Dragon Age: Origins Achievement Guide & Road Map

Dragon Age: Origins
Dragon Age: Origins Achievement Guide

Overview:
-Estimated achievement difficulty: 5/10
-Offline: 61/61 (1325)
-Online: 0/61 (0)
-Approximate amount of time to 1325: 70 hours
-Minimum number of playthroughs needed: 1 Full playthrough plus at least 6 partial playthroughs for the main game. 1 Full playthrough plus 1 partial playthrough of each of the separate DLC's, but some of the DLC's can be done during the main story playthroughs.
-Number of missable achievements: Numerous, read below
-Glitched achievements: None
-Do cheat codes disable achievements?: No Cheats
-Does difficulty affect achievements?: Yes (2 of the DLC achievements, but none in the main game)
-Extra equipment needed?: None
-Is there DLC? Yes

The Stone Prisoner
- Estimated achievement difficulty: 1/10
- Approximate amount of time to 50: 1-2 Hours
- Glitchy/Missable/Unobtainable: None

Warden's Keep
- Estimated achievement difficulty: 1/10
- Approximate amount of time to 50: 1-2 Hours
- Glitchy/Missable/Unobtainable: None

This game is very simple to max out so long as you understand what achievements are missable and where to make key saves.

Introduction:
Welcome to Dragon Age: Origins. This is a 3rd person RPG that takes you on the journey of a Grey Warden. This road map will be written for those who wish to max out this game as quickly as possible. If you do not wish to play this way, you're looking at a minimum of four full playthroughs. Thankfully. the game has no achievements that require you to play on any difficulty other than the easiest setting. This makes difficult battles very easy to win. When the game was released, the DLCs (Warden's Keep and Stone Prisoner) both had glitched achievements. That problem has been fixed for anyone who buys the DLC now. For those who did have them glitch, they should be fixed with the next free title update which is being released on January 13, 2010.

Step 1: Preparation
Before we begin I highly recommend that you have this walkthrough handy in case you get lost or confused. The walkthrough shows you everything you need to know and where to find virtually everything in the game. In addition I also recommend that you have this website bookmarked. If you have a question about something within this game, you can almost guarantee that wiki will have an answer for you. With those two tools handy it's time to begin your first, and if you're trying to finish the game as quick as possible, only playthrough.

Step 2: Full Playthrough
This playthrough will be the longest and most involved step in the process. Begin a new game on the easiest difficulty setting. Your class and origin don't matter, but make sure it's one you'll like. Next, you'll want to complete your origin story to get that achievement. With your origin story complete you'll now need to start worrying about all the missable achievements. I'll address them all now.

Story Related Achievements: Below in the guide, you'll see that all the story related achievements are grouped into a section. Although not all are missable, many are. The reason for this is because you get an achievement for each side of the quest's main choice. This is why knowing the location of each key save noted under the achievement is critical. Failure to save at the right moments could result in you having to do another full playthrough.

Traveler: This achievement requires you to set foot in every area of the game. Make sure you are constantly checking this achievement's guide as many areas of the game are only available for a brief period of time.

Recruiter: Some of your companions are not storyline related and as such are missable. Be sure to check to see if you can recruit a member in any new area you enter. It is very easy to get this achievement in one playthrough.

Hopelessly Romantic: Although this achievement requires more than one playthrough, do your best to get three of the four romances done on your full playthrough. This will make it that much easier to get this achievement on your second partial playthrough.

Menacing/Silver Tongued: The Coercion skill is your best friend when it comes to these achievements and therefore should be the first skill you focus on. Always choose intimidation options over persuasion ones as they occur less frequently.

Perfectionist: Although technically story related, I just wanted to ensure that you look at the locations of the key saves for this achievement. Failure to do so will result in your having to play the whole game again.

Stone's Lament: If you have the Stone Prisoner DLC ensure that you destroy the Anvil when given the opportunity. Otherwise Shale will leave your party and you miss out on getting this achievement's quest.

NOTE: Try to do as many of the miscellaneous achievements as you can this playthrough.

NOTE #2: The DLCs can be completed anytime after you leave your party camp for the first time. The DLCs that can be completed during the main game are 'The Stone Prisoner', 'Warden's Keep' and 'Return to Ostagar'. The remaining DLCs are all separate from the main game and must be accessed through the main menu.

