Intro/How to
With the use of the Toolset you can modify your characters, this page details how to do so.
First, in Windows XP, open the folder C:\Documents and Settings\UserLoginName\My Documents\BioWare\Dragon Age\Characters\Character Name\Saves\Selected Save Folder.
Make a backup copy of the savegamename.das, usually by copy/pasting and renaming it to savegamename.das.bak
Editing the PC
To edit stats of the main character:
Open the save game in the Toolset and look for SAVEGAME_PLAYERCHAR -> SAVEGAME_PLAYERCHAR_CHAR -> SAVEGAME_CREATURE_STATS -> SAVEGAME_STATLIST
The subheadings 0 through 5 correspond with the 6 attributes in game.
- 0 - Strength
- 1 - Dexterity
- 2 - Willpower
- 3 - Magic
- 4 - Cunning
- 5 - Constitution
Change the SAVEGAME_STATPROPERTY_BASE to the number you desire. There is no known upper limit.
Some people using other save game editor sofwares reported that "3 - Magic" and "4 - Cunning" have switched positions. In this case, the order is:
- 0 - Strength
- 1 - Dexterity
- 2 - Willpower
- 3 - Cunning
- 4 - Magic
- 5 - Constitution
Editing Party Members
Stats
Open the save game in the editor and look for SAVEGAME_PARTYLIST -> SAVEGAME_PARTYPOOLMEMBERS. Each branch corresponds to the party member listed in TEMPLATERESREF. The attributes for each party member can be found under SAVEGAME_CREATURE_STATS -> SAVEGAME_STATLIST.
The subheadings 0 through 5 correspond with the 6 attributes in game.
- 0 - Strength
- 1 - Dexterity
- 2 - Willpower
- 3 - Magic
- 4 - Cunning
- 5 - Constitution
Change the SAVEGAME_STATPROPERTY_BASE to the number you desire. The upper limit is 100. You may set it to any amount you wish, but in-game-stats will still be 100(max)
Some people using other save game editor sofwares reported that "3 - Magic" and "4 - Cunning" have switched positions. In this case, the order is:
- 0 - Strength
- 1 - Dexterity
- 2 - Willpower
- 3 - Cunning
- 4 - Magic
- 5 - Constitution
Approvals
Party member approval scores may also be found by looking in SAVEGAME_PARTYLIST -> SAVEGAME_PARTY_APPROVAL_LIST. Each numeral represents a companion in your party and their scores may be edited by adjusting the value of a particular character's SAVEGAME_PARTY_APPROVAL_LEVEL.
Properties List
You aren't limited to just the basic 6 attributes. You have access to the full range of attributes to include resistances. However, you shouldn't look on numbers under savegame_statlist (they could be different from the numbers referenced), but for the ID number of the "SAVEGAME_STATPROPERTY_INDEX" in the expanded code. (When you open the number, there are lines like SAVEGAME_STATPROPERTY_BASE, SAVEGAME_STATPROPERTY_MODIFIER, SAVEGAME_STATPROPERTY_INDEX). It's possible some of the figures below aren't present yet, since they only populate to the save once the statistic is introduced during gameplay. The INDEX IDs are as follows:
1- Strength
2- Dexterity
3- Willpower
4- Magic
5- Cunning
6- Constitution
7- Health - Just edit Base amount
8- Mana/Stamina - Just edit Base amount
9- Attack
10- Defense
11- Armor
13- Spellpower
14- Health Regen
15- Level
16- Chance to dodge
19- Xp
20- Movement speed
21- Melee Crit %
22- Magic Crit %
23- Ranged Crit %
28- Combat Health Regen
29- Mana Regen
30- Combat Mana Regen
31 - Attack Speed (Lower = Faster)
32- Mental resistance
33- Physical resistance
34- Attribute Points
35- Skill Points
36- Talent / Spell Points
37- Background
38- Specialization points
39- + Melee Damage
41- Fatigue
42- Fire Resistance
43- Cold Resistance
44- Electricity Resistance
45- Nature Resistance
46- Spirit Resistance
51- Healing Received %
52- Resist Magic %
53- Armor Penetration
54- Backstab/Melee Crit Damage
55-59- Elemental Damage modifier
Editing Money
- Navigate to SAVEGAME_PARTYLIST->SAVEGAME_MONEY;
- Edit the value (1 gold = 100 silvers = 10,000 coppers, so to add 1 gold add 10,000).
