I'm still in the relatively early stages of the game - just got to Skyhold. I'd like to go back and clip the dragon in the Hinterlands but he's still a tough nut to crack. Any suggestions on which combination of party members would be best to go after him? I'm level 12 and most of the NPC's are still at 11.
Depends on your builds and equipment. If you want to to bring along Bull (he *really* likes dragon slaying) make sure you get 'Unbowed' as it's the only really viable way to get him to generate guard. Without it he goes down very fast. Other than that, either Cass or Blackwall are pretty solid tanks.
Conversely whichever rogue you bring along (ranged is probably best) make sure you get their threat reduction passives along with the stealth cloak and maybe 'evade'.
A mage with good barrier generation is a *must*. It's a long fight you don't want to leant too much on healing potions as they'll get used up fast. Likewise it's probably worth equipping (and, if possible upgrading) fire resistance potions for everyone. Since it's a fire dragon it's immune to any fire damage so ice spells and the most powerful ice staffs you have are in order.
Don't be afraid to use the respec amulets if you think you've borked a class build. You should already have had two free ones by the time you get to Skyhold and even then, they're only a few hundred gold a piece.
Equipment wise it's just a matter of making sure everyone has the best armour and weapons available. If someone's gear is noticeable under-level then it's usually worth crafting them something better. You might think fire resistance is a godo idea, but IMO they're so situational that it's probably better to go with melee/ranged/magical defence and leave the elemental side to the tonics.
As for the fight itself, it's important to not get bogged down in the first area where the dragon just circles, spitting fireballs at you while you waste time scrapping with Dragonlings. move forwards as fast as possible, talking as little damage as you can manage. Don't be afraid to disengage and run straight past them; you need to get to the end of the valley where the high dragon will land and wait for you to catch up. Once it dose, you can turn around and deal with anything that still following you before moving on to the main fight.
Aside from that, it's just like any boss fight with different phases and attack patterns. So long as you tank can keep their threat high, you mage can keep their barriers regenerating and you rogue can pur on the damage while keeping out of sight you should do fine.
If you get really stuck you can always try looking at a tutorial video to see how the fight progresses.
There are a few exploits, but I honestly find the idea tedious. Besides, if you're going to do that, you may as well just flip the difficulty down to casual and be done with it. Dragon fights are supposed to be hard; that's the whole point.
Trying to get as much side questing done as possible before I go to the winter palace ball. Might get there this weekend, but will have a walkthrough open at all times so I don't waste time (Mage elves get a huge reduction in initial approval).
-10 initial approval is nothin'. You can make it back almost immediately. Apparently it's the Qunari that get the biggest initial hit, -15.
Did the Winter Palace on my dwarf last night:
BRING IT ON!
Actually what was more ridiculous to me was the female dwarf's giant torpedo boobs in that dress outfit. Looked even worse than in the Skyhold outfit.
I never had a problem maxing out the approval, even with a dalish mage. Just make sure to pick the cagey responses (answering a question with a question is usually a safe bet), always turn up to the ballroom fashionable late and don't spend too much time out of bounds.
