Dragon Age: Origins was the start of a love affair between Bioware and fantasy RPG-loving fans, evolving into a well-established, fan-favorite gaming series. Though the latest installment to the franchise, Dragon Age: Inquisition, is naturally far more advanced in gameplay and graphics, the nostalgia, story, and characters of Dragon Age: Origins still makes it a contender for the best Dragon Age game out there.
As with all of the games in the series, Origins provided the player with a host of companions that could join them in their adventure and two notable characters of the first game are Alistair and Zevran. These two guys have vastly different personalities and outlooks on life, but which one of them is the best boy? Spoilers ahead!
10 Alistair: The Comedy Clown
Though our Templar-turned Grey Warden, Alistair, can be a little prudish and whiny at points, he is undoubtedly the main source of humor in Dragon Age: Origins. As he says so himself, "That's what I'm here for. To deliver unpleasant news and witty one-liners".
A lot of the comedic moments come from Alistair unwillingly, with players getting to laugh at his awkward, bumbling conversations that leave the poor guy open to mockery. Without a doubt, he's worth having in your party purely for the banter between him and other companions, as well as his funny dialogue moments.
9 Zevran: Master of Seduction
Zevran is the most flirtatious companion going when it comes to Dragon Age: Origins, and arguably the entire series. His charm and endless innuendo not only make him an entertaining companion to keep but also gives the player easy access to romance accolades.
As Zevran is so willing to jump into bed, the player can romance him shortly after he joins the party whether their Warden character is male or female. If the player chooses to romance another companion down the line, Zevraan will approach the Warden and offer to step aside so they can pursue their new relationship.
8 Alistair: Willing to Make the Ultimate Sacrifice
If heroism doesn't make Alistair the best boy, then what will? Alistair will willingly make the ultimate sacrifice at the end of the game, landing the killing blow against the Archdemon knowing full well that it will be the death of him also when he does so.
When an Archdemon is killed, it's soul transfers into the body of the Grey Warden who killed it, whereupon the two souls destroy one another. By becoming the sacrificial Grey Warden, Alistair spares the life of the Warden/player, which has consequences in the following games.
7 Zevran: Life Debt
Though the player meets Zevran because he is hired to kill the Warden, he does get points for doing the honorable thing and respecting the idea of a life debt should you choose to save him. The ex-Antivian Crow will vow to protect and serve the Warden as repayment for his life being spared.
Be warned though, if his approval rating isn't raised high enough with the Warden during the game, he will eventually betray you by returning to the Crows and then die in the following confrontation. Depending on approval rating, he may simply refuse to fight the Crows alongside you, or if in a romantic relationship with the Warden, will take up arms with you against his former comrades.
6 Alistair: Willing to Perform Dark Ritual
You've got to give Alistair major kudos for this point; your fellow Grey Warden is willing to perform Morrigan's Dark Ritual on your behalf. Essentially agreeing to bed down with a woman he doesn't get along with to save your life, as well as his own. Now that takes some guts.
In performing the Dark Ritual, Morrigan aims to become impregnated by a Grey Warden so that when the Archdemon is killed its soul will transfer to the unborn baby, rather than the Grey Warden who performs the killing blow.
5 Zevran: Least Judgemental of Warden
Out of all the companions in Dragon Age: Origins, Zevran is the least judgmental of the Warden's actions and therefore, the least likely to lower his approval rating much based on the choices of the player. This makes him an ideal companion to have in your party as you don't have to worry so much about the consequences of your decisions.
There are some exceptions to this; for instance, if the Warden chooses to destroy the Anvil of the Void then Zevran will consider it a waste as it could have helped with the war efforts. Additionally, if you choose to kill the mages in the Tower, he will question why his own life was spared but not theirs. Both of these decisions will cause a more significant approval rating drop with Zevran.
4 Alistair: Humble
While most people would grab at the chance for power, Alistair is a lot more humble when it comes to taking up the mantle of King. He questions his ability to do right by his people and has to be convinced that he would do well by the player in order to accept his crown.
Alistair is a skilled combatant, both as a Grey Warden and as a Templar specialist, but he never brags about this or flaunts his assets to others. He will often back down in conversation with others to avoid conflict, though he may complain a little about it.
3 Zevran: Character Growth
Zevran has one of the best examples of character growth if the player chooses the right decisions to help him along. Though he is a self-confessed killer and says he cannot imagine doing anything else, Zevran feels guilt about killing his previous Crow comrade Rinna, whom he loved, under the false belief she had betrayed them. His acceptance of the seemingly-impossible contract to kill the Warden was his way of trying to end his life, only for it to then be spared and remind him of how he did not afford Rinna the same luxury.
The player also sees growth when romancing Zevran; despite being an eager and flirtatious lover, it is clear Zevran feels unworthy of true love. This is something he can overcome with the help of the Warden and a steadfast romantic relationship.
2 Alistair: Genuinely a Good Person
You get what you see with Alistair, he is honest, kind, and his personality never changes on those facts. He is loyal to the Warden to a fault, willing to die instead of the player or to undertake the Dark Ritual to save them. He's an all-round good guy whatever way you look at it.
Alistair's sense of duty and loyalty to the Warden only wavers when he has a bigger duty - that of being king, which you can hardly blame him for. Unless Alistair has been hardened by the player through decisions, he will end his romance with the Warden when he chooses to become king, one of the most hurtful things a Dragon Age companion can do, and accepts his birthright and marriage to Queen Anora.
1 Zevran: Helps to Rebuild Grey Wardens
If the Warden survives the fight with the Archdemon, Zevran will help them to rebuild the Grey Wardens if that is what the player chooses to do. Though Zevran aids in the recruitment of new wardens and trains them, he will never actually join the Grey Wardens himself.
However, it's pretty decent for him to stick around to help considering that he mentions that the Crows will undoubtedly be looking for him and staying in one place puts his life in danger. Either Zevran learns the sense of the greater good, or his loyalty to the Warden finally becomes absolute. Either way, it's a decent move to make.