Editing Weapons/Items
You can edit items in your backpack or equipped to your character. However, editing items equipped does not update your stats unless you remove and replace them.
- To edit items in your backpack, navigate to SAVEGAME_PARTYLIST->SAVEGAME_BACKPACK
- To edit items equipped to the player character, navigate to SAVEGAME_PLAYERCHAR->SAVEGAME_PLAYERCHAR_CHAR->SAVEGAME_EQUIPMENT_ITEMS
- To edit items equipped to your companions (including those you don't have access to) navigate to SAVEGAME_PARTYLIST->SAVEGAME_PARTYPOOLMEMBERS->(Companion of your choice)->SAVEGAME_EQUIPMENT_ITEMS
From here, you have a few things you can change. Remember to click the "Save" button to commit your change (this won't save it to the disk, for that use "Save As").
- TEMPLATERESREF - Defines the name, icon, and model of the weapon or item. Usually there is an obvious pattern to it.
- For example, gen_im_trs_dal_hvy_cht_r0 is a general item, dalish, heavy chest. You can substitute the "cht" (chest) with "boo" (boot), "hlm" (helm), or "glv" (glove) and get a matching armor item.
- OBJECT_ID - This must be an ID that the game has assigned for this save. If you copy & paste an item from another save, you will have to replace the object ID on your pasted object with the ID from a sacrificial object, such as a trash item (remember to delete the sacrificed item). If you fail to do this, the game will show the item, but you won't be able to wear it, wield it, store it, or even sell it.
- ITEM_COST -
- ITEM_STACKSIZE - How many of the item you have. This should be 1 for arms and armor, but for potions and trash you can make it any between 1 and 99. (It should be noted that this makes for a really easy way to make more gold. All you need is 1 Potent Lyrium Potion. (The TEMPLATERESREF is gen_im_qck_mana_401...) Set the ITEM_STACKSIZE to 99 and change the ITEM_BASECOST to 500000. Save as normal and sell your new stack to any merchant and each potion will sell for 12.5 Sovereigns for a total of 1237.5 Sovereigns.)
- TO EDIT WEAPON DAMAGE - The line above SAVEGAME_OBJECT_PLOT - The level of the item. The line is unlabeled, but it is an int32. All properties are leveled by this field, including restrictions. Set to a value between 1 and 50.
Item Properties
The biggest concern for items is their properties, which are found in ITEM_PROPERTIES, ITEM_PROPERTY_POWERS, ITEM_PROPERTY_EFFECTID and ITEM_PROPERTY_VFXID. Note that these 4 arrays are linked together, such that adding a value to one requires a matching value is added to the others.
- ITEM_PROPERTIES - Contains the ID of the property for this index. This can be a buff or a restriction.
- ITEM_PROPERTY_POWERS - Contains a floating point value that indicates how strong the property in this index is. This is usually 1.0 (or 1065353216 when treated as an integer)
- ITEM_PROPERTY_EFFECTID - Not sure, usually -1.
- ITEM_PROPERTY_VFXID - Not sure, usually -1.
So, in order to add the property "+x to all attributes", you must add to ITEM_PROPERTIES the value "1006", ITEM_PROPERTY_POWERS the value "1065353216", ITEM_PROPERTY_EFFECTID the value "-1" and ITEM_PROPERTY_VFXID the value "-1". Always make sure these 4 fields have the same number of items.
If you want to remove the strength restriction, find the index in ITEM_PROPERTIES with the value "3200" and make note of the index, delete it from ITEM_PROPERTIES, ITEM_PROPERTY_POWERS, ITEM_PROPERTY_EFFECTID and ITEM_PROPERTY_VFXID. Make sure you delete the right one if powers and effect ID have odd values, as they are matched by index.
