Depending on the player character's choices during the events of Dragon Age: Origins, Alistair may be installed as king of Ferelden, remain as a Grey Warden, become a wandering drunk, or be executed by Queen Anora.

He is believed to be the secret son of King Maric and a serving girl, and was originally raised in Redcliffe Castle by Arl Eamon after his mother's death.

[5] Similarly, Gaider also originally wanted to have Mal's actor Nathan Fillion voice the character, but decided against it as he would have had to perform an English accent.

He accompanies the player character in organizing the preparation for their "Joining" ritual as part of their induction into the Grey Wardens, where they first encounter Morrigan, a Witch of the Wilds.

After Loghain abandons the battle at Ostagar, leaving the Grey Wardens and King Cailan Theirin to die, he and the player are rescued by Flemeth.

Alistair is the main protagonist of a trilogy of Dragon Age graphic novels authored by David Gaider, which began with The Silent Grove.

[19] The results of a match-up poll of Dragon Age characters hosted by Bioware as part of a March Madness theme in March 2015 revealed that fans voted the Origins Warden protagonist, Alistair, Varric Tethras and Morrigan as preferred party leader, warrior, rogue and mage in an ideal party respectively.

[21] Eurogamer's Oli Welsh noted that Alistair and Morrigan are the "stars" of the game's companions; their bickering in particular evoked sexual tension in his view, a sentiment shared by his colleague Kieron Gillen from Rock, Paper, Shotgun.

[23] He said that Alistair, along with Shale, brought needed levity to the otherwise grim world of Dragon Age, describing the both of them as the game's most vital voices.

[26] Kirk Hamilton, also writing for Kotaku, called Alistair one of his favorite characters, and looked forward to seeing how he got on with the "worldly" Isabella during The Silent Grove.

[27][28][29] Walker believed that his friendship with Alistair had an "echo of reality", and felt that his sarcasm plus balancing his emotions and bravado "continue[d] to resonate".

[31] Walker again, this time writing for Rock, Paper, Shotgun, commented how when playing his male character his heart was always with Alistair, and felt like he was "using" Zevran when he romanced him.

[32] In an article on video game romances, 1UP.com commented on how Alistair grew and developed with the player, despite beginning as an uncertain "somewhat naive soldier".

[33] Natania Barron, writing for Wired GeekMom column, commented that there was something "devious and devillish" about romancing him due to his ex-Templar roots.

Barron also mentioned how, after making him king, she was willing to restart the game as a Human Noble when she found out he would break up with her elf and that she "honestly cared" about securing his marriage.

Barron favorably compared his romance to that of Anders' from Dragon Age II, saying that she "settled" for him and most likely chose him because he reminded her of Alistair.

Meer commented on BioWare's repeated use of themes and called Alistair Dragon Age's "Carth"; mentioning how he is the first person you recruit, had a heart of gold and is the main female love interest.

[23] During a criticism of BioWare's games, GameZone's Dave Snell believed that many characters were too similar, specifically calling both Carth and Alistair the "snarky young upstart".

[36] John Walker, this time writing for Rock, Paper, Shotgun, felt that Alistair bucked the trend of BioWare making all the starting companions tedious.