Dragon Age Vanilla or Modded first?

Getting into playing Dragon Age and all the expansion for the first playthrough. I was wondering is this game better to be played with or without mods? I don't have enough time to replay the game, so only one playthrough will be happening for me.
If mods are recommended, any suggestions?

i'd play it unmodded on the hardest difficulty :)

i'd play it unmodded on the hardest difficulty :)

PcGamingRig

Just started on hard. See how I go. When I was quickly browsing the mods I was concerned. For one thing there are mods that fix up faces includes NPC's. Now that fixes up Leliana in Dragon Age (can't spell her), however then once I play the expansion with her in it, she will be back to Bioware form.
I was just using this one thing as an example.
I think for that reason I will stick unmodded. Especially since I plan on playing Dragon Age, then Awakenings, then the DLC quests. Prefer everything to look seamless.
So far everything seems ok without mods anyway.

Only grudge for me is the text on everything is sooooo small. Every dialogue tree requires a good deal of eyesight. :)

My biggest concern with playing on hard is if I get stuck later in the game. I've heard it's a very hard game.

[QUOTE="PcGamingRig"]i'd play it unmodded on the hardest difficulty :)DigiTM73

Cool...I didn't realise you can change the difficulty midgame. Sounds like I'll "attempt" hard to start with. Also I'll play unmodded, thanx for the heads up.

Well except for the one mod I just found that does increase the font sizes to make things easier to read.

http://www.dragonagenexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=73

I'd install the DLC right away and play them before the main game is done. They either only add to the main game, or they are completely separate from either game.

i'm planning on buying dragon age origins coz I think it looks well.. how is the gameplay? is it a hack n slash type of game? cant determine with the youtube videos ive watched.ghegpatatas

I downloaded the hgiher res texture pack and a mod which changed a lot of the character faces in the game to look better. Also a mod to change Leliana and Morrigan to match more closely to their original looks in the trailers.

So it's better if I play the game, and midway I go an play the DLC? I know Stone prisoner and most of the DLC is built into the game. However some DLC such as Golems of Amgarakk and Leliana's Song are separate. When is the best time to play them? I mean what level character would be best. I think Leliana's Song would be good played after meeting leliana and spending a short amount of time with her.
I'm playing on PC, and I can't believe how awesome this game is. I've only just finished the Human Noble Origin and just entered Lothering.
This game is why I own a gamer PC :)
I do find the textures blurry a bit though and the faces,,,,,urggghh.

I do find the textures blurry a bit though and the faces,,,,,urggghh.

DigiTM73

Which texture mod and face mod do you recommend that will work with both Origins and Awakening?
I just can't understand why they had these textures on the PC platform? Must've been so anyone with lower end gear can still play. I know people say gameplay over graphics, which I do somewhat agree, however games like Crysis have spoilt me.

I went for modded right away, added lots of nice stuff.

I always play any game's vanilla version first