List of Properties (DA2)
| ID (use this) | Type | Description | Special Info |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | invalid | ||
| 1000 | passive | Attribute - strength | |
| 1001 | passive | Attribute - dexterity | |
| 1002 | passive | Attribute - magic | |
| 1003 | passive | Attribute - cunning | |
| 1004 | passive | Attribute - willpower | |
| 1005 | passive | Attribute - constitution | |
| 1006 | passive | Attribute - all | |
| 1100 | passive | Property - health | |
| 1101 | passive | Property - mana | |
| 1102 | passive | Property - attack | |
| 1103 | passive | Property - defense | |
| 1104 | passive | Property - stamina | |
| 1105 | passive | Property - critical chance | |
| 1106 | passive | Property - damage factor - critical | |
| 1107 | passive | Property - armor(metal) | |
| 1108 | passive | Property - armor(leather) | |
| 1109 | passive | Property - armor(cloth) | |
| 1110 | passive | Property - health regen | |
| 1111 | passive | Property - mana regen | |
| 1113 | passive | Property - damage factor - physical | |
| 1114 | passive | Property - damage factor - fire | |
| 1115 | passive | Property - damage factor - cold | |
| 1116 | passive | Property - damage factor - electrical | |
| 1117 | passive | Property - damage factor - nature | |
| 1118 | passive | Property - damage factor - spirit | |
| 1119 | passive | Property - healing done | |
| 1120 | passive | Property - healing taken | |
| 1121 | passive | Property - stamina regen | |
| 1122 | passive | Property - bloodmage cost | |
| 1123 | passive | Property - attack speed | |
| 1200 | Passive | Resistance - Elemental - Fire | |
| 1201 | Passive | Resistance - Elemental - Cold | |
| 1202 | Passive | Resistance - Elemental - Electricity | |
| 1203 | Passive | Resistance - Elemental - Nature | |
| 1204 | Passive | Resistance - Elemental - Spirit | |
| 1205 | Passive | Resistance - Damage | |
| 1210 | Passive | Resistance - Magic | |
| 1211 | Passive | Resistance - Force | |
| 2000 | On-Hit | Damage - Physical | |
| 2001 | On-Hit | Damage - Physical (AOE) | |
| 2002 | On-Hit | Damage - Fire | |
| 2003 | On-Hit | Damage - Fire (AOE) | |
| 2004 | On-Hit | Damage - Cold | |
| 2005 | On-Hit | Damage - Cold (AOE) | |
| 2006 | On-Hit | Damage - Electricity | |
| 2007 | On-Hit | Damage - Electricity (AOE) | |
| 2008 | On-Hit | Damage - Nature | |
| 2009 | On-Hit | Damage - Nature (AOE) | |
| 2010 | On-Hit | Damage - Spirit | |
| 2011 | On-Hit | Damage - Spirit (AOE) | |
| 2100 | On-Hit | Chance to Knockback | |
| 2101 | On-Hit | Chance to Stun | |
| 2102 | On-Hit | Chance to Reduce Speed | |
| 2201 | On-Hit | Chance to Charm | |
| 2202 | On-Hit | Chance to inflict Walking Bomb | |
| 2204 | On-Hit | Life Leach | |
| 2205 | On-Hit | Energy Leach | |
| 2206 | On-Hit | Dispel | |
| 2300 | On-Hit-[Internal] | Poison - Debilitating Poison | |
| 2301 | On-Hit-[Internal] | Poison - Crow Venom | |
| 2302 | On-Hit-[Internal] | Poison - Deathroot Toxin | |
| 2303 | On-Hit-[Internal] | Poison - Arcane Poison | |
| 2304 | On-Hit-[Internal] | Poison - Fel-Poison | |
| 2400 | On-Hit | Bonus Damage to Humans | |
| 2401 | On-Hit | Bonus Damage to Qunari | |
