Complete Dragon Age Origins Modding Guide + Mod List

00:00 - 00:32 Intro
00:32 - 02:52 Memory Fixes
02:32 - 06:13 Prerequisite / Enabling the Console
06:13 - 09:10 Info on files encountered / tools used
09:10 - 14:44 Fixes
14:44 - 17:09 Textures
17:09 - 26:29 Bodies/Faces
26:29 - 33:07 Gameplay / Chargencompiler
33:07 - 36:05 Quests / Honorable mentions
36:05 - 38:36 Outro
=====
Memory Fixes:
-Alternate DAO.exe for Steam users:
OR

-Memory Patch:
=====
Making console commands visible:
Find the Original: (Angle Brackets can't be used in descriptions. Do a search if it doesn't find the line when using Ctrl+F.)

Add:
arguments="-enabledeveloperconsole"

New line will be:

-Console Font:
=====
-Dlc to Awakening Patch:
ORIGINS: Only for users of the Origins version of DAO:
STEAM/GOG : This is a 2020 updated version for gog and steam.
=====
-Mod Manager:
-ChargenMorphCompiler:
=====
-Qwin DAO Fix Pack:
Newer version has now been moved to:
-Dialogue Tweaks: (NOTE: NOW INCLUDED IN QWINMODS)
-ZDF Dialog Fix: (NOTE: NOW INCLUDED IN QWINMODS)
-Unobtainable Item Fix: (NOTE: NOW INCLUDED IN QWINMODS)
(Adviced to still watch this for some information about installs)

-Awakening silverite mine fix.
-Awakening blackblade armor fix:
-Awakening cutscene fixes
=====
-JB3:
-Blighted Darkspawn:
-Lady of Forest & Desire Demon:
Original offline. C3Anderson made great alternatives.

NOTE: After installing jb3, go to the override folder and delete the following files:
=====
-Isabella for Origins:
OR
Install this after dao redesigned later:

-Qunari Update:
-Year with Sten:
-Resized Shale:
-Shale Retextured:
-Morrigan without necklace&bra:
-Tucked Hair:
-More Hairstyles:
-Hairstyle Day:
-Schwarzalbenheim:
-DAO Redesigned:
-Bodies All-in one:
=====
-Lock Bash:
-No Helmet Hack:
-Extra dog slot:
-Origins Faster Combat:
-Sleep Until Dawn:
-Mad Gift Guide:
-Forced Deathblows:
=====
-Ftg Quikbar:
-Ftg UI:
=====
-Return to the Korcari Wilds:
NOTE: DON'T USE THIS. MAY BUG OUT THE END GAME.

-Temple of Vulak:
-Pints & Quarts Tavern:
-The shattered war:
-Thirst:
-The demon:
-Atmospheres:
-Advanced Tactics:
-Autoloot:
-Respecialization:
-Promo Item links:
=====
Credits:
-Music: Dragon Age (Inon Zur & Trevor Morris)
-Making steam LAA
-The Nexus, authors and comments for helping me keep this up to date.

[Just_Call_Me_Frosty]

1/1/2022 update:
I strongly advice to use the description together with the video. Very few things have changed since I made this tutorial, but the notes left there are crucial for a smooth experience (e.g. some redundant fixes, a new method for the awakening patch).

Some timestamps

00:00 - 00:32 Intro
00:32 - 02:52 Memory Fixes
02:32 - 06:13 Prerequisite / Enabling the Console
06:13 - 09:10 Info on files encountered / tools used
09:10 - 14:44 Fixes
14:44 - 17:09 Textures
17:09 - 26:29 Bodies/Faces
26:29 - 33:07 Gameplay/Chargencompiler
33:07 - 34:28 Quests
34:28 - 36:05 Honorable mentions
36:05 - 38:36 Outro

[d.pedroii]

I just downloaded this game cuz I see everyone talking about it, and here we have a tutorial on how to mod it in 2018? Damn man, really thanks for this

[Octavian]

This is by far the most comprehensive, the easiest to follow and the most concise modding guide for Dragon Age Origins in the entire internet. Seriously man, you are a lifesaver, thank you so very much!

[DefaultJane]

I have never modded a game in my life because I'm terrified of messing things up due to my lack of skill and knowledge. Decided to take the chance. Followed your tutorial, and everything works like a charm, plus I now understand the terminology, and also have a better understanding of how and why things work. This is a lifesaver, thank you so much!

[eviejameson]

Frosty, you're a godsend! 2021 and I'm finally playing this game thanks to YOU. I've tried it three or four times in the last five years but always had to quit because of crashes/bugs/mod issues, but with your guide I'm not having problems anymore! Finally made it past the Arl of Redcliffe section and no crashes. Wish me luck! And thanks much 👍👌

[anihyrelles]

6 years later, still the best tutorial for DAO on the web. The updated .exe for Steam is SUCH a lifesaver and I always return to this on a fresh install to double check I'm not forgetting any steps

[oliverjohnparejado]

Even if the guide is made in 2018, this is the best guide in existence for Dragon Age Origins! Thanks!