Step 3: Partial Playthrough #2
With your full playthrough complete it's time to start mopping up everything else. Begin a new playthrough, again on the easiest setting, and choose a class, sex and origin story you haven't played yet. Complete the origin story and then use the leveling glitch described in Archmage to get to level 25. Continue playing until you get your final romance, Hopelessly Romantic and Blight-Queller to unlock. That's it for this playthrough.

Step 4: Partial Playthrough #3
This playthrough will be quick. Simply choose the last class you haven't played as well as an origin story you haven't played and play through until you can again do the leveling glitch. Once you hit level 20 with this character, spend all the talents points and then quit out.

Step 5: Origin Stories
For the final step, simply play through the remaining three origin stories you haven't chosen yet. It doesn't matter what class you choose for these so long as the origin story allows that class. It should take about an hour or so per origin story if you don't rush.

Conclusion:
That's it! If you still have a miscellaneous achievement left, load up one of you level 20+ characters and knock it out. Congrats on your 1325!

[XBA would like to thank Method for this Road Map]
[XBA would like to thank Scotty for the Revisions and the DLC Additions]

Slayer

20
Sided with the werewolves in "Nature of the Beast"
See "Poacher" for more details about this quest.

When you reach the end of the Werewolves' Lair, you'll be taken before the werewolves' leaders. Persuade them during the conversation to attack the Dalish Elves camp. You'll need to have the skill Expert Coercion (14 Cunning) to pull this off. Anything less, and they won't believe you. Once you convince them, you'll be taken the Elves camp. Wipe them out.
Poacher

20
Sided with the elves in "Nature of the Beast"
To begin this quest, go to the Brecilian Outskirts and speak to the Dalish Elves. Head into the Brecilian Forest. You'll be attacked by combinations of wolves, werewolves, bears, Darkspawn, and trees. Yes, trees. Find the Grand Oak and it'll ask (yes, ask) you to find it's acorn that was taken by a mad hermit mage. When you the hermit, you'll have to play his game. You can't attack him and take it. You have to play along. When you catch him, he'll offer you the acorn in a trade. Return it to the Grand Oak, and you'll be provided with a way to reach Witherfang. Make your way through the ruins to the werewolves.

When you reach the end of the ruins, you will be asked to return with Zathrian to negotiate. Side with Zathrian when asked and wipe out the werewolves.
Sacrilegious

20
Sided with the Cult of Andraste in "The Urn Of Sacred Ashes"
Towards the end of your search for the Urn to heal the Arl, you'll come across the Cult of Andraste. After fighting hordes of them, you'll meet one of them who wants to talk. He'll offer you the chance of helping the Cult and still being able to heal the Arl. Accept his offer and continue on to find the ashes.

Whatever you do, DO NOT hit the gong. You won't be able to win the fight that comes until later in the game.
Annulment Invoker

20
Sided with the templars in "Broken Circle"
See "Magic Sympathizer" for more details about this quest.

Once you escape the Fade, then you have to face the blood mage that has overtaken the Tower. You'll meet an imprisoned Templar on the way up to the blood mage. He'll ask you to kill all of the Mages. Agree with him and kill them after the fight with the blood mage.

Once the fight is done and you have killed all of the Mages, return to the first floor of the Tower and say that the Tower is secure. The Templars will join your army as a result.
Magic Sympathizer

20
Sided with the mages in "Broken Circle"
Note: If you want to get "Traveler", you have to visit all locations on the Fade map.

To begin this quest, head to the Lake Calenhad Docks and take the ferry to Circle Tower. Once you get on the ferry, there's no turning back. You'll have to finish "Broken Circle". When you arrive at the tower, you'll find it in disarray and overrun by blood mages and demons. Fight your way to the top level of the Tower where you'll meet the Sloth Demon. On the first level of the Tower, you'll meet Wynne. You want her in your party. Here is where it gets interesting. You'll be sent into the Fade. There are a series of "stages" that you must complete. There are six with a demon that you must kill. Four of these also have dreaming Templars and Mages that will give you a Shapeshifting ability. After destroying these demons, you have to rescue the other three members of your party, then fight the Sloth Demon. Once you escape the Fade, then you have to face the blood mage that has overtaken the Tower. You'll meet an imprisoned Templar on the way up to the blood mage. He'll ask you to kill all of the Mages. Refuse him and elect to spare the mages.

