Overview:
Estimated achievement difficulty: 8/10
Offline: 50 (1000)
Online: 0
Approximate amount of time to 1000: 80 hrs + (highly skill-dependent for Nightmare)
Minimum number of playthroughs needed: 1, 2 Recommended
Missable achievements: "Belle of the Balle", "The Brightest of Their Age", "On Burning Wings", "Persuasive", "People Person", "Beloved and Precious"
Does difficulty affect achievements?: Yes
Unobtainable/glitched achievements: "Dragons' Bane", "Veteran", "Persuasive"
Extra equipment needed?: None
Introduction:
In Inquisition, you begin as a relative nobody (henceforth referred to as the Herald), thrown into a perilous situation by an unknown antagonizing force. The Chantry as you and Thedas knew it has crumbled around you and you are at the center of the smoking political ruin left to reshape the state of two neighboring states, Ferelden and Orlais: Ferelden currently in turmoil and accepting apostate Mages and rogue Templars; Orlais in a vicious battle of words and subterfuge to determine who comes out on top amidst the Chantry’s chaos.
The combat structure of Inquisition is akin to the first entry in the series. At any time you wish, you may pause combat, engage a tactical camera view, and issue commands to any or all of your party. If the command involves movement, a line is drawn from the character taking the action to where they are moving. Unlike Origins, however, the combat is much more fluid now, taking what was good from Dragon Age 2 and adapting it to a slightly slower play style. On easier difficulties such as Easy or Normal, the tactical camera will not be necessary outside of tough battles, or unless you simply like to use it. On Hard or Nightmare, however, it becomes a necessity. Learn it, love it, and prepare to use it regularly.
Abbreviated Walkthrough:
In the early stages of the game, you can easily clear out some quick achievements like "Well-Prepared", "Customized", "Sharp-Eyed", "Well-Read", "Skilled", "Synergized", "Decorator", "Cavalier", and "Trailblazer". These will require little to no effort.
Throughout the middle-to end-game, you will start unlocking many of the longer ones that have multiple requirements like "Specialized", "Pathfinder", "Stargazer", "Liberator", "Persuasive", "People Person", "Loremaster", and "Quartermaster". These will require moderate effort, mostly just keeping an eye open for their requirements and acting on them when possible.
In regard to difficulty, it is recommended that you begin on Hard in order to get Herald on your first playthrough, as well as learning how the tactical camera works and synergy between party members. If you are new to the series, I recommend Normal as your first playthrough. Regardless of what you start with, Nightmare will most likely be a second journey into the game for most of you, and you can get any of the missable achievements you may not have gotten your first time on top of finally getting Inquisitor and the completion.
Mop-Up:
Once you've completed the game, you are able to continue play and get the final achievements you may have missed. For the average gamer, these will most likely include "Botanist", "Master Alchemist", "Dragons’ Bane", "Veteran", "Peerless", and "Invincible".
Follow the achievement descriptions below to polish these off.
Conclusion:
Dragon Age: Inquisition is one of the most rewarding and fulfilling RPGs to date, and I don’t mean just this year. Even if it is a little heavy on the waypoint hunting, the story and character interactions are top notch and the voice acting is what you’ve come to expect from BioWare. A rich and satisfying combat mechanic round out the whole positive experience. You won’t have many troubles with most of these achievements and you’re in for a long, enjoyable ride.
[XBA would like to thank Floyd. for this Roadmap]