BioWare Dragon Age 2 Pre-Order Retail Bonus

BioWare announced today that, in conjunction with participating retailers, it will be providing free pre-order bonuses for its upcoming fantasy RPG, Dragon Age 2. Those who commit early will receive a free magical blade and an impressive shield. The free weapon is called the "Fadeshear Sword" and will provide bonus damage to demons and the undead. The sword's abilities will also level up with your character. The shield, known as the "Lion of Orlais," increases your character's health while granting a bonus to XP gains.

All those who buy a retail copy of the game will have access to "The Black Emporium," an in-game magic store, a magic mirror that will transform your appearance, and a fiercer version of Lassie...the Mabari Hound. BioWare describes each of the bonuses in further detail below:

Fadeshear

The core of this blade is old. As old as the first smiths who sought a way to battle the nightmares from the land beyond. It has fought the demonic hosts in countless battles. Sometimes it has been held high in triumphant victory. Other times, it has lain broken besides its dying owner. But after every defeat it has always been reclaimed, reforged, and made stronger. Fadeshear has passed through many hands before yours. Now it is your turn to make the demons of the Fade pay for crossing the Veil into the waking world.

Features:

Improves with level-up

Additional damage vs. demons and undead

The Lion of Orlais

At the height of the Summer War all of Orlais was embroiled in fierce battles. Over the course of the war dozens of contenders for the Imperial Throne emerged - most long forgotten except as footnotes in scholarly tomes. But everyone remembers the gallant young lord Emile Deveraux, "The Golden Prince". Thought outnumbered at every turn, he racked victory upon victory culminating in the Seventh Battle of Roses. While wearing this shield he broke through his uncle's vanguard to win the day. He never knew the taste of defeat, instead meeting his end at the hands of a jealous lover in the dead of night.

Features:

Two rune slots

Adds to health

Adds to % XP gain

The Black Emporium

Features:

A magic item store that has some of the best equipment you'll find in the game. It's restocked with better items as you progress through the story.

A loyal mabari hound that fights at your side in battle.

The "Mirror of Transformation". Gaze into it and you can change your very appearance. Hair, eyes, tattoos, and more can be changed with the click of a button.

A crafting store which sells powerful unique recipes.

Explore the Black Emporium and uncover its strange secrets and lore. Be sure to see its strange proprietor. It should prove most... memorable.

The free content will be provided via redeemable codes to be used with Dragon Age 2's Cerberus Network equivalent. As to whom the participating retailers are that will be supplying said codes, we suggest looking at the usual suspects: GameStop, Best Buy, Amazon, etc. If you already pre-ordered the BioWare Signature Edition of Dragon Age 2 prior to January 12, 2011, we have good news. You'll also receive this content for free in addition to the "Exiled Prince" DLC.

Will the above additional content convince you to pre-order Dragon Age 2? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

Dragon Age 2 arrives in stores on March 8, 2011, for the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and Windows PC.

Source: Bioware