During the fight, the blood mage will attempt to turn the other captured mages into sloth demons. If you don't use the Litany of Andraste to protect them, you could be unwittingly forced into Annulment Invoker if you're not careful. The Litany protects the mages and prevents the blood mage from corrupting them. Once the fight is done and you have rescued the Mages, return to the first floor of the Tower and say that the Mages are all safe. The Mages will then join your army as a result.
Ceremonialist

20
Defied the Cult of Andraste in "The Urn of Sacred Ashes"
Towards the end of your search for the Urn to heal the Arl, you'll come across the Cult of Andraste. After fighting hordes of them, you'll meet one of them who wants to talk. He'll offer you the chance of helping the Cult and still being able to heal the Arl. Reject his offer and continue on to find the ashes.

Whatever you do, DO NOT hit the gong. You won't be able to win the fight that comes until later in the game.
Heavy Hitter

10
Main character inflicted 250 damage with a single hit
As a Warrior and have a high strength and willpower. Get a two-handed weapon with runes on it to increase the damage you inflict. Have your party mates cast buffing spells on you. Use the Berserker skill “Final Blow”. Make sure you stamina bar is full as well.

As a Rogue, max out your Archery talents, especially the Pinning Shot line. Get to Arrow of Slaying as soon as you can. Use that talent in a fight and you'll easily do over 500 damage.

As a Mage, use Walking Virulent Bomb or Mana Clash on another Mage. Combining Spell Wisp, Spell Might, a high magic attribute, and two items that increases damage works as well (thanks to AstralBlades for that tip).

This needs to be done against one, single enemy. There have been quite a few times where I've damaged multiple opponents with my Mage or Rogue with damage well over 250. Remember, it's a single hit, not a single attack. You also need to do this with your main character. No switching to Shale. It won't count.
Bloodied

10
Completed an origin story without the main character ever falling in battle
This can be done on any of the Origin stories. Don't allow yourself to run out of health during any of the origin stories. Keep it up with health potions. Setting the game on Casual difficulty makes this extremely easy.
Traveler

35
Set foot in every area in the game
This has to be done in one playthrough. You'll need to hit every location on the main map, and the sub maps for the Deep Roads and Denerim. You'll need to do every main quest and quite a few side quests to visit all of them. Make sure you go into every door, every shop, every section every town, every Chantry...everywhere. These are the locations you'll need in your Codex.

See this thread for a list of the locations you'll need for this achievement.
Pragmatist

20
Preserved the Anvil of the Void
See "Liberator" for further details about this quest.

When you complete the rooms, you'll find Cairidin. He'll ask you to destroy the Anvil. Choose to not destroy it. Whether you choose to destroy it or not, you will have the means to put into place the new king.
Bhelen's Ally

20
Sided with Bhelen in "A Paragon of Her Kind"
To begin this quest, head to the Frostback Mountains and gain entry to Orzammar. When you have to choice of whom to support to become the king, do the quest for Bhelen. Follow the line of quests that you receive for supporting Bhelen. Eventually, this quest will become intertwined with "Anvil of the Void." See "Liberator" and "Pragmatist" for more details.

After completing "The Anvil of the Void", return to Orzammar and choose Bhelen as the king of the dwarves. Despite doing quests for Bhelen, you will be given one last chance to change sides.
Harrowmont's Ally

20
Sided with Harrowmont in "A Paragon of Her Kind"
To begin this quest, head to the Frostback Mountains and gain entry to Orzammar. When you have to choice of who to support to become the king, do the quest for Harrowmont. Follow the line of quests that you receive for supporting Harrowmont. Eventually, this quest will become intertwined with "Anvil of the Void." See Liberator and Pragmatist for more details.

After completing "The Anvil of the Void", return to Orzammar and choose Harrowmont as the king of the dwarves. Despite doing quests for Bhelen, you will be given one last chance to change sides.
Liberator

20
Destroyed the Anvil of the Void
Whichever potential leader you chose to support will send you into the Deep Roads beneath Orzammar to find Branka and ask her to support your choice for king. After fighting legions of Darkspawn and other creatures, you'll find Branka. She'll get you to complete a series of trapped rooms to get to the Anvil. When you complete the rooms, you'll find Cairidin. He'll ask you to destroy the Anvil. Whether you choose to destroy it or not, you will have the means to put into place the new king.

