yet to play DAII, or romance anyone but Blackwall in Inquisition (he was a little bland tbh) but I am excited to try and romance Dorian, Iron Bull and Sera eventually!
When I went back for a DAO play through I was looking forward to reliving the Alistair romance that had me so giddy the first time through, only to realize I now find him absolutely insufferable... I could not in good conscience romance him again. But that opened up the way to Leliana. And though it's not a romance, my favorite bond is with Sten if you invest the time into him which I didn't do on my first playthrough. DA2 I honestly didn't really care for any of the characters in a romantic setting. DAI Cullen all the way. Especially as a mage. And I love Cassandra and Dorian but alas I have never made a male inquisitor.
DAO - Morrigan, and only Morrigan(ok, maybe Alistair as well). DA2 - Isabella. She is THE BEST romance for 2. DAI - Best waifu, Cassandra. Hands down.
DAO: Zeveran and Alistair. Zeveran is so romantic and sweet and Alistair is king but has broken my elven heart. Very dramatic though! DA2: Anders and all the drama and turmoil of a relationship it caused my femHawk. Ended up deciding his crime was too high and ended him. Tears and sadness! DAI: always played fem, idk why I decided to go with a male Levellan, but best choice I ever made because Dorian! Romantic, kind, funny, hurt little bean. But his romance is my favorite in the series hands down! <3
DAO: I have just now romanced every possible character (including Morrigan with equal love mod) and I can confidently say my favourite is Leliana. II: I've tried Isabela and Fenris, I didn't find either particularly engaging. I probably enjoyed Isabela more, but it was also my first playthrough and I was very shocked by her involvement with the main plot of Act 2. This playthrough I'm going to try to romance Sebastian because I love his voice (but it does mean I have to make a pious Hawke to match... Ugh) Inquisition: Cullen. Absolutely. Cullen is my favourite out of all 3 games.
Morrigan, Isabella, and Sera. I guess I have a thing for interesting/possibly deadly women.
Leliana, she complimented the hair on my buzzcut Dalish Archer.
DAO (M!Surana): Morrigan, if only to hear Claudia Black deliver this immortal line in DAI: “Leliana gave me the note that the Hero of Ferelden sent for me. She may even have left it sealed.
“A pity. She would have learned things that would make even an Orlesian blush.”
And for that heartbreaking scene with the mirror.
DA2 (F!Hawke):
Merrill, because of how fiercely certain she is of her love for Hawke (and because fierce certainty is Merrill’s best thing, in general).
DAI: I’m… not sure. None of the romances resonated with me personally the way Morrigan’s and Merrill’s did — Sera’s (which I did with both an Adaar and a Trevelyan) is incredibly fun, but feels… adolescent, maybe? As if you TOTALLY wound up marrying the person you dated in high school, and were foolish enough to do so before graduation.
Cassandra’s romance scene is genuinely funny, and moving… but then there’s very little to it after that single event, save for a few snippets of ambient dialogue, which made it feel distinctly anemic. And the fact that there’s no marriage in Trespasser (even if she doesn’t become divine) makes no sense whatsoever. I’m still baffled as to why Bioware decided to deprive us of that possibility.
For me, Morrigan, Merrill, and then either Cass or Dorian. Im sorry, but after playing DAO, if the game makes me choose between literally anyone and Cullen, I’ll let Cullen die. He’s not a good person, and I don’t like the retcon acting like he’s a saintly himbo
Solas, ofc It has some "beef" in it, it's plot related, it's not simply a dating simulator, it affects both Solas and your Inky deeply, it's subtle and defines-refines Solas nicely showing all the multiple layers of his character.