| 2402 | On-Hit | Bonus Damage to Demons/Undead | |
| 2450 | (On-Hit)-[Internal] | Bonus Damage to Darkspawn | |
| 3000 | Restriction | Style - Two-Handed Weapon Style | |
| 3001 | Restriction | Style - Dual Wield Style | |
| 3002 | Restriction | Style - Staff | |
| 3003 | Restriction | Style - Weapon and Shield Style | |
| 3004 | Restriction | Style - Archery Style | |
| 3100 | Restriction | Race - Human | |
| 3101 | Restriction | Race - Dwarf | |
| 3102 | Restriction | Race - Elf | |
| 3103 | Restriction | Race - Qunari | |
| 3200 | Restriction | Attribute - Strength [Primary] | |
| 3201 | Restriction | Attribute - Dexterity [Primary] | |
| 3202 | Restriction | Attribute - Magic [Primary] | |
| 3203 | Restriction | Attribute - Cunning [Primary] | |
| 3204 | Restriction | Attribute - Willpower [Primary] | |
| 3205 | Restriction | Attribute - Constitution [Primary] | |
| 3210 | Restriction | Attribute - Strength [Secondary] | |
| 3211 | Restriction | Attribute - Dexterity [Secondary] | |
| 3212 | Restriction | Attribute - Magic [Secondary] | |
| 3213 | Restriction | Attribute - Cunning [Secondary] | |
| 3214 | Restriction | Attribute - Willpower [Secondary] | |
| 3215 | Restriction | Attribute - Constitution [Secondary] | |
| 3300 | Restriction | Player | |
| 3400 | Restriction | Follower - Anders | |
| 3401 | Restriction | Follower - Aveline | |
| 3402 | Restriction | Follower - Bethany | |
| 3403 | Restriction | Follower - Carver | |
| 3404 | Restriction | Follower - Fenris | |
| 3405 | Restriction | Follower - Isabela | |
| 3406 | Restriction | Follower - Merril | |
| 3407 | Restriction | Follower - Varric | |
| 3408 | Restriction | Follower - Sebastian | |
| 3409 | Restriction | Follower - Tallis | |
| 3500 | Restriction | Class - Warrior | |
| 3501 | Restriction | Class - Rogue | |
| 3502 | Restriction | Class - Mage | |
| 3510 | Restriction | Class - Warrior or Rogue | |
| 3600 | Restriction | Spec - Spirithealer | |
| 3601 | Restriction | Spec - Bloodmage | |
| 3602 | Restriction | Spec - Forcemage | |
| 3604 | Restriction | Spec - Shadow | |
| 3605 | Restriction | Spec - Duelist | |
| 3606 | Restriction | Spec - Assassin | |
| 3608 | Restriction | Spec - Templar | |
| 3609 | Restriction | Spec - Reaver | |
| 3610 | Restriction | Spec - Berserker | |
| 3700 | Restriction | Level | |
| 3701 | Restriction | Level [-2] | |
| 3702 | Restriction | Level [-4] | |
| 3703 | Restriction | Level [-6] | |
| 3704 | Restriction | Level [-8] | |
| 3705 | Restriction | Level [-10] | |
| 3800 | Restriction | Status - Full Health | |
| 3801 | Restriction | Status - Not Full Health | |
| 3802 | Restriction | Status - Full Mana/Stamina | |
| 3803 | Restriction | Status - Not Full Mana/Stamina | |
| 3804 | Restriction | Status - Injured | |
| 3805 | Restriction | Status - Not Injured | |
| 3806 | Restriction | Status - Combat | |
| 3807 | Restriction | Status - Not Combat | |
| 3850 | Restriction | Status - Not Full Health OR Not Full Mana/Stamina | |
| 3851 | Restriction | Status - Not Full Health OR Injured | |
| 5000 | Base Item | Weapon - Warrior - One-Handed | |
| 5100 | Base Item | Weapon - Warrior - Two-Handed | |
| 5200 | Base Item | Weapon - Rogue - Dual Wield | |