By completing this and taking this path, you'll open up "A Golem's Memories" if you have "The Stone Prisoner" DLC.
Casteless

10
Completed the Dwarf Commoner origin story
The Origin story is the first part of the game after creating your character. Choose "Dwarf" as your race and "Dwarf Commoner" for you Background. Play through the story and when you agree to join the Grey Wardens, this will unlock. The origin stories take about 1-2 hours each.
Kinslayer

10
Completed the Dwarf Noble origin story
The Origin story is the first part of the game after creating your character. Choose "Dwarf" as your race and "Dwarf Noble" for you Background. Play through the story and when you agree to join the Grey Wardens, this will unlock. The origin stories take about 1-2 hours each.
Last of the Wardens

20
Completed Ostagar
No matter which Origin story you choose, this is where you will head immediately after. Depending on which Origin story you chose, this may also be your first encounter with the Darkspawn. Simply complete the quests that are given to you.
Harrowed

10
Completed the Magi origin story
The Origin story is the first part of the game after creating your character. Choose "Elf" or "Human" as your race and "Magi" for you Background. Play through the story and when you agree to join the Grey Wardens, this will unlock. The origin stories take about 1-2 hours each.
Last of Your Line

10
Completed the Human Noble origin story
The Origin story is the first part of the game after creating your character. Choose "Human" as your race and "Human Noble" for you Background. Play through the story and when you agree to join the Grey Wardens, this will unlock. The origin stories take about 1-2 hours each.
Corrupted

10
Completed the Dalish Elf origin story
The Origin story is the first part of the game after creating your character. Choose "Elf" as your race and "Dalish Elf" for you Background. Play through the story and when you agree to join the Grey Wardens, this will unlock. The origin stories take about 1-2 hours each.
Conscripted

10
Completed the City Elf origin story
The Origin story is the first part of the game after creating your character. Choose "Elf" as your race and "City Elf" for you Background. Play through the story and when you agree to join the Grey Wardens, this will unlock. The origin stories take about 1-2 hours each.
Standard-Bearer

20
Used the Grey Warden treaties to recruit all possible allies
To get this achievement, you'll have to complete "Broken Circle", "Nature of the Beast", "Paragon of her Kind", "The Arl of Redcliffe", and "The Urn of Sacred Ashes". You'll have to get on the good side of the humans in Redcliffe, the Dalish Elves, the Dwarves, and the Mages/Templars. Once you complete those quests, return to Castle Redcliffe and speak to the Arl. Tell the Arl to begin the Landsmeet and watch the cutscene.
Hopelessly Romantic

25
Across all playthroughs, experienced all possible romances

Complete the romance stories with Morrigan, Leliana, Zevran, and Alistair. For Morrigan, your character needs to be male. For Alistair, your character needs to be female. For Leliana and Zevran, your character can be either male or female. When you reach a certain level (track your progress with the meter below their Character Record), you will slowly approach the end of the romance. You need to get the meter as high as possible (Leliana for example is close to maxed out, Zevran doesn't take nearly as much). You'll do a quest for them, then share a kiss, and then...

For an easy way to gain points with them, go into your inventory, and scroll over to the "Other" list. Anything that says "Gift" in purple can be given to any potential romantic interest. Just use to scroll over to the character you're interested in, highlight which item you're going to give her, and press to give it to him. The best items vary from character to character. See "First Knight", "Witch Gone Wild", "Easy Lover", and "Wine, Woman, and Song" for more details.

You'll probably need two playthroughs for this, but it may be possible to do this in one. If you have a high enough affection with each of the four, have been romantic with at least one of them, none of them are jealous, and have a high enough coercion talent and cunning ability, then you may be able to pull off a foursome with Isabella in The Pearl in Denerim.
Perfectionist

50
Across all playthroughs, discovered all possible endings
(4)
This is all going to depend on the decisions you make and who you side with throughout your playthroughs. You should be able to get this in two playthroughs. For now, that is unconfirmed. Below in the spoiler tags, is the list of what you have to do. Do not read if you don't want things spoiled for you.

***SPOILER WARNING***
- Morrigan performs the ritual that saves you.
- You sacrifice yourself to save Ferelden.
- Loghain sacrifices himself to save Ferelden.
- Alistair sacrifices himself to save Ferelden.
Educated

15
Used a tome to improve the main character's attributes, talents, spells, or skills
At random spots in the game, you'll find these tomes that can improve your character. They will be in the "Usable Items" section of your inventory. Press then to get to your inventory. Push to get your Usable Items list. The tomes will be at the bottom beneath all of your potions. Highlight and press to use it, then to leave the menu.
Recruiter

25
Across all playthroughs, recruited all party members
(1)
The party members that you have to recruit are: Alistair (Ostagar), Morrigan (Kocari Wilds), Leliana (Lothering), Sten (Lothering), "Dog" (Human Noble origin and in Ostagar), Zevran (encounter after Redcliffe), Oghren (Orzammar), Wynne (Mage's Circle Tower), and Loghain (after "The Landsmeet"). Be aware, if you accept Loghain into your party, then Alistair will leave it forever.

