Skip to content
The Last Straw (Siding with the Templars)
Dragon Age II

The Last Straw (Siding with the Templars)

Complete walkthrough for Dragon Age II's 'The Last Straw' quest, detailing boss fights against Orsino and Meredith, loot, and strategies for victory.

By ···10 min read·Multi-source verified
1 reading this guide  

Complete walkthrough for Dragon Age II's 'The Last Straw' quest, detailing boss fights against Orsino and Meredith, loot, and strategies for victory.

Walkthrough
  1. 1
    Before departing, speak with party members. If Aveline is Captain of the Guard, ask for her assistance in the upcoming battle.
  2. 2
    Enter the Templar Hall and proceed up the stairs to defeat the mages. After they are defeated, a group will ask for mercy; your choice has no consequence.
  3. 3
    Head through the eastern door and defeat the large number of mages. Beware of complex traps on the floor.
  4. 4
    Proceed north into the eastern room to find more hostiles. This northern room is trapped but contains a corpse.
  5. 5
    Go through the other door to the north to find Sandal.
  6. 6
    Backtrack and enter the western area. You will encounter an Arcane Horror and more enemies. Disarm the complex trap.
  7. 7
    Enter Orsino’s room to find a standard chest containing Dreamcatcher and Mark of the Fallen.
  8. 8
    In Meredith’s room, find a master chest containing the Templar Ceremonial Cumberbund. Enter the next room.
  9. 9
    Open the chest for the Dragonhide Mantle of the Predator. Enter the western room to find two Pride Demons and other spirits. Loot the corpse and pile of bones for the Shield of the Resolute.
  10. 10
    Return to Sandal's location and go north into the Templar Hall.

Boss: Orsino

  • Drops: Staff of Violation, Orsino’s Signet Ring
  • Resistances: Cold (Normal), Electric (Very Weak), Fire (Normal), Nature (Immune), Spirit (Very Weak)
  • Abilities: Ground Slam, Blood Drain, Gut Throw, Blood Spurt, Wet End
  • Immunities: Sleep, Knockdown, Immobilize, Paralyze, Enslavement

Strategy:

  1. Phase 1 (Hulking Form): Orsino uses Blood Drain frequently; interrupt this to prevent him from healing. He also uses Ground Slam when flanked to stun enemies. Focus on dealing damage.
  2. Phase 2 (Scuttling Form): After his health is depleted, Orsino enters a fast scuttling form and summons low-rank Corpses. Use slowing spells to keep him in place and attack.
  3. Phase 3 (Hulking Form): Orsino returns to his hulking form. Defeat him to end the battle.

After defeating Orsino, return to the Courtyard for a scene and the final battle.

Boss: Meredith

  • Drops: N/A
  • Resistances: Cold (Very Weak), Electric (Normal), Fire (Normal), Nature (Normal), Spirit (Very Weak)
  • Abilities: Rushing Strike, Energy Burst, Drop Thrust, Paralyze, Enslavement
  • Immunities: Slow, Knockdown, Immobilize

Strategy:

  1. Meredith’s attacks can often be dodged by running towards her.
  2. Dodge her Energy Burst attack and lead it back to her to stun her.
  3. Dodge her Drop Thrust attack to temporarily stun her.
  4. Phase 1 (75% Health): Meredith summons a Gate Guardian.
  5. Phase 2 (50% Health): Meredith summons another Gate Guardian and Stone Statues. Stone Statues will continue to spawn.
  6. Phase 3 (25% Health): Meredith summons two Gate Guardians simultaneously.
  7. Phase 4 (5% Health): Meredith gives a death speech. Use this opportunity to finish her off with all available cooldowns.
Tips
  • During the first phase against Orsino, focus on dealing damage. The second phase features a smaller, teleporting version that summons enemies.
  • Against Meredith, focus on her directly. When she is not a threat, focus on the animated statues she summons.
  • Archaeologist: Discovered 3 secret messages from the Band of Three during each year in Kirkwall. (50 points)
  • Conquerer: Defeated Meredith, knight-commander of Kirkwall's templars. (15 points)
  • Champion of Kirkwall: Completed Dragon Age II. (20 points)
  • Crowning Glory: Became the viscount of Kirkwall. (25 points)
  • Epic: Completed Dragon Age II twice, or completed it once with a save imported from Dragon Age Origins. (50 points)

100% Human-Written. AI Fact-Checked. Community Verified. Learn how AntMag verifies content