| 5300 | Base Item | Weapon - Rogue - Bow | |
| 5400 | Base Item | Weapon - Mage - Staff | |
| 5500 | Base Item | Armor - Heavy | |
| 5501 | Base Item | Armor - Medium | |
| 5502 | Base Item | Armor - Light | |
| 5600 | Base Item | Accessory - Amulet | |
| 5610 | Base Item | Accessory - Ring | |
| 5620 | Base Item | Accessory - Belt | |
| 6001 | Heraldry | Amell Family | |
| 6002 | Heraldry | Antivan Crows | |
| 6004 | Heraldry | Chantry | |
| 6005 | Heraldry | Dalish Elves | |
| 6006 | Heraldry | Dwarven Carta | |
| 6008 | Heraldry | Ferelden | |
| 6009 | Heraldry | Grey Wardens | |
| 6010 | Heraldry | Harimann Family | |
| 6011 | Heraldry | Kirkwall | |
| 6013 | Heraldry | Merchants Guild | |
| 6014 | Heraldry | Orlais | |
| 6015 | Heraldry | Qunari | |
| 6016 | Heraldry | Red Icon Mercenaries | |
| 6017 | Heraldry | Resolutionists | |
| 6018 | Heraldry | Starkhaven | |
| 6019 | Heraldry | Templars | |
| 6020 | Heraldry | Tevinter Slavers | |
| 6021 | Heraldry | The Coterie | |
| 6022 | Heraldry | The Winters | |
| 7000 | Treasure | Rank 01 (Worthless Junk) | |
| 7001 | Treasure | Rank 02 (Broken Weapons) | |
| 7002 | Treasure | Rank 03 (Cheap Gems) | |
| 7003 | Treasure | Rank 04 (Statuettes) | |
| 7004 | Treasure | Rank 05 (Health Potions) | |
| 7005 | Treasure | Rank 06 (Standard Gems) | |
| 7006 | Treasure | Rank 07 (Bag of Coins) | |
| 7007 | Treasure | Rank 08 (Expensive Gems) | |
| 7008 | Treasure | Rank 09 (Unique Items) | |
| 7009 | Treasure | Rank 10 (Priceless Gems) | |
| 7999 | Treasure | Worthless (forced 1cp) | |
| 8000 | Rune | Rune Slot | Power is number of rune slots |
| 9000 | Special | Armor - Immunity - Critical Hits | |
| 9001 | Special | Armor - Immunity - Flanking | |
| 9002 | Special | Armor - Immunity - Stun | |
| 9003 | Special | Armor - Immunity - Knockback | |
| 9100 | Special | Weapon - Increase chance of Deathblow | |
| 9101 | Special | Weapon - Increased Gore | |
| 9102 | Special | Armor - Increase player XP | |
| 9103 | Special | Weapon - Increase Threat | |
| 9104 | Special | Armor - Decrease Threat | |
| 9105 | Special | Weapon - Attacks Ignore Displacement | |
| 9106 | Special | Armor - Trap Evasion | |
| 9107 | Special | Armor - Improved Disarm | |
| 9108 | Special | Armor - Improved Lockpicking | |
| 9109 | Special | Armor - Spiked Shield | |
| 9110 | Special | Armor - Escape | |
| 9111 | Special | Armor - Lucky | |
| 9112 | Special | Celestial | |
| 9113 | Special | Weapon - Attacks Ignore Armor | |
| 9114 | Special | Accessory - Increased Gold drop | |
| 9115 | Special | Evolving | |
| 9200 | Special-[Internal] | Rune of Devastation | |
| 9201 | Special-[Internal] | Rune of Valiance | |
| 9202 | Special-[Internal] | Primeval Lyrium Rune | |
| 10000 | Damage Type | Physical | |
| 10001 | Damage Type | Fire | |
| 10002 | Damage Type | Cold | |
| 10004 | Damage Type | Electricity | |
| 10005 | Damage Type | Nature | |
| 10006 | Damage Type | Spirit | |
| 11100 | On-Hit-[Internal] | Warrior - Offensive Stun | |
| 11101 | On-Hit-[Internal] | Warrior - Offensive Damage | |
| 11102 | On-Hit-[Internal] | Mage - Elemental Weapons - Physical | |