Shale is not be required for this. If you have the "Stone's Prisoner" DLC, recruit him anyway because he's extremely valuable.
Hero of Redcliffe

20
Completed "The Arl of Redcliffe"
This is a very long quest that will see you traverse the map several times. You''ll travel to "Redcliffe Village" to begin this series of quests. After you help the people of Redcliffe and take back their castle, your quest will become to save the Arl. This quest becomes intertwined with "The Urn of Sacred Ashes" here. See "Sacrilegious" and "Ceremonialist" for more details. Once you've completed "The Urn of Sacred Ashes", return to Redcliffe Castle and use the ashes to revive the Arl.
Rabble-Rouser

20
Completed "The Landsmeet"
After recruiting all of your allies, return to the Arl of Recliffe and speak to him about traveling to Denerim. This quest will begin in Denerim with you finding out that the queen has been kidnapped by Arl Howe. Break into his castle and rescue the queen. Then you'll investigate the rioting that has gone on in the elven part of town. Investigate the plague and suspicious activities in the Elven Alienage, and then head back to Arl Eamon to begin the Landsmeet. In the end, you will choose who will be the leader of Ferelden.
Mercenary

20
Complete 15 job-board quests
Each town (Lothering, Redcliffe, and Demerin) has job boards posted in front of their Chantries. You can also find jobs for the Mage's Collective from their Liaisons in Denerim and at Lake Calenhad. Redcliffe and Denerim also have the The Blackstone Irregulars that you can do jobs for. Finally, in Denerim at the tavern in the Market, you can jobs for less reputable people. Complete 15 of these quests for this achievement. Most are pretty simple and don't take nearly as long as the main story quests.
Master of Arms

25
Main character achieved level 20 as a warrior
You'll need a whole lot of experience points and you won't hit level 20 until late in the game. Kills, of course, get you XP. Do every side quest that you can. There are quite a few to be found. Keep doing them. You'll need 135,000 XP to reach level 20. This is a long grind, but you should reach level 20 before the end of the game.
Master of the Peak

25
Completed "Soldier's Peak" (Warden’s Keep DLC)
Once you download and installed this DLC, this will be added to your quest list. After the DLC is installed, a new location will appear in gold on your map. Go to your Party Camp and speak to Levi. He will tell you about Soldier's Peak. After traveling there, fight your way through Soldier's Peak. You'll be asked to help someone destroy and stop the demons coming into the Keep. Prepare for a battle with several different types of demons. Once the ritual is over, so is the quest.
Rock and a Hard Place

25
Completed "The Golem in Honnleath" (The Stone Prisoner DLC)
Once you download and install, this will be added to your quest list. After the DLC is installed, a new location will appear in gold on your map. Head to this new location, Sulcher's Pass. You'll speak to a merchant who will tell you about a magic object and direct you to the town of Honnleath. After killing some Darkspawn, you'll find Shale in the center of the town. You'll have to find someone in the town to help you release him. Once you do, speak to Shale and accept him into your party.
Elite

30
Main character learned two specializations
See "Veteran" for more details. You'll need to be at level 14 for earliest point when you get two specialization points.
Easy Lover

10
Experienced the thrill of romance with Zevran
Your character can either be male or female to complete this romance. You'll meet Zevran after your quests in Redcliffe castle. Sympathy works well with him. Flirt with him a lot and respond with sexual innuendo whenever you can. He's probably the easiest to get into bed with. He hits on EVERYONE. See "Hopelessly Romantic" for more details.

Gifts
Antivan Leather Boots (Haven)
Dalish Gloves (West Brecilian Forest)
Medium Gold Bar (Arl of Denerim's Estate)
Medium Silver Bar (Anvil of the Void)
Small Gold Bar (Circle Tower)
Small Silver Bar (Haven)
Wine, Woman, and Song

10
Experienced the thrill of romance with Leliana
You can be either female or male to complete this romance. Leliana is found in Lothering. She'll be in the town's pub. Be very nice to her and you'll gain a lot of points quickly. Talk to her about her past. Always be nice to her and compliment her. You'll need to have the romance meter all the way to 100 to complete it with Leliana. See "Hopelessly Romantic" for more details.

