For me, I really like both Dwarf origins, with Noble probably a bit more.
Dwarf commoner shows how bad castless have it and provides a unique outlook on the later part of the game, and is one of the few origins where joining the wardens really feels like a step up in the world. Although the ending of the origin feels rushed, a bit deus ex machina, IMO.
Dwarf noble is just amazing all around. So many ways you can roleplay your dwarf, and the origin adjusts accordingly- you can be an honorable goody two-shoes, or a scheming douchebag that is too noble to talk to your lessers. You can refuse to participate in the noble schemes, or play the game of thrones yourself- the end result is the same, but how guilty you join them differs.
As for the least favorite origin, I have to say it’s the City Elf one for me. I just don’t like how one-dimensional the villain is, how little impact it has, considering how traumatic the whole origin can be.
What about tou?
I just started a new playthrough two days ago. My typical character is noble human, but I wanted something different this time. I’m Dalish this round. I can’t remember doing this opening before. Starting out as an elf who thinks humans are below them, gives some fun interactions. Like insulting the king and him laughing it off. It was a short opening compared to the dwarves.
My least favorite is a mage. In the tower, everything around you feels powerful. You hear about all the magic available. Then you cast a basic spell and it is like 9 damage. It feels misbalanced. Almost like the devs made them strong and someone thought they were op, so they neutered it. Granted, you can have a strong playthrough as a mage. It’s just the first third of the game feels off.
Yeah, dalish origin is pretty underrated. One of the few where your character has a reason to really hate Duncans guts and feel like they were being screwed by the wardens. Also I like that it shows how close knit the clan is. If you take your time to talk to folks around the camp, the final goodbye hits different. Also as a f!Dalish, Tamlens fate can hit really hard.
As for mage origin, its been years since Ive played it, but I agree mages take time to feel powerful in DAO, in contrast to the games lore.
The City Elf was quite apt in my opinion, a petty problem for petty men. Meaningless, worthless, unimportant- it fit that origin perfectly. Nobodies nobody cares about in an isolated microcosm of pitiful wretchedness. Perfectly unlikeable. Yet from that rabble rises a saviour of sorts that finds the wider world to be just as petty as the slum they crawled out of. Quite fitting for a dark fantasy. I too like it the least and it feels as if i’m supposed to.
The mage is meant to be powerless at first, squished between giants, in order to make the fear of templars and the temptation of demons much more palatable. Then as they become wardens, they are to realise how small and insignificant they truly were as a fledgeling mage.
The Dalish are interesting as remnants of a fallen empire. And i see that origin story as a slow decay, with every step forward stripping more and more of its legacy.
The Dwarven commoner is fun in a “Hold it right there, criminal scum!” kind of way, with little guilt for pilfering from others.
The Dwarven prince felt more opulent in form, even slightly nauseating, with a whiff of pretentious selfishness. I felt snobbish playing it, more than the human one.
The human noble was posh. A babied protagonist, casual sex with a maid, the cursed unavoidable betrayal, it felt quite British.
I don’t really have a favourite in a positive way, but i find the City Elf to be the most purposeful in relation with everything.
I always go back to Cousland. It makes the DLC better to know I’m ruling in Amaranthine after what that bastard Howe did to my family. Also, I always end up romancing Alistair again, even when I tell myself I’ll go for someone else, and being queen is better than being a side piece (and I can’t stand Anora, so ousting her is a plus). In addition I think rogue is most fun in DA:O, though that would never be my main reason, still it’s a positive.