Support

• Anora's support = 3

• The Grand Cleric's denunciation = 2

• Each named noble who supports you (via successful quest and/or argument) = 1

• Each named noble who supports Loghain (via failed quest and/or argument) = -1

• Persuasive argument = 1

• Failed argument = -1

You can gain support as follows (nobles are in the same order as they vote in the cutscene):

• Anora doesn't vote, but speaks at the end of the debate against Loghain. If you talked to her before the Landsmeet, promised to support her claim for the throne and didn't insist that Loghain must pay for his crimes, she speaks in favor of the Grey Wardens; otherwise she will speak against them.

• Grand Cleric Elemena doesn't vote, but denounces Loghain if Lost Templar is completed and the charge of using an apostate in poisoning Arl Eamon is brought up in the third round of the debate.

• Vaughan Kendells, the rightful Arl of Denerim can be released from Howe's prison in exchange for his vote.

• Arl Bryland of South Reach supports the Warden by default (countered by Bann Ceorlic).

• Bann Alfstanna of the Waking Seas votes for the Warden on the basis of:

  • Quest: Completing Lost Templar by giving Alfstanna her brother's ring at the Gnawed Noble Tavern

  • Argument: Successful persuasion with either "Blight is the threat here, not Orlais" or supporting Alistair's claim in the third round of debate.

• Bann Sighard of Dragon's Peak votes for the Warden on the basis of:

  • Quest: Completing Tortured Noble by releasing Sighard's son from Howe's prison.

  • Argument: Bringing up the slavery charge.

• Arl Wulff of the Western Hills votes for the Warden on the basis of:

  • Argument: Saying that Blight is the real threat, either the first or third round of debate, regardless of whether persuasion is successful.

• Bann Ceorlic votes against the Warden by default (countered by Arl Bryland)

• If Trial of the Crows was completed, a mysterious nobleman will lend support to the Warden, citing help in a 'family matter.'

• The last noble to speak does not represent a winnable vote, but summarizes the vote's outcome instead (his vote and the outcome of the debate never differ, as with the canceling votes of Bryland and Ceorlic).

  There are multiple ways to win the Landsmeet. Just be careful when presenting the arguments of Ostagar or Alistair's claim to the throne: the first isn't backed by any evidence, and without successful Persuasion, pursuing either of these will cost you a point. In fact, any Warden who leads with Alistair's claim, then follows by accusing Loghain of his Ostagar treason, automatically loses the debate.

Winning Without Anora

Complete Lost Templar and Tortured Noble successfully before the Landsmeet and either free Vaughan or complete The Trial of Crows. Use the "focus on the Blight" argument in the first round, the "torture dungeons of Howe" argument in the second, and the "poisoning of Arl Eamon" argument in the third. This will ensure the Grand Cleric's denunciation of Loghain and the votes of Alfstanna, Sighard and Wulff. If done successfully, Loghain will bring up the topic of Anora being held by the Wardens. To this, use "What have I done? I've protected her from you!" and subsequently the option "What?!" when Anora reveals her betrayal.

Note: It seems that arguments which garner support but are not backed by quests (Blight and slavery) do not contribute to the point gain, therefore the additional votes of Vaughan and/or the mysterious nobleman are required.

Loghain fights with a sword and shield, and may switch to a crossbow if you move out of range. He can knock you down with Shield Bash or War Cry, stun with Shield Pummel, and guarantee four hits (particularly damaging to a mage or rogue) with Assault, so use caution if you don't have high physical resistance (roughly 70+, achievable with Hale runes enchanted into weapons, investment in Strength, Dexterity, and Constitution attributes, and with certain equipment such as Deadhead Charge).

• The Shield Wall talent augmented by Shield Expertise (which Loghain uses himself) will make the wielder immune to the knockdown effect regardless of physical resistance, thus Alistair can equal Loghain in terms of power and ability provided he stuck to his inherent Weapon and Shield skill set throughout the game. For two-handed warriors, Sunder Arms and Sunder Armor, as well as the Destroyer passive can lower Loghain's stats and make him easier to manage, but they will still likely need to rely on a great deal of poultices, as Critical Strike, Mighty Blow, and Pommel Strike lose effectiveness against Loghain's Shield Wall, and Loghain can attack much faster with his one-handed sword. A Reaver's Frightening Appearance can exploit Loghain's low mental resistance for a temporary Horror effect.

• A mage can easily defeat him with Cone of Cold, and Crushing Prison spell can take him out in less than 10 seconds in combination with good attacks. Morrigan will likely have these spells in a build extending her default set of spells, thus making her one of the most effective options, possibly even superior to the Warden or Alistair, to battle Loghain. Glyph of Repulsion also works well to keep Loghain from effectively attacking.

• A rogue can use Dirty Fighting to guarantee a stun, use Mark of Death if an Assassin and rank 3 Stealth to slip out of danger when necessary (and to let Dirty Fighting cool down), kite Loghain while a Ranger summons bears at him, and use Arrow of Slaying for massive damage. Loghain seems able to easily shrug off the generic Rogue talents, but Lethality and Evasion can be very effective passive talents to augment their fighting styles. Archers practically require Melee Archer to be able to battle at all, Critical Shot to get through his armor, and Shattering Shot to reduce his armor rating. A Duelist's Pinpoint Strike can provide temporary auto-criticals, which works very well with Momentum to deal damage to Loghain faster than he can deal it back, as the player cannot deliver backstabs as effectively in a one-on-one fight against an opponent that constantly turns to face them.

If you want to use more mundane tactics, Loghain is hard to hit, but you can even out the playing field immensely with some Soldier's Bane to keep his special attacks to a minimum. As Loghain doesn't use poultices, having a healthy stock of them yourself can help you simply outlast him (provided they can actually be used between his knockdown-inducing abilities).

After winning the duel, Loghain will surrender his claim to the regency. At this point:

• If Alistair dueled Loghain, a cutscene has him execute Loghain immediately after he and the Warden nod to each other. Anora will then withdraw any support previously promised and cannot be convinced to wed Alistair.

• Otherwise Riordan will appear and you will be given the chance to show Loghain a mercy punishment and induct him into the Grey Wardens.

  • Alistair will be infuriated by this suggestion, and will leave the party permanently if the player goes through with it.

  • You can only recruit Loghain if Anora is supported as queen, or you have Anora and Alistair marry. If Alistair is named King but does not wed Anora, he will order Loghain's death by royal decree.

  • Loghain then takes Alistair's place in the party.

• You may kill Loghain yourself or pass the responsibility to Alistair. Anora will not marry the man that personally executed her father, so it must be carried out by the one not getting married.

Result

There are a vast number of possibilities and outcomes for the main characters after Loghain has been defeated in the duel. Some of these choices and options will only be available to characters with a high Coercion rank, or by laying groundwork for them in prior events. Depending on the choices made during the dialogue, deciding the fates of these characters can be a tangled affair, with one decision having significant consequences for the fate of the others.

• If you won the Landsmeet, you will be awarded with +1 spell/talent and +1 attribute point. This will show as a level up, but will not increase your level.