Gifts
Andraste's Grace (Redcliffe Village, West Brecilian Forest, or Eleven Alienage in Denerim)
Bronze Symbol of Andraste (Lothering)
Chantry Amulet (Circle Tower)
Etched Silver Symbol (Ortan Thaig)
Golden Symbol of Andraste (Orzammar Commons)
Nug (Orzammar Dust Town) *Note: Leliana has to see one. Then head to Dust Town and ask the Idle Dwarf to catch one.
Silver Sword of Mercy (Old Tegrin, he's a Dwarven merchant you'll meet in a random encounter)
Steel Symbol of Andraste (Brother Genitivi's Home in Denerim Market)
Veteran

25
Main character learned a specialization
When you reach level's 7 and 14, you'll be given a specialization point. This adds to your class and gives you some unique abilities. Each class has four unique specializations that you can unlock. Yes, you have to unlock them first before you can use them. You can either unlock them by speaking with your allies or by purchasing manuals from merchants. Learning any one of these specializations will unlock this achievements. You can only select specializations when you level up.

Rogue Specializations
Assassin - Learned from Zevran or purchased from Alarith's Store during "Landsmeet"
Bard - Learned from Leliana or purchased from Alimar in Orzammar
Duelist - Learned from Isabella in the Pearl in Denerim
Ranger - Purchased from Bodahn's Wares in your Party Camp

Mage Specializations
Arcane Warrior - Learned from The Presence in the Brecilian Ruins during "Nature of the Beast"
Blood Mage - Learned from the Desire Demon in the Fade during "The Arl of Redcliffe"
Shapeshifter - Learned from Morrigan or purchased from Varathorn in the Dalish Camp
Spirit Healer - Learned from Wynne or from the Wonders of Thedas during "Landsmeet"

Warrior Specializations
Champion - Learned from Arl Eamon after "The Urn of Sacred Ashes"
Templar - Learned from Alistair or purchased from Bodhain's Wares in your Party Camp
Berserker - Learned from Oghren or purchased from Gorim in Denerim Market
Reaver - Learned from Kolgrim in the Wyrmling Lair
Reaper

25
Defeated the Harvester
See "Grim Reaper". Beating him on Casual is pretty easy, but Hard or Nightmare is a real challenge.
Grim Reaper

50
Defeated the Harvester on Hard or Nightmare difficulty
I have good news and bad news for you. The good news is that you can switch difficulty right before The Harvester fight (after you find the sixth note) and get the achievement. You CANNOT switch the difficulty once the fight begins however. If you had thoughts about getting the Harvester within one hit of death changing the difficulty, think again. The bad news, the Harvester is insanely hard. The easiest character type to beat the Harvester with is a Mage. With a Warrior or a Rogue, struggles will ensue.

With the Mage, you want an Arcane Warrior. Some of the spells that you want are flame weapons, crushing prison, group heal, revival, haste, and miasma. With the Warrior, be a tank. With a high enough number of hit points, you can take anything. Just have plenty of health poultices. With the Rogue, you'll have to be crafty. Attack the Harvester from behind as much as you can. If you have dual wield and two good weapons, use them. Otherwise, stick with one powerful weapon.

Prepare early. Find all of the notes for your golem and get it fully upgraded. Set it's tactics to Ranged and make Group Heal it's top priority. Set the tactics of the two dwarves to Defensive. Set three of Brogan's tactics to use "Taunt" and "Grievous Insult" and to use a stamina poultice when that drops below 25%. This will ensure that the Harvester is usually targeting only Brogan. You'll spend most of your time in the battle with Brogan selected downing health poultices, so make sure you have plenty of health poultices left. I had about 220 in my stockpile when starting the battle. Anytime someone's health drops to about half, switch to them and heal unless the golem takes care of them first.