| 11103 | On-Hit-[Internal] | Mage - Elemental Weapons - Fire | |
| 11104 | On-Hit-[Internal] | Mage - Elemental Weapons - Cold | |
| 11105 | On-Hit-[Internal] | Mage - Elemental Weapons - Electricity | |
| 11106 | On-Hit-[Internal] | Mage - Elemental Weapons - Nature | |
| 11107 | On-Hit-[Internal] | Mage - Elemental Weapons - Spirit | |
| 12000 | Passive-[Internal] | Upgrade - Anders 01 - Spirit Essence - Magic Resistance | |
| 12001 | Passive-[Internal] | Upgrade - Anders 02 - Armor Struts - Armor | |
| 12002 | Passive-[Internal] | Upgrade - Anders 03 - Underground Sigil --- Rune | |
| 12003 | Passive-[Internal] | Upgrade - Anders 04 - Lyrium Weave - Attack | |
| 12010 | Passive-[Internal] | Upgrade - Aveline 01 - Underpadding - Attack | |
| 12011 | Passive-[Internal] | Upgrade - Aveline 02 - Flex-Chain --- Rune | |
| 12012 | Passive-[Internal] | Upgrade - Aveline 03 - Impact Plating - Armor | |
| 12013 | Passive-[Internal] | Upgrade - Aveline 04 - Deflecting Joints - Defense | |
| 12020 | Passive-[Internal] | Upgrade - Bethany 01 - Protective Sigil --- Magic Resist | |
| 12030 | Passive-[Internal] | Upgrade - Carver 01 - Girded Plating --- Armor | |
| 12040 | Passive-[Internal] | Upgrade - Fenris 01 - Reinforced Straps --- Attack | |
| 12041 | Passive-[Internal] | Upgrade - Fenris 02 - Enchanted Resin --- Rune | |
| 12042 | Passive-[Internal] | Upgrade - Fenris 03 - Lyrium Scales --- Rune | |
| 12043 | Passive-[Internal] | Upgrade - Fenris 04 - Tevinter Spirit Runes --- Rune | |
| 12050 | Passive-[Internal] | Upgrade - Isabela 01 - Lambswool Insoles - Critical Strike Chance | |
| 12051 | Passive-[Internal] | Upgrade - Isabela 02 - Rigid Boning --- Defense | |
| 12052 | Passive-[Internal] | Upgrade - Isabela 03 - Boiled Leather Plates --- Rune | |
| 12053 | Passive-[Internal] | Upgrade - Isabela 04 - Supportive Corselet --- Rune | |
| 12060 | Passive-[Internal] | Upgrade - Merril 01 - Carved Ironwood Buttons- Health | |
| 12061 | Passive-[Internal] | Upgrade - Merril 02 - Samite Lining --- Rune | |
| 12062 | Passive-[Internal] | Upgrade - Merril 03 - Silver-threaded Dalish Embroidery - Health Regen | |
| 12063 | Passive-[Internal] | Upgrade - Merril 04 - Halla Horn Buckles --- Rune | |
| 12070 | Passive-[Internal] | Upgrade - Varric 01 - Coat Lining --- Attack | |
| 12071 | Passive-[Internal] | Upgrade - Varric 02 - Inscribed Leather Harness --- Rune | |
| 12072 | Passive-[Internal] | Upgrade - Varric 03 - Silverite-reinforced Buckles --- Rune | |
| 12073 | Passive-[Internal] | Upgrade - Varric 04 - Drakeskin Leg Straps --- Rune | |
| 12080 | Passive-[Internal] | Upgrade - Sebastian 01 - Reinforced Bracers—Increased Attack | |
| 12081 | Passive-[Internal] | Upgrade - Sebastian 02 - Mail Undertunic --- Crit Strike % | |
| 12082 | Passive-[Internal] | Upgrade - Sebastian 03 - Enhanced Articulation --- Rune | |
| 12083 | Passive-[Internal] | Upgrade - Sebastian 04 - Protection of the Faith --- Rune | |
| 100000 | Item Set | Default |
Adding Crafting Recipes
Open the save game in the editor and look for SAVEGAME_PARTYLIST -> SAVEGAME_CRAFTING_RECIPE_LIST. Each node corresponds to the crafting recipe ID. You must add a node for each crafting recipe.
