Softened (2024)

Hardened[]

In the game, Leliana is hardened by default regardless of whether or not she was hardened in Dragon Age Origins. As hardened, she will kill those she believes guilty of betrayal and question herself when she shows weakness. She will often remark on how killing can be a necessity when dealing with those who oppose the Inquisition. If elected as Divine, she will meet her opposition with ruthless force. If you wish for Leliana to remain hardened, you only need to avoid one of the dialogue options below.

Dialogue[]

To soften Leliana, you must convince her to spare the traitor and Natalie, must not tell her that soldiers are expendable, and must tell her to stop torturing herself after sparing Natalie.

Haven[]

The second time you're able to have a conversation with Leliana in Haven, you will discover Leliana speaking to an agent about a traitor. She makes the decision to execute him. Choose the option Do you have to kill him? You can convince Leliana to spare him any way you would like. She will argue with you, but eventually relent.

Skyhold (Optional)[]

After arriving at Skyhold, you will find Leliana in conversation with Cullen. She blames herself for the people who died at Haven and believes if she didn't pull her agents back, they might have had more time to work against Corypheus and perhaps save Haven. Do not blame Leliana for what happened, and at the third dialogue wheel, choose the option Our men are not disposable. Leliana will question your "sentimentality." If this conversation is missed, you can still soften Leliana, as the important part here is that you not tell Leliana "they're soldiers," as that is what locks you out from softening her.

The Left Hand of the Divine[]

During The Left Hand of the Divine quest, Leliana will want to kill Sister Natalie. Tell Leliana to Let her go. If you have chosen the correct dialogue options in all previous conversations mentioned above, Leliana will let Natalie go. If you have not chosen the correct options or if you tell Leliana to kill Natalie, Leliana will remain hardened.
After Leliana releases Natalie, she will go to the box and find it empty. Choose which ever option you wish for the first dialogue wheel. For the second, choose the option Stop torturing yourself. Leliana will thank you for helping her see what was right and says she will see you back at Skyhold.

Return to Skyhold[]

Talk to Leliana upon returning to Skyhold and choose whichever dialogue options you would like. Leliana will admit that she feels reborn and she realizes she is more than what Justinia made her. In contrast, if she's hardened, she will say that ruthlessness gets the job done and is something to be proud of. She believes the Inquisition needs her as Justinia made her.

Divine Election[]

Provided that the player has taken the appropriate steps, Leliana will eventually find herself sitting upon the Sunburst Throne. Whether she is softened or hardened directly affects her style of approach as divine, as the concept of working through diplomacy or killing those who oppose her ultimately fall under the circ*mstances. The Chantry can remain strong or gradually change depending on the amount of support she had coming into power.

Notes[]

This particular walkthrough showcases the entire softening process.
This post breaks down the flags and the codes that determine softening within the game files.
The “Our men are not disposable“ can be all together skipped (on accident or purpose), but she can still be softened if all other dialogue has been checked. This is because the other dialogue option, the one saying "they're soldiers," is the one that disables softening if chosen. -confirmed on PC. Patch 9
It has previously been thought that saying "my sympathies" during the first conversation with Leliana was a part of this process, but it has since been determined to have no bearing.