The first form is the hardest. This first phase of the fight is really about how quickly you can knock down the Harvester's health while avoiding the "yellow" and "orange" skeletons. Hack away as best you can and heal anyone that needs it. During the first form, skeletons will start to appear around you. The Harvester will basically stay in place though. You want to start the second phase with as few skeletons as possible since the Harvester will just summon more. One good thing you can do to get around the skeletons is to use the switch on the right side of the room as you enter. If you click on it, the skeletons will disappear. To click on it, hit (or hold depending upon your set up) , get the switch in the center of wheel, and push . Be warned though, more will appear a few seconds later though, so get your shots into the Harvester quickly. At certain points, you'll hear one of the dwarves yell that weapons are no longer effective. If you can, switch to the golem and cast chain lightning. If you find yourself being overwhelmed, as the sole survivor, and you can't get to the switch, then start running around. Get some distance between yourself and the Harvester and chip away at the skeletons. The most important thing to remember with the first form is that you keep the golem alive at all costs. If the golem goes down, you will too, eventually.

Once you defeat the larger form, the Harvester will become the little crawling thing you've seen in the distance. It'll jump around to certain points in the room to spawn skeletons. Continually attack it as best you can. Move around when you get overwhelmed. At least with this phase, all of the skeletons will be standard ones. When you're pretty clear of skeletons, hammer away on the Harvester. The second form is much easier than the first.
A Secret Stitched Together

25
Gathered all of the research notes in Amgarrak

If you want a chance against The Harvester, find these. They'll upgrade your golem. You'll have to do a fair amount of backtracking to get all six, but they're all either in plain sight or just off the main path. There are four types, Healing, Mechanics, Fire, and Lightning. Fire and Lightning give extra attacks to your golem. Healing allows it to heal your squad. Mechanics toughens up your golem. Find them all. They'll help out a ton.

Each note also requires a different lyrium switch to be flipped. Each switch corresponds to a different color (blue, purple, white, green, and red). Each color allows you to access doors or chests that are encased in the mist of the same color. The locations of each note can be found in this thread. Credit goes to Method for the list.
Vendetta

25
Destroyed the career of Guard Captain Eams.
This will be the first one that you can get. You'll need to assemble some items and plant them on the body of the Guard Captain. First, open all three chests in the market and take the stolen items.

Next, find the Mage's Collective markers. The first will be where the Mage's Collective bag is (remember from the original game?). The next marker is to the west of that spot (north is straight up on the map). The second marker is near where you started. Those will reveal the location of the cache, which is right across from the gates to the Alienage. When you get there, you'll have to fight a mage and a golem.

Next, attack the noble, Bann Perin, and then steal his underlings.

The last piece is Jovi Merce. After you kill him, take his corpse and then plant all of the items on the unconscious Guard Captain.

After planting all of that, signal Marjorlaine and talk to her. During the conversation, this will unlock if you got everything planted.
Provocateur

50
Collected and assembled the Battledress of the Provocateur.
You'll need to find six Masterwork Leather Pieces to complete the Battledress. The items will all be in the Plot Items section of your inventory.

Kill Jovi Merice and take it from his body. Be sure to take his body too for "Vendetta".

As you enter the Arl's estate after coming in through the basement, you'll enter a bedroom. After the entrance room, you'll be in a hallway. Across from the door you walked out of will be a small room with a locked door. Pick it and then pick the locked chest for the next piece.

In the room where you leave the papers. You'll have two chances at this one. The second time is after you visit your hideout. Either way, it's in an ornate chest in the corner.

After returning to the estate, go through the first couple of fights and there will be a locked door to your right. Behind it, are a weapons master and three mabari's. Kill them and go to the armor stand on the far side of the room. You'll find the fourth piece there.

You'll see a couple of cut-scenes, and then you'll be in a dungeon. After you get to where Sketch and then Tug are being held, there will be a crank in each of their rooms. Pull both. After the second one, head out the way you came in and go into the next door on the left. You'll fight a few guards and there will be a locked chest on the far side of the room. Open it for the fifth piece.

When you escape the dungeon, you'll be brought to the Chantry. Once regain control, go to the desk behind you and look in the drawer. The final piece will be there.
Turning Point

25
Heard Leliana's version of her betrayal.
Complete the DLC and this will unlock. It's story related.
Grey Warden

20
Killed 100 darkspawn
This will come naturally as you progress through the story. The Darkspawn are your primary enemies, so you'll get this pretty quickly. As long as YOU kill a Darkspawn, it counts towards this achievements. The Darkspawn kills count across all of your playthroughs. There's no need to go out of your way to farm this achievement.
Master Warden

25
Killed 500 darkspawn
See "Grey Warden" for more details.
Blight-Queller

25
Killed 1000 darkspawn
See "Grey Warden" for more details.
Pilgrim

10
Completed a Chanter's Board quest
After you leave Ostagar, you'll head for Lothering. In the town, you'll find a Chanter's Board with a quest available. Simply approach the board, accept the quest, and complete it. The quest should be something relatively simple, like "Kill x bandits."
Shadow