[pseudokleinmiva]

every time i come back to this game i use your video, thank you so much, this is by far the best collection of advice for modding da, appreciate your work

[SuperHoldenC]

Thanks for this guide! Quarantine is making me want to jump back into this game after quite a few years and this was a big help.

[Emo_Squirtle]

I remember way back in the day I was an avid Sims 2 player and obsessively downloaded custom content and made stories out of the characters I made. While perusing around Youtube I saw someone playing DAO with a hairstyle that I had downloaded for Sims 2. So obviously I got into Dragon Age and fast forward all this time, I am only NOW downloading these hairs for my DAO protagonist. I don't make the rules, I barely even follow the rules, but this tutorial was so helpful.

[antonserjogin]

I've never played Dragon Age, even though I'm a fan of Oblivion and other RPG's. So not long ago I decided to make it happen and decided to mod it in order to avoid some bugs, memory issues and just to enhance the graphics, as well as add things to make my gameplay more enjoyable (which I learned from your detailed explanation).

So not to make any long speeches, I just want to thank you and say that I am really grateful for your awesome guide. Furthermore, showing how to use the modding tools for Dragon Age and making me apply these techniques in order to add some other mods made it like a walk in the park. I usually don't like watching long videos, because they tend to be boring/not fully informative, but this guide beats everything. Maybe next time I'm going to watch on of your other guides and mod a game that I haven't yet played. Hands down, you made my day, Mr. Frosty.

[EvilAngel]

2024 and you are still saving people :D it has been ages since I modded DAO and luckily I remembered most of it...until I had a black screen at Ostagar and you helped me with that memory fix! Thank you!!!

[nycto]

This tutorial was a lifesaver. Thank you for making such a great tutorial.

Now I am off to try it out. Hope everything works fine and my playthrough ends smooth.

edit:
That aside tho I hope DA4 has a workshop tab on Steam once it's out or in the future after release. If it wasn't for this tutorial I probably would've felt like I was back in my CompSci classes. Which isn't a bad thing but it certainly is tedious trying to find old ass documentation and all that jazz from websites/forums that are sometimes purged. Thankfully more modern Bioware games have easier modding (my experience with Inquisition has been nice) but still. Like I said, a workshop tab would be appreciated imo.

[lunaparker]

My friend, you saved the day! That memory fix fixed my save and allowed me to play with the mods I wanted to play with, I could not have gotten my DAO modded to run for the past 3 years I would always encounter some crash or error that i couldnt get past but you made it possible for me to enjoy the game with all the juicy player-content I always wanted to experience, thank you!

[oromain]

being hard of hearing myself I _immensely_ appreciate the manual captions.

[legnacastro]

THANK YOU for starting the video with explaining the memory leak and how to fix it, as well as the other different "quirks" that some tutorial videos don't even talk about. Super detailed and helpful tutorial, highly reccommend!

[Durbit]

Fantastic tutorial still to this day. As someone who is familiar with modding (skyrim, fall out) but haven't done it to DAO, you made this a painless learning experience. Very similar to modding Skyrim and Fallout, but different enough to warrant watching the whole video. Well done.

[LovingTechLife]

This is a fantastic resource that I just worked through for the first time and still works in 2024. Thank you Frosty!!

[Brian.M]

Wow this is very helpful for anyone trying to learn about modding Dragon Age Origins!! Thank you *VERY MUCH*

Anyone looking for current and useful information: This is where you need to start

Frosty, I can't thank you enough. Video tutorials for DAO are pretty much nonexistent. You sir are *AWESOME!!*

[lucasvazquez]

Thanks for the guide, loved it.
About the "DLC to Awakening Patch" in GOG versions:

The GOG version of Dragon Age, by default, does not come with registry keys, this is to prevent issues with the EA Origin™ Client, which scans for that particular key and might trigger an auto-update, which can possibly break the GOG version of the game. This prevents the DLC to Awakening Patch to work for the lack of registry keys, so you need to add the registry key first. I have a batch file to fix this, otherwise you'll have to add the key manually, btw this registry key is needed to install the DAO-Toolset.

Instructions to add the key manually:

Open regedit



right-click on that 'WOW6432Node' key and choose 'New Key'

new key = BioWare

right-click on that new 'BioWare' key and choose 'New Key'.

Add 'Dragon age'

right-click on that new 'Dragon Age' key and choose New Value

Add ' Path ' in top box

Add your exact game path folder name in Bottom box

ie:

C:\GOG Games\Dragon Age Origins

Job done.