ID Name of Recipe
Potions
- 10000 Elfroot Potion
- 10001 Elixir of Purity
- 10003 Restoration Potion
- 10004 Life Ward Potion
- 10005 Rock Armor Potion
- 10006 Mighty Offense Potion
- 10007 Elixir of Heroism
Grenades
- 20000 Combustion Grenade
- 20001 Tar Bomb
- 20002 Mythal's Favor
- 20003 Fell Grenade
Poisons
- 21000 Debilitating Poison
- 21001 Crow Venom
- 21002 Deathroot Toxin
- 21003 Arcane Poison
- 21004 Fell Poison
Armor Runes
- 30000 Protection
- 30001 Fortune
- 30002 Frost Warding
- 30003 Fire Warding
- 30004 Lightning Warding
- 30005 Nature Warding
- 30006 Spirit Warding
- 30007 Defense
- 30008 Valiance
Weapon Runes
- 31000 Impact
- 31001 Frost
- 31002 Fire
- 31003 Lightning
- 31004 Nature
- 31005 Spirit
- 31006 Striking
- 31007 Devastation
Fixing Merrill's Act 3 Bug
When Merrill's relationship is maxed out, a specific plot flag is set that the game checks upon entering Merrill's house in Act 3. This causes the end of A New Path to be shown early. This can be fixed by the following:
Note: This quest is supposedly fixed in Patch 1.02, but this will be left here for anyone who hasn't patched or runs into the issue after the patch anyway.
- Make sure you have GFF V4.0 save editor 0.5.5b+
- Upon reaching Act 3 but without entering Merrill's house
- Make a save (Name it Mod so you can make sure you know where you saved it)
- Back up the save, just in case
- Open GFF V4.0 save editor
- Navigate to your (My Documents)\BioWare\Dragon Age 2\Characters\(Your Character)\Saves\Slot_(Last one)
- Open the Mod.das file (or whatever you named it)
- In the "Search" box on the right, enter the GUID for this plot: 2B206E2501BF40A48ED9A4B6EF7533A4
- Please copy & paste the above and ensure that you don't get any additional characters, such as space or newline. If you type it, remember that the search is case sensitive, meaning every letter needs to be capitalize as above.
- If you want to avoid the chance of getting the space or newline, you can copy only the part from B2...3A, leaving off the first and last numbers. This should still find only the GUID we're looking for.
- Click Search or press enter
- One result should appear, double click it
- On the line below SAVEGAME_PLOT_GUID there should be SAVEGAME_PLOT_FLAGS_1, select it.
- Copy the number
- Open Calculator, make sure it's in Scientific mode (windows xp & vista) or Programmer mode (windows 7)
- Paste the number into it
- Click the And button
- Paste in the following number: 4294963199
- The above number is the inverse of 4096, the offending flag in this bug. By anding the original number with the inverse of the flag, we turn off the flag.
- Click the equal button
- Copy the resulting number
- Paste it into GFF4.0 where you got the original number.
- Click Save
- Still in GFF4.0, navigate to SAVEGAME_PARTYLIST->SAVEGAME_PARTYPOOLMEMBERS and find gen00fl_merrill.
- Make note of the number in OBJECT_ID
- Navigate toe SAVEGAME_PARTYLIST->SAVEGAME_PARTY_APPROVAL_LIST and find the SAVEGAME_PARTY_APPROVAL_ID that matches the OBJECT_ID for merrill.
- Set the corresponding SAVEGAME_PARTY_APPROVAL_LEVEL to 75 if you're friends or -75 if you're rivals
- This prevents the flag from immediately being set again. You will have to be careful not to reach maximum before the end of A New Path, or do not return to Merrill's house until you have completed A New Path.
- Click Save
- Click File->Save As...
- Save over Mod.das
- Return to game
- You're done! You can now enter Merrill's home and see Varric chat with Merrill instead of Merrill sobbing about something that hasn't happened.
Dragon Age II Save Editing
Though the save files are very similar you will not be able to open them in the toolset. Instead you must use "pyGFF 0.4.9b Saved Game Editor" or higher (for now) to edit save games. Remember, this isn't an official tool and thus has a much greater chance of corrupting your save, so always backup a save file. Once you have opened your save file (which is located in nearly the same spot as the dragon age origins file except you go into the dragon age II folder) you'll find the hierarchy of the file to be pretty much the same as above for dragon age origins, the main difference is the stat index numbers now correspond to different stats as seen in this picture: 
Remember when you're done editing to use the "save-as" option and save over the file you're editing (after you have a made a backup of it to another directory). The "save" option doesn't seem to work properly.