25
Main character achieved level 20 as a rogue
See "Master of Arms" for more details.
Archmage

25
Main character achieved level 20 as a mage
See "Master of Arms" for more details.
Menacing

20
Succeeded at 10 difficult Intimidate attempts
See "Bully" for more details. This is the same idea, just 10 instead of five.
First Knight

10
Experienced the thrill of romance with Alistair
You'll need to be a female character to complete this romance. Alistair will join your party shortly after you enter Ostagar. Speak to him every chance you get in the Party's Camp and do every speech option. Flirt with him. Talk about love with him. You can boss him around a bit, just don't mock him. Ask him about his past as a Templar. See "Hopelessly Romantic" for more details.

Gifts
Alistair's Mother's Amulet (Castle Redcliffe)
Black Runestone (Aeducan Thaig in the Deep Roads)
Duncan's Sheild (Market Warehouse in Denerim)
Onyx Demon Statuette (East Brecilian Forest)
Small Carved Statuette (Lothering)
Stone Dragon Statuette (Castle Redcliffe)
Stone Warrior Statuette (Haven Caverns)
White Runestone (Circle Tower, Third Floor)
Witch Gone Wild

10
Experienced the thrill of romance with Morrigan
(1)
You have to be a male character to complete this romance. Morrigan will join your party after completing Ostagar. Be kind of a prick to other people to gain points with her. Have conversations with her about her past in the Party Camp. Don't get her romance level up too high. Morrigan is interested in flings. She doesn't want to be in love. See "Hopelessly Romantic" for more details.

Gifts
- Black Grimoire (Circle Tower)
- Flemeth's Grimoire (Flemeth's Hut)
- Gold Amulet (Orzammar Commons)
- Golden Demon Pendant (Room with the Urn of Sacred Ashes)
- Golden Mirror (Orzammar Commongs) *Definitely get this one. Thanks to FooDawg for the tip.
- Golden Rope Necklace (Lothering)
- Locket (Haven)
- Silver Brooch (Dalish Camp)
- Silver Chain (Circle Tower)
- Silver Medallion (Eleven Ruins)
- Tribal Necklace (Tower of Ishal)
Bully

10
Succeeded at five difficult Intimidate attempts
When you see a conversation option with (Intmidate) before it, choose that. Intimidate options are a little rarer than Persuade, so do it whenever you see one. Select five of those that end up being successful and you'll have this achievement. The four Coercion skills (Coercion, Improved Coercion, Expert Coercion, and Master Coercion) are very important for this, as is the number of skill points you have assigned to Strength.
Tinkerer

10
Crafted an item
Open your radial menu with the button and select "Potions" or "Poisons and Traps" and push . If you selected "Potions", select "Herbalism" and if you selected "Poisons and Traps", select "Poison-Making". If you have the necessary materials, you'll be able to craft an item here. You'll find the materials scattered throughout Fereldan. Search bodies and plants for the materials. You'll find some for sale from merchants as well.

Below are the potions, poisons, and traps you can make with the first level skill. As you move to Improved, Expert, and Master, more recipes become available. These are the easiest though. Be aware that you'll have to buy flasks from merchants.

Potions
Lesser Health Poultice: 1 Elfroot, 1 Flask
Lesser Lyrium Potion: 1 Lyrium Dust, 1 Flask
Mabari Crunch: 1 Elfroot, 1 Deep Mushroom

Poisons
Venom: 1 Toxin Extract, 1 Flask
Deathroot Extract: 1 Deathroot, 1 Flask

Traps
Rope Trap: 1 Trap Trigger
Small Caltrop Trap: 1 Metal Shard
Small Claw Trap: 1 Metal Shard, 1 Trap Trigger
Small Shrapnel Trap: 1 Metal Shard, 1 Trap Trigger
Persuasive

10
Succeeded at five difficult Persuasion attempts
When you see a conversation option with (Persuade) before it, choose that. Select five of those end up being successful and you'll have this achievement. The four Coercion skills (Coercion, Improved Coercion, Expert Coercion, and Master Coercion) are very important for this, as is the number of skill points you have assigned to Cunning.
Silver Tongued

20
Succeeded at 25 difficult Persuasion attempts
See "Persuasive" for more details. This is the same idea, just